<p>Just make sure you don’t become an alcoholic. Nobody likes an alcoholic.</p>
<p>“Speaking of, does anyone not get hangovers? I mean, I’ve gotten–and I really hope this doesn’t sound as bad as I think it might–pretty drunk, to the point where I’m still drunk hours after I’ve woken up the next day, but I’ve never gotten headaches or thrown up. I’m guessing this is pretty unusual? (And while I’m not petite, I’m not ginormous either. 5’7, avg weight, female).”</p>
<p>Drink enough, it will happen. Keep in mind that distilled products will give less of a hangover than just fermented products because they can remove the methanol and many other fusel alcohols responsible for hangovers from the ethanol. If you really want to experience a hangover, mead will do it like nothing else.</p>
<p>Why do people throw up when they drink? Is it because they drank too much?</p>
<p>Or because the water in mexico ****s you up… Yea you gotta get all that posin out of your system, you feel so much better after you puke anyway, unless you’ve got the dry heaves all night FTL.</p>
<p>collegebound, I’m right there with you. I’ve been drinking for a few years now and still do not get hangovers even after getting fairly drunk. (I’m pretty small too, female 5’2 120 lbs). I mean, not complaining at all, I just find it strange.</p>
<p>And yes, people throw up because they have consumed too much alcohol. The body cannot handle it and attempts to rid itself of what it considers to be a poison.</p>
<p>"Also most people get a “party buzz.” Basically if you’re at a party or around some other largish grouping of people that are drinking the second you take a drink you’re going to “feel it.” Of course it’s all in your head though.</p>
<p>One time I was hosting a party and as a joke we gave a guy O’Douls (sp?,) which is a non-alcoholic beer that we had for some reason I can’t remember. He had about 6 of them and was acting pretty drunk. Hooray placebo effect I guess."</p>
<p>True dat.</p>
<p>Crants, I looked over your article and to be honest, it is a completely distorted, inaccurate description of drinking in college. You really have no idea why people drink - and I once believed that alcohol was satanic, as you seem to. Let me just point a couple things out - </p>
<p>“There seem to be two categories of incoming college freshmen: those who already drink regularly, and those who are about to start. Alcohol makes a huge presence on college campuses, to the point where students are expected to drink. Remember those horrible D.A.R.E. videos where some guys in an alley insist that you drink with them? College is not much different – except the expectation is rarely stated. The precious few who resist are just assumed to be antisocial or just downright strange.”</p>
<p>-WRONG! Not true. I don’t know what college campus you are on, but I know PLENTY of students that do not drink (and I go to a school that is rather well-known for partying/drinking). Some of my best friends are almost-alcoholics, some of my other best friends are nondrinkers. People do not assume them to be antisocial or strange at all…but rather accept them wholeheartedly and respect their decision. Perhaps the difference between my nondrinking friends and your nondrinking crowd is that maybe, just maybe, my friends know how to be social and get along with everyone drinking & nondrinking alike, and not have their heads stuck up in the clouds of naivety. </p>
<p>Second, students ARE NOT expected to drink, nor is that a common implication. Social life does tend to revolve around alcohol in college. But parties, games, sporting events, and dances (all things traditionally associated with alcohol in college) DO NOT have to involve one drop of alcohol at all and can genuinely be just as fun. I think you are confusing social people with drinking people. While drinking people are often social, social people don’t have to use alcohol to be social. </p>
<p>“There is very little room for people who value themselves and take themselves seriously. My method of coping with this problem is to do as much homework on Friday nights as possible.”</p>
<p>Once again, showcasing antisocial tendencies. Social people do not have to be cooped up in their rooms doing homework 24/7!!! They can do about 6 zillion other things that are far more fun and engaging. And as for being a person who values yourself and takes yourself seriously?" Good for you. But taking yourself too seriously at too young an age can put a huge damper on fun and spontaneity as well, can’t it?</p>
<p>“I suspect most students drink simply because they feel it’s their obligation as students, whether they want to or not.”</p>
<p>Nope. Students who do not want to drink don’t drink! I don’t know anyone who chooses to drink even if they don’t want to. Make believe, false! Geez, what happened to free will? As far as I know, it still exists. People who succumb to “peer pressure” in terms of college drinking, are few and far-between. Most drink because of other reasons. </p>
<p>Students who want to drink, drink for a couple of reasons.<br>
- Alcohol tends to make a quiet person more social or relaxed. It helps to loosen people up a little, often boosts your confidence (i.e. makes a person able to talk to the girl/guy they like without freaking out). It also can make you feel more happy/energized, depending on how much you drink and what your mood is.<br>
- Alcohol can make things funny. People do stupid things, and honestly, it is rather fun to wake up on a weekend morning and eat a breakfast with your friends, telling goofy stories of all the dumb drunk people out there (sometimes including yourself). These stories of the dumb and goofy things you did and said can help establish bonds/friendships especially if you are a wide-eyed college freshman looking for a group of friends.<br>
- It is one way to let loose. Okay, after a tough week of cramming for exams, studying notes, and writing essays, why not unleash your hormones once in a while? Alcohol “helps” you do that.<br>
- It tastes good/new/exciting. Imagine that.<br>
- On the downside, a few students drink to swallow away their pains, drown their sorrows, and ignore reality (but this is really not as common). </p>
<p>I’m not advocating alcohol in any way, but I’d just like to clarify a few things to some people who clearly do not have a grasp of why and how students drink.</p>
<p>Now, I don’t advocate you doing anything illegal, but maybe you should drink (when you are 21 wink wink nudge nudge) before you go to college. Learn about your limits. You WILL be exposed to it if you are living on campus. </p>
<p>The reason so many kids drop out or flunk out of college is because they are experiencing
too many new things (freedom, parties, sex, drugs/alcohol, money woes) too quickly such that it becomes overwhelming and intolerable. </p>
<p>Alcohol will make you stupid in the long run, too. Alcohol and college don’t mix.</p>
<p>Another thing that people seem to forget, especially freshman since they’re stuck drinking whatever someone else buys, is that many people like to drink two or three drinks instead of getting trashed every night. Especially if you’re buying good beer (the stuff you won’t find in a grocery store) drinking just a couple can taste really good and loosen you up a bit, without really imparing your judgement.</p>