I go to a school where partying isn’t a huge deal. Living in the city has given me a lot of freedom as far as having my car and just being able to leave my apartment. Unlike most college campuses, I am not restricted to only going places on campus or as far as I could walk. I think that that is the main difference between my campus and others. People on typical college campuses are in their own little environment and don’t have the possibility of doing much else. It is the “norm” to party and drink often.
I do not feel like I am missing the “college experience” by not partying. In fact, I feel as though I have a greater sense of making real friendships that are more than just texting each other Thursday through Sunday. I am glad that the friendships I have made do not revolve around partying. I am not saying that friendships started at parties are not real or that they are some how lesser, I am only saying that I am thankful that my friendships don’t revolve around partying.
What I believe is overrated about partying in college is that it isn’t done in moderation. I know that some may be thinking, “What fun is there in moderation?” but to combat that I say that no good can come from partying too hard or too often. There is this big hype about going to college and partying but why? Why should it be that way? I understand the every once in a while thing. But why is college the right of passage that everyone seems to take as a ticket to drunken nights and hung over mornings?
Sometimes I think that because I don’t party I am lesser. I honestly fear that I am some how not as “college” or that I’m not going to make friends but I have to remind myself that that isn’t true.
The hype for partying is overrated. It isn’t the “college experience.” The real college experience is in making connections with people, networking, creating an identity, and focusing on the things that matter. Don’t get hung up on the “college experience.” Lastly, don’t think that anything is wrong with you if you feel that you aren’t doing what everyone else seems to be doing.
