I will be quite honest here. My college experience will be very different from now on. I am not changing majors or anything quite to that extent, but I am changing my social life. I used to have a fantastic time with my friends, venturing to a nearby frat party and consuming their free alcohol. We would have so much fun. I cannot do this anymore, however. Because of a medical reason, I cannot drink for close to two years.

I was upset when I first heard the news. I kept questioning, and still do sometimes, how anyone would take me to dated functions when I am sober and if parties would be as much fun for me. Although I am under the legal drinking age, I used to be very similar to most of the other college students and drink alcohol when I could in order to have a great time with the boys, the songs, the costumes and more. Even though it is sad when I see my friends Snapchat me pictures of alcohol or hear of parties where there will be drinking, I have learned something after quite some time. Not drinking is truly going to be a good thing for me. This is why.

There are so many events that have occurred in my life because I cannot remember. This loss of memory is due to none other than alcohol. I am very similar to other girls my age because they do not remember some things as well but it truly bothers me. Some of the most significant moments in my life, coincidently, occurred when I was drunk. Now, I do not remember the sequence of events that led to them. I do not remember the moment most of the time either. Without drinking, however, I will not have this problem anymore. I will be able to remember hilarious events, other people’s embarrassing actions, who was nice to me and who was not and much more. I am excited to regain this awareness.

Another thing that I will be gaining is eliminating the moments where I have completely embarrassed myself because of alcohol. I, like many of the girls my age, have thrown up from drinking too much. In addition to this, I have also tripped or needed help walking because I kept stumbling. I have also said things that I regret because I would not have said them when I was sober. These have all embarrassed me tremendously. I have had to miss out on some events, such as dated functions, because of these things. I was jealous of the girls who medically could not drink because I wish that I was that way but now, I will be. UMD Senior Nicole Lach agrees saying, “It depends on my mood for the day. Some days I really want to drink and other times I don’t need it at all to have fun.” She will be able to remember all of the fun times she had when she is sober.

A third reason I will be grateful for my sobriety is my ability to be aware of my relationships. I will be able to fully realize who is using me for their own pleasure and who is actually a good time to be around. It does not matter if they are drunk or not because I will experience them both ways whether they are sober or not. Someone who is fun to be around when they are drunk are likely to be even more fun or just as fun when they are sober. People will reveal their true intentions when they’re drunk and I will be able to notice this. My awareness level will increase tremendously and I will only spend my time with people who truly care about me and who only have positive intentions with me so that I do not get out.

Even though I sometimes wish that this medical incident did not occur, I believe that I will be happy about my sobriety in school. Although I may miss out on a few things, I will be able to fully realize who people are and what the event is.