Editor’s Note: The Post does not endorse or condone breaking the law.
Ohio University fest season is a chaotic series of events that makes you proud to be a Bobcat. Not only is it the pinnacle of our college career, but it’s the defining moments you will reminisce on one day when you think of your alma mater.
During the past few years, fest season was another casualty of things that temporarily paused while the world was busy fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. The current senior class is the only one to have experienced a full fest season as freshmen in 2019. Without the official fest season this year, there was much skepticism if the tradition would live on in the coming years if it was led by people who didn’t truly know how to navigate a fest season.
While our festivities are officially back on for 2022, there’s three classes of students who have never experienced the entire fest season. And, like all good things, making it go smoothly takes proper caution, care and determination. Here are five tips on how to properly navigate fest season this year:
The sidewalk is lava
If you’re going to remember anything, stay off the sidewalk when you have an open container in your hand. The police are on the street for a reason — because they're waiting for you to make this rookie mistake. Also, undercover cops are always disguised in casual clothing and watching for people to ticket.
Even if you are of legal drinking age, it is still illegal to have an open container in a public space. The last thing you need during fest is being handcuffed in front of a huge crowd of people. Do yourself a favor, and pretend like the sidewalk is lava if you're walking around with your open drink.
Don’t go out on Friday
If you want to fully experience the fests, this entails waking up bright and early. Most parties begin at 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., but you also have to allow more time in your morning to get ready and to pregame. The one thing that will make waking up at 7 a.m. all the more painful is if you went out the night before and are hungover. A Liquid IV can’t save you when you’re down this bad.
During fest season, Fridays are not for the bars. Instead, round up your friends for a nice dinner at places like Stephen’s, Jackie O’s and Sol. You all can have a satisfying dinner, some relaxation time and discuss your festivity plans for the next day.
Do all your weekend homework early
After a fest day, the only thing you will want to do is recover on your couch. If you have Saturday or Sunday deadlines for homework, make sure you complete your assignments early. Trust us, doing homework will be the last thing you want to do.
This is another perfect reason to stay in on Friday because you’ll knock out all the assignments that you may have been too tired to complete after the long weekend. Surely, your hungover Sunday self will thank you! Be sure to take this day as a complete recovery day to rehydrate and fuel yourself. You deserve it.
Have your outfit picked out and your plans ready
The last thing you will want to do the morning of a fest is stressing over what you’re wearing and where all of your friends are heading. Since it’s ideal to get ready as quickly as possible, trying on outfits for hours is really going to set you back. Make sure to always plan out the night before what you’re wearing, and make sure it’s washed and ready.
Before going to bed, make sure your friends are all on the same page of where you want to meet in the morning and what parties you want to hit first thing in the morning. If you can accomplish these two important items of business before getting a good night’s sleep, you’ll have the most stress-free morning possible!
It’s a marathon, not a sprint
Plain and simple: don’t start binge-drinking at 9 a.m. Most people who have never experienced a full fest season don’t realize just how much stamina and endurance it takes to get through the entire day. While you’ll definitely see people chugging bottles of liquor and Four Lokos first thing in the morning, this is one of the biggest mistakes made and will ensure that you’re in bed by 2 p.m.
Remember to slow down your drinking throughout the day by also incorporating water in between. Not only will you avoid a hangover the next day but also make sure you’re staying alert and not embarrassing yourself throughout the long day.
Take a nap around 3 p.m.
Since your alarm will be going off around 7 a.m. and you’ll be exerting all kinds of energy throughout the morning and afternoon, a nap will be needed at some point. 3 p.m. is the perfect time to get some brief shut eye because it’s the midpoint in the day where most people start to lag off. Here, you can catch up on some TikToks, have a moment of chillness and recharge your social meter for the evening.
Especially if you plan on going out at night, this is the prime time to take a quick hour nap to reenergize before you head out for the rest of the night. Be sure to make yourself a filling dinner before heading back out to refuel, and nourish yourself before continuing the festivities.
