I was never one to be in on the party scene, but the time came when curiosity got the best of me. I left my dorm on a Friday night not knowing what to expect, and by the time I came back I'd learned a lot more than I thought I would.
1. Friends who pee together stay together.
Guys always make fun of girls for going to the bathroom together, but when you're tipsy and you have to get your tight pants all the way off just so you can pee maybe you'll finally understand. It's not easy to do everything a girl's got to do while drunkenly squatting in the dark, but there's always that one friend who'll make it that much easier. One day she's helping you find the cleanest toilet in the beta house, and the next she's the bridesmaid that holds your dress while you pee.
2. There is no graceful way to take Jell-O shots.
Rewind to my first Jell-O shot: I counted down from three, tipped back the little plastic cup, and nothing happened. After slowly digging out tiny chunks of gelatin that tasted more like vodka with the tip of my tongue I figured there must be a better way to do this. There is, but it's still not pretty. The easiest way to take a Jell-O shot is to stick a finger into the mixture and run it around the inside of the cup to detach the cup from the Jell-O. Then you can throw it back and tap on the bottom of the glass. You're welcome.
3. Literally no one cares how your makeup or hair looks.
Everyone is just as hot and sweaty as you are, so if your eyeliner is no longer on fleek it's ok, I promise. You, just like everyone else, are there to have fun, so do just that! Try to go all out for the theme if there is one; everyone will love your spirit and creativity. Dressing for comfort is ideal, but keep in mind that casual is just as cute as dressy! However you look, just rock it.
4. Introduce yourself to as many people as possible.
Parties are the social events of the weekend, especially since staying out all night means sleeping all day. Particularly if you can be timid like me, a big event like this is the perfect place to get out of your shell a bit. With so many people around there's bound to be someone you know and someone new to meet. Besides, if it goes over super awkwardly, odds are they're too drunk to remember for long.
5. Know where the bathrooms are before you start drinking.
The key word here is before. When the liquor hits you and the bathroom is calling your name, you'll need to know where to go to relieve yourself. Odds are there are several bathrooms you can get to, but be prepared for them to be occupied, backed up, or just plain gross.
6. Put the phone away for a while (but keep it with you at all times).
Taking some time to be present and enjoy a good time with friends is never a bad idea. Keeping your phone in your pocket or purse just in case is a must, but there's no need to be staring at it all night. A phone can't help you bust a move on the dance floor, after all.
7. Good luck trying to take a decent picture.
It's dark and everyone is sweaty and gross. Believe me, it'll be a hot mess of a picture if it even turns out. Have your friends keep an eye on each other so no one accidentally sends your boss drunk photos, but snapchat away!
8. Avoid dark areas and stairs at all costs.
Alcohol and low visibility do not go well together, especially when it comes to climbing up and down stairs. If faced with a situation such as this, try using hands and feet to climb up on all fours. When it's time to go back down, butt scooting is the way to go.
9. Stop worrying about anything other than being safe and having a good time!
That's what a party is about, after all! Whatever you have planned tomorrow can wait until then; just have fun and look out for each other!
