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Bethany Dowell

"Sober Socialising" Just Might Be The Way to Go in St. Andrews

Starting the semester as a Junior Honours student is an unnerving thought for anyone. Personally, I found sub-honours to be a trial-and-error process. Therefore, I've made several optimistic resolutions regarding the lifestyle choices I made as a sub-honours student. Primarily, I want to cut back on my alcohol intake.


This goal has been synthesizing for several reasons: sleep deprivation, ‘hangxiety’, and far too many orders of Empire chips and curry sauce. However, despite my desire to lead a healthier lifestyle, St. Andrews FOMO is extremely prevalent, especially thanks to social media. Instagram is plastered with candid photos from every angle of the same event. Nevertheless, I've discovered cheaper and more sustainable forms of socialising with new and old faces, resulting in more wholesome connections with my peers.   

  

Cooking/baking together 

   

Splitting groceries between a group of people to cook a flat dinner, bake for a movie night or host a potluck has proved several times to be a wholesome activity. It can be further enhanced by creating a cooking playlist together, or lighting candles! This is cheaper than a takeaway and can allow for nutritionally dense meals to be made, proving that cooking doesn’t have to be a tedious or solo activity!   

  

Visiting the driving range

    

During summer, the driving range was a key way for me and my friends to pass the time. Hiring a club and 90 balls between the five of us was a cheap way to have fun and get exercise, no matter how many false swings we had. As someone who has zero golf knowledge, going to the driving range can be a hilarious ice breaker which isn’t as embarrassing as stumbling through the Union on a night out. Conveniently, the driving range is next to West Sands, making it the perfect spot to watch the sunset afterwards!   

  

Exercising together  

  

In my first year, the thought of going to the gym or embarking on a run would spiral me into a pit of discomfort and anxiety. However, I've found that grabbing a few friends to join you at the gym can assist to ease any nerves, whilst allowing for you and your friends to learn new ways to reach fitness goals together. Additionally, the UCL has found that exercise links to a strengthened memory, better concentration and an improved mood, making it the perfect bonding experience before a study session.  


Credit: Holly Lumsden.

 

Conclusions    


Overall, as much as I do enjoy nights out in St. Andrews, especially with 601 reopen for Wednesday nights, I've also learnt that quality time without alcohol is crucial to form and maintain meaningful relationships. By learning to enjoy myself sober in St. Andrews, I've been able to save money, adopt healthier lifestyle habits and fall in love with the town again. While I won’t be completely disregarding a night out, I'm going to continue to prioritise sober socialising.  


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