-RE

Dear RE,

Thank you for your question. It makes me hark back to the day when a snot-nosed undergraduate, tired of snow, piled into a Ford station wagon with friends and traveled from Northern Michigan University to Key West, Fla., for his first spring break. Things have changed over the decades, but honestly the approach to how we prepare ourselves for the moments that we live really has not.

Spring break safety always will be a concern of mine as both a member of this campus community and as a health educator. I could tell you all about the possible risks of going to Mexico, such as the possibility of contaminated water, mugging or even the current incidences of kidnapping and drug-related killings going on there. These dangers are real.

The fact is, the overwhelming majority of MSU students who choose to go somewhere other than home have a great time, come back safe and behave responsibly.

The reason we had a good, safe time in Key West was not so much that we knew all the risks and/or that we were overly cautious. You could say it came down to two things: common sense and common friends.

Common sense implies a level of developmental maturity and common experiences that help you figure out what you need to do at that moment to stay healthy and safe in various situations.

Listen to your gut. Trust your intuition.

As for spring break, or for that matter engaging in anything new, using common sense means starting with the understanding that life is of value and that your long-term desired outcome is health and safety. From there, using common sense implies thinking and planning before, getting whatever information and related resources you think you may need and then communicating with those you’re traveling with as to what your expectations are for the trip.

After that, remembering the phrase, “Who’s your buddy?” is most important. Our own data alludes to the fact that staying with friends while on spring break may help one avoid consequences of harm. Your common friends are in most cases going to be your safety net. You need to have a clear understanding among your buddies as to your mutual roles in this adventure. You also need to agree to when and how you will intervene to protect the health or safety of the other.

Let me wish that you make yourself a great break, no matter what you do or where you go. Enjoy the beach, the house you may help build, the class you may teach, the cleanup you may be involved in, the beer you may drink and the tan you may get.

Just remember: Don’t worry, think common!

Peace, Dr. D.

Dennis Martell, Ph.D., is a coordinator of Olin Heath Center education. E-mail him your questions at dennis.martell@ht.msu.edu.