I get told 95% of the time that I don't know how to 'let loose' or I'm 'no fun', but honestly I wouldn't give up having fun while sober for having 'fun' while plastered drunk and not remembering anything. I've never understood the fascination with seeing how much you can drink before you throw up, or making fun of the kid who's never been able to handle their alcohol. Why can't we all just have fun without underage drinking? I've come up with reasons why I believe it's better to fly through college without spending the weekends drunk and hungover; enjoy.

1. It's more fun to remember the fun you had last night.

If I'm hanging out with you, I made the time to hang out with YOU. Not alcohol. Not weed. YOU. I don't want to spend the night revolved around anything but us. Let's go see a movie, walk around, or take a long drive.

2. No, not attending parties doesn't make me an introvert.

Just because I'd rather spend a night in with my girls watching chick flicks doesn't mean that I'm an antisocial person. I just enjoy eating pizza and laughing all night than be in a room full of strangers with the smell of alcohol lingering.

3. I don't believe in being looked at as an outcast for not drinking.

And, if you see yourself as an outcast, you have the wrong friends/are in the wrong social scene. Sometimes you just feel like putting on PJs and chilling with your girlfriends. Nothing wrong with that.

4. I've seen firsthand how it's changed people's personalities.

It's hard for me to see my old friends spending their nights every weekend with a drink in hand. It's even sadder when you try to rekindle your relationship and they act as though they don't have time for you anymore because you want to hang out one-on-one where you can talk, not in a big party setting.

5. Sure, I enjoy parties - but minus the alcohol.

Dancing around to loud music and having a blast with all my friends sounds absolutely amazing, but why is it that any time that those events go on, there's drinking? More specifically - underage drinking. Sorry, but an MIP won't give me college credits. ;)

6. It's just not fun for me.

If you enjoy it, awesome. Go for it all you want, but please don't peer pressure myself or anyone else to drink. People who choose to stay sober already feel outcasted enough for making that decision, they don't need to be put into a corner and have it forced down their throat.

7. Most importantly, there's too much at risk for me to even slightly enjoy the experience.

I have a decent job, a loving family, a scholarship, and school to worry about. Losing my job or scholarship, getting suspended from school grounds or from classes all together, or losing the respect of my family or friends is far too much of a price to pay for a couple nights of 'fun'. Doesn't sound too fun for me.