Hey Long&Thick,
I also had some bad experiences with vodka when I was in college. I only started drinking it again a couple of years ago, and I'm 36 now. I mainly use it for Bloody Marys. Otherwise, I'm generally not a fan of mixed drinks. I like to taste the alcohol.
Lots of people say that vodka has no taste, but I disagree. It does have a taste, and a nasty taste at that--sort of bland and harsh at the same time. Premium vodkas will taste lighter and cleaner, but will still have a taste. My preferred brand is Svedka. It's almost like drinking water, and it's smooth enough to drink straight. It also has the added bonus of being much less expensive than a premium vodka. I prefer unflavored vodkas, but you may find one of the flavored varieties more drinkable (citron, clementine, raspberry, and vanilla).
You should also keep in mind that liquors have a much higher alcohol content than beer or wine, so a little goes a long way. I think the reason college kids get sick is because they mix it with stuff so they can't taste it, and then they drink it too much too fast, as if it were juice or soda. If you're partying, you're gonna get thirsty. Don't try to use your alcoholic drink to quench your thirst. Drink plenty of
water or something non-alcoholic to quench your thirst.
Sip your alcohol, and develop an appreciation for it's complex flavors. Let yourself get drunk gradually, so that you can identify the point when you've had enough and can stop drinking then. I think gin & tonic is a good starter drink, a way to ease into the adult world of drinking alcohol. If you're not crazy about the taste, add some lime juice to make it more palatable.
The alcohol I don't like is
GIN 
. It smells and tastes like perfume to me.
Oh, I like gin much better than vodka, just for the reason you mention. I think it smells and tastes delicious. However, for that very reason, I wouldn't waste it in a mixed drink. I only use it for martinis or for a gin & tonic. Here's my brief assessment of some of the most popular gins:
Beefeater: This is the standard of measurement. It's good, but not the best. I never drink anything less.
Tanqueray: Over-rated. Most people think it's better than Beefeater but it's not. I think it's bland. Maybe Tanqueray is the gin for people who don't like gin. It's acceptable for mixing, but a cheaper gin would do for that.
Bombay Sapphire: Very good gin, but somewhat non-traditional. It's a bit spicy. I like it if I'm in the mood for it, but it's more expensive and generally not worth it.
Bombay (regular): Take some of the extra spice out of Bombay Sapphire, and you've got Bombay's regular gin. It's similar to Beefeater but a little smoother, more balanced, and less harsh. This is my favorite for most occasions.
