So what do you do when you’re no longer a Fresher? When ‘Cheesy Tuesdays’ has lost its appeal, and Rococos is suddenly no longer an option? You move on, and welcome the world of house parties. Yeah, sure, you’ve done it all before… But this time, it’s in a grim student house with more freedom, and absolutely no parents to set a curfew or any rules.
Don’t forget though, when attending someone else’s house party there are always a few unwritten rules, or rather guidelines, which are best to just bear in mind for a somewhat more successful night.
1. BYOB – Bring Your Own Booze. Sure, some top hosts may provide a little, but don’t expect their student budgets to stretch all that far. ‘Sharing is caring’ but don’t be a drink-shark, they have already (foolishly) let you loose in their house, so don’t overestimate their generosity. You’ll end up sober, out of place, and slightly unwanted.
2. DON’T be ‘That Guy’. There is always someone who is far too drunk, someone who takes it too far, and who spends the night really getting to know the toilet bowl, blocking it for anybody who has ‘broken the seal’. If you are the one to trash the house, or indeed the bathroom, chances are if the hosts ever have another party, your name might just be ‘accidentally forgotten’ from the guest list.
3. DO socialize! Get to know as many new people as possible. They are all potentially great new friends, and potential hosts of great parties. Though, don’t be surprised if a few people disappear upstairs together. One of the best rules to always abide by is to never open a closed door, because you never know what you might find on the other side… And, even if it’s not what you’re thinking, it may just be another house-mate avoiding the fun, trying to get a little shut-eye which your drunk self will have just ruined.
4. DON’T hog the speakers. Give everyone a chance to be the DJ. You may love your own iPod but I guarantee not everyone will, and the more drunk you get the more questionable your music taste will be.
5. DO be the host. Surrounded by friends and alcohol without even having to leave your lounge sounds like the student dream right? Oh, and you get left with all the cleaning, the drunks who passed out in your kitchen, and you have to live with the smell for a week. On second thoughts, maybe you should GO to a house party and DON’T be the host!
And finally, we’ve all seen Project X, so just a quick word if you don’t take my last piece of advice… If you do end up as the host, DON’T make it an open event on Facebook, that is if you ever want to see any of your house deposit again.