University life is no longer about the extensive learning procedures and life enriching lectures which we all enjoy (or endure). We are now part of a newly introduced university culture - the art of clubbing and binge drinking. Yes it is an art form, we line our stomachs before we go out, dance hedonistically and then drink a pint of water once we semi-consciously crawl into our beds at a night. There is a technique to being a binge drinker and we students have staggered away with honours in the clubbing and booze culture.
On walking through the university grounds, we are faced with promotional material seducing us to a cheap drink in the student bar. One thing we lose as students is the ability to refuse a cheap drink; it would be rude to wouldn’t it? So with army-like precision we make our way to the bar for a ‘swift half’ which unavoidably turns into a hardcore drinking session leaving us the worst side of sober but for half the price of a regular pub. Hurray! We get drunk for no more than pennies - one perk of being a student right? So why is it that the ‘drunken generation’ that we are now considered being, are causing experts sleepless nights worrying about our drinking habits?
Many universities in the United States have enforced legislation which have led to the banning of alcohol and its promotion around campus. The question haunting many a student is whether or not the UK should follow suit and enforce drinking restrictions into our universities. This topic of debate has also moved higher up the political agenda with Tony Blair warning that binge drinking is fast becoming “the British disease”. Does this have anything to do with Blair’s offspring being ridiculed for his interest in a tipple or sixteen a few years back?
Throughout adolescence our parents promise us that when we turn 18 years old we “can do what we want”. This is almost a law to us when growing up. So we turn eighteen, move away to university where the social hot spot is not the library, but the student bar. A welcoming ambience where we share many of the highlights of our university years, only to be told that alcohol is banned and we are reminded of the days when we were attending jelly and ice cream orientated parties over 10 years ago. What student in his or her right mind needs to be told whether or not they are allowed to consume alcohol? Surely we have a right to a drinking future?
Admittedly, there are times when irresponsible drunkards are stupid enough to put theirs and the safety of others in jeopardy through antics under the influence. However, surely this should mean that at the very most we should try and encourage responsible alcohol consumption rather than taking us back to 1920’s America where we have to bootleg liquor or even more serious, ferment our own.
Drinking is now part of the student lifestyle. Although this has something to do with the promotion of cheap alcohol, it is also a social stress-releasing activity which is part of life outside of university. Many of us began our journey into the world of drinking games way before university, and no doubt will still be playing them way into our thirties. Implied shock tactics will not work as there are always other outlets in which alcohol will be served in copious amounts to any paying customer. You could take the drink out of the university, but you can not take the student away from the bar, it’s as simple as that. One of the things we crave when growing up is the ability to make our own choices and this is valued more now than ever. We are as responsible as anyone, in any pub, in any country who partakes in drinking sessions and this is reinforced by the pleasant atmosphere within the student bars.
Students and drink go hand in hand, there is no denying that. Demographically, it appears we are drinking more than any previous generation, but this is not necessarily a bad thing. In order to get through the stresses and strain of university life we need a healthy balance of work and play. The harder we work, the harder we play and vice versa. Some of us may end up on Trisha one day with an addiction, but to those who are responsible enough to handle their drink…..bottoms up!
