How to have a (tee)totally fun freshers’ week
26 September 2023By Sophie M. , Student at University of Edinburgh
If you don't drink, the tales of drinking games, downing shots and waking up with a killer hangover during freshers’ week are likely to fill you with dread.
How to Enjoy a Teetotal Freshers’ Week
If you don’t drink, the idea of drinking games and downing shots during freshers’ week might make you feel like a fish out of water.
But the good news is you’re not alone. Studies show that uni students are drinking less and less, with 26% of 16- to 24-year-olds fully teetotal.
I was almost entirely teetotal during my first year at uni. It’s a combination you’ll rarely hear in the same sentence, but it’s doable! So, here’s my advice on how to enjoy fresher’s week, and university life in general, booze-free.
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It’s not as obvious as you think
You might be one of the only people not drinking, but it won’t be the elephant in the room. Most people won’t notice that you aren't drinking, especially once they’ve had a few drinks themselves.
Most people won’t notice that you aren't drinking, especially once they’ve had a few drinks.
If someone offers you a drink, it’s normally quite easy to politely decline. You could even carry around a cup with water or a soft drink that people will assume is alcohol, if you want to avoid any questions about it.
Be chatty and get involved
This is easier said than done. But getting involved in any games at pre-drinks and going on nights out will make a good impression on the people you meet. It’ll also show that you can have fun without drinking.
While you’re out, just switch the alcohol for a mocktail or soft drink you like. Try to focus on the music, atmosphere, and good company. This should help to overcome that first hurdle of going out sober.
Explain why you don’t drink
If you feel comfortable doing it, explain why you don’t drink to your friends and flatmates. It’ll help them understand and stop them nagging you to ’just have one!’
When I explained to my friends that I don’t drink because it makes my anxiety worse, they were so understanding and reassured me that it didn’t bother them at all.
Use your hangover-free mornings
One of the perks of not drinking is that you can go out and still function properly the next day! Why not use your hangover-free mornings to get to know your university town or city, go to a gym class, or do some yoga? You could even treat yourself to brunch with the money that you save from not drinking.
Arrange some alcohol-free fun
Although you might think everyone makes friends on booze-fuelled nights out, I’d argue you make your real friends through bonding when sober. Plan to meet people for lunch, coffee or for group activities.
You can even arrange a fun night in. I bonded with my friends more during our sober movie night at the end of freshers’ than during any night out, and we still make sure to do fun things that don’t involve alcohol. We recently went ice skating together, for example.
Don’t judge others for drinking
You wouldn’t want to be judged for not drinking. In the same way, you shouldn’t judge others who choose to drink. Your choices are your own, and everyone is entitled to theirs as well.
People won’t like it if they think you’re looking down on them, or that you remember every silly thing they did the next day. So, be considerate if people are sharing stories the morning after.
Find like-minded friends
If you don’t feel like you fit in with your flatmates if they’re into heavy drinking, it’s okay. There are plenty of other ways to meet people with similar interests to you.
Societies and social media groups are available for students to mingle and share interests. Try joining one to meet people you have more in common with. That way you can still enjoy freshers’ week without the nights out.
Don’t drink if you don't want to
Ultimately, just be true to yourself. If anyone tries to pressure you into drinking then they don’t deserve to be your friend anyway! You will find other people who don’t drink and even those who do cut back on alcohol as the term goes on.
There’s a lot of the hype surrounding freshers’ week about alcohol, but university life is so much more than that. You definitely don’t need alcohol to have fun, make friends, and get the best out of your university experience.
