College parties are a source of great enjoyment and an opportunity to socialize, unwind, and momentarily escape the demanding pressures of academic life.
These gatherings are meticulously designed to cultivate excitement and help you create lasting memories. However, amid all the dancing, singing, and games, things could quickly get out of hand, and unexpected situations could turn a memorable night into a nightmare.
So, what do you do when you find yourself in such a situation? How can you respond effectively to the situation as events unfold? What are your options? The last thing you want is for a memorable night to become a distressing experience.
The good thing is, you’ll get to learn five things from this blog that you could do when you find yourself in such a situation. But first, let’s know what could go wrong at a college party.
What Could Go Wrong at a College Party?
Like any other party, a college party could go wrong in many ways. Firstly, because it’s not a formal event, the organizers would invest so much time and resources to ensure it goes according to plan and there are no surprises.
Then again, it’s not like your college friends are going there to sign autographs and display hand-kisses. No! They plan to have fun and go wild. With such intentions, there are bound to be issues that could arise at any moment, like:
- Excessive drinking
- Health-related emergencies
- A brawl
- Harassment
- Theft
- Accidental injuries and even
- Drunk driving, etc.
Attending a college party is fine, and these likely occurrences are not to scare you away from attending one either, as the event could go on successfully without a single problem. However, you must be prepared if things do go south.
Here are five things you can do when you find yourself in any of the above-listed situations:
Remain Calm and Observe Your Environment
It’s common to be tensed up when things are moving chaotically; after all, your mind is processing every detail that comes to sight and trying to make sense of it all to create a possible line of action.
However, this should not be the case when you’re in such a dire situation. At this moment, it is essential that you remain calm and carefully observe your environment for possible clues (like less-crowded exit points in the case of a fire outbreak) you could use.
Another thing you can do is estimate the severity of the problem. If it’s a health-related emergency, such as an accidental injury or someone having a slip and fall accident, your best course of action is to help administer first aid treatment and call 911.
If it’s a severe injury, call 911 and help keep the affected person safe and alert until they arrive. Also, inform them they are entitled to a trip and fall attorney and could sue for damages if the injury resulted from the party organizers’ negligence.
Call for Help
Buttressing on the earlier point, if you discover that the situation has escalated beyond your control, call for help as soon as possible.
If the party is happening within the premises of your college, the first thing you want to do is contact your college’s security or police departments for help and a swift response.
Make sure you have their emergency numbers on your phone for quick access. When you call them, clearly state your location, the nature of the problem, and any additional details that can assist them in responding swiftly.
When they come, ensure you provide them with as much information as possible so they can assist quickly.
Look Out for Friends
If you attended the party with a friend or group of friends, you all must look out for each other. In certain situations, you may find your friend being harassed or may see signs along the way. Your best line of action is to step in and de-escalate things before they get out of hand.
If you notice that a friend is in distress due to harassment from a guy and needs assistance, call on the other guys in the party and draw their attention to your friend who needs help. It will help de-escalate the issue quickly.
Looking out for your friends while they look out for you is the best way to have fun at your college party without encountering any regrettable moments.
Protect Yourself
If your college party takes an unexpected turn for the worse, it’s very important that you protect yourself from harm. In fact, that should be your top priority once things start going south.
As stated earlier, observe the environment to know what is going on and the best course of action. If it’s a brawl, remove yourself from the vicinity to avoid getting hit accidentally.
If the brawl is serious, involves three or more people, and is likely to escalate, you should leave the venue immediately. If you came in with friends, alert them so you can all go together.
The last thing you want is to have yourself or a friend injured in a brawl you had no involvement in.
Cooperate with Authorities
If the situation at the party gets to a point where the authorities are involved, it’s very important that you cooperate with them.
Don’t feel the nudge of being called a snitch by your college friends. No! You’re not snitching. You’re simply cooperating with the authorities to help them solve the issue and clear yourself from any complications that may ruin you.
You must provide them with accurate information about what transpired, who was involved, and any relevant details they’ll need to make informed decisions and take appropriate action.
Also, ensure you refrain from interfering with their duties and investigations; once called upon, you should either share your account with them or allow them to handle the situation professionally.
Wrapping Up
A lot can transpire at a college party, and while you can’t prepare for them all, the details in this blog should help you take the best course of action that will be to your advantage.