OOC3 Recap

While drinking may seem like a fun pastime in college, it does pose a lot of risks for those who drink excessively. The consequences of excessive alcohol consumption range from mild embarrassment to life-altering. Consequences include academic problems, unsafe sex, sexual abuse, injury, assault and in some cases, death. Excessive drinking can also lead to alcohol addiction problems. The NIAAA reported that 19 percent of college students between the ages of 18 and 24 met the criteria for alcohol abuse or dependence. They also reported that students who first became intoxicated prior to age 19 were significantly more likely to be alcohol dependent and frequent heavy drinkers. “I think if you wake up and don’t remember what happened and you’re not upset with the fact that you don’t remember anything, and maybe even like not remembering, that’s when it could escalate,” said Lindsay Shafer, an MSU student.  

OOC3 Preview

Alcohol consumption is a big part of college life. 

In an environment with easy access to alcohol and encouragement from peers, it isn't surprising that most college students consume alcohol on a regular basis. Many students that consume alcohol in college partake in binge drinking, which is defined as the consumption of four or five drinks in a two-hour period, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. 

Some people, including Dr. Steven Sussman, say that college drinking has a lot to do with the environment that students are in. Students are free from their parents for the first time in their life, and for many students it feels like everyone around them is doing it. "At any given time, if you wanted to go out and get tanked, it wouldn't be hard for you to do," said Sussman. 

MM#2 Review

The task of figuring out how to pay for college is daunting for any student. At Michigan State University, it is no different.

MSU financial aid counselor Tyler Arens compared paying for college to buying a new car every year for four years.

It is up to students and their families to decide how they are going to pay for college. Some students, like Ben Galbraith work to help offset the costs of college.

Galbraith works on the MSU farms while he is in school in return for free housing on the farm. While this doesn't cover all of his costs, it does cut out the housing fee most students have to pay.

Other students, like Annie McGraw, have their college funded completely by their parents. "It was a lot less stressful for me," says McGraw.

MM#2 Preview

In the fall of 2013, Michigan State University had approximately 49,300 students. All of those students had one thing in common - a tuition bill that needed to be paid.

There are many ways for students to pay for school. Loans, scholarships, financial aid and support from family members are the most popular. However, even with so many options, many students still face the struggle of figuring out how they are going to pay.

The most common option for students is to pay through loans.

MSU financial aid counselor Tyler Arens recommends that the first step for all students seeking financial aid be filling out a FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid.