Glasgow Uni Freshers’ Week 2024 comes to a close today, having seen thousands of students from across the globe descend on the famous West End campus.

Traditionally, many have viewed Freshers’ Week as a rather boozy affair, consisting mainly of alcohol-fuelled events on sticky student nightclub floors.

But with a more diverse student population than ever, and alcohol consumption reportedly falling amongst Scottish teenagers, is that still the case?

Glasgow Times rocked down to University Avenue to find out.

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Alanya Jamieson, a 17-year-old student in her first year, likes the fact that there are so many non-drinking Freshers’ options.

“It’s been good,” she said. “It’s more or less what I expected. There’s been loads of things on, and a really positive atmosphere.

“I haven’t been to any events later on in the evening. There’s definitely not been any pressure to go to anything like that.

“I think it’s good to have Freshers’ events that aren’t just about alcohol.”

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Gabriella Perez, a 28-year-old Masters student, says there are more interesting things to do than getting drunk - like pole dancing.

“I was looking to start pole dance classes,” she said, “and I just found out there’s a pole dance society in the university. So I signed up!

“When I studied in Mexico, the pressure was to drink the whole year long, not just for the Freshers’. Here, you can go and have a drink but you don’t have to get really drunk or anything.

“There’s loads of other stuff to do anyway. Drinking is the last thing I’m thinking about really, with all the other events going on.”

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Noah Harkness, an 18-year-old starting his first term, has been pleased by the variety of events on offer.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect,” he said. “I’ve found out about a lot of societies and sports clubs I’m interested in joining.

“There’s been a nice balance of boozy and non-boozy events. I’ve been to a couple of things that involved drinking, but there’s a good variety. There’s lots of daytime stuff going on. I’m going to a club where you just drink tea and have a chat.

“There’s no need to get really drunk - although you certainly can if you want. Depends who you hang around with!”

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Issy Girgis, 20, is in the final year of her chemistry degree. She’s promoting student deals for nearby pub Innis & Gunn, but feels there is less drinking now than when she first started uni.

“I definitely haven’t drunk as much during Freshers’ Week this year,” she said. “I’m not as interested in it anymore.

“During my Freshers’ year, it was f*****g mental. The vibe was just ‘get as drunk as you can.’ But people definitely seem like they’re not drinking as much this year.

“There’s more options for people not wanting to drink, sober events and things like that. Which is a good thing.”

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Sophie Read, a 17-year-old fresher, feels a bit excluded from the fun.

“It’s been alright,” she said. “I was expecting lots of parties and things, but I’m 17, so it’s been a wee bit difficult - they don’t let me into events sometimes.

“Which isn’t really fair, because I’m still a fresher and I still want to meet people. I wasn’t aware of that before coming.

“There’s other stuff you can do without drinking though. You can still go out and have a nice time and not drink. And there are daytime events as well - not that I’ve been to any of them.”

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Niranian Chinda, 19 and in his second year, says he’s found more ways to have fun without drinking this time around.

“There are a lot of activities that involve drinking,” he said. “But there’s things to do without drinking as well.

“Definitely now that I’m in my second year, I know about more activities that don’t involve drinking - like sports clubs, going to the gym, or walking groups around Glasgow.

“I don’t drink, but I’ve never experienced any pressure to drink here.”

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