I remember watching movies where college was a big, glamorous never-ending party filled with booze, rooftop hangouts, and plenty of cute guys. It wasn’t until I went to college that I realized college wasn’t this way at all—at least to me. Being a party girl in high school, I was already exposed to the drinking scene at an early age. Most people I met in college had a much different experience and it showed in the way they seemed to obsess over house parties, going downtown, and do everything there was to do. I never felt the need to do those things as often as they did, and it made me feel like an outsider for a long time.
It took me four years to realize this was okay and there was nothing wrong with me for it. I’m here to say, don’t worry. If you’re like me, know there’s nothing wrong with you either. College is fun; drinking and partying is fun, but if you don’t like this culture the way others around you do—it’s okay. Find a hobby, join a club, train for a marathon, learn to cook; do whatever it’s that makes you happy. If that’s drinking and going to parties, drink and go to parties. However, if it’s something else, do that something else. You may feel different or even judged, but as long as you respect what you’re doing and are having fun doing it, then nothing else matters.
Check out the link for a list of things you can do in college that doesn’t involve alcohol:
https://www.party0.org/50-fun-things-to-do-without-alcohol/
College doesn’t have to be the best four years of your life or even close. In a way, they shouldn’t. Your life will present so many greater opportunities and you should want the years after college to be better than they have been. Expecting bigger and better things goes along with pushing yourself to be better; always reach for more. So enjoy college—spend your time how you want and invest in things that make you feel full. It doesn’t matter what others say or what those movies tell you, college doesn’t have to be your thing.