Title : UK University freshers Week
F
irst weeks in university usually involves you taking in a lot of information and meeting loads of people. It is best to visit the town or city before the term begins. This will help you get a feeling of your future environment. Most towns have A-Z maps. Buy one, to find your way around. It is best to start off, by attending the induction lectures, where you get introduced to your new subjects, and also what is expected from you. Freshers week normally takes place a week after univerities resume. Different clubs and societies group up at a stall and display what their club has to offer. This is the best place to join up a club. Remember to collect as much discount cards as possible. It is usually the only period, companies and clubs in your town will offer such a discount.
Your first night out
Freshers week is always accompanied, by other students telling you about new night clubs. As much as possible, never move on your own. Try and move at night with fellow students who you hopefully know. In regards to alcohol, I will list below, the recommended amount from the department of health. Never leave your drink unattended, as several students have been drugged before in the pass. Avoid taking any drugs. Enjoy yourself but be incontrol. Finally remember no means "NO". Have sex, if you are comfortable and willing to. Do not forget safe sex. There are so many diseases out there. You are now an independent individual; try to be positive in other areas of life and not HIV or other diseases. Remember, the most useful place to get more information is your students union.
Your drink and you (ref: hea)
What kind of a drinker am I?
Some people don't drink at all or drink very rarely, perhaps at family occassions like weddings or christenings. Others may drink only at weekends or a few times a week, perhaps with food, or as part of a night out. Then there are people who drink heavily every day and those who 'binge' or get drunk on a regular basis. Whether you identify with one of these drinking types or feel ' somewhere in between', it is useful to know just how alcohol can affect you. To stay healthy and aviod problems it makes sense to drink in moderation.
Daily benchmarks for sensible drinking.
For men:
If you regularly drink 4 or more units a day there is an increasing risk to health. If you drink between 3 and 4 units a day or less.. there are no significant risks to your health.
For women:
If you regularly drink 3 or more units a day there is an increasing risk to health. If you drink between 2 and 3 units a day or less.. there are no significant risks to your health.
The benchmarks use a measurement of alcohol called units to help people work out whether their drinking might be risky. The guidelines for women are lower because they are generally smaller and lighter than men, their bodies contain less water, and have a different metabolish. The benchmarks do not apply to young people who haven't reached physical maturity or pregnant women. Doctors recommend that on any occassion when you drink, you stick within the benchmarks .
So what exactly is a unit?
Some drinks contain more alcohol than others. One unit is the same as 8mg or 10ml (1cl) or pure alcohol. Check out the number of units in the following drinks:
There is
one unit
in:
Half a pint of ordinary strength beer, lager or cider (3.5 or 4% vol.)
A small glass of lower strength wine ( 8 or 9% vol.)
A single 25ml (small) shot of spirit (40% vol.)
A sip of overproffed rum at 70% vol.
There is
two units
in:
A large can of ordinary strength lager, cider or beer (3.5 or 4% vol.)
A large rum, brandy or other spirit (40% vol.)
one 330ml bottle of alcopop or lager (5.5% vol.)
A large glass of wine at 11 or 12% vol.
There is
three units
in:
75cl bottle of spirit (40% vol.)
There is
four units
in:
A large can of strong lager (8 or 9% vol.)
Using this guide you can work out how many units are in your usual drink and how your drinking compares to the recommendations.
Useful tips
If you think you like to cut down you might find some of these tips helpful:
Set yourself a reasonable limit
On any day when you drink try to keep within the daily benchmark. For special occassions like parties and weddings set yourself a limit in advance and stick to it.
Pace your drinks
Pace yourself, particularly if you know you're out for a long, late session such as a party or club running well into the morning. Choose smaller drinks, sipping them slowly and putting the glass down between sips. Try going for lower strength drinks and perhaps alternating alcoholic drinks with soft drinks or alcohol-free varieties.
Do't let anyone pressurise you
Don't let people pressurise you into drinking. Sometimes it's useful to have your own response planned in advance. It could be anything from "I've got a lot on tomorrow" to simply "No thanks, I've had enough."
Find alternatives
If you've got into the habit of drinking because you are bored, tense or need to unwind and it's your treat after a long day, try looking for other ways to relax and feel better.
For more infor.:
Choice : 0207 737 3363/0393 (Black Advisory Services on alcohol related concerns)
Drinkline: 0345 320202 (National alcohol helpline)
Alcohol Anonymous: 01904 644026
Al-Anon Family Groups: 0207 403 0888
A word of caution
To do justice to your academic studies (which is meant to be the primary purpose of your time at university!) beware of 'socialising too much' and leaving your essay to the last minute - your marks will only depress you. Peer group pressure, especially in the early weeks, to just have lots of fun and go out all the time needs to be watched and balanced against your academic demands.
The natural process of growing up and reaching an independent stage in life will be more positive if you organise your priorities.
If you rent accommodation and share a house with other students/tenants it is vital to ensure that all names are on the bills, eg. gas, electricity, phone. Otherwise, if you agree to put your name alone on any of these bills, you will be personally responsible to pay the whole amount if others in your house leave or cannot afford to pay their share.
From a ukstudentnews.co.uk writer
Here's some advice:
Get out there, go to as many events as you possibly can, you won't regret it. Join at least one sports club or society, it is the single most effective way of making new friends with common interests and ensuring that you get the most out of your years at University.
You don't have to be good at what the club offers, you don't have to commit a certain amount of your time to it, but by being a member, you have the opportunity to do so. Joining a club/society will also introduce you to second, third, fourth years, part-time and mature students and students from varying courses.
This will be invaluable when you are seeking advice and getting settled during your first year. The first week may be nerve wracking but remember that the majority of others are in the same situation as you. Have an open mind for making new friends and having new experiences.
Freshers periods are reknowned for 2nd and 3rd years praying on innocent young ladies/men. There are many nicknames for this, including "f*** a fresher". Don't be worried by this, they are still human and most have the intelligence to understand "no".
Don't be afraid to ask for help from the Guild or Union that is putting on the events, the sabbatical officers were students too, and in some ways still are, they will be more than happy to help you. They want to know what you the student want so that they can offer it in the best way possible so don't hesitate to let them know how you feel.
Try to stick to your Union when chosing a venue for a night out. Revenue made in the bars is recycled back into the facilities you use, such as sports, societies, advice centres etc. When you choose the local/town/city pubs and bars instead you are losing out in the long run. That's it for now, if you need more, or I am on the wrong track, let me know.
Regards,
Russ. (Formerly of the Walking and Climbing Club)
RUSSELL FLYNN
STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
UNION OF STUDENTS AT UCE
Disclaimer
|
Email a friend this story
Last reviewed 16 August 2008
Sponsors
|
