Ah, formal. It is the best of times and the worst of times. Some of us don’t even remember formal, but that is what Snapchat stories are for. Between finding a date, a dress and concocting other very strategic plans, formal can be a very stressful time.
You spend two weeks promising your friends that you will diet with them, when in reality you are binge eating cheese balls at 2 a.m. When the time comes to squeeze into that dress you spent all of your Chipotle fund on (what a shame), you realize spanx is going to be your new best friend. Hello wedgie, goodbye love handles.
In actuality, formals are awesome. You have the opportunity to come together with your sisters, and for one night guys from all different fraternities unite for the sake of free booze and fake tanned girls in their short Tobi dresses. Here are five ways to make sure your formal is a successful one.
1. Take someone you know.
Freshman year, I made the mistake of taking someone I had never met before. He spent the night talking to his buddy, and I spent the night on the dance floor with a warm bud light (the only date I will ever need). When you take someone you know, it is ensured you will have a good time and a fun night with no awkward silences or pressure to do anything you don’t want to do.
2. Eat dinner before the pre-game. Seriously.
"I just really need to fit into my dress." It won't matter what you look like in your dress if there is puke on it at the end of the night. Be smart and eat something before you go out. Hell, eat a C-Store sub beforehand -- spend meal points instead of cash for dinner, ja feel?
3. Just because it is a special occasion does not mean your tolerance has changed.
People often believe that just because it is formal or Little 5 they can drink way more than usual. No, you cannot. Your tolerance is still the same as it was last week. Whether you are a two beer queer, or you drink like a sailor, be mindful of how much you are consuming.
4. Do not be afraid to actually dance!
I am not saying to pull a Miley and start twerking on the wall, but do not be that one friend who is not willing to let loose. You only have four years to go to as many formals as you can so you might as well dance.
5. Always order the shirt.
It's not like you have enough already, right?
Whether it is your own formal, or someone else’s, remember that it is okay to have fun, but be sure to get on the bus!
