<p>I'm not a big drinker and I don't like getting drunk at all. I like parties and dancing and playing games, I just don't like getting smashed or hooking up with people. I'm really worried I'm going to have a real difficult time fitting in in college if I don't like drinking 'til I black out--especially because most of the schools I'm considering have big frat and sorority scenes and I really would like to be in a sorority.</p>
<p>Am I going to have a horrible time in college?</p>
<p>i'm not sure where you're going to college, but i do know that in any environment you'll be able to find some people who feel the same as you do. i can honestly say i have never taken a sip of alcohol, and it's fully by choice. to me, the idea of drinking, especially getting **** drunk, is not attractive. but that's just me. i'm sure i'll be able to have fun with those who don't drink and those who do.</p>
<p>i wouldn't worry too much about it. despite what you hear, not everyone drinks or drinks to get drunk.</p>
<p>Drinking until you black out is way overrated. Most people at parties aren't going to care too much if you are ****faced drunk or just kind of tipsy. It's really not a big deal. I find it quite dumb to get so drunk that you black out myself.</p>
<p>If you like parties you can go and meet people and just only have one or two drinks the entire night and just hold it in your hand if you're self-conscious, no one's going to notice and if you dont want to keep holding the drink in your hand, no one's going to care.</p>
<p>In addition to using common sense and just avoiding people who are serious drinkers, check into substance/chem-free housing. Most aren't entirely dry for the whole year, but they do a much better job at staying sober than any other housing options (at most schools, anyway).</p>
<p>If you want to be in a sorority, yes, this could be a real problem for you. It's no secret that the Greek scene is (generally speaking!) filled with booze, and studies show that women in sororities do drink much more than their peers, especially when it comes to binge drinking. If being in a sorority is really important to you, be sure to find one with a relatively dry reputation.</p>
<p>A good alternative to the Greek scene is theme housing. You can move into a house with people who share a common interest in languages, certain cultures, technology, social sciences, or whatever else interests you. If you want communal living and strong bonds without alcohol, that's a good thing to look for. You can also try for academic honor societies and service organizations that aren't "Greek" in anything other than name.</p>
<p>Most people don't care if you don't drink, and you can always find other people like you who don't like to get drunk. My rule of thumb, try to find a buddy who also doesn't enjoy getting trashed and go to parties together. When everyone else is getting to the point that they are obnoxious drunks leave. You can still have fun, dance, and hang out but you won't feel wierd about leaving if someone else is going with you.</p>
<p>I think you'll be fine. People that do drink aren't going to think less of you because you don't choose to join them. Besides, you definately won't the the only one staying sober.</p>
<p>It's all about knowing your limits. When I drink, I usually drink just enough to get a good buzz (except for every once and a while when I get wrecked). Alcohol is a wonderful social lubricant when used correctly. Just stay within your limits and have fun. Not drinking is fine too, but it's tough for shy people to socialize sometimes when everybody else is drunk.</p>
<p>Several colleges and universities have gotten together to curtail binge drinking on their campuses. There's a rather extensive report about it in the Chronicle of Higher Education. <a href="http://www.chronicle.com%5B/url%5D">www.chronicle.com</a></p>
<p>Here's a more direct link abaout the study: <a href="http://chronicle.com/prm/daily/2005/08/2005080501n.htm%5B/url%5D">http://chronicle.com/prm/daily/2005/08/2005080501n.htm</a></p>
<p>I'm now a senior and I did not have a problem even though I've never had a sip. Don't worry about it.</p>
<p>Thank you everyone! My top choice schools are UVA, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, USC, and Boston College...big Greek schools! (Except BC, no Greeks there.) I definately don't mind having a few wine coolers, some Mike's Hard Lemonade, a little Smirnoff Ice. I just don't like drinking to the point of vomitting, and I don't want to hook-up because I'm in a serious relationship that at this point I plan to stay in in college.</p>
<p>Thanks for all your advice. Any other opinions now that you know my top school choices?</p>
<p>I still think going for chem-free housing might be a great move for you. I don't know if sorority members (assuming you get in one) are required to live in Greek housing, but if not, look for chem-free. :)</p>
<p>IMO, most people aren't aiming to get ****faced and so drunk they black out; that's the very few dumb ones, and they're looked upon as such. Those are the people that never got to drink in high school and never had a chance to explore partying and whatnot, or are like I said, dumb. To me, most just like to get buzzed and a little tipsy, not drunk to the point of retardedness.</p>
<p>You live in LA! Isn't everyone already like this? If you're around the LA social scene, I think you'll be fine in college.</p>
<p>Bay Area’s no where near LA</p>
<p>That was directed to the original poster.</p>
<p>No one who's drinking will notice whether whatever you're drinking out of a red Solo cup is alcoholic or not. Just fill it with whatever you feel like drinking (soda, juice, etc.) and everyone will assume you're drinking alcohol. Not that anyone will really care, as far as I can tell. Another option would be to nurse one drink all night. If there's a beer can in your hand, no one will ask if it's your first or your tenth. </p>
<p>There's also the option of just plain letting people know you don't drink if they ask. I doubt anyone would care.</p>
<p>from personal experience, once uve "drank to the point of retardedness" one time, and gotten extremely sick afterwards...the feeling will always be in the back of your mind -- id just suggest getting it out of your system lol</p>
<p>amen to that ^</p>
<p>though its far from fool proof</p>
<p>especially if you have a lot of personal problems to cope with!!!!!</p>