by Kristen Shlakman
Let’s be honest. Halloween in college has a completely different purpose from when we were kids. Dressing up to get candy stopped being a priority when we all found out how adults celebrate this wonderful holiday. Now, even though this may be the one night of the year you can get away with dressing like a complete train wreck, it doesn’t mean people aren’t going to judge you. Because let’s face it, that’s half the fun. Now since this is my fourth and final Halloween in college, I thought I would share some tips on how to successfully survive Halloween. So listen up, freshman.
– First of all, I know that most girls think this is the one time of the year you can dress like a complete slut and no one will say anything to you. While that may be partially true, you’re still going to look ridiculous if you’re hanging out all over the place. Trust me, no one wants to see you drunkenly running down Sheridan exposing yourself to everyone in Bexley. Sure, you’ll get attention from guys. But the only reason they are going to be talking to you is to see how quickly they can take you back to their room and forget your name in the morning.
– Secondly, check the weather. I realize all of your costumes are going to barely cover what they need to, but, trust me, it is going to get cold. I am not saying wear a coat, but just be smart. You’ll realize after freshman year that spending $80 on that piece of cloth you call a costume is not as important as what you are supposed to do on Halloween: drink.
There are a lot of ways you can still look cute on Halloween by using what you have in your closet. Be creative. Plus, you’re going to ruin whatever you wear out anyway; why bother spending money on something that will be permanently stained with the smell of Natty the next day?
– Have a backup plan. Being under 21 is a real drag, but we all have to go through it. If you can’t find a place where you know someone, try looking at going downtown. One of the great things about Columbus is that there are bars that will legally let you in underage. There is nothing more annoying than a pack of freshman wandering from party to party with their backpacks trying to “be accepted.” While it may seem like a lot of us seniors hate freshmen at parties, or in general, it’s just because we do. But there are valid reasons for it.
One, you look ridiculous carrying around a giant backpack full of beer that someone else bought for you. It is an automatic way to know you’re an underclassman. Secondly, if you wander into a house where you don’t know anyone, and try to steal beer, people are going to get pissed.
Most of the parties at Capital aren’t planned and the people throwing it don’t have enough for you and the 30 other guys you brought with you. Find someone you know, pregame, and suck it up like everyone else did as a freshman. There is nothing wrong with having your own little party in SA or SS.
We’ve all done it.
– Finally, for the love of God, if you are a freshman, stay away from the Zig. There is no reason you need to be at the Zig until you are 21. How freshmen even know about it is ridiculous. Let’s face it: if you have a fake ID and are the only freshman there, you are going to look stupid. Not to mention you are going to know no one. While I realize Pat and Miguel are oblivious to fake ID’s, upperclassmen are not. The Zig is the one place where we can get away from you and all of your annoying freshmen tendencies. So do us all a favor, wait like everyone else and go find a house party.
kshlakma@capital.edu
