As a college student living in a dorm room, it’s normal to want to host an epic dorm party. However, throwing a dorm room party does come with a handful of challenges.
Dorm parties are a great way for college students to meet new people, take their minds off school, and have a good time. Since most colleges have strict rules and policies against partying, covering your bases beforehand is important!
With that being said, here’s a step-by-step guide for throwing the best college dorm party and tips for hosting a memorable party.
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How to Throw a College Dorm Party – Step by Step Guide
Every residence has a unique set of policies and rules regarding college parties. These may include prohibited drinks, curfew times, and allowing a certain number of students into your dorm room.
In fact, some residences may only allow students from other schools, family friends, and strangers to enter the college dorms if it is organized by the residence manager beforehand.
So, before you throw a dorm party, verifying the rules and policies for your residence is a good idea.
Step 1: Ask Your RA
Typically, RA’s have a zero-tolerance policy towards dorm parties. However, if you let them know beforehand, they may allow it as long as everything is under control.
If you don’t tell your RA, your party will get shut down right away, and you can get in big trouble. So, politely ask your RA if you can host a small party, and hope for the best!
Step 2: Figure Out How Much Space Your Have
Depending on your residence, you may be able to book additional rooms. Whether it’s a conference room, residence hall, or activity room, the extra space will help you determine how many people to invite.
If extra rooms are unavailable to you, you can always see if you can throw a dorm room party with your neighbor. This way, you will have more space.
If that’s not possible, you will have to host the dorm party and plan accordingly.
Step 3: Let Your Neighbours Know
One of the most important parts of throwing a party is letting your neighbors know. The last thing you want is to upset your neighbors because you threw an epic dorm room party without telling them.
Let everyone on your floor know about the party so they know it can get slightly noisy. If you want to prevent your party from getting shut down, you can give your neighbors your phone number so they can let you know if the noise level is too loud.
Step 4: Decide On The Number of Guests
Deciding on the number of guests is essential to throwing a dorm room party. It’s important to balance having enough people for your party while not being too full.
If your best friends go to other colleges, consider inviting them! Check-in with your resident assistant to ensure they are allowed on college campus. Typically, RAs allow close friends to visit, so this shouldn’t be an issue.
Step 5: Invite Friends From Your College and Other Colleges
If your best friends go to other colleges, consider inviting them! Check-in with your resident assistant to ensure they are allowed on college campus. Typically, RAs allow close friends to visit, so this shouldn’t be an issue.
Step 6: Clean Your Dorm Room
Cleaning your room is the first thing you must do when setting up for your dorm party. Do your best to make as much room as possible so people can move around freely.
It’s a good idea to put away anything that can get damaged. Although parties are a great time, things tend to break, especially when alcoholic drinks are involved.
Step 7: Verify The Dorm Alcohol Policy (Prohibited drinks)
Before you purchase your food and drinks, verifying your dorm’s alcohol policies is a good idea. Furthermore, if it’s your freshman year, then there’s a good chance that you are under the legal drinking age.
If you get caught with alcohol in your dorm, then you may face harsh consequences. This is something to keep in mind when you are throwing a dorm party.
Step 8: Purchase Food and Drinks
A big part of throwing a successful dorm party is having snacks and drinks for your friends. Offering snacks and drinks is the best way to be a good party host.
If you’re allowed alcohol in your dorm, pick up some juice and soda as mixers. When it comes to snacks, a few bags of chips will do the trick.
Step 9: Throw The Best College Dorm Room Party
Once your party is all set up, it’s time to kick back and enjoy yourself. Having a party with your closest friends is so much fun, so as long as everything is set up properly, you will have a good time.
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Step 10: Clean Up
Once your party is done, cleaning up is a good idea. Although you may be tired, cleaning up the night will make it easier for you in the morning.
Once people start to leave, you can ask your friends to help you clean up. Cleaning up after a party is much easier when you have friends there to help you!
10 Tips for Throwing a College Dorm Party
Throughout college, I attended a fair share of dorm parties. Here are tips to throw an amazing party in your dorm room!
1. Don’t Invite Too Many People
When you throw a dorm party, inviting too many people can ruin your event. If you have a lot of friends, it’s a good idea to be selective about who you invite because you don’t want your party to be too noisy or too crowded.
Typically, when it comes to a dorm party, it’s a better vibe when you are a small group of friends. This way, everyone will be familiar with one another, and the dorm room won’t feel crowded.
2. Decide on a Theme Party
One of the keys to throwing a great party is incorporating a theme. A themed party is a good time for everyone, and it will make your party memorable.
Here are some themed party ideas:
- Costume party
- Rave party
- Travel themed party
- Dinner party
- Decades flashback party
- Halloween party
- Superhero party
Throwing a theme party is a great way to unite your friends. If your party guests don’t know each other, the theme will break the ice and give everyone something to talk about.
3. Purchase Food and Drinks
If you want to throw an epic college dorm party, supply some food and drinks. Basic food and drinks won’t cost much, and it’s a great way to take your party to the next level.
As a party host, having some snacks and drinks for your guests is always nice.
4. Prepare a Music Playlist
When you throw a party, playing some good music is essential. It’s a good idea to create a music playlist beforehand so you don’t have to worry about the music all night.
Apple Music and Spotify have many party playlists, so playing the right music for dorm parties has never been easier!
5. Purchase Garbage Bags and Cleaning Supplies
Many college students make a big mistake when they throw a party, forgetting to buy cleaning supplies. You’ll need garbage bags, paper towels, and cleaning spray to clean up your party efficiently.
6. Organize Activities
Whether it’s drinking games, board games, video games, or card games, organizing activities is an important part of throwing a party. Typically, the games will keep your guests engaged, and they will be a great time for everyone.
The best games for parties include:
- Flip Cup
- Beer Pong
- Cards Against Humanity
- Never Have I Ever
- Charades
- Mafia
7. Control the Volume Level
One of the most important parts of hosting a dorm party is controlling the volume level. The party can get noisy, especially when your guests are speaking over the loud music.
Having a noisy party can result in your neighbors complaining and your party getting shut down. So if your party is getting loud, ask your friends to quiet down.
8. Verify the Quiet Hours
Being noisy during the quiet hours can result in you getting in trouble. So, it’s a good idea to verify when the quiet hours are to avoid getting in trouble and your party from getting shutdown.
9. Check in with Your RA
Throughout the night, checking in with your resident assistant is a good idea. This way, your RA will know that everything is under control and there is nothing to worry about.
If this dorm party goes smoothly, chances are your RA will allow you to throw more throughout the semester!
10. Have Fun
When you’re throwing a party, sitting back and having fun can be hard. As the host, you will have many things to worry about. However, it’s important to have fun and enjoy yourself.
With the proper planning, you won’t have much to worry about, and your party will go smoothly.
Can You Have a Party In a Dorm?
Check with your dorm’s resident advisor (RA) or the house office to ensure you can host a party in your dorm room or common area. Certain universities have restrictions on party sizes, noise levels, and alcohol consumption.
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Final Thoughts on How To Throw a College Dorm Party
If you’re a college student trying to throw a party, you will want to do it the right way. Following the step-by-step guide is important so your party is fun and enjoyable.
In this post, I shared how to throw a college dorm party and tips for throwing a party in college.