6 "Going Out" Mistakes You're Probably Making

By Melody Chi on January 20, 2015

Image via http://pixabay.com

Going to college is great partly because it signals that you’re old enough to go out, party, and (after 21) drink.

But there are a number of mistakes you can make when going out, so read this list beforehand and make sure you don’t ever have to check off any of these.

1.) Not having a ride home

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One of the biggest mistakes people make when going out is not arranging a ride home for themselves. After all, you’re mostly focused on the fun part—that is, the actual partying, dancing and yes, drinking.

But this lack of crucial planning can lead to walking home alone, a risky move, or drunk driving, which is both incredibly dangerous and illegal.

Walking home alone is especially hazardous for women. Where do you think all those horror movies got that heart-pounding ‘walking on a deserted road in the dark’ cliche from?

On the other hand, drunk driving is equally as dangerous to men, women, innocent bystanders and drivers alike. And I hate to quote those hokey signs and commercials, but being buzzed does actually mean you’re drunk enough that you shouldn’t drive.

Anyway, just make it easy on yourself and take a taxi or bus, or most college cities have a transportation system in place specifically for students or young people to take home after they’ve gone out.

For example, UC Davis (my alma mater) has Tipsy Taxi, which is an inexpensive transportation service catering to UC Davis undergrads. It runs from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays (the most common drinking days), and is only $3 per ride.

2.) Drinking too much

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Now, I don’t mean to be a party pooper or sanctimonious preacher (again), but the most common “going out” mistake I’ve seen people make over the years is drinking too much.

I know, it is fun to be the reigning Beer Pong champion, that’s true. But you know what’s not something to brag about? Leaving yourself vulnerable, ruining the party for others due to out of hand behavior, or dangerously blacking out.

On the other hand, you’ll actually impress your friends and fellow party goers if you keep it together rather than get sloppily drunk. After all, I’ve discovered that the classiest person at the party is the one who knows their limits and stops drinking before they reach them.

“Yeah, right,” you say. No, really! Maybe I’m an old soul, but I’m always legitimately impressed when a person chooses to socialize while they nurse a drink or two, instead of camping out at the bar area all night and pounding down drinks.

Nobody wants to be the person puking in the bushes, right? I’d much rather be able to hold a nice conversation than hold my friend’s hair out of their face while they regret their night choices.

3.) Calling/texting your ex

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Liquid courage might seem like the way to go when you need to get up the nerve to call/text your ex, but there’s a reason you broke up with them and many more reasons why you shouldn’t contact them when you’ve been drinking.

Down that path lies drunken fights, embarrassing begging to take you back that you never would’ve done in the light of day, or things you’ll wish you could take back the next day.

Believe me, just don’t. Stick to reserving the night for fun and don’t let your ex intrude in any way, especially in a way that you initiate a few drinks in.

4.) Making the decision to start a new relationship

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Similar to #3, making the decision to start a new relationship after a handful of drinks is never the wisest move.

Think about it this way: you don’t want to ruin a friendship just because you let a little too loose and figured (in a judgment-impaired haze) that it wouldn’t hurt to make the moves on the closest person.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m definitely not judging if you want a friends with benefits relationship. But I would venture that, if it’s a decision you’ll wish the next day that you never would’ve made, you’ll be happy for the advice.

This applies to people you meet that night, as well. If you think a relationship with that new girl/guy you just met is going to be worth it, it’s better just to wait to make a move until the light of day shines some reason and clarity on your decision-making process.

5.)  Not eating beforehand.

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Let’s be honest: you’re usually going to be drinking when you go out, right? Well, that means you should prepare your body by eating a hearty meal, preferably one high in protein, before you hit the town.

Drinking on an empty stomach can lead to an upset stomach or getting drunk quicker, since food helps slow down the processing of alcohol.

In fact, the University of Notre Dame’s McDonald Center for Student Well-Being (formerly the Office of Alcohol and Drug Education) states that a person who hasn’t eaten will usually reach a peak BAC (blood alcohol content) within half an hour to two hours of drinking.

In contrast, a person who has eaten will usually reach peak BAC only within one to six hours of drinking.

6.) Not drinking water

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“This is overrated,” you say? Well, I wholeheartedly disagree!

Drinking water before, during, and after drinking helps prevent hangovers (the dreaded day-after monster!) and keeps your alcohol consumption in check in two ways.

One: if you’re drinking water, you’re not drinking alcohol at that moment. Two: water also lowers your blood alcohol concentration, which, like eating food, helps prevent you from getting drunk as fast.

So, it may sound lame, but I recommend alternating alcohol and water. That is, drink a glass of water for every (or every other) beer or cocktail you consume.

That way, you can be sure to have a clear head throughout the night AND the day after.

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