The Fresher’s Mindset: Do we ever go too far?
By Rhodes Bray, First Year, English
‘You have to keep drinking…like you said!’
The infamous phrase seems to have been all the more prevalent during the first few weeks of Uni – we all seem to be driven by this ingrained notion that living in a constant state of semi-hangover IS the Uni experience.
My question is why?
As in, why put yourself through it? I, alongside many others, would argue that the vast array of Bristol nightlife calls for it, encourages it even. With every night of the week being claimed by a different club, you’ll never find yourself without somewhere to go on a weekday. Whether it’s Mr Wolf’s on a Tuesday or a Thekla Thursday, there always seems to be an event that CANNOT be missed. This then poses the (potentially) problematic question of: Why not? So, then its more shots (there’s a deal!), another drink, and a stumbling trip to the Donervan on the way home. Ready to then crawl into bed for a few hours before dragging oneself to that 9am and preparing to do it all again.
Why do we do it? Why do we insist on drinking permanently? Is it anything to do with the soul-crushing case of FOMO if we decide to stay sober?
Maybe the reason a night in is largely out of the question is because it will inevitably be plagued by the anxiety of missing something crucial, like the next inside joke that is going to fuel the friend group for the rest of the year! (This is largely unlikely, and the pub will not be as groundbreaking or revolutionary of an experience as we fear). Yet, the so-called Fresher’s FOMO insists upon dampening a much-needed movie night, so much so that what is supposed to be a relaxing night, ends up becoming so stressful that it’s probably better to just go out anyway. It saves a lot of angst if anything.
Perhaps this stress simply accompanies the move to a new city, alongside an entirely new group of friends. The stability of our home lives is replaced with a seemingly precarious social circle that would, according to our own expectations, abandon and shun anyone who refuses to drink on a weekday. It’s insane! We seem to forget that everyone else is in the same boat, and will not only understand, but perhaps be grateful for the suggestion of a night off from time to time.
Not only does the fresher’s mindset entail paralysing stress, but it also seems to be a given that we are completely up for drinking at any particular moment. This also begs another irrefutable question: Can we not interact with our flatmates in a sober situation? Is it possible to hang out sober? Will we even like each other? This begins a sort of dependency, that, until we come to our senses and realise that people aren’t so different intoxicated and sober, will fuel the drinking, and perpetuate the clubbing at any and all times.
Perhaps the alcohol aids the socialising marginally, loosens us up so that cementing a whole new network of people isn’t quite so terrifying. This seems to provide a comfort for many students, we feel much more able to strike up conversation after a few pints, this liquid courage allowing us to make friends and ask for the dreaded Instagram after meeting a potential new friend. Whilst this can be productive, a dependency on alcohol as a means of surviving freshers might not be. This drinking culture surely cannot be healthy, especially when battling a nasty case of Fresher’s Flu.
Maybe not all excursions need the presence of a drink in hand, maybe a chilled, sober movie night is required occasionally. The Fresher’s culture is renowned, but we don’t have to follow it so blindly. On a select (probably few) nights we can prioritise our health.
If no one’s going out that night, that is.