For the first semester of my sophomore year at the College, I was on disciplinary probation for underage drinking on campus and hosting a party in my room.
I was put on probation during the summer, and had no chance to appeal.
To most people reading this, it may not seem like a big deal, and in actuality, it really wasn't.
I rocked out the dean's list the same semester, so it wasn't like I was screwing around or anything.
But, what made this absurd is that I'm Straight Edge, and I don't drink - at
all. So, being on probation was ridiculous.
I'm somewhat of a rare breed at college. I'm the kid who doesn't drink. Not many kids around here can say they never drank.
But, I'm not writing this to hate on all the drinkers out there.
That would be ridiculous. I have friends that drink and it doesn't bother me at all.
This is just to let everyone know that it is possible to go to college, not drink and still have a radical time.
I do the same things anyone else does. I attend large frat parties and small parties held in my friends' rooms.
I even hosted parties during my freshman year. My room was a total hotspot almost every Tuesday during my second semester of freshman year.
I won't name names, but we had a blast, and I didn't need to drink, the company was enough to keep me happy.
Even next month when I turn 21, I plan on staying sober.
All turning 21 means to me is being able to get into clubs now if I decide to go Kat Man Du.
Sometimes, however, being straight-edge causes some annoyances.
Without fail, someone I'll come across at a party has to ask me why I don't drink.
Almost every new person I meet will ask.
It doesn't make me upset because I'm not at all ashamed.
But, I still wish I had a better response for them. Usually I just say, "I dunno dude, I just don't."
I don't have a concrete reason for why I don't drink. I never really felt the need to drink in high school, and I still don't at college where it was definately more accessible and accepted.
Aside from the rare few, everyone is completely cool with it. Most people tell me how much they respect me for not drinking.
I appreciate their respect but that's not why I don't drink.
I just like being myself, and I don't think anyone needs a drink or four in them to be themselves.
If you really have to, drink, it's cool. But, if you don't, that's cool too.
No one is gonna give you shit about it. XXX.
