Since the school year is starting soon, I thought I would write a comprehensive guide on partying in college. This guide will highlight some do's and don’ts. I’m pretty seasoned when it comes to partying, so this comes from my experience. This article is relevant for incoming freshman, returning students who have never partied before, and alumni who want to reminisce about the glory days.
Getting Started
Assuming you are an incoming freshman, the easiest way to get invited to a party is to be a potential prospect for a fraternity or sorority. Greek parties vary from organization to organization, but they are always fun. As you go on through the school year and create more connections, the likelihood of you partying during the weekend goes up. Also, pro tip: you don’t have to party. I feel like there is a freshman misconception that you have to party, but you really don’t. There are plenty of other things you can do in your free time.
Alcohol
Not every party has alcohol, but it does play a role in most parties. My advice to first-time drinkers is to pace yourself and to learn how your body reacts to the alcohol. You might not feel anything and then it hits you all at once. If that happens, you are not going to have a good time. Once you know your limits, it is important to acknowledge that different types of alcohol will affect you differently. I’m not just talking about varying alcohol content; even drinks with the same content will affect you differently. I can’t really talk much more about this since alcohol’s affects are relative to the user, but I just recommend that you always drink with good judgement. Also, don’t go to a party alone—always go with friends you trust! On another note, do not shame anyone who doesn’t drink. I personally hate it when I see people getting peer pressured into drinking. That is never cool.
Picking up People
The idea of picking up people at parties is romanticized and quite distorted by Hollywood. My advice is that you don’t go to a party with the intention of leaving with someone else. You should go to a party to have fun and unwind from the week. If you end up meeting someone who you think is special, then you should get their name and number, but I don’t recommend anything much more than that and talking. Another pro tip: guys frequently think that they are winning a girl over more than they really are. Guys, you might think she is super into you, but she might just be really nice and chill. Ladies, guys are generally overconfident and assume you are interested. I conclude that guys shouldn’t fear rejection, and ladies shouldn’t feel bad for rejecting a guy. By clearly communicating how you feel to the other person, everyone saves time.
Don’t go to a Party to be “Cool”
That is so high school. You should go to a party to have a good time. College is stressful, and sometimes you need an escape from reality to deal with all the existential dread that life has to offer. Just remember to always stay safe and live your life by your own rules, while still respecting everyone else's.
