my son has just gone to York - he was always destined to go to Uni, its all he's ever wanted to do - I might add he IS a complete bookworm.
but a couple of my neighbours kids have also gone off to Cardiff, for no other reason than they don't know what else to do
so the answer to this is - its horses for courses - it will suit some (my son), its being used for the wrong purposes by others ie nothing else to do or just to go and "party"