Student life: It doesn’t have to include partying, drugs

Indiana University was once named the “No. 1 Party School” in the nation by the Princeton Review, based on student reporting of alcohol and drug use, number of hours spent studying outside of class and the presence of sororities and fraternities on campus. Five years later, in 2010, IU ranked 15th on the list.

Despite the lower ranking, parents might still worry that exposure to partying, alcohol and drugs is a part of many students’ college experience. At IU, however, it doesn’t have to be that way.

“This school is diverse in many ways, and the character of its students is one of them,” said 2012 graduate Danny Alexander. “There are plenty of students who do not engage in drinking and partying while still having fun.”

Alexander pointed to the variety of clubs, sports and activities available on campus as evidence that there are students out there with other interests.

He suggested new students look for ways to get involved on campus as a means of meeting new people and finding alternatives to drinking.

“There are many things to do on campus and around Bloomington that don’t involve
drinking,” he said. “Join a club or become a part of a community floor in a residence hall. I personally like to go to Rachael’s Café on Third Street and enjoy free music.”
Junior Lauren Knueven said she also believes IU has a lot to offer to students who aren’t interested in drinking or partying. She noted the sheer number of students
enrolled at IU.

“There are over 30,000 students that attend IU,” she said. “Whether or not a student gets involved in partying and drinking is largely dependent on the individual student and whom they become friends with. You can party if you want to, but you don’t
have to.”

Like Alexander, Knueven advised new students to take advantage of the variety of other events occurring both on campus and in Bloomington.

“There are free movies at the Union,” she said. “And sometimes IU sponsors cultural events on weekend nights.”

Both students emphasized the importance of finding good friends at the beginning of the year, since this is when the majority of new students establish the habits and relationships that will last through their first year.

Junior Bryn Schweda said she agreed.

“No matter what school you go to, there will always be a few students who drink and do drugs, but I think it’s a lot smaller number than people think,” Knueven said. “Most of my friends that I have met at IU don’t do any of these things, and I’ve never felt pressured to do so here.”