Surviving A College Party

Even if this is your first year attending college, you have probably already been to a party where alcohol is being served.  Whether or not you drink, alcohol is a huge factor at college parties.  It can turn your quiet-mannered, shy roommate into a belligerent monster.  It can make your conservative best friend a total flirt.  And worst of all, it can make anyone incredibly ill.  If you happen to find yourself at a party where everyone around you is drunk, it can be very uncomfortable.  This doesn’t mean that you can’t have a good time with your friends; you just need to know how to manage the situation.

If you don’t feel comfortable with drinking, don’t feel forced to play a round of flip cup or beer pong with your friends. If you still want to have fun with the group and play a drinking game, just fill your cup with water or soda and play with your own non-alcoholic beverage.  Don’t feel intimidated by others to engage in anything with which you are not comfortable.  Remember, you can leave the party at any time. 
Dancing is also an integral part of the college party experience.  Just because everyone around you has a belly full of alcohol does not mean that they magically transform into excellent dancers.  People-watching at parties can be a sort of sporting event.  Grab a seat and count the number of truly terrible dance moves you see.  Trust me, there will be many.  Don’t hesitate to jump in and dance either.  Even if you are an awful dancer, no one will notice or care, so get your groove on!

As the party winds down, you may notice that your wingman is a little bit wobbly.  If you think your friend is dangerously intoxicated, call campus security immediately!  Your friend may initially be angry for having been reported to the authorities, but in the long term she will be incredibly grateful.  I would always rather have an angry best friend than a horribly sick, or even worse, dead best friend. 
 
All of this information may be a little bit intimidating, but hopefully you won’t have to deal with any of these unfortunate situations.  If you do, just stay calm and take things step by step to ensure the safety of you and your group of friends.  Follow these rules and I guarantee you will have a successful college party experience!