I feel myself surrounded by trash-covered floors, paint-chipped walls and a sea of people reeking of cheap alcohol. The room smells like a dumpster and the bathroom is terrifying. I feel myself getting thrown into the body of a girl wearing what appears to be a “dress” and then tossed into someone else’s sweaty body. I think to myself, “Why am I here?” I used to love parties with my friends, the feeling of freedom and excitement in the air. But now all that’s in the air is a strong smell of body odor. This is not what I imagined—this is not what the parties looked like on ABC Family’s Greek.
How many mornings have I woken up with hair and clothes smelling like cigarettes? How many days have I gone running on only a few hours of sleep? How many pairs of shoes or articles of clothing have been ruined from drinks spilled on them? The answer to all these questions: too many.
I’m turning 20, which means I will no longer be a teenager (I guess the time to grow up is now) and I’ve experienced my first epiphany. What is it you may ask? I am tired of a life of partying. I no longer want to wake up smelling gross, delusional from lack of sleep and finding last night’s outfit ruined. Can’t I live a happy life that doesn’t involve spending my weekends in smelly, shady apartments?
The truth is, for a while I didn’t think it was possible. I thought college was all about staying out all night and going to college parties every night. But come on people! There is more to college than parties and for all of you rolling your eyes now, hear me out: I have learned a lot in my recent party-free lifestyle. For one, there is a life at OU outside of crowded bars and sketchy parties. There’s actually a whole other world: the sober world.
The sober world is a wonderful land, a world where you don’t scrap your knees hobbling up and down Court Street, a world where a movie night with your friends is just as good as a cold beer. This world is just as fun as the bar scene and, actually, I think it’s even more fun.
But what is a girl to do in this sober world without parties, cocktails and mixed drinks? Why is a sober life better than a wasted one? A sober lifestyle, for one, is great for your health. So, you can shed those extra winter pounds faster for spring break. Plus, you will be amazed how quiet and relaxing Ping is on a Friday night. Round up some friends and challenge each other in a game of racquetball or maybe try out the climbing wall (you know you’ve been dying to make it to the top).
If you have an apartment, try your hand at cooking, especially fun recipes you’ve never had before. If you live in the dorm, like me, look up recipes online for meals you can make in the microwave. Maybe cook up some dishes and have a classy dinner party with friends. How about a DIY project, or two or three? You will have just as much fun DIYing as you would hitting up Court Street, except in the morning you’re left with fashionable products and art for your bland walls rather than a hangover.
Grab a pair of socks and challenge your friends in a game of bowling. For those who are car-less (like yours truly), the bowling alley is a bit of a walk but totally worth it. It’s cheap and extremely enjoyable. Liven it up by adding style points for tricks like under the leg or with your back turned toward the pins.
Being from a city like Atlanta, it was quite an adjustment to go to school in a remote area, especially without a car. But I’ve learned that you can still be creative and find fun activities around Athens that follow a sober lifestyle. The truth is, since I’ve been living in the sober world, I’ve come to enjoy my life a lot more. I feel healthier I no longer wake-up regretting my actions from the night before and I love myself more. Just because you go to the No. 2 party school doesn’t mean you have to party.
It’s time for the students of Ohio University to see Athens as more than bars and parties! There is a whole other world off Court Street, so take a chance, skip a weekend party and explore the sober world.