How do I make friends at college if I'm not into the "frat party" style and don't drink?

Question

This is hard for me because I feel like I meet someone new and then we're at a soccer game or something and they just start talking to everyone and I'm shy so it's hard. I also don't drink so I feel like I'm instantly looked down on because of that.

Answer 1

Every school has some time of campus leader that puts on non-alcholic events. You shoudl attend those activites and sometimes they even have ice breakers for people who have a hard time speaking up on their own. Once you start getting into classes sometimes study groups form or you could even start your own... post it on your classes' chat board and when people come you can have something easy to talk to them about.

clubs are always good too, do you have an interest in any of the on campus activities?

good luck

Answer 2

I was in your shoes.

I didn't drink until after I left college. It was hard and I'm not sure why I didn't. But I came to terms with alcohol on my own and I look back at my not drinking as the right thing to do for me at the time.

I know that this doesn’t answer your question with what you want to hear, but the truth is that you need to just accept yourself for who you are. Be comfortable with your decision. Make it because it is how you are, not how others feel about it.

Also don’t judge other people because they do drink. It isn’t a competition or a comparison. You can go hang out and not drink. If you are shy, try to force yourself to go out once in a while. Even if you don’t drink, you can still socialize, and you should try to do that if you can.

Answer 3

No you're not looked down on. People tend to respect it. I don't drink either and I found a group of friends while I was in college. You will meet cool people in your classes who don't care. If you are a member of a church, you will meet people there who likely don't drink either. You can join any club and meet a ton of people with the same interests as you. It will work out and you'll naturally come out of your shell a little more. It's scary at first but you will make friends. Trust me. Also there is a group on Facebook for people who don't drink or smoke and you can search for members who go to your college.

Answer 4

There is a big pressure when you are one of the "non-drinkers" from everyone else, a pressure to drink and I completely know how it feels. You go to sports, or join clubs. Being new can be hard but it's still early in the game, maybe try out for a sports team, or enter into activities. If I'm right frosh week has just ended or is still going. You may not have payed for it but there are still lots of opportunities to hang out with new people. You'll do fine! :>

Answer 5

There are plenty of other people who don't party. But the truth is that you can be friends with anybody. There is one key to being friends with everybody and that is that people love being treated nicely. Don't judge people. Realize that you are imperfect and then accept that other people are imperfect too in their own ways. Realize that life is hard for you and so it is for others. Everybody is trying to be happy and what is happier than a smile. Everybody loves seeing smiles. Smile at people, accept them for who they are (unless they're psychopaths), and be friendly. Show an interest in people. Ask them about themselves and listen as they talk. And don't worry if you're not the center of attention. People can still like you even when they are not focussed on you at any given minute like at the soccer game when there's a lot going on and a lot of people to talk to. Believe that you are just as worthy as everybody else to be liked. Even when you are quiet, people will like you if you show an interest in them and treat them like human beings whether they are the most unpopular person or the captain of the football team. That's the key to making friends and you will find it works with 99 percent of people. Who cares about the rest? Have fun.

Answer 6

Hey there are plenty of people who don't drink at college and are there and serious about getting and education. Just go about your business and you will find people, in the library, at revision classes, by helping other people who are stuck. Anyway if you hav e extra time go and get a job and you will meet folk there who don't have time to drink and party but need to pay for their ed.

Answer 7

Try a coffee shop, think of places where you would hang out and go there, see what you find. Perhaps even a book store.

Join a club or other school activity. It's hard to come out of ones shell but sooner or later it has to happen. If you don't venture you will not gain anything.

Answer 8

There are plenty of people who don't drink but you might be looking in the wrong places. I mean, you aren't going to find many teetotallers at sporting events or frat parties... go looking where you think someone who might have a reason not to drink might hang out.

Answer 9

The best way to do that is to find a college club (of which there are bound to be TONS at any given school) and join up. That way you'll be meeting with people with whom you share a few interests. Some of my closest friends I met by joining clubs in college.

Answer 10

Don't drink that a bad thing to do u will get addicted and then you are going to be sick.If you can't make friends then i would find some one that is alone and say hi or if you see someone having trouble carrying books then say can i help you.If someone starts talking to you say hi and try to answer the question.If you can't then write a little note saying hi I am shy so its hard for me to talk