not really into partying.....

<p>so im going to miami next year and its a pretty decent party school and most of the people im meeting on facebook like to party. </p>

<p>im always down for chillin but ive never been a drinker or hard partier so im a little nervous about the party scene. am i gonna be like some of the really awkward kids that are in my high school that no one likes because im not a big partier? any advice? should i just party for the hell of it?</p>

<p>Your facebook page may not have 879 contacts (they're often the loneliest people actually) by the end of freshman year but it will in no way affect you making real and everlasting friends. </p>

<p>I'm not a party kid either and my biggest freshman year was 'trying to force it'. Going to frat parties and wishing I was at the movies or just chilling with coffee and dvds, crashing the ragers....I became part of a social group who's activities had NOTHING to do with who I was all because of the "ooh its time to cut loose" mentality.</p>

<p>If you're a sociable person personality, stay true to who you are, get involved in clubs and events that interest you, and you'll meet great people. Trust me.</p>

<p>hoenstly..just go with what you feel comfortable doing. you will find people that have similar intirests.</p>

<p>I'll be at Miami next year too, what's your major?</p>

<p>Don't try to be something you're not. You will never feel good about it. There's plenty of people who aren't into partying (me included), they just aren't as visible. Besides, you shouldn't care about how people percieve you.
I live in Miami and heard its not the best place for intellectuals or nonconformists. Why did you end up going there?</p>

<p>Just because you don't like partying all the time doesn't mean you can't also be friends with people who like to party and people who don't. Don't limit yourself to one group of people because, there might be many 'partiers' who are very uninteresting and only care about drinking.. but there are also some interesting people you meet at parties! Broaden your horizons and meet a lot of people, but don't go to parties because you think thats what you have to do. Join clubs, do things around campus and just talk to people.</p>

<p>I wouldn't party just to fit in.</p>

<p>There will be other people like you. The partiers may be more noticeable because they're louder, but you can always keep an eye out for other people who don't join in with something that makes you uncomfortable, and go talk to them.</p>

<p>Even if you are not into partying, that doesn't mean you can't go to an occasional party and not fit in. You don't have to drink if you don't want to and in my experience no one really says anything about it. A few of my friends go to a lot of parties but don't drink, and they have fun along with everyone else.</p>

<p>But to second what everyone else is saying, don't do something to fit in. Only do it because you want to, but at the same time don't think going to an occasional party is going to compromise any of your personality.</p>

<p>Be designated driver! A lot of my friends do DD because they don't enjoy drinking but they still like to go out with their friends. And, most times, the other people going out will by the DD dinner! Heckyes.</p>

<p>^^^^ On nights when I don't feel like drinking I always let my buddies know I'll pick em up whenever they need me to. For one, I hate it when my friends get wasted and drive, and for two.. they always give me gas money.</p>

<p>I can understand your concern. Miami is a big party school and there is pressure to fit in. I like HisGraceFillsMe's suggestion of being the designated driver. That is one way of handling the situation. </p>

<p>There will be other's who feel the way you do, but it may take time to find them. My S who is at Miami has found that there is a good deal of drinking there. The social life revolves around frat parties, house parties, Coconut Grove bars and South Beach clubs. However, there are also many alternatives to those activities on and off campus. They have "movies on the green" and at Cosford Cinema on campus, Concerts on campus and surrounding areas, lots of restaurants, theater on campus and off, sporting events, you can even work out at the wellness center in the evening. If you look hard enough you will find lots of other things to do, however, you will miss out on a huge part of the social scene there if you don't attend the parties and clubs. If you can attend and enjoy them sober, then that would be a good way to be a part of things and stay true to your values.
Good luck!</p>

<p>Yeah, you have to remember, UMiami is a good school.. Its obviously not harvard or anything, but the incomming avg gpa for freshman this year was a 4.2 If you think that the avg gpa is that high because they spent all of their time drinking then you must be crazy.</p>

<p>Also, most schools top notch or low notch, the social life is mainly centered around drinking. UMiami gets the rep mainly because of the city it is in. I wouldn't consider it too much different than most other schools.</p>

<p>But hey, I got a condo in the Grove so I'm sure i'll see you around :P</p>

<p>Just go and drink a little bit. (As in 3 or 4 beers... spaced out of course... maybe more or less depending on how much you can handle.) That way you can fit in and not feel awkward and get a nice buzz going.</p>

<p>
[quote]
am i gonna be like some of the really awkward kids that are in my high school that no one likes because im not a big partier? any advice? should i just party for the hell of it?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I don’t know about Miami. Based on my experience at Georgia Tech, if you stay true to your feelings, then you are respected for it. The only way “no one [will] like” you is if you try to be someone you’re not.</p>

<p>That doesn’t mean don’t go to parties. College is a time to find out more about yourself. Coming in as a freshman last fall, I also viewed myself as not a big partier. But, I went to a few parties just to see what they were like. I recommend that you also go to at least one for the experience.</p>