Month: May 2026

Recognizing Risk: Alcohol, Vulnerability, and Predatory Behavior

Alcohol Does Not Cause Sexual Assault One of the most important facts to understand is that alcohol does not cause sexual assault. Sexual assault is a deliberate act committed by a perpetrator. Alcohol, however, is frequently present because it can impair judgment, reduce awareness, and increase a person’s vulnerability. Perpetrators may intentionally take advantage of […]

Wrapping It Up: Understanding Your Brain and Making Healthy Choices

Congratulations! You’ve completed the The College Brain: Decision Making, Risk, and Substance Use module. Throughout these articles, you’ve learned that making healthy decisions isn’t about having perfect self-control. It’s about understanding how your brain works and using that knowledge to make choices that support your goals. College is filled with opportunities, challenges, and new experiences. […]

Making Healthy Decisions: Practical Strategies for Navigating College Life

College is full of decisions. Some are easy. Others happen quickly, especially in social situations where alcohol or other substances are present. The goal of this module has never been to tell you what choices to make. Instead, it has been about giving you information that helps you make decisions that support your health, safety, […]

Sleep, Stress, and Your Brain: Why Exhaustion Can Lead to Risky Choices

College life can feel like a constant balancing act. Classes, assignments, work, social life, family responsibilities, and personal expectations all compete for your time and energy. When things feel overwhelming, sleep is often the first thing to go. It might seem harmless to stay up later to study, scroll your phone, or go out with […]

Why Smart People Take Risks: Understanding Decision Making and Substance Use

Have you ever looked back at a decision and wondered: “What was I thinking?” Most people have. The truth is, making risky decisions does not mean someone is irresponsible or unintelligent. In fact, some of the smartest, most successful people make poor decisions from time to time. The difference is understanding why those decisions happen […]

Understanding Your Brain: Why It Matters for Substance Use

Starting college comes with more freedom than many students have ever experienced. For the first time, you may be making decisions without parents, teachers, or other trusted adults nearby. You decide when to go to class, when to study, who you spend time with, and how you take care of yourself. You may also find […]

Wrapping It Up: Building Relationships That Support Healthy Choices

Congratulations! You’ve completed the Relationships, Boundaries, and Influence module. Throughout this module, you’ve learned that one of the biggest influences on your college experience isn’t your major, your residence hall, or even your class schedule. It’s the people you surround yourself with. The friendships you build, the communities you join, and the decisions you make […]

When Someone You Care About Is Struggling

College is full of new experiences, challenges, and opportunities for growth. It is also a time when many students experience increased stress, anxiety, depression, or substance-related concerns. Sometimes, the person struggling isn’t you. It might be your roommate. A teammate. A classmate. A close friend. Knowing how to recognize when someone may need support can […]

Healthy Friendships and Setting Boundaries

The people you spend the most time with can have a significant influence on your college experience. Friends can motivate you to succeed, encourage you when things get difficult, and celebrate your accomplishments. They can also influence how you spend your time, the choices you make, and the habits you develop. Research shows that positive […]

Peer Influence, Social Media, and the Myth That “Everyone Is Doing It”

Have you ever looked at social media and thought it seemed like everyone was having more fun than you? Or walked across campus and assumed everyone else had already found their group of friends? It’s easy to believe you’re the only one who feels uncertain. The same thing happens with substance use. Many college students […]

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