We’re always told college is going to be the best time of our lives. I don’t know about you guys, but I associate that phrase with being young: no kids, virtually no responsibilities, a lot of time on our hands, and the almost magical ability to stay up later than midnight (and logically, consume more alcohol).
I, however, decided to go to a non-Greek school, but that surprisingly didn’t mean I wouldn't be subjected to partying as often. Being away from the party scene is not why I chose WWU -- I was still very aware of Bellingham’s infatuation with marijuana -- but it did make my college experience a little different, especially since most of my friends do drink and smoke. I know, I know. I’m such a loser, right? But I don’t mind. I take comfort and pride in always being the responsible one -- contrary to popular belief, it’s not a bad reputation. Actually, I think it’s pretty impressive to deny what tempts so many almost every weekend . I like being in control of what I do and say, I know I’ll never go to jail, I’ll never have to worry about not getting a job when I’m older. I will have a healthier liver, and I save a lot of money. So much money. It’s not a bad life.
For my first year of college -- and admittedly most of my second -- I never went out. It’s not really that I didn’t want to, I just didn’t know enough people to enjoy it. I’m not the most outgoing person in the world, and ginormous social gatherings where every person is excessively drinking only to get drunk aren’t really my forte. I thank God every day that I only live an hour from Canada’s border because I can legally order a Bellini from the Spaghetti Factory and not be judged when I don't order another.
Just because I don't drink to get drunk doesn’t mean I’m boring or prudish, though. I mean sure, sometimes (most of the time) I opt to stay home with Netflix rather than worry about how I’m going to get someone else's beer out of my hair, but that doesn’t mean I can’t have fun. I’m probably the best person to go to a concert with, because I actually feel like I can be myself. I love to dance like no one’s watching, but doing so surrounded by drunk strangers at a random house isn’t what I’d call a great time.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t judge anyone that does partake in this kind of activity. To each his own! And truthfully, I only have maybe one or two friends that share my same mentality, and that’s perfectly fine. I don’t respect my friends that don’t any less, or actively avoid those kinds of people or situations. It’s just one thing we don’t have in common. It’s actually more the "stranger" part of the scenario that turns me off. I truly love watching my drunk friends fall on the floor and sing boy band songs at the top of their lungs. And if it’s One Direction, Backstreet Boys or the Jonas Brothers, you bet your ass my sober self is joining in.
Even though I won’t be the "mom" (you’re the one who decided to drink, and you can be the one to clean up your own vomit), I will always be DD (you’re welcome), and always be home to unlock the door when you get back at 3 a.m. and realize you lost your keys. I’ll be awake anyway, watching McDreamy perform brain surgery on a child that’s been turned away by three other doctors.
Everyone assumes that sober college students are uptight, but honestly, I spend my weekends as if I’m hung over anyway. I wake up late and stay in bed all day, constantly eating junk food and taking random naps I didn’t realize I took until I wake up from them. Why would I add a headache to that mix? So don’t count me out of the brunch crew, because clearly sober me needs it just as much as hung over you does.
