The sun rises in the east, all men are mortal, and students drink. Such is life, and Oxford is no exception. University life is soaked through with alcohol whether you’re at a bop or a ball, pres or afters, pub or club, a sports crewdate or a ‘blank and booze’ society. It’s the Oxford Experience – from freshers’ week to Finals’ trashing, alcohol is everywhere.
This might be changing. More young people are completely sober. Culture has shifted, and where once any indomitable wills asking for a plain Coke would be lairily interrogated, most people now just appreciate the cheaper round. But while you might not drink, your life will by no means be alcohol-free. If you participate in much of social life, learn to love sober clubbing and being surrounded by drunk people. Abstinence will never not be a tradeoff; this is a university, and a British one at that.
But while Oxford may never be sober, slowly, between physical and financial burdens, it’s drying. People are drinking less. After the umpteenth hungover ‘never again’ pledge, perhaps they stop only order singles or alternate with soft drinks. But still, they keep the buzzing pres, the shameless dancing, the warmth and easy laughter on late-night walks home through a beautiful city with friends. A happy medium is possible, and Oxford is on its way to finding it.
Keep an eye out for the Cherwell Intoxtigation, the biggest alcohol attitudes survey in Oxford’s history, coming later this Michaelmas.
