Dillo Day is no doubt one of the craziest days at Northwestern University. Students begin counting down the days to this music festival months in advance and wait for the precious weekend with bated breath. Dillo is where we can forget about midterms and finals for a full day and party into oblivion. Spring Quarter is often the hardest quarter. As the temperature gets warmer and more of your hometown friends start bragging about the freedom of summer, its difficult to stay focused on classes. Lucky for us, Dillo day is the perfect time to forget about everything that on your to-do list and immerse yourself in the wonders of a music festival on our very own campus. Although this day is one of the most special during the year, preparing for it can be tough. If you are a freshman, or even an upperclassman who still can’t seem to get the hang of this weekend, here are six things to do to prepare for the craziest weekend of campus.
1. Finish Your Homework and Studying
As we are going into week 9 of the quarter, there is no doubt tons of assignments on your plate. You will not be doing anything productive on Dillo day (and will probably be too busy nursing yourself back to sanity on Sunday), so the best thing to do is finish all your assignments and get started on studying for that Wednesday midterm before the weekend. Do not underestimate how little time you will have to complete your work.
2. Go to Sleep Early
Only a rookie thinks they can last the whole day without sleeping extra the night before. Friday night, make sure you go to sleep earlier than usual, because you will probably be waking up earlier than usual and will not be able to function for a full day without extra sleep.
3. Make a Food Plan
At around 1 or 2pm, you will suddenly realize you are starving, as will the entire rest of the campus. Postmates and other delivery services will be swamped and the likelihood of getting your food within the hour is less than you hope. Have a plan with your friends to order which foods at what time, and make one huge order together rather than ordering individually. This will keep the delivery on your side.
4. Hydrate
You will absolutely underestimate the amount of water you should drink this day. Standing out in the sun all day and walking back and forth from the lakefill to your friend’s apartment will take a toll on your wellbeing, and you will certainly not be sad you brought that extra water bottle with you.
5. Pack a Bag
Make sure you bring a suitable bag with you while in your travels. Don’t forget water, snacks, your phone, or (most of all) your Dillo wristband. Stashing away a pair of sunglasses, a hat, and some sunscreen will keep you protected during the daytime hours. Make sure to carry a backpack or a fanny pack, or something that you know you wont put down when going to get a drink and forget about it.
6. Download the Dillo App
If you are excited about seeing certain artists but not interested in listening to everyone who comes to play, download the Dillo app and make sure you have a plan with you friends so you know which times you need to be at the lake fill. Nothing is worse than waiting the whole day for a certain artist and then missing them because you forgot the schedule.