Can I still enjoy university if I don’t drink?

So I want to go to Bristol University in September, but I’ve heard there is a big drinking culture there.

I am not against alcohol but I hate the taste and hardly ever drink at parties I go to in my home town, (usually I either drive there or lie about drinking).

I don’t want to drink at uni but I feel like I’m going to get labelled as boring or ppl won’t want to be friends with me because of it.

Does anyone have any advice?

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Reply 1

Squiggles1238

You’ll probably find theres lots of people around you that also dont drink, or arent really in to going out of an evening, so you definitely wont be alone in that, and you wont be labelled as boring. People should be mature enough to respect you not wanting to drink and move on with their lives; its really not a big deal at the end of the day. Some see going out and drinking as a bit part of uni, and others just wont care for it, so i really wouldnt worry about being labelled boring!!

Reply 2

londonmyst

Yes- as long as you have an active social life and are willing to occasionally buy drinks for other people.
Consume some booze with friends for special events like christmas or birthdays, so that they know that you are not a healthy lifestyle fanatic or teetotaller.

Nightlife and boozy clubbing events like carnage uk are only a small part of uni life.
But provide great ways of expanding your social networks and shaping people's perceptions of your personality & lifestyle preferences.
Good luck!

Reply 3

TriplexA

Original post by Anonymous

Hi there.

I understand your concerns and you're not the only one in this situation - although you may feel like you are. Unis have a wide range of societies which you can join to help find others with similar interests to you so it's definitely worth researching which ones Bristol offers and deciding which ones are for you.

You could also volunteer in the local area as this would not only be a good way to socialise but also gain new skills and boost your CV.

Hope this helps :smile:

Best wishes.

(edited 2 years ago)

Reply 4

Zarek

Definitely. All unis are likely to have a fair drinking culture but equally there will be plenty of people who don’t drink and lots of activities and clubs where there is not the focus.

Reply 5

Coventry University Student Ambassadors

Official Rep

Original post by Anonymous

Hi there,

I totally understand you, as I am exactly the same when it comes to alcohol. You'll be surprised to know that there are many people in your position, so you will not have problems making friends. If you want to make friends faster, I would suggest joining some of the societies available at Bristol University because you can find others with similar interests there.

Ivaylo
BSc Psychology, MSc Health Psychology student
Student Ambassador at Coventry University

Reply 6

Coventry University Student Ambassadors

Official Rep

Absolutely.

I'm not a big drinker, either, but I've made friends during my time at university. It's entirely up to you to decide what kind of friends you want to make. You can't avoid drinking if you want to meet a party person who doesn't really care about you.

However, if you want to meet friends who genuinely care about your feelings and share your interests. For example, participating in sports, watching movies, and cooking. If you want to make friends quickly, I recommend joining some of the societies available at Bristol University, where you can meet people with similar interests. You are not required to drink. You can, however, drink socially. The main point is that you don't have to drink for others in order to meet new people.

Kylie Ng
MSc International Marketing Management
Coventry University Student Ambassador

Reply 7

Anonymous #2

Original post by londonmyst

There's nothing wrong with being a teetotaller. Also it doesn't make sense to buy drinks for other people when you don't drink. That's trying too hard to fit in! No one needs to manipulate people's perception of them by pretending to like to drink.

There is more to uni life than drinking yourself silly OP. Trust me. Just be true to yourself. Otherwise you will end up miserable trying to fit where you obviously don't because you don't want to be seen as boring.

Reply 8

londonmyst

Original post by Anonymous

Also it doesn't make sense to buy drinks for other people when you don't drink. That's trying too hard to fit in! No one needs to manipulate people's perception of them by pretending to like to drink.

I disagree.
Buying drinks & food for friends, business contacts and coworkers is a sign of being friendly.
Very effective at expanding social networks.
The only meats I eat are chicken and beef.
I believe in 'asker pays' and always pick up the bill for other people I invite for a restaurant meal or business meating who eat meats that I don't.

Reply 9

Jesstudies

Original post by londonmyst

sure, but would you pay for their meal if you ordered nothing?

Reply 10

londonmyst

Original post by JessD3333

sure, but would you pay for their meal if you ordered nothing?

Yes, I do.

Reply 11

StriderHort

Just my take, but having went to college as a teen in late 90s, and now college/uni later in life... 'drinking culture' for students is a shadow of what it once was. It's far more common than it was to abstain for whatever reason and far more people and groups making an effort to appeal to non drinkers.

Reply 12

StriderHort

Original post by JessD3333

sure, but would you pay for their meal if you ordered nothing?

If I'd invited them? sure. But why am I inviting someone to dinner and then not eating? I like food?

Likewise if I was driving but they fancied a wine/beer with their meal, wouldn't bother me.

I'm in agreement that the asker should be prepared to cover the bill... in practically I'd often expect people to offer to put their hands in their pockets anyway, (I would)

Reply 13

penguingirl18

Some unis have a non-drinking or tea-drinking society for people who don't want to drink alcohol to socialize. I've asked this question at open days for other unis and have been told that if you go out with people and drink a soda instead of alcohol, nobody's going to look at you funny; and that there are plenty of uni students who don't drink. If you want to find out about Bristol specifically, see if they have a student chat or program to connect applicants with current students.

(edited 2 years ago)

Reply 14

blueskyeyed

Trust me when I say that there are thousands of people there and most of them will only be casual partygoers. This is university and everyone does want to fit in but don't let this fact pressure you into drinking or anything you're against. You'll have fun regardless!

Reply 15

Reality Check

Original post by StriderHort

I was just going to say this. Previously, someone who wasn't drinking was either (a) on antibiotics, (b) pregnant, or (c) a weirdo. Now, it seems perfectly routine to Not Be Drinking, often for health/fitness reasons plus the usual religious objections.

Reply 16

Anonymous #3

As someone who went to Uni and didn't really drink much and now is still at Uni and doesn't drink at all, its still possible to enjoy yourself just as much and I have never been pressured into drinking if I don't want to. My uni also has a non-drinking society which organizes socials for those who don't want to drink or be in a bar these include things like coffee mornings or afternoon tea etc. they also require all student organizations to do at least 1 (possibly 2) non drinking/bar socials per semester.

Also as someone who works in the student bars on campus drinking culture has defiantly started to change over these past 5 years as we've seen an uptake in our coffee shop and cafe and a slight slowdown in the bars

Reply 17

Yvonnebrisk

Yes definitely, there is a lot of things you can do and enjoy other than drinking. Especially if you have a good social life

Reply 18

Uni of Southampton Students

Official Rep

Original post by Anonymous

Hi there!

I understand being worried if you don't drink and you're going into a heavy drinking culture but honestly, I wouldn't worry too much about it! I've met a lot of people who respect if someone doesn't drink and they are always still included. At my last flat in halls, we all drank every weekend and a few times during the week but one girl didn't drink alcohol at all. We never thought of her as boring or left her out, it was just as important that she be at our flat nights than anyone else. So I wouldn't worry about being excluded just for not drinking.

If you want some security about not being excluded, I would look into your halls options; some unis offer alcohol free flats so you can be put with likeminded people. There's also many societies you can join and spend time with people without drinking. As for socials, parties and clubs, if you're comfortable going and you have a good time, no one will care if you don't drink (honestly, a common reason to drink is to loosen up to have a good time so if you can already do that, definitely more power to you). If you're having fun, it will show and no one will think you're boring for not drinking.

And you can still contribute in other ways! My flat has all moved out but I still have everyone round on the weekends, and my friend who doesn't drink always brings a big bottle of Pepsi and a bag of Doritos for sharing when she comes. So you can always do things like that for house parties and I can guarantee everyone will appreciate it! No one ever complains about free chaser and free snacks, and you're lucky since those things are wayyy cheaper than alcohol so you can look really thoughtful and sweet for a few pounds.

And when meeting new people, if you feel shy to say that you don't drink initially (you shouldn't but it is understandable!), then you can always fake it till you make it! No one can tell if your rum and coke doesn't have any rum, and I've ordered a glass of water with ice and a straw at the bar when I didn't want to drink but couldn't be bothered to explain. First week of uni is usually a lot of clubs and parties and a lot of the people you meet you probably won't see again, so when you find your footing and become comfortable with a group of people, you can tell them you don't drink and have a laugh about how you never did in the first place, you're just such good company without alcohol that they couldn't tell!

I hope you enjoy your uni and best of luck! I don't think you have anything to be worried about. If you have any more concerns, I'm happy to reply to them!

Jade :smile:

Official University of Southampton Rep