Some people believe their 21^st birthday to be the one of the best days and nights of their lives. It’s the one day and night when we are allowed to get overly drunk – without having to pay for a single drink – and not be punished (too much) for our drunken actions. It’s a day that most people wait anxiously for, anticipating going to the local ABC store to make their first legal purchase of alcohol and taking a picture by the “If your birthday is on or before this date” sign. In about two weeks, it’ll be my turn to have free drinks handed to me left and right, taking on the night life one bar at a time.

As a 20 year old “college sorority girl,” getting drunk, wearing short shorts and crop tops should be my way of life. I should be counting down the days until I am finally legal, looking forward to those shambly nights and questionable memories. But I’m not. I am a hard working college student studying mechanical engineering at one of the best engineering institutions in the nation. I am a self-motivated individual who understands that you only get out of life what you put into it. And while I am a passionate and dedicated member of one of 26 Panhellenic sororities, interestingly enough, I have never had a sip of alcohol – even through all of the socials, the date parties, the tailgates.

Bizarre – I know.

Even coming into college, I wasn’t ever eager to experiment with beers, liquors, wines, etc. I never had that urge to get drunk on a Thursday night or get wasted at random house parties down the block on the weekends. I never felt the need to have any kind of social enhancements. I just enjoyed being fully present in the moment of things – even if I was the only sober one there.

So here’s my question for you all: why would turning 21 change my perspective on consuming alcohol? Why are people so taken aback and almost offended when I tell them I’m not interested in drinking? And why do they always follow up with “but will you when you turn 21?” I’m sorry people, but simply becoming of legal age to purchase and consume alcohol will not magically make me enjoy or even want to drink. That’s not how this works.

If the only way for me to have fun is to get drunk enough to fool myself into thinking that I’m having the time of my life, only to wake up the next morning completely hungover an miserable, then I’d rather not have any fun at all. I’m a firm believer in natural highs and happiness. The addition of drugs and alcohol makes it all seem artificial. We all only have one shot at this life, and I want to live my life to its full potential as myself for the entire ride.

I’m not saying that I don’t ever plan on consuming alcohol. Maybe when I’m older and it becomes a leisure activity, my mind will change. But until then, I don’t need it. I’m getting along perfectly in life just the way that I am. So when I turn 21 on July 21^st, don’t ask me if I’m going to finally have my first drink. Just respect me when I say that I’ll celebrating another successful year filled with lots of laughs and love.