Halloween is upon us — for many college students, that means a weekend full of drinking, dressing up and partying.

In order to stay safe this Halloween weekend while drinking, make sure you follow these simple but helpful tips to keep you hydrated and safe all weekend.

A golden rule most people tend to forget is making sure they eat before they start drinking. This is an absolute must. According to Shape Magazine, alcohol metabolizes slower when people have food in their system.

If you haven’t eaten, alcohol can hit your system within the first 30 minutes of drinking; if you have eaten, it will take about five to six hours to hit your system, which is a huge game changer.

If you are too busy creating your Halloween outfit to eat a solid meal that day, pack a few snacks in whichever bag you bring along.

In order to avoid passing out before everyone else, drink plenty of water. This can’t be stressed enough. Alcohol causes dehydration very quickly. In order to keep safe and avoid a hangover, drink a glass of water between each drink. This may seem silly and repetitive, but waking up the next day will be a lot easier. 

Just like running a marathon, it’s important to pace yourself, exactly what should be happening this weekend. Don’t chug drinks or take an excessive amount of shots. Take time to enjoy your drink and the people around you. 

Luckily for Ames, Uber is now in the mix, so crashing at a random house doesn’t have to happen again. Download the app before heading out to the bars or party so you have a safe alternative and reliable way home.

According to The Doctor’s Guide to Drinking Healthy, always drink in moderation. More than four drinks in a sitting for women and more than five in a sitting for men are considered binge drinking. Sipping water in between drinks is a great way to slow down the count.

Halloween is suppose to be fun and memorable. If you start feeling tired, moody, hungry or exhausted, go home and nap. Drink some water, have dinner and take some time to gather yourself before the rest of the night.

Several ways exist to have fun this weekend that don’t include alcohol, but if you choose to drink, be sure to stay safe and have fun.