Navigating College: Party Safe
Contributed by Speak Up for Kids Student Intern Team — This article was developed through the combined efforts of multiple student interns, each bringing unique skills and perspectives to support life skills education for foster youth.
Overview
College is an exciting time full of new experiences, and parties are often part of the social scene. While having fun is important, staying safe should always come first. In this article, we’ll share practical tips for navigating college parties with confidence—from being aware of your surroundings, to handling situations involving alcohol, to building a circle of friends you can truly trust.
Be Mindful of Your Surroundings
Though parties are there for fun and enjoyment, it is important that one stays present minded and aware of their surroundings. Pay close attention to your immediate space. Take note of how people are acting, their body language, and try to determine how others are feeling. Eliminate distractions. Put your phone away and stay away from other things that could inhibit your attention span. Listen to what others are saying. Focus on and take note of potentially dangerous suggestions or interactions.
Knowing the Layout
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when you first enter the scene…
Keep your head on a swivel. Take note of entrances and exits, where people are positioned, and potential routes to navigate to or through them.
Plan how to get out when you arrive just in case of an emergency.
Take note of crowded areas and try to position yourself in a safer location.
Trusting your Instincts
Constantly ask yourself questions about what’s going on. Take note of people or situations that could be uncomfortable or harmful. Always be on the lookout.
Safety tip: If something feels wrong or is making you uncomfortable, it’s probably best to remove yourself from the situation, or in other words, “trust your gut.” Your instincts can extend to others as well. If you notice someone who seems uncomfortable, take initiative and ask if they need any help.
Avoiding Alcohol
The best way to avoid alcohol related problems at parties is to just not drink. It is even more important to refrain from alcohol consumption if you’re not of age or if it would be your first time drinking, as it’s hard to determine your limits. One of the best ways to deny alcohol is to be the designated driver for others. Even if it’s untrue, it may be able to get others off of your case.
Be persistent in your resistance. If people continue to press you to drink, stay steadfast in your rejections.
Guarding Your Cup
Don’t leave your cup unattended. Taking your attention off of it for even a moment is all it takes for it to be tampered with. If you set it down somewhere, just get a new cup. Pour your own drinks always. Never accept a drink from someone, especially if it’s from an open container.
It’s better to be safe than sorry: Whether it’s with friends, acquaintances, or strangers, decline drinks from others if you have even the slightest doubt in their intentions.
Knowing Your Limits
If you are consuming alcohol at a party, it’s important to know the standard amounts of different types of alcoholic beverages. Consider these standard drink amounts:
12 ounces of beer
5 ounces of wine or
1.5 ounces of liquor
Some cups made specifically for parties will have the above numbers on them with fill lines to help keep track of how much alcohol you’re consuming.
Be mindful that different drinks have varying amounts of alcohol content. For example, beers typically have alcohol by volume content of 4-7%, while liquors can have alcohol by volume content of more than 40%! This means that even though you might only take a single shot of whiskey, it has more alcohol content than an entire beer, so be mindful of the different types and drink in moderation.
Other things to consider:
Don’t drink on an empty stomach. Having some food in you as well as staying hydrated helps reduce the alcohol absorption and reduces the intensity of its effects.
Take your time. There’s no need to drink several beverages in one go. Spacing out your consumption of them gives your body time to process the alcohol you’ve already consumed.
Friends
Try to avoid going to parties alone. Having a buddy or buddies can help with supporting each other as well as avoiding peer pressure.
Trusted Individuals
Attend parties with close friends who you know you can trust to have your back in bad situations. Stay close to your buddy or buddies. Beyond physical closeness and support, staying in close proximity can help you keep an eye on each other as well.
Let your friends know if you’re feeling uncomfortable or if you want to leave, while also respecting their decision if they request the same.
Safety Tip: Always have a designated driver, even if you don’t plan on consuming alcohol, just in case. The designated driver is also responsible for rounding up all members of your group when it’s time to go and keeping an eye on them throughout the party.
Peer Pressure
If you ever find yourself being pressured into situations or actions you disagree with, confidently say “no” in an assertive way. Don’t crumble if people continue to press you. You can also make excuses to avoid doing thighs you’re not comfortable with. Know your values, beliefs, and goals and be ready to defend them. Don’t let someone else’s preferences make you lose sight of yours. Likewise, if you see someone being pressured whether a friend or a stranger, step in and support them.
Life Hack: Standing against peer pressure can show self respect and in turn build the respect others have for you. Don’t let their words get to you! You are stronger.
Final Thoughts
Parties are an important part of college culture and provide an outlet for rest and relaxation in the midst of the runaway train that college life can feel like sometimes. However, there are important ways of partying safely that we need to keep in mind:
Being Mindful of Your Surroundings requires you to Be Observant and take in and analyze your environment. Knowing the Layout helps you familiarize yourself with potential exits and aids in your understanding of the situation. Trusting Your Instincts will serve as your compass, if something feels off—it usually is, so remove yourself from the situation when you become uncomfortable.
Alcohol is a component of many college parties. Avoiding Alcohol altogether is the best way of avoiding the problems that can accompany it. If you do plan on drinking, Guarding Your Cup is important for your safety, and Knowing Your Limit when drinking is important for your health.
Finally, going to a party with friends, or Trusted Individuals, gives you people to rely on that are invested in making sure you’re partying safely. They can also help to resist Peer Pressure, and encourage you to stay away from situations that you’re uncomfortable with. Have fun and party safe!
