Whether you’re celebrating homecoming with a Darty (day-party), a Dayger (day-rager) or Dayve (day-rave), follow this guide to make it a day to remember (or a day your friends can remember in case you #blackout). (Note: If you’re partaking in any kind of alcoholic activities, make sure you’re 21-plus. Underage drinking is illegal!)

Go to bed early the night before.
You’re going to be going all day tomorrow. You need some shuteye. Curl up with your roommate, a warm blanket and a good book (or more likely, Netflix) and get that beauty sleep you so desperately need.

Wake up and hit the gym.
When you hear your alarm blaring at the unseemly hour of 7:30 am, embrace it – it’s alerting you to a day of cool beverages, cool weather and guaranteed shenanigans. Motivate yourself and jog to Yates. You’ll want to be as dehydrated and depleted as possible so you save time, calories and money.

Pick out a bomb outfit.
Boys: No salmon shorts! This is autumn. Khaki shorts and a non-pastel collared shirt (bonus points for flannel). Finish the outfit with a pair of Sperry’s (no socks) and a Patagonia vest or pullover if you’re sensitive to the chilly weather.
Girls: Easy. Dark jeans, boots, long sweater and probably a vest. Toasty socks. You dig.

Start early.
This is the most important thing. If you aren’t surrounded by your closest friends and sipping on your second mimosa by 9:02 am, you’re doing it wrong.

Take it slow.
I know it’s cheesy, but the best advice I’ve heard on this topic is, “It’s a marathon, not a sprint.” You don’t want to be passed out on someone else’s couch before noon and spend the next 4 months begging people to recount the stories that you’d missed. Start easy – drink mimosas and flavored André (we like peach) in the morning, sip beers throughout the day and save the shots for Round 2 (or 5 or 6) at night.

Food is your friend.
Make sure you eat, especially if your morning event isn’t a “kegs and eggs” or “beer and bagels.” There is food at the tailgate, there is food at Chipotle and there is food at Leo’s. Do not be afraid to eat (unless you’re going to Leo’s). You don’t want a stomach full of alcohol with nothing to tame it.

Nap and rally.
Don’t just go to bed early – take a quick afternoon nap and then get back out there. The world is your oyster, and you don’t want to miss out on a wild Saturday night because you’re tired. Don’t be lame!

Have so much fun, be safe, make good (terrible) decisions and stay thirsty. Happy Homecoming, Hoyas!

Photo: city-data.com