The Do’s and Don’ts of Halloween in College

By Amelia Woolard

Be afraid… be very afraid. It’s officially Halloween time, which means that it’s finally that time of year when colleges across the country are abuzz with tricks, treats, and all the things that go bump in the night. Here at uCribs, we could not be more excited for All Hallows’ Eve, and we have a feeling that our readers feel the same way.

But before you head out for a night of mischief-making, heed our warning: Halloween can turn into a real scare fest if you don’t handle the holiday with care. That’s why we’ve come up with the ultimate list of do’s and don’ts of celebrating Halloween in college. From budgeting your party funds to staying safe, follow our rules for a spellbinding good time – or else.

DON’T forget to plan your costume ahead of time.

It’s the night before the big Halloween party, and everyone is going to what promises to be the event of the year. According to your social media feed, several peers have begun teasing different pieces of their costumes that seem to be months in the making. You, however, have nothing planned. Frazzled, you hit your local Halloween superstore only to find that the entire shop has been cleaned out. Not a single dollar-bin makeup kit remains. Sure, as students, we all work well under pressure, but at one of the main party events of the year, you want to be on your a-game.

If you want to make an impact at your Halloween bash, don’t leave your costume up to fate. Plan it out at least a week ahead of time. You’ll not only be able to save some coin by shopping around for the best deals, but you’ll also be able to enjoy the days leading up to the main event knowing that your costume situation is handled. If you ask us, the night before Halloween should be spent eating candy and watching creepy reruns of American Horror Story or jamming to a hot Halloween playlist, not having a meltdown at Party City because the only possibilities in stock are leftover angel wings and a children’s cowboy costume.

DO keep your budget in mind.

We’re all for an over-the-top Halloween season, but remember: opulence is a state of mind and not dependent upon the size of your wallet! Don’t spend too much money on a costume you’ll only wear once, much less party decorations that won’t survive your all-hours banger. There’s nothing worse than spending countless dollars on department store decor only to wake up the next morning with half your off-campus apartment covered in an amalgamation of orange streamers and faux spider web shreds – not to mention plastic spiders that look all too real on a bleary-eyed Sunday. Our advice? Check out the dollar store for low-cost decorations and DIY materials.

When it comes to your costume, skip the usual party supply store with cheaply made, overpriced options. Instead, hit up the local thrift shop or simply borrow what you need from friends. If you give yourself a few extra days to shop online, you also may be able to score awesome finds without breaking the bank. And as eager as you are to binge on bite-size candies, hold off until November 1st. They’ll be much cheaper then— and just as tasty!

DON’T skip taking photos.

Speaking from experience, some of the best college memories come from themed parties and the totally crazy costumes that accompanied them. Don’t forego taking lots of photos during your all-out Halloween bash! While you may think your superhero costume is a bit run-of-the-mill now, trust us, you’ll treasure being able to look back at your insane homemade get-up once you’ve graduated.

Plus, we’ll totally give you some mad bonus points if your friend group decides to coordinate a group costume.  Need some inspiration? Dress up like the cast of your favorite TV show, a ‘90s boy band or girl group, or even squares of a board game (Monopoly, anyone?). No matter what you decide, the photos will surely equal Instagram gold while providing you with a digital archive of all your best college memories, which is much needed in your adult life from time to time—trust us.

DO be mindful of your costume and behavior.

This is a big one, folks. Every year, there seems to be one or two costumes that go against every decent standard in the book. As a rule of thumb, don’t dress up in anything that assigns stereotypes or appropriates a culture, race, or religious backgrounds. This means absolutely no blackface, “sexy” Geisha looks, or naughty nuns. It’s also a good idea to steer clear of any controversial current event costumes – think 2016’s seductive Harambe look. Yeah, not great.

Additionally, watch your behavior. No matter what you decide to do or how late you stay out, be mindful of your peers, friends, and their overall safety. Halloween is known for inspiring a bit of a public ruckus, and while it’s always fun to pull some tricks, be sure to keep things friendly. Believe us, you don’t want to wake up with a moral hangover and a million texts from friends demanding to know what went down the previous night.

DON’T drink and drive.

This should go without saying, but Halloween can turn into a real horror show if you’re not careful. Statistics show that 44 percent of fatal crashes on Halloween and the weekend prior are alcohol-related, and 23 percent of pedestrian deaths on Halloween night are caused by drunk drivers. Many studies reflect that Halloween is the most dangerous holiday of the year in terms of drinking and driving, and if you’re found guilty of doing so, you’ll likely face serious legal consequences that will haunt you for the rest of your life.

If you’re of age and plan on consuming more than the legal limit, lock down a designated driver or be sure to hail a ride with your favorite rideshare service when it comes time to call it a night. If you plan to get to and from the parties on foot, be aware of your surroundings and remain a safe distance from roadways. And this should go without being said, but never, and we mean ever, get in a car with an intoxicated driver. We don’t want to play the “mom” of the friend group but ensuring your safety is certainly worth killing the vibe.

DO stick with your group.

Always party in groups! It’s much more fun and reduces your risk of ending up in dangerous situations. Making it a priority to stay with your group means that you’ll have a solid support system throughout the night. Halloween parties can be easy to crash if your venue of choice is lax on security, and if you’re just out on the town, it’s even more vital that you have a friend group close-by to weather the elements of this crazy, off-the-charts evening out.

Safeguard yourself and your friends by staying together. You don’t necessarily need to roll up to the restroom 10-deep – just don’t lose track of your pals for longer than a few minutes. If you do, stay put and locate the nearest mobile phone for a quick emergency dial. If possible, find another familiar face to hang out with until your squad returns. You may end up making “mummy”-ries with an old friend!

DON’T forget to check out local events!

On-campus activities are fun, but don’t overlook what’s going on in your greater community. Depending on where your college is located, you may have a ton of options for haunted attractions, hayrides, corn mazes, or at least a neighborhood fall festival. No matter where you are, you’re bound to be within driving distance of a creepy cemetery or the perfect grounds for an impromptu bonfire.

Don’t overlook fun travel options, either. You may find that hitting the road for fall festivities offers a great way to get closer with friends and celebrate the season without partying to excess. Who knows? You might decide that hitting a music festival or craft fair is more fun than being packed in a sorority or fraternity house until the wee hours.

DO have fun!

Halloween is one of the only nights per year where you’re allowed to get crazy – within reason, of course. When else can you look absolutely ridiculous and party down with your friends without anyone even batting an eye of judgement? While there are plenty of things to avoid on Halloween night, having fun is definite “do.” One day, you’ll reminisce about college life, so give your future self something to smile about and indulge in a few tricks and treats this All Hallows’ Eve.

For many students, Halloween represents the holy grail of freaky fun. Whether you spend it at the hottest party on campus, keep things chillingly creepy with a scary movie marathon, or head out of town to find your own adventure, just remember the do’s and don’ts of Halloween, and you’re sure to have a fang-tastic – and safe – time!

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