<p>Hi all. I'll be a freshmen in college soon (Umich for those interested) I've had a few questions for adjustment to college life, especially in a city like Ann Arbor. Hopefully there are those that are somewhat similar to me. </p>
<p>I don't like parties, clubbing, or sporting events. I realize this takes away A LOT, but I can't help it. I genuinely don't like any of those or anything that's too wild or noisy. I just like to take it easy and relax or doing exercise like running or weight lifting. </p>
<p>How can a person like me make the best out of life during college?</p>
<p>I don’t like parties, clubbing, or sporting events either.</p>
<p>Like what tiff90 said, I’m planning on joining some clubs - cultural, pre-profession, then some hobbies. I know I can connect with people this way. College isn’t all about partying and such. If you can meet other people through organizations at your school (so you know you have something in common, like an interest) then you’ll be able to have a good time in college too! :)</p>
<p>I am a nonpartying umich student myself! You’ll be totally fine, though saturday mornings/afternoons are going to drive you nuts during football season. It’s loud and there are people everywhere and it’s all about football, the frat parties usually woke me up in my dorm by like 9am. But really, you don’t have to be a partier to enjoy umich. There are zillions of other things to do, and if it’s not a sports day or a big partying day (like st patricks, day before big football games, etc) you honestly need not even know the partying culture is there. I avoided it entirely with very little effort. It’s a BIG campus with lots of different types of people.</p>
<p>In order to make the best out of college life in Ann Arbor, you really just have to keep an eye out for things that look fun. There are always tons of events going on on campus and in the city of Ann Arbor, not to mention the many student organizations and things like that. It is impossible to miss all the opportunities for fun and all the different ways you can get involved. You can PM me if you have any specific questions. I am involved in three student orgs, two of which I started myself my first year. My favorite things to do are midnight movies, restaurants, concerts and plays, and hiking in the arboretum. You’ll be pleased to know there are a couple different gym options and the arb is popular for runners.</p>
<p>I graduated from Georgia Tech, not Michigan, but I still feel like some things are universal. If you like running and weight lifting, you can definitely meet people who can become your training partners or friends or both.</p>
<p>If you don’t like “parties, clubbing, or sporting events,” that’s not a problem. I find that people respect it when you staying true to yourself and refrain from trying to be someone you’re not. Having said that, I’m sure that a large university like Michigan has TONS of active student organizations. See what organizations pique your interest and see how active they are (eg. how often do they meet? how large is it?)</p>
<p>Ok, I’ll try to give some info on my personal experience without being offensive or whatever. I ultimately think college is about you doing what you are into doing, while taking care of all your academic responsibilities.</p>
<p>In high school I was a most quiet, non-partying guy. Did extremely well, highest GPA and so. Back then, I associated partying = slacking off or being irresponsible.</p>
<p>I keep the same on freshman and most of sophomore year. Joined clubs and an association. It was nice and very interesting.</p>
<p>Still, by the end of sophomore year I started to go out a little. I wasn’t “giving into” someone’s pressure, I just felt I needed to socialize a little more and I was curious about clubbing and so, because I had a lot of responsible friends, doing well in classes that had a certain amount of partying in their lives.</p>
<p>You know what? It was an amazing and funny thing. There is always going to be the regular jerks and nutheads who know nothing but partying, but still you might find a crowd that takes a night in the week to cool off and party a little. You don’t have to drink a lot, not do anything stupid. If you have good companions and friends, it will be worth.</p>
<p>So <em>maybe</em> you should try it when you feel comfortable, not for the others, but for yourself. If you find a like-minded girls you happen to be dating, that can be an excellent excuse to go out clubbing a little once in a while.</p>
<p>Take really specific classes that usually have very small enrollments. Most likely, the students in these classes will be really interested in whatever specific topic the class is about and the smaller group makes meeting and getting to know people easier. (Just makes sure the class is about something that genuinely, acutely interests you.)</p>
<p>I did go to several parties and still didn’t like it. People like that do exist, you know. lol. I don’t like drinking, I don’t like being around people who are drinking in excess, I am only rarely interested in dancing, I don’t like noise, there is really only so much parties can offer me. There are too many other things that hold more appeal for me to even bother with parties.</p>
<p>There are definitely people who don’t drink/don’t like to party, but the majority of the incoming freshman on this board who say they don’t haven’t given it very much of a chance. That’s not to say it’s not possible to not like these things. But at least give them a chance before you decide it.</p>
<p>I didn’t drink before I went to college. I tried a bunch of different things when I got there. Frats and clubs weren’t too great. I prefer bars and/or drinking at someone’s place with a smaller group of people. (Usually about 8)</p>
<p>Freshman year is the time to try these things. Give them a chance or you could be missing out on something you would really enjoy.</p>
<p>The kinds of things that you do are the sorts of things that I am willing to do, though I don’t drink when I go. That’s much more low key than going out to a club or to a big party.</p>
<p>I went to a few frat parties, and while I was offered alcohol on account of my roommate’s being a pledge, I didn’t really like it. I went to one off-campus party with an open atmosphere and free access to hunch punch and a keg of Natural Light. I didn’t feel any “Wow, what have I been missing all these years!” and after I sampled the drinks, I was drinking tap water. I left after ten minutes.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Based on my personal experience above, I would agree. Try it out first before you decide.</p>
<p>SaffronBlue, Attending college will give you many, many opportunities to make friends who share your interests. It might take some effort on your part to try some new activities or clubs, but you are not alone. The mere fact that you are thinking about this before going off to college is a point in your favor.</p>
<p>It is disappointing to me to see that a sincere OP seeking a nondrinking, nonpartying culture receives responses saying essentially–“The problem is you. You should drink, even though it is illegal at your age. You don’t really know what you want. You need to step out of your bubble.” </p>
<p>Granted, I went to college back near the dawn of time, but my experience shows that it is possible to have a great time in college (and then graduate school) by finding people who share your interests. I tended to have a core of good friends rather than lots of mere acquaintances. I was involved in religious organizations and did some community service work. I wasn’t unpopular (I was elected to student government and was an officer in three different organizations, including president of a co-ed business fraternity). Then and now, I would rather spend time getting to know a few people well rather than having beer spilled on me while trying to communicate by yelling above the music at people I don’t know in a crowded room where nobody but me will remember what happened the next day anyway.</p>
<p>^I agree, even though people have never tried alcohol before, it’s not something that is necessary to “step outside of your bubble”. People have different reasons for not drinking alcohol and the fact that it is illegal for those under 21 means that you should have a valid reason before drinking other than “i’ve never tried it before”. I don’t drink a lot and that’s mostly because I don’t trust myself to be responsible with consumption of a lot of alcohol and the fact that I’m mindful of the fact that if caught drinking, there could be consequences for my actions that I don’t want to deal with since I’m under 21.</p>
<p>It definitely is college and we have to try new things but drinking is one of those things that we shouldn’t be pressuring people to try or do. You gotta be comfortable yourself first in order to be a responsible drinker.</p>
<p>Seriously some of my sophmore friends are pressuring me to drink so much (I’m a freshman) and it really annoys me how they think I have a lack of maturity or what not or that I"m not trying things new. It’s my life.</p>
<p>I respect my friends who don’t drink. I won’t pressure then into drinking, and my friends don’t really pressure me.i don’t think it’s weird for people not to drink at a party.</p>
<p>I had a similar attitude when I went to college, didn’t really like drinking or partying, and after spending a year at school my attitude changed a bit. I’m still not big on either of the two but sometimes I recognize I’ve been working hard and deserve to have a little fun, and so I might drink on a Friday or Saturday and may wind up at a party at some point in the night. It’s fun from time to time and a in my case a way of rewarding myself for hard work. I at least recommend doing it once, if you hate it then don’t do it again, and if you had fun just do it from time to time (obviously not all the time). </p>
<p>Also if you are afraid of the social pressure to drink, don’t worry, most people will not pressure you to drink. Just politely tell them no thank you or so you have to do something in the morning, or something along those lines.</p>
<p>As far as things to do outside of drinking/partying there are clubs as mentioned, and also if you are staying in a dorm there are probably night activities on Fridays and Saturdays that usually involve free food, prizes, or just hanging out with people that live in your building. In any case good luck, and hopefully you find something fun and enjoyable to do at college.</p>