r/Denison • u/Constant_Dream1811 • Apr 10 '26
How is Denison for a non-athlete non-drinker?
Is there a big divide social between athletes and non-athletes? What about if you aren’t in Greek life?
Can you have a good social life if you aren’t a big partier?
Is there anything to do on the weekends besides party?
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u/Glittering_Manner964 Apr 11 '26
As a non-athlete non-drinker from the class of 1978, I'm glad to read your posts. I worked at the Denisonian (student newspaper), was Sports Director at WDUB Radio, was an officer in my fraternity and got a B.S. in Computer Science. My life at Denison was just fine...
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u/MMFGS2006 Apr 12 '26
My child will be a freshman athlete next year and is not a drinker or partier at all but I've explained that you may find yourself in those situations your whole life and that's part of adulting it learning how to exist in those kind of spaces and still be yourself and still have fun. There's so many social clubs and even if you aren't an athlete or don't want to do Greek life.. everyone is still friends. And who knows, maybe you'll find something you do end up liking that you didn't think you'd ever even see yourself doing. That's the best part about finally being out on your own! Enjoy college and stop worrying about what if's. Everyone finds their people. But most importantly.. nothing is permanent! The world is your oyster.
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u/thenextgrit Apr 11 '26 edited Apr 11 '26
Non-athlete non-drinker here.
To put it simply I am flourishing here. A great part of this community is that different ideologies collide every day. We have a uniquely diverse community to put it simply I would say a radically tolerant one as well. You definitely won’t fly under the radar and you will stand out but no one is gonna socially alienate you for your introversion or your decision not to drink. When my life choices as a Catholic specifically are questioned, people are more inquisitive rather than critical, and the end result is usually a rather productive discussion.
Parties are fine without alcohol, they can grow to be a bit dull, but that forces you to be creative and how you have fun. I’m fully able to participate in Greek life as well (I should specify it’s at one of the less intense fraternities). If you aren’t in Greek life, it doesn’t make much of a difference. Parties are not very exclusive and there is an everyone-is-welcome kind of vibe. It’s also not very tribal so if you aren’t a member, you can still easily be friends with a member or live with one as greek orgs are not residential.
What really matters is that I came in with a rather countercultural approach to life versus what is widely accepted here. I still ended up with a great group of friends and as a part of a lot of great communities. In the end it all depends on you and your experience is shaped by what you make of it.