College challenges you in ways you can view on TV or read about, but not fully understand until you’re imbedded in the drink-up, hook-up, pass-out culture. While not every campus is the same nor every student the same, there is the common prevalence of drugs and alcohol. Whether you choose to partake in the “fun” culture, or you choose to be a sideline viewer is none of my business. I, however, struggle with being the sober partier.

To clear the air, most non-drinkers do no hate drinkers. While I can’t speak for everyone, I can say that the statement that we hate drinkers because we don’t drink is not at all accurate. I don’t care if you choose to ease your pain and stress with drinking. I can’t judge you. I choose to ease my struggles with shopping so whose to say I’m any better than you?

But, drinking does scare the crap out of me.

For those who choose to moderately or not at all partake in drinking, you get to be the witnesses of some of the most frightening scenes.

In my college experience so far, I have seen and heard endless scenarios that wouldn’t happen if people we’re sober.

To that girl who slept with a guy that gave her a fake name, I’m sorry.

To that couple who split up after five years because of a drunken kiss, I’m sorry.

To that boy trying to get over his ex by drowning in Svedka, I’m sorry.

To those stupid boys who took to a joy ride while intoxicated, I’m sorry.

To that girl who got stalked after hooking up with someone at the club, I’m sorry.

To those boys who stole something and got arrested, I’m sorry.

To that boy who drunkenly came out of the closet before he wanted to, I’m sorry.

To that girl who lost her virginity without remembering it, I’m sorry.

To anyone who gets sexually assaulted, I’m sorry.

To that girl who broke her toe, I’m sorry.

To those who can’t have fun without alcohol, I’m sorry.

Maybe it’s not my business to be upset for these people, but when it affects my life, I can feel something. I know life isn’t always the greatest and we all make mistakes, but I just feel bad for the things that happen that shouldn’t be happening. Drinking doesn’t make anyone a bad person, but drinking does make people do bad things. When you start hurting yourself and others because of drinking, it becomes a problem that needs to be addressed.

Now trying to tell college students, or anyone for that matter, not to drink typically ends in laughs, but people should at least attempt to understand what they look like from an outsiders point of view. If you’re okay with the mistakes being made, then continue living your own life. But! It’s also interesting to take a night off and really look at things from a different perspective…

If you do choose to drink, please drink responsibly.