Summer is going by quickly—maybe a little bit too quick. However, that also means one of the greatest times of school will be here soon: syllabus week. There’s just something about the first week of school that screams opportunity. There are new people to meet, new adventures to explore, and new bonds to be made (and I’m not talking about the kind taught in Bio 101).
With all of the new opportunities, you’ll have to make a very important decision: will you be a leader or a follower? Instead of trailing your friends to every party they go to, take the lead and throw your own!
If you follow my easy guide, you can make a lasting impression by throwing an official, memorable syllabus week party.
Plan
Throwing a memorable party takes lots of planning. Even though no party should have an itinerary, it’s a good idea to have some sort of plan. Think of about the kind environment you and your guests will enjoy. How many guests can you realistically host without getting in trouble with Sheriff John Brown?
Map out the party area. What area do you think people will congregate in? If necessary, move furniture so there will be enough room for games and dancing. No matter what, pick an area of the party that is off limits to guests. Keep valuables or things that break easily in this area and keep it locked if possible.
If you’re planning on turning a profit from the party, write out what you expect to make against your budget. Unless you’re going for a Nobel Party Prize, you don’t want to be footing the bill for everyone’s good time.
Entertain
Remember that one party you went to where everyone sat around drinking Natty Light twiddling their thumbs? No, of course you don’t. That’s because either: 1) No one goes to them or 2) No one stays long enough for these to make an memorable impression.
Depending on what kind of environment you think would be best, hire a DJ or a band to keep guests entertained. Constant entertainment gives the party a good pace. Hooking up an Ipod to a pair of speakers will lead to people switching songs halfway through and breaking up the energy. To add a more club-like atmosphere, get some party lights from Spencer’s.
Refresh
After you have gotten a rough estimate of how many people you are expecting, get a grip on what kind of refreshments you’ll need for the party. DO NOT ONLY SERVE BEER. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen women walk out of a party because there was nothing but beer. Just like you learned in Economics, diversify your investments. I have found that a good ratio to work with is 60 percent beer, 25 percent assorted types of alcohol, and 15 percent non-alcoholic beverages.
Suggested Refreshments
- Keg of Light Beer (typically serves 165 12 oz. servings, keep cold at all times)
- Jello Shots
- Chocolate Covered Pretzel Shot
- Sangria
- Bottle Water
- Gatorade (or similar sports drink)
Various Sodas
Want to establish your house as the place people are excitedly chattering about Friday afternoon? Give it a catchy name that rolls off the tongue. To really cement its noteworthy status, get promotional drinkware from Pinnacle Promotions and have it branded with your Greek letters, club name, or simply your hand drawn logo.
It is also a good idea to put out snacks. Leave the cheese and grapes for your mom’s Tupperware parties! Keep it college: chips and dip, pretzels, and Bagel Bites will do.
Monitor
While you should always be having fun at your party, keep an eye on your guests. Delegate some powers to trusted friends. Four pairs of eyes are better than one. If you are planning on charging your guests, keep someone at the door and give out wristbands from Wristband Supply. In fact, if you can afford it, hire someone to work the door. You don’t have to go to a professional company or your Uncle’s motorcycle gang, as long as you trust them, they stay sober, and can be tough when need be, they will be better than nothing.
One final note:
If you think someone will not respect your party, do not let them in. If you believe someone has had too much to drink, DO NOT HESITATE to get professional help. Remember, as the host of the party, it is your responsibility that everyone is safe and having a good time.
