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Tips For Staying Safe Over Spring Break
Middle-of-the-semester time is upon us, which really only means one thing: Spring Break. Droves of university students headed to the closest beach to throw off the academic shackles of higher education and really let loose. And while we are completely in support of the idea of rest and relaxation, it’s also definitely not the time to let your guard down, in any sense of the word.
The statistics aren’t encouraging: people on Spring Break vacations drink much more than usual, resulting in serious lapses in judgment when it comes to things like drinking, hanging out with strangers, unprotected sex, and physical safety. And while a little forgotten sunscreen isn’t that big of a deal, winding up lost or missing in a strange city is. Below are a few ways that you can ensure that your Spring Break is both safe and satisfying.
- Use a Buddy System – I know it sounds tragically summer camp-ish, but keeping an eye on one other person is easier than trying to keep tabs on all 14 people that came in your group. If one other person always knows where you are, then no one will be left frantically running around trying to get a headcount. And when your “buddy” has been gone for longer than seems necessary, you’ll be more likely to notice, and react, quickly.
- Protect Yourself – Though you’ll be kicking back and taking a break, vacation is not the time to skimp on the protection, specifically on your face or hair. In as little as a week, intense sun can do major and irreparable damage to the delicate skin on your face. Better yet, moisturize and protect at the same time. You may not realize it, but the sun can also literally fry your hair, especially if that sun is compounded with salt water. A quick tip to prevent Spring Break fried hair is to take a rich, thick hair conditioner and comb it through your hair before you head to the beach. That way it will protect your locks while it’s spending the day deep conditioning. Double win!
- Don’t Drink To Excess – I know it seems like a complete no-brainer, but Spring Break is a time when even the most rational minds make terrible decisions. You’re kicking back, you’re with friends, and there tends to be some no-so-subtle pressure to drink continuously throughout the day. Just remember your limits. If 3 beers get you drunk at home, then the same will be true regardless of what sandy beach your feet are buried in. Drinking loosens your inhibitions, and studies have shown that STD infection rates shoot up around Spring Break, which they attribute in part to alcohol consumption. People get drunk and aren’t diligent about protection.
- Behave Yourself – Not that you have to don the angel wings, but don’t live by the Las Vegas creed and think that everything that happens on Spring Break will stay tangled up in a tequila-soaked memory. In this day of camera phones and YouTube, all it takes is one half-naked, drunken tagged photo on Facebook to keep future employers from ever wanting to hire you. Ever.
- Trust Your Instincts – The most important thing to remember is that just because it’s Spring Break, doesn’t mean that the rules don’t apply. People should still be respectful of your space and boundaries, and if they aren’t, don’t hesitate to report them to an authority. Just because you’re trying to meet new people doesn’t mean you have to spend time with someone you don’t know or trust. You’re not being a buzzkill just because you’re taking smart precautions.
Look, Spring Break is a luxury you only get to enjoy while you’re in college, so capitalize on it! But get the most out of your experience by not leaving your sunscreen, good sense, or pride behind.
Tags: Spring Break