This weekend, many Bradley students will venture to University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day.
But while many will travel to U of I to visit friends, mostly students go there to do one thing – drink.
And not just one or two beers, but they drink massive amounts of liquor from morning until night.
In fact, so much drinking occurs, it often results in breaking the law. Last year, officials with the city of Champaign were forced to close a bar after a patron started serving shots.
And as students finish nursing hangovers and recovering from partying at U of I, they will take trips where they will drink even more.
Spring Break is a weeklong event that is known for students’ travels to party towns and beaches.
But while warm weather and drinking sound like a recipe for a perfect Spring Break, there may be elements thrown into the mix that put a damper on the fun.
We realize that students want to have fun during Spring Break, and many spend their hard-earned money so they can relax in tropical locations.
But amidst the sun and partying, students need to remember to stay safe.
They should be cautious while traveling and try not to walk around alone. They should never leave for an isolated location with a stranger.
Women especially need to be extra careful. They should never accept drinks from strangers or leave their drinks unattended.
Sexual assault is one of the leading crimes that occur during Spring Break, so women need to take caution and use common sense.
But this year, there is something extra that students need to be aware of.
The U.S. State Department has issued a warning urging students traveling to Mexico to be careful. An increase in drug-related murder and violence around the country has caused many universities to urge students to take extra safety measures south of the border.
Students don’t necessarily have to change their plans, but they should avoid sightseeing in remote locations, Vice President for Student Affairs Alan Galsky said.
This warning may be more serious than you think. There were killings in Acapulco and Cancun, two popular vacation spots, according to the Associated Press. More than 6,000 people were killed last year.
And considering that more than 100,000 college- and high school-age Americans travel to Mexico during Spring Break, students should be extra aware of potentially dangerous situations.
The most important thing to remember is to look out for your friends. Make sure you know where they are at all times, and never let them leave with someone you don’t know.
While Spring Break can be a fun time to relax and hang out with friends, students need to remember that a break from school doesn’t allow them a break from responsibility.
