<p>Hey, I'm an upcoming Senior from California who has been researching Rice a lot lately. So far, I really love it--it seems like my perfect fit. The only thing that concerns me is the wet campus policy of Rice. </p>
<p>So I wanted to know whether alcohol is a key part of the social scene at Rice. I'm not a drinker/partier at all--so i was wondering if there is a lot of pressure to do that kind of stuff, or is it just available but there are lots of other social options? Obviously there is alcohol at any college across the nation, but some are more "party schools" than others, so I just wanted to know where Rice fell on that spectrum.</p>
<p>There are lot of people I know that don’t drink, or only drink in moderation. There are definitely some pretty wild parties, but a lot of students are like you, and nobody really pressures anyone else to drink.</p>
<p>Rice can have some pretty intense parties, but you don’t have to do it at all to be active in the social scene. It’s one of the great parts of the college system.</p>
<p>Rice isnt a party school. Its got a fairly open social scene. You hang with your buddies and do whatever. my weekends are spent hanging out with friends, partying, going out to a play, concerts, getting food at odd hours etc.</p>
<p>The best part is you can choose to party when you want and take a night off if needed. Also, eventually if you do choose to drink, its an easy place to get acclimated to doing so without the pressure of doing something stupid</p>
<p>My opinions on this issue vary slightly from those of the above posters. I also am not a drinker/partier and was surprised by how many Rice students do drink (and I mean drink!). Now that’s not to say that you can’t find other things to do on the weekends (like Antarius said), or other non-drinkers. I think I know a few more people who do drink/party than who do not; it’s probably 60/40. Most people don’t get s**t-faced (you’ll find it’s usually the same handful of people every weekend) but most drinkers do get drunk when they go to a party on-campus. Most non-drinkers who go to parties find it incredibly awkward and therefore don’t go to many. No one pressures you to drink. (Well a few ppl may, but that’s life… “just say no.”)</p>
<p>I am NOT saying that Rice is a total party school. Like you said, there is alcohol at most colleges, but I feel that most people giving advice to prospective students tend to place Rice at the sober end of the spectrum where as I think it’s more towards the middle, if not leaning towards party.</p>
<p>The thing about Rice though is that (and this is just my opinion) we have a lot more “socially challenged” students by percentage than a state school, etc. due to Rice’s academic requirements. Many who come to Rice and are interested in drinking didn’t really do much drinking in high school, and also then find that they’re less shy/nervous/awkward when they’ve had a few. Soon I think it just becomes a crutch for many who don’t know how to be social while sober, or who forget that they used to have fun without a drink in their hand.</p>
<p>I have had a wonderful time at Rice so far and have made many great friends - some who drink, some who don’t. I haven’t found the drinking atmosphere to be a serious problem, but I just wanted to put my 2 cents out there.</p>
<p>I definitely agree with reid, particularly concerning the socially-stifled factor. There are seriously a ton of guys here who I seriously doubt have ever kissed anyone while sober. And I feel like many people I’ll willingly party with just don’t know how to be interesting when they’re not drinking.</p>
<p>That being said, I do have some friends who don’t drink, or only drink moderately. And I have a few good friends who didn’t drink for most of the year, and then came out for the last few parties…one particularly memorable line was “I can’t believe I only discovered that I like alcohol in APRIL!”</p>
<p>So yeah. There are drinkers who only hang out with drinkers, drinkers who hang out with nondrinkers, nondrinkers who hang out with drinkers, and nondrinkers who only hang out with nondrinkers. I find the middle two groups usually contain the most interesting and best-adjusted people.</p>
<p>alcohol is a powerful social tool, and a very effective one. One thing to consider is that some people might not actually be awkward, they just don’t know how to approach someone or start a conversation. This is where alcohol helps because it helps them with the whole introduction bs… Now afterwards, if the other person approaches them; they might be more comfortable and more confident (the awkwardness might go away).</p>
<p>There are many situations throughout life in which you must approach someone or start a conversation and alcohol will not be available nor appropriate. I really think college is a wonderful opportunity to hone these life skills without the use of alcohol.</p>
<p>I’m sorry but if you must use alcohol to approach someone, I would call that socially awkward, and this includes severe shyness. There are other more constructive and effective ways to deal with this than drinking. </p>
<p>And (of course depending on how much you drink), if that other person approaches you later to inform you that you threw up on their shoes, or you don’t even remember them, then you probably won’t feel more comfortable/confident.</p>
<p>But I understand alcohol’s effects in lowering inhibitions (including all social interactions), if that is all you meant to convey.</p>
<p>For those who are worried about the social scene (not necessarily the OP), remember that when you go to college, no one really knows you. Have some faults you don’t really like? It’s a really great time to change them. Going to parties sober can be boring (depending on the circumstances), but it can also be a great way to shed inhibitions. If everyone else is drunk and you make a social faux pas, everyone will either not remember, forget, or think you were drunk, too. So if you were really shy or awkward beforehand and you want to change that… try to look on the bright side.</p>
<p>I also recommend NOT using alcohol as a “powerful social tool” if possible. For most people it won’t matter, but alcohol IS an addictive substance and emotional addiction is common among the socially awkward.</p>
<p>I don’t really know what to say anymore… The thing is that alcohol can give you the confidence to introduce yourself to someone you probably would never have had the courage to talk to in the past…</p>
<p>And for some people, they are only shy when it comes to meting new people, once they are friends with the person these same people can be COMPLETELY different</p>
<p>Alcohol loosens inhibitions and impairs judgment. So while you think you gain confidence while inebriated you are just acting more impulsively on your wishes and desires. Nothing wrong with that, I’m just saying…</p>
<p>I guess what tomackze says makes sense from the standpoint that after a couple you may be able to start a conversation you are too shy to do prior. Ad youdont need to be addicted to do such.</p>
<p>Yet, that should not be your sole crutch. because then there can be problems</p>
<p>Ah thanks so much guys! I’m glad to get some insight into the social scene at Rice. I don’t really have much fun partying, so it’s good to know about the drinking at Rice. I guess the consensus is that there’s lots of partying but there are still options if you choose not to?</p>