"You never go out anymore, you're no fun."

I'm no fun because I'd rather be catching up on the sleep that I missed from my long week of classes than throwing up in the Albertacos's bathroom all weekend? I'm no fun because I don't want to wake up the next morning without a pounding headache and ridiculous amounts of nausea? Has anyone ever thought that "fun" comes in a variety of forms, and many of them you don't actually need to be hammered for?

Don't get me wrong - I go out. I hit the frat parties, the wine Wednesdays, and even sports parties here and there, but something that I recognize that I feel a lot of college students don't, is that it is possible to have a good time without the intoxication of alcohol in your system. I'd much rather be the one bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at Sunday morning brunch than the one that's slumped over the table with day-old makeup smudged all over her face.

Again, I've been there. I've been the one slumped over the table at Sunday morning brunch, and it's not all that fun. Maybe that's why the party animal in me seems to have died. But I am completely okay with it.

I realized that this urge to party wasn't really because I wanted to party, but rather because it is part of the college culture because it's what other people wanted or expected of me, and not because I actually had a good time doing it.

College doesn't have to be weekend after drunken weekend if that's not what you want it to be. I get it. College seems like it's all about partying, and here's a somewhat unpopular idea, but college is actually about going to class and learning about specific subjects that you may obtain a degree (wow, what a thought). I'm not saying you're not allowed to have fun, go have all the fun you want, but remember the reason that you and your parents are spending a boatload of money.

It's not weird or "uncool" if you're someone who just doesn't want to party all the time. There are plenty of people out there that are in the same boat as you, so many people having fun in so many other ways. Not wanting to party won't "ruin" your college experience, as that is not what college should be all about in the first place.

So when I don't feel like partying, stop pressuring me. I don't need to spend 3 days straight killing my liver to have a good time. If you really want me to go out, even reassure me that "It's okay if you don't want to drink, just come out with us" - but please, don't be offended or make me feel lesser if I decide to say no. Just enjoy the times that I say yes, because you may feel like I'll be missing out, but I won't.