How To Survive RAG Week

By Katie Barragry

Outfit

If you haven’t had your RAG Week outfits planned out at least three weeks in advance, you already have a serious problem. There is nothing more stressful than choosing an outfit from the heap of clothes on the floor of your room as your housemate screams from downstairs that the taxi is on the way. Spend time skimming Pretty Little Thing that you can take delivery into account and you won’t be left with an outfit arriving the Friday of RAG. Alternatively, borrow a few skirts, tops and dresses from your friends to avoid splurging. However, do not leave trying them on until an hour before prinks begins. Save yourself the worry, stress and inevitable breakdown that nothing fits, nothing goes together or I look so fat in this, and plan out your outfits night by night.

Drink

RAG Week is going to be excruciating enough on the bank account without the added financial burden of buying small volumes of drink in Centra every day. Plan what and how much drink you intend on consuming during the week. Pick one drink for each night and stick to it. Buy in advance, in bulk and head to Aldi ASAP to save a bit of well needed cash for the week ahead.

Money

In an ideal world, you would have been saving for an occasion like RAG Week for several months in advance, and consequently having unlimited funds to have the best week of your life. Unfortunately, with many of us barely surviving on a meagre student budget with limited wages as it is, money can be tight. Between taxis, nightclub charges, drinks and a beloved Supermacs at the end of the night, a costly week is in our sights. Put a budget on each night and stick to it. If you don’t, you won’t have the funds for the next night, simple as. And please don’t be that person who “doesn’t have change” to pay for the taxi into town.

Food

With a crazy busy week ahead, it will probably slip your mind that you probably should accompany a week long liquid diet with some substantial food. Take a quick trip to Lidl and stock up on bread, pasta and snacks. Meal planning and bulk cooking will also stand to you given the little time frame for getting ready at night. Throwing something quick and simple in the microwave will be your saviour this week.

Tan

Ladies (and gents) is there anything worse than patchy, worn and uneven tan? Before you attempt to grease yourself up in five layers of Cocoa Brown Ultra Dark, please spend a few days before prepping, i.e. Shaving and exfoliating. You won’t regret that smooth, evenly applied, sun kissed look. However, if you prefer a muddy botch job, go ahead and apply an hour before you head out in the glorious Galway rain that will inevitably leave you streaky and dripping from head to toe.

Painkillers

A week of binge drinking is understandably going to result in many sore heads. Spare yourself the ultimate hangover by buying a packet Paracetamol or Nurofen in advance and leave it beside your bed along with a bottle of water for the dreaded next morning. Thank me later.

Donegal Jersey

As an NUI Galway student, a Donegal jersey should be a RAG Week wardrobe staple for the infamous Donegal Tuesday. However, sourcing a Donegal Jersey during RAG can be a challenging quest for those who are not originally from Donegal. So get talking to that lad who sits beside you in your Chemistry lab to see if he would donate his to a worthy cause. You still have time.

Pre-drinks

Having made a plan with your friends of where and what time you will be beginning your night will (hopefully) avoid the chaos and uncertainty for the night ahead. Choosing a lucky victim’s humble abode to have a few drinks and play drinking games will get everyone in the mood for the night ahead. Get organised and take it in turns to host.

Transport

If you are not lucky enough to live in walking distance of the city centre, you are more than likely going to have to fork out on taxis or public transport. Ensure you have a stocked wallet and a plan of your route home. Where possible, travel in groups; even if it means waiting an extra half an hour for your drunk friend in the takeaway, and please never walk home alone