How to Enjoy College Parties with Friends Without Drinking

College has a continued reputation of being the ultimate party destination. Many preach the idea of "partying now and studying later". They believe that college can only be enjoyed with the easiest professors on campus and the craziest parties ever, simply saying that "you can retake a class, but you can't re-live a party". To those who choose not to drink, these ideas are hard to apply, seeming to make college to be un-enjoyable at best. Is it possible to enjoy college parties and not drink?

I have seen friends and strangers alike feel left out of the party scene simply because they do not feel the need to drink alcohol. This is OK, but many do not realize that they can still enjoy a good time with their friends without drinking. If you do not like to drink but still want to have a good time, there is a simple way to guarantee a good experience.

Choose your friends wisely. Believe it or not, people out there who will respect someone who chooses not to drink do exist. You just have to find them, and it's really not that hard. If you find yourself surrounded by people who will pressure you into drinking, these are not the people you will have fun with. The first step to enjoying yourself is to find friends who will respect your decision to not drink. The last thing you want is friends throwing drinks in your face; you'll be left feeling uncomfortable and out of place. Finding friends who respect your decision not to drink will soon be rewarded.

Be a designated driver. Not everyone wants to drink, but there are a lot of people who do. It's easy to find yourself as an outcast by those who choose to drink. After a few harmless questions of "hey, do you want to drink at a party with us?" , they may assume you don't want to party, and stop asking you to go, period. There is a simple solution, however, to find a place in a group without drinking; be the designated driver. Even if you do not like to drink, it is important that your friends stay safe. If you are willing to put up with the drinking, you can still go out to the parties and have a good time with your friends. If someone asks if you'd like to drink, you have a simple answer to alleviate any pressure. "I'm the D.D" is the most powerful statement in a group of friends or in a party situation; the D.D is someone respected by their peers.

Those who drink need a D.D. Being the D.D is the simplest way to still enjoy fun nights with friends who choose to drink. Not only are you keeping yourself in the party scene while still refusing to drink, you are keeping your friends safe and keeping those close relationships together.