If I go to a Party do I Have to Drink?

Alcohol perceptions and reality

1. Nope! Whatever your friends’ choices around alcohol are, you can make your own decisions. If you don’t want to drink, you don’t have to.
2. Most college students don’t drink, or drink moderately. While it might seem like “everyone” in college drinks, in reality 37 percent of college students report never drinking or not drinking in the past 30 days. In addition, 59 percent of college students had four or fewer drinks the last time they partied or socialized. (ACHA-National College Health Assessment)
3. College is about meeting new people and making new friends, right? Well, 97 percent of Western Michigan University students report that they’d rather be friends with someone who drinks moderately (four or fewer drinks, one time per week or less), rarely, or not at all; and 99 percent of WMU students would rather date someone who drinks moderately, rarely, or not at all. What kind of friend or date do you want to be? (NCHA Survey Results, Spring 2013)
4. Make the best of it. College is a time to grow, expand, meet new people and figure out who you are. While our culture tells us that college is primarily about partying, there are a whole lot of other experiences and opportunities available to you. Ultimately, college is what you make of it.
5. Make other plans. If you don’t want to drink or don’t want to go to a party, make other plans with your friends. Host a movie night or game night, take a walk around campus, go on a late night pizza run or play basketball at the Rec. There are many options aside from parties where you can meet new people and be social.