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How to be Safe at College Parties (and Still Have Fun)

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at South Carolina chapter.

Here’s the deal, college parties can get pretty crazy…every time you think you’ve seen it all, you’re proven wrong. Just trust us. So follow these tips and tricks to navigate the typical (which really means unpredictable) college party safely, all while still having a kick ass time!

1. Uber

It’s been said before, but needs to be said again, don’t drink and drive. It’s not safe for you or anyone around you and it’s definitely not cool. Ubers do cost money, but you can get free rides with all the promo codes, including one created specifically for you! Send the code to your friends and everyone who uses it to sign up will get a free ride. Once they use their free ride, you get one too! Sistas gotta help each other out! Whatever you do, plan your night around getting to and fro safely.

2. Don’t Set Your Drink Down

Everyone has heard this one before, but seriously don’t leave your drink unattended. Some parties can be sketchy and yes, there are people who might slip something into your drink. If you set it down, get a new one!

3. Count

Monitor how much you’re drinking. By keeping track of your consumption, you’ll begin to understand your limits. If possible, have a friend around to let you know when it’s time to stop, do the same for them. You can still have fun, even when you’re responsible.

4. Water

Hydration is key! Alcohol dehydrates you, so drink water before, as well as during the party (don’t forget to chug some before bed too). It’s good for you and you’ll probably be less hungover in the morning.

5. Find a Buddy

Make sure you’re with people you trust. Always keep an eye on your crew; using the buddy system can prevent the various awful things that can happen at a party. Friends are fun to be around anyway, so this one’s a win-win.

6. Never Drink the Punch

Don’t drink anything out of a bathtub either.

7. Know How Far You’re Willing to Go

You know yourself better than anyone else and you know what you want. Remember: consent is a clearly spoken yes and it cannot be gained while under the influence. Don’t do anything, or let anyone do anything, without consent from both parties.

8. Don’t Take Candy from Strangers

If you don’t know exactly what someone is offering you, do not take it. This is exactly like what your parents told you when you were younger: don’t take candy from strangers…except in this case candy = drugs.

9. Don’t be That Person

If you go to a party completely sober, you’re most likely going to want to catch up to everybody else’s drunken state. Don’t do it, you’ll probably end up way drunker than anyone else. To help avoid being that person, make sure you’ve had food and water—eat your bread!

You don’t have to make a total fool of yourself to have fun at a party…or drink so much that you won’t even remember it, so go out and enjoy your night!

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Sarah Justus

South Carolina

I like mac and cheese, coffee, and cats
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SC Contributor

South Carolina