Although UNCC isn't reputed for being a party school, us Niners do know how to throw down. Parties here aren't extremely popularized: you have to find them. The best way to find parties are to be involved in Greek life, be friends with a Greek, go off campus to the apartment complexes, or just be open and ask around. For some freshmen this year, they have attended their first major college parties. Here are some do's and don't when it comes to partying, UNCC edition!
1. DO try to find parties off campus. Whether it be at a frat house off campus or an apartment party, partying off campus is less risky. Campus police seem to be all over at night, so be careful and smart, especially if you have to return to campus after a night out.
2. DO stick with your friends and people you know. Parties are a great way to meet new people, but be aware of your surroundings. Initially, stick with your squad, and then branch out once you have a "feel" of who you're around.
3. DO assign a friend to the "mom." I'm the self-proclaimed "cool mom" of my group of friends. I'll let them have fun and go crazy, but I'll still watch my babies to make sure everyone has a safe night. If no one in the group wants to "mom," at least make sure you and your friends watch out for each other! Make sure you keep tabs on where everybody is. It seems like someone always tends to go missing, try to not let that happen!
4. DON'T feel obligated to do anything you don't want to. College is a place of self-exploration, but that doesn't equal drinking and experimenting with drugs. If something feels wrong, don't do it! If being somewhere feels wrong, leave! Don't let others tell you what to do or pressure you.
5. DO know your limits. You don't want to be the girl who throws up multiple times in the night because "the vodka started to taste like water" and ultimately needs someone to carry her around and clean up her mess. Don't be that girl.
6. DO pregame, but also bring some alcohol to parties. The party you go to may not have the drinks you like, or they may run out. Most parties are BYOB because come on, most of us are broke college students, so come prepared. Bring a water bottle as well. Stay hydrated!
7. DON'T drink the party juice unless you watch it be made. You don't want to wake up naked and in some strange location.
8. DO bring tampons (if you're a girl), cash and gum. Always. You'll probably crave some CookOut after partying, so have cash on you! If you or a friend throw up, the gum will come in handy. Also always carry a tampon around because someone will probably need it.
9. DON'T get caught by the cops. If you didn't do anything "bad," then you'll be fine in front of the cops. If you did drink or "engage in risky behavior" and the cops show up, you have to flee or hide. I would recommend running as far as you can from the party location, hiding until the coast is clear, then escape back to your place.
10. DO have a designated driver. The greatest words of wisdom a friend once told me were, "Things I have zero tolerance for: cheating AND DRUNK DRIVING!" Needless to say, it's stuck with me. Never let someone who's been drinking, even if it wasn't that much, drive. If no one can drive, just call an Uber. There are tons of free codes you can find on the Internet.
11. DON'T be on your phone the whole time. You're at a party; this is physical social interaction. It's fine to Snapchat every now and then, or text your friends to make sure you know where they are, but don't be that person who's on their phone the entire night.
12. DO dress nicely, but not impractically. Have a nice mix of cute and comfortable. Also, don't wear clothes that are too nice, because they'll probably get dirty somehow.
Now go crazy, enjoy yourself, and most importantly, stay safe!
