How to Partay Like an American College Student

Words By Josie Mailisi (she/her)

TW: Alcohol

You a bad girl, and your friend's bad too (ooh) - Beyoncé

Shawty got low, low, low, low, low, low, low, low - Flo Rida

Senorita, come with me. You belong with me, my dear. Come on with me, we go party. - DJ Noiz

No matter your tune, we all have something that gets us in the mood to parttaaaaay! 🥳

Our culture of partying evolves from before we hit our teens. We spend our childhoods seeing our families party. We go to birthday parties, funerals, and weddings of family friends that we don’t even know. 

To celebrate is in our blood. We let loose, we go wild, and we have fun! Party culture is synonymous with celebration in the Pacific Island culture. It becomes a ritual of connection and liberation. We honour our beloved, let go of our inhibitions, and reminisce over fond memories. 

I didn’t understand the full extent of the saying “go big or go home” until I moved to Austin, Texas recently. Every day there is something to attend. From Thursday-Sunday, expect ten different types of parties, with themes, alcohol, and social activities. These kinds of events have become a culture created by socialisation. If you’re over 21, you have clubs; if you’re under 21, your life becomes an illegal trading system of house parties. 

Let me paint you a picture.

The night starts at about 4 p.m. You text your besties after class and confirm the plans.

It hits 4:30 p.m.: you have a snack, you shower, and then the beating of the face begins. 

It hits 5:30 p.m.: and you start tossing between your outfits. 

6:30 p.m. swings by and it’s time for “pre-game”, known to Kiwis as “pre-drinks”. A few swigs of your favourite tequila and it’s time to get in the zone. You start talking about where you’re going, the goss gets juicy, and before you know it you’re contemplating whether you’re wearing the right outfit. 

7:30 p.m.: you hit your first stop. Cain and Abel’s is the local for “college” students here in Austin. You see your friends, someone buys you a drink, or you buy a round for your friends. The night truly begins here.

9 p.m. hits and you think about where you’re going next. You order your Lyft (same as Uber) and head out to the first place. Frat party? House party? Club? The possibilities are endless.  

10pm is when the real parties start. You check your messages and DMs. Where am I going next? Do I want to hit a frat party and get some free drinks? Do I want to go to my social org? My sorority? Or am I going to wing it and head to the infamous 6th Street? 

At 11 p.m., the free bar tab has ended and it’s time to decide what’s next. Am I going to keep dancing? Mingling? Or change locations? 

It's midnight: the point where you decide if you’re in it for the long haul or that the vibe is not your thing and you’re heading home. If you decide to leave, it's off to Whataburger or Taco Bell for your midnight feast. If the night hasn’t ended then you’re off to the next location. 

1 a.m. comes around and you’ve hustled it out. You realise you’re starving. But the party is so good you keep going. 2 a.m. comes and the bars close here (early, I know).

If you’ve made it to 2 a.m., congrats. What you do after this is pretty much each to their own adventure. I’ll leave out the details, but your imagination can take you where it wants to go. 

There you have it. The partying life of a now-American College Student.