The End

To celebrate the end of every term, the University of Essex hosts a party. But unlike any of the other parties that have taken place six days a week up to now, this get-together occurs atop two courtyard squares (3 primarily, 4 secondarily), is without music, tickets, entry fees, a limited capacity, and in fact, has become regionally famous, attended by both students from nearby universities and sneaky townspeople. It is the simplest, yet most notorious evening of revelry known to the Colchester community.

The End is nothing more than an all-day, school-wide, 'sanctioned' drinking binge. Commencing around three in the afternoon for most, although, many begin with a breakfast brewski, The End is supposed to be an unforgettable celebration that few if any can actually remember by the next day. Partygoers are fenced in and subject to an i.d. check should they attempt to re-enter; also, glass is strictly forbidden but definitely makes its way in more often than not for those who attempt.

Extra security guards have been brought in, as well as on-site medical staff, and as such self-fulfilling prophecies work, over the course of the night, I witnessed a pair of hospitalizations and fights (man v. man and the legendary girl-fight). The campus shop and student union bar are also well prepared in advance, having stocked extra reserves of alcohol, in case someone should attempt to venture outside of campus to retrieve more...and never return.

At some eventual point, usually sunrise, enough people have dispersed, or at least passed out, that The End ends. The courtyard is flooded with spilled alcohol, as dripping pant leg bottoms will attest, broken glass and soaked beer can and wine boxes abound--it is a veritable Haiti-- and provide an anything-but-understated reminder of how thankful one can be that despite whatever fate has befallen them up to now, at least they're not a member of the Essex University campus cleaning staff.

Anyone who miraculously manages to make it through The End without a story of some kind inevitably has a mentionable hangover, a tale as old as time, but just may prove to be one's last...that is, until The End of next year.