When you’re a kid, one of the highlights of the year was getting to go out trick-or-treating on Halloween and pigging out on the collected candy. (Actually, that might still be the highlight of your year, even now that you’re in college. We don’t judge. We totally get it.)
Remember all those rules your parents laid out for you when you were getting ready to go out? It can be surprising to see how many of those rules still apply, even if they apply for slightly different reasons. You’re off at college now, so since your parents aren’t there to remind you, I’ll do it for them:
- Stick with friends. When you were younger, your parents told you this because they were nervous a creep would try to take you. This still applies for college students, especially ladies. If you’re planning on walking to a nearby party, have a friend walk with you, or at least be talking to somebody on the phone with you as you walk there.
- Be especially careful if you wear all black. The real fun on Halloween starts after the sun goes down, both for kids and adults. And this means that when you’re walking around at night, people have difficulty seeing you. Yes, I know you look great in that witch costume, or yes, you make an adorable black cat, but as good as you look, your all-black costume means even the most vigilant drivers might not see you right away. So be really careful if you’re walking somewhere in black, especially if you have to cross a street.
- Dress comfortably. While we’re on the topic of costumes, I should remind you that while a lot of costumes look great, they’re not the most comfortable things to wear. So if you plan on being out for a while, make sure you’ll be able to wear your outfit for that long. Not much is worse than wearing something uncomfortable and not being able to change.
- Don’t smash pumpkins. A lot of parents warn their kids to not be punks, and that still applies. Don’t be that person. It takes a lot of effort to make a great jack-‘o-lantern. Even if it’s not carved, don’t smash someone’s pumpkin. It’s mean and stupid and it makes you a word I’m not allowed to use in this article.
- Don’t stay out too late. When you were a kid, your parents told you this to make sure you still got a good night’s sleep before school the next day. Alas, that still applies to us. Being in college means we have to be adults and stick to our obligations even if Halloween is the day before. Halloween’s on a Thursday this year, so while you might want to party all night long, if you have Friday classes, plan accordingly. Otherwise, this might be you:
- You can have too much of a good thing. Lots of kids get stomachaches on Halloween from too much candy. Lots of college kids get stomachaches from too much alcoh—I mean, soda. Sorry, Mom, slip of the tongue. (But seriously, be careful if you have a few drinks on Halloween. Be smart, don’t drive, have water to balance it out, etc. You know the drill.)
Halloween is a great time. It’s considered by many to be the best time of the year. (Sorry, Christmas. You’re fun, too.) Just be safe while you’re out and about. Gotta make sure our readers stay safe!