I love my school. What I don’t love is the stigma that comes with going to my school.
The negativity surrounding my school’s image has been following me ever since I first proudly wore my school’s colors to my high school. I was given judgmental looks and told that my classmates thought I was too smart to go to such a university.
Even at my last dentist appointment, when I was asked where I go to school, I was told that I had nice teeth for someone who goes to a party school. I have attempted to defend myself to others numerous times to no avail.
I’m sorry to burst the party school stigma bubble, but not everyone who goes to a party school majors in partying.
I tried the party scene once, early on, and hated it. Being packed like a sardine and sweating like you’re standing on the surface of the sun, all while your hearing gets damaged, isn’t for everyone.
After that night, I decided that there were things that were more worth my while in my college town. Exploring the city, going out to eat, hosting game nights, the list could go on. And you want to know what I found? I was far from the only student at my school that had no interest in the party scene.
I’m not missing out on “the best years of my life” no matter what others may tell me. If drinking until I blackout and dancing with random people constitutes as the best years of your life, I’ll happily pass. I’m in college to make lasting memories, not ones I won’t remember the next morning.
I strongly disagree that in order to have fun, alcohol must be involved. If so, you’re probably keeping the wrong company. Turning to alcohol because you’re stressed also isn’t a good idea, for obvious reasons. I’d rather take a bath, listen to music, or go to the gym before I go out and kill my liver to relieve stress.
Going out in a skimpy dress to dance with random (drunk) guys is also a definite no-go for me. Even if I wasn’t in a committed relationship, my belief is if you want to get anywhere near me you better prove yourself worthy of my time. I’m not about handing out my number to strangers either, especially to ones who have hooking up in the back of their mind.
I’m having the time of my life in college doing much different activities than those that are so commonly associated with my school, all while making grades I’m extremely proud of and staying as healthy as the average college student can. I cherish my time here and I’m making memories that will last a lifetime.
So, the next time I tell you where I attend college, you should think twice before throwing me into a category that you have no business throwing me in.