Some may think that it's weird that I don't drink in college. I mean, I go to one of the biggest "party schools" in Pennsylvania, so why don't I go out? You may think I am going to go on and on about why you shouldn't drink in college because "drinking is bad," but really my reason is plain and simple: that's just not who I am.

I think the culture of college pressures students to feel as if they have join in on parties in order to make friends and fit in. I am guilty of that. I have tried the party scene a few times, but it truly was not for me. I later found out that I didn't have to pretend to be someone else that I'm not just to be like everyone else. It's okay to not go with the crowd. There are people that don't like to go out either, and eventually I found them.

Drinking underage to me is not worth losing my future over. I have a dream to become a high school teacher, and I do not want to screw that up because of what others want me to do. Some may say that I'm a goody-two-shoes, and you know what maybe I am, but what's wrong with that? I've always been the responsible one. It's just a part of who I am. I like to have fun just like everyone else, but parties are just not my way to have a good time.

It gets tiring having people judge me or look at me weirdly for not drinking. I get told that "You just have to find what alcohol you like" or "You aren't going to the right parties." Well, no. That's not it. I am sure there is alcohol that I will like, but I don't find a need to put that into my body at excessive rates. I am not saying I will never drink because in all likelihood, I will when I turn 21, but binge drinking while underage is not my idea of a fun weekend. I would rather hang out in my apartment watching movies with my friends and eating pizza and ice cream. That's just who I am, so please stop shaming me for it.

I have nothing against people that do like to go out and party. That's your life choice, but please respect mine. It's not the center of my universe, it does not make my world go round. I don't look forward to it on the weekends. Instead, I look forward to sleeping in and just relaxing. The fact that I have to explain my reasons for this is mind-blowing to me, but I do.

For others that feel out of place with the drinking scene, please know you are not alone. There are others like you. You just have to go out and find them. Don't let anyone make you feel inferior because of what you choose not to do. Drinking in college does not make you any less of a person, but not drinking in college doesn't either. Whatever decision you make is what you make, but don't let others make it for you.