4 tips for celebrating graduation and the end of the year

Whether you’re graduating or simply enjoying the end of a long school year, here are some tips you can use to plan your ideal celebration.

1. Make it your own

If you plan to attend graduation or end-of-year parties, try to be selective. Focus on celebrations that allow you to spend time with people you really care about and want to celebrate with. If you choose not to attend parties, that’s okay too.

Here are some ideas for how to make it your own:

Make plans to eat out at your favorite local restaurant with a close group of friends or family (brunch, anyone?).
Get a small group together to enjoy a day at the park with lawn games and food or cake.
Plan a small getaway, road trip or camping trip with friends or family (you can rent equipment from the Rec Center).
Visit your favorite spots in Boulder, especially if you’ll be leaving for the summer or starting a new job soon.
Recreate memories with friends on campus and around town.

2. Think small

It’s easy to get swept up into large events, especially if you’re graduating alongside more than 6,000 other students. However, it’s important to be mindful of who you really want to celebrate your accomplishments with this year.

3. Come up with a game plan

The end of the semester can be a hectic time. That’s why it’s important to make a game plan before heading out to celebrate.

Here are some tips you can use to stay together and stay safe:

Pick the right people. Take some time to identify who you want to go out with, including family and friends. If you plan to drink or use other substances, be sure to choose a friend group that will take care of you, even if you’ve had too much to drink.
Stick to the plan. Make sure everyone is on the same page about how you want to celebrate, where you want to go and what parties or celebrations you want to attend. Once you have a plan, stick to it. If things change, be sure to talk with your group so you can all come up with a new plan together.
Keep in contact. Create a group chat so you can keep in touch with each other, even if you split up at a party. Make sure to keep your sound on, so you don’t miss any notifications from the group. If you end up in different areas, try sending the address or sharing a location pin with the group so they know where to find you.
Watch out for each other. If you or your friends plan to drink or use substances, keep each other accountable. Encourage everyone to set a limit before you go out and stick to it. If you notice a friend has gone beyond their limit, encourage them to drink water, have a snack or join you for a non-drinking activity. You may also need to take them home early.
Stay hydrated. Hot weather and alcohol aren’t always a good mix, because you’re more likely to get dehydrated. Try alternating between alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, especially if you’re celebrating outside in the heat. Don’t forget to encourage your friends to do the same.
Get home safe. Make sure you don’t ditch anyone at a party or celebration, even if they’re being difficult or unwilling to stick to the plan. Never leave someone alone with casual friends, people you just met or those you don’t know well. Instead, commit to going home together and using safe options like CU NightRide or rideshare programs.

4. Call for help

If you or your friends decide to drink or use other substances during celebrations or parties, be sure to watch out for signs of alcohol poisoning and potential overdoses. Always call 911 in a drug- or alcohol-related emergency.

Signs to watch for:

If someone is experiencing any of the following symptoms, they may be experiencing alcohol poisoning or an overdose.

Passed out and unresponsive
Slow or no breathing
Vomiting while passed out
Involuntary pooping or peeing
Pale/bluish or cool/clammy skin
Pinpoint (small) pupils
Gurgling, heavy wheezing or snoring sound

How to respond:

If someone is experiencing symptoms of alcohol poisoning or an overdose, here are steps you should take.

Immediately call 911 and wait for help to arrive.
Make sure that the person is in a safe place to avoid injury.
Gently turn them on their side and put them in the .
Stay with them. Never leave a severely intoxicated person alone or with someone who is not a trusted friend.
if available (it will not harm a person who is not experiencing an overdose, so if in doubt, use it)

Important policies to know

CU Boulder Amnesty Policy

Calling for help in an alcohol- or drug-related emergency means neither the person who calls for help nor the person who needs help will be subject to formal disciplinary sanctions by the university (i.e., probation, suspension, expulsion).

To be covered by the Amnesty Policy, a student must:

Call for help (911 or university staff).
Stay with the individual until help arrives.
Cooperate with staff and emergency responders.

The 911 Good Samaritan Law states that a person is immune from criminal prosecution for an offense when the person reports, in good faith, an emergency drug or alcohol overdose even to a law enforcement officer, to the 911 system or to a medical provider.

This same immunity applies to persons who remain at the scene of the event until a law enforcement officer, or an emergency medical responder arrives, or if the person remains at the facilities of the medical provider until a law enforcement officer, emergency medical responder or medical provider arrives. The immunity described above also extends to the person who suffered the emergency drug or alcohol overdose event.

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