OPINION: Drinking socials aren’t the best part of university life

'I’m not into club nights and bar crawls. Am I missing out on everything?' I used to constantly ask myself this question. I thought going to these events could get me to know more people, make more friends and relieve my anxiety once in a while. However, not missing out on anything didn’t make me any happier. Drunk socials aren’t always as delightful as I once believed.

Maybe a night out can get you to mingle with other people, but is it the only way to make friends? Being drunk doesn’t magically turn people into best friends overnight. I find that a bar or a club is way too noisy for me to share my stories, or listen to what people are sharing. Besides, would you really remember the little things about the people you met when you’re drunk? Nine out of ten times I would forget everything I was told.

If you want to make real friends, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and text them and go ask them out for a coffee. Sit in a quiet, calm environment then you can have someone who actually can listen to what you say. I found my best friends in university because we share our thoughts and feelings soberly, not over tequila and vodka shots on a random Saturday night.

Night outs can also be detrimental to our health. You might have the time of your life doing countless shots and downing bottles of VKs, but it is followed by a series of headaches, nausea, stomach aches, and mood disturbances. I couldn’t count how many times I had to sit on the toilet for three hours because I was experiencing a nasty hangover.

Instead of wasting your time feeling ill, why not choose to do something that is beneficial to your health? You can stay in and have a quiet night to yourself, to solely focus on your wellbeing. Exercising is also a good alternative to improve your health, both physically and mentally.

Besides, socials can be expensive. Spending nearly one hundred pounds in just one night is not what you want, no matter how much fun you had the night before. Such an amount of money can be used in treating yourself to good food, beauty and health products, books, or even a short trip to France or Spain. Bar crawls and clubbing are fun, but is it worth pouring all your savings into these things, or are there other more meaningful activities you could spend your money on?

Ever since I tried to cut back from drinking socials, I have been utilising my time to live my best life, and it is rewarding. I have travelled to two new countries, I have gotten closer with my friends and made some new ones. I am more motivated to study, and I get sick less often.

Once in a while I will miss those crazy, intense nights. But remember, these three or four years in university are so much more than just booze. It’s the time you can achieve your dreams before you’re too busy to do it when you have a full-time job.

Edited by Pia Cooper