Headline: Spring break tips

Spring break is almost here, and with it comes the potential for increased safety risks, procrastination and traveling nightmares for students who are packing up and heading to warmer places to unwind and vacation with their peers. If you’re planning to head out of town for spring break and party, here are some things to keep in mind to make sure your break is safe, fun and productive.

1. Make sure your paperwork and reservations are in order before you leave. If you’re planning to head out of town, double check that your flights and hotels are booked and good to go and that your passport and other relevant paperwork are up to date and secured. With the logistics settled and out of the way, you’ll be able to avoid (most) last-minute hiccups to enjoy a stress-free vacation. 

2. Use the buddy system and be an active bystander. If you’re going to be in an unfamiliar place over break, make sure you keep a trusted friend (or friends) with you at all times. In terms of safety, the more the merrier. Once your squad members are assembled, you also have a responsibility (within reason) to keep an eye on them and make sure they’re safe. If you aren’t sure what it means to be an active bystander or how you can intervene in a situation where one of your friends might be at risk for assault, visit GVSU’s Victim’s Rights and Options web page at www.gvsu.edu/vro/ for tips. Don’t let your friends leave with strangers if they are too intoxicated to give consent. If you are the designated driver of your group, make sure you deliver everyone safely to their final respective destinations. In addition, if you think you or your friends may be suffering from alcohol poisoning, call 911. 

3. Know your limits and don’t go past them. If you are at least 21 and planning to drink over break, make sure you don’t go overboard. You can have fun without getting intoxicated, and you’ll be thankful in the morning if you kept tabs on how much you drank. Make sure to alternate alcohol with water, and never drink on an empty stomach.

4. Never leave your drink unattended. This rule applies regardless of where you go for spring break, even if you are just planning to visit your local bar. Never leave your drink unattended, and don’t accept an open drink (one that doesn’t come in a sealed can or bottle) from anyone but the bartender (and make sure you watch how they make your drink).

5. Don’t (completely) forget about school. While it’s important to put down your laptop and textbooks for a certain period of time over break, you don’t want to leave them untouched for the entire week. If you have assignments due or tests scheduled right after break, you don’t want those deadlines to be hanging over your head all break and put a damper on your relaxation. Make a complete list of any homework or studying you need to accomplish before you head back to school, and try to get as much done early over break as possible. With your work out of the way, you’ll be able to enjoy your vacation more.