After high school, Adam Smith, a senior majoring in business, was ready to move out of his parent’s house, learn responsibility, get a good education and have a chance to enjoy the college experience. However, there is one thing that sets him apart from most students — he does not drink and never plans to drink.
Smith does not drink because his religion says that drinking alcohol is a sin. Also, there is a history of alcoholism and addiction in his family that deters him from any temptation there might be.
“Everyone in my family that has started drinking or using a controlled substance got addicted to it.” Smith said. “So I just stay away from alcohol.”
While Smith does not follow the stereotypical pattern of drinking in college, Chris Tecarr does.
Tecarr, a senior majoring in mass communications, was also thrilled to move out of the house and live on his own; however, drinking is part of Tecarr’s college experience.
“When I first arrived on campus, I was ready to live it up and party and have a good time because you only go to college once and then you are thrown into the real world,” Tecarr said.
A recent question posed to students at the University of South Florida stated that 94 percent of students have been drunk before.
Instead of drinking, Smith spend s his time hanging out with his girlfriend, playing a variety of sports, going to church and hanging out with groups of people he chooses to hang out with.
“I find better things to do than drinking,” Smith said. “For instance, on Sundays, me and my friends get together, go to church, play some Ultimate Frisbee and have a big dinner together without drinking.”
Occasionally, Smith will go to local bars with friends and offer his services as the designated driver. Not only is drinking and driving illegal, but he also believes it is a poor choice.
“There are so many services out there these days to use instead of driving home drunk,” Smith said. “If you can’t find a friend to drive you home then call a cab or call 911, they will find a way to get you home safely.”
When Smith started at USF, he saw college from a different angle. He currently receives scholarships to attend USF and he looks at college as a job. He believes that college is a job where you learn and get the grades needed to pass and get to the next stage of life.
“I always look at college as a means to an end, another stepping stone to success in my adult life,” Smith said. “Now that I am on that journey to success in life, I don’t need drinking and I will never need drinking to have a good time.”
By Cody Wilson
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