Don’t let spring break spell disaster

Spring break in a warmer climate is the ultimate college party experience. Surviving spring break with your dignity and bank account in tact is the tough part. Here are a few tips to enhance your

Spring break in a warmer climate is the ultimate college party experience. Surviving spring break with your dignity and bank account in tact is the tough part. Here are a few tips to enhance your experience.

Alexis Rochefort, a spokesperson for the Institute of Certified Travel Agents, warns of the dangers of getting scammed. Rochefort recommends using a credit card to pay for your travel expenses in order to protect against fraud.

Rochefort also recommends getting everything in writing. Read the fine print to make sure there aren’t any hidden fees; you don’t want to get a bill two weeks after your trip with your account already drained from poolside piña coladas and lap dances.

The hotel and flight fees are just the beginning of spending for a spring breaker. Alcohol, food, clubs, shopping and other expenses quickly add up.

“Watch your spending,” said Kate Lange, a sophomore who spent last spring break in L.A. “I blew $500 in a week. It was crazy.”

Fake ID’s are appealing to underage spring breakers in the United States. Dawn Peacock, a senior JPRA major, was partying with a fake New Jersey license in Orlando last year. The bouncer at a club confiscated the ID when she tried to get in.

“Best thing is to leave the country,” Peacock advised those who aren’t of age, “unless you want to be sober all the time.”

Drink water. The alcohol and the sun will dehydrate you. The American Dietetic Association recommends alternating alcoholic drinks with nonalcoholic decaffeinated beverages. Caffeine is a diuretic and will dry you out. Your best option is to drink water, fruit juices or sports drinks.

Ladies: guard your drinks. The increased availability of the date rape drugs GHB and Rohypnol in recent years has made the danger more prevalent. The National Health Information Center warns, “If you are accepting a drink, make sure it’s from an unopened container and that you open it yourself.”

In your drunken stupor, remember the sunscreen; a bad burn is a buzz kill. Don’t be the one who has to stay in the hotel applying aloe every two hours.

Tipsmarter.com has a spring break tip list. “Travel in groups,” the site advises. “Don’t let your friends wander off with strangers. Just because it’s spring break doesn’t mean the predators take the month off.”

Condoms. There are a lot of diseases out there and if you’re going to do it, use a condom. Stop by the HART (Health Awareness Resource Team) education office, located in the lower level of Mitten Hall; 10 condoms for $1!

For more about the week of fun in the sun check out www.tipsmarter.com and click on the Spring Break 2002 link.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*