Anyone got any advice for a Uni fresher who DOESN'T drink?! ?

Question

Ok, so I start Uni in less that 3 weeks and kinda wondering if anyone's got advice they could hand on to me :P

I'm only 17 (18 in oct) so I wouldn't really be able to go out to pubs & clubs anyway, and I don't drink alcohol and have no interest in starting to at Uni either!!

It's just...I come from a small town and my peers at school, well...the majority of them DID drink. Plus I'm the only one outta my group of friends who doesnt drink as well...thing is, I've been treated different for it by people who don't know me before and I don't wanna be alienated at Uni cause of it!!

Anyone any ideas of how to skirt around the issue and survive freshers WITHOUT people bugging me about it?

Or will people be completely different in a city than where I'm from? I've really no idea :|

I've just been reading comments on facebook and practically everyone is complete opposite from me, aargh! Advice would be good :D (UK)

Answer 1

start drinking

Answer 2

I go to a notorious party school but no one has asked me to drink or been weirded out when I said I don't drink or smoke. They just took it as my personal choice and left it at that. There was no pressure and no "COME ON, YOU HAVE TO!"

Answer 3

Firstly don't worry.  You will ave a great time at Uni.  

If you don't want to drink then don't.  People will be ok with that.  You will be able to go to the SU bar are hang out, even if every one is drinking.

I would suggest you think quite hard about what you want from Uni.  For me it was a Chance to begin again. Not that my life was bad, but it was a fresh start. When we are younger we make decisions and if seams difficult to change your mind at latter date as people willa sk you why u have changed you mind.  But when u start Uni no one knows you so you can be who you want.  Embrace that.  Remember, you will be away from home, you no longer have to answer to anyone but your self.  If you want to drink your parents and friends cant make a big deal out of it. Think about why you dont drink, is it you or your parents that have instilled that idea, be honest with your self.

The choice is always yours.  remember when u arrive no one will know anyone else.  You are all in the same boat.  Friends you make at Uni tend to stay with you through life, one of my mates from uni now lives with my sister.

Uni is not about getting drunk, it is about figuring out who you are.  Don't go there with any pre-conceptions, try everything at least once and you will have the greatest 3 years of your life. I did.

Answer 4

like nothing you've ever know, its all up to you er uni that is if you want to learn the gifts that you have i recommend going for what you like in life.

ps alcohol is a poisen and rotez the brain your a smart girl but do have champahgne on your grad day as a celebration to look forward to not just to fit in

Answer 5

sorry im confused...how is it tht ur going to uni?

surely you would be going into year 13 right now!?

x

Answer 6

Im the same. Its totally acceptable to not drink - i think you'll find people will respect you, and when you go out someone has to be sober.

Its fine to say "orange juice" or something. Its harder if your not going to be going out clubbing like many of us, thats how everyone socialises

but youll be fine -  

Answer 7

Most cities have a diverse culture so there is always someone not drinking because or religeous, cultural of medical reasons. I doubt anyone will care whether you drink or not.

I do drink, but not when I'm driving so if I had the car with me I didn't drink and no one cared. The only problem I had was the lack of variety in soft drinks. I don't like fizzy drinks and other than water most places as the time just had coke. I have since discovered j2o.

You will be fine.

Answer 8

I was quite open about the fact that I don't really drink and it was never a problem. With Uni, people are coming from loads of different walks of life so there are so many different types of people that a non-drinker is not really noticed much and if they are, no issue is really made of it.

Answer 9

just offer to be the DD that way you will be thanked and still be cool don't make a big deal about you not drinking just be the person that wants to make sure no one goes to jail or dies.

Answer 10

There are so many different people from different backgrounds at uni that it won't be a big deal that you don't drink. There will be others there who also don't drink, for a wide variety of reasons - they don't want to, their religion forbids it, they've had drinking issues in the past - that you'll be one among many who don't drink.

So long as you don't make a big deal about it, it won't be a big deal. Some people will offer you drink, and you're just, "Oh, no thanks." No big deal. If they ask why, you say you don't drink, and that'll be it.

I actually often used to go to uni events and parties and stuff and not drink. I found it easiest, if everyone else seemed to be drinking, to have a drink in hand - it's just that mine was seltzer or Coke or something, rather than booze. Having a drink in hand cuts down on people offering to get you something out of politeness.  

Answer 11

Most unis offer non-drinking activities in freshers' week - quizzes, trips out, competitions, films, etc. Go to those and you'll meet other people who don't drink, and you won't feel so alone.

And then, when you're 18....go out! You don't have to drink to have a good time. You can go to a club and dance and socialise and enjoy yourself without ever touching anything stronger than a soft drink.

Answer 12

I am a fully grown man and although I used to be a very heavy drinker I don't bother at all any more. Apart from being bad for you it depletes your finances and clouds your brain. I find that I have a much better time sober and am under less pressure.

Have fun and enjoy yourself, good luck and never feel pressurised.