Party 101

It’s the beginning of another semester, and for many of you, your first semester of college! I’m sure you’ve heard all about the interesting classes, numerous clubs and activities, and endless opportunities at your finger tips…but I know many of you are most excited to experience COLLEGE PARTIES, with loud music, dancing, booze and all!! 

 

Now, this may be your first time partying and drinking, or you may already feel like an “expert”, but for anyone going to a party, PERC (Peers Educating about Responsible Choices) has some tips and tricks for navigating college parties! We will take you step by step through a night of partying and show you how you can stay safe while having a fantastic time!  

 

• Eat before you drink. Having food in your stomach before you drink alcohol decreases your chance of getting sick! Certain foods that are high in carbs, fat, and protein are better to eat if you’re drinking because they help absorb the alcohol into your system. So don’t skip dinner–have a full meal.

• Stay Hydrated. Alcohol dehydrates your body, which causes painful headaches and hangovers. Bring water with you so that you can hydrate on something other than alcohol.

• Check your medications. Make sure you check your medication bottles, because any important alcohol related warnings will be listed on the bottle.

•Don’t mix Tylenol (acetominiaphen) with alcohol. Consuming Tylenol and alcohol will destroy your liver, so if you have a headache the night of a party, you are better off with ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).

 

• Don’t overdrink. Save some drinks for the party.

• Don’t get competative. Pregaming often involves showing off just how much liquor you can hold. Don’t get caught in this trap.

• Mixing alchols is not safer.  “Liquor before beer, never fear, Beer before liquor, never sicker” NOT TRUE! It isn’t the order you consume drinks that matters, but the total amount of alcohol that can make you sick!

• Don’t drink and drug. Mixing marijuana and alcohol is VERY DANGEROUS and the effects are unpredictable. Stick to one substance at a time.

 

• Travel with a buddy. You are less likely to get hurt when you’re in pairs

• Find a designated driver. Make sure you accept rides from sober friends. And if all your friends are drunk, don’t think you need to accept a ride from a stranger. Call the Brandeis escort service to get you and your friends home safely. It’s better to make the call then to be sorry later.

• Plan transportation before the party! Waiting until you’re drunk is not the best time to figure out how to get home.

 

• Keep an eye on your drink. Keep your hand over it and don’t leave it with anyone; someone could slip in more alcohol or drugs. It goes without saying that if you set your drink down or lose track of it for a bit, just get a new drink.

• Fake it. If you don’t want to drink, you can drink soda or water. Most parties will have mixeres along with alcohol, so don’t feel afraid just to drink those.

• One drink per hour. It takes the average woman one hour to metabolize one drink. So don’t go over that limit if you want to stay safe.

• Leave with your buddy.  If for some reason, you can’t find them, try to find them. Do not leave your buddy alone. Find another friend and search for your buddy together.

• Stay in contact.  If your plans change and you aren’t going to leave with your buddy, make sure to tell your budy face to face. Make sure your buddy has an alternate way home. Plan to text each other when you each get back so you know you’re both safe.

• Designated drivers. If you are leaving in a car, make sure that the driver is completely sober. Even if they “just had one drink”, there could have been six shots in their cup. You don’t know how much they’ve had unless they are completely sober. And if you are uncomfortable, go with your gut. Thank them but say you have another way home, then call Brandeis escort service.

• Stay hydrated. If you find yourself having to use the bathroom a lot after you’ve been drinking, it means your blood alcohol level is increasing, so you need lots of water.

• Sleep. The only way to sober up is time (not coffee or a cold shower). 

• In case of an emergency, seek help. Call BEMCo (781-736-3333) for a medical emergency on-campus or the Brandeis police for a safety concern! Safety is #1, and you will not get in trouble for calling BEMCo, even if you are drinking and underage. If you’re off-ampus and need immediate medical assistance, CALL 911.

 

By following these essential PERC party tips, you are guaranteed to have an incredible night to remember. STAY SAFE AND PARTY ON! 

If you have any questions, email PERC at percfellows@brandeis.edu, and like us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/percf…

 

This article was written in collaboration by Melissa Tannenbaum, Caitlin Buegeler, Rose Solomon, Janice Vasquez, Sabrina Libretti, Elise Stern, Melissa Sirt, Brandon Gale, and Lilah Kaminski