Party smarter: 7 tips for navigating parties
During your time at CU, you may find yourself at social events or parties that have alcohol or other substances. This guide offers practical tips and advice to help you navigate parties and stay safe.
1. Choose your own adventure
It's easy to assume that everyone drinks in college. However, it鈥檚 important to know that this stereotype doesn鈥檛 hold true. You know better than anyone what fun means to you. That鈥檚 why it鈥檚 important for you to actively choose to have the experience that you want.
If you choose not to drink or use substances, that鈥檚 okay. This doesn鈥檛 mean you have to miss out on social events or parties either. In fact, 96% of surveyed CU Boulder students support not drinking at parties.
2. Set limits
Limits aren鈥檛 just about how many drinks you have or substances you use. They can include a variety of strategies that can help you have wanted experiences and avoid unwanted experiences. Here are a few examples of limits you may set for yourself:
- Social circle: Alcohol or other drug use can make anyone more vulnerable to unwanted experiences. If you鈥檙e invited out, be thoughtful about who you choose to surround yourself with. Choose people you trust and who will look out for you. Try to make a plan before you go out together. For instance, you may want to ensure everyone is on the same page about sticking together or helping each other get home safely. This can be particularly important if you are new to campus and haven鈥檛 formed close relationships yet.
- Types of parties: What kinds of parties do you want to attend? In some cases, you may not be willing to go to large gatherings or participate in 鈥榩arty-hopping.鈥 Let your group know if you aren鈥檛 comfortable or want to find a different party to go to.
- Party duration: Knowing when it鈥檚 time to leave can help ensure that you maintain control over your night. If you鈥檙e ready to go, make a plan with your group to ensure everyone makes it home safely and nobody gets left behind.
- Frequency: Parties are common, especially on the weekends. Setting limits around how often you drink, use substances or attend parties can help ensure that you don鈥檛 go overboard. Consider limiting the number of events you attend each week or month. This can help you avoid burnout and potential impacts in other areas of your life, like academic performance, extracurriculars and relationships.
- Number of drinks: This is one of the most common limits people set for themselves. Keep in mind that substances affect everyone differently and knowing your limit is a learning process. Your limit may look different from those around you, and that鈥檚 okay. If you鈥檙e not sure what your limit is, start small. For instance, you can take a break between drinks to see how they make you feel before having more. Consider enlisting a friend to help you stick to a limit that works for you or let you know when they think you鈥檝e had enough.
3. Master the art of saying 鈥淚'm good, thanks鈥
Whether you鈥檙e trying to avoid peer pressure or leave a party, it鈥檚 important to have some strategies under your belt. Consider potential exit strategies before you go out so you鈥檙e better prepared to use them. Here are some examples you can use:
Avoiding peer pressure Fill your cup with water or a non-alcoholic beverage to show that you already have a drink and don鈥檛 need a refill. Choose to participate in other activities that aren鈥檛 as focused on drinking, such as watching others play games or getting to know other people at the party. Rely on your friends to help you if someone is being pushy about drinks or other substances. They may be able to intervene or redirect the situation, especially if you鈥檙e struggling to do it yourself. | Leaving a party Before you attend a party or gathering, plan how you鈥檒l get home. Make sure your friend group is on the same page, your phones are charged and you have enough money for transportation if needed. If you鈥檙e feeling uncomfortable or want to go home, confide in your trusted friends. Let them know you鈥檙e ready to leave and ask someone to go with you. You can always make up an excuse to get out of the party. It鈥檚 okay to say you have work in the morning, your roommate got locked out or you aren鈥檛 feeling well. Do what you need to take care of yourself. |
Remember that your friends should always respect your decisions to slow down, stop or leave. If you鈥檙e feeling pressured by members of your group, consider seeking out another person you know to help you out of the situation.
4. Stick to one substance at a time
Using more than one substance at a time, including alcohol, medication or other drugs, can increase your risk of experiencing an overdose. The interactions between substances are often unpredictable and may impact you more than others. That鈥檚 why it鈥檚 important to stick to one substance at a time.
5. Be prepared for emergencies
Sometimes things can go badly or take an unexpected turn. This can include a person experiencing alcohol poisoning or an accidental overdose at a party. Knowing how to respond and get the person help can save their life.
If an emergency situation unfolds, here鈥檚 what you can do:
Watch for these signs:
| How to respond:
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Important policies to know
Calling for help in an alcohol- or drug-related emergency means neither the person who calls for help nor the person who needs help will be subject to formal disciplinary sanctions by the university (i.e., probation, suspension, expulsion).
To be covered by the Amnesty Policy, a student must:
- Call for help (911 or university staff).
- Stay with the individual until help arrives.
- Cooperate with staff and emergency responders.
A person is immune from criminal prosecution for an offense when they report, in good faith, an emergency drug or alcohol overdose to a law enforcement officer, the 911 system or a medical provider.
This same immunity applies to persons who remain at the scene of the event until a law enforcement officer, or an emergency medical responder arrives, or if the person remains at the facilities of the medical provider until a law enforcement officer, emergency medical responder or medical provider arrives. The immunity described above also extends to the person who suffered the emergency drug or alcohol overdose event.
6. Look out for others
The reality is that most sexual assaults are carried out by friends, acquaintances, partners, exes or by a person someone has met online or at a party. Pushing substances onto someone or pursuing someone who is intoxicated can be a common tactic for committing sexual assault.
If you鈥檙e at a party or out with friends, it鈥檚 important to keep an eye out for sketchy situations that may indicate that someone is trying to take advantage of another person through the use of alcohol or other drugs.
Watch out for someone who is:
- Coercing or pressuring someone to consume more alcohol or drugs than they are comfortable with.
- Initiating sexual contact with someone because they are intoxicated and less likely to resist.
- Isolating someone who has had too much to drink or is having a negative drug experience.
- Not telling someone what is in their drink or the type of dosage of drug they are ingesting.
If you notice these signs, be prepared to intervene or interrupt, even if you aren鈥檛 sure you're reading the situation correctly. You may need to help reconnect them with trusted friends or enlist others to help ensure they can get home safely.
Learn more about drug-facilitated sexual assault
7. Have fun
College can be a stressful time, and it鈥檚 important to take time to have some fun. Practicing these strategies can help you stay safe and enjoy your night out.
Resources
If you're looking to explore your relationship with substances, explore the impacts of alcohol and sex, register an upcoming party or connect with a recovery community, CU Boulder has resources that can help.
Register your gathering to lessen the chances of receiving an expensive ticket. By registering your party with Off-Campus Housing & Neighborhood Relations, you will get a 20-minute warning before police officers arrive if your residence receives a noise complaint. | Check out this site for more information about:
| Explore boundary-setting, consent, pleasure, the impact of alcohol on sex and sexual assault prevention during this interactive workshop presented by the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance (OIEC). |
Student Legal Services is a dedicated law firm that provides support to eligible CU Boulder students facing legal issues, including:
| Health Promotion offers free workshops to help students reflect on their relationship with alcohol and other substances.
*Workshops are not considered therapy or substance abuse treatment. | Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) CAPS provides several services related to substance use, including:
*Confidential resource |
Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution (SCCR) SCCR provides support and resources to help students understand the impact of their behaviors, balancing accountability with growth and education. The student conduct process helps students reflect on and repair any harm caused and create a personal plan to minimize or eliminate harm in the future. | Collegiate Recovery Community (CUCRC) The CUCRC provides weekly support meetings, substance-free activities and other resources for those considering, pursuing or actively in recovery from drugs, alcohol, eating disorders, self-harm, other addictions and unwanted behaviors. | Office of Victim Assistance (OVA) OVA provides free and confidential information, consultation, support, advocacy and short-term, trauma-focused counseling services for students, grad students, baby直播app and staff who have experienced a traumatic, disturbing or life-disruptive event, including, but not limited to, sexual assault and harassment. *Confidential resource |