Beer. Football. Burgers. And more beer. It’s almost every college student’s favorite time of year: Tailgate Season. Here are some pro tips on how to effectively tailgate and make it out alive:

1. Plan ahead

Call up Brad, Chad, and the rest of the boys and figure out how and where you guys are going to tailgate. Whether its deciding who’s going to be grill master or who’s bringing the cornhole boards, figure that shit out.

2. Wake up early

You want to give yourself plenty of time to tailgate. Now you’ll never see me wake up early enough to make it to my 9am class, but you can bet your sweet ass I’ll be up at 8am ready to drink for a noon kickoff.

3. Eat something, anything

Unless you’re going to a tailgate where you know there will be food, you should eat something before you start tailgating. Because chances are you could be going to a tailgate that’s only serving alcohol with a side of more alcohol. If you wake up and start drinking without eating anything, you’re probably going to pass out before the game.

4. BYOB

Don’t be that asshole that shows up to a tailgate empty handed. At least bring your own handle.

5. Avoid getting arrested

Nothing will kill your tailgate buzz more than going to jail. Avoid blacking out and running around like the drunk idiot you are, and make sure you don’t take a piss on the side of the stadium.

I hope these tips prove useful to all of you as tailgate szn approaches.