The Ultimate Guide to the UMD Party Scene
After a long week of classes, there’s nothing more relaxing than letting loose with some friends. At the University of Maryland, we like to study hard and party hard. There are parties going on every weekend and people go out almost every night. It’s a great way to meet new people and an essential part of college, so here are a couple tips for when you decide to have a night on the town! Keep reading for the ultimate guide to the UMD party scene.
1. If you’re going to be drinking, eat first.
Always eat before you pregame. Eating will slow the rate at which your body absorbs alcohol. It will ensure that your night doesn’t have a premature ending and will also help you stay more alert.
2. Turf. Cornerstone. Bents.
These are the three cores of terplife (as long as you have a 21+ ID). They are THE places to go. Downside: the lines go around the corner.
3. Frat parties & house parties.
If you’re not over 21, you can always go to frat parties. There are at least a couple every weekend.
4. Have a partner.
You don’t want to be the person that shows up to the UMD party scene alone. Always know where you’re going and who you’re going with. If you’re going to a frat party, make sure you know which frat it is. It’s easy to confuse names and houses.
5. Pack the necessities.
It’s easy to lose track of things when you’re having fun, so plan ahead. Take your keys, id, and cash. You don’t need much, just enough to grab an after-party snack or something to pay for a ride home.
6. This goes without saying, but charge your phone.
There’s nothing worse than ending up at a party off-campus with a dead phone. Of course, having your phone to stay in contact with your friends or for emergencies is a necessity. However, you can also use the NextBus App to figure out what bus to take back to campus. NextBus tells you what the bus route is and how long it is until the next bus arrives at the closest stop near you. This way you can leave the party a couple minutes before the bus arrives instead of waiting outside alone for twenty minutes.
7. NiteRide.
If you don’t feel like waiting for the bus, you can also call NiteRide. NiteRide is a university-operated shuttle service that operates in the evening to early morning hours and will pick you up at your location if you call them. The phone number should be on the back of your ID card. However, it only operates around certain UMD areas, which brings us to tip #8.
8. Uber.
Uber is literally a life saver when you need to get to or from parties off campus. Since you are not traveling a long distance away, if you split it between the four or five people in the car, it really shouldn’t cost you more than a couple dollars. This is important when you feel a little too tipsy. Remember: Safety first.
What else should students know about the UMD party scene? Comment below and share this article with friends!
Featured image sources: collegemagazine.com, en.wikipedia.org
