The second week of March is right around the corner, which means the students of the University of Pittsburgh are heading their separate ways for a much-deserved spring break. Whether you’re boarding a flight to San Juan, hopping in the car to take the Pennsylvania Turnpike all the way home to just outside of Philadelphia or snuggling up in your South Oakland apartment, please remember that your safety doesn’t take a break, even when you do.
For those who are driving home for a week in their hometown, check before merging lanes. Sleep for 16 hours straight, and log out of all your inboxes. For those traveling with friends for the week, let loose and have fun. You only get so many vacations, especially as a college student with some of your closest friends.
For drinking responsibly
If you’re going to a sunny, all-inclusive resort, drink adequate amounts of water and put on sunscreen. If you’re of legal drinking age wherever you may be, indulge in a beer or a cocktail, but don’t leave it unattended. If you do leave it unattended, order a new one. Send your loved ones pictures of what you’re up to, the views of your stay and the details of your most recent endeavor. They’re probably hoping that you’re having the time of your life and an amazing spring break.
For sticking together
Make sure someone not in your party knows what your itinerary is, and use the buddy system, no matter how tired you might be of your travel companions. Take strangers for what they are — strange. Don’t break loose from your group. If you’re in the group, don’t let someone break loose. Keep your hotel room or space for the time being locked and secure your valuables. Make an emergency plan with your travel companions in the event of a worst-case scenario, but take the measures you can to ensure it never comes to a worst-case scenario.
Exchange locations with those you’re traveling with, even just for the time being. Check in with your friends often, and never leave them behind. You’re likely not in Hemingway’s Cafe, but instead a foreign country or location that you’re not entirely familiar with.
You can have fun and be safe, and one never has to come at the expense of the other. When you’re out with friends and exploring a new country, state or location, it’s easy to get swept up and forget some of the best practices that have been drilled into us since childhood. However, forgetting or ignoring these best practices can have traumatic and life-long consequences. Wherever your spring break takes you, be sure to enjoy the time off while bearing in mind that safety can’t afford to take a break.
The Pitt News editorial is a weekly article written by the opinion editors in collaboration with other desk editors. It reflects the collective opinion of the current Pitt News editorial staff.