When people think of College it’s usually viewed in one of two ways. The time for furthering your education. Working hard, staying up late, constant studying and sleepovers in the library; it sounds pretty difficult and hard. Working towards a degree in the field of your choice is no easy feat. However, that’s only the first way college is seen by others. The next is on an entirely different end of the spectrum. College is for “the party years” Constant frat parties, dorm parties, bars, and clubs. Drinking until you can’t remember anything the morning after. Going out every “Thirsty Thursday” with some of your closest friends, and loving the night life.

Let’s be clear before I get into this any further, I’m in no way shaming anyone for deciding to partake in partying in college. My depiction of “the party years” are simply a societal view, something you might see in movies, and this absolutely does not apply to every person who chooses to do so. There are those that can have a nice balance between their education and party life. There are those that can’t and choose to party anyway, and finally, there are those who choose not to partake at all. No one is necessarily better than the other. However, I feel that each time I decide to talk to any adult, about my college experience the topic of partying always seems to come up. My response remains the same, I just don’t. Not because I look down on those who do, tons of my friends drink and have a great time together, likewise tons of my friends don’t and still have a great time together. It’s hard for people to really believe when I say I don’t drink or party, that I’m not lying. “I won’t tell mom”, “Everybody does it, it’s okay.” “You don’t have to hide it.” Behind all of these things I hear just about anytime, I come home from college, while I obviously realize is a clear joke poking fun at me deciding not to do these "normal college things", there is some seriousness. I do know that anyone who says this to me even though the main purpose is in a joking manner, has a little doubt behind the joke.

I’m not lying, I don’t hide it, and I’m not afraid of you telling my mother. Personally, my mom would be the first to know if I did, we’re just close like that. However, I really just have no desire. I do “party.” Yes, I have been around alcohol, and no I did not decide to have any. With that one statement alone I can already feel the doubt in someone reading this thinking I must be lying. A college student, who doesn’t drink? That's equivalent to spotting Bigfoot on your walk in the park, it doesn't happen. As unheard of as it may seem, it’s the truth. I have gone out on “Thirsty Thursdays” and my drinks of choice were either water, soda, or some sort of juice. Miraculously, I do have a social life and friends. I do “party” just not in the way that everybody would think. I’ve been to the clubs and bars, I enjoy getting dressed up with my friends to go out and have a good time. Whether they choose to drink or not, I don’t judge them, and yet it seems that in my choice not to, I’m depicted as a “mom”, “mood killer”, and “downer.” Why is it that I can’t have a good time with my friends by not drinking?

I don’t feel better than anyone else. I am not against drinking in college. I understand people like to have a good time and go out to clubs and bars. I am perfectly, one hundred percent okay and on board with these ideas. I am just sick and tired of being bombarded with questions, and remarks on why I choose not to. I’m tired of this idea that I am lacking a social life, and “not getting the full college experience.” I’m tired of being pictured as the girl who sits alone in her room, with no friends, and no life besides school. Sometimes when the work load is rough, I am in my room, deciding not to go out and socialize with my friends dedicating my time to my studies. However, sometimes I am the girl who puts together a plan to go out to new restaurants, places, and yes, even clubs, with my friends. I have a social life, I have friends, I have fun, and I am getting MY full college experience. That being said, why does everyone’s college experience have to be the same? The answer is, it shouldn’t be. Everyone’s college experience is their own, to be lived out to the fullest they see fit, in whichever ways they desire. This is mine, and I’m loving it.