A sober guide to Freshers’ Week

Picture the scene: you wake up somewhere that definitely isn’t your room. You reek of £1.50 Jagerbombs. Your ID is miles away from you, and your phone is probably being sold to someone on the black market. You’re hungover, groggy, and you’ve got your first 9am in the Westwood Lecture Theatre in about… now. Yikes. Luckily, you don’t have to do this to yourself! So, let’s start again. You can absolutely have a legendary Fresher’s Week without a hangover, without spending a horrific amount on drinks and without fear of judgement. As a person who gave up drinking in her second year (so you can trust my opinion), here is an entirely sober guide to Fresher’s Week!

Look out for sober socials

Sober socials refer to all alcohol-free events on campus. This can range from things like open mic nights to coffee meetups run by societies. For example, Warwick Classics Society proudly display on their SU information page that they run both drinking and sober socials. Another example includes the Warwick PPE society, who hold events like bowling and pub quizzes. It’s worth following societies on social media, as that’s where they usually post about sober events. Additionally, all societies on campus should come equipped with a Welfare Officer who will look out for your needs. These officers are always around at socials, with some even going sober themselves, so you’ll never be the only one skipping the drinks tonight.

Beyond the wonderful world of theatre and film, the Arts Centre also host creative socials, and plenty of societies run Sip and Paint-style evenings: proof that you don’t need alcohol to make art (or friends)

Daytime activities

Luckily (and unluckily?) Warwick is situated between Coventry and the rest of Warwickshire, leaving room for you to explore both towns to the max, which is nearly impossible to do in one day. That means you’ve got a lot to explore during Fresher’s Week, from Coventry’s buzzing city centre to Warwick’s historic castle, where you can enjoy a multitude of shows. Day trips can also be organised by societies, but don’t let that stop you and your flat from planning your own mini adventures, even if it’s just a highly ambitious walk to Pret. The Fargo Village is another notable mention: located in Coventry, it is rich in culture, with artwork around every corner. Hungry? Take that time to check out the Vegan Markets and hand produced cake creations by locals. If you’re not really feeling Coventry, you could stroll through the stunning Warwickshire countryside, explore St Mary’s Church, or even visit the Market Hall for a bit of local history.

Warwick Arts Centre boasts a state-of-the-art concert hall with a capacity of up to 1,340. And what better way to stay entertained than indulging in some home-grown talent? The Warwick University Drama Society or WUDS often partners with the Arts Centre to showcase fresh theatre. As a theatre buff myself, I’ll be sure to catch a show or two. I’ll also be nestled with popcorn in hand at the Cinema Trailers Drop-In, a relaxed way to catch previews and get excited about upcoming screenings. Beyond the wonderful world of theatre and film, the Arts Centre also hosts creative socials, and plenty of societies run Sip and Paint-style evenings: proof that you don’t need alcohol to make art (or friends). For a laugh, find out what’s quacking at The Dirty Duck: a Warwick staple on campus with a buzzing pub atmosphere, and the occasional bout of karaoke.

Choosing not to drink doesn’t make you any less social; if anything, it can open the door to friendships built on more than just who can handle the cheapest shots

Casual campus meetups

The £11 million redevelopment of the Student’s Union in 2008 means it has only gotten better. Ranked a 4.27 on StudentCrowd, Warwick’s SU is one of the best in the UK and it’s easy to see why. You can grab cheesy chips and catch the Cleverducks Quiz at The Dirty Duck, or head next door to the pool room by T-Bar for a few casual games with flatmates or friends between lectures. Many societies also use the SU to host board game nights and icebreaker events during Welcome Week, which are a brilliant way to meet the exec team and make new friends in a low-pressure setting. For a more relaxed vibe, Curiositea is the perfect spot to sip on a latte and take in the view of campus from the windows. Honestly, I know I’ll practically be living there once term starts.

Not drinking at university can sometimes feel like you’re missing out, but the truth is, you’ll constantly be making connections with people on your course and people you’ll live with, while meeting like-minded communities at events such as the LGBTQIA+ mixers during Fresher’s Week. Choosing not to drink doesn’t make you any less social; if anything, it can open the door to friendships built on more than just who can handle the cheapest shots.