It's natural to feel ALL the feels (excitement, sadness, anxiety etc.) when school is wrapping up and you're not sure what's next. All the different emotions you might be feeling can be totally overwhelming and you MIGHT even be tempted to do something out of character that could put you or your friends at risk.
Here are a few things to remember to make sure you get the most out of your end-of-year celebrations WITHOUT any unintended consequences:
- You don't have to get drunk or high. While you may feel like you're supposed to drink or do drugs to celebrate the end of high school or prom night (thanks Hollywood), you are definitely not alone if you decide not to. Less than 12% of teens ages 12-17 actually used alcohol in the past month. Drinking or taking drugs can get out of hand really quickly and it's just not worth the risk. If you're worried about drawing attention to yourself, grab a cup and fill it with soda water - no one will know the difference.
- If you do drink, don't drive. It's just not worth it. Car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens and a large portion of those are alcohol-related crashes. With Uber, Lyft, and the option of sleeping over at a friend's house, there is NO excuse to drink and drive.
- You shouldn't feel pressure to hookup on prom or graduation night. Very few teens actually do have sex on prom night. If you do decide to have sex, make sure it's consensual and that you use condoms and also another form of birth control if you're having sex with someone of the opposite sex. If you are drinking or doing drugs, you can't legally consent to sex.
- Think before you post. Remember, what gets posted online, stays online...even if you delete it. If you do decide to drink or get intimate with your date, it's best to keep those private activities private. And always ask permission before taking and sharing videos or pictures of your friends.
- Enjoy yourself! Corny as this may sound, prom and/or graduation usually only come around once in a lifetime. That being said, it probably won't be the best or most important night of your life - so feel free to let go of those high expectations and just enjoy the moment!