Just a few months stand between you and Senior Week. After the caps have been thrown, the yearbooks have been signed and the parents have been convinced – it’ll be time to celebrate. But there are a few things you should consider.
For two weeks each year in June, popular destinations for graduates, such as Ocean City, Maryland, become inundated with 18-year-olds – many who make poor, unsafe choices.
Whether you’ll be drinking or choosing a safer alternative to spend your well-deserved vacation, there are several tips to think about before heading to the beach.
Here’s our guide to surviving Senior Week:
Be smart when you’re packing – especially your food and drinks
Be sure to pack plenty of nutritious snacks, meals and beverages in addition to celebratory drinks and cheap breakfast pastries.
Love your mom’s lasagna? Ask her to donate a pan, then all you have to do is heat it up. If everyone brings a covered dish, you won’t have to eat out as much, and you will save a lot of money.
Some healthy snack ideas:
- Protein or granola bars
- Fresh fruits
- Crackers and cheese
- Veggies and dip
- Pretzels
Call your parents before they call you
Then they’ll leave you alone.
Trust us. Your parents are going to call you. It will happen, and it is because they love you. So set aside some time each day to reassure mom and dad that you are OK and staying safe.
If you’re under 21, don’t drink
Senior Week is a time to celebrate your accomplishments over four years of high school – don’t ruin it by doing something stupid.
>Remember, if you are under 21 years of age, you are not legally allowed to drink alcohol.
Getting in trouble at Senior Week could affect getting a job later, or could potentially put your college plans in jeopardy. Some students have had scholarships revoked because of a citation they received during Senior Week. Don’t let that happen to you.
Never go off by yourself
Always stay with someone you know. In a town flooded with thousands of visitors – many of which may be making poor choices – it is important to be someone you trust.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, youth who drink are more likely to carry out, or be the victim of physical or sexual assault.
Stay hydrated
With average temperatures reaching scorching levels in June, dehydration is a force to be reckoned with. Adding alcohol – a diuretic that causes more frequent urination – to the mix can lead to a dangerous problem.
Drink plenty of water to stay healthy and happy.
Have fun
Senior Week can, and should, be the time of your life. Act responsibly, take care of yourself and look out for your friends. You all deserve to come home with awesome memories, not regrets.