This is a response to “10 Things You Can Do Instead Of Drinking Or Partying On St. Patrick’s Day”

Wait…what’s Green Beer Day (GBD)? Basically, it’s a day-long party the Thursday before Miami University’s spring break where celebrants drink beer that is dyed green with artificial coloring. According to Wikipedia, the tradition was started in the early 1980s when the academic calendar caused St. Patrick’s Day to fall during spring break when students were gone. As a student at Miami, I can agree that GBD is the largest tradition on campus, although it’s not sanctioned by the university, with different varieties of merch to prove it.

Although it’s great to celebrate such a long-lasting tradition on campus, it’s also important to keep a few things in mind. An important disclaimer: no one should be pressured to drink if they don’t want to. There are plenty of things to do before spring break that don’t include drinking, including having a movie night, finishing up last-minute work, preparing for your spring break vacation, and going out to dinner with your friends. Everyone has different perspectives on drinking and they should all be respected! If you are planning on drinking on GBD or St. Patrick’s Day, here are some tips on how to celebrate safely.

1. Slow the pace of your drinking. Keep track of the number of drinks you’ve had and the amount of time between drinks. Keep a tally so you know when you’ve reached your limit.
2. Be sure to eat beforehand. Food in the stomach slows the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream and helps prevent a sudden increase in blood alcohol concentration. Snack on non-salty foods while drinking to continue to slow the absorption.
3. Hydrate. Alternate between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, preferably water. Hydrating helps to mitigate the negative effects of alcohol that give you a hangover. When you’re getting water, grab an extra cup for your friend when you can.
4. Keep in mind these questions. What responsibilities do I have? How can I remain safe and feel my best? How am I getting home tonight? How much money do I want to spend? Although it’s great to have fun with your friends, be sure to reflect on what responsibilities you may have that day or the next day.

As noted in the original article, it’s your choice whether or not you would like to drink on GBD or St. Patrick’s Day. If you do plan on drinking, be sure to prepare and drink safely! If you don’t plan on drinking, you have plenty of options for celebrating these holidays, from trying different Irish food to attending a parade with a friend. Be sure to enjoy the traditions that your campus holds, but don’t feel pressure to conform to a certain activity that you may be uncomfortable with.