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It's Still Cool to "Just Say No"
By Catherine Bennion, Class of 2006
People ask me why I don't drink. Here's the answer: I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and we live by a health code called the Word of Wisdom that advises us to not consume alcohol, tobacco, or other addictive substances. I'm fortunate in that I've never really been pressured to live otherwise because my reputation of saying "no" to offers of drugs and alcohol preceded me, and I had a tight circle of friends who didn't need to get wasted to have fun. When other people in my high school were at parties with their home-grown marijuana and the contents of their parents' liquor cabinets in tow, we went to movies or shopped or just enjoyed each other's company.
I was asked to share my experience in coming to Vanderbilt University this year. It was a lesson in overcoming first impressions. What follows is the process I went through to adjust to my new surroundings.
When I came to campus freshman weekend, I asked my tour guide if the rumors about the party scene were true. She informed me that "it happens, but the school's big enough that it's not a big deal if you don't want it to be." When I got here for orientation weekend, I was ready to sue for false advertising. It seemed that everyone was only interested in the next party. The main topics of the question-and-answer sessions in my Vucept group were, "Which frat has the best parties?" and, "Where can I get a cheap fake ID?" not "How does the pledge process work?" and, "Where do people on campus hang out?" I felt so out of place, like I'd just made the biggest mistake of my life in coming here.
I was so lonely. I spent my entire second weekend at Vanderbilt in my room, crying on the phone to my parents, my boyfriend, even my bishop back home, about how out of place and small I felt, while it seemed like everyone else was out having a good time. I just wanted to go home.
Well, it's only been a couple of weeks since my parents consoled me and told me to wait it out and find my niche. I've found it. I have my "just say no" reputation back, and a great new circle of friends who still don't need to get wasted to have fun. I understand the Greek system better now, and I've come to realize that the word "party" isn't necessarily synonymous with "BYOB." My tour guide was right: it isn't a big deal anymore. The campus certainly is huge - it takes me 15 minutes to get from my dorm to my classes at Blair - but I don't feel small anymore.
I'm writing to let my fellow "non-drinkers" know that they aren't alone so that they don't feel the way I did. I hope that all of you find your own niche too. If you're having trouble, I encourage you to contact Jeanine Atkinson, the director of the Office of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Prevention or look for "Koala" flyers around campus; Koala - it means "no drink" in Aborigine - is a new organization on campus devoted to providing fun and support for non-drinkers.
To those of you who do drink, please don't think I'm a snob for refusing an offer. I'm not holier than thou; I simply believe differently. Maybe when you invite me to a party, have a six-pack of Dr. Pepper waiting there for me.
For more information:
Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drug Prevention Programs
Station B 1508
Nashville TN 37235
(615) 343-4740
FAX (615) 343-8081
