When your whole week is spent suffering through essays and assignments, sometimes a night out at the end of the week is enough to help you push through.

As early as Monday you’ll start looking forward to a killer night out, but too often when Friday or Saturday swings around it can be a major let down. Here’s some ways to avoid the disaster clubbing experience and essential rules for making it the most epic night out.

Don’t hype it up

Sometimes the best nights are the unplanned, spontaneous plans. Instead of planning ahead, call up a bunch of friends on the night and see who’s keen. This will weed out all the friends who say they’re totally keen earlier in the week but bail at the final hour. Don’t plan where you’re going – just see where the night takes you. If you have totally zero expectations about the night, chances are you’ll have waaay more fun.

Play drinking games at pres

Of course any good night starts with pres, but drinking games are sure to put everyone in a fun ready-to-party mood. If you’re getting bored with the same old King’s Cup, then try something new. It can make things even more fun if you create your own drinking game based on your fav trashy TV show. Drinking every time someone pulls their phone out or cries in Keeping up with the Kardashians? Things are bound to get interesting.

Choose your outfit carefully

Sometimes a night out can easily be ruined by something as simple as an outfit choice. While those $10 heels seemed like an awesome idea at the time, they will make your night a living hell if one of those heels happens to snap off mid-dance. Invest in a sturdy pair to keep that dance on all night long. Another pro tip: find out if the club has a coat room and bring a jacket so you don’t have to suffer the freezing 3am chill on the way home.

Don’t mix drinks

If you want to avoid a messy night and a killer hangover the following day, choose a drink and stick with it. The vodka, wine, cider, Long Island Iced Tea combo will definitely end in disaster.

Don’t abandon your friends

Once you get a few drinks deep, emotions will run high and you and your friends will become so much more susceptible to fights. If you smoke bomb without telling your friends or ditch a solo friend to dance with some hottie, things might get awkward. Don’t ruin an awesome night out by leaving friends to fend for themselves inside or outside of the club. The best nights are when you embrace all things #squadgoals.

Make friends with the girl in the bathroom

Want to make a new best friend? Head to the bathroom. Not so applicable for guys, the girls bathroom is a haven of compliments, touch ups and a safe place to avoid creepers. You might even find your new BFF when you’re waiting in that hella long queue.

Plan your post-drinking food

Post-clubbing drunk food is essential. You might think that anything tastes good when you’ve been drinking, but trust us. Think of the euphoria of eating actually delicious food, rather than eating from that dodgy kebab place located conveniently next to the nightclub. Find some prime spots in close proximity (even if that means walking a little bit) and get ready to experience a newfound passion for food.

If you’re waiting until you’re home to feast, make sure you’re stocked up on all things amazing and easy (namely, mac ‘n’ cheese).

Split an uber

Who wants to deal with the horror of public transport at 4am after a night out? If taxis are way too expensive, gather a group and order an Uber back to someone’s pad. It’ll work out pretty cheap when you split the fare four ways and Uber makes that split so much easier. An awesome end to an epic night out is getting to food and your comfy bed ASAP, so it will be worth the dosh.

(Lead image: Mindy Project/FOX)