I don't drink, I don't smoke weed, and I'm going to college soon...

[gazumped]

This, I think, is going to be something that's going to affect your social life beyond university. Unfortunately, parties and bars are generally the easiest places to meet and get to know people. Of course, if you're not interested in that kind of scene, they wouldn't be anyone you'd particularly WANT to meet and get to know, so don't start thinking you ought to change your social habits.

I met my best uni friend - who is quiet, doesn't drink and is uncomfortable even visiting people's houses, let alone partying - in class. You can socialise with people in seminars and workshops, after all. And like people have mentioned, go to hobby clubs/societies which interest you, people there will already have something in common with you.

I'd say don't be so hard on parties and party goers. If you know why you don't drink and don't smoke then it okay and you need not to make a problem about that. That doesn't mean you can't have an awesome time at parties where others are getting drunk and stoned. Kay stoned people can be a bit of a bore, but drunk people are usually a good laugh.

Have you ever been around drunk people when you're stone cold sober, though? A few times I've heard (and as someone who rarely drinks I'm afraid I'd have to agree) 'I wasn't allowed to drink [for some reason] when I was out with my mates last night and for the first time I realised drunk people are fucking boring idiots.'

 

[Jonluw]

Be yourself and try to make friends that way.
There's sure to be lots of people who share your interests and attitudes.

And remember not to be afraid to talk to new people and try new things.
Who knows, you might find new things you like and make new friends while you're at it.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

I went through five years of film school without smoking tobacco, let alone weed. Am I the most popular guy in the place? No. Did I make friends? Yes, some. You'll be OK so long as you're not prejudiced against people who do the things you don't want or like to do.

 

[SlaveNumber23]

If people are going to demand that you succumb to pressure and take up smoking or drinking, they aren't worth being friends with.

 

[rutger5000]

This, I think, is going to be something that's going to affect your social life beyond university. Unfortunately, parties and bars are generally the easiest places to meet and get to know people. Of course, if you're not interested in that kind of scene, they wouldn't be anyone you'd particularly WANT to meet and get to know, so don't start thinking you ought to change your social habits.

I met my best uni friend - who is quiet, doesn't drink and is uncomfortable even visiting people's houses, let alone partying - in class. You can socialise with people in seminars and workshops, after all. And like people have mentioned, go to hobby clubs/societies which interest you, people there will already have something in common with you.

I'd say don't be so hard on parties and party goers. If you know why you don't drink and don't smoke then it okay and you need not to make a problem about that. That doesn't mean you can't have an awesome time at parties where others are getting drunk and stoned. Kay stoned people can be a bit of a bore, but drunk people are usually a good laugh.

Have you ever been around drunk people when you're stone cold sober, though? A few times I've heard (and as someone who rarely drinks I'm afraid I'd have to agree) 'I wasn't allowed to drink [for some reason] when I was out with my mates last night and for the first time I realised drunk people are fucking boring idiots.'

Quite often actually, I'd admitt that when people get too drunk they stop being fun at all. But there is quiet a large range of drunkness where people are a lot of fun, even or especially so when you're stone cold sober.

 

[Chadwick Huntington III]

Hard to believe this is really an issue. Just chill out and be cool and you'll be fine. There's nothing wrong with partaking and nothing wrong with not. You'll meet other people like you regardless of whether or not they choose to drink or smoke or whatever. And if you start doing any of those yourself, it does -not- make you a bad person. No adult will think any less of you.

 

[SuperFrankieLampard]

Slightly off topic, but if you are going to live on campus UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES go out with a flatmate. My flat is currently in the middle of a damn soap with the amount of drama going down since Wednesday night and beforehand I would have said we were honestly the best flat on campus.

 

[Johkmil]

While I do not have any experience with the American college scene, my general experience is that it is not only quite possible to get friends and a network without intoxicationg substances, it is also generally better to meet others when both are sober. Join some activity, talk to people you barely know, get to know friends of friends.
The most important factor is to be a genuinely fun person to hang around. To my experience, being stone sober at parties is a lot of fun as long as you have some sense of self-irony, as well as knowing when to leave. (The latter being absolutely vital to having a good time and managing to look people in the eye afterwards. There is a point where not even the inebriated are really having fun, they just don't notice it at the time and forget it afterwards. Leave an hour or two before that point. If that point is before midnight, you are going out with the wrong crowd.) The only real problem is that alcohol users often are real bores for a while, as they do not allow themselves to do anything even remotely party-esque before inbibing the socially determined amount of alcohol.
Being a teetotaller is wonderful, but not an excuse for being a boring person in general.

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