Mindful Moments: it is all about balance

With university bringing many opportunities to socialise and go out, most students have encountered alcohol in some way. In fact, according to the Student, Alcohol and Drugs Survey of 2021, 81% of university students believed that drinking and getting drunk was part of university culture. However, getting drunk does not have to be the only reason we drink at university or at social events. When you still have to fit in studying and 9am seminars, it becomes risky to suffer from a severe hangover. Yet sometimes we do not have to sacrifice a drink or two with friends for the sake of studying the next day. It is all about balance. There are many different activities and events that can provide a good balance of drinking, without the intensity of getting drunk or hangovers. I hope this article will give you a few ways to enjoy a refreshing drink without worrying about missing your alarm the next day.

When drinking is not about getting drunk, it can be about enjoying a cocktail because it is genuinely nice to drink

There are many gorgeous bars in Leamington that you can go to with friends to enjoy a drink or two. Instead of having one too many purples on a Wednesday, and missing your 9am lecture on a Thursday, why not go to ‘Bedford Street’? A beautiful jazz bar that does live music every Wednesday. With ‘two for one’ cocktails, fun music, and a sophisticated vibe, this is a perfect place to go with a group of friends or on a date. By doing this, you can drink in a safe environment, without the pressures of drinking games or getting drunk.

When drinking is not about getting drunk, it can be about enjoying a cocktail because it is genuinely nice to drink. Turtle Bay is a perfect place to go for cocktails, ranging from a sweet strawberry daiquiri to a refreshing mojito. With the ‘two for one’ deal being applicable before 6pm or after 9pm, this is a cheap and easy option if you live in Leamington or Coventry.

Another way to balance drinking with other activities is by playing a game of pool. The Student Union hosts many pool tables, right by the Terrace Bar. This makes it particularly easy to sip on a refreshing, alcoholic drink while having a fun game of pool with friends. The Terrace Bar offers a variety of different drinks, with a particular favourite of mine being the spicy margarita or a fishbowl. Given that these drinks are fairly cheap, ranging from £4-£7, this is a cheap and fun night that does not have to involve getting drunk or going clubbing.

A relaxed get-together such as this means that you can have a drink in a safe way, with the security of knowing a warm bed is waiting for you the second you get too tired

If you don’t feel like going out, it is just as fun to share a drink with your friends over a movie or board game night. Having a glass of gin with lemonade, or sharing a bottle of wine with a few friends, is a lowkey, enjoyable way to spend the evening. This reduces the stress of having to find a way home from a night out and means you can stay in clothes that keep you comfortable. A relaxed get-together such as this means that you can have a drink in a safe way, with the security of knowing a warm bed is waiting for you the second you get too tired.

I hope this article has given a few easy ways for you to balance the fun of drinking with the demands of a university timetable. Sometimes, there is a misconception that drinking at university has to be intense and lead to a night out or a crippling hangover. This does not have to be the case; it truly is all about finding that balance.