I think it’s fair to say that we as teenagers have all experienced this at least once in our lives: you’ve been invited to a party with some friends; “It’s gonna be so lit!” they say, and after a decent amount of time questioning your night life’s decision, you decide to head out with them. (Mostly because you don’t want to be, what feels like the only person on earth, caught at home on a Friday night, binge watching your new favorite show on Netflix). So you get ready in the most party-esque outfit you have and join on this night of adventure. It isn’t until you get there when you realize that the only drinks there are a combination of too many different types of alcohol for you to even count on both your hands.

You’ve already made a huge decision coming here, but now is where you need to choose what seems like the biggest decision for the rest of your life. To drink or not to drink. I would suggest that a majority of teens in these circumstances would turn to a few “harmless” drinks here, solely to fit in and so that they don’t feel out of the loop. And then there’s you. The one that doesn’t want to drink and when people offer you one, politely turn them away with a “no thank you, I don’t drink”. Now becomes the time in the night when it seems as if the whole world stops and every eye in the room feels like it has found its way to you. Then, out of the middle of the night comes the words you hear every single time: Wait you don’t drink? Why not? Well I am here to speak on behalf of those who are asked this question: Yup that’s right, I don’t drink. Nor do I feel the need or desire to. No that doesn’t make me a goody two shoes, or a party pooper, it just means that it is a personal choice that I have made and that I hold myself up to that. I choose to not drink underage because I don’t find the hype in it, and I find more in life, and what it brings me, while I’m sober.

I don’t drink, because I like to step out of the “normal” of society and be part of the so considered “rare breed” of college students that don’t drink during these new years of their lives. From being out here in college, I have realized now more than ever how easy it is to fall into what everyone else is doing and feeling the need to fit in, but I am here to encourage those that are like me. Keep doing you, even if you feel like you are the only one that doesn’t want to fall into alcohol, you’re not alone. You my friend are on a beautiful path of life and will bring change to this world.