The Value of Hindsight and Your Peers' Experience:

Quotes from UNH Students Reflecting on Their Actions

"I want to talk a little about why I was in this situation to begin with. There is a false rumor out there these days that everyone drinks in college, and that there are no problems with doing so in one's room. Well, my friends and I quickly learned that that has not turned out to be the case here. Not only is drinking in the halls not cool, it is absolutely not allowed or tolerated. The RA's have to and will report any sort of sketchy behavior that goes on in the halls and to ask if they can "let one slide" is absolutely useless. Also, I now understand where the school is coming from with this policy and I must admit, though I don't like it, I think we're all better off with it in place."

"I talked with my Hall Director and asked him why he thought students drank on campus. He gave the same answer others did. He said that people come to college and just assume it's what they are supposed to do. They see movies like Animal House and think that's what college is all about. But what they don't realize is the consequences and responsibilities that come along with it. I agree with him, and after interviewing fellow students believe the party at UNH isn't as big as I thought it was. My only hope is that people will learn the lesson I have and maybe even learn from my experience. It is a privilege that we are here at UNH in the first place and that fact that we abuse that privilege by going out and getting smashed on the weekends, because we think "we are supposed to" is disturbing. We certainly shouldn't feel the need to have to be drunk in order to have fun with our friends. Because if we need alcohol to have fun with our friends it sure doesn't seem like you should be friends to begin with."

"The most difficult part of this entire situation was telling my parents. Knowing that the University let's parents know when these problems occur, I decided to tell my parents myself because I wanted them to find out from me. The look of disappointment on my mother's face was the worst punishment in the world."

"This experience has helped me identify what is most important in my life, and drinking is far from a priority. I am not only concerned about my own condition, but the people around me as well. I do not want my friends and family to be affected by my drinking habits or by my actions when I am under the influence of alcohol. As of right now, both my life and my family's life are being affected because of my bad choices, and I do not want that to happen again. Therefore I am going to concentrate less on alcohol and more on school and the important people in my life."

"Recently I was arrested in my dorm room for the possession and use of marijuana. If you ever want to be in a situation in which you are handcuffed, arrested, and completely embarrassed in front of everyone on your floor, I suggest that you do something just as stupid as I did. If not (which is probably every individual person in this school) I suggest not taking the path that I took."

"We are all on our own, some of us for the first time, so we want to use our freedom. That's cool but you can't abuse it. Rules are just a part of life, and if you don't follow them, there will be consequences. I know I have definitely learned my lesson. So in conclusion don't have a party and drink in your room. In the long run, it just isn't worth it."

"Drinking in the dorms is a highly discussed topic. You are told when you arrive at Stoke that drinking in the residence hall is not tolerated. We all think that it won't happen to us. We are careful and quiet. It does not matter what precautions you try and take. If you are drinking in your room getting caught is inevitable. The RA's aren't stupid and know what is going on at most times. You are responsible for your room at all times and the people who are in it. If a guest acts up or does something stupid in your room, you're held responsible for it. Tell an RA right away if someone is taking advantage of you."

"This night snapped me fully to attention. To get into trouble in the first week of school that was not what I had envisioned before leaving home. I was ashamed to have started out on such shaky ground. I was also quite worried about what my consequences would be. I did realize though that I was responsible for my actions. Maybe it was good that I got into trouble. It really woke me up to the serious nature of the alcohol and drug policy on this campus. Also I have been in that same situation again, and have done the right thing. I have realized that if someone doesn't want to hang out with me because I don't want to drink then, are they really someone that I want to spend time with. Also with all the people on campus, I doubt one person will make that big of a difference in the quality of my time here."

"Fear. Distress. Anger and almost tears. These are the feelings that run through your mind the minute the RA walks into your room and finds alcohol. The party disperses and you are left with no one and nothing other than the possibility of eviction. Like others I believed I was the exception. There was no way we would get caught with alcohol. There was no way I would have to face the RA's and explain myself. This is a figment of your imagination. You will get caught and face being evicted. It's the way of the Stoke world, no matter how hard you try. If you do not get caught, I applaud your ingenuity, but I also have to point out your mistakes. Is eviction worth your pregame? Do you just want to be the rebel that doesn't get caught? Do you figure you will interest the opposite sex with your alcohol? Think again if you think drinking in your room is worth it. Think about living with your parents. Think about being an adult that still has to ask their parents to go out at night."

"The alcohol class I had to go to got me thinking a lot, more than anyone could imagine. I have been thinking about what is really important in life. Alcohol can really mess up your life. I do not want to alcohol to control any part of me. It really scares me to know that I could not know what I was doing or what happened in a night. I would never, repeat never again want alcohol to control me as it did the night that I had to go to the hospital. I am also very thankful to have friends and an RA who helped me so much that night. What happened to me that night did not only affect me, but it affected everyone else who saw me. My friends were affected by the incident, so were the girls on my floor, my RA, the ambulance workers, the hospital staff and my parents. I really scared a lot of people, including myself. I would also hope that people around me learned from my stupid mistake as well. I know now that I want to take care of myself and respect myself as well."

These are the voices of your peers
Please listen to what they have to say