If you're anything like me, you love having fun with your friends, but aren't big on drinking. And that's OK! There are a lot more of us than you would think. There's nothing wrong about wanting to drink to let loose and have a good time, there are just those of us who would rather not.
Some may choose not to because of religion, they hate the taste, or just because it's against the law if you're under 21. Personally, I don't base my decision on whether to drink or not because of the law. If you go to college, any college, chances are that alcohol is going to be readily available to you through some form. It doesn't matter how strict the university is, there will be alcohol and students will drink no matter the age. I'm not even opposed to them doing so because it is their choice and I think if you're old enough to fight for your country and make a decision to pursue a certain career, then you're old enough to throw one back (responsibly, albeit). I don't drink because at this moment in my life, I don't want to. I do not feel the urge to nor do I feel like I need to. Some, not all, who drink, may do it to let loose at social events or to relax. As a usually upbeat person, I don't ever feel like I need one to get me in a party mood or to talk to people. I honestly get energy from just being in that "party" atmosphere! I just love dancing and being around my friends and don't need the liquid courage for a push.
Another reason why I also don't feel like drinking is because I don't like the idea of some substance changing my behavior and me possibly losing control of myself. This is not to say that there aren't college students who know how to drink responsibly and keep themselves in control, but I also do see a good amount who lose control the more they drink or do not know their limits; so they exceed them without even realizing it. Seeing people act in ways they never would sober and stumbling around doesn't exactly fuel my desire to drink. It just turns me off to it. When drunk, some can say things they don't mean, do things they may regret the next day and even forget what happened depending on how much they drank the night before. The possibility of not remembering what happened is just plain scary to me.
Some could argue that drinking and having these types of nights is all apart of the "college experience," and it very well may be for some, but I don't think that has to be true for everyone. Everybody has their own idea of what they want from their "college experience" and I think that's great. If you want to drink, then drink, and if you don't, then don't. I just feel like one shouldn't do it just because they think they must to fulfill some college ideal constructed by those before them. Do what makes you happy and what you're comfortable with and I promise you can get just as much out of your experience as the next guy.
These reasons and more make up why I just am not interested in drinking now. This is not to say that I won't ever drink. I most likely will, but I'll probably drink around friends who will let me know when I've had enough, and I'll test out my boundaries so I hopefully never have a night that can only be recounted through the memories of others. This is just me though. You do whatever you want to and I'll just keep dancing along, sipping on my H2O.
