Freshers’ Week and Late Nights with T1D
Freshers’ Week is a wild mix of meeting new people, exploring your new city, and figuring out how to survive on instant noodles. Nights out, late nights and the chaos of university life can be amazing- but when you’ve got T1D, there’s a bit of extra planning involved.
No worries, though! With the right approach, you can enjoy uni life to the fullest while keeping your blood sugars in check. Here’s your ultimate guide to handling Freshers’ Week, nights out and those inevitable late-night study sessions like a pro.
Step 1: Conquering Freshers’ Week with T1D
Freshers’ Week is intense- late nights, new routines, unpredictable eating- all things that can send your blood sugars on a rollercoaster. But a little planning will help you stay in control while still having an amazing time.
Top Tips for Surviving Freshers’ Week:
Tell your new friends/ flatmates about your diabetes- They don’t need a full biology lesson, but letting them know means they can help if you have a hypo
Always carry glucose & snacks- Late nights and long days mean unexpected hypos. Stock up on jelly babies, glucose tabs and cereal bars
Keep a visible hypo stash in your room- You don’t want to be searching for sugar in the dark at 3 AM
Set alarms for insulin & blood sugar checks- With a changing schedule, it’s easy to forget. If you use a CGM (Freestyle Libre, Dexcom), set alerts.
Pro Tip: If you’re doing any Freshers’ Week activities like pub crawls, sports trials or city tours, check your levels before, during and after to stay on top of things.
Step 2: Handling Nights Out & Drinking with T1D
A big part of university life is going out, socialising and (if you drink) figuring out how alcohol affects your blood sugar.
How Alcohol Affects Blood Sugar
Spirits (vodka, gin, rum, whiskey)- Zero carbs, but can cause hypos later
Beer & Cider- Higher in carbs, can cause initial spikes, then drops
Wine- Moderate carbs, can be unpredictable
Cocktails & alcopops- High sugar, high spike, followed by a crash (approach with caution!)
How to Drink Safely with T1D
Never drink on an empty stomach- Eat slow-release carbs before going out to help avoid hypos
Pace yourself- Alcohol affects everyone differently, but for diabetics, it can lower blood sugar for up to 12 hours after drinking
Keep testing- It’s easy to confuse being tipsy with having a hypo, so test regularly
Tell your friends- Make sure someone knows you have diabetes in case of a bad hypo
Set alarms for overnight checks- Alcohol can cause delayed hypos, so set an alarm for the middle of the night to check
Carry hypo treatments & wear a medical ID- A bracelet, card or even a note on your phone can help in an emergency
Pro Tip: If you inject insulin or use a pump, you might need to adjust your doses. Some people reduce their long-acting insulin slightly if they’re drinking, but always check with your diabetes team first.
Step 3: Late-Night Food & Managing Post-Night Out Blood Sugars
After a night out, the classic student move is hitting a kebab shop or ordering a 2 AM Domino’s. But how do you balance that with diabetes?
Best Late-Night Snack Options for Blood Sugar Control
Pizza or toast- Carbs + fat = slow-release energy to help prevent hypos overnight
Wraps over burgers- Less grease, more balanced carbs
Nuts or cheese- Good protein option if you’re high and don’t need more carbs
Banana with peanut butter- a good hypo-prevention snack before bed
What to Avoid
Massive carb-heavy meals before bed- If you’re already running high, this can make it worse
Super sugary drinks after alcohol- Can cause unpredictable spikes and crashes
Pro Tip: Test before bed and if you’re in range but had alcohol, have a small slow-release snack to help keep you stable overnight.
Step 4: Managing Late Nights & All-Nighters
Whether it’s a big night out or an all-nighter for an essay deadline, late nights can mess with your blood sugar.
How Lack of Sleep Affects Diabetes
Increases insulin resistance- You might notice higher morning blood sugars after a late night
Makes blood sugars less predictable- Stress, caffeine and a lack of routine can cause spikes or drops
Leads to more snacking- When you’re tired, your body craves quick energy (a.k.a. sugar), which can lead to high blood sugar
How to Handle It
Check blood sugars more often- Especially during long study sessions
Avoid excessive caffeine- It can spike blood sugar and make insulin resistance worse
Plan your snacks- Protein + slow carbs (nuts, oat bars) help avoid sugar crashes
If you’re exhausted, get some sleep! No grade is worth messing up your health
Pro Tip: If you have a morning lecture after a late night, check your levels before leaving- nobody wants a hypo mid-class.
Final Thoughts: You Can Still Have Fun with Diabetes!
Freshers’ Week, nights out and late nights are a big part of the uni experience. T1D doesn’t mean you have to miss out- you just need to plan ahead, stay aware and look after yourself.
Quick Recap:
Tell your flatmates & friends about your diabetes
Always carry glucose & test regularly on nights out
Eat before drinking & have a snack before bed
Set alarms to check blood sugar after drinking
Look after yourself during late nights- sleep matters!
University is about having fun, gaining independence and making the most of your time. With a few smart diabetes hacks, you can do all of that without letting T1D hold you back.
Now go and enjoy uni life- you’ve got this!