The unglamorous reality of university life is often masked by freshers’ week hype and Instagram highlights. But uni students know the necessity of fluffy socks, keeping the hot oven open and nicking sauce sachets from your local pub as these are all too familiar ways students get by on a budget. But with societies being one of the easiest ways to meet likeminded people at uni, is there an overwhelming cost – not least on your wallet, but also your energy and wellness?
More than a membership fee
When joining a society, the initial £5–£20 join fee feels innocent enough. The hidden expenses, however, quickly accumulate. If you’re sporty, you’ll know the sneaky costs of kit, transport and all those meal deals you get for away days. When this is paired with the cost of a weekly social, often including a bar crawl of some kind, it all mounts up. On the surface, you might have one pint after the game, and then a couple drinks at the bar, but that midnight kebab or taxi fare can be a stealthy extra cost that easily mounts up week after week.
And the even more taboo cost, is on your mind, the FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) you might feel if you decide your bank account really won’t put up with another £20 social night means you might miss out on inside jokes, making friends and getting to know your uni city.
Always on
University is one of the few times in life where you live, study, and party in the exact same environment with the exact same people.
For introverts and neurodivergent people, constantly being surrounded by flatmates, coursemates and society members can exhaust your social battery, especially as a first year when you want to always be on your “best behaviour” among your new friends. When balancing this mental toll with the academic pressure of uni, with looming assignment deadlines, that mental load doubles. The guilt that comes with missing lectures for sports or committee roles can feel overwhelming.
The Wellness and Health Cost
Late night socials and 9am lectures compound into chronic fatigue. And I’m afraid no amount of Red Bull can combat this. While non-alcoholic socials are growing in popularity, drinking culture remains heavily embedded in most UK universities, from post-match pub trips to lengthy bar crawls. I’m not here to lecture anyone but we all know how a sickly stomach or a dodgy headache can feel after a heavy night, especially at a Thursday 9am lecture.
But you can balance!
It’s actually not impossible to find that balance, though granted, it takes a bit of trial and error to get there.
Keeping your wallet healthy:
Set a Dedicated “Fun Budget”: Allocate a non-negotiable cash or separate account limit for socialising each week. Once it’s gone, switch to free activities, think of activities organised by your Students Union, walks with friends or Parkrun.
Opt for Give-It-A-Go Events: Many societies offer free taster sessions or low-cost daytime events (like coffee mornings or board game nights) that don’t involve pricey nightouts.
Propose Budget-Friendly Alternatives: Suggest host-at-home potluck dinners, movie nights in common rooms, or library study sessions instead of pub outings.
Keeping your body healthy:
Audit Your Societies: Pick one or two clubs that truly bring you joy rather than signing up for six out of guilt or impulse.
Normalize Saying No: A simple “I’m taking a quiet night to recharge/catch up on sleep, but catch you next week!” sets healthy boundaries without burning bridges.
Schedule Non-Social Downtime: Treat time alone—whether reading, watching a show, or taking a walk—as a scheduled appointment that cannot be cancelled.
Keep moving: When you’re emotionally burnt out, it’s easy to hide under the covers with a new Netflix movie, and while I’m a huge advocate for that sometimes, it’s vital to get yourself outside for some Vitamin D, fresh air and to stay fit regardless of your energy levels.
