It's that time of year again. Everyone's having their welcome back parties and upperclassmen are celebrating having their own place by hosting parties. 

Some people decide to not go out to parties in college, but the majority do. Going to a large university has its advantages, but it also means that you need to be cautious while going out because you often don't know everyone there. You can still have fun even while being smart about it!

Go With Friends - This is one of the most important things you can do when going to a party. Stick with your friends when you get there because it helps you stay safe. This means you will always have someone there to help you out when you need it and someone you can trust. There will also be others watching out for you. 

Eat Beforehand - For those who don’t know this, when drinking alcohol (provided that you're of age) you will be affected much quicker if you don’t eat before going out. Some people like this because they get drunk faster, but this also means that you’re more likely to get sick if you don’t pace yourself. Eating protein especially before drinking helps slow the absorption of alcohol. For those who don’t eat before they drink will help a peak BAC in about a half hour to 1 ½ hours, compared to 1-6 hours for those who have eaten beforehand.

Stick to Places You Know - This is something that I’ve learned quickly in college. By following this rule it’ll help you have more fun at parties (because you know more people than just the group you came with) and in case of emergency you know exactly where you are. It’s always better to personally know the host because then you can trust them. Some hosts have secret agendas and it’s always better to stay away from those kind of parties; you and your friends will stay safer by doing so.

Never Walk Alone - This is a big one, especially for all the ladies out there. Walking in groups or at least with another person is crucial for safety. Creeps and muggers tend to target people who are walking alone or aren’t paying attention. Even men will be targeted by hoodlums if they’re walking alone, so always be aware of what’s going on around you and never walk home or to a party by yourself. 

Know Your Limits - No one likes a sloppy drunk. They also don’t like to hold your hair while you throw up the entire night. So know your limits and stick to them. This means either not drinking at all or pacing yourself. Anytime you decide to go out with friends does not mean that you NEED to get trashed to have a good time. Don’t be the person that has to be carried home or that no one wants to go out with again because you can’t control yourself. If you feel like you have hit your max point, just start drinking water instead. No one will notice and it will make you feel better. 

Watch Your Drink - It’s hard to think that people would actually do this, but there are weirdos who prey on those who leave their drinks lying around. This is primetime for drinks to have roofies (aka the “date rape drug") slipped in them. If you leave your drink somewhere, just pick up a new one instead. This is also why it is just as important to stick with your friends. If you start to not feel like yourself it’s best to have friends there to take you home so nothing more will happen. When watching your drink this also means avoiding jungle juice if you don’t know the host very well or only having drinks that you opened or poured yourself. This may sound like you’re being overly cautious but sometimes it’s best to be too cautious. You never know if you may actually have saved yourself by doing that. 

Watch Out For Others - Even though a person may be a stranger, if they need help be there for them. You don’t know what situation they could be in and may just need someone to be there for them. This could be a creep trying to grope them or a girl (or guy) that someone is trying to take advantage of them in their state. Be there for others in their time of need even if that just means calling them a cab or getting them a glass of water. They may need you more than you think. 

Don’t be afraid to call 9-1-1 in an emergency - This is one of the most important rules in my opinion. If you see a friend, sister, or stranger that seems like they need medical attention, call. It’s better to call and have the paramedics decide that all they need is some sleep than to let it go and have something more serious happen. Good Samaritan policies are put in place to protect the caller in case they are intoxicated while they are not supposed to be (ex. Underage). What matters most in this situation is that the person who needs medical attention gets it. So don’t be afraid to call for help when it’s needed because it could save a life.