Although these movies are entertaining, they are still just movie. It may be that young adults are trying to reenact what they have seen through the media. They are ignorant to the reality of how college really is, and only go off of what they have seen. Adults and students alike participate in behavior they have the most positive attitudes toward (Lange et al., 2002) .We tend to bring the big screen to reality instead of making our own movies. Movies such as Project X or The Neighbors over exaggerate the lifestyle in college while sending the wrong message to students preparing for college that drinking, or even trying drugs, is the main focus. The main focus in college needs to be receiving good grades and creating an identity for one's self that'll last them through adulthood. .
Many first year students try their best to be socially desirable. If they are awkward or very quiet, they believe others will not spend time with them. Some go as far to believe they have an alter ego that only comes out when they are intoxicated, thus evoking the motivation to have alcohol. Concerned about peer acceptance, being a part of the "crowd" may be particularly strong reasons the drinking behaviors of college students are out of control. In a research survey done by CORE, 74.4% of college students said "yes" to the statement "alcohol enhances social activity (CORE, 2013). In college, freshman need to realize that there is no one crowd to be a part of. The only crowd they need to worry about it the crowd of individuals they surround themselves with, having the same personalities and interests. People have a preconceived idea that if they drink alcohol, they are a more enjoyable individual that everyone wants to be around. What they don't realize is that you cannot be under the influence of alcohol every day, minute or second of your life, not only can they not do it, but their body will not allow them to take it without horrible consequences.
