Choices

We all like to make choices – what classes to take, where to live, what friends to have, what kind of car to drive, where to eat, etc. You will make some of the most important choices you will ever make while you are in college - choices that will shape your future and your life. One of these choices will be whether or not to drink alcohol.

Time Management

The good news is that you will be choosing your class schedule and can take things that really interest you and have more flexibility in your schedule. The bad news is that
mom won’t be in your dorm room to make sure you get to class on time if you sleep through your alarm! If you miss a class, you have just wasted your (or your parent’s) money and have missed important information.

Do you have a problem with time management? Take this quick quiz to see:
1. I am consistently late to school, work, and other important events. Yes No
2. I usually feel overwhelmed and have to pull “all nighters” to get papers and other projects done on time. Yes No
3. I often make a lot of mistakes in my work because I feel rushed through it. Yes No
4. I sometimes forget important dates and events. Yes No
5. I rarely have time to spend with friends and family because I am always trying to get something done by a deadline. Yes No
6. I usually don’t get to eat meals on a regular basis but have to get fast food or other quick things I can grab on my way. Yes No
7. I tend to put things off until the last minute. Yes No
8. I usually get less than 5 hours of sleep a night. Yes No

If you answered “yes” to more than 2 of these, you probably have a problem with managing your time. But there is help! These tips and resources will help you learn to manage your time more effectively – just don’t put it off, read it!

Tips
• Get a calendar – paper, electronic, it doesn’t matter just USE it! Record all of your classes, social events, and important deadlines. Remind yourself through notes, email, and alarms you can set on the date. Set your calendar as completely as you can for the entire semester or quarter. For big projects, set dates to “check in” on your progress.
• “To Do” lists – break your week or even day down into manageable projects and activities and post the list where you are most likely to see it (use several if you need to – put them on the fridge, closet, bathroom mirror, etc.)
• prioritize!
• Know when you are most productive – don’t schedule your most difficult class first thing in the morning if you aren’t at your best then.
• learn to say “no” – you do need time to eat and sleep along with attending class and studying. Don’t over schedule yourself because you think you should be involved in everything your freshman year. Pace yourself – you have at least 4 years to be involved!
• Don’t make time management complicated and a chore – this is just a tool for you. Find a system that works for you (even if no one else understands it) and stick with it.

To Drink or Not

Some students may choose to party and not be responsible with alcohol, but a majority of students on campus will be responsible about drinking. Being responsible means:
Knowing that the legal drinking age in EVERY STATE is 21
Knowing and respecting your campus policies on alcohol and understanding the consequences if you break them
When you are 21, not drinking to get wasted or smashed
Knowing about alcohol poisoning and doing something about it if you think your friend has had too much to drink
When you are 21, keeping track of how much you have to drink and knowing your limits
Making sure you have a designated driver when you party – this means someone who has had NO ALCOHOL to drink, not whoever is the “least drunk”
Always keeping track of your drink, including non-alcoholic drinks, so it can’t be spiked with something else

What that drink could cost you
Depending on in what state you are attending college, underage drinking can carry fines and penalties from a few hundred to several thousand. In Indiana, if you are cited for underage drinking, here is how much that one $5 drink could cost you:
$500 (it is a Class C misdemeanor)
Loss of license for up to one year
Possible up to 6 months in jail
Court costs starting at $200
University fine – your university may fine you if you are cited for underage drinking
Increase in insurance fees – your insurance company may increase your car insurance rates if you are cited for underage drinking
Community service – you may be required to spend several hours doing community service if you are cited for underage drinking

Any underage drinking is NOT a responsible or healthy choice and can lead to a lot of problem and negative consequences that you don’t want. To find out what alcohol really is and how it can effect you, go to alcohol – soaking you.

Health

No doubt you have heard about the “freshman 15” – gaining weight the first year of college because you are no longer eating mom or dad’s healthy balanced meals but scarfing down pizza, fast food, eating late at night, drinking lots of soda and “energy drinks” with sugar and caffeine. You may also no longer be on your parents health insurance, so going to the doctor or getting medications may not be a priority for you. Here are some tips to help you make your freshman year healthy:

1. you will be required to get a physical and some immunizations before you enter college
2. talk to your parents about insurance and what your options are
3. find the student health department on your campus your first week there!
4. your mom was right – wash your hands! You are going to be exposed to a roommate or two with new germs to share – simply washing your hands often with soap and water will cut down on illness
5. keep an eye on your own health – if you feel sick or have a fever, DON’T go to class! You won’t feel like paying attention any way and you will spread your germs – just stay in bed
6. eat healthy – its ok to have junk food now and then, but if you aren’t eating a healthy diet it will catch up with you fast
7. stay hydrated – water is best and the more sugar and caffeine in a beverage, the less healthy for you
8. get regular check ups- use the student health center