Senior Week, Beach Week, Senior Trip, Graduation Week…whatever!
No matter what you call ‘em, these trips are quickly becoming as American as baseball and apple pie. Whether yours begins as early as mid-May or as late as mid-June, if you’re a graduate in the Class of 2008, you know you’ve been countin’ this one down – big time!
So what could we tell you that you don’t already know? You collected the cash from everybody for the security deposit. You got your passport updated and packed your cell recharger. Your ‘rents already laid down their rules and expectations about drinking, drugging, driving and sex. Besides, all you really want is one whale of a memory-makin’ good time with your friends before life takes you all in different directions, right?
Well all-righty then. In the spirit of lettin’ the good times roll and achieving maximus chillaximus, let’s call this your celebration countdown:
5. To Go or Not to Go
You probably made this decision months ago (sha!), but it’s worth one final look. Is the trip you’re planning in line with who you are as a person of faith? With your values? Will the people and the situations involved be supportive of you and your beliefs or are you going to be facing challenges 24/7? If you’re going with friends who do not share your beliefs, will they respect your choices? Will you share your faith with others when they challenge you about what you will and won’t do? Hey, food for thought….
4. Keep It in Your Pocket
Your cash that is. Flashing your roll of grad cash screams, “Steal me!” Consider using ATM and pre-paid debit cards rather than taking cash, and be sure to extend your smarts to personal property as well. Just because everybody’s there to have a good time doesn’t mean that you’re safe to leave iPods, car keys, and purses or wallets sitting in the sand while you take a swim.
3. What to Know When You Go
Whether you’ve decided to hit the beaches with the whole crew or to explore some other spot with just a few close friends, it’s important to know a few things, just in case. Remember, unless you’ve invited them to come along (not a bad idea, btw), Mom and Dad will not be there if something goes wrong. So, make sure you know:
• Location of the nearest hospital
• How to contact local authorities
• Emergency contacts for everyone traveling (make sure everyone hasICEs in their cell phones)
• If traveling internationally, how to use your cell phone and/or public phones at your destination
• Make sure family at home also has a copy of this information
2. Speaking of Family
This one’s quick and easy: be in touch. Sit down with your folks before you go and agree to a check-in plan for each day of your trip. You may be a graduate but you’ll always be their lil angel. And they’ll worry every minute you’re gone. Besides, Natalee Holloway ring any bells?
1. That’s How We Roll
Talk with your friends and traveling companions before the trip. What do people expect of each other? What are the rules for your group?
• Go with who you know. It’s great to meet new people during Senior Week – from other area schools, from other towns, states, even countries. But, just like you wouldn’t get into a car with someone you met and talked with for five minutes at the mall (you wouldn’t right?), exercise the same good judgment with the gorgeous specimen you just met on the beach….not the car, not the room, not the party. Doesn’t mean you can’t meet and get to know people, just be smart about it.
• Got an invite to a fab “private” event? Seriously, best advice? Don’t go. You don’t know the place and you don’t know the people. Public events are your best bet. However, if you do choose to go, go as a group and follow in your own car. If anything feels odd, book it.
• If you’re in a crowd and put a drink down, consider it finished – even if the glass is half full. GHB and Rohypnol are real and so are the consequences. Either finish your drink or leave it.
• Trust your friends. If they tell you it’s time to go, trust that they’ve got your back. If they say they need your help, leave McDreamy and go.
Senior Week is great times and amazing memories. Just be sure to play it safe!