Although any new undertaking is exciting because of the opportunities it may bring, the transition to college life also brings new pressures and uncertainties. From the shelter of home, young people emerge into a new culture, with a new environment for success. Here they are their own masters, often far from the vigilance of parents and the strictures of tightly scheduled school days. As they take this step toward independence, they face the temptation to celebrate their newfound freedom, test limits, and perhaps escape from new pressures through alcohol and other drugs. This guide addresses three questions: (1) How serious is the problem of alcohol and other drug use among first-year students?; (2) What developmental and environmental factors make the first year of college a time of greater vulnerability?; and (3) How can prevention professionals help students successfully negotiate the sometimes perilous transition from high school to college life? (Contains 1 figure and 4 online resources.)