I quite often get the feeling that I’m not ‘worthy’ enough of student status. Despite having been a fully fledged student for several months now, and fully lapping up the perks (going out, short weeks), I feel as though I’m now back to the place I was pre-student.
Unfortunately, the selling point for many clubs – ‘£1 drinks’ does not excite me. Not in the slightest. In fact I’d much rather spend £8 on one well made strawberry daiquiri than downing 8 jagerbombs or 4 vodka and diet cokes. I don’t think that’s being snobby. But I know the answer many students would give with regards to drinking is that they do it with the sole purpose to get drunk.
I do enjoy going out, don’t get me wrong. But I definitely don’t have the stamina of a student and once the clock hits 12.30 (am), I’m ready for bed. I’ve always been this way, I’m not entirely sure why and I’m not sure whether it’s something to be proud, or ashamed of – especially since I will be living the student life for another two and a half years yet.
Yet strangely, in a survey by StudentBeans, 47% of students wished that drinking wasn’t such a big part of university life, with over half having missed a lecture or a seminar due to heavy drinking the night before.
48% of students have walked home alone, drunk, from a night out – which is a worrying figure, especially with stories of students going missing (Megan, from York is just one recent case to name a few) and 59% have experienced memory loss. We’ve all been there. I’m just not sure if drinking is part and parcel of University life because everyone does it, or because students genuinely enjoy it?
With regards to ‘student food’ which family, friends and work colleagues joked about before I left for University, I am still proud to say that I haven’t touched a pot noodle (I’ve never tried one and don’t plan too), still haven’t ventured into KFC (typically, it’s not the best location for a non-chicken eater) and do indeed include vegetables in my daily diet. Sweetcorn counts right? In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever eaten so well.
Perhaps I’m just turning into an old woman without trying. I did feel a little ‘old woman-ish’ sitting in bed reading my book several nights ago, all whilst listening to the wailing and screaming of students on the floor above having a wild party. But then all thoughts faded as I took one look at the blisteringly cold, hailing weather outside and snuggled further into my warm duvet.
Are there any other ‘non-worthy-students’ out there? Do you think drinking is part and parcel of Uni life? Has your experience at University improved your eating habits?
PS: Apologies if any of the above came across as snobby or obnoxious, I intentionally wrote the piece to explore whether drinking is a necessary inclusion of the life of a student (I’m not saying I’m against it at all). Who doesn’t love a good cocktail?