Students opt for yoga and pets in ‘sober Freshers Week’

For university students of decades past, Freshers’ Week followed a fairly standard pattern.

An obligatory circuit of the freshers’ fair would be swiftly overtaken by a string of pub and club events – where drinks were £1 and acquaintances were made by the dozen – all likely culminating in a 12-hour foam party. Outfits ruined: At least one.

Now though, things are run a little differently.

Student associations are hosting more sober, hobby-focused introductions to university life, as they say students care more about wellbeing, meaningful friendships and managing their bank balances.

This week in Aberdeen, for example, students were able to take part in a morning yoga class before going to a picnic for a game of ultimate frisbee.

The latter was attended by 300 students according to Christina Schmid, president of Aberdeen University Students’ Association.

“These events are really popular,” she said. “We can see that especially after Covid, students really want more diverse activities.

“They want to move away from only going out and drinking and partying.”

Not every activity on offer is high-energy. Aberdeen also has a virtual murder mystery, a Disney movie screening and a ‘coffee and cake’ meet-up for mature students.

For those who prefer making furry friends, there is also a pizza mixer where dogs are the guests of honour.

The move away from Freshers’ Weeks of the past, which were almost a rite of passage, is evident on campuses across the country.

Students at Glasgow university can attend houseplant sales and a charity shop crawl during their “Welcome Week” while Edinburgh is hosting a video games night and an anxiety management workshop.

The variety, Christina says, is the result of greater awareness of mental health and wellbeing issues.

She also says students have concerns for their own safety in environments where people are drinking to excess – particularly amid reports of a rise in spiking in some parts of the UK.

“There’s an awareness of gender-based violence,” she said. “That has led to a bit of resentment, as well as people looking out for each other.

“Mental health issues are on the rise and more students are aware of it. People also want to form communities and friendships that aren’t just about going out.

“Also the student population and demographic has changed over the last 10 years – there are more international students.

“Obviously the cost-of-living crisis has taken its toll as well. Students are focusing more on a different way of socialising based on their hobbies rather than just going out, which is very expensive.”

There are still opportunities for students to have a drink while they meet new people during their first week – but the raft of sober events in Aberdeen mirrors the declining demand for alcohol on campus.

Its coffee shop, the Union Brew, is more profitable now than when it last ran as a student bar in 2022.

Bar One at Abertay University also closed in 2019 after sales fell by two thirds in five years.

As for the students themselves, Christina says the switch has the potential to help people become more accomplished.

“Students are doing more varied activities,” she said. “When it comes to their hobbies people learn valuable skills as well which they can use for their CVs.”