An Introvert's Guide to the Party Scene // Freshman File #6

Freshman Files is a summer-long series in which I’ll discuss the things I wish I’d known exactly a year ago when I was an incoming freshman. Whether you’re starting college at the end of the summer or are looking for some tips on how to organize or want to know how to pick out good shoes for a party, this series is for you.

Partying is an inevitable part of college. As an introvert, I was concerned about the party scene at my college because I don’t like small rooms, loud music, or sticky floors. In my head, I convinced myself that I would be left out if I didn’t go to parties because, let’s face it, they’re a pretty common occurrence on my campus and any campus. But that’s totally false.

I went into my freshman year with all these preconceived notions about partying and drinking that were pretty inaccurate. Partying doesn’t make you a bad person any more than not going to parties makes you a good person. Whether you want to party, and whether you want to drink, is a choice that you have to make for yourself.

I decided pretty early on that I wasn’t interested in the party scene, and I haven’t much changed my mind. But during my brief stint at parties, I learned several valuable things that make me feel like I could go out again if I wanted to. Here are five tips for introverts on how to manage the party scene.

Find your people // When you go out, always go with people who you know and trust. This is for multiple reasons, the first of which is safety. When you’re with friends, you can rest easy knowing that someone else knows where you are and will make sure that you’re safe.

Make a plan // Know where you’re going, whom you’re going with, and most importantly how you’re going to get home. For that last one, I recommend checking your university for any free ride services they offer. At my university, we have a student-run organization that operates on the weekends that gives students safe rides home free-of-charge.

Drink smart // If you choose to drink, know how much your body can handle and keep track of how many drinks you’ve consumed. If you don’t want to drink, know that you’re probably not the only sober person there.

Wear shoes that can get dirty // Frat floors are sticky and gross, so don’t risk it. This also means wearing close-toed shoes (trust me on that one).

You don’t need to go out // As introverts, we need our time alone to recuperate and recharge. Weekends are the perfect time for this, so if you need to take time for yourself, take that time. There are other people on your campus making the same choice, and you’ll find plenty of dry activities once you look for them.

What are your tips for introverts in college? How did my experience compare to yours?

Related Post // How to Make Your Dorm Room Feel Like Home

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