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How to survive uni without drinking alcohol?!

It's still two years before I start university but I'm wondering how to survive without alcohol? It's not a religious thing, it's just that alcohol has never really appealed to me. I'm aware that fresher's week is basically one big long drinking extravaganza, I was wondering if anyone has had first hand experience with this situation? How do people react when they find out that you don't drink? And how do you deal with the peer pressure?

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Reply 1

Scienceisgood

You're never pressured into drinking nor do people expect you to.
It's just campus bars tend to be where people meet up, socialise and where most societies (at my uni) tend to end up after their time slot has ended.

If you don't like the TASTE of alcohol, I can give you a few that you wouldn't even be able to tell they were alcoholic if they were given to you?

Reply 2

Georgiina_Tee

Lots if people don't drink at uni no one cares just don't be someone who makes sure everyone knows the don't drink.

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Reply 3

BKS

Yeah, you're worrying too much especially if you're not going for two years. The idea of students being pissed all the time is very stereotypical so with all stereotypes there is truth but it's far from the whole story.

I went to Edinburgh and started at 17 so couldn't drink (they ID 10x more than normal during freshers because being 17 isn't uncommon in Scotland at least). There as still loads of day time stuff I could do during freshers. Night time stuff as all pub/club based but I could still go. I drank more than enough the rest of first year but by my 3rd year and even more so my 4th I was pretty done with getting pissed, I still enjoyed and enjoy a few some times though. I think this is fairly common so societies (other than the specifically party sort) have a mix of all years/ages so not drinking much isn't unusual so not drinking at all won't stand out much.

Reply 4

Stinkum

Err what...a lot of this so called student culture is actually nothing more than a bunch of rumours. I've never had a drop of alcohol in my 20 something years, I was never pressured into drinking or going out at uni. You're responsible for your own actions, no one is going to force anything upon you. You're a mature adult now, you decide how to act. If you want to get leathered and go clubbing every night, you're free to do so. If not, that's fine, no one ever mentioned or brought it up to me, I never felt that sort of pressure. In my uni, people keep to themselves, you're free to act as you wish.

Reply 5

BlueSam3

Original post by bubblegum21

I'm aware that fresher's week is basically one big long drinking extravaganza,

No it isn't. Not even remotely.

I was wondering if anyone has had first hand experience with this situation?

Yup.

How do people react when they find out that you don't drink?

Not, in particular.

And how do you deal with the peer pressure?

There is none.

Reply 6

Swanbow

One of our flatmates didn't really drink, she'd have a drink or two but that was it. None of us peer pressured her into drinking and respected her decision. She still came out and enjoyed herself, although it did mean she had to look after one or two of us who got a bit 'merry'. Lots of people don't drink at university, it isn't that big of a deal. Just join societies that interest you and you'll be fine.

Reply 7

jesscann1

also worried about this, uni in september (hopefully)

Reply 8

smjwell

Some people react differently. Decent people respect your choice and tend not to care that much. There are however some people who do try and make fun of you and possibly try and get you to drink. I saw one post on the Newcastle Freshers FB page from a guy saying he didn't drink. A girl replied saying 'I can't wait to see how long your not drinking will last at university' as if having a drink is some right of passage into university student life and the conversation progressed horribly. Additionally, some people fail to see how you could possibly have a good time on a night out without drinking. You won't necessarily come across these people, but unfortunately they do exist. Just ignore them as the majority of people completely understand and appreciate the choice to not drink as long as you're not self-righteous about the fact that you don't drink. It doesn't make you any better.

In terms of dealing with peer pressure try and find people who also don't drink or at least don't drink excessively. If your flat are constantly pressuring you, just remember you will find other like-minded people on your course and at societies in due course. I know you really shouldn't have to do this, but if you feel its absolutely necessary to survive, especially in freshers, you could just pretend you're drinking to shut someone up. To look at, you can't tell the difference between a normal coke and a coke with vodka.

Reply 9

KindofGood

There are lots of people who don't drink alcohol at uni and also a variety of societies that don't include alcohol (politics, creative writing, entrepreneurship, debating, football etc).

Reply 10

Rian7

Just turn into a 'straight-edge' > NO drinks NO smoke NO drugs :tongue:

Reply 11

Hicko

so you are like 15 and worried about not wanting to drink hahahhahahahahhaha

Reply 12

nohomo

Just drink diet coke or something.

Reply 13

Original Name

I went out every single night of my freshers week stone cold sober and had an incredible time. Everyone thought I was high or drunk but I was just ridiculously excited to be at university. No one ever pressured me to drink, most people were impressed that I could keep going. Plus when you're sober you get to screw with drunk people. I lied about where I was from and what my course was every time someone new asked me. I used accents, fake backstories, it was brilliant.

Reply 14

shawn_o1

I was never really what most people defined as a "student" other than the fact that i studied and worked hard for the exams

Reply 15

James222

No one really cares and people will respect your beliefs.

Reply 16

Alrounder79

I don't know about Uni, but at my boarding school, there was a lot of peer pressure in terms of getting people to drink.

Reply 17

Michael!

I used to go out and get absolute s***faced in my teens. I used to get in fights, get arrested, sleep around. I was an absolute state. So I decided to quit drinking before uni and I have such a better night out sober. You can have just as much fun as anybody else without having to worry like looking like an idiot and throwing up everywhere. Being confident does help when you don't drink, because most people use alcohol as a social lubricant. They find it easier to talk to people when they're trollied. But if you're a confident/out-going person then you'll meet and talk to just as many people. Plus you save a ridiculous amount of money!

Reply 18

moonlight94

Before I went to University, I was always really worried about the alcohol aspect, it just seemed like it was just all about that and nothing else. But now being someone who has just finished second year, I can tell you that there is so much more to student/university life than drinking, you can join societies, you can meet people from different countries, it's all truly amazing! No one is going to judge you, everyone will respect your decision, like they respected my no alcohol decision, when I was a first year. :smile:

Reply 19

Michael!

Original post by Alrounder79

I don't know about Uni, but at my boarding school, there was a lot of peer pressure in terms of getting people to drink.

Boarding schools are completely different to uni. Middle/Upper class kids putting pressure on each other is custom. I played rugby against a boarding school who used to play 'sticky biscuit' in their dorms every week. Pretty much sums up that culture. Uni is more diverse, grown-up and accepting of different beliefs.