<p>This is what I can draw from my personal observations. Unfortunately, it seems to be a common perception that any student who does not party, drink, and is serious and passionate about their work is "missing out" and is antisocial. Most of the pinheads going to college from graduating class were only looking forward to partying and planning to major in something useless such as communications. Do students even look forward to the higher learning at the post-secondary level anymore? I know not all students are like that and there are fortunately many mature students that are serious about their studies, but this type of thinking that college is all about partying seems to be quite common among many people.</p>
<p>There is nothing wrong with having some fun as long as you maintain a healthy balance of school and partying. Most of the really wild people flunk out within the first two years.</p>
<p>Also depends on what school you’re at.</p>
<p>^I agree, and think that’s all we really need to say about it.</p>
<p>
“Fun” is defined differently by different people. I have no problem with people partying or wasting thousands of dollars to attend a post-secondary institution to do it, but why are people who don’t party but are rather immersed in their studies considered as “missing out”?</p>
<p>^I don’t think most people think that. And I go to a pretty big party school.</p>
<p>If all you care about is your studies/work, you are missing out. Why is that concept hard to understand? It’s not like that changes when you enter the workforce.</p>
<p>Are you kidding? Why do people want to go to Harvard and Yale and all those prestigious schools? Why do people go to commuter schools and not take part in the night life? Why are graduate schools still so hard to get into?<br>
I’m determined not to drink or do the stereotypical “partying.” At my college, only about 30% of kids drink. 98% consider it not a party school. At most colleges, the majority don’t drink or party. They just get a bad rap, especially those where the party scene is rather strong.<br>
College isn’t about partying for most people. Independence, maybe, but not partying.</p>
<p>
Yes, fortunately, most rational people do not think like that. But, from observations of other forums and this forum as well as IRL, it does seem to be quite a popular opinion.</p>
<p>I’m going to be honest and blunt. </p>
<p>People who attend college solely for the parties are delusional, pathetic, and are in for a rude awakening once they step foot in the real world.</p>
<p>But like the previous posters have mentioned, there’s nothing wrong with having fun and letting loose after a hard week of studying hard and working hard. You need to release somehow, and for some that’s through partying.</p>
<p>
Missing out on what, exactly? If a student isn’t interested in getting drunk or partying but rather their studies, what are they missing out on? As for the work-force, why should anything change? I doubt a future employer would care about an employee’s lack of drinking or partying so long as they can get the job done.</p>
<p>nope. I wouldn’t say most, there are some…but the majority seemed to be focused and yes some of those focused kids do enjoy having some fun and going to parties when they need a break from their studies.</p>
<p>It’s not getting drunk that’s the “missing out” part. It’s being around other people, having friends, etc. If you do that by staying sober, awesome. A lot of people feel more comfortable after drinking and it is the dominant culture so that’s what people go to as the first choice for socializing, there’s lots of peer pressure and all that good stuff influencing it too. But that’s not the point. The thing people think others are “missing out” on is social interaction, though since partying is the dominant culture some people will think that’s the way to socially interact. You don’t need it? Cool. But most people can’t really fathom that (not needing social interaction) and therefore are going to think you’re missing out.</p>
<p>
Well said once again, Stratusfaction. There is nothing wrong with partying or drinking as an outlet, but I think those who forgo their studies to party and then tell others who study that they are “missing out” are the delusional, pathetic ones.</p>
<p>Sometimes I wonder if you guys have any more sense than a brick wall. Why you guys are arguing with the OP, or trying to convince him to “see the light” is beyond me. You guys are just going to get mad, and shake your head. He’s still going to feel the way he does, and nothing is going to get resolved. Just leave it alone. Respond to his question and move on to the next thread. Not only are you wasting your time, but you’re also looking like a fool.</p>
<p>I think anyone who forgoes their studies to party and tells those who do study that they’re missing out is stupid. And this comes from someone who parties quite a bit.</p>
<p>You should only party if you can fulfill your academic obligations first. If you get everything done, go ahead and rage your face off.</p>
<p>You can relax without partying, and I don’t think the OP and certain others seem to understand that.</p>
<p>Please let this topic die folks.</p>
<p>I’m guessing one issue is that people are choosing schools (even those shopping among elite schools) moreso based upon the party and social scene moreso than the academics or the rigor (they’ll choose low rigor so they can party more as opposed to higher, more rewarding rigor and making time for socialization. The former seems backwards to me). I like having fun and taking a break from my work once those obligations are fulfilled, but I take no pride in being wasted and drugged out (I seriously do neither. I’ll socially drink, but not enough to get wasted). Problem is when students see that a school fits their academic needs and interests better than another yet choose another because it has something like a football team or a huge Greek Scene (which can get dicey sometimes as Greeks on such campuses will feel that w/o that scene being fully unrestricted and unregulated, it makes the school as a whole weaker and that w/o them, the school is in an unacceptable state). I think the question is: Are we there to learn and party and have fun every now and then or is our priority the social life and academics, while important, aren’t really that important. </p>
<p>Basically, many will choose easier, less useful, and intellectually less rigorous courses to allot most of their time for socialization aspect, which works for schools that emphasize undergraduate education less, but wastes money if you attend one that supposedly focuses on it (as you aren’t taking advantage of the fact that it does. If you weren’t going to, why not choose a less academically serious place?). </p>
<p>I’m down for balance, but maybe 60/40 or 70/30 in favor of academics. Places like LACs and Chicago’s atmosphere come to mind. Some Ivies are similar as well. I’m guessing our opinion of what UG life is supposed to be like is heavily shaped by the media. Seriously, other than maybe something like Real Genius and perhaps Dead Man’s Curve, you hardly see a movie highlighting academic struggles of an UG that are not directly connected to them partying too much or some socialization dilemma . You see plenty of movies about Greek Life, Love Life, and partying. This seems to imply that the academic life is rather easy to manage and it’s all about socialization. And notice how I said academic life is something to “manage” (meaning, do what needs to be done to get the grade. Do not go a step further, do not ask original questions or try to be to inquiry driven lol), not focus on or necessarily delve into further. One must admit that many of us aren’t really there to learn much or to become better scholars/students. We really just need the degree to move on to w/e post-grad. prospect. Given this, one can expect socialization and extra curricular life to become most paramount. I personally am okay that w/most choosing this route. Whatever works or makes them a productive citizen in the end. I just personally choose to tilt a bit more toward academics (as in will go the extra mile and am often curious. Not only about grade) while still making time for fun and R&R. </p>
<p>Islander: I think that may be the point though. It is possible that many students perceive partying (or at least your stereotypically depicted party) as the only means of relaxing or taking a longer break, and thus those who don’t do it are looked at as outcasts or anti-social. There are various means to socialize and I think there are a small share that believe in the one size fits all approach (as in stereotypical parties should be for everyone, and those who don’t participate nor want to participate are weird). Basically, how do we define “chill”/“relax”?</p>
<p>The OP may have a point, but it really isn’t that big of a deal. If they prefer to do it another way that works for them, just as I do, then so be it. Others shouldn’t influence the way they feel that much. It is what it is. If you find more passion and interest in intellectual/scholarly endeavors, go for it. If you get more from socialization, go for it. If you like some sort of “serious” (as in, not simply paying lip service to truly caring about academics but mainly only caring about the grade) balance, go for it. If you care for a softer more “get the job done and enjoy myself” balance, go for it. Different Strokes for Different Folks. Institutions today are not by and large designed to create and generate a bunch of scholars. They serve a broad variety of purposes and suit a broad variety of needs/desires. In the end, the soft core approach is just as viable as more hardcore scholarly. All parties achieve their goal and will likely contribute something to society. There are many pathways to success.</p>
<p>jesus ^</p>
<p>To the OP: I’m not attending for the parties but I respect philosophies like RoxSox’s. Fulfill your obligations and then do what you want with the free time.</p>
<p>Do most college students go to college only for the parties?</p>
<p>You can drive through a college town to find parties over the weekend for the cost of some gas and a six-pack. If they are spending all that money to go to college for parties, they aren’t very forward thinking people…</p>
<p>I’ll keep this short: if you go to college just for the parties, chances are that you’ll be a goner before too long.</p>