freshers week if you don’t drink and live at home

hii! i was wondering if i could get some advice from students who are already at university and live at home.

i start in september and am really worried because i’ve chosen to stay at home (can’t afford not to tbh) so i’ll miss all the nights out. i personally wouldn’t want to go to them anyway because i have never/don’t drink alcohol and it’s kind of awkward without it.

for students living at home (and preferably don’t drink), how did you deal with freshers week and the nights out throughout the year in general? did you find it hard to make friends during term time? did you feel as if you missed out?

Hey!

I don't commute but many universities hold events just for commuters throughout Freshers week so you'll have plenty of opportunities to make friends through them. Freshers also doesn't just revolve around clubbing and drinking and there will usually be many activites planned in the day that you would be able to attend.

I really wouldn't worry about it. There's quite a lot of commuters in my course and they've had no problems making friends!

Hi, I’m living at home and although I do drink, I’m not a big drinker or a big fan of clubs. In my case, I went to some events during the day which didn’t involve drinking. I met some great people but I didn’t really stay in contact with them afterwards. I don’t really feel like I missed out tbh, I might’ve met more people if I went on nights out, but I don’t think that’s where you form the closest friendships.

I found it easy enough to make some friends on my course once lectures started. I don’t have a huge circle of friends but quality over quantity as they say. It can be a bit lonely at the start, but just stick it out and wait. You’ll meet your people eventually, forming good friendships takes a lot of time if you’re not living in halls. Joining societies or affiliating to a hall might help you out with that though.

Make sure you go to ALL freshers events. How far do you live from uni?

It's so important. I'd encurrage you to have a drink and let your hair down, but above all else make sure you go to EVERYTHING.

You will really struggle to make friends and socialise afterwards. At the start everyone is in the same boat and soon people start grouping up.

thank you so much for this!! for some reason i got it into my head that you can only make friends through drinking and clubbing. what you said was very reassuring.

That isn't true at all! I haven't stepped in a single club since I've started uni but I've still managed to make friends

You'll be absolutely fine.

Make sure you go to ALL freshers events. How far do you live from uni?

It's so important. I'd encurrage you to have a drink and let your hair down, but above all else make sure you go to EVERYTHING.

You will really struggle to make friends and socialise afterwards. At the start everyone is in the same boat and soon people start grouping up.