Whether you went out in high school or not, going out in college will still be a completely unique experience. You are most likely exploring an unfamiliar area where you have no perception of how long it takes to get from place to place, how long you are going to want to stay out, or what inconveniences are most likely to arise. Without knowing exactly what to expect, it becomes impossible to have an idea of what you are going to regret leaving home. While you cannot predict the exact events of each night out, you can gather a few essentials to make it just a little bit more enjoyable.Â
I will start off with what to throw in your purse before you head out. Since we are on this note – it is probably best to make sure you bring a purse out that is not your most prized possession. I have heard so many stories of purses being ruined or lost or simply gross (I will explain that later) due to a night out. Every item that leaves your room may not return in its exact condition. Save any designer purses for a nice dinner or a corporate job.Â
Water – A simple and probably repetitive answer, but it remains important nonetheless. Most people do not drink enough water on a day-to-day basis, so might as well take the chance to make sure you are hydrated when going out. Dancing, jumping, and a LOT of walking are all common attributes of a regular night out, meaning it is easy to become dehydrated really quickly. The water bottles at clubs are usually expensive, when they are the exact same ones you could get in a value pack. Even if they do not let you bring it inside the club, hydrate on the half hour trip (or longer) there, especially if they have spacious bathrooms where you will not have to worry about waiting in line once you arrive.Â
Plastic garbage bag – The goal with this one is to never need it for YOURSELF; it is important to treat your body well when going out and to know your limits. However, the reality is that someone in your vicinity at any time in the night may need something to avoid getting sick all over the uber or in someone’s purse. I once had a friend get sick, stone cold sober, from chugging too much orange soda when playing a game of cup pong. Some of us have sensitive, unpredictable stomachs that get upset no matter what we consume. If someone on the bus near you or on the train says they are starting to feel nauseous, hand them this bag and proceed to take care of them/make sure they have someone to look after them. As much as everyone wants to avoid it, getting suddenly sick does happen in both environments including drinking and not including it, which is why it is important to be prepared.Â
Condoms – So many colleges give RAs and other community workers condoms to literally hand out for free. I have seen them placed for people to grab in bathrooms and lounges. For many people, nights of going out are exactly what they are intended for. Even if you are not planning on hooking up with someone that night, throw a couple in your purse in case anyone around you needs them. Everyone is at college for their own personal goals and aspirations, and it is important to avoid being sidetracked by the consequences of unprotected sex.Â
Hand sanitizer – even at the clubs that have decent bathrooms, it is unlikely that they will have hand soap, and most people I have gone out with do not even look for soap in the frat bathrooms. One of my friends always has hand sanitizer in her purse that she shares with everybody after our bathroom breaks. There are already a lot of unhygienic aspects about college that are extremely hard to avoid, so force yourself to take advantage of the things you can control.Â
I remember having no concept of what to wear when going out at the beginning of freshman year, and even after I learned, I felt as though I still had nothing to pick out of my closet. After spending several weekends going out, and experiencing many different weather circumstances, here are the wardrobe staples to incorporate into your night-out outfit.Â
Fleece-lined tights – I have a past of HAVING to wear tights as a dancer, so I totally understand why people are hesitant to ever incorporate them into their outfits. They are uncomfortable, hard to put on, and extremely fragile. There has been a new type of tights that has become more popular in recent years, which includes a layer of fleece inside, making them feel like regular leggings. They are way more comfortable than denim, which is saying something as someone who wears jeans every day. It is easy to throw a pair of shorts or a skirt over them, and they go with any type of boot. They will keep your legs warm on those winter outings, alongside elevating your overall outfit. Because of their comfort, they aregreat to incorporate into your everyday style, especially in the fall and winter.Â
Old/Worn Boots – My mom has a fixation on boots. Her closet is filled with them after collecting them over the years, and every now and then she sets aside the ones that she never wears anymore. I came across several pairs that she had set aside in my basement, and after going through them, I picked out at least three that I plan on wearing when I get back to school. If you do not have someone you know who’s closet you can go through, take a trip to a thrift store and see what shoes they have. Like I mentioned before, anything that leaves your room on a night out may not be in the same conditions when it returns, ESPECIALLY shoes. Even the cheapest pair of new boots are still pretty pricey. Look for ones that someone else did not want, because it will add to your outfit without breaking your bank account.Â
Well-loved jacket – this one is for anyone in an area notorious for its winters like myself. Jackets are a going out necessity. There is nothing fun about spending 20 minutes walking on icy streets in the middle of winter wearing SOLELY tank tops and tiny skirts. Jackets get a bad reputation when people think of going out, because they would be especially inconvenient to lose. Similar to what I said about boots, find a jacket that you would not mind losing if you are going somewhere with no coat check. It does not even have to be a big bulky one, just something to cover your bare arms in sub-zero temperatures and keep you just a little bit warm. It will make the night so much more enjoyable because you will not be constantly dreading the walk back to the bus stop or train station.Â
The sole purpose of a night out is to have a good time, and it is much easier to do so when little stressors are eliminated. Get ready with friends, go out, sing and dance, and hopefully at least one of these essentials comes in clutch along the way.Â