Students
University can be the best years of your life, made up of a whirlwind of parties, fun and some studying thrown in.
Unfortunately for many, alcohol ends up being a huge part of the experience too. The freedom of being away from home combined with lots of socialising and the availability of cheap alcohol does mean many students drink heavily.
It can be difficult to balance out a social life with essays, coursework and exams, and students often feel like they’re burning the candle at both ends. As with everything at university, there’s a balance to be struck. While moderate amounts of alcohol can play a part in the good times, when consumed in excessive amounts it can have a negative effect on work and could lead to unexpected and unwanted consequences.
Key issues
Student life is frequently portrayed in the media and popular culture as one big party. From the mayhem of fresher’s week through to the celebratory graduation ball, alcohol seems to have become synonymous with university; sadly it is now as ingrained in university culture as going to lectures and joining societies. Research shows that over half (52%) of male students and nearly half (43%) of female students drink more than the Government’s recommended guidelines (3-4 units a day for men and 2-3 for women).
With cheap deals on alcohol in student unions and deals aimed at students in other bars, cost isn’t much of a barrier to drinking at university. And with those deals extending to weeknights, students can often go out anytime and drink cheaply. However, spending does add up - The National Union of Students estimates that the average student spends £675 a year on socialising.
Of course drinking at university can be fun, especially when handled sensibly, but it’s not essential to enjoy the experience of student life. It might help ease those initial nerves of meeting new people, but drinking your body weight in cider is not necessarily an essential initiation into university life.
Caught up in the excitement of a night out, how you might feel the next day is often the furthest thing from your mind, but writing an essay or revising for an exam is difficult enough without the extra pressure of a hangover dulling your concentration and motivation.
Drinking too much could also lead to taking unnecessary risks with your personal safety, like taking an unlicensed taxi or walking home alone. Being drunk can increase your chances of getting into trouble when you’re out. The British Crime Survey 2008 revealed that students have the highest risk of being a victim of violent crime compared with other occupations. The soundest piece of advice to help student to avoid potentially risky situations is to keep an eye on your mates and try to stick within the government’s recommended daily guidelines.
Health risks
No-one expects students to be ‘tea’ total.
Indeed, student life wouldn’t be student life without a few trips to the Union. But to make the most out of your student experience, isn’t it worth at least balancing the benefits and risks?
For example, Drinking above the Government’s recommended daily limits can damage your health in the short and long-term, not to mention the potential impact on your academic performance.
In the short term, drinking too much in one evening can cause all sorts of problems and if you drink really heavily it can lead to alcohol poisoning and even a spell in hospital. In the long term, heavy drinkers are at risk of liver disease, cancer and stroke and mental health problems like depression. University is tough enough without alcohol making you feel down too.
Drink too much at uni, and you might also experience the phenomenon of the ‘Fresher’s 14’. Students reckon they put on 14 pounds in weight when they start uni thanks to all the calories in alcohol and fast food.
Did you know there were there are 130 calories in a medium (175ml) glass of wine, and around 200 in a standard pint of beer?
Tips for smarter drinking
- Remember, you don't have to drink to have a great night out. Find an activity or join a society that doesn’t revolve around drinking. For example, joining a drama society could mean spending your evenings down the local theatre instead of the pub – a great alternative.
- If you know you are going to be drinking alcohol make sure you eat something first to line your stomach.
- Drink plenty of water and soft drinks throughout the night to keep hydrated and slow down your drinking. Perhaps you could have a soft drink after every alcoholic one?
- Don’t drink every day. If you’ve had a heavy session, give your liver a break and take a couple of days off the booze.
- Decide on a budget before you go out to avoid being tempted to overspend on cheap drinks. Or only take cash and leave your bank card at home.
- Always plan how you’ll get home from a night out and never walk home by yourself. Stick with your mates and split the cost of a taxi from a reputable firm.
- Watch out for drink spiking. Keep an eye on your drink and never leave it unattended. Be careful if accepting drinks from strangers.
References
1. Reported levels of alcohol consumption and binge drinking within the UK undergraduate student population over the last 25 years. Oxford Journal of Alcohol and alcoholism. http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/37/2/109
2. NUS Student Experience Report 2008, http://www.nus.org.uk/PageFiles/4017/NUS_StudentExperienceReport.pdf
3. British Crime Survey 2008, http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs08/hosb0708chap3.pdf
- Page last updated by
- Stephen Sanchez, 19 May 2010.
- Page checked on
- 21 Aug 2009.
