Pixie: Ultimate tips for your University Ball

No matter what course or level of study, the end of year ball is a stand-out event of everyone’s time at university. It’s effectively your Uni-Cinderella moment where you have an opportunity to transform from that hungover girl rocking up to a 9am in last night’s make-up into an elegant and glamorous red-carpet beauty. However, it is important to note the distinction between your secondary school prom and your university ball.

Tip #1 Do not overdo the prinks

Just like prom, it is likely a friend will offer their abode for photos and celebratory drinks before the event. The difference for your university ball is that you will probably be planning to go to a club afterwards, so there is the temptation to pre-drink to avoid bar prices. You need to be careful of stepping over that boundary from a classy glass of champagne into a trashy mixer, especially as there is usually wine provided at your ball. Don’t be that person that everyone remembers as the ‘really drunk one’ striking embarrassing poses and photo-bombing strangers on your course, as funny as you find it at the time it will most likely lose its appeal the following morning.

Tip #2 Stay away from the poufy diamante studded dresses

University balls are far more laid-back than prom. There isn’t a facebook group for posting your dress so nobody else buys it and there is no need to organise fancy transportation; it is a lot more relaxed. You’ll find that most people wear plain long dresses, perhaps with a cheeky side slit, but nothing marshmallow-like and not ridiculously glitzy. As mentioned, most people go out after, so girls wear dresses they wouldn’t throw a fit at if a bit of drink was spilt.

Tip #3 Sisters before misters
Similarly, university balls are relaxed in the way there is no pressure to have a date. Most people will go with their group of friends, it is rare for even an established couple to arrive together, therefore there is no reason to worry about it. The seating plan for the meal is arranged in advance as well so you can sit with whoever you want and won’t be confronted with a sudden panic that you’ll be forced to sit with strangers.

Tip #4 Remember your serviette

University balls usually include a three course dinner so please remember to cover your dress whilst eating. After going to so much effort getting ready you really do not want to spoil your outfit with a bright red tomato soup stain splodged in a suspicious area. Use your serviette!

Tip #5 Enjoy your night

Your course society will have put in a lot of time and effort into organising your end of year ball and will ensure there are lots of fun things planned. Photo booths with props are now popular so make sure you make the most of it and get some great snaps with your friends that you can treasure forever. Some events may be themed which is a fun added bonus, this year societies seem to be favouring ‘masquerade’ and ‘Great Gatsby’ so make sure you are prepared. Fire-breathers, gymnasts, magicians, bands and dancers are all forms of entertainment seen in the past, the end of year ball is an event not to be missed!

Hopefully these tips have helped you gain more of an idea on what to expect for the end of year ball. Societies should have posted their save-the-date via facebook or email so it is officially time to start budgeting for your ticket and begin the dress search … and you shall go to the ball!

Pixie: Epcot Tips

Epcot is one of Disney’s most underrated parks! Just because it does not host any huge coasters certainly does not mean you will be short of things to do… especially if you hyperventilate at anything Disney like me!

A few tips for your day at Epcot:

1. Get a Disney passport at the first country you go to and then collect stamps as you travel round the park. By ‘passport’ I mean a cardboard figure of Duffy the Disney Bear with a wooden stick attached. It’s a really cute memento, which is free, and you get to speak to a friendly crew member from every country!

2. Have a photo in every country. Why not pretend you’ve travelled the world in a day? You can have fun with this and use props in the huge stores, you may as well embrace being a tourist before the summer’s over!

3. Eat in Canada’s restaurant ‘Le Cellier Steakhouse’. It’s a no-brainer, unless you’re on a budget. The food is amazing and this is the place where I had my first steak and poutine fries which were really impressive. The waitress was really friendly, she gave background about each of the dishes and was actually Canadian which helped the authenticity of the restaurant. Also, the menus lit up when you opened them which was rather cool.

4. Don’t queue for Captain EO. There is so much to do in Epcot but this attraction really isn’t worth queuing for… or even doing really. It’s outdated, long and very weird. If you find really amateur things funny or love Michael Jackson’s thrust action then go and see it, but don’t get excited and build the day around it. To be honest, it is hilariously bad you should do it once as a talking point for other people who have witnessed it, but once you have done it it’s highly unlikely you would want to do it again. But chances are you will be in an empty cinema screen and leave questioning why you went in.

5. Visit Mickey and co. at Epcot, not Magic Kingdom. The queues near the end of the day are non-existent, meaning you get longer with the characters so the experience is more individual and special. It is also inside so you don’t have to wait in the boiling sun for ages.

Despite what anyone may say, you are never too old for Disney. I don’t believe anyone could attend the Disney parks and say they didn’t enjoy themselves. On that note, I think Epcot is the most varied park with things to do for animal lovers, space enthusiasts, history fans and people who just adore Disney like me. Hopefully I have helped those of you planning on going to Epcot in the near future!

Pixie x