Tips on How to Survive Dry January at University

Going alcohol-free this Dry Jan at uni? Here's how to cope 👇

Dry January is back again, and you’ve decided to hedge your bets on going alcohol-free for the month. It might all seem like fairies and rainbows to start with, but when you’re a week in, it can be easy to slip into old habits.

With millions of people taking part throughout January, avoiding a night of drinking is getting more and more common.

Here are our top tips for Dry January for uni, so you can make it to the other side...

Top tips for dry January at uni

1. Have a backup

The easiest way to replace a habit is to form a new one, so don’t think you’ll manage the 31-day challenge of drinking water. Have some alcohol-free beer, drink some Shloer or just stick to the Coke. Having a go-to drink when someone asks for your order will keep you on the straight and narrow, and you'll avoid any slip-ups.

Additionally, creating your own mocktails can be a great way to keep your drinks fun (and sober). Experiment with your favourite fruity flavours on a Friday night - you might even be able to convince your friends to jump on the bandwagon!

2. Do it with a mate

Accountability forces you to follow through. If you have a pal to do the challenge with, then you’re more likely to succeed. If your best mate isn’t drinking, you won’t want to let them down (plus you’ll have someone to moan to when it gets tough).

3. Get a countdown

Dry January has its own app so you can track your drinking (or not drinking). Pairing this with a countdown ‘til the end of January can make it easier to stick to, and you’ll know how long you have left. The snowball effect of knowing how long you’ve gone for is a great motivator to keep on track.

4. Avoid tempting situations

If you know that you just HAVE to have a drink at the pub quiz on a Sunday, then don’t go. If you NEED a drink at the student night on Wednesday, then avoid it this time. Make the most of avoiding the tough times by making memories with a friend instead, like going out to eat or having a movie night in. If you avoid the situations that you KNOW will trigger you, then you’re one step closer to the end.

Discover how to survive Refreshers without drinking for more Dry January tips.

5. Surround yourself with support

If your friends are simply going to take the mick out of you, then have a conversation with them early on so they know why you’ve decided to go alcohol-free for the month. Avoid going on a night out with friends who are going to keep offering you drink after drink (or just offer to pay them if they help to keep you sober…).

If you tell all your friends and family you are doing Dry January at uni, you can rally as much encouragement as you can (and reminders, when you need them!).

6. Remember why you started

As the days go by, it gets harder and harder to remember why you started. Whether it's to save money, improve their relationship with alcohol, or spend more time with friends or family, everyone has a reason why they started.

Write down some goals for the month somewhere obvious, so you’re constantly reminded why you’ve decided not to have a drink. Refresh your memory whenever you’re contemplating a bev.

7. Make the most of it

Do things you’d never normally do. Try a new sport, society, or hobby. Visit somewhere new. Cherish the lack of hangovers. Appreciate how great you feel on a Sunday morning... Get outdoors. Don’t spend the month wishing for it to end, and make the most of the health benefits of avoiding alcohol for a month.

Explore sober activities in Birmingham and how to be alcohol-free in Nottingham and Edinburgh for more city-specific ideas.

Benefits of doing Dry January in uni

Yoy may not have considered doing Dry January before, so what's the point? You can bag many benefits when tackling Dry January as a student, including:

• Improving your physical health

This is an obvious point to say the least, but it's certainly worth mentioning! Alcohol can affect your weight, skin, immune system, liver function, and more, so you may start to feel more refreshed after staying away from the booze for a while.

• Improving your mental health

The second most obvious factor. Taking alcohol out of the equation can boost your concentration and memory, perfect for completing your assignments. Avoiding alcohol can also decrease your anxiety levels.

• Improving your self-discipline

Improving your self-control by saying no to the Guinness every once in a while can help you stay in control of your own mind and body. It can also help show how much you can challenge yourself - and how much you can achieve.

• Improving your confidence

If you often rely on alcohol in social situations at uni, now is the time to test yourself. You may find that sober social situations aren't as awful as you think! Relying on yourself - instead of alcohol - can help you improve your confidence socially.

• Improving your bank balance

It's no secret that alcohol can be a huge part of some students' budgets, so eliminating spending in this area can actually save you a ton of money. Alcohol-free drinks are almost always more affordable than boozy alternatives.

Clear head? Clear your to-do list

Now that you know how to boss Dry January at uni, it's time to tackle another thing: sorting your student accommodation for next year.

With UniHomes, you can filter your student accommodation by price, location, and number of bedrooms, so you can find your perfect pad in no time. Check out our listed properties today!