For college students everywhere, St. Patties is a big time for parties, and with parties comes risk. Here are some tips to keep you and others safe this Patties.
As a first year student experiencing the St. Patties festivities for the first time, I had no idea what to expect – so I went way overboard. I ended up getting sick, and lost, and had a bad first experience. There were a lot of factors that went into my experience that I could’ve changed to have a more enjoyable experience. Hopefully, this year will be a better experience.
Firstly, if you’re planning on drinking, don’t do it on an empty stomach. Make sure you eat something before you start drinking, so that the alcohol can be better absorbed. Trust from experience – drinking on an empty stomach is a recipe for disaster.
In addition to a full stomach, make sure you are hydrated. With the heat of everyone being packed in one place during parties and the alcohol in your system, water is so important. Alcohol can dehydrate you, and without drinking water you could end up at risk of a medical emergency. That isn’t a fun way to spend your St. Patties experience!
One thing I wish I did when I first celebrated St. Patties was have a game plan. I got lost from my friends and ended up alone, which was scary. If you plan on going out, make sure you go with someone. If you aren’t going with someone, make sure to let a friend or family member where you are and let them know your plan. This way, if something happens, someone is at least aware and can make sure you’re safe.
This may be the most important one, in my opinion, NEVER leave your drink unattended. With large groups of people and alcohol involved, you cannot always be sure of peoples intentions. By making sure you keep your drink away from others, especially strangers, you can help the risk of being roofied or other negative situations. If you must leave your drink, leave it with a trusted friend, or get a new one when you come back.
Hopefully these tips can help us all stay safe this coming St. Patties celebration.