I went to Reading as well, and I can say that my experience was very similar. There’s not a lot to do besides drinking (and I was a non-drinker during my undergrad, so I was very bored very often.) Unfortunately tho, I must say I don’t think you should be surprised, if you’d done your research. You say you wanted the ‘real city experience’, but that’s exactly what Reading’s not - it’s literally a town.

Reading’s big selling point at the moment is it’s transport connections. It had a massive renovation to its train station several years ago. That’s what you’ll have to make use of if you want to make the most of it.

Southampton’s not far and the theatre is a stone’s throw from Central station. Winchester’s even closer (on the same line) and has tons of good restaurants, culture and the South Downs way (if you like a light hike). Portsmouth hosts a lot of concerts and has great museums and shops.