A 'Fresher Perspective' blog: the things you do when you're drunk
Introduction
Sophie will be giving a frank portrayal of university life and the role alcohol plays in it. This week she regrets putting herself in a potentially dangerous situation.
One of my favourite things in life is spontaneity. So on a whim I decided to head down to Birmingham for the vintage fair held on Saturday, then to Leamington Spa for my cousin’s house party.
Travelling home at midnight to Romford from Leamington alone, hardly any clothes, drunk and disorderly was the most stupid thing I’ve done recently.
By the time I reached Marylebone I was still drunk and unable to push the buttons to buy my next ticket.
People must have been appalled at the state of me running up to them, slurring my words, asking to borrow their phone (mine died, resulting in writing phone numbers up my arms). 1 out of 6 said yes.
I’m not the only irresponsible one. The day before I received a phone call from a friend whom had too much to drink in London and ended up in Stanmore, the last stop on one of the tube lines. Luckily I was able to guide him with night buses via journey planner.
Once again I ask the question why do I do this to myself? I think it’s a high from losing all rationality and logic. I have the option to be sensible, why have I not been choosing it lately?
I did have some sober nights too, staying up till early hours driving around London and friends coming over, It’s quite a reassurance that I can socialise without being drunk. Sometimes I worry that people only know the intoxicated Sophie.
As my Dad would say “you can’t burn a candle at both ends”, he was proven to be correct as I ran out of wick by Sunday morning, spending the next couple of days disorientated from lack of sleep.
- Page last updated by
- Root User, 19 Apr 2010.
- Page checked on
- 15 Mar 2010
9 comment(s) on this article
Date: 18/03/10
Posted by: L
No you're not the only one. I know my limits. I can go out and have an awesome time when I don't drink. And if I do drink, I drink enough to be bouncing off walls, but I can still make rational decisions and won't have it ruined by throwing up. unfortunately my boyfriend's the opposite. he has no idea what his limits are and once he's drunk he won't listen if you say he's probably had enough, even when he's lying on the floor and can't get up lol. but what you gonna do eh? but yeah studies are obviously important, they're the reason you're there after all. so going out is like a reward for working hard :) and you don't need to drink to have a good time :) It's actually more fun when you know what you're doing and remember it :/
Date: 18/03/10
Posted by: R
Yeah, I know what you mean, there are lots of people that don't drink loads at uni, I wish I could have found some of them during my degree! I think the main problem with uni students is they legitamise being drunk to a ridiculous extent. All the drinking games and the boasting of how much they drunk, all the comparing stories of what a bad state they are in, it all leads to people thinking its ok, and even normal to be like that! Only problem is once you leave uni. Most people at that point leave and stop drinking so much so it doesn't interfere with work. But with others, they can't stop, and uni has literally contributed to them becoming alcoholics. They don't even realise that there is a problem because throughout uni it was 'normal'. I'm so glad the government is finally trying to change people's attitudes towards alcohol!
Date: 22/03/10
Posted by: Joe
Yeah I think its good that the gov is doing something about it, really do but to tar all students with the same brush just winds me up. It's just the idiots that do it too much and end up dropping out in second year because they have spent their entire rent on football socials even though they're not on the team so have to quit! (true story). The majority of us aren't like that!
Date: 22/03/10
Posted by: snivoff
man im going to uni just to drink and party. thats what uni is about. having a good time and experiencing new things, as well as learning from your mistakes. live a little, get outof your shell and have fun! losers lol
Date: 22/03/10
Posted by: SJ
This is really interesting cause im currently doing my dissertation on binge drinking and what has already been said is really useful! It completely corresponses with my results, that if students want to go out they will, some go over the top & suffer for it the next day but the majority seem to know their limits & be able to control themselves or have friends that will look after them! Im the same, i enjoy going out & having 1 to many to drink (wish I could do it more but 3rd year is stressful!) but I know how much I can drink & I know when to stop. Just because someone doesnt go out everynight and gets wasted beyond control means that they're a loser, in fact, I'd say the people that do do that are the losers as they obv have something missing in their lives!
Date: 30/03/10
Posted by: keiran lee
Im just about to go into sixth form and if people think most drinkers are at uni they need to think again. At my school ( Canterbury high school ) loads of people drink at the weekend. I ask them why and they say to have a good time, but you lot have to remember that it is not just drinking what makes it bad there is drugs as well for example mephedrone also known as meow meow and loads of people do this because it is legal. So my opinion is make some forms of drink illegal for example vodka> Think about it? keiran lee
Date: 30/03/10
Posted by: Joe
@ snivoff; There is a difference between having fun and 'getting out of your shell' and being so drunk that you miss an entire week of lectures because you can't get out of bed for throwing up! You can experience new things and have a good time without that. If you're going to uni "just to drink and party" you my friend are an idiot. If you need to get this drunk just to have a good time you have a serious problem. Save yourself the £3,225 + and get yourself a job because it's clearly going to be a waste of time going to uni to actually study! P.s when you go to the football socials, make sure you actually play for them!
Date: 12/04/10
Posted by: Hannah
@ L - I totally agree! I know my limits, I can be "wasted" but still think and act perfectly sober when I need to get home etc. I'm now 20 and the last time I threw up was my 18th birthday. Everyone gets so tetchy and judgemental over alcohol but honestly most students know their limits and aren't "binge drinking alcoholics". In fact on most of my journeys home it's been the 30+ business men in suits who are being rowdy and throwing up! As for banning drinks, take a reality check - as if that would ever make it through parliament!
Articles from the same month:
A 'Fresher Perspective' blog: cutting down to get in shapeA 'Fresher Perspective' blog: is the amount I drink normal?
Date: 16/03/10
Posted by: Joe
I am going to sound like such a bore here but I really don't care! Some students actually don't spend their entire first year absolutly slaughtered! Alebit I did spend Fresher's week in this state I was not out every night getting drunk, missing lectures and doing assignments at the last minute. I went out occasionally (once a week?) I didn't get so drunk I couldn't face the consequences. I also did it on a day when I knew that tomorrow wouldn't be torture. For me, my studies were more important, I enjoyed myself by going for drives, cinemas and such with my friends, and every now and then treated myself. What i'm trying to say is the mentality that students are alcoholic really winds me up because I am not! Is it just me? Joe