As you might have seen, there are two articles that recently went viral regarding the party scene and its prevalence in higher education. The first article I read was titled, "From The Girl Who Skipped The Party Stage."  

Then, shortly after that, I read another article written directly in opposition to the article listed above, this one being titled, "From The Girl Who Didn't Skip The Party Stage."

In response to both of these articles, I propose one question: who cares?

It's college. You have the freedom to do whatever you want. If you want to go to the bars, the frat parties and the clubs, go do it. No one is stopping you. You are free to have fun in whichever way you please.

If you want to stay inside, watch Netflix with friends, or go grab a cup of coffee and hang out with some buds, go do that. No one is stopping you. You are free to have fun in whichever way you please.

if you want to go out to the bars some nights and go to the cafe other nights, just go and do it. No one is stopping you. You are free to have fun in whichever way you please.

Both of these articles are written in a way that present these two lifestyles in completely different manners. But why does it have to be that way? Why can't people decide to go out some nights, but also have nights where they stay inside and keep to themselves? Why does the "party scene" have to be viewed as going out and getting blackout drunk every single night? Why does the "quiet and reserved/not party scene" have to be viewed as being alone and never being able to go out and have fun? As the popular Old El Paso Taco girl says, "Why not both?"

And also, why does it matter if you have or haven't gone through this party stage? Why does it have to be made into a stage? Partying isn't really something that has to be made out as a "stage" in someone's life. It's just something that certain people enjoy doing. A hobby, per se. I like to play basketball occasionally. I also like to eat chicken cutlets. But just because I enjoy eating chicken cutlets occasionally, does that mean that I am going through my "chicken cutlet stage" right now? Will I soon pass that stage and go into my "ribeye steak" or "salmon" stage next?

In all reality, there is really no prevalence regarding whether or not you are into parties or not. Partying isn't really a "stage" someone goes through. Some people prefer to go out, some people don't. Some people go out some nights and stay in others. In the end, does it really matter? Not at all. As long as you do what makes you happy, that's all that matters.