Actually, because of social media's growing “healthy lifestyle” content, a lot of consumers of these posts and videos, the majority being younger women, might feel prone to consuming less alcohol than the generation before.
...whether you were involved or not, there were a lot of parties, nights out and pub visits...
Following from this, although a bit controversial, society nowadays is becoming constantly more open to the illegal use of drugs such as marijuana. According to CrescentCanna, “Gen Z is the fastest-growing group of cannabis users,” although more than half of them cannot legally buy cannabis products. In 2024, it mainly involved people between 12 and 27 years old. Young people could sometimes go for that option, rather than a night spent drinking.
Moreover, with the rise of mental health awareness, a lot more people get prescribed medications, which usually are not recommended to combine with alcoholic drinks. According to Mind, “1 in 6 people report experiencing a common mental health problem (like anxiety and depression) in any given week in England.” That makes it around 9.5 million people and younger people are exposed to this phenomenon the most.
So, does all of this also apply to Newcastle University?
Speaking for myself, I can definitely say that my alcohol consumption has rapidly decreased, as well as the alcohol consumption of people from my social circles. Once assignments kick in and you realise that the third year is the last chance to improve your grades, your lifestyle, routine and priorities change.
Some could argue that Luther’s bar now running under the Wetherspoon partnership is a direct indicator to support students’ drinking habits, especially since Newcastle University is one of two universities collaborating with JD Wetherspoon in the UK, alongside the University of Hull. That could affect Newcastle University students, as the prices for drinks can be sometimes 50% lower than in other places.
...students might be drinking less, but that does not mean that an occasional pint still does not feel nice and refreshing...
Nevertheless, whether you like drinking or not, everyone has been growing as a person. Additionally, taking into account cultural changes, as well as university pressures, students might be drinking less, but that does not mean that an occasional pint still does not feel nice and refreshing!