April means formal season! From the dress that just won’t ship in time to your date canceling at the last minute, formal season definitely comes with stress. A lot of prep goes into a couple of hours on one night, especially if you are on the planning or risk committees. Whether you are going to a sports team formal, fraternity/sorority formal, or club formal, there are some important things to keep in mind to make sure you and your friends have a great time and stay safe. A couple of smart moves can make sure it’s a fun time for everyone and that all that preparation and stress was worthwhile.
- Share your location
Share your location with your friends via Find my iPhone (iPhone users) or Google Maps (iPhone and Android users). You don’t have to share it indefinitely, and through these apps, you are able to control the length of time your friends see your location. It is also helpful to track down your phone if you lose it at any point in the night.
- Agree to go there together and leave together
This one is definitely the most important. Before you go and before you leave, make sure everyone in the party is present and that no one has wandered off from the group. This way, if someone is in trouble or goes missing you will know something is wrong shortly after it happens. Also, it doesn’t hurt to walk people to their door after and make sure they get in safely.
- Balance alcohol with water and food
Many people have their formals end prematurely from irresponsible alcohol consumption. In order to make sure you and your friends get to enjoy the entire night, make sure you keep an eye on how much each person is drinking. Also, remember to drink a lot of water, as alcohol can be dehydrating. This will make you feel better during and after the event. Eating has a similar effect—snacking throughout the night will help you feel better for longer (don’t be the person who has a standards meeting the next morning).
- Check in with friends *especially if they are talking to someone new*
Check in on your friends, please! Especially if they have a date or meet someone new at the party. It can be a quick “are you okay?” or “do you need anything?” If you feel awkward doing it in front of their date, you can ask them to go to the bathroom or refreshments table with you. This minute-long check-in can make all the difference in their night and can also lead to the prevention of something hurtful before it happens.
- Utilize the sober drivers and monitors
I cannot emphasize this enough! Use your sober drivers and monitors! They really want to help you, I promise (and it will make them think their decision to be sober was a good one). When you need a ride home, get your sober driver instead of walking late at night in a small group. Also, if someone gets too drunk and needs some help, your sober monitor will have a much clearer head than you (especially since they have likely had the training to prepare for the event).
Follow these guidelines and your formal season will go smoothly and you will have the best time…all the stress building up to it is truly worth it!