The reality of a night out as a freshman at VT

It is week three of freshman year, and as I’m sure most freshman can agree, college is already so much better than high school. Although there is a lot more homework, there are also a lot more parties. Here’s everything the class of 2020 has probably realized about the fun (and struggles) of going out at Virginia Tech

Finding parties

In the beginning of the year, it’s really difficult to find parties. It wasn’t until I started to get to know my hallmates better that I really started going out. It helps to know people who already go to Tech. They can tell you where parties are. I didn’t know many upperclassmen but the girl in the room across from me did. Of course, the more people you meet, the easier it will be to find parties. Eventually friends of friends of friends will start messaging you with weekend plans. Another thing a lot of freshmen do is just catch the bus to Pheasant and look around for parties to crash.

FRESHMEN!

Don’t be surprised if a car full of people drive past you and yell, “FRESHMEN” when you are walking around at night. We are easy to spot because we travel in packs. One time I was out with my friends and eight cars drove past us yelling, “freshmen”. It’s going to happen, there is no avoiding it, and honestly, it’s part of the fun.

Getting into parties

I have discovered that getting into parties is no problem… that is if you are a girl. Guys, on the other hand, have a more difficult time. It’s all about ratio. There needs to be more girls than guys. If a guy wants to get into a party, he needs to either have some cash or have some girls with him. This doesn’t seem to be an issue at other schools, but for Tech, whose population is majority male, it’s a problem.

The drunk bus

The buses late at night can be so much fun or so annoying. There are three types of people on the bus at night. There is the one just sitting there merely trying to get from point A to point B, minding their own business. Then there are the people who have surpassed their drinking limit and are just trying to make it home before they throw up. Lastly, there are the people singing at the top of their lungs and having a great time, still drunk. So the bus can be hit or miss depending on what state of mind you are in. But if nothing else, it’s always be entertaining.

Arrive at the appropriate time

The best time to arrive is probably around 11pm. If you arrive early, at around 9pm, it is weird and the party won’t be hype until later. If you arrive too late, any time after 1am, then there won’t be anything to drink and you will be the only sober one in a crowd of sloppy drunk people.

At the party

Once you are at the party, it isn’t hard to find drinks. Just ask and you shall receive. But don’t expect anything other than Natty Lite, or Busch if you’re lucky. Occasionally you will find some jungle juice. You don’t always know what is in the jungle juice, but it usually tastes better than cheap beer.

Fooood

I don’t know about anyone else, but after a party I’m usually pretty hungry. Depending on what time you leave a party, most places will be closed. Deets is open until midnight for some late night ice cream. However, most people can be found drunkenly stumbling around in DX. DX is open the latest, until 2am, and sells great drunk food like pizza, chicken and fries. If you are looking for something sweet, Insomnia Cookies delivers late at night/early morning.

Cheap beer, crowded busses and late night snacks make for a fun night out, even if you never find the ideal party. But what really makes a nigh special is the people you are with. After all, sometimes the friends you make drunk, turn out to be your best friends.