Believe it or not but not everyone likes to party. Not everyone goes to a certain college for their party reputations. I certainly didn't nor do I care that it has a "party reputation." I did the party scene once during my sophomore year. Now maybe it was because I wasn't drunk, the music was terrible, it was overcrowded, or I didn't know anyone there besides the person I went with whom I immediately lost track of as soon as we entered, but I did not have a good time.
As I sat on the tiny brick wall of the backyard where people were smoking, waiting in line for whatever alcohol was being served that night, people awkwardly dancing, or making out in the corner, I realized it really wasn't my scene. It wasn't as fun or great as people said it was.
Whenever I tell people where I go to school at, they immediately bring up their party reputation or a crazy Halloween party. I look them dead in the eye and tell them that my school is not just a party school. It's a place of learning, where we have passionate teachers and passionate students that want to learn. The people that party are just escaping reality.
I would much rather be spending my weekends snuggling with my boyfriend, watching Netflix, and eating junk food. If I wanted to drink, I would get my own from the store the legal way as a 21-year-old and take it home. I can drink, be safe, and relax with a good book or Netflix show in comfy clothes and in the comfort of my own bed.
Going out to drink and party isn't safe. You don't know what you're drinking or if anyone has put something in the drink. There's always the chance of the cops showing up and if your underage, you get in trouble. You're surrounded by strangers and you can guarantee that it's going to be hot. You can lose track of your friends, time, and even yourself. You never know who could be lurking around to make someone their victim.
I give props to the girls. They are empowering. Not with what they wear or how they dance, but how they look out for one another. You walk into a bathroom full of girls and they are all supportive and empowering each other even if they are strangers. It's a wonderful thing even in a situation that can put you at risk.
Party's are also really, really awkward. I hear people talk all the time about the drinking and the dancing, but never about being social with other people. There's pressure on how to be social at a party otherwise, its super awkward. If you don't drink, you're just going to be standing there watching everyone else drink. If you don't dance, you're just stuck watching other people. You can't really talk because most of the people are strangers or it's too loud. It is really fun to watch people though. To see how they act drunk and to see how they act differently if you know them.
