Im a high school senior, kind of shy but not to the point where I wont be able to talk to people. I dont really like the whole partying aspect, maybe later on in my life I will, but right now I dont have any interest in being drunk and stumbling home. Can i still make friends? I heard there’s a lot to do on campus so Im assuming partying is not the only way to make friends, am i right?
There’s other stuff to do, yeah. LateNight is held in the HUB on weekends, with crafts, a movie, sometimes (live?) music and games. There are plenty of clubs and organizations. And you don’t have to live in East.
I grew up in the north east, Im not really worried about that, I just don’t want to do the whole partying thing, Im fine with small parties and moderate drinking, but the over the top stuff isn’t me.
“East” as in East Halls, where it’s all freshmen going crazy for the first time.
My daughter is in East Halls and there are a lot of parties around, but her and her group of friends watch movies etc…they don’t go to the big parties. There are all types at Penn State. There is also substance use free housing available as well where you live on a floor with other people who don’t want to drink or be around it, etc…
You will be just fine, PSU has a ‘party reputation’, but by no means does that mean that people would be forcing alcohol down your throat. There are a ton of campus events going on any night of the week, you would never be bored, and since the majority of the underage drinking goes on ‘off campus’, the dorms are not exactly hotbeds of debauchery. Will you encounter drunk people? Yes. Will there be people being loud or sick or annoying at times? Yes. But everyone minds their own business and no one will disrespect your decision to not ‘party’…you will likely actually receive more respect for having your shit together!
My student found out quickly that she loathes the frat parties (but has friends who love them!),she found that she really prefers the occasional socials with her club group, those people she is really close with, and while there is plentiful alcohol, there is also laughter and conversation and good times. No thumping bass and sweaty grinding masses…she prefers to get together with 20-30 people in a nice apartment party. Also enjoys the movie nights in the HUB or catching a performance or guest speaker. Just personal preference, there are social events for every taste out there! I urge you to sign up for several clubs at the involvement fair, you will know after the first few meetings whether these are people that you truly enjoy…try a new sport, find a group that likes the same stuff you do, join a cause, etc. Soon you will find the people who will make PSU feel amazing.
Absolutely you will make friends! I graduated PSU in 2011, my sister graduated in 2013, and we’re waiting on my youngest sister’s application now… I pledged a sorority my freshman year (which, I recognize is not for everybody, but it was a great decision for me!), but I didn’t drink at all freshman year. I never felt pressured to imbibe or “party” with everyone, but had a really great time at the socials and parties–and found that my friends and the guys I met actually respected me for my choice! Plus, there were plenty of people every night who didn’t want to go out, so I always had people to watch movies with, go see free shows at the HUB, or just order in and hang out with. You’ll be fine, as long as you join some clubs and put yourself out there–people are way less quick to judge about the whole drinking thing than the internet would like you to believe. 