Like Adam Liebendorfer (in his column of October 7th), I've got a solution for those students who want to go out for drinks, but are concerned about the after effects on their bodies - don't drink alcohol. What? you may say, How can I have a good time with my friends without drinking?
If you think you need alcohol to have a good time, you may have an alcohol problem. I imbibed plenty of beer in my college days, and now I look back with regret at the losses due to drinking - the wasted time and money; the lost opportunities to build friendships based on shared values, not a shared pitcher of beer; the near brushes with the law.
So skip the alcohol - it's OK to be shy, lack confidence or look foolish in public, but be your true self and not some inebriated version of yourself that makes poor decisions on alcohol.
This weekend, try sticking to drinking water, tea, coffee or soda in social situations. You'll have an even better time out, and you can thank yourself in the morning for your smart decision not to kill more brain cells. Your friends will be grateful, too!
Mark McCutchan is an engineer and technical writer who resides in Athens.
4 Opinion
Letter to the Editor
