is it possible to get through uni without excessive amounts of partying/drinking
so i’m quite introverted. i don’t mind drinking but it’s not someone i would do every weekend and even if i do it’s in small amounts. would this be a problem for me at uni?
also, unrelated question. will the fact i commute ruin my chances of making friends and getting invited to stuff? like obviously i do want to make friends and make plans with them just not necessarily drinking and partying.
if anyone can provide insight i would rly appreciate it thanksss
also, unrelated question. will the fact i commute ruin my chances of making friends and getting invited to stuff? like obviously i do want to make friends and make plans with them just not necessarily drinking and partying.
if anyone can provide insight i would rly appreciate it thanksss
I went to uni in amsterdam, so maybe/probably uk uni culture might be very different so take my advice with a grain of salt, BUT I drinked and partied most 3x a year during uni and had lots of friends that lived far away / had to catch trains that stopped working overnight.
I would say university is what you make it, and you can choose the right friends that are compatible with your lifestyle. There were absolutely groups of people whose favorite activity was drinking. My friend group liked to meet to “study”, have coffee, play volleyball, bike, drink a beer at the local park on the off weekend, go to concerts/comedy shows/open mics, and try cheap restaurants.
What really helped me to become close with these people was the university library, as most of us would hang around and study there or have lunch after lectures. I also met a lot of people through clubs so the magazine club, the finance club, energy club, etc…
You absolutely don’t need to get smashed every weekend to make friends and frankly you’ll thank yourself later down the road for it!
I would say university is what you make it, and you can choose the right friends that are compatible with your lifestyle. There were absolutely groups of people whose favorite activity was drinking. My friend group liked to meet to “study”, have coffee, play volleyball, bike, drink a beer at the local park on the off weekend, go to concerts/comedy shows/open mics, and try cheap restaurants.
What really helped me to become close with these people was the university library, as most of us would hang around and study there or have lunch after lectures. I also met a lot of people through clubs so the magazine club, the finance club, energy club, etc…
You absolutely don’t need to get smashed every weekend to make friends and frankly you’ll thank yourself later down the road for it!
Original post by annonnymouus
so i’m quite introverted. i don’t mind drinking but it’s not someone i would do every weekend and even if i do it’s in small amounts. would this be a problem for me at uni?
also, unrelated question. will the fact i commute ruin my chances of making friends and getting invited to stuff? like obviously i do want to make friends and make plans with them just not necessarily drinking and partying.
if anyone can provide insight i would rly appreciate it thanksss
also, unrelated question. will the fact i commute ruin my chances of making friends and getting invited to stuff? like obviously i do want to make friends and make plans with them just not necessarily drinking and partying.
if anyone can provide insight i would rly appreciate it thanksss
You can absolutely make it though Uni without drinking.
I had a friend who used to drink with my group a lot and eventually decided it wasn’t for her. She still had fun going out partying with us even though she doesn’t drink at those events. If that’s something that you would consider then go for it.
Obviously there is a huge drinking culture in the UK so it’s very hard to avoid drinking completely. I don’t drink every week myself but I do still drink when i go out to social events (though that’s mainly to loosen up because I’m also introverted and need a drink or two to get out my shell).
You can find people via societies and social networks that don’t drink as well so do not worry about having to drink all the time. There is a community for everyone and while it’s harder to find people who don’t drink you will find that group.
Hope this helps,
Dom
Original post by annonnymouus
so i’m quite introverted. i don’t mind drinking but it’s not someone i would do every weekend and even if i do it’s in small amounts. would this be a problem for me at uni?
also, unrelated question. will the fact i commute ruin my chances of making friends and getting invited to stuff? like obviously i do want to make friends and make plans with them just not necessarily drinking and partying.
if anyone can provide insight i would rly appreciate it thanksss
also, unrelated question. will the fact i commute ruin my chances of making friends and getting invited to stuff? like obviously i do want to make friends and make plans with them just not necessarily drinking and partying.
if anyone can provide insight i would rly appreciate it thanksss
Hi there,
I understand why you'd want to ask this question as the drinking culture here is huge and can be amplified at university. But please don't worry - if you don't want to drink a lot that's absolutely ok! I don't drink at all, and I'm also introverted. I thought I'd be the odd one out but I've met lots of people who are the same. Usually societies try to implement non-drinking/partying socials alongside nights out (which is nice for the occasions when you don't feel like drinking or partying but still want to meet up with people). For example, a society I was part of held bracelet-making socials, coffee mornings, plant pot painting, pancake brunches, coffee and ceramics socials etc. University is a unique place where so many different people come together, so hopefully you'll find like-minded people
Commuting also shouldn't be an issue, but I'd perhaps recommend trying to get involved as much as you can. My friend who also commutes tries to get involved with society events and meets up with people on her course when she can. The only difference I'd say is that you might not have the social perks of flatmates, but there's still so much opportunity to meet new people and make friends.
I know it can be anxiety provoking but if you try to be yourself and have fun then I'm sure you'll have a great experience at university
If you have any other questions please don't hesitate to ask!Bethan
University of Exeter Student Ambassador
Original post by annonnymouus
so i’m quite introverted. i don’t mind drinking but it’s not someone i would do every weekend and even if i do it’s in small amounts. would this be a problem for me at uni?
also, unrelated question. will the fact i commute ruin my chances of making friends and getting invited to stuff? like obviously i do want to make friends and make plans with them just not necessarily drinking and partying.
if anyone can provide insight i would rly appreciate it thanksss
also, unrelated question. will the fact i commute ruin my chances of making friends and getting invited to stuff? like obviously i do want to make friends and make plans with them just not necessarily drinking and partying.
if anyone can provide insight i would rly appreciate it thanksss
Hey @annonnymouus
Absolutely not.
I don't drink at all and its never been a factor that has spoilt mine or anyone else's fun and neither has it ever stopped me from going out and making new friends.
All my friends drink except me and one of my other friend who is muslim. People are respectful of both our choices and preferences and we have never been forced into drinking. When playing drinking games like beer pong or ring of fire, we always add coke for both of us and no one seems to mind.
Just make sure to still have fun!
And as for commuting, it will not stop you either. Might just slow it down slightly. As in your new friends who live at the uni accom, or near by will be going out more often, leaving you with some fomo but if you yourself want to stay away from partying and drinking then it is absolutely no concern. You can always stay connected with all of your friends through social media and hang out with them in the morning when you are on campus for classes and such.
Also remember that a lot of students choose to commute daily and it is absolutely not a big deal that will stop you from making strong friendships.
Do try to attend more social events during your time on the campus though!
Hope this helps
Vyomika (Lancaster University Student Ambassador)
Original post by annonnymouus
so i’m quite introverted. i don’t mind drinking but it’s not someone i would do every weekend and even if i do it’s in small amounts. would this be a problem for me at uni?
also, unrelated question. will the fact i commute ruin my chances of making friends and getting invited to stuff? like obviously i do want to make friends and make plans with them just not necessarily drinking and partying.
if anyone can provide insight i would rly appreciate it thanksss
also, unrelated question. will the fact i commute ruin my chances of making friends and getting invited to stuff? like obviously i do want to make friends and make plans with them just not necessarily drinking and partying.
if anyone can provide insight i would rly appreciate it thanksss
Being introverted and not a heavy drinker won't be a problem at university. There are plenty of students with similar preferences, and you'll find like-minded friends who respect your choices.
Regarding commuting, it won't ruin your chances of making friends and getting invited to events. Universities have diverse communities, and many students commute. You can still engage in campus activities and socialize during study breaks or events that suit your interests.
Remember, university life offers a variety of opportunities to connect with people, and there are many who prefer activities other than drinking and partying.
Wishing you a great university experience!
Original post by annonnymouus
so i’m quite introverted. i don’t mind drinking but it’s not someone i would do every weekend and even if i do it’s in small amounts. would this be a problem for me at uni?
also, unrelated question. will the fact i commute ruin my chances of making friends and getting invited to stuff? like obviously i do want to make friends and make plans with them just not necessarily drinking and partying.
if anyone can provide insight i would rly appreciate it thanksss
also, unrelated question. will the fact i commute ruin my chances of making friends and getting invited to stuff? like obviously i do want to make friends and make plans with them just not necessarily drinking and partying.
if anyone can provide insight i would rly appreciate it thanksss
Hey there @annonnymouus !
Of course you can go through university without going out drinking and partying, plenty of people do it and it's probably around a half and half of who participates and who doesn't. You'll probably find lots of groupchats of people trying to find friends who don't like going out. You can also find groups of people who commute if you're worried about making friends. My advice is to go on Facebook and join as many freshers groups as you can and just reach out to people. It's so much easier to do it over social media than it is in person and it's great to have a good support system before you even go. You could also find some of your coursemates as well and start to get to know them. If you befriend people who already live in the city, it's a chance to connect with other people through their network and be introduced through mutual friends.
Hope this helped!
Lucy - Digital Student Ambassador SHU
Original post by annonnymouus
so i’m quite introverted. i don’t mind drinking but it’s not someone i would do every weekend and even if i do it’s in small amounts. would this be a problem for me at uni?
also, unrelated question. will the fact i commute ruin my chances of making friends and getting invited to stuff? like obviously i do want to make friends and make plans with them just not necessarily drinking and partying.
if anyone can provide insight i would rly appreciate it thanksss
also, unrelated question. will the fact i commute ruin my chances of making friends and getting invited to stuff? like obviously i do want to make friends and make plans with them just not necessarily drinking and partying.
if anyone can provide insight i would rly appreciate it thanksss
I will never ever understand why so many people believe that university is something akin to the French Foreign Legion. No one is coerced or inducted into anything.
Also, the term "partying" belies this very lack in understanding. Very little actual "partying" goes on for most people. They have pre-s, they go out, they come back.
You watch too many American movies.
Not drinking or partying an excessive amount won’t be a problem as long as you only occasionally go out nobody will care if your not out all the time I don’t drink at all except for a little mulled wine at Christmas or when I’m skiing (and even then it’s only one glass). I also was only partying once or twice a week.
The commuting is a much bigger problem it is surmountable your going to have to plan things like nights out and stuff in advance that won’t be too much of a problem as you don’t party all that much as you say the issue is that you won’t know many people at freshers week. People will tend to at freshers kind of group together with their flat mates. I’d advise joining some societies there is loads of stuff out there depending on what you’re into not all of them are hard drinkers stuff like the film club and stuff could be for you or something. Some unis will have societies for commuters so that might be something to look for or it’s not unusual for students to start their own society’s (because they are run by students anyway) so if there isn’t one you could start your own.
Commuters usually find the first 4-6 weeks as they get to know people fairly lonely hopefully you’ll meet people on your course you click with who you can pregame in their halls with (if your going out) or go the the cinema with and things.
The commuting is a much bigger problem it is surmountable your going to have to plan things like nights out and stuff in advance that won’t be too much of a problem as you don’t party all that much as you say the issue is that you won’t know many people at freshers week. People will tend to at freshers kind of group together with their flat mates. I’d advise joining some societies there is loads of stuff out there depending on what you’re into not all of them are hard drinkers stuff like the film club and stuff could be for you or something. Some unis will have societies for commuters so that might be something to look for or it’s not unusual for students to start their own society’s (because they are run by students anyway) so if there isn’t one you could start your own.
Commuters usually find the first 4-6 weeks as they get to know people fairly lonely hopefully you’ll meet people on your course you click with who you can pregame in their halls with (if your going out) or go the the cinema with and things.
Original post by annonnymouus
so i’m quite introverted. i don’t mind drinking but it’s not someone i would do every weekend and even if i do it’s in small amounts. would this be a problem for me at uni?
also, unrelated question. will the fact i commute ruin my chances of making friends and getting invited to stuff? like obviously i do want to make friends and make plans with them just not necessarily drinking and partying.
if anyone can provide insight i would rly appreciate it thanksss
also, unrelated question. will the fact i commute ruin my chances of making friends and getting invited to stuff? like obviously i do want to make friends and make plans with them just not necessarily drinking and partying.
if anyone can provide insight i would rly appreciate it thanksss
Lol
I didn’t know it was compulsory to drink at uni
Poisoning your liver, odd.
Original post by annonnymouus
so i’m quite introverted. i don’t mind drinking but it’s not someone i would do every weekend and even if i do it’s in small amounts. would this be a problem for me at uni?
also, unrelated question. will the fact i commute ruin my chances of making friends and getting invited to stuff? like obviously i do want to make friends and make plans with them just not necessarily drinking and partying.
if anyone can provide insight i would rly appreciate it thanksss
also, unrelated question. will the fact i commute ruin my chances of making friends and getting invited to stuff? like obviously i do want to make friends and make plans with them just not necessarily drinking and partying.
if anyone can provide insight i would rly appreciate it thanksss
Hi there
You should not find this to be a problem at all unless you do not want to be around other loud people who are drinking and in that case I would advise looking into moderate living accom. But for the most part there is a variety of things to do at uni that don't involve driving. For example at Kent we have the give it a go scheme. The uni hosts a variety of non drinking activities that you can take part in and meet people. In the last year they have run activities such as painting, puppy yoga, rock climbing, board game nights etc. and they are always great fun. During freshers week there was also a number of day activities to socialise and meet people. None of these involved drinking and were actually where I made real friends as opposed to acquaintances on random nights out. I would also advise looking into a society that may interest you as there are a number to choose from and you have complete control over which events outside of the society you choose to attend (i.e. the non dinking ones).
In terms of commuting, it really does depend on your accessibility to the uni and the effort you put in. If i'm being completely honest living at uni and meeting people through accommodation was where I made most of my friends. That being said you will also likely meet people through societies, lectures, seminars, events run by the uni etc. It is up to you to attend these in order to to meet people. I had a few friends who commuted to uni and they were fine as they always found a way of attending meals/outings so it sustained the friendship. On the other hand I have also known people who naturally get tired of commuting as the year goes on and as work begins to pile up they don't make the effort to travel as much. It really comes down to the effort that you're willing to put in to meet people and sustain friendships.
Hope this gives you an idea
Best wishes
Joanna
-Uni of Kent Rep
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