If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a million times. “Just say no” or “don’t give in to peer pressure.” It’s something you’ve been taught since you were in elementary school, most likely.

Peer pressure is a huge influence in the lives of most young people, especially those in college.

Sometimes your peers around you, or even your friends, can end up being your worst enemies when it comes to certain things.

They could be pressuring you to go to parties, try drugs, hook up with some random people. Or, they could just be pressuring you to go get food, although you know you cannot afford eating out a third night in a row and have homework piled up that needs to be done instead.

Saying no can be difficult in all these scenarios.

Just say no.

Although it might seem like a big deal in the moment, it isn’t. Not in the long run.

Your friends might pretend to be mad; heck, they might even be mad for a few days. But they’ll get over it. They won’t stay mad at you forever for just looking out for your own best interests.

It is super important to be able to say no.

Learn to trust your instincts and then stick to them, even if they aren’t what your friends or peers are doing.

The truth is, it’s OK to not party in college. Sure, it’s fun for some people, but that doesn’t mean it has to be fun for you too.

If you enjoy staying in on a Saturday night watching movies or reading a book, go for it. Do what makes you happy, not the people around you.

It is more than OK to say no. Do what is right for you and forget about what everyone else thinks.