Are students swapping Newcastle’s nightlife for nights in? 

The prospect of “Stay-At-Home students” has long since been slandered by the media, particularly by the older generation that have drawn their attention towards the fact that students don’t go out as much as they "ought to". These expectations of student life- and what it means to have the “proper uni experience”- are traditionally tied to alcohol and partying; all in hopes of getting black-out-drunk or simply blowing off some steam.

When picturing student life at Newcastle, you may think about 'hitting the Toon', with a Geordie Shore drinking culture in mind. However, a more typical student routine may follow Mondays at Tropiloco or Fridays at Casa. Locations like these have hosted many wild stories, sourcing memories that will be carried well beyond graduation day. Nevertheless, traditional expectations of what student life should look like needs to be defined on an individual basis, rather than collective assumption.  

Given personal preference, lifestyle and cost-of-living, I have found that students are finding a balance that best suits their circumstance, whether this be the nightlife, a cosy night in or a mixture of both, on account to less added social pressures. Literature student Jemima Gallon states that “The best thing about Newcastle is the range of experiences it offers - I can engage with both sides of the city and enjoy both in equal measure”.

Moreover, despite being ranked one of the top 10 most affordable UK cities, going out is undeniably an expensive pastime. Linguistics student Arianna Hope acknowledges how “everything has become so expensive”, especially with “four shots costing £24”. Attitudes towards drinking are continuing to shift, with 74% of students disagreeing strongly that people who don’t drink don’t know how to have fun, and hobbies such as crochet becoming increasingly popular and cathartic, providing fun without the after-effects of a hangover or depleted bank-account.

It can be easy to see how a cozy night in has become more enticing for some, especially with activities everyone can enjoy. Therefore, notions surrounding the traditional image of university are ,undoubtedly, changing for the better. For many, the other side of university life can be appreciating self-care evenings, Flat family dinners, watching The Great British Bake-Off or even embracing 'Winkleman Themed Nights', watching The Traitors.  

In short, students are carving out their own sense of what Newcastle means to them, especially with the acceptance that both sides of student life in Newcastle can be valued with equal respect and opportunity.