An arrest record today can impact people in many ways it did not when modern parents were young...but that's just one of the risks related to alcohol.
College students navigate many changes during the first year of college, but alcohol and marijuana use is often one of the most challenging to deal with.
Underage Drinking: In 2024, 92% of first-year students at UNL reported that they either abstained from alcohol or if they drank, they did not binge drink*
*Binge Drinking is defined as 5 drinks for men and 4 drinks for women within a 2-hour period.
Students who believe that most of their peers are drinking alcohol or using marijuana often feel pressure to use up to the same perceived levels, which may result in unwanted and/or dangerous consequences.
Binge Drinking: Binge drinking rates among all ages of students at UNL have fallen from a high of 62.5% in 1997 down to 20% in 2024
Although more and more students are choosing to abstain from alcohol and marijuana use and/or practice responsible drinking, high-risk drinking is still a concern at UNL.
Cannabis/marijuana use: In 2024, 66% of UNL students reported that they had not used marijuana in any form (smokable, edible, or derivatives) in the past year
Having accurate information helps parents start the conversation with their student, and allows parents to speak with confidence and credibility.
Responsible students: Awareness of the consequences of high-risk or binge drinking is increasing among UNL students. In 2024, 65% of students reported that their personal beliefs and values influenced their decision not to drink. Additionally, 62% noted that avoiding negative consequences was a factor in their choice to abstain from alcohol, while 50% cited their academic responsibilities as a reason for not drinking.
It is important to share information with students that dispel the perception that all their peers are using marijuana, drinking, and drinking excessively.
Peer Behaviors: In 2024, 88% of UNL students indicated that they would not approve of a peer drinking excessively to the point of not remembering parts of the previous evening. Additionally, 92% said that they would not approve of a peer drinking so much that they become sick, while 93% said they would not approve of a peer putting themselves in situations they might later regret. Furthermore, 98% indicated they would not approve of a peer driving after consuming any amount of alcohol.*
When students realize that they’re not alone in either abstaining from or controlling their consumption of alcohol and marijuana they feel more comfortable declining the invitation to use substances.
*Information is taken from 2024 UNL Y1CBP and NACHB reports
Watch these videos to find out some students’ impressions of the college drinking and cannabis/marijuana scene.
Although more and more students are choosing to abstain from alcohol use and practice responsible drinking, high-risk drinking is still a concern at the university. As you visit with your student about drinking at college, having accurate information helps initiate the conversation and allows you to speak with confidence and credibility.
This website features interviews from students, parents and administrators at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Nebraska Wesleyan University. Although this website is intended for the parents of UNL students, it is important to note that young adults in the city of Lincoln, enrolled, employed or both, socialize together and often share similar experiences related to their transition to college life.