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 yourself making decisions about alcohol, vaping, marijuana, or other substances.

Every choice you make is influenced by one powerful organ: your brain.

The good news is that understanding how your brain works can help you make informed decisions that support both your health and your future.

Your Brain Is Still Growing

Many people are surprised to learn that your brain continues developing into your mid-twenties.

This does not mean you are incapable of making good decisions.

It means that the parts of your brain responsible for planning, weighing consequences, controlling impulses, and making long-term decisions are still becoming more efficient.

One of the last areas of the brain to fully mature is the prefrontal cortex.

Think of the prefrontal cortex as your brain’s “decision-making center.” It helps you:

• Think through consequences before acting.
• Solve problems.
• Control impulses.
• Stay focused on long-term goals.
• Make thoughtful decisions under pressure.

These skills continue to strengthen throughout young adulthood.

Why Does This Matter?

College introduces many new experiences in a short period of time.

You may encounter:

• Parties
• Alcohol
• Vaping
• Marijuana
• Prescription medications used without a prescription
• New social circles
• More independence than you’ve ever had before

When exciting opportunities and developing decision-making skills meet, it can sometimes lead to choices you later regret.

That doesn’t mean something is wrong with you.

It means you’re learning.

Understanding how your brain responds to new experiences gives you another tool for making choices that align with your goals.

Your Brain Likes Rewards

Your brain is designed to learn from experiences that feel rewarding.

When something feels enjoyable, your brain releases a chemical messenger called dopamine.

Dopamine helps reinforce behaviors by making your brain want to repeat experiences that feel good.

Healthy activities that increase dopamine include:

• Exercising
• Spending time with friends
• Listening to music
• Reaching a personal goal
• Laughing
• Trying something new
• Volunteering or helping others

Alcohol and other substances also affect the brain’s reward system.

Some substances cause unusually large releases of dopamine or interfere with the way the brain naturally regulates it.

This can temporarily create feelings of pleasure or relaxation, but repeated substance use can change how the brain responds over time.

That is one reason substance use during adolescence and young adulthood deserves special attention.

Why Young Adults Face Unique Risks

Research shows that people who begin using alcohol or other substances at a younger age are more likely to experience substance-related problems later in life.

There are many reasons for this.

Young adults often experience:

• Major life transitions.
• Increased independence.
• Academic pressure.
• New social environments.
• Higher levels of experimentation.
• Developing brain pathways.

This does not mean that everyone who drinks or experiments with substances will develop a substance use disorder.

It simply means that understanding the risks can help you make informed choices.

Knowledge is one of your greatest protective tools.

Your Brain Is Designed to Learn

One of the most exciting things about your brain is its ability to adapt.

Scientists call this neuroplasticity.

Neuroplasticity means your brain is constantly building and strengthening connections based on your experiences.

Every healthy habit you practice helps strengthen those pathways.

That includes:

• Getting enough sleep.
• Managing stress.
• Exercising regularly.
• Building healthy friendships.
• Asking for help when you need it.
• Finding healthy ways to cope with challenges.

The choices you make today help shape the habits you’ll carry into adulthood.

Small Decisions Add Up

Substance use is rarely the result of one single decision.

More often, it develops through a series of small choices made over time.

For example:

• Deciding to attend a party.
• Accepting a drink because everyone else is drinking.
• Trying a vape because you’re curious.
• Using someone else’s prescription medication during finals.

Each decision may seem small on its own.

Learning to pause and ask yourself a few simple questions can make a big difference.

Ask yourself:

• Why am I making this choice?
• Does this align with my goals?
• How might I feel about this decision tomorrow?
• Is there another option that better supports my well-being?

These questions can help you slow down and make thoughtful decisions, especially in situations involving alcohol or other substances.

Your Future Is Built One Choice at a Time

College is a time to learn, grow, make mistakes, and gain independence.

No one expects you to be perfect.

The goal is not to avoid every challenge.

The goal is to understand yourself well enough to make choices that support the future you want to build.

Every healthy decision strengthens your ability to make the next one.

Reflection Activity

Take a few minutes to think about these questions:

• What are three goals I hope to accomplish during college?
• How could substance use affect those goals?
• What healthy activities help me manage stress or improve my mood?
• What is one decision-making habit I want to practice this semester?

Write your answers in a journal, notes app, or somewhere you can revisit them throughout the semester.

Explore More

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): The Brain and Addiction
https://nida.nih.gov

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
https://www.niaaa.nih.gov

BrainFacts.org
https://www.brainfacts.org

Coming Up Next

In the next post, we’ll take a closer look at why people sometimes make impulsive decisions, especially in social situations. You’ll learn how alcohol and other substances affect judgment, why risk-taking feels rewarding, and practical strategies for making confident decisions before you’re in the moment.

Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes

Disclaimer

All content on the RTT Virtual Hub is provided for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical, mental health, or professional advice.