<p>I know that there is a great deal of alcohol use on most campuses. Personally, I don't drink and am a little concerned about how I will fit in. Obviously, I want to make friends and be social but how much will my decision to not drink affect me? Current college students, is there a definate community of non-drinkers on campus? </p>
<p>I'm going to Bowdoin College, if that helps. I'm not really sure of the drinking atmosphere there, though.</p>
<p>Nope, no drinking there. <chuckles></chuckles></p>
<p>Don't worry about it. It will work out for you either way. You just need to make an effort to to not hang out with the wrong people. I know tons of people here who do not drink but are still pretty social (and tons of people who do drink of course). It's kind of a half-and-half thing here from what I can tell.</p>
<p>Don't drink, be social, and you won't have any problems. If people are going to judge you because you don't drink, that's their problem, not yours!</p>
<p>^^^ By the same token don't judge people who drink (if they do so responsibly). I don't drink either, and this has been of some concern to me as well.</p>
<p>There are a number of people who do not drink here, even in the chem-free dorms, and there is definitely plenty to do here on weekends without drinking. With that said, alcohol is pretty prevelent on campus and is present at pretty much every party on campus, so hopefully you aren't opposed to seeing others drink.</p>
<p>It's pretty much going to be the same thing no matter where you go. Alcohol and the like is present at every college, however if you choose not to drink no one is going to force you.</p>
<p>Drinking is common but usually people dont care if you dont. There are a LOT of people who drink here compared to some other schools. I know a lot of people that didnt drink before coming and do and I know people who still dont drink (hell, I know someone who drank a lot before coming and now doesnt). You'll be fine either way, just be social.</p>
<p>You may even decide to start drinking. Remember...drinking doesnt have to mean getting totally trashed, it can simply be enojoying a fine beverege or two and that option will also most certainly be available to you (just dont expect to enjoy a fine beverege at a frat party or something).</p>
<p>I have a friend at Bowdoin. People definitely do drink there.
Alcohol is pretty much prevalent on all college campuses. You just have to make choices for yourself. I go to a school that is consistently rated a party school, yet the vast majority of my friend here do not drink. If you never drink, look into the chem free dorms. I decided to skip that option, but chose the honors dorm, and while there are people here that drink, it is not as widespread as in other dorms on campus. Some of those choices you make before you even get to school will help you be more comfortable once you get there. I don't drink, and I have a better social life here than I did in high school, by far.</p>
<p>In a recent survey at my school, it was found that 20% of first years don't drink. That was much higher than what was expected, considering how on average the respondents said they suspected only 3% of first year didn't drink. There's still a sizeable portion of people who don't drink, and most of those who do drink respect that decision.</p>
<p>I didn't drink or go to parties or any of that until I got into college, and some of the most fun I've had here have been on those party nights. Still, it's not essential, and if you have personal/moral objections to drinking then by no means should you feel presurred into doing it. Otherwise, you could try it out and ease yourself into it to see if it's for you, like what my roommate has done. He was very strict about drinking (mainly for the fear of getting drunk), but as a result he's psychologically developed a good tolerance for drinking whilst having a great time at parties this starting at the end of last semester and beginning of this one.</p>
<p>Yeah I did not even touch alcohol or party at all until my sophomore year, so don't fret. It's a personal choice. Only do it if you're willing/ready to try it out. Never do things that harm yourself but make others happy. Not a way to live.</p>
<p>all the "omg do people drink and party all the time?!" posts are annoying.</p>
<p>but anyway.
people will totally respect your choice, whether you drink or don't choose to. no worries.</p>
<p>(and keep in mind, one drink isn't the end of the world)</p>
<p>Yeah if your not a drinker than dont start just to be social. Im not a drinker either. Didnt do it in highschool and dont do it in college. I dont need to ge **** faced to have fun or drink my liver into cirosis just to prove I know how to party. Stay dry and find other ways to entertain your self. Trust me in college you will.</p>
<p>Just as long as you don't have the "I'm better than you because I don't drink'' attitude and you actually go out to parties, you should be fine.</p>
<p>I don't think anyone would care if someone didn't go to parties.</p>
<p>I agree with ray. If you're finding yourself having to do things you don't want to do in order to 'fit in', then you're in the wrong crowd and need to find a new one to hang out with.</p>
<p>Being the only sober one with a house full of drunk people is not my idea of a good time.</p>
<p>What's wrong with not going to parties? I've been to a couple, and yeah, being around wasted people is not fun. Sorry.</p>