I am about to start my second semester as a freshman in college. I've met so many great people, and many not so great people. As of late, it is considered a 'norm' to constantly drink and party in college. And while that life is great for some people, I'm just not interested. I've never really been the party type growing up, and I never really liked the taste of alcohol. So to answer the question:
"You don't drink? What do you do in college?"
I study. A lot.
I have had many people look at me and be quite shocked when they hear I don't drink or party. When I decided I wanted to go to college, I decided that I was going to go and focus entirely on my studies. I understand that people enjoy partying and drinking, and I'm not saying there is anything wrong with that. It's totally fine! I'm just not that type of person. I would much rather prefer to hang out with a group of friends in the lounge and study together or watch a movie, than spend a ton of time trying to look cute and go out to a club and hope my fake ID doesn't get declined. And once again, IT IS OKAY IF YOU LIKE TO DRINK AND GO TO PARTIES. I have nothing against people who like to have a good time with a bunch of people and drink. I just don't like it.
I find that whenever I tell somebody that I don't like to drink, do drugs, or party, they act so surprised. I've often been asked, "So if you don't drink or party, what's the point in going to college?", and I find this question to be absolutely ridiculous. The point in going to college is getting an education and to get your degree. I just happen to take that extremely seriously.
Another question I just love getting asked is, "So, do you not know how to have fun?", as if being a sober person makes you not know what fun is. Of course I know what fun is, and what I find fun. I like to be with friends, and I like to just hang out and have simple fun. I love watching movies, going out on adventures, and doing crazy and exhilarating things. I even like to hang out in my library and study with friends on a Friday night.
Moral of the story: The next time someone tells you that they don't like to drink, don't push them. I'm not going to insult or bash your ideas of fun, and what you do in college, so don't do it to me. It's okay to have different interests than other people, and it is okay to want to or not want to drink in college. I've had a chance to meet a great group of friends just like me. There's nothing wrong with being different than other people, but it's wrong to judge or criticize someone, like my group of friends, for being "out of the norm".
