Preparing for ‘Halloweek’ at the U of A

Although it is only September, this does not make it too early to begin preparation for Halloweek. Whether it’s a frat, house party or bar, each night the week of Halloween is guaranteed to be crazy. For whatever reason, we take this holiday very seriously; it’s almost a competition of who can put together the best solo costume, the best couple costume and who can just straight up go hard throughout the week.

Mackenzie Swaney dresses as a San Francisco Giants player, while Ryan Betcher dresses as a cop for Halloween.

Get in shape

The first phase of Halloweek preparation is getting your body in shape and ready for those tight-fit or maybe slightly revealing costumes. Girls generally like to look toned in case they decide to dress up as something in which the costume involves little clothing, or because they want to look good next to the partner they are dressing up with. Guys just want to look buff and hot for the same reasons as well. In order to get that “Halloweek bod” that everyone desires, start with working out regularly and eating healthy. This doesn’t stop people from drinking at tailgates and going out to parties before this time, but people are overall a little more conscientious about what they are eating and balancing their drinking with working out.

Start planning early

Some people are already beginning to brainstorm the costumes they want to dress up in for each night of the week, as this is something that can get complicated. Depending on where you are going out, who you are going out with and whether or not you want to dress up with a partner, these are all factors that need to be taken into account when coordinating your Halloweek plans.

Plan couples and solo costumes

Personally, I like to have both solo and couple costumes because I have found that there are nights you aren’t really sure where or with who you’ll end up, so better safe than sorry with a costume you can rock alone. It’s fun to dress up with someone or a group of people other nights though because that can add to the spirit not only of Halloween, but of college in general – out with friends, dressed up, not worrying about anything else except where you are headed next. I also think Halloween is such a big thing for college students because it allows them to embrace their childhood a little bit longer, while still embracing their college years by going out to various parties with their friends.

Brooke Cappel goes solo dressed as a hippie for Halloween

Normally, the week Halloween follows Homecoming Week at the UA. This sets up students to be going out and celebrating their school and friends for a week, generally because alum will come back for the weekend and the homecoming football game, followed by a week of going out for Halloween. This year is different because the two land on the same week. I’m not sure how I feel about this but I guess we’ll just have to go twice as hard. Teachers, if you thought students did not get any work done over Halloweek in years past, I do not know that this year will be any better.