From papers to projects, pop-quizzes to finals, and deadlines to financial aid lines, everyday life for the typical college student can certainly become stressful. Thankfully, the powers that be created something we all know as spring break. This week of unrestrained, unrestricted, and often, unforgettable, “class-less” bliss, is the one full week in the semester where students can cut loose, and forget that they are, in fact, students. Sad to say though, being a student is not the only thing that some spring breakers forget. Being a responsible adult is also something that mysteriously slips some students’ minds. Countless experts credit alcohol consumption as the main culprit for many students’ irresponsible behavior.
As most of us already know, alcohol lowers inhibitions and impairs judgment – causing people to participate in behavior they probably never would while sober. Public sex, promiscuity, and public nudity, for example, are trademark occurrences at numerous spring break locations.
Who is to say whether adults 21 or over should or should not drink during their vacation? Excessive drinking however, puts your health and well being at high risk, it’s also just downright sloppy. The American Medical Association (AMA) reports that 50 percent of males and 40 percent of females drink until they vomit or pass out at least once during spring break.
Still, more serious than being an embarrassment to yourself, is the dangerous combination of drinking and driving. We should all know by now that drinking while driving is a big no-no. But some seem not to care much because driving while under the influence has and continues to kill thousands of people in the U.S. every year. Some PV students get the message though.
When asked what precautions she plans to take this spring break concerning drinking and driving, social work junior Shequita Wolfe states, “I don’t drink that much, so I’ll probably have only one drink, or just enough to drive myself home. If I feel like I am going to drink, I’m going to make sure to have a designated driver.”
Nursing junior Jamar Williams says, “If I’m going to the club I’m going to take my friends with me. So if I like a drink and want another one, I’ll have someone to take me home safely.”
“If I do any drinking it will be at a location where I know I won’t have to do any driving,” explains Crystal Robinson, a business management sophomore. “But drinking and driving is not in my vocabulary.”
“Well you should always have a designated driver,” advises chemistry graduate student Scott Seymour. “Limit the amount you want to drink, and don’t drink by yourself. We’re all adults, so we should act like adults.”
If you are traveling with friends this break, here are a few more tips on drinking that will keep you from becoming a guest at the county jail or even save your life:
Travel with people you trust.
Never let any member of your party be alone, especially if they are drunk.
If you are on a date, especially with someone that you do not know well, stay sober.
Never accept an open drink from someone you do not know.
If someone passes out from drinking, turn him on his or her side to avoid choking. Be sure to call 911 if the person exhibits low responsiveness.
Drink plenty of water. It is very easy to become dehydrated when drinking alcohol in the hot sun or while dancing.
Decide in advance what and how much you will drink.
Know what will happen if you violate state or local laws.
Don’t drink too much! And once again.
Do not drive if you have been drinking (likewise, do not get into a car if the driver has been drinking)!
This year, spring break is from March 10 – 18. Enjoy!