The longstanding tradition of drinking culture at UK universities has often been seen as a rite of passage, with post-lecture pints at the student pub and hungover 9am lectures forming an integral part of the university experience for many.

However, this once-dominant social fixture appears to be waning. Increasingly, students are choosing to drink less, with some even embracing sobriety shortly after reaching the legal drinking age. While this shift may be for the better, it raises the question: what has prompted this change, and why are today's young adults opting to say no to alcohol?

The TikTok influence

The rise of sobriety among university students is gaining momentum, with numerous viral TikTok videos documenting the sober lifestyle on campus. These posts often attract a flood of comments, with users seeking advice on how to navigate university life without alcohol and how to make friends while staying sober.

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This surge in engagement suggests that an increasing number of students are considering embarking on their own sobriety journeys. But still, this doesn’t answer the question of why.

Lifestyle changes

One key factor driving the decline in alcohol consumption among university students is the growing popularity of health and wellness lifestyles. The rise of wellness influencers on platforms like TikTok may be a significant contributor to this shift. For instance, the hashtag #healthandwellness has garnered over 542.7k posts, while #selfcare boasts over 12 million posts. Although not all these posts directly promote sobriety, they reflect a broader trend in youth culture - prioritising self-care, which includes healthy eating, exercise, journalling, and meditation.

Binge drinking, it seems, no longer aligns with these values. Additionally, the rise of social media has exposed younger generations to an overwhelming amount of information about the negative effects of alcohol. While older generations may have been aware of these risks, today's youth are confronted with this information far more frequently and visibly, further encouraging a move away from drinking.

Ambition and cost of living 

Another, perhaps less obvious factor in the decline of drinking among young people is the intense drive and ambition that characterises today’s youth. The pervasive influence of "girlboss" and "grind" culture, combined with constant reminders of young success stories - such as Kylie Jenner becoming a billionaire at just 21 - has shifted the focus of many from a party-driven lifestyle to a career-oriented mindset.

This shift is compounded by the economic pressures young adults face today. With inflation rising by 34 per cent over the past decade, the cost of living has increased significantly, forcing young people to work harder to save money.

The current economic climate has intensified the need for financial prudence, making the cost of alcohol seem not only impractical but wasteful. Moreover, the desire to avoid anything that could hinder productivity, such as hangovers, aligns with the broader "grind" mentality. For many, alcohol simply no longer fits into the equation of hard work, success, and building a secure future.

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Premature ageing of youths?

A final factor contributing to the decline in alcohol consumption among today’s youth is what some might call the "premature ageing" of young people. Teenagers and young adults today seem to be experiencing life milestones earlier than previous generations, including experimenting with alcohol. According to an NHS report from 2021, 65 per cent of 15-year-olds admitted to having consumed alcohol, indicating that many have already passed through the typical "drinking years" by the time they reach university.

This early exposure suggests that today's youth may be outgrowing the party-centric binge-drinking phase sooner than previous generations. As a result, by the time they reach university, they are more likely to favour casual drinking or embrace sobriety altogether, signalling a broader cultural shift away from alcohol-driven socialising.

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Whatever the reasons behind it, it’s clear that today’s youth are increasingly moving away from the binge-drinking university culture that was once a hallmark of previous generations. While this culture certainly hasn't disappeared - evident from a stroll through the Holylands - it’s clear that many students are prioritising hard work over hard partying. The once-popular "work hard, play hard" mentality seems to be losing its grip.

This shift raises an intriguing question: What will university drinking culture look like for future generations? Will we see a resurgence of heavy drinking, or will the trend towards sobriety and moderation continue? Only time will tell. Until then, cheers!

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Information for GB students

Emily Beedles Politics | Undergraduate Student | Liverpool, UK Hello, my name is Emily Beedles, and I am a 20-year-old Politics student from Liverpool, currently in my third year at Queen’s University Belfast. I have thoroughly enjoyed my academic journey so far and am eager to make the most of my final year. Outside of my studies, I have a passion for weightlifting, socialising with friends, and more recently, I've developed an interest in nail art. As I approach the conclusion of my degree, I am motivated to engage more actively in university life. Additionally, I am excited to be part of the Queen’s University Belfast Musical Theatre Society (QUBMTS) productions this year.