College Graduation Party Safety

Graduation from college is a time that should be marked with celebration and happiness. It is the time when many people feel that they have finally entered the world of adults. Most college graduates believe they no longer should be counted among the ranks of children and teens, but actually an adult that is ready to stand up and make a difference. Unfortunately, one of the ways that many college graduates go about showing this newfound independence is by doing something stupid at their college graduation party.

Here are a few simple safety guidelines that you can use at the next college graduation party that you attend or throw. In fact, these tips and ideas can be useful for any college party. Have fun, but be safe at the same time.

• Plan. Similar to planning on throwing a party, you should plan out your activities before hand. Don't go to any party alone, but instead go as part of a larger group. There really is safety in numbers, so make sure that you are using the buddy system. If you plan on doing any drinking at all that night, make sure that you have selected a designated driver. Never go to a party to only get drunk, have other activities in mind as well—talking, dancing, hanging out, etc. Finally, before you go to any party, make sure that other people know where you are going, and what time you are planning on coming back.
• Information. Before you go to the party, make sure that you know some pretty basic information about the party. This information can pretty much be summed up by answering questions along the lines of "who, what, when, and where." Who are you going to the party with and who is throwing the party? What is the party for? When is the party, and how long is it going to be? And finally, where is the party going to be held? Make sure that you have shared this information with someone else (like a friend or family member) before you attend the party.
• Be aware. When you are at the party, make sure that you pay attention to your surroundings. If you at any time begin to feel uncomfortable, speak up and let someone know. If you start to get scared—leave. If you have to, make as much of a scene as is necessary to gather attention and enable you to leave safely.
• Drinking. If you are planning on drinking, then make sure you never leave your drink unattended. Ensure that you know what your limits are, so that you don't become so drunk that you don't end up regretting anything that you may end up doing.
• Be prepared. Before you go to any party, you want to make sure that you are prepared for any eventuality. You may wish to purchase a personal alarm, which is inexpensive and quite often doesn't look like an alarm system. Finally, if you do plan on having sex, then you need to make sure that you know the person, have adequate protection, and that they do not have any illnesses you may catch.