How College Drinking Impacts Academic Success & Tips for Students

As students head back to campus for the fall semester, one issue remains especially important: the impact of alcohol on student health and academic performance. While college drinking is often seen as a social norm or even a “rite of passage,” the truth is that heavy or frequent drinking can take a serious toll on students’ grades, focus, and long-term success.

A Look at Alcohol Consumption Among College Students

Drinking is a big part of life on many college campuses. For some students, it’s seen as a normal part of hanging out, going to parties, or celebrating after a long week.

There are several reasons why college students drink:

Social pressure – Many students feel like they need to drink to be accepted or to keep up with peers. This is often seen in social settings as well as fraternities and sororities.
Stress relief – Academic pressure, social challenges, and homesickness can lead students to use alcohol as a coping mechanism.
Boredom or curiosity – For some, drinking is simply a way to pass the time or experiment with new experiences.
New independence – Being away from home for the first time, students may test boundaries without the usual parental oversight.

An overwhelming number of college students report drinking alcohol, with some drinking more than others. According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 49.6% of full-time college students ages 18–22 drank alcohol, and 29.3% engaged in binge drinking during the last month.[1]

The Link Between Alcohol Use and Lower Grades: Why Drinking Affects Academic Performance

It’s no surprise that heavy drinking can interfere with schoolwork, but the connection goes deeper than just skipping a study session for a party. It affects several areas that contribute to academic success. Research consistently shows that the more college students drink, the more their academic performance suffers.[2]

Some of the most common issues students who drink alcohol excessively include:

Poor sleep – Alcohol interferes with sleep quality, making it harder to retain information or focus the next day.
Missed classes – Students who drink heavily are more likely to skip class or arrive late.
Poor time management – More time spent drinking or recovering from drinking means less time for assignments or test prep.
Mental health struggles – Alcohol can worsen anxiety and depression, both of which are linked to lower academic performance.

Over time, excessive drinking can lead students to face a range of consequences, such as:

Having to drop classes or withdraw from school
Taking longer to graduate
Losing scholarships or financial aid due to poor grades or behavioral issues
Feeling increased anxiety or depression, which further impacts schoolwork

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), about one in four college students has reported some form of academic difficulty that they attribute to drinking.[3]

Binge Drinking is Especially Harmful–Here’s Why

Binge drinking, which is defined as having 5 or more drinks in a row for men, or 4 or more for women, is particularly harmful for college students. Not only does it increase the risk of accidents, injuries, and legal issues, but it also has a direct, measurable impact on academic performance.

In fact, a national survey found that college students who binge drank alcohol at least three times a week were about six times more likely to perform poorly on a test or academic project.[3] Additionally, a national survey found that students who reported frequent binge drinking had significantly lower GPAs than those who didn’t.[4]

How to Prevent Your Drinking From Affecting Your Academic Career

Students who abstain from alcohol tend to have better study habits, higher grades, and fewer academic struggles. While the best way to stop your drinking from affecting your academic success is complete abstinence, that isn’t always realistic for college-aged individuals.

However, there are steps you can take to reduce the potential harm. These include:

Limiting the number of drinks consumed per week
Avoiding alcohol on weeknights
Using campus resources for support
Choosing friend groups that support responsible behavior and that value academics over partying

These small choices can add up to better academic performance and a healthier college experience.

Success in College Starts with Having the Right Support

College is full of new experiences, but not all of them lead in a healthy direction.

While drinking may seem like just another part of campus life, this way of thinking can undermine the risks of alcohol use and just how much excessive drinking can affect school and grades. It’s always important to think about the bigger picture. Students who stay focused, take care of themselves, and reach out when they need support are far more likely to succeed both in and out of the classroom.

Whether you’re a student feeling overwhelmed, a parent concerned about your child, or a friend who’s noticed something isn’t right, it’s important to know that nobody has to go through it alone.

If you or someone you know is struggling or just needs someone to talk to, help is available. Visit apcbham.org/findhelp to connect with resources in your area.

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