<p>I've heard a lot about how you won't be able to make friends if you don't drink in college, and it kind of worries me. My family is traditionally dry; nobody ever touches alcohol, nor will I. It's not religious or anything, just a choice. I'm not saying that drinking is bad (it can actually be good if you don't go crazy), it's just like vegetarians who decide not to eat meat--it's lifestyle/personal habbit. </p>
<p>So, I'm wondering if that's just me? Is there anyone who decides to do the same? I heard that even people in substance free dorms are drinking off campus, and I worry that I'll be a total alien in college..............</p>
<p>I have plenty of friends who don't drink. Also, I'm fairly certain that most of the students in the "healthy-living" dorm here (that are there by choice) don't drink.</p>
<p>However, it can't hurt for you to give it a try even if you don't think you'll enjoy it.</p>
<p>I don't drink/smoke/party. I have several friends in college, though as they drink more, we are drifting apart. Its not like they push me away, I don't find it fun to hang out with drunk people when I am sober. I might go to their parties for a little bit, but leave. Luckily I found my bf who doesn't party either, and it helps a lot.</p>
<p>I am transferring and plan on picking a substance free dorm and hoping for the best. I'd like to find like minded people so my weekends are more fun, however my weekdays where people don't drink as much are just about as social as anyone else's. </p>
<p>I think if you're willing to try a little harder, you can have a great social life. Schools usually have programs on fridays/saturdays to discourage students from drinking and you can often meet people there. People that I know that drink don't make fun of me or pressure me all that much. Its not a big deal to them and most of my friends drink, like I said before, its just on the weekends that I would get bored if it wasn't for my boyfriend.</p>
<p>there's always a contingency of people on both high school and college campuses that don't drink or party or smoke. you shouldn't be worried.</p>
<p>though if you start castigating people for drinking and they are not in a state where they need intervention, you may have trouble making/keeping friends. </p>
<p>i've roomed with people on school trips who brought alcohol and cigarettes. I have friends who do pot and drink. most of them are still really cool people. my philosophy is that i won't chastise you or rat on you if you do that stuff, just tell me when you are so i don't have to be there and don't try to get me to do it.</p>
<p>Thanks folks. I really don't care what other people do or not do, since it's not a right/wrong choice and everyone should have the freedom to decide for him/herself, but it's good to know that you can still have a great social life w/o changing your own lifestyle.</p>
<p>Don't worry about it, I passed alcohol many times and I get along fine. Just sip on cola or something lol. If you don't drink you are saving them money so don't worry about it lol.</p>
<p>have you ever drank before? i doubt you have and that's why it's ridiculous how you've already passed judgment on it. you have one life to live, aren't you curious to experience it even if you don't like it?</p>
<p>While the above post is kind of provocative/derogatory, I can somewhat agree with the idea. You shouldn't pass judgment before even trying things, and it sometimes is good to break from you parent's lifestyles. If the reason you don't want to drink is because of your parents, I believe you should try going to a party. However, if you are hardcore, deadset on not even trying alcohol, then nobody can tell you that you must try it.</p>
<p>^ I sort of disagree. It isn't doing you or anyone else harm if you choose not to drink. I know I won't be; I'll be under the legal drinking age for all of college (and while I have no problem with anyone under 21 drinking, I just use that as my bar), and since I know my family is prone to drinking problems, I just don't see a point to trying something I may get addicted to when I'm doing just fine without it.</p>
<p>I'm not making any judgments, actually. I just think that since you can't possibly try everything in this lifetime, you may as well choose what you want to try. The reason my family chose to stay away from alcohol is that there were several terrible events caused by alcohol in the past, and I guess I'm more likely to be addicted than other people because of the genes. And you see it's completely a personal choice.</p>
<p>I think it depends who you surround yourself with.
I don't drink often and when I do it's usually only wine. I've never had a problem where somebody didn't want to hang out because I didn't drink enough for them; and in the unlikely event that you do run into such a situation, s/he is not somebody you'd probably want as a friend anyway.</p>
<p>You dont drink you wont get any from anyone. You wont have fun. And if you can be sober at a party having fun with drunks then become the designated driver offically. And your ass will have so many friends!</p>
<p>But yea you dont drink your not gunna have fun, at the party anyways. And if you do then your weird and shouldnt be drinking anyways.. I mean if you have fun being dry at a party, then why the **** would you drink?</p>
<p>try drinking at least three times at a party. if you don't have fun any of the three times then don't do it ever again. otherwise i think you are just ignorant and on your moral high horse.</p>
<p>In the words of Ben Franklin: "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants to be happy!"</p>
<p>As for your personal choice, if somebody gives you any real **** about it, they aren't worth **** themselves. People may joke with you about it, but it really doesn't matter.</p>
<p>Just drink coke at parties or ginger ale or other stuff like that.</p>
<p>Although my main question is why? Alcohol is delicious</p>
<p>I dislike the taste of beer in general so I won't be drinking either. There are plenty of people who don't drink in college and have fun w/o it. Besides, who says all your friends have to be alcohol free too? As long as they don't pressure you to drink, it'll all be fine.</p>
<p>I'm not passing judgment against those who do choose to drink, as long as they don't drive while intoxicated, since I personally know someone who was hit in a head on collision by a drunk driver two years ago.</p>
<p>It's funny how some people get offended when one person says that they don't want to do what others do. As I recall, the original poster did not put down alcohol or make himself seem self-righteous.</p>
<p>Please, try learn to comprehend what is written. The person seems to have his mind set, for legitimate reasons, so please help him/her within the person's own context/situation without trying to talk them into something.</p>
<p>Alcohol is not good. Alcohol is not bad. Alcohol is a choice. It takes both to make the world go 'round. Respect and responsibility is key.</p>