It's crazy to think that this upcoming sylly week will be my second to last one. It feels like just yesterday I was a confused freshman, not knowing what really happens during or after classes that first week back. I had no idea what to do with all my free time or how to navigate the going out scene of a big college town. I just waited in line for the Whoop like all the other freshmen and hoped for the best.
Here are some helpful tips on how to survive sylly week from someone whose been there:
1. Never, and I mean NEVER, wear a lanyard around campus, especially when going out.
I literally can not stop laughing because I was guilty of doing this. If people already think you look like a clueless freshman, this just confirms it. I don't know why, but somehow freshmen year me thought it was a good idea to pair this with my college of communications shirt for my first 'going out' outfit. I remember being told by the frat guy at the door that I could come in if I never wore that again....enough said.
2. Prepare for disappointment when going out.
Always remember that getting ready with your friends and blasting music in your dorm until the RA tells you to stop are going to be some of your best memories. As a freshman, especially as a freshman guy, it is going to be difficult getting into fraternity parties without any connections. Try to finesse the pledges at the back door rather than going through the front entrance to increase your odds of getting into the party. However, this doesn't always work, so prepare to spend most of the night just walking around.
3. Speaking of going out... Never go out alone.
This one seems pretty self-explanatory, but do not go to parties without other people. You need someone to look after you, and random boys cannot be trusted to do this. If you do not have any friends yet but still want to enjoy sylly week, hit up the people on your floor and go out with them.
4. Make sure to eat something before you return home from a night out.
This will definitely help out with the hangover! If you go to a big school like mine, there are several places to go on your way home for a late-night snack. If you do not want to wait in lines, download Grubhub and order it to your dorm. However, I suggest waiting in these lines for some pretty interesting drunk encounters, like some hot guy offering you his ice cream and bonding time with the squad.
5. Make sure to have the photoshoot BEFORE you go out.
Not only is the lighting better and you have more control of the picture, but you're not going to be all sweaty and gross. Seriously, it may seem like a good idea to save time and wait until you're at the party, but take my word on this, they never turn out Instagram-worthy.
6. Never underestimate the power of napping.
In college, pregames don't really start until 10 and you're probably not going out until at least 11:30. Take advantage of the time in between or after your classes to sleep for a few hours. This way you are better rested for a night of partying and can stay out later with your friends.
7. Uber is your best friend!
Seriously, ask your parents to link their credit card to this app! It does save lives. The freshmen dorms are so far from the parties, and even sober, the campus is still confusing to navigate at this point. It is better to spend the money (which can be pretty cheap when split amongst friends) than risk walking home alone or super drunk.
8. Blacking out and hooking up with randoms all week isn't cute!
No one, and I mean NO ONE, wants to be THAT freshmen. Even at a large university, people talk and rumors get spread. You do not want to risk your college reputation this early in the game, so be careful with what you do.
9. With that being said, this doesn't mean saying no to spontaneity though!
You're only a freshman once, so you have to make the most of it. Before you know it, you're aged and washed up (@me) and just old news. These are the memories you will be talking about for the rest of your college years, so make sure to have some fun within limits. There's a reason people say freshmen year forever.
10. Also, it's totally fine not to go out too.
If the party scene isn't for you, no one is going to judge you for staying in. You may feel that there is pressure to go out all the time or else people will think you're a loser or something, but this is all in your head! As a senior, there have been so many times where I just wasn't feeling it and stayed in. Frankly, no one cares and you're not missing out on ANYTHING.
11. Make sure to attend all of your classes during sylly week, no matter how hungover you may be.
As a freshman, it may not seem important to go to these classes, but it truly is! Your professors are going to give you so many helpful tips— not only to do well in the course but also in college as a whole. Not going leaves a bad taste in their mouths and this matters when deciding to raise your grade a few points or not.
12. Make friends with people in your classes, especially your smaller ones.
Some of my best friends were made this way. It makes going to class so much more enjoyable when you have friends in them. Plus, if you need any help with assignments, you always have someone to turn to for answers. (Pro tip: If you attend Penn State, take CAS100 with Frank Stec #friendswfrankalways)
To all the freshmen reading this,
Make sure to have fun and be safe this upcoming sylly week! It truly is the best and most carefree week of any semester. If you're lost and confused, remember that so is everyone else, which makes the experience that much more enjoyable. Life is too short, so put yourself out there and make the most of every moment.
Do it for the washed-up seniors in the back like me,
Ethan
