Going to University is the time you break free of who you were at school, and who you are in with your parents. You get to define who you are.

I take it being ‘shy’ means you are probably a really nice person. I am sure I would like you. But being shy is a little like being depressed (I am not saying it is the same thing – only in as much as…) quite a lot of depressed people are comfortable with their depression. It defines their borders, they know what to expect and they stay depressed because of a situation – now drugs exist which treat the symptoms of depression, allowing you to fix the problems, and escape from it. It can work – some people just need the push.

What has this to do with shyness? Well there is a thing for treating shyness, in exactly the same way called “alcohol”. Drank in moderation, with people who are not total pricks, can be some of the most enjoyable time you can ever spend.

I last enjoyed clubbing to 4am aged about 17 – and even then I hated the noice, culture and dancing – I just enjoyed being out late for the first time ever. Ever since then, I have enjoyed a chat with a friend or two, at a pub – maybe taking in a small crappy local band now and then. I absolutely love that.

I hardly ever come home blootered, tend to remember most of the night before and have friends I love like family.

Conclusion: Everything in moderation – including sobriety.

* Most universities do ‘alternative to alcohol’ events that you can go to during Fresher’s Week. Even if you are not religious, local church gruops often do a lot, and they don’t expect you to join afterwards.
* Join a society that doesn’t really have a drinking culture. I was part of Student Radio (87.7 BailriggFM), and we didn’t go out to get hammered at all during Fresher’s Week. If you do sport, you won’t spend much time in the pub.
* Remember- you do not have to do anything that you really do not want to do. You do not have to be friend’s with drunks. In fact, most people I knew really didn’t drink at all.
* Hate clubbing? Don’t go. No-one will mind, and the ones that do are not your friends.
* Most people spend the next 3 years at University, avoiding the friends they made at Fresher’s Week, because they are embarrassed. Most, but not all, real friendships occur afterwards. I found one of my best friends when we were fed up with the dance music in the student bar during Fresher’s Week.
* Don’t put yourself under so much pressure. Just have fun.

You might want to at least give going out a try as it definitely helps in making friends during freshers. As for the whole embarrasing yourself on the dancefloor thing, everyone’s going to be drunk and no-one’s going to care what you’re doing. On the plus side for not going out, you’ll definitely save a lot of money. In the end though, it’s all coming from a loan which you’ll have to pay back either way so you might as well just spend it.