Living in a college town, there are many traditions freshmen are excited about. Seeing the football games, going to their first party and rushing a sorority might be a couple of things that come to mind when gathering their list of college to-dos. But, there is one tradition that you might not be warned about —the frat daylongs.
The concept of drinking at a party around noon and continuing until sunset sounds great in theory. I mean, who would not like to party it up with friends and then get to go to bed nice and early? You would not expect it, but daylonging is actually grueling and can be hard to survive through, especially if your social battery is low. But, these tips will make the process more bearable and enjoyable.
Stay hydrated
At a typical big daylong where everyone is usually body to body and on their feet, it is easy to get dehydrated. Before attending, chug a bunch of water. This will also help you defeat a hangover from the drinks you will be having throughout the day.
Some people think that alcoholic drinks are enough to withstand dehydration, but they actually make you more parched. You also do not want to feel faint when in a crowd. That is arguably one of the worst feelings ever, so do yourself a favor and drink that water.
Stick with your group
I personally think daylongs are only enjoyable when you are surrounded by a group of people that you trust. Without that security, the daylong will not be enjoyable. Always be aware of your surroundings and openly communicate with your friend group about your whereabouts.
Get food
Since you are drinking all day, it is smart to leave the party, eat and then come back. Drinking on an empty stomach is never a good idea and to prevent getting sick and hungover the next day, have a meal. Similar to being dehydrated, not eating could also lead to you feeling faint or unwell. Leave the function and get lunch, please. The party will still be going on when you arrive back.
Pace yourself
When drinking for a long period of time, you do not want to jump the gun. The last thing you want is to drink an excessive amount and then plateau quickly. To prevent this, stick with what you can handle and do not go overboard. Plus, not remembering anything or hearing stories the next day that you cannot recall is arguably one of the worst feelings. Just do not overdo it.
Listen to yourself
If the function is not fun or you are just not feeling it, don’t make yourself stay. It is easy to feel influenced if your friends want to stay, but even then, put your instincts first. If the vibe is overwhelming, do not put yourself through that.
All in all, daylonging is no joke, but these steps will make the process of attending and having a good time that much easier.