Don’t Let Your Drinking Do the Thinking:
Safe Party Tips to Kick off the School Year
Welcome Back to Campus! 🏫
As you’re settling in, you’re probably going down the list making sure you brought everything you need for a successful 2025-2026 school year.
📓 Textbooks? Check.
💻 Laptop? Check.
🍜 Instant Noodles? Check.
🍻 Alcohol? Double Check.
Parties on and around campus are going to start coming up, maybe you’ve already been to a couple, or maybe you’re planning on hosting your own. Whatever the case, don’t let your drinking do your thinking. Here are 5 tips to party hard, and party smart.
1. Trust your Gut ⏱️🚗
Plan Your Ride Home
Before attending any party, ensure you have an exit plan. If you are off campus, make sure you sort out how you’re getting home before the night begins. If you are not staying the night, always make sure you have a designated driver, or plan to take transit or an uber.
Having an exit plan isn’t just important for when the party’s over. If you feel like you are in an unsafe or uncomfortable situation, trust your gut! Having a plan means partying with ease knowing that you can leave whenever you want or need to and nothing is holding you back.
2. Don’t Drink on an
Empty Stomach 😖
Those instant noodles you packed are about to come in handy. We’ve all been guilty of it, drinking on an empty stomach so you can feel a quick buzz with less booze. However, this is a surefire way to end up going overboard before you’re even done pre-gaming.
Make sure you eat before the party begins and that you’re munching on unsalted snacks throughout the night. Having a bite to eat before slamming back a shot will ensure the alcohol absorbs into your bloodstream slowly, reducing your risk of intoxication and hangovers the next day. Enjoy your night and be able to attend your 9am lecture the day after. It’s a win/win!
3. Bring A Friend 🫂
Use the Buddy System
When at any party, whether at a house, dorm, or a bar, make sure you know (and trust!) at least a couple of other people who are going to be there.
Especially important for larger parties where you don’t know most of the people there, partying with friends you know you can count on, and who can count on you, ensures your night out is not only fun but also safe!
4. Stay out of the Jungle (Juice) 🥤
While that witches brew looking concoction on the kitchen counter may look enticing, do you really know what’s in it or how strong it is?
Unless you were there and watching while the jungle juice was being made, stick to unopened, bottled, or canned drinks to make sure you always know what’s in your cup.
5. Don’t Be Afraid to Say No 🚨
You do not have to drink if you don’t want to! Being sober at a party can be just as fun, if not more, as you can still enjoy the atmosphere while being fully present. No need to worry about a designated driver, spiked drinks, nasty hangovers, or embarrassing moments ending up on social media the next morning.
Nobody will be mad at you if you want to stay sober, but if you are worried about what others may think, pour your non-alcoholic drink into a cup or say you already pre-gamed and don’t want to overdo it.
Most people will be too focused on their own cup to worry about what’s in yours, enjoy your night, your way!
Partying in university and college is part of the experience, and let’s be honest, of course you want to go!
So go, enjoy your night and have fun, but keep these tips in mind so that your next party experience will be a safe and positive one.
