Partying may hinder college education

Some students consider partying a major factor in their college life. But is it possible that partying can be detrimental to a student’s academic performance?

Many people may answer that question with a yes. There are plenty of temptations to stir students away from their schoolwork in Tallahassee.

Students have to resist The Late Night Library on Tuesdays, The Moon on Wednesdays, numerous fraternity and sorority parties along with a plethora of social gatherings on or around campus.

But, more and more, students are able to party and hang out daily without it having a negative effect on their grades.

Robert Welch, 21, a junior computer information system student, is one of those students.

Welch said he attends two to three parties a week and hangs out at his friend’s house nearly every day. When he does decide to study or do homework, he’s done in less than an hour. And, Welch is still able to maintain his 3.25 GPA and maintain his spot on the honor roll.

Welch said if more students were learning in the classroom they would have more time to enjoy other activities. Welch said teachers are too worried with meeting class schedules than with the students actually learning. Welch also said teachers should do more teaching and less instructing.

Dollie Franklin, a general studies adviser and college orientation teacher, said she believes the students who aren’t able to succeed in their academics while partying lack focus and time management skills.

She also said students should position themselves to be successful. Franklin said students who want to party should study the night before. By getting all of their work done and out of the way, students may eliminate the risk of dealing with a bad outcome later.

Franklin said students are watching television, talking on the phone, chilling on the Set and at the mall extremely too much. So much, she said, that they refuse to sacrifice their fun for what is important – education.

Franklin also said she believes if students can commit to their education, they can do anything they please and there will be no distractions if they commit. She said learning is an opportunity, not an obligation, and students tend to let the opportunity pass them by.

“College is a place where one can become empowered to uncover truths about the joy of learning,” Franklin said.

Contact Ayanna M. Henry at famuanlifestyles@hotmail.com.