So you got the phone call…or the text…or the BBM…or the Tweet…or the Facebook message (if he’s really classy), and you’re going to his formal. Whoever he might be, you’ve got a weekend full of partying and, in some cases, sun to look forward to. Fraternity formals are among some of the most highly anticipated events that happen at Emory come the end of the semester. If you’re lucky enough to snag an invite, you’re sure to experience quite a wild series of events; from the long drives, to the sub-par hotel rooms, to round-the-clock drinking, formals are the prime setting for hot hook-ups and perhaps some bad decisions. In our efforts to help our devoted collegiettes™ enjoy their formal experiences, we’ve comprised the following list of things to consider before and throughout the big event.
1. Lay down the ground rules before you commit to your date. So what if all of your friends are going? If it’s just one night, make sure you want to spend it with him. If it’s a weekend trip, weigh the pro’s and con’s. The last thing you want to do is shack up for an entire weekend with a guy you have zero interest in, whether your relationship is simply platonic or more emotional. Make sure he’s entertaining (and courteous) enough to be around for more than just a few hours.
2. If you get a last-minute invite, think long and hard about what his intentions are. Did his first choice bail? Did he invite you on a whim? Did he just forget to find a date until now? Whatever the reason for the last-minute invite, he took his time, so you can take yours.
3. Get all your work done before you leave. It might suck, but you’ll be hungover and exhausted, and delighted to remember that your homework is finished when you get back to your room and your bed is screaming your name. Tests the following week? Study the week before, and hope for the best.
4.What to wear? Certainly, dresses that are formal-appropriate are hard to come by, and even harder to afford on a college girl’s budget. Try shopping in your own friends’ closets before you even hit the stores. If you still can’t find anything you love, try Lenox Mall for some trendy and affordable choices.
5.Don’t over pack. If you’re going away for the weekend, pack sparingly. Your date will judge you if he sees you stumbling to the car with a duffle, a wheelie, a tote and a purse. Choose two of the above, and only bring what you need. Plan out complete outfits, so you don’t have 4 shirts and 2 pairs of heels to choose from. (Be sure to check on weather.com for any potential tornado warnings…)
6. If the formal you’re attending is at a beach-destination, don’t forget to wear sunscreen! Tan lines do nothing for the neckline of a sexy dress, and red skin is even more awkward (not to mention painful). A healthy glow is nice, but don’t aim for a spring-break-status tan.
7. Pace yourself with day drinking. Avoid bloated bellies and daytime vomiting. Limit it to one or two drinks to enjoy during the day, and allow yourself to get a little more rowdy at night once the festivities begin.
8. Take time to put yourself together well, but don’t take hours getting ready. Spending more than 2 hours in the bathroom might make him slightly suspicious. Surprise him by proving that you basically wake up glamorous, and have to do very little to look as fabulous as you do.
9. Be open to hanging out with his friends and their dates. No one said that formal is only a time for hooking up. Maybe he hangs out with a different crowd, so now is your chance to make yourself some new friends.
10. …But don’t get too close. Hooking up with someone that’s not your date is the ultimate formal faux pas.
11. Commit to your date. Spend time with him. Talk to him. Don’t ignore him. He wants to spend this night with you. Let him know he made the right choice by being an attentive and gracious date. If your friends are there, spend a few minutes chatting with them, but don’t get too distracted – he’s your main priority for the night.
12. Put your phone away! Try to resist the urge to give your friends play-by-plays of the night’s events. Wait until you get back to tell them everything face-to-face, because chances are it’s too hard to do the stories justice if you’re typing them out (with drunken type-o’s) on your BlackBerry.
13. Don’t be afraid to say no if you don’t feel comfortable. Guys choose their dates based on who they think they’ll be able to have the most fun with…at the formal, and after the formal. If things get physical, be prepared to draw the line where you want to – if he respects you enough to have brought you as his date, he’ll be okay with where that line lies.
14. ..So, it’s okay to sleep in the same bed as him without sleeping with him. He might not be thrilled, but he’ll get over it.
15. Don’t complain; just be gracious. It’s like an all-inclusive already-paid-for weekend retreat. Just enjoy yourself and say thank you!
With these tips in mind, we hope that your formal experience goes smoothly and is tons of fun. Be optimistic and positive, and you’re sure to have a great time. Make the most of these last few celebrations before finals start to kick in – the library, as social as it is, does not serve alcoholic beverages and is certainly no beach.