Keep an eye on your drinks

• Make sure you know where your drink has come from and avoid accepting drinks that you haven’t seen being poured or prepared.
• If someone is buying you a drink, head to the bar with them and keep an eye on your drink while it’s being prepared.
• If you’ve left a drink unattended or aren’t sure about it, don’t drink it.
• Keep your drink covered at all times – we’ll be giving out free drink covers during Welcome Week at our stalls.

Know your limits

• Eating before you go out can slow down how quickly your body absorbs alcohol, helping you pace yourself and potentially reducing the effects the next day.
• Alternate alcoholic drinks with water throughout the night to help you stay hydrated and pace yourself.
• Pace yourself, take breaks between drinks and don’t feel pressured to keep up with others.

Don’t feel pressured

• You don’t need an excuse or reason to not want to do something – not feeling comfortable is a good enough excuse, and you don’t owe anyone an explanation.
• Just because your friends are doing something doesn’t mean you have to do it.
• It’s okay to say no, change your mind, or leave a situation you aren’t comfortable with.
• Respect other people’s boundaries – don’t pressure someone to do something they don’t want to do.

Plan how you’re getting home

Knowing how you’re getting home before you head out can make the end of your night much easier:

• Make a plan for getting home before your night starts, so you can relax and enjoy yourself knowing you’ve got your journey home sorted.
• If you’re getting a taxi home, make sure you use a licensed and reputable service, such as Uber or make use of the University’s Take Me Home scheme.
• If you’re walking home, stick to well-lit, familiar routes where possible. Check the University’s suggested walking route map before heading out to help plan your journey.
• Stay aware of your surroundings if walking and avoid being completely distracted by your phone or headphones.

Stick together and look out for your mates

• Set up a group chat with everyone you’re heading out with, making it easier to stay in touch throughout the night.
• Consider sharing your live location with friends if you’re comfortable doing so, so you can easily find each other if you get separated.
• Agree on a safe meeting point beforehand, so everyone knows where to go if the group gets split up.
• Check in with each other throughout the night and make sure everyone in your group is okay.
• Look out for each other when it’s time to head home. Make sure everyone has a safe way back rather than assuming they’ll sort it themselves.