So you turned 18, finally. Perhaps your friends took you out to the bar to celebrate and you had your first legal drink. Who knows what’s running through your mind- maybe its the excitement of this new chapter in your life or maybe you’ve just realised how much this beer has made you need to pee…either way, you unlocked a new option for a Saturday night activity. Or, you’ve just received your university acceptance letter in the post and this is your way out, an opportunity for a fresh start. But how will you close that door in your life, especially now you’re heading off to university, the drinking capitol of the country? Don’t panic! This article provides you with eight different reasons to quit drinking at uni.
1. “Show me the money!”
The “broke university student” stereotype can be a bit daunting for all of us, but hey, it’s a stereotype for a reason. Alcohol is expensive, no matter how low quality of wine you buy. In fact, a study reports that in Ireland, 1 in 3 people spend between €30 to €75 a week on alcohol. For many students, the budget for their weekly shop is at the baseline of this spectrum, sometimes lower, and adding an additional cost onto their expenses could prove damaging. Don’t spend unreasonable amounts on alcohol, instead, save up the money you could be spending on expensive cocktails and put it towards something useful instead!
2. Societies…am I right?
I am well aware of the social aspect of drinking; whether that be a good chat over a bottomless brunch, or a boozy night out with the girls. But I’m here to tell you that bars and clubs aren’t the only enjoyable places to socialise. Take a look on your universities’ website and find out which societies are for you! Or read on to find out the answers to some FAQs about societies. Joining a society means that your evenings can be filled with sober activities with like-minded people, and instead of spending at small fortune you spend shockingly little.
3, Utilise your union
Leading on from my last point, each university has a students’ union- utilise it! The SU often hosts different events such as bingo, games nights, or sports activities (there’s something for everyone!) Many of these activities are alcohol-free and a surefire way to engage with other students on a similar journey with icebreaker activities not involving alcohol.
4. Touch some grass…
Every campus has a story to tell. For me, my campus was surrounded by the beautiful seaside with attractions like the giants’ causeway, the mussenden temple, and the dark hedges. Maybe you are surrounded by the birthplace of a famous poet, or are even attending the same university as an ancient scholar. Whatever it is, I urge you to delve deep into the world outside of your campus. Having these attractions nearby meant that I was never lacking in any activity to do, which meant there was less of a temptation to head out to a bar in the evening.
5. Bye-bye peer pressure
If you’re anything like me you grew up under the impression that peer pressure would be a much bigger issue than it ever turned out to be. When I got to university I expected people to be shocked by the fact I didn’t drink, but I was the one who ended up shocked at how little people cared. It should comfort you to know that there is no longer a growing pressure on students to drink as sobriety is becoming so highly normalised. In fact, students were asked if their friends regularly expected them to drink and 72% disagreed with this statement.
6. The “done thing”
81% of students believed that alcohol was a part of university culture- and this may be true to some degree. Sure, many university events revolve around drinking (like pub crawls for example,) but that part of university is no longer the main focus. Instead of alcohol based activities, universities are offering fun events such as pottery painting, or charity runs. It’s definitely safe to say that you will not be the odd one out if you pursue sobriety at university.
7. The best hangover cure
The best cure for your hangovers is not chugging a glass of water after swallowing two ibuprofen, but rather cutting out drinking altogether. There’s nothing worse than trudging your way along to class with a churning stomach and a thrashing headache and once you actually make it to class not being able to stay awake or even pay attention. Drinking alcohol is proven to have a negative impact on studies, slowing cognitive functions and reducing high academic performances. So if your goal is to get a first class honours, my advice would be to ditch the alcohol.
8. Get a doctorate, not a doctor
Did you know that people who drink less have better overall health? Frequent alcohol intake can negatively effect blood sugar, blood pressure, energy, and weight levels. University can already be a stressful time, especially around exam period, so to add these additional effects could be detrimental to your health. The last thing that you want when you’re approaching a deadline or up studying for an exam is to have to deal with different doctors for various reasons. It’s important to look after yourself at university, including your mental health. Whilst not only having effects on physical health, alcohol intake can damage mental health too. Whilst all universities will have resources for students who are struggling with their mental health, it is important to get into habits that will not cause a decline in your health. (Remember, its an apple a day, not an apple cider a day that keeps the doctor away.)
As I finish this article, I hope that your decision to quit drinking as you begin this new university season is affirmed. Just a reminder that everybody is entitled to their own preferences! Make sure to look after yourselves regardless of your choice.
Talk soon,
Jess 🙂