The following advice related to alcohol consumption is intended for a 21+ audience. Drinking under the age of 21 is illegal in the US.
Surveys say that a little under 30% of students enter college with the intention to party. That’s a pretty significant percentage, even without accounting for those who change their minds (or don’t want to be 100% honest on a Gallup poll). Despite how commonplace it might be, you should never feel pressured to party if that’s not your style. However, if it is, you should always make sure to do it safely.
We’ve all heard the basics: don’t take a drink from a stranger, stick with friends, etc. But in college (and especially under the influence), it’s easy for lines to get blurred. Read on for our best tips on staying safe during a night out in college.
1. Decide how you’re getting TO and FROM your destination BEFORE leaving home
I’ve run into this obstacle far too many times in my college experience. Sure, it’s easy to suggest that “we can all just Uber home” at the end of the night, but chances are, it won’t be so simple by the time the night ends. Some people might want to end up somewhere else (or with someone else), which could leave you with a hefty Uber bill and no one to split it with. It’s also way too common for people to be accidentally abandoned by the group they arrived with.
Having a set plan for traveling is absolutely essential to a safe night out, especially if people are planning on drinking. Your plan shouldn’t involve the designated driver “sobering up” by the end of the night. It also shouldn’t involve anyone who might end up drunk walking, biking, skateboarding, or scootering home. Utilize school-sponsored transport services (like SNAP at UF) or go with an Uber.
2. Keep Count of Your Drinks
Although you’ll hear this advice from nearly everybody, it’s popular for good reason. Far too often, people get a bit too drunk to remember that they’ve already reached their limit, and continue drinking past when they should. It’s also easy to get caught up in the fun of the night and forget to pace yourself.
One of the easiest ways to keep track of your drinks is to mark your hand every time you have one. It’s convenient to tuck a pen or marker in your pocket, and have a friend keep you accountable for counting. You might also encourage your friends to follow suit in your safe party habits!
3. Stay Hydrated
A great rule of thumb for a night out is to match the amount of non-water beverages you consume with an equal amount of water. That is to say, have a glass of water per drink. Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it seriously dehydrates you. Also, dehydration is one of the main causes of a hangover after a night out. Drink your water!!
Drinking water consistently will both lessen the effects of alcohol consumption on your body the next day, and give you more time between drinks. Waiting a little while between alcoholic drinks is generally considered to be a safe habit, as it may prevent you from getting too drunk, too fast.
4. Never Trust ANYONE With Your Drink
This piece of advice may seem controversial to some, but for me, it’s a no-brainer. Even if you hand your drink to someone you trust to watch over, you have no way of knowing if they’re truly in a state to keep it safe the entire time you’re gone. Nobody can ensure your own safety as well as you can, especially if others aren’t sober.
If you have to step away from a party or club without your drink, consider throwing the rest away and simply getting a new drink when you return. Even if you’re just stepping away for a second, someone could still mess with your drink without you knowing. It’s not worth the risk.
On this same note, it is never okay to accept a drink from a stranger, or finish someone else’s drink. My rule of thumb is that, if I can’t have eyes on a drink from the time it’s made to the time I’m holding it, it’s not safe to drink.
5. Be a Hero
While it is important to keep yourself safe when partying, it is also incredibly important to make sure that others are safe as well. Intoxication can seriously impair one’s judgment, and it’s all too common for people to make bad decisions while under the influence.
You can help keep your friends safe by knowing what to look out for, and being aware of your surroundings. Collect your friends’ car keys in a safe place before the night begins so that nobody can decide to drive later on. You should also keep an eye out for your friends to make sure that they don’t end up away from your group or disappear from the party or bar.
In general, you can and should also apply these practices to non-friends as well. Now- this is not encouragement to talk to strangers. But, if someone at a party looks like they might need help, you should make sure that they’re safe before continuing on with your night.
6. Get Help!
17 states, as well as many Universities and State Colleges, have passed Medical Amnesty laws. Essentially, these allow people to be excused from any legal punishment associated with underage drinking or drug use if they call 911 to report an associated emergency. That is to say, if your friend is in trouble and needs medical assistance immediately, you should never be afraid to dial 911 for help.
As always, let us know what we missed in the comments below. Happy partying, and stay safe!
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One reply on “Safe Party Habits for College Students”
Great content! Keep up the good work!