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I don’t know if you’ve heard, but CU has a bit of a reputation for partying.
In 2012, Newsweek ranked CU the number three party school in the entire nation, and that statistic really sinks in when you realize that there are roughly 2,774 four-year universities in the country.
For freshmen, the freedom associated with the college party culture can become a problem if not handled responsibly. Campus is dripping with stories of roofies, Molly (MDMA and its variants), vomiting in dorm rooms and friends strapped to gurneys in ambulances. And we freshmen have only been here for four weeks.
CU students partake in a friendly game of beer pong. Nobody wants to bring down their teammate by not making any cups. (CU Independent/Nate Bruzdzinski)
Parties at college are nothing new, but Boulder students party especially hard. A crazy night here and there is one thing, but party culture becomes a larger problem when it swallows up the rest of a student’s lifestyle.
“I definitely know people who never go to class. I think for some people, the social interaction and being popular in that way is more important than education,” said Heather Fischle, a 21-year-old senior speech, language and hearing major.
Freshmen who suddenly have the freedom to do whatever they want, whenever they want, seem especially at risk for falling into this kind of pattern.
“It’s kind of like when you’re a little kid and your parents are gone, and you eat all the ice cream — and you get the stomach ache the next day,” said Will Hathaway, a 21-year-old senior management and marketing major.
Groups on campus have tried to challenge the perception that partying is the norm, but it won’t change unless individual students exercise moderation.
There’s no reason to believe that someone who parties like crazy every week in college will suddenly realize the error of their ways when they get handed their diploma. That’s why developing an excessive party habit can be dangerous for someone’s future.
Sociology Professor Patti Adler said that 20-somethings don’t drop their drinking habits immediately after graduation. But when done responsibly, Adler said, partying can certainly have some upsides.
“It’s a relief from stress,” she said. “It’s intrinsically fun, and it develops close friendships.”
So, can partying be a good thing? Yes. Can it send you on a downward spiral, waking up at 3 p.m. and wondering where your pants went? Also yes. The difference is being smart about it.
Moderation is your friend. Also important is knowing that partying isn’t the only way to have a good time in Boulder. There are tons of fun things going on at CU: hundreds of clubs, movie showings in residence halls and sports events.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Ellis Arnold at Ellis.Arnold@colorado.edu.
