Freshers week and nights out are often shown as wall-to-wall drinking. But the reality is a bit different. More students are choosing to drink less, save it for certain nights or swap pints for other ways to hang out.

You don’t have to centre everything around booze to have a good time.

What’s Really Going On

• Nearly half of new students say they’re planning to skip or cut down drinking during freshers

• Societies and groups are where a lot of people meet their closest mates — and those don’t revolve around alcohol

• Nights out can be just as fun when you’re picking and choosing when to drink, instead of feeling like you have to every time

Why It Matters

Starting uni is exciting but also a lot to take in. When everyone seems to be going out it’s easy to think drinking has to be the main way to connect. But the truth is you’ll find your people whether you’re drinking or not. And by not making alcohol the focus, you can actually enjoy nights out and the mornings after.

How To Keep It Balanced

• Pick when you want to drink and when you don’t – not every night has to be a big one

• Mix in mocktails, alcohol-free beer or soft drinks so you can keep the vibe without overdoing it

• Try “zebra drinking” – switching between alcoholic drinks and water or soft drinks

• Suggest hangouts that aren’t all about drinking like coffee shops, film nights or grabbing food together

• Join a society or sports group where alcohol isn’t the focus

• Remember loads of other students feel the same way about wanting balance

No Regrets

Uni is about making memories, not counting drinks. Whether you’re going out every now and then, keeping it low-key or skipping booze completely, you’ll still find the people and the experiences that matter most.