Tips on how to avoid a really bad night

During your first week as a freshman at Yale, you might be dividing your time between frat parties and mandatory lectures on how to prevent theft, stalkers, and sexual assault. Though sexual assault occurs less frequently than having your copy of the Odyssey stolen or being followed by that strange guy from Math 120 into a weenie bin, all college students should be aware of the threat of acquaintance rape.

Though they may seem obvious, here are a few simple but key ways to make sure that going out is always safe and that coming home at the end of the night isn't accompanied by any unwanted surprises.

1. The buddy system. Always travel to parties with a friend or two. At least at the beginning of the year, these friends will be your roommates, and it will be hard to get anywhere in less than an hour, because you'll have to stop and talk to every other rambling group on the street. If you do manage to arrive intact at a party, stay by your friends or at least keep an eye on them; ask them to do the same for you. And if they want to stay later than you do, just make sure they know someone at the party who can walk them home. Use your judgement: if the designated walker-home has your plastered roommate plastered up against the wall with his hands up her shirt, take the initiative. Whatever violent words you might to exchange late at night will mean little the next morning when your roommate's safe in bed, probably having forgotten any near-danger experience.

2. How to drink. When you arrive in New Haven, everyone from your new best friend to the health services representative will be giving you advice on this subject. If you're going to drink at a party, set a drink limit for yourself, and tell it to your friends. Make sure you eat before you go out so your tolerance isn't low, and drink a lot of water throughout the night (the recommended amount is one cup per cup of alcohol) to stay hydrated. You'll also feel a lot better in the morning. Stay away from grain alcohol. It's disgusting, and, as my mom once said one morning as my head throbbed painfully, "It pickles your brain." Lastly, it's a good idea to stay around your drink; as is the case with luggage at the airport, you don't want any stranger dropping narcotics into your cup.

3. Do what you want. Remember that you're in college to have fun (at least on the weekends). If you want to leave a party, find a friend and get out of there. Unlike class and plenty of other things in life, parties are not obligatory; only enjoying your weekend is. If you don't feel comfortable somewhere, trust your instincts and just leave. After all, whether or not you are really in danger, you'll be avoiding a bad time.

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