DR. WALLACE: My friends put heavy pressure on me all of the time to come out and party with them. And by party they mean drink alcohol, take a few recreational drugs and then be ready to "see what happens."

I don't have any interest in this "scene" as I have some important college goals and the rest of my senior year in high school right now is fully booked. I barely have extra time to breathe, much less "party."

Most of my friends also plan to go to college. Where do they find the time to hang out so much and "cut loose," as they put it? I'm amazed that some of my friends can still get passing grades in high school right now. I truly don't think some of them have what it takes to cut it in college next year. — A Serious Student, via email

A SERIOUS STUDENT: I think you're wise to run your own race and to not cave in due to peer pressure. Don't waste another moment even thinking about what grades others might be getting this year or next year. Just keep your focus where it has been and I trust that you'll accomplish many of the goals you have that are the most important to you.

Staying focused and disciplined are two great skills that you have mastered at a young age, and these traits will serve you well not only in your upcoming college career but also throughout your life in many areas.

You may wish to expand your circle of friends next year at college to include some individuals who take their studies as seriously as you do. Not every student takes their education as seriously as you do, but there are indeed others like you out there. Studying and socializing with a few of them may bring you welcome benefits in disparate areas of your life.

I'M WORRIED ABOUT MY FATHER, BUT HAPPY HE'S NOW CARPOOLING

DR. WALLACE: My father has confessed to me that as he's aged, he gets drowsier than ever driving home from his graveyard factory shift work. Many times, he returns home before the sun comes up, and since we are in the wintertime now, there is even less daylight at this time of year.

Fortunately, I was able to convince my father to speak with some of his fellow workers to suggest a carpool for their commute to their workplace. This suggestion worked out as now four of them, including my dad, only have to drive once every four work shifts. Also, by having three others in the car, this reduces the chance that the driver may fall asleep at the wheel.

Even though I'm a college student, I also get really drowsy when I drive late at night. I think that being a sleepy driver can be almost as dangerous as a drunk driver. Do you agree? — Glad My Dad Now Has Help, via email

GLAD MY DAD NOW HAS HELP: You are one wise teenager! Indeed, drowsy driving can be statistically as dangerous as drunk driving or driving while impaired by any substance.

Drowsy driving is often called the "silent killer" by law enforcement as they see far too often fatal accidents caused by the driving of a motor vehicle falling asleep at the wheel.

College students are notorious for studying late into the night and for "burning the candle at both ends," so your warning is very timely and poignant, especially at this time of the year.

Always remember that it is better to not drive at all than it is to drive when you can obviously feel the effects of fatigue upon your body. It takes fortitude and personal discipline to not succumb to the feeling that "I'll be all right; I can stay awake." If you have to even think about being possibly too tired to drive, you indeed are too tired to drive!

Let's hope your story about your concern for your father can serve as an apt and timely reminder to all motorists this holiday season and beyond to take care to never get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle when obvious physical or mental fatigue is present.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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