Mackenzie Hale is a journalism sophomore and rotational opinion columnist for Mustang News. The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Mustang Media Group.
Picture this: you arrive at the party a little past 8:30 p.m., after a solid two-hour pregame consisting solely of “plandle” shots chased with a sip of pink lemonade you definitely paid for at VG Market. The music is blaring, and groups of people are jumping up and down in unison as the flashing lights practically blind you.
Then, silence.
The music cuts out abruptly, and suddenly, the quiet coyote you haven’t seen since elementary school is aggressively thrown up by a nearby teenage boy.
A whisper ripples through the crowd like an urban legend: Cops are here. Party’s over, guys.
But it’s only 9:00 p.m., and this was your entire Friday night plan. What is there to do now?
For all of the beautiful scenery, esteemed academics and vibrant community San Luis Obispo has to offer, the nightlife is a major caveat. “SLO” is, well, quite slow.
Yes, it’s a bummer when the party gets rolled just as it gets going. Still, after some experience, I’ve learned that mourning a 9 p.m. shutdown is pointless. Instead, here are some tried-and-true alternatives for salvaging your weekend.
Find the hotdog stand
Everyone knows that if you order Postmates after 10 p.m., delivery will take at least three hours, somehow missing half your items (with those you do receive being cold). So skip the emotional turmoil of tracking your driver who hasn’t moved in 45 minutes and just venture to the weekly hot dog stand on Carpenter and Foothill or in front of the Rec Center on Hathway. Chances are, half the party will already be there!
Play group games
Instead of automatically going to your room to doomscroll the night away, try playing some interactive games with friends. This is an awesome opportunity to have fun while being quiet enough to avoid noise complaints from annoying neighbors. Bonus points if it requires actual brain power, like imposter or wavelength.
Catch up on homework
I know, it sounds unappealing and boring for a weekend night. But if you’re wide awake and sober-ish, you might as well attempt some chemistry problems. Will you retain anything? Probably not. You will, however, wake up feeling very productive and morally superior.
Befriend your neighbors
Whether you live in the dorms or a house, an early night calls for some bonding. Knock on a door. Leave a note. Form a friendship that will last exactly one quarter, but feels very meaningful in the moment.
Leave an unhinged YikYak post
YikYak has become a forum for students to rant, share thoughts, and leave the most unhinged comments. So why not join in on the anonymous site to share your crazy (or not crazy) adventures of the night? Post a photo of the GrubHub bot you fell over on your walk home, or if you’re really feeling frisky, name-drop the boy who ghosted you after planning your wedding the night before.
Go to sleep
If all else fails, accept defeat and go to bed early. There’s nothing wrong with calling it quits when you run out of options, plus you’ll be ready to do it all again next weekend, hopefully making it past 9 p.m. this time. It might not feel ideal that night, but future you will be grateful for a full night of sleep every once in a while.