A lot of people say that our college years will be the best 4 years of our lives, and while I canβt tell if theyβre right or wrong, since Iβm just a sophomore, Iβll just say that college is an amazing experience. Youβre not an adult with a lot of responsibilities yet, but youβre more independent than a high school kid. Thereβre so many things you will experience in college. I always say college is like riding a roller coaster, thereβre happy and fun moments, but thereβs also sad and stressful moments. Either way, one thing youβll surely experience are college parties. So, if you were curious about college parties, hereβs basically everything you need to know about them.
But first, letβs talk about college movies. We all have seen them, and one thing all of those movies have in common are the way college parties are shown. One thing we can take from college movies is that parties in college are supposed to be really wild. And while every college is different, most stuff you see in the movies is true, but thereβre also a bunch of exaggerations and things that are made up.
This post is about everything you need to know when partying in college, however thereβs nothing regarding what to wear to college parties. But donβt worry, Iβm working on it, so stay tuned, leave your email below to get a notification when the post is up.
General Info
- Every school can be a party school β Back in high school some people talk about party schools and how they want to go to one. But every school can be a party school. Donβt decide which school to attend based on how good and big the parties are.
- Going to parties is a great way to meet people β Not only will you have a lot of fun with your friends, but youβll make more friends. This will be your opportunity to talk to that guy whoβs in your class, or that girl who you see at the elevator every morning before going to class.
- You wonβt be outcasted if you donβt drink β Some people are scared of peer pressure and of being outcasted if they donβt drink. But college is different from high school, not everyone drinks and those who drink donβt judge those who donβt. So donβt be scared and donβt feel like you have to drink to fit in. Also, if you experience peer pressure, donβt give in, donβt do something you donβt want to.
- You donβt have to be in greek life to have fun β Iβm in a sorority and I go to a lot of parties and have a lot of fun with my sisters and friends. And I also have friends that arenβt in greek life, but have a lot of fun and maybe even party harder than me. So, you definitely donβt have to be in greek life to have lots of fun!
Type of parties
First things first, these are some parties youβll experience during your time in college. This are parties where people get together dance and have fun!
Frat parties
Frat parties are probably the most common parties in college. And theyβre so much fun. theyβre very similar to those parties shown in movies. Thereβre people dancing, and groups of people just talking and drinking.Β Frat parties normally have a theme, like Hawaiian, neon and so many other possible themes. Frats normally let girls into their parties easily, but sometimes thereβs a list. And in order to let a guy (whoβs not a brother) he has to have friends in the frat.
If you want to know more about frat parties, this post: A freshman girlβs guide to frat parties has some super useful tips!
A misconception I had before going to college was that all frat brothers were assholes and all they cared was partying, drinking and sex. And while that is true for some frat guys, obviously not every guy is like that. Frat guys (some) do care about school and they might even miss their own parties to study for an exam. Shocker, right? So donβt go to college with the wrong mindset that frat boys are just party animals and fuckboys, cause that isnβt completely true β keep an open mind. BUT, be cautious at the same time so that you donβt get your heart broken.
House parties
Well, theyβre pretty much like any other house party. Thereβre drinks inside, people dancing, talking, flirting, doing what people do at parties: having fun!
Tailgates
Iβve personally never been to a tailgate party because Iβm not a huge sports fan. But tailgates are basically day parties before a football game. Thereβs sometimes food, thereβs a lot LOT of beer, thereβs good music and friends.
Bars
I know, I know, you need to be 21 to get into a bar, but some bars have 18+ some nights. You wonβt be allowed to buy any drinks, but at least you can get in, right? And we all know youβll figure it out anyways. Well, thereβs not a lot to say about bars, except that theyβre fun. Unlike frat parties or house parties, bars are a place where people get together, sit down and hangout while having some drinks. Depending on the bar, thereβre areas where you can dance, or just sit down and drink with friends. And unlike (some) frat parties, you can go to bar during the week, not just on the weekends. For example thereβs this bar thatβs 18+ on Thursdays, so literally everybody goes out that day.
But before you go to a bar for the first time, hereβre 10 things you should know.
Clubs
Okay, this is probably the least common way to party, at least during your first year of college. Clubs are a lot of fun, theyβre way bigger than college parties, theyβre often more crowded and people mainly dance. I personally love clubbing, itβs a lot of fun and itβs something different you can do on the weekends instead of going to frat party. Besides you get to dress up, put on a cute dress, cute high heels and take cute pictures.
Stay safe while partying
This was taken at my sororityβs halloween party and no i donβt even know what this costume isβ¦
Iβve previously written a more general guide to staying safe in college, you should totally read it. The tips below are about staying safe on a night out and I feel like every girl should read this! Keep in mind that underage drinking is illegal and you shouldnβt do it or at least donβt get caught. I know itβs college and no matter what I say or anyone says thereβs lots of drinking & drugs involved, so follow these tips to stay safe.
Have a group
Always go with a group of friends you trust to the party. Take care of each other and have lots of fun together.
Discuss the plan with your friends
You should alwaysΒ discuss the plan with your fiends. Here are some things that should be discussed before heading out.
- How are you getting there? How are you coming back? Are you walking, driving or calling an Uber?
- Are you pregaming or drinking there? If youβre going to drink.
- What to do if someone in your group has too much to drink?
- Tell your friends if you want to hook up with someone β Tell them so that they know youβll probably wonβt be going home with them.
- Make sure that you and your friends are on the same page β for example, what if you go to a party with just one friend and then your friend tells you she is going to spend the night with someone. What should you do? Make sure to be on the same page, so that you or your friend stay together. You want to avoid getting ditched. So that you donβt find yourself in a situation where youβll be heading home alone, which can be a dangerous.
Always watch your drink or make your own drink
To be on the safe side, you can always pregame or bring your own drinks. Because getting roofied is a real thing! Iβve heard so many stories of girls getting drugged and being taken advantage of, so, be careful. And always watch your drink. Watch when it is being poured and then keep an eye on it, never leave it unattended or with someone you just met.
Also, be careful with the jungle juice. Because you never know if someone slipped something sketchy onto it. And the thing about jungle juice is that it has a lot of alcohol but you can barely taste it. Which sounds like a good thing except that you donβt notice how much youβre drinking until suddenly you black out.
Know your alcohol limit
Iβve talked about this in a lot of other posts. If you donβt know your alcohol limit donβt try to find out at the first party you go to. That is just plain stupid and dangerous. Do it in a small get-together with friends you trust.
Other than that, just pace yourself at parties. You donβt want to drink too much and then end up throwing up, because thatβll suck for you and also for the person thatβll take care of you. Or if youβre planning to get very drunk just make a plan and ask a friend to take care of you and keep you from doing stupid things.
Guys Guys Guys
Something you should know before going to college parties, is that guys can be gross sometimes. Thereβre some guys that just randomly start to grind behind you. Also, thereβre guys thatβs just looking to hook up. And a lot of guys get horny when drunk and might get handy. So, if you find yourself in one of these situations, just walk away.
Always bring a condom or condoms in your bag
If youβre going out and want to hook up with someone just bring a condom with you just in case. Guys donβt always have condoms on them or maybe they ran out of condoms and forgot to buy more. Just keep one in your wallet or in your bag, maybe even in your pocket? Youβll save the night and also wonβt get pregnant or get any STDβs.
Donβt walk alone
Thereβre times where you just wonβt feel like partying and youβre going to want to go back to your dorm and thatβs totally okay. Some nights all you want to do is watch Netflix and go to sleep early. Just never ever walk back alone to your dorm, whether itβs just 10P.M or 3A.M. in the morning. That can be really dangerous. Get an Uber instead and always let your friends know where youβre going. Share your location and text them once you get there. That way if something happens to you, someone knows where you went and at what time.
Also, if your school offers transportation services take them. Mine had shuttles that would pick you up and take you home until 5am. Thatβs definitely safer than getting an Uber or Lyft.
Help others
And the last tip, that isnβt actually a tip: help others. If you see a girl all alone throwing up or laying on the floor, help her. If she doesnβt have any friends with her, be her friend. Call her roommate or figure out a way to take her home. If you ever find yourself in one of those situations where youβre just unconscious, way too drunk or where you passed out, youβll want someone to help you. Besides, girls have to stick together.
Well, I hope this tips help you or inform you! If you have any questions, donβt hesitate to ask! It doesnβt matter if they arenβt party-related, they can be about anything!
