When people talk about college, what is one of the first things that comes to mind? Drinking. On average, four in five college students consume alcohol. Well I'm here to tell you about the one in five who don't. Whether you'll be entering college soon, already attend, or have graduated, I am sure you are familiar with the idea that "everyone" drinks in college; it's part of the college experience. I just happen to be living proof that this myth is false. Not everyone drinks in college and it is by no means necessary for you to have the "full college experience."
I have always been considered the "straight arrow" one of my family and friend groups. I can kinda be the super mom we know each group has. In high school, I just never felt drawn to the party scene. I'm a very social person and others always encouraged me to hit the next big party with them, but it just wasn't for me. Sure, in high school things are a little different. Chances are, if a high school party really is a good party, you'll be having a little visit from the boys in blue. But in college, it really is a different scene. As long as you can keep it together while Public Safety strolls across the block, you should be in good shape.
So why doesn't "everyone" drink? We all have our different reasons. If you ever meet one of these "one in five," feel free to ask why they don't! It might give you a lot of insight into a person. Every time someone has asked me why I don't drink, they completely understand my answer. It even makes them feel much more comfortable around me, since they know it's not as if I see them as the enemy for drinking. And for many, it might just not be their thing. Backgrounds aside, let me give you the tour you might not have had while scouting colleges.
1. You don't drink?
Sorry, T-Pain, you're barking up the wrong tree. When someone wants to go out drinking with you or asks why you don't drink, they might not like the answer you give them. But if you're hanging out with the right people anyway, your friends won't care that you don't drink. They like you for you, you in all your 24/7 sobriety.
2. You still have fun!
Believe it or not, you can have fun doing so many other things on or off campus. If you aren't having game nights, movie marathons, hangout sesh-es, or going to games with your friends, often the school offers free events. Early release screenings of new movies, bonfires, coffee and doughnuts hangouts, dances, cultural nights, ice skating, concerts ... the list goes on. I don't feel like I lost out one bit this year by not drinking.
3. You still can go to parties.
We all get that itch to go out, dance, have fun, and let loose. And you still can! Your friends have to be sober at the beginning of the night anyway, so you're all in the same position when you head out! If you're having a good night, stay out! If you want to call it early, you can do that too. Many people drink before going out to let loose a little and maybe to gain a little liquid courage. If you already have that sober, you're already in good shape!
4. People don't always want to drink.
Guess what? This means you're up! When your friends are looking to take a weekend off, you're the first person they go to. Because often, people are going to want to take a break and who knows what other fun things to do better than you? Also, your friends might feel less pressured to drink if they know they have you to hang out with instead.
5. You become the best kind of friend.
Your friends know that if they ever need you, you'll be there to help them. They don't use you, but they value having you to step in if ever needed. For them, this definitely is a case of two heads are better than one.
6. It's all about respect.
It's not about agreeing with the other person's decisions or how they act on the weekend. It's about respecting each other. I'll still hangout with your tipsy alter ego, if you're cool with accepting why I won't be drinking alongside you. What you do or don't do will never define you as a person. As long as you respect the person for who they are and enjoy hanging out with them, whether they drink or not will never matter.
So if you're entering college or teetering on whether to drink or not, just know you don't have to. I'm not chastising anyone who does drink, especially if they are going about it the right way, in a healthy manner. But if you are thinking maybe the drinking scene isn't for you, just know there's always gonna be the "one in five"ers out there with you. College is going to be the best time of your life either way!
... We just might remember it a little better.
