With less than a month away, one of Penn State's most cherished events quickly approaches. Whether it be your first or last THON, the idea of dancing for 46 hours straight sounds daunting. Luckily for you, thousands of students have taken on the challenge before and are willing to help. Here are suggestions from past dancers to help you prepare for THON 2018.
1. Cut back on the caffeine.
As college students, we are almost dependent on coffee and sodas. It may even be a part of your daily ritual. However, getting by on caffeine for 46 hours is not a smart idea since it often comes with hard crashes. Don't go all cold turkey, but try to cut back. Do this with the hope that you will be off it entirely come dance time.
2. Cut back on sugar.
Similarly, sugar is famous for the inevitable crash. Cut back on the candies, sugary drinks, or anything that may be high in that sweet stuff.
3. Reduce alcohol use.
I know, I know, but going a couple weeks without a drink won't be as hard as you may think. Again, it's not a good idea for this to be your system with the marathon in sight. Trust us, it will do you a lot of good.
4. Get on a sleep schedule.
This is something that will help you in all aspects of college, but especially for the big dance. You will want to be well-rested, and getting the same amount of sleep every day will do you a lot of good to achieve that. Aim for 7-8 hours each night, which also means you will have to stop all cramming sessions on that important homework.
5. Try to hit the gym.
I'm not saying to pick-up cross fit, but getting a bit active will go a long way. Do some cardio, even if it is just the bike or rowing machine. An active lifestyle is always good, but especially for THON. Even if it's just 2-3 times a week, you'll be doing yourself a favor.
6. Invest in some new clothes.
Don't exactly go out and buy a whole new wardrobe, but nothing feels better than some new fresh clothes. This is especially true when it comes to your feet. A couple new pairs of socks will be your savior later. I know money is tight, but if you have any spare change, invest in a new pair of sneakers. From someone who danced all 46 hours in 3-year-old sneakers that were pretty worn out, trust me. That cushioning would have felt amazing. If you do this though, try to break them in a bit. That would also cause problems.
7. Start getting hyped and remember why you're dancing.
By now you're probably thinking that the task at hand sounds near impossible, especially with less than a month remaining. Fear not. You can do it; we all believe in you! THON is one of the greatest memories you will ever have. That being said, do some research and catch up on all those videos if you haven't already. Remember who you are dancing for; why we THON. Just like one anticipates a big sporting even, anticipate this. It's life-changing, and it's something truly special.
