By Jana Gous
Stellenbosch feels like a dream until your phone is stolen, you are walking down a dark street, and your friends are nowhere to be found. Safety in this town should not be underestimated, and as a first-year (or an academically gifted senior), there are a few hard truths you need to learn ASAP Rocky.
Firstly: it can happen to you. As students, we often believe crime and loss only affect other people, until reality hits and we find ourselves in a compromising position. The second rule is simple: do everything in moderation.
Golden Week, the unsacred tradition of going out every night at the start of the semester, is notorious for the number of lost IDs, phones and freshly printed student cards lost between De Lapa and Aandklas.
An easy equation is: blacking out = regret. Getting tipsy is one thing, but blacking out puts both your reputation and your safety at risk. When excessive drinking stops your brain from forming memories, you also lose the ability to account for your actions and surroundings.
You have probably heard all of this before, and you might think safety articles stand no chance against your karate skills.So, here is what you should do to enjoy the Stellenbosch nightlife scene and make it out looking hot and hydrated, and still have money left in your FNB savings account.
– Eat before you drink. A full meal helps your body process alcohol and protects your stomach. Drinking without eating is like running a marathon without shoes; you are unprepared and likely to hurt yourself.
– Have a financial limit. Apple Pay makes it easy to spend hundreds, but setting a limit will help you keep track of the money you spend and make you realise when it is time to tap out and go home.
– Stick with a trustworthy friend. Not a stranger, not an ex, not your Chemistry demi. Spend your night alongside people you know and trust, and hold each other accountable for the plans you made together.
– Drink slowly and avoid mixing alcohol. You are not a mixologist.
– Never leave drinks unattended and do not accept open drinks from strangers. If something feels off, trust that instinct and leave.
– Triple-check your Uber. Check the number plate and ask for the driver to give you their name, and never leave your phone in the backseat. (How will you call the Uber driver to ask for it back?)
– Go out because you enjoy it, not because you feel pressured to. You are growing into your own person and learning what you like and dislike, and saying no is a completely valid answer.
– Stay on well-lit routes and near campus. Campus Security offers a free walk-with service any time of the day when you are between the Old Main Building and Jan Marais Park.
Remember that you came to Stellenbosch for a degree and a future. Do not throw it away on a random Thursday night. Stellenbosch can be unforgettable; just make sure it is for the right reasons.
