For most of us, the best weekend of the year is quickly approaching. For others that have never been, you’re in for a real treat ...and I don’t just mean with Halloween candy. 

UGA celebrates Halloween a little differently than most schools, for example you won’t find many “costume” Halloween parties, where “costume” is synonymous with the sluttiest outfit one can put together. Instead, what you will find, is that you go to a University where football trumps all and classes are cancelled just for the migration of the student body to St. Simon’s Island for a long weekend. 

You may think it’s safe to assume that you know what to expect for a party on the beach, but maybe a dose of Frat Beach etiquette could serve as a refresher to some and a guide for newcomers. 

Do’s: 

1. Hydrate: Sure, It's October and the UV Index is next to non-existent, but don’t let the overcast skies fool you. Standing/participating in a wide array of questionable activities for 8+ hours is draining. Seems elementary, but alcohol doesn’t hydrate you and does the exact opposite. You don’t want to be that person on the beach with no energy and cranky from a headache. After all, you’re bound to have one the next day, so save yourself the unnecessary discomfort and drink a couple glasses of water at breakfast.   

2. Breakfast: Eat it. I’m sure I’m not the only one who learned that lesson the hard way, but thinking you can go the entirety of your day on frat beach without anything to eat until a late dinner is a decision I whole-heartedly regret. So take 20 minutes and swing by huddle house (not as good as WaHo, I know) on the island and rest assured that it is $5 well spent.     

3. Fanny Pack: Not so applicable to the guys, but for the girls like me who need to bring about 10 things with them everywhere they go, channel your inner 90’s because this is the popular fashion statement of choice. Nothing would ruin your first trip to frat beach quite like losing the phone that held all of your memories of the trip in the sand, or not having that granola bar on hand (or conveniently located on your waist) when you need it most.   

4. Address: Write the address of the place you are staying and a couple friends’ numbers down somewhere, just in case. In all situations, “better safe than sorry” is the motto, and frat beach is no exception. There’s no telling what might happen on frat beach, where you may end up, or where you may lose your phone, so don’t find yourself stranded in the masses when the fun is over with no idea of where to go or how to get there.  

Don'ts: 

1. Be Alone: You’d think it’d be pretty hard to find yourself alone in the midst of hundreds of people, but don’t get separated. Keep an eye out and make sure your friends know to stay in the same general vicinity as you. Phones die and the people sporting tanks and chug jugs will start to all blend together at some point, so don’t find yourself wandering aimlessly or you’ll be a prime target for cops. 

2. Get In The Ocean: It's October 31st/November 1st… enough said.

3. Trash/Destroy your Room: Staining the carpet and breaking furniture is a definite party foul- everyone wants their security deposit back. Getting evicted is never fun, but being handed a hefty bill after a 2 night stay might be worse. You may opt for a house over a hotel or condo, but keep in mind you’ll be facing higher fines at the end of the weekend with more square footage. 

4. Get Caught:  Most condos have the rule that there can only be 2- 4 people staying in each room, and each additional person will be charged $40. So just in case half of your pledge class decides to share a single bedroom and you blow out the electricity… hide when the utility man comes to fix it and stuff everything you have in the closets and on the balcony and close the blinds.. Because every college student can use that money.