by: Ryan Moinazad
With Halloween fast approaching, the balance between party culture at USC and navigating challenges of new social environments is something on a lot of students’ minds. Tips and tricks for navigating these, as well as personal experiences with party culture at USC were just a few of the lessons shared during the third episode of “Up at Night,” a weekly live podcast presented by USC Student Health.
The event featured student hosts Camila Echevarria and Angelina Li, both writers for Trojans360. They were joined by Sandra Ranger, an employee at the USC Student Health Contact Center. When students call 213-740-9355 (WELL), Sandra is one of the dedicated staff that answers the phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What Makes a Good Party?
Everyone agreed that a good party centers around a welcoming environment and people that want to be there. Echevarria encouraged students to think about why they go out in the first place and to take steps to ensure they’re present in the moment when they do. That said, both Li and Echevarria agreed that going out should be a personal choice, not one made due to peer pressure. After all, parties are only one type of social gathering. Through Late Night SC, the University hosts additional programming for community members that are looking for alternative ways to have fun and meet people. All Late Night SC programming is available on EngageSC, and operates under the University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination and Statement on Accessibility.
Making Informed Choices About Alcohol and Safety
Oftentimes at a party, it can be difficult for students to track how much alcohol they actually drink. Especially when it comes to mixed drinks, some beverages can have a higher alcohol by volume (ABV) percentage than students expect. Li recommended that students learn their limits in a safe and familiar setting before drinking at a large event. USC Student Health also operates the Rethink the Drink campaign, which sends students text reminders on alternatives to drinking alcohol.
It’s also important to always have an exit plan. Within the Department of Public Safety’s patrol zone, USC’s free Lyft service is a convenient tool for students to get home safely after a night out. Additionally, downloading the LiveSafe app makes it easy to call DPS or 911 with just the click of a button.
For students hosting a party, Ranger encouraged them to have someone sober who can act as a responsible adult and make sure everyone stays safe.
Student Health is Here to Help
When in doubt, the USC Student Health Contact Center is here for the USC community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 213-740-9355 (WELL). Whether you’re worried about a friend on a night out, need help navigating a tough situation, or just need help but don’t know exactly what type, the team at the Contact Center can help match you with an appropriate resource. Our team can connect you with an advice nurse, arrange same-day/next-day appointments for urgent medical matters, or connect you with a confidential advocate through CARE-SC
