It is the same routine most weeks out of the school year. A student's weekend usually starts on Thursday, signaling the beginning of the habitual pattern that Penn State students are typically expected to fulfill. Becoming a bona fide Penn State student usually means two things: being obsessed with football and knowing how to drink an alcoholic under the table.
Penn State football, to state mildly, is a tradition rich in history and reputation. It will always be an integral part of the school, students and locality. Drinking, like football, is a given here and at most colleges across the globe.
Being independent for the first time often expounds students who explore their newfound freedom in the form of partying. The thrill of the first apartment party and frat event ushers in the acclamation of new students. Learning and perfecting skills involving beer pong, flip cup, keg stands and quarters are often the pursuit of a Friday night. Participating in these initiation-like activities, freshmen often fall into the drinking and partying pattern upon their arrival. That is, every weekend, the same partying and drinking goals are realized.
Now in my third year at Penn State I can say that the party scene is, in a nutshell, played out. Sure it was fun and exciting the first 20 times I scored free booze from frats and learned how to play drinking card games at my elder Penn State students' apartments. But now what?
Well for one, achieving the coveted 21-year age bracket is the final step in a student's drinking maturation. Bars open up an entire new avenue for drinking and partying. Bars mainly add two new dimensions to the party scene: legal legitimacy and actually paying for your alcohol. (But I will readily admit that being able to order a select beverage with my dinner is a nice perk of being 21.) Other than that, it is not unlike partying while underage. You just do it with older people.
I realize it is difficult finding many things to do in the booming metropolis of State College. I mean, we do not even get all of the new movie releases that other cities have. But look around you - what undiscovered diversions can you find at this school? A passion in drinking is more than acceptable here, but anything else? Are you an artist? Athlete? Volunteer? Why is it that when students get to college many extra-curricular activities seem to vanish, only to be replaced by partying, drinking and football? Football only lasts one semester and I'm inclined to believe that many students are participants in football predominantly for the drinking facet.
With all of this carousing, one unfortunate aspect is the effect it has on the development of relationships. Significant friendships and relationships are not based solely on mutual drinking schedules. I would even argue that many relationships here are based on some sort of party routine. How many friends do you know you will definitely stay in contact with 10 years from now? Are finding these friends or relationships that important? Well, it will be when you are in the real world alone trying to establish yourself.
I realize that this is the only time in life that you can drink extensively and have fun without the total responsibilities and consequences of an actual adult life. But it is also one of the few opportunities to explore interests that are not usually existent in the real world. You could even study paranormal activities and tai chi if you wanted.
My fellow students, show me some passion in something other than drinking.
Show me your ability to have a good conversation. Show me your poor dancing skills. Or maybe just invite me to a lazy night watching movies and laughing at the stupid things we did last year.
So yes, it is OK to be friendly after your freshman year. Yes, it is OK to branch out and meet new people. And no, you do not have to spend every night being a drunkard.
We are at one of the largest and most respected universities in the world. Do not waste it all on blacked-out nights and awkward wake-ups next to strangers. Well, at least not every night.
