I brushed on the subject of the student stereotype in one of my earlier blogs, saying that there is a general feeling among non-academics that students are lazy, drunk, beans-on-toast-eating, soap dodging, drug-dustbins. I asked why it is that we are happy both to live down to that stereotype it and to not try to disprove it.
We are educated, or at least being educated, people and we should know a lot better than we make out.
I'm an old fogey compared to most people on my course (I'm 25), so maybe I'm a little more hurt by that criticism, but I can't help thinking that it doesn't do anyone any good if we're running around shirtless in December with "PORTSMOUTH UNIVERSITY RUGBY TEAM: I LOVE COCK" written in permanent marker across our backs in Guildhall Square at three in the morning, while singing songs about doing unspeakable things to our team-mates.
There are, it must be said, many elements in the student body that are responsible for encouraging binge-drinking and hooliganism and, lets be honest here, the sportos are one of the biggest. Of course, the bars and clubs don't help matters with their low price alcohol offers. I've been to clubs where it's cheaper to buy alcopops than it is to drink soft-drinks!
I've done a lot of thinking about causes for the stereotypical student behaviour, and I think a lot of it is the sense of freedom that first-years have, that makes them want to drink unpleasant cocktails to the point of vomiting, then get stoned out of their trees, coupled with the "expectations" that they have of university life.
I on't want to attack anyone's lifestyle or their enjoyment, but we need to address for ourselves the damaging aspects of student culture. Encouraging excess and recklessness does't do the University or the Union's reputations any good. I think that we should be shouting more about our socially responsible achievements, like our ViP programme and our political activism. These activities show that we are socially aware, and of course we have our wonderful PUGWASH Media, which has done lots for the Union's communication and letting students find out about what's going on in their university.
All I'm saying is we need to look at our attitudes and what we value about our Union and our Uni. Take pride in what you do!
