In the excitement of moving to university, going out and partying can sometimes be the last things on your mind. From 9 am lecture hangovers to queuing up at 3 am in club lines, the freshers’ stereotypes are all very daunting. They are also not very realistic. In reality, there are many fun things to do as a fresher that don’t involve alcohol!
If you are one of the many sober curious students currently searching for what’s on offer besides WKDs and drunk partygoers, this list is for you. We’ve compiled some of the best freshers’ week activities to help you enjoy your transition alcohol-free.
Join a society
A great thing about Freshers’ Week is that you don’t have to look far for fun activities! Societies are the perfect place to find something to do without alcohol, and there are lots to choose from! Most universities offer a wide variety of societies, ranging from movie watching to baking, gaming, and even poetry writing. The Student Room has a great run-down on all things student groups. And if you’re unsure of where to start, here’s a helpful guide to finding the right one for you.
During Freshers’ Week, there’s usually an event to meet these societies, where you can sign up on the spot or attend their taster sessions. What’s great is that they are free to participate in. You can then take part in weekly sessions and discover fun hobbies whilst meeting other students. You can even be a part of the committee itself. It’s a great way to fill your time and even gain some good experience to show off on your CV.
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From post-lecture sessions and pub crawls to collabs with other groups, societies have everything. You know they’re good because they are run by other students! If you can’t wait until you get to uni to check them out, then look here for the best-ranked universities for societies.
Quiz nights
Is there anything better than getting out of your room and being able to show off your brainy skills? I say probably not. Quiz nights, whether they’re at a local pub, on campus, or even set up on the fly in the communal room, are a cheap and fun activity for everyone. They can be about anything, too, so whether you’re a science whiz or you can name every Taylor Swift song ever, there’s guaranteed to be something to interest you.
Explore the city
This activity is great for many reasons: it gives you a head start in finding your way around, and you might discover even more exciting things to do while you explore. I love taking an afternoon walk a little further down the street or hopping on the train to the city centre. You could spend the day in town or take a weekend trip to a nearby city, the choice is yours!
You might want to explore the local art gallery or museums, or even join a walking tour of the landmarks. Take a boat ride or a stroll along the canal, peruse your local farmer’s market or have a picnic at the park. Watch a play at the theatre or go to a music gig, the world (or rather your city) is your oyster.
Do a ‘crawl’
Book crawl, coffee shop crawl, charity shop crawl, pub crawl… so many crawls! This activity is great because it’s so flexible. You can decide to do whatever interests you, whether that be a solo day out or an evening with friends. It is also affordable and accessible, because you can travel as far as you want and visit as many or as few places as you fancy.
You could even find a crawl to join! For example, I joined a bookshop crawl last year held by a society, where students were able to explore the city and enjoy some books and conversations on the way. Crawls can be as planned or as impromptu as you decide. Some like to have a set itinerary of all the local spots they want to hit up, or you might decide to just see where the street signs take you!
Stay on campus
It’s fine if you don’t want to travel far to have fun. Whether you’re an introvert or just looking for something close to home, campus is the best place for sober activities! Your University will host a wide array of fun Freshers’ Week events catered to all kinds of students. From society fairs to freebie events to meet-ups for your course, they have a lot on offer. I’m personally very grateful for these because they helped me to meet others from my classes. (There was also free pizza, which was totally not my main reason for going.) The easiest way to find these events is to check your University’s website or social media.
Your University’s Multi-faith Chaplaincy might also have events targeted towards students who don’t drink. These are great for meeting like-minded people and enjoying something unique. They aren’t just for religious students either! They are open to all students and have some great events, like baking bread and lunch socials. Be sure to check event calendars or sign up for newsletters to find out when all the fun events are happening.
Go out, mocktail-style
Whether you bring the party to you, or you still want to go out and join the club lines, mocktails are a great alternative to alcohol! It’s literally in the name: they’re cocktails without the hangover. You might find them in dedicated sober bars. Moreover, lots of clubs have started serving delicious mocktails for people who want the vibe without the vodka.
You could go to student-targeted events, like parties at your student union, which can be anything from a spectacular Welcome Ball to karaoke or a silent disco. If your experience is anything like mine, there will be plenty of people handing out fliers on campus to advertise them.
Takeaway, or fakeaway?
As a student, you will be well aware that cooking is a vital part of your student life. So there’s no better way to practice your cooking skills than hosting your own dinner night! You could go out and explore the local restaurants, or pop to the shop and try out a new recipe. Pinterest is great for finding inspiration, or you might even find them on student guides. Take a look at this cookbook for students.
If you’re more of a fire hazard in the kitchen, takeaways are also a great option. Student areas are usually full of tasty food spots, which you can order straight to your door! Dinners are a perfect activity for filling your evening or breaking the ice with your flatmates. Cooking with my flatmates was one of the first things I did. It was really fun to chat and do it together. You can also figure out how the oven works, which is a plus!
Find a new hobby
You don’t have to join a society to pick up a hobby. In fact, there are so many hobbies for you to choose from! If you’re sporty, there are great options like local classes or joining sports groups. Even if you’re new to sports, they usually have taster sessions for beginners. These are perfect for seeing if it’s the right fit for you. However, don’t overthink it. You could order a cheap mat online or grab your biggest towel and start stretching right in your room! YouTube and TikTok have some great exercise guides.
However, if the thought of a run doesn’t appeal to you, then don’t fret, there are other good options available. Many cities advertise events through local community boards and social media, like Facebook, with everything from poetry nights at the pub to pottery painting afternoons. These are great ways to have fun and participate without needing to drink. You can even pick up a hobby at home whenever you want to. It could be as simple as drawing with a piece of paper and a pen, or picking up some wool at HobbyCraft to knit your own clothes! Whether it’s gaming with your mates or baking cookies, hobbies are wonderful for an alcohol-free activity.
Websites like Eventbrite and Class Bento are useful for finding hobbies and events near you. You can filter the events to find what is happening in your local area, so get searching!
Host a movie night
From LetterBoxd fanatics to those who have never heard of Casablanca, movies are a great activity for everyone who doesn’t want to drink. You could keep it lowkey, with your laptop and some microwave popcorn. Alternatively, you could jazz it up with a projector and some tasty snacks. Outdoor cinemas are a popular option for a fun night out.
If you like the experience of going to the cinema, but not the cost, then you could look for a handy discount. Some cinemas offer student discounts, like the Odeon’s student discount for its limitless membership. Various websites and apps provide even more great student deals. Check out places like StudentBeans and Save the Student, and you might even find something else you’ll enjoy!
Meet your neighbours
For those who like the social aspect of clubs and drinking, another great way to experience this is to hang out with those around you. Whether that be inviting your mates over, or getting to know the people living next to you, you can socialise however you want to. You could do something fun like hosting a game night or unwind in your accommodation’s communal room.
Lots of student accommodations hold events for new students to meet each other and to relax for free. I’ve been to some amazing events, like a Halloween party, chill workshops, and pizza socials. They are nearby, easy on the student budget, and ideal for socialising and having fun without catching freshers’ flu. You could find out if your accommodation has an app or group chat to join.
With sober Freshers’ Weeks becoming more popular, it’s clear that you don’t need to drink to have fun. Instead of feeling the FOMO over not drinking, try out some of the great alternatives from our list and enjoy your freshers’ week!
If you’re looking for more advice on surviving and thriving in university, go check out everything else our Freshers’ guide has to offer.
FAQs on Sober Freshers' Week Activities
Great sober picks include games nights, movie screenings, coffee crawls, campus treasure hunts, escape rooms, board game cafes, sports tasters, and daytime society fairs. These let you meet people without the pressure to drink.
Join a few society taster sessions, say yes to daytime meetups, and start small conversations in queues or on tours. Suggest simple plans like a walk, a coffee, or cooking together in halls. Consistent low pressure contact builds friendships fast.
Yes. Most Students' Unions schedule alcohol free options such as silent discos with soft drinks, quiz nights, craft sessions, wellbeing walks, and late opening common rooms. Check the official Freshers' timetable and look for events marked as alcohol free.
Prepare a simple line like I am not drinking tonight or I am on early lectures. Hold a soft drink, stay with supportive friends, and plan your exit time. Most people respect a clear and calm boundary once you state it.
Try a picnic in a local park, free museum days, city photo challenges, potluck dinners in halls, library study socials, and campus sport drop ins. Many unions offer free or low cost tickets for these during Freshers' Week.