Ask Angie

My best friend and I grew up together and now we're at college together. She never used to drink, but now I think she is drinking every night. Every time I see her, she is drunk. She sometimes drinks when she is in her room alone. This just happened recently. Is it normal for this to happen at college?

_Not a beer fan



A: When some people get to college, it's pretty typical to find that they throw their "good kid" persona out the window in favor of some hardcore partying. Most of the time, this lasts through freshman orientation _ after a bad experience of drinking too much and finding oneself somewhere unexpected, people settle down into the academic routine. No one will deny that college students drink or party pretty regularly to relieve stress. The behavior you're describing from your friend sounds like it's bordering on alcoholism. It is certainly not "good" or "healthy" for your friend to be drinking daily, especially when she's by herself. This puts you in a tough spot. If the bottle has become her new best friend, she'll resent you if you try to talk her out of it. Luckily, it's just started, so it's a fresh habit. It's possible that she's going through a phase that will end as soon as she starts to suffer academically. You could also just calmly explain that you're worried about the fact that every time you see her, she's drunk, and you miss the sober hang-out time. This would show her that you care, without putting her on the defensive. Ask her to go out and do some of your old fun activities _ with no alcohol involved! It's possible that she is depressed, and your friendship could mean a lot to her right now.



Q: Do my grades in college really matter?

_Slacker



A: Well, that really depends, now doesn't it? When I was applying to colleges, people used to say, "It doesn't matter where you go to school, all that matters is what you make of it." They were pretty much right. Your personal college experience is entirely up to you, and that includes your grades. If you plan on jumping right into a specific job after school, then your grades could really matter. Your employers may comb through your transcript, and they may be highly interested in your GPA. If you're planning on attending any sort of graduate school, then grades can have a big impact on your admissions. On the other hand, if you're planning on working in fast food until something better comes along... so what if you get a C- in Physics, right? Some people are perfectly happy to scrape by with whatever passing grades they can get; others aren't happy unless they've got a permanent spot on the Dean's List. The amazing thing about college is that FINALLY, for the first time, you can really dive into whatever subjects really interest you. High school wasn't like that at all. Now is the one time in your life to educate yourself for fun. After all, college is voluntary, and it's often important to remind yourself of that fact. Maybe if you start studying the things you really enjoy, grades won't be an issue _ the As will come naturally.