You asked:

Some of my friends have been talking about getting dressed up and going trick-or-treating. I think it will freak people out. Aren’t we too old for that?

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to have a little fun on Halloween, but there are a few things you should consider before hitting the streets. …

• Check to see if your town has any rules or regulations for trick-or-treating. Many neighborhoods have an age limit of 13, and it’s not likely that a college student will pass for a 13-year-old.

• Offer to babysit if you need a good excuse to dress up and go door-to-door. If you or one of your friends has a babysitting clientele, you could take the kids trick-or-treating. Some parents would appreciate the break, and they might even float you a few dollars (and a fistful of fun-sized candy bars).

• Find age-appropriate events in your area. Check local newspapers or look online for a community calendar of events. There usually are lots of monster bashes, costume contests, ghost tours and other activities this time of year.

• Have your own Halloween soiree. Invite your friends over to watch horror movies, tell scary tales or stage a costume contest with prizes for the winners.

• Plan in-dorm trick-or-treating to keep the fun alive. Have everyone in the dorm keep a bowl of candy ready for students to come and knock on their doors. Publicize it by hanging posters and passing out flyers. This way, anyone who wants to can dress up and score some candy. This is a great way to get international students involved in one of America’s most fun traditions.

Name: Sarah Arsenoff
School: UNC Wilmington
Year: Senior
Major: Marine Biology
Her Deal: This is Sarah's third year as an R.A. for freshmen and international students. She writes for Periplus, a university newsletter for students who, like her, are in the honors scholars program.

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