Having been through all the ups and downs of university life, I can tell you that nights out with your mates are some of the best memories you’ll make.
But it’s crucial to keep safety in mind while you’re having a blast. I’ve seen my fair share of dodgy situations and heard plenty of horror stories, so I want to share some advice to help you stay safe and still have an amazing time.
Here’s my comprehensive guide to keeping yourself and your friends out of harm’s way during those unforgettable uni nights out.
P.S This is not just for females, bad things happen to lads too. Look after yourselves out there.
Planning Your Night Out
Before you even step out the door, a bit of planning can go a long way in ensuring a safe and enjoyable evening.
Choose Your Venues Wisely
When I’m organising a night out with my uni mates, I always make sure we know exactly where we’re headed. It’s not just about finding the best deals on drinks (though that’s important too!); it’s about choosing venues that have a good reputation for safety. I like to check online reviews but asking more experienced students about the best spots works too.
Pre-arrange Transportation
Getting home safely is just as important as the night out itself. I always make sure we’ve got a plan for how we’re getting back. Whether it’s booking a taxi in advance, checking the night bus schedule, or designating a sober driver, having this sorted before we leave gives me peace of mind. Plus, it saves us from making dodgy decisions when we’re tired and possibly a bit tipsy at the end of the night.
Create a Group Chat
Before heading out, I always set up a WhatsApp group for everyone who’s coming. This way, we can keep track of each other throughout the night. It’s also handy for sharing last-minute changes to plans or letting everyone know if someone’s running late.
Preparing Yourself
Getting yourself ready for a night out isn’t just about looking good – it’s about being prepared for whatever the evening might throw at you.
Charge Your Phone
This is an absolute must. I always make sure my phone is fully charged before I leave the house. If you’re prone to running out of battery, consider investing in a portable charger. Trust me, you don’t want to be stuck without a way to contact your mates or call a taxi at the end of the night. Especially if you aren’t somewhere you know well.
Dress Appropriately
While you want to look your best, it’s important to dress practically too. Check the weather forecast and make sure I’ve got a jacket if it’s going to be chilly later. Comfortable shoes are a must – you don’t want to be limping home with blisters at 2 am!
Eat Before You Go
I learned this one the hard way – never drink on an empty stomach! Having a good meal before you head out will help you pace yourself better with the drinks and could save you from a nasty hangover the next day. Have some water too, you’ll thank me in the morning.
Bring Only What You Need
I’ve seen too many friends lose wallets with all their bank cards in on nights out. Now, I only bring the essentials – some cash, one card, my ID, and my phone. Everything else stays at home where it’s safe.
Staying Safe While Out
Once you’re out and about, there are plenty of things you can do to keep yourself and your mates safe.
Stick Together
This is my golden rule for nights out. We arrive together, and we leave together. If someone needs to pop to the loo or go to the bar, someone goes with them. It might seem over-cautious, but it’s saved us from sticky situations more than once. I mean, not at the local pub on a quiet Wednesday, I’m talking about clubs and busy venues.
Watch Your Drinks
Sadly, drink spiking is a real concern. I never leave my drink unattended, and I’m always wary of accepting drinks from strangers. If it’s not from a friend or I haven’t seen it being made/poured, I’m not drinking it.
Know Your Limits
It’s easy to get carried away when you’re having fun, but knowing your alcohol limit is a basic student life skill. I pace myself throughout the night, alternating between alcoholic drinks and water if I start feeling too far gone. If you are on an all nighter you can always go back to the booze once the effects have worn off a bit.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Even when I’m having a great time, I try to stay alert. I keep an eye on who’s around me and my friends, the people we end up meeting and chatting to, and I’m not afraid to speak up if something doesn’t feel right. Trust your instincts – if a situation feels off, it probably is.
Dealing with Emergencies
Despite our best efforts, sometimes things go wrong. Here’s how to handle emergencies on a night out:
Have Emergency Contacts Ready
I always make sure my phone has ICE (In Case of Emergency) contacts saved. These are usually my parents and a trusted flatmate. It’s also a good idea to have the numbers for local taxi companies and the university security team saved.
First Aid Basics
While I’m no doctor, knowing some basic first aid has come in handy more than once. Simple things like putting someone in the recovery position if they’ve had too much to drink can make a big difference. I know you’re not going to run your mates through a first aid course before heading to Walkabout, but it’s a good long term goal to learn a bit about first aid.
Getting Home Safely
The night isn’t over until you’re safely back home. Here’s how I make sure that happens:
Use Licensed Taxis
If we’re getting a taxi home, I always make sure it’s a licensed one. I’ve saved the numbers of reputable local taxi companies in my phone, so we don’t have to risk getting into an unlicensed cab. Uber and the like are available now too, but I wouldn’t get in one alone. There are horror stories about Uber drivers too.
Walk in Groups
If we do end up walking, we always stick together as a group. We stay on well-lit main roads and keep our wits about us. No matter how tempting a shortcut might be, it’s not worth the risk. Oh, and phones in pockets/bags. Don’t fall victim to a phone snatcher.
Keep in Touch
As we’re heading home, I always let someone know we’re on our way (unless they are all with me). This might be a flatmate or even just sending a message in our group chat. It’s reassuring to know someone’s expecting you, and if you don’t show up they will raise the alarm.
The Morning After
The safety considerations don’t end when you get home. Here’s what I do the morning after a night out:
Check in with Friends
The first thing I do when I wake up is check in with the friends I was out with. It’s a quick way to make sure everyone got home safely and to share any funny stories/photos from the night before.
Hydrate and Rest
Looking after yourself the next day is important too. I make sure to drink plenty of water and get some rest, and there are plenty of hangover cures to try if you want to. If I’m feeling rough, I’m much more likely to make poor decisions if I go out again too soon.
Building a Safety-Conscious Friend Group
Creating a culture of safety among your friends is what real friendship is all about. If you care about your friends you don’t want them being sick on a toilet floor all on their own. You won’t let that happen.
With my regular going-out group, we’ve set some informal guidelines. Things like always staying together, watching each other’s drinks, and having a code word for when someone feels uncomfortable. It might sound a bit serious, but it actually helps us relax and enjoy our nights out more. It’s nice to be part of a little gang like that,
We’ve all agreed to keep an eye out for each other. If someone seems to be drinking too much or getting into a dodgy situation, we step in. It’s not about being a buzzkill – it’s about making sure everyone has a good time and gets home safely.
We’re always open about sharing our experiences, good and bad. If someone’s had a scary moment on a night out, we talk about it.
These are some of the funniest people I have ever met, but one of the reasons we get on so well is that we respect each other and look out for each other.
Dealing with Peer Pressure
University is full of new experiences, but it’s important to remember that you’re in control. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to just because other people are. You’re stronger than that.
Decide what your limits are for the night. This might be how much you want to drink, what time you want to leave, or what activities you’re comfortable with.
It can be tough if you’re the odd one out, I get it, but learning to say no is a valuable skill. I’ve found that a firm but friendly “No, thanks” usually does the trick. Real friends will respect your decisions.
If things are getting out of hand you might want to leave. I always have a few excuses ready – whether it’s an early morning or a “family emergency”. It’s okay to fib a little if it means getting yourself out of an uncomfortable situation.
Conclusion
Nights out at uni will be some of the best times of your life, but it’s important to stay safe while you’re having fun. It’s not fun anymore if someone drowns in the canal because no one was looking after them, you know?
By planning ahead, looking out for your mates, and trusting your instincts, you can make sure your nights out are memorable for all the right reasons.
Remember, staying safe doesn’t mean being boring – in fact, knowing you’ve got your safety sorted means you can relax and enjoy yourself even more.
So go out, have a blast – just do it safely.
