Get ready for a whirlwind Halloweekend in the big apple with advice from upperclassmen, from East Campus party hopping to creative costume tips. Stay warm in a coat, save on costume accessories, and reconsider those pricey frat Halloween events for a memorable and budget-friendly Halloween in New York City.

Dear fellow clueless, naive, freshmen,
Brace yourselves. Halloweekend in the big apple is supposedly a whirlwind of costumed chaos that will metamorphose you into an entirely new person. As someone who’s been both excited and slightly scared by the idea of navigating this enigmatic Halloweekend, I’ve gathered some crucial tips from upperclassmen that will help you navigate this spooky weekend without casualty. The anticipation of stepping out into the New York City Halloween mayhem can be both thrilling and daunting, but fear not, for embracing some of this seasoned advice into your weekend plans might significantly reduce the risk of getting lost in the madness.

First and foremost, a little birdy (a vampire bat, actually) told me that East Campus (EC) party hopping might be the move, whatever that means. I guess it involves moving from one disgustingly hot and crowded dorm to another? Sounds fun, especially if you’re a Barnard girl waiting out EC desperately trying to get signed in.

Here’s what I’ve heard about costumes: the more obscure, the better. Creativity is your secret weapon. Forget about those cliché sexy witch or angel costumes; instead, go as a unicorn barista!

Now, onto the good stuff. Another pro told me that a life hack is to buy your costume accessories on Amazon, and then return it because it was the “wrong size!” SHHHHH! Don’t tell Jeff Bezos or be aware that karma might come back to haunt you!

Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but wearing a coat is so delightful. I was told that it is totally okay to wear a coat over your meticulously planned costume. After all, frostbite is not the Halloween look you’re going for. Let’s face it: you’ll be the smart one staying warm while everyone else shivers in their skimpy outfits.

If you’re still stuck on what to wear, I understand that it is pretty easy to simply rummage through your closet and dorm for costume inspiration. That old bed sheet could transform you into a ghost, or those leg warmers might just scream ‘80s aerobics instructor. Pinterest is your best costume inspiration friend, providing endless DIY ideas that will have you looking spectacularly spooky for the festivities.

Those mysterious $40 frat Halloween events?! Spoiler alert: in no world is a frat event worth that much. Most of us freshmen will probably end up not taking this advice, but our upperclassmen comrades are definitely right on this one—save your cash for more important things.

In conclusion freshman, get ready for this unforgettable experience. Take this upperclassmen advice and your Halloween should be pretty nice! Ignore their words, you might just pay the price…

Image via Bwarchives