Party Safe

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Party Safe


Welcome to college! A place where you can practically do whatever the heck you want. Woo-hoo! You’re finally an adult. There is no more curfew, no more having to be bossed around by mom and dad, or hearing your mother yell, “go do your chores!” But of course, with independence comes a great deal of responsibility. 

There comes a time in every teen’s life when they have to leave the nest and branch off into the real world. For many of us, that real world is college. Many students, particularly freshman, are eager to “get wild” and “cut loose” because they have never been exposed to so much freedom. A huge part of the college experience is a student’s social life. In college, there are going to be so many parties and social events and it will be important to prioritize your safety while having a good time. Below are some tips on how you can party safe.  

Now, imagine you are at your first college party and there’s alcohol everywhere—lots of it. You’re not a big fan of alcohol and you don’t really drink a lot; maybe a few sips here and there. Now all your friends are drinking and having a good a time, and God forbid you’re the only one that’s not drinking. So you go against the norm and start drinking more than you ever have. After the first drink you’re probably thinking, “Mmm that wasn’t too bad” and now, you’re on your second, third, and fourth drink. You never want to get too intoxicated to the point where you have no idea what’s going on around you. However, if this happens to be you. make sure you’re accompanied by a friend that you trust, which leads us to the first tip.

Tip #1: Use the buddy system
Never attend a party alone. It’s always safer to go with a group of friends. For instance, your friends can tell when you’ve had way too much to drink. Or they can make sure you get home safe. Or keep that creepy guy/girl away from you when you don't their attention. 

Tip #2: Arrange for a safe ride  
Never drink and drive or get in the car with someone who is intoxicated. Remember, DUI’s are 100% preventable. DUI's are expensive and mess up your future regarding school and work. And saving your life and someone else's is another great reason to never drink and drive! If you’re too intoxicated, find an alternative form of transportation such as, Uber or Lyft. 

Tip #3: Don’t leave your drink unattended
I’m sure we all know how this story goes. Someone leaves their drink unattended and quickly runs to the bathroom while leaving their drink behind. While they’re away at the restroom someone slips an unknown substance in their drink…I think we all know what could happen next. The moral of the story is, never leave your drink alone under any circumstance. If you have to go to the restroom, take it with you or throw it away. Watch your drinks being poured and just like candy, don't take a drink from a stranger! 

Tip #5: Know your limits
Be conscious of how much alcohol you are consuming. Your body can only process 1 standard drink per hour. You can use the red solo cups also known as the “infamous red cup” to keep track of how many drinks you’ve had the entire night. There are markers on the cup that indicate the standard level consumption of various alcohol beverages. Drink water or another non-alcoholic beverage between each drink. Eat food before and during a party. 

All in all, we want to encourage students to make their safety a priority while having a great time. Yes, it is okay to enjoy yourself; however, choosing to party safe can make a world of difference in your life!

By Stephanie Aninyei

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