<p>So, here I am again, staying at home while my friends and co-workers head off to the bars to drink and later hit up a party to get hammered and later post pictures on instagram. I try to assure myself that I don't care, but honestly, it bothers me that they continually exclude me. I really don't like to party, drink, or smoke because frankly, I think it's a waste of time. I'm not saying that drinking is a bad thing (hey, I enjoy an ice cold angry orchard every now and then) but getting so wasted that you end up hooking up with someone you barely know and wake up the next morning having no idea what happened, that is NOT a good thing. But it seems like this kind of lifestyle is integral to the "college experience" and you are some sort of freakish prude if you object. Personally, I'd rather go for a run, kayak, go out for sushi, hike, go to the movies, etc. But I feel like I'm the only one... Are there other people who don't like to party, drink, and get high? Anybody? </p>
<p>Of course there is. It sounds like you just need new friends, if they don’t have any common interests as you.</p>
<p>And of course, most people aren’t so strongly one way or the other. Plenty of people enjoy doing the things you do, and going out to bars and clubs. Many people are also able to go to a bar or a club without getting wasted or blacking out. Most have some sort of balance. A lot of times my friends and I would do combinations of all of the things you said in a day–get something to eat, see a movie, go to a bar or drink at someone’s apartment, etc. Why don’t you invite your friends or co-workers to do something that you find fun? If they always go out at night, why don’t you try to do something during the day, perhaps on a weekend? If no one is honestly interested in doing ANYTHING other than drinking, then yeah, you need new friends who share some common interests with you. Or you could go with them and not drink, which I’ve had plenty of friends who did (we always had a DD anyway, so it was generally never just one person who didn’t drink), but you make it sound like they’re very heavy drinkers and that you don’t find that fun.</p>
<p>Absolutely! In fact, the way things have turned out almost none of my friends at college are into partying/drinking/smoking. Lots of people think the way you do, but in some environments it’s harder to find those people, and they may feel shy about it because it seems unpopular. Not wanting to party isn’t a “freakish prude” choice, and don’t be afraid to stand up for your decision!</p>
<p>I went to one of the biggest party schools in the country and didn’t really drink. Had really no problem finding friends who didn’t drink every weekend. I just went around the dorm on one random weekend night and saw who else was around. </p>
<p>I ended up finding a group of guys gaming and fell in with them. Still friends with them after graduation (and marrying one of them 
)</p>
<p>@romanigypsyeyes Awww that’s so sweet!! Congratulations! </p>
<p>To OP, lots of us don’t drink, I think you just need to find a new set of friends with whom you can share a common interest other than getting wasted. I have a wonderful set of friends now who are very active. We go fishing, kayaking, shooting range, camping,racquetball etc. as well as frozen yogurt, movies, and all that good stuff. I found them through service, intramural sports, and church groups at the school.</p>