One of the most eventful holidays for any college campus is Halloween, and the University of Connecticut is no exception. There will be plenty of raves, parties and overall chaos happening next weekend. As someone who spent three years living on campus, here are some things to be mindful of or to try to avoid this Halloween weekend.
Dress warm, even if your costume isn’t
Halloween is the perfect time to dress however you want, in whatever costume you want. As someone who’s dabbled in cosplay, my biggest piece of advice is to check the weather before you head out for the night. Storrs can get chilly at night, especially with strong winds and the fall atmosphere.
If your costume doesn’t cover much skin, try to bring a light sweater or something to cover yourself with when you’re outside. I know that a lot of people are concerned about ruining their appearance, but unless you want to nurse a cold and a hangover the next day, wear something to protect yourself against the elements.
It can also be an opportunity to accessorize. A lighter sweater could match your costume well, depending on what you’re wearing. It’s a chance to be creative; for example, one Halloween, I dressed as Freddy Krueger, mostly because I could wear his sweater and not freeze to death.
Don’t travel alone
It might be considered a horror movie cliche, but the time around Halloween can be dangerous, especially for new college students. If you’re heading out to a party or to meet up with friends, make sure you stay in brightly lit areas around campus.
Traveling with friends is fun, but it also ensures everyone is safe and accounted for. Students might become rowdy and chaotic at Halloween parties, but always make sure that you’re able to keep track of each other. This helps avoid incidents like walking into the road or losing someone in the crowd. Everyone should be accounted for by the end of the night.
Avoid props, even though they’re fun
I adore costumes and dressing up. Halloween and comic cons are essentially my only excuse to dress up each year, though students should think practically when planning their outfits.
Students already hate carrying umbrellas around when it rains, so carrying a prop on Halloween will only remind them of this pet peeve. Some costumes work better with props, and they do go well if they’re managed properly. Avoid big and heavy props, especially if you’re expecting to go to crowded areas.
You might get away with smaller and lighter props. Ones that can fit in your pocket or don’t take up too much space in your hands will suffice. As a warning, don’t carry around props that look like weapons, especially if they’re very realistic. It could get you in more trouble than it’s worth; no amount of aesthetics is worth a trip down to the police station.
Waterproof makeup!
No matter what type of makeup you’re wearing, everyone wants to make sure their look isn’t ruined just by a little sweat. Invest in waterproof makeup to prevent smudges or smears later on.
For students who are wearing a full face of face paint, use setting spray once you’re done. Setting sprays can help your makeup last longer and prevent small accidents, such as itching your face or rubbing your eyes.
This might be a no-brainer for people who regularly wear makeup, but don’t underestimate how much movement you’ll be doing on Halloween. Crowded dorm rooms can get hot and humid quickly, so don’t sweat off your makeup in the process.
On the topic of makeup, if you’re unsure if setting spray is enough, bring a small bag with your makeup in case you need to do touch-ups. This is easier if you’re carrying small tools like mascara or lipstick.
No heels!
Having a good pair of shoes should be your priority, for both partygoers and trick-or-treaters. Sneakers or any good walking shoes can prevent you from aching for the rest of the night.
It’s tempting to wear other shoes like heels if it goes well with your costume, but it’s not ideal for most situations. Again, it also gets very cold in Storrs during the fall, so protect your feet from the elements. For students going to parties, it’s likely that by the end of the night, at least five people will have stepped on your feet. A hurt toe can ruin anybody’s night.
Wearing close-toed shoes can also protect your feet from any debris or gunk on the ground. I’ve been to many parties where you’d want to avoid sitting or letting any part of your skin touch the ground.
Trick-or-treaters: Don’t use a small bag!
Personally, I haven’t gone trick-or-treating since middle school. But there are students who might be chaperoning younger siblings or children on Halloween night. As a precaution, make sure your trick-or-treaters have big enough bags to last them through the night.
The typical plastic pumpkin bags they sell at Walmart or Target don’t hold a lot of candy, and some parents might like this so that they don’t have to spend all night out with their kids. But if all parties are trying to get the biggest haul they can, use something akin to a pillow sheet.
Chaperones who check the candy for razors (and to get the good pieces for themselves) could also bring multiple bags with them, in case their trick-or-treaters fill up quickly or a bag rips. It’s better to be prepared.
Finish schoolwork BEFORE Halloween weekend
As a final note for students, it’s best to complete any assignments or homework that will be due after Halloween weekend, before you go out. You don’t know what will happen, so it’s a good habit to complete overbearing assignments before your night out.
Trying to read a report or complete equations is nearly impossible while nursing a hangover. In fact, it will likely make it worse. Get all your ducks in a row and complete any work before any parties. Thinking about due dates and deadlines can stress you out and won’t let you enjoy the fun around you.