Drugs, drinking, and university

Hey, all. I am currently actually a first-year student at UCLA but I plan on studying in the UK and eventually moving there. So I have a few questions.

First of all, I have heard that binge drinking (and drinking in general), drug abuse, and smoking are really rampant over there in the UK. Is it really as bad as they say it is, or is it just media hype?

Also, I don't smoke, drink, or do drugs. Do you think I would have a hard time fitting in?

Also, how would you recommend an American exchange student like me make British friends? I'm male, Indian, and an Engineering major. I'm not into parties or 'going out'. To me, fun is a small get-together of friends and watching some DVD's. Entertainment, to me, is smart, witty comedy (like 'The Daily Show with Jon Stewart') or gripping action/drama/mystery. I love sports, especially gridiron football and EPL football. So I suppose the real question is: How do I find people like myself?

Reply 1

El Scotto

15

You'll be fine, anthing with 'rampant' after it is just media hype.
You'll fit in fine, theres huge variety of people, with a huge variety of interests over here.

Reply 2

Tyler Durden

17

I'm at York and there are definitely people here who don't drink or do drugs and yet fit in fine. I know very few people who do drugs here - and even then it's no more than the odd bit of pot. And I was actually surprised at how many don't drink at all. As for smoking, there is a policy here of making sure you get the choice of smoking or non-smoking accommodation - obviously if you go to pubs it'll be quite smokey - but you don't sound like you'll be living down in the local.

Reply 3

Arminius

14

Drugs shoouldn't be a problem, it will depend on the uni. At my uni most people don't do any drugs, and those that do only do pot. A tiny fraction probably do more dangerous drugs.

Drinking is pretty widespread, its usual to have a drink in the bar after a society event and if your "going out" then its pretty much the focus. I would say not having any drinks at all may be a bit awkward but i know quite a few people that don't drink so you won't be alone.

Reply 4

Poica

14

I don't drink/smoke or take drugs. It's not a problem. Don't worry.

Reply 5

supercat

2

I don't do any of those things either, so I know how you're feeling! But I'm sure it'll all be fine.

Reply 6

joolux05

By the time most folks are 18, they're sensible enough to do what they fancy, they got all the drink and draw out of their system in college. That said, the UK does have a reputation for drinking, and it is deserved. Out of say 10 of my mates, I can name two that don't drink alot, and they're girls, and regular drivers. You're sure to find something up your alley, and thats not to say you cant have a good time going to club and havin a wee dance and that, albeit, not smashed off your face.

--------------

oh, and whatever EPL/ gridiron football is, theres always football(soccer) on (always).

Reply 7

Acaila

17

svdesi

Hey, all. I am currently actually a first-year student at UCLA but I plan on studying in the UK and eventually moving there. So I have a few questions.

First of all, I have heard that binge drinking (and drinking in general), drug abuse, and smoking are really rampant over there in the UK. Is it really as bad as they say it is, or is it just media hype?

Also, I don't smoke, drink, or do drugs. Do you think I would have a hard time fitting in?

Also, how would you recommend an American exchange student like me make British friends? I'm male, Indian, and an Engineering major. I'm not into parties or 'going out'. To me, fun is a small get-together of friends and watching some DVD's. Entertainment, to me, is smart, witty comedy (like 'The Daily Show with Jon Stewart') or gripping action/drama/mystery. I love sports, especially gridiron football and EPL football. So I suppose the real question is: How do I find people like myself?

Hi, welcome to TSR :smile:

I'm a first year uni student and I don't smoke, drink or do drugs, and neither do plenty of people I know. A lot of people do drink, some smoke and a few do drugs, but I wouldn't say it's rampant. Sounds like what you've heard is a bit exaggerated tbh. I only know of a small few people who do drugs - people on here in the past have said it's there if you look for it but not obvious. Several people I know smoke, but I study drama and from past experience, theatre people tend to smoke. I've had no pressure to smoke or do drugs, and have had no problems fitting in. Being teetotal is more of a conversation starter than a hindrance to be honest!
If you generally talk to people, make the effort, join societies, chat to people in lectures, you'll have no problems making friends. There are always plenty of sports clubs at uni, and probably a film society too. American football isn't that common over here, but you never know. There's always rugby :biggrin:

(Incidentally if the Daily Show is the show I'm thinking of, it's cool :biggrin:

)

Reply 8

Tarts_n_Vicars

13

Well they're hardly going to show all us UK students on telly having a jolly old time at the cricket match...no they want to show us in various states of drunkeness and undress so I would take whatever you see in the media with a pinch of salt.

Like anywhere people drink but usually you make friends with people you feel comfortable with (and trust me there are people who don't spend their whole life trashed!). If you're an international student the uni will also probably make an effort to get you involved with the other internationals and you're bound to make a few friends there too.

Reply 9

FadeToBlackout

15

I agree with every one else. You will not see any drugs- in fact, the closest i came to that was when I was with a group of friends and one had a spliff. That's all the drugs you will come across.

Smoking, too, is fairly low-key. Most people smoke in their rooms, or sit on the steps outside and smoke and so on. It can be fairly sociable, believe it or not, and it can be a good laugh to sit down as well. As long as you're not worried by passive smoking- even then, it's easy to stay away.

Perhaps the biggest of the three you come across will be drink. I live (in term time) in a university town, and so drunk students are a common sight. People I know do drink, and when out clubbing (which i did twoce all of last term) it is actualy an advantage not to drink. I havn't been drunk yet at uni- never gone beyond two pints- and on nights out just drink coke and water. In fact, if you are out it is good because you can keep an eye on friends who are drinking, make sure they have waterand so on, that they get back home, and so on. Just being able to look out for people is rather a nice feeling!

Anyway, the kind of socialising you described- as in sitting around with DVDs and so on- is actually quite common. It is far more usual for students (where I am at least) to hang around on their staircase and talk, gather in someone's room, and so on, then it is for them to go out.

Reply 10

nikk

15

I would definitely say that drinking is rampant, but no so for the other two.

Reply 11

hallucination

1

It depends where you go. I'm at Sussex and a lot of people take drugs, whereas when I was at Kent, the most that anyone did was smoke a spliff.

Reply 12

kb500

svdesi

Hey, all. I am currently actually a first-year student at UCLA but I plan on studying in the UK and eventually moving there. So I have a few questions.

First of all, I have heard that binge drinking (and drinking in general), drug abuse, and smoking are really rampant over there in the UK. Is it really as bad as they say it is, or is it just media hype?

Also, I don't smoke, drink, or do drugs. Do you think I would have a hard time fitting in?

Also, how would you recommend an American exchange student like me make British friends? I'm male, Indian, and an Engineering major. I'm not into parties or 'going out'. To me, fun is a small get-together of friends and watching some DVD's. Entertainment, to me, is smart, witty comedy (like 'The Daily Show with Jon Stewart') or gripping action/drama/mystery. I love sports, especially gridiron football and EPL football. So I suppose the real question is: How do I find people like myself?

Hi, you are right in that binge drinking is rampant, I don't drink, but still go out as much as anyone and have a great time, perhaps you could gve the going out thing a try if you haven't previously? As for the drugs things thats generally looked down upon although there is a significant minority who do drugs regularly although mainly pot as has been mentioned.

You should have no problems at all meeting people who like doing the same things as you, the only thing I would say is that many people meet others for the first time when they are going out before doing things like watching dvd's etc which you would tend to do with housemates. so be prepared to put yourself out there initially. Also anyone who likes EPL (thats the premier league for the guy who was asking) will make friends easily, as long as you don't support chelsea....

Which university are you coming to if you don't mind me asking?

Reply 13

svdesi

OP

1

I haven't decided yet.

Drugs, drinking, and university

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