04/28/05 04:11 - ID#22219

Reason #1 for lack of sleep

"I don't drink this much even on the weekends!"
"Dude, its Monday, it might as well be the weekend"

Yea... those are the wise words of 2 of my neighbors. And i live in the "nerd" dorms....
Alcohol is definitely a factor in the late night life of college students. Although i rarely partake in weeknight drinking, the weekend is full of drunken fun. When one understands the entire system of a night of drinking, one will understand why its necessary to stay up so late. Here's an example of an average night... from those that I can remember :)

1. Getting ready to go out... depending on the occasion, outfits can range from hoodie and jeans to skirt and flashy tank top. Showers are usually key and are most appreciated my your companions. This whole process usually starts at about 9 30/10 and ends around 11... (note that it doesn't take me this long to get ready, but plans are often modified several times before finalized)
2. Pregaming... most weekend evenings begin with this. Whether its shotgunning a beer in the dorm, or playing a few rounds of beer pong at a house, its usually a "necessity" before commensing in the evenings activities. This will also seperate the lightweights from the pros. (One girl in particular that dorms with me will never live down the night that she puked on the bus ride TO the bar.... pitiful really) Pregaming for an hour or so ensures that the rest of the night will be incoherent and usually 'end badly'.... (which i have come to find out actually means it is gonna be awesome)
3. The destination.... so now we're at about 12/12 30 and we're finally ready to 'go out'. Usually this means its time for the first bar. (yes- the first one) Thanks to the pregaming, when we get there no one is self conscious, and everyone is up for a good time. As long as there is good music, good people, and cheap drinks... the bar can keep us drunks occupied for a couple hours.
4. FOOD!!! I love main st for the simple reason that there is such great (and fattening) food in such a short walking distance. Nothing is better at 2 in the morning than a garbage plate or a slice from Sal's. Not only does this hit the spot and give the liver a much needed break, but it also allows for the most random and best social gatherings. I have run into people i went to elementary school with- making for the best/most akward moments ever- realizing that your former playground friend is now just as smashed as you. Depending on how many people you run into, getting late night snacks can take from half hour to and hour
5. Round 2 (or something like it)..... now that you're full you can't let yourself sober up. At this time its back to the bars, to a house for an after party, or in the most drunken case- to that bar ::cough::pj bottoms::cough:: That bar is the bar you go to and have a great drunken time... but the next day are pretty ashamed to admit you went there. Hopefully you wont remember it. Its during this time when the memories start to fade, but apparently (thanks to the sober onlookers) the best times are had.
6. The end is near..... By now its about 4, the bars are closed and most people are sobering up, passed out, or just being stupid. Everyone usually congrigates at one place, reminisces about the old days, finishes up the last of the beers(waste not, want not), and messes with the people who have already passed out. Falling asleep before the finally sleeping arrangements have been made is always dangerous... especially if you have your shoes on. By 5ish those who have found empty beds or couches are dead to the world, and those sober enough have found their way home, and everyone is resting up for the same thing that is bound to happen the next night...

This is one night. Before this year i never would have thought it physically possible. Now not a weekend goes by where I don't partake in these festivities, along with a great percentage of the college population. Sleeping before 5? cmon now... this is just too much fun

no pants? yea it happens...

Permalink: Reason_1_for_lack_of_sleep.html
Words: 727
Location: Buffalo, NY

04/28/05 03:41 - ID#22218

sleep? whats that???

"I'll sleep when I'm dead."

I don't know if this is simply the words of one of my hallmates (an architect major) or if this is a quote from someone more famous... but I do know that it has become a motto which i live by. In high school a late night was 1 or 2 AM- even on weekends being active at 3 was "a crazy nite." Now there isn't a night that goes by where I am in bed before 1. My health has suffered... but i feel it was worth it. You don't get to REALLY know someone until you've had a late night conversation (over the finest meal- Taco Bell) about their first kiss experience. Bonding of this magnitude occurs only in the latenight hours....
That is only the weeknights. By the time the weekend arrives (and by weekend i mean Thursday) the bedtime pushes to about 4 or 5 AM. Often times it's because these few hours are the only time i have to see close friends... those who don't live in the dorms and work can afford much time during the week to socialize. Showing up somewhere before 11 at night isn't really "cool"... and going to the bar before 12 is just not done.
This all seems normal to the average 'collegate' but going home for breaks is quite a reality check... last time i stayed with my parents for a week, i was going to bed when my mom was getting up for work! oh the college years....

Permalink: sleep_whats_that_.html
Words: 250
Location: Buffalo, NY

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