College is the pivotal time in your life when you get to reminisce ten years from now about the nights you can’t remember with the people you’ll never forget. You go to bars and clubs, befriend the nicest people in the bathroom between vomiting breaks, and you may or may not have accidentally fought -and lost – while your brain was completely fuzzy. Most of you guys will be able to relate to most, if not all, of these things.
However, what about that small percentage of those students who don’t chug beer even when beer pong isn’t being played? What if you don’t enjoy a nice glass of wine after a long day of work and class? What if you go to parties completely sober and never even take one shot?
This article is for you.
First of all, congratulations on being a member of the extremely small percentage of non-drinking college students.
It might be wise to have a really good and solid reason for abstaining from alcohol because peer pressure is real. Let me repeat: PEER PRESSURE IS REAL. You can’t just walk around saying, “I don’t drink” without someone asking you why. If your reason isn’t good enough, the chance of you being handed a drink – which often looks really delicious – is really high.
Everyone wants to have a good time in college. Furthermore, you’re going to meet people who’s life purpose for four years (or more) is to make everyone they meet have just as much fun as they do.
Being a non-drinker in college is very tricky. Please ask why.
Dodging alcohol in a university is tricky because:
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Most of the drinks are free
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Pretty much everyone drinks
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It’s a stress reliever, and college is stressful
Don’t get me wrong, every person is different and every college experience is different. However, most universities are the same when it comes to parties.
Going into a party completely sober when the rest of your friends are completely plastered is dangerous. You’re now in an atmosphere where Jell-O shots are the new party favors. Keep a red cup in hand filled with your energy drink to blend in and find your own zone to vibe in.
The truth is: your friends will always have a better time than you. Sure, you may be able to say you remember everything and you don’t suffer from routine hangovers, but did you dance on tables? Was every song even more awesome during the party than it was in the car on the way there? You do not have to be under the influence to have a good time, but you have to have a strong mind to survive hours of drunken minds.
In addition, being that you don’t drink, they’ll assume that you’ll automatically be the designated driver every weekend. Make some boundaries. Don’t let anyone take advantage of your sober living. Taking the role as the DD is anything but an easy task, but that’s one thing everyone has to learn from experience.
What to do when your friend gets drunk:
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Do NOT let them leave with anyone they didn’t come with
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Do NOT let them drive
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Do NOT let a guy/girl get their number (unless they’re cute)
Always remember, encourage them to drink responsibly. (I say that in broad terms because no one in college actually waits until they’re 21 to have their first drink). Make sure they avoid drinking any beverages that were brought to you because you never know what substances could be mixed in. When you care, it’s okay to get a little parental.
Nothing will ever compare to the memories made in college. Ten years from now you might be clinking a glass toasting to the good life…with a non-alcoholic beverage.