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FACT: 20% of college students don't drink alcohol.

Are you one of them, or do you want to be? Take heart! ❤️ Having fun and remaining sober are not mutually exclusive!

A car chooses between two paths on a highway: drink alcohol or have fun and stay sober.

1. Join A Club

There are lots of clubs you can join on campus, and you can be assured that the focus won't be on alcohol.

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Here's a sampling of club categories from a small liberal arts college in the Northeastern U.S. This one small school has more than 70 clubs!

  • Academic

  • Leadership

  • Club Sports

  • Performance

  • Service

  • Cultural

  • Media

  • Political

  • The Arts

  • Religious

If you don't find a club you like, your school will probably let you start a new one!

See Nobody Cares meme: He started his own club! Everybody wants to join.

2. Visit The City

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Chances are your college sponsors weekend outings to nearby cities for activities like:

  • Scenic tours

  • Foodie events

  • Museums

  • Festivals

  • Concerts

  • Theatre

  • Ball games

  • On-your-own adventures

Check with your Student Services office to see what's available.

OMG we had a lot of fun membe. Woman looking happy and excited.

Did you know?

If you don't have transportation into the city, many colleges have car sharing services (payable by the hour or day) available for students to rent.

3. Host An Alcohol-Free Gathering

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Take things into your own hands and invite people over for:

  • Brunch

  • Watch party

  • Barbecue

  • Dinner

  • Game night

  • Pot-luck dinner

Jane Lynch Game Night, Lets Do This GIF by NBC

Serve non-alcoholic beverages and perhaps test out your cooking skills to (hopefully) wow your guests with great food!

Not sure how to cook? Check out some dorm-friendly cooking ideas.

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Quiz

Jo wants to stay sober but it's difficult with all the parties on campus. What could they do instead?

Did you know?

If you're tired of settling for the same old sodas and juices, you can make mocktails. They're non-alcoholic versions of cocktails, and you can find all kinds of creative recipes online.

4. Volunteer For A Good Cause

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You can gain deep satisfaction by volunteering for causes you care about.

Check with your college or the town/city website to learn about service opportunities.

  • Big Brother/Big Sister

  • Foodbank volunteer

  • Environmental causes

  • Habitat for Humanity

  • Holiday gift drive

  • Leading campus tours for prospective students

Success Kid meme: Volunteered, Had a Blast.

5. Get Outside

Flaticon IconDo you enjoy the outdoors? Try these healthy and fun activities:

  • Hiking

  • Skiing

  • Relaxing at the beach

  • Kayaking

  • Playing frisbee, soccer, or Spikeball

Rugged man chopping wood GIF. No alcohol? No fun? Think again!

Take Action

Participating in these activities will help you find a friend group that has similar values and interests. Soon you'll be surrounded by like-minded people who support your decision to remain sober.

GIF by I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! Australia: I'm fun! Just not drunk.

License:

This Byte has been authored by

MD

Mary Ellen D'Intino

Learning Designer | Licensed Social Worker

M.Ed., LSW

This Byte has been reviewed by

DK
English

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