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How To Survive Freshers: 2021

Heading to university this September? The No Regrets campaign is here to remind you to enjoy yourself whilst drinking, but to not ruin your next day. Freshers week is a great time to get out and about and to meet new friends. Here are a few of my top tips and advice to get the most out of freshers week.

Plan ahead

  • Have a plan of all the freshers events you want to attend, and include a mixture of drinking and non-drinking activities.
  • Get to know your new local area (whilst sober).
  • Have a meal before you start drinking to prevent yourself from waking up ill in the morning, or with a nasty hangover. I usually have something filling and with lots of carbs.
  • Charge your phone and exchange your number / social media contact details with any new friends you’re going out with.
  • Have a local taxi number to hand or download Uber.
    It’s important to stay safe during any night out, and you can do this by planning ahead!

Pace yourself

Freshers lasts more than one night, and sometimes even more than a week! Remember to pace yourself so that you can enjoy every day / event. You can pace yourself by sipping water between drinks, and by taking the time to actually enjoy your drink instead of downing it. It’s also a good idea to try a few sober nights out during freshers. Being sober can be more fun in many ways, and a sober night out will allow you to recover and recharge.

Don’t bow down to peer pressure

Don’t judge anyone who doesn’t drink and don’t feel pressured to drink yourself. If anyone makes you feel embarrassed for turning down a drink, just remember that you’d have felt more embarrassed if you were throwing up and in a state. Brush off any unkind comments. What people think of you turning down a drink / not drinking says a lot about their relationship with alcohol and them as a person. Pick your new friends wisely!

Be wary of drinking games

Drinking games are a great way to liven up the party, get the party started (pre-drinks), learn more about your new friends and to have a laugh. To avoid blacking out before you even head out of your accommodation, opt for low or non-alcoholic drinks, or alternate between alcoholic and non-alcoholic. The last thing you want to do is go too hard too soon, and end up missing a great night out.

Know your limits

Everyone has different limits, and some people are more tolerant to alcohol than others. Your tolerance levels are influenced by a variety of factors, so it’s important to get to know your limits before consuming large amounts of alcohol within a short period of time. Don’t aim to ‘keep up’ with your friends, and don’t encourage others to drink lots of alcohol, especially in a short amount of time.

Look after each other

Always look out for the people you’re with. A few drinks can easily turn into something messy, so if you know you have a low tolerance to alcohol, let the people you’re drinking with know. If you’re with someone who is highly intoxicated, stay with them and try to keep them sitting up straight and awake. If someone you’re with has passed out, lie them on their side in the recovery position and place a pillow behind them to prevent them from rolling onto their back, and of course seek professional medical help.

Have fun and remember to live in the moment
Starting university is a huge milestone and such an exciting experience. Enjoy yourself on nights out and make amazing memories by drinking responsibly!

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