Drink safely

81 Months Ago

A lot of students enjoy alcohol as part of their Freshers Week experience. It can ease some of those awkward first moments and help you let your hair down. Alcohol should be enjoyed responsibly to avoid both the physical aftermath and the mortifying flashbacks the morning after. Here are some of our best tips to make sure you don’t remember Freshers for the wrong reasons!

 

Eating isn’t cheating!

Make sure you have a good meal before you head out for the night. Load up on carbs like pasta or potatoes to make sure the alcohol doesn’t go straight to your head. The McDonald’s on Princes Street now closes at 2am on a weekday so don’t assume you can hold out for your box of nuggets! Also, don't forget with the Freshers Pass you'll get £3 Burger, Fries, and a Soft Drink all week at Geordies during Freshers Week. The perfect way to line your stomach before enjoying a pint too! 

 

Pre-drinks

When it comes to pres, make sure you don’t overdo it and miss the night out! Imagine how embarrassing it would be if you were put to bed before the taxis had even arrived! Edinburgh and Borders clubs can be pretty strict as well, so if you’re too drunk you’ll be hearing “not tonight pal” or “try somewhere else”.

 

Which one is my building…?

Make sure you have a plan about how to get home! Make a note of reputable taxi companies (Central Taxis (Edi) 0131 229 2468, City Cabs (Edi) 0131 228 1211, Five Star Taxis (SBC) 01896 756789). Alternatively there are night buses (N25 and N34) back to the Edinburgh campus. Travel home with friends and stick together. Don’t lose your keys!

 

Don’t spend all your student loan

It might seem like a good idea breaking out the bank card to buy several rounds for all your new pals - but you’ll be curling up into a ball when you check your account the next morning. It’s sometimes a good idea to leave your card at home and take out a budgeted amount of cash instead. That being said, make sure you have enough money on you to get home.

 

Stay hydrated

Alcohol dehydrates you so make sure you keep drinking plenty of water (it’ll help you pace yourself too). Fill up a glass before you go and leave it by your bed – you’ll thank yourself later.

 

Pace yourself

It’s a marathon, not a sprint! Nobody wants to be bundled home into a taxi because they’re too drunk. It’ll keep you looking your best too; are you really going to pull with Jäger on your top and sick on your shoe?

 

Stick together

Make sure you have the numbers or Facebooks of a couple of the people in your group before you go out. Round everyone up at the end of the night and don’t travel back alone. Don’t leave your mates behind or assume they’ve already left. The Find my Friends app and the Snapchat map can come in very handy, even if they are a little Big Brother. It’s always good to do the standard “home safe” text as well.

 

Watch your drink

Make sure you never leave your drink unattended. You don’t want to be the victim of a drink spiking.

 

The best way to avoid a hangover?

Don’t drink or don't drink excessively! Remember you can still have a great night without alcohol and the Student Union encourages responsible drinking.

For more useful tips and information about safe drinking then check out Drinkaware’s Freshers Week survival guide. 

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