As an attendee of West Virginia University, I feel I may be able to help with this. Lol
Many campuses offer alternative activities to do on Friday and Saturday nights. But many times they arn’t enough. I can’t say I’ve really heard about anything fun at our “up all night” aside from free food. Research those kinds of things in your area, I’m sure youll find something there to talk about.
As I’m sure you’re know, many younger adults drink when they’re in pain. Some research and awareness about the negative effects of this may also be helpful in your essay. I know I for one have almost drank myself to death many times. It was never on purpose, it was always more “I’m gonna drink till I’m happy again” with an handle or so of something. Never worked.
@PandoraBoxx had it right with many people developing drinking problems at this point in life, I actually fear my brother is one of them, scary stuff.
But the biggest thing in my mind is probably this idea that being in college, the cool thing to do is to get completely trashed and make an ass of yourself. If possible look into how it could be possible to turn this hype around. I don’t know about you, but there have been many many nights that I wish didn’t happen because of the things I have done while drunk, and I’m only in my 2nd year. =/
Hope this helped. Best of luck.