Don’t drink yourself green

Saint Patrick’s Day is almost synonymous with drinking. However, that doesn’t mean the only way one can have fun on St. Patty’s Day is by drinking tons of green beer.

One way to celebrate Saint Patty’s is by going to one of the several parades across the U.S. It may seem like a little bit of a family-oriented thing, but it’s still funny to see people dressed up as leprechauns. Parades are also a good place to grab some swag. Remember nothing beats a necklace made out of plastic four-leaf clovers.

Another way to properly celebrate the holiday is by stopping by a Irish Pub and getting some Irish food, such as corned beef and cabbage. Maybe even go to one that’s hosting live music and get a taste of Irish jigs.

Also a great way to have fun on St. Patty’s Day is by pinching anyone who isn’t wearing green. Even though, this tradition probably isn’t originally Irish it’s a great way to have childish fun, just make sure you don’t make someone mad.

If you do decide to enjoy some green beer remember: You thought you wouldn’t turn green on St. Patty’s Day and you wouldn’t. Three drinks ago.

By Brian Haight

Don’t lose your beach bod at the beach

We’ve all been there. You’re finally on vacation and getting to relax. Along with that comes the temptation to break from your diet. You should enjoy yourself this spring break, but don’t fall into the indulgence trap.

With many of us preparing to head off to different beach locations, here are a few tips to make sure you bring that spring break body back home.

Hydrate: If your destination is fun in the sun remember to drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated will help protect you from exhaustion and potential heat stroke caused by spending long periods of time outdoors. Some fruits and vegetables can also offer substantial water content as well. Pack a cooler of your favorite melon and some cherry tomatoes to snack on while you chill by the water.

Get Moving: Spring break destinations offer all sorts of opportunities to stay active. Make it a goal to do more than lay out. Find a beach volleyball game to join or throw the Frisbee with some friends. Being mobile while in the sun will actually increase your skin exposure and help get that golden brown tone tan were hoping to get.

Moderation is the key that applies to more than just alcohol consumption. Enjoy your spring break, and remember that it takes less than you think to keep your beach bod.

By Maria Sanders

It takes LessThanUThink to have a safe spring break

The weeks leading up to spring break are full of excitement and eagerness. Students count down the days until they can jet out of town and travel to their spring break destinations, too often preoccupied with their impending vacations to take time and assess their situations before they happen. While spring break can be an amazing week for college students, things can change and go wrong in an instant, and its better to have a plan to assure your spring break goes off without a hitch.

When you are traveling to your destination…

To get to any spring break location, whether it is out of the country or just a state beach, students more than likely have to drive at some point to get to their destination. It’s imperative that students remember a few things before hitting the road to ensure a safe journey.

• Only have one person per seat. The first rule of thumb is to not have more people in any vehicle than are allocated. By cramming people into a packed car, not only can you offset the balance of the car, but also you can potentially distract the driver. Going off of that idea, make sure your driver is concentrated and not preoccupied in any way by using their phone, changing the music or becoming too involved in conversation. The driver is the keeper of your safety so help make his or her job easier!
• Keep up with the gas and cash. Make sure that the vehicle is filled with gas and always have cash with you. You never know when you may be on a back road with little gas or land in a place that doesn’t take credit cards. Before leaving, have everyone get a little cash out of the ATM to ensure that your group is covered in the event of an emergency.
• Let people know where you are heading. Having someone, whether it be a parent or close friend, know when you are leaving and arriving at your destination allows you to have your tracks covered in case you lose cell phone reception or get stuck in a compromising situation.
• You booze you lose. Do not drive with alcohol in your car! Police are well aware of the traffic that will be occurring during spring break and look for people to pull over. Roadblocks are also very common. If you are not of age and are caught with alcohol in the car, you are susceptible to an MIP (minor in possession) and could face other charges depending on the cop.
• When traveling home, remember the same tips as heading to your vacation. A week’s worth of sun and fun can exhaust everyone so make sure you have food and water ready for all passengers. Also, make sure there is another driver ready in case the current driver is too exhausted. It’s important to allow the main driver time to relax on a long drive back.

While on Spring Break…

Once you are with your friends at the beach, it’s easy to lose control quickly and plans change just as soon as they were conceived. It’s important to remember a few tips to make sure your group stays safe and connected.

• Always know where all members of your group are. People decide to go to different house parties, different bars and can neglect to inform others about their whereabouts. Having a tally of where everyone is at all times will minimize worry and will keep everyone safe.
• Make sure that every person in your group has a “buddy”. Pairing up with one person, with which you both share responsibility for one another, helps keep people accountable and also diminishes the risk of losing a person in the crowd.
• Know whom your friends are mingling with at the beach. New boys and girls from other schools seem charming at the time, but you can’t trust people you do not know. If you recognize your friend has an affinity for a new guy, make sure you have his number and combine your group of friends. It’s never safe for one person to stray from the group to hang out with people you just met.
• Stay hydrated throughout the day. College students seem to neglect old-fashioned H2O while at the beach in trade for a cold beer, but too many drinks will dehydrate any person and make them extremely sick. To guarantee you can make it through the day and feel 100 percent, it’s necessary to always have cold water around and to sip on it throughout the day.
• Always have a sober friend. College students often view spring break as the one singular week to let completely loose and neglect having a friend who claims responsibility and consciousness in the event that something goes wrong. Switch nights so that every person in your group doesn’t have to play “mom.” This ensures you have a safe ride to and from your locations, and that someone is coherent to deal with authorities or parents in the event of an emergency.

Beware of what you share on social media

Social media can be a fantastic tool for networking and portraying your individuality on the Internet. However, it can be your reputation’s worst nightmare if used irresponsibly. Thanks to how easy it is access someone’s social media profiles, the expression “what happens on vacation, stays on vacation” can be considered outdated. Here are some things to consider before displaying your crazy spring break on the Internet.

Privacy. Before embarking on your trip, double-check your privacy settings on Facebook. After Facebook undergoes a redesign, privacy settings revert to a less safe default mode.

Checking in. While you may want to share with your friends that you are kicking back and enjoying your vacation, be advised about what message you may indirectly be sharing. Revealing on social media that you are out of town could be inviting intruders to your home. Avoid advertising your exact location on Facebook.

Posting & Tweeting. College students need to take notice of how their posts on social media pages now could affect potential future employment opportunities. According to an article on Mashable, a recent study shows that more than 90 percent of recruiters and hiring managers have visited a potential candidate’s profile on a social network as part of the screening process. Sixty-nine percent of recruiters have rejected a candidate based on content found on his or her social networking profiles.

So, think twice before posting or tweeting a message that may portray your reputation in a negative light. Remember the expression “a picture paints a thousand words?” Don’t let yourself fall victim to a spring break picture, posted on social media, that doesn’t define who you are. Avoid photos that you wouldn’t want your grandmother or a future employer seeing.

Another idea to take into consideration is discussing with your friends a spring break photo policy. Everyone in your group should be on the same page in regards to how you document your vacation.

Overall, it’s best to take a vacation from social media if you choose to consume alcohol while on spring break. However, if you do choose to use social media, be sure you are fully aware of what information you are disclosing about yourself.

Remember, you think you won’t embarrass yourself through social media, and you wouldn’t. Four drinks ago.

By Haley Schwartz

It takes LessThanUThink to pace yourself

We all know things are a lot different on spring break. A certain
standard has been set during this one week of freedom. Phrases like “live it up”
and “let loose” come to mind. During spring break, you may be pressured into
things you wouldn’t normally do. There is nothing wrong with having the time of
your life, but being smart can help make it even better.

When spring break is mentioned you automatically think of sun, sand
and waves. However, long days out on the beach can leave you drained. To
ensure the fun-filled day doesn’t cause you to miss out on the nightly
activities here are a few tips.

Refresh. Water is key. Alternating an alcoholic beverage with water
will help you pace yourself throughout the day. The heat causes you to
sweat, which in turn can dehydrate you. So, when leaving the
condo don’t forget your cooler full of bottled water.

Refuel. It is so easy to lose track of time when you are having a
blast on the beach. Many times people end up skipping lunch in fear of
missing out or losing tanning time. Make an effort to pack a small lunch or go out
to eat.

Reapply. You are not immune to the sun’s intense rays. I know skin
care is usually not the first thing on your mind during spring break,
but it is something you should consider. Getting sun burnt can ruin a
trip, so be sure to bring the SPF.

Recreation. Be active! Take a walk on the beach or join in a
volleyball game. Laying in the sun only seems to drain you. Release your
endorphins by getting up and moving.

Following these tips can only make spring break more successful. Have
fun and be smart!

By Becca Bryant

You may not be the only thing in the hot tub…

Spring break is a wonderful time to hangout with friends at the beach, by the pool and
in hot tubs. One thing to remember before hopping in is that it takes LessThanUThink
to get a hot tub rash! As disgusting as that sounds, you can get a rash from a hot tub.
The worst part is it doesn’t take much for them to occur. As wonderful as we may think
hot tubs are, bacteria like them just as much. Because the water is constantly warm,
bacteria tend to thrive in hot tubs. A simple improper mixture of chemicals can cause
you major problems on vacation.

Unfortunately, I have experienced this inconvenient rash. A fun weekend at the beach
with friends turned into a not so fun Monday health center visit with friends. We all fell
victim to the dreaded “hot tub folliculitis.” Sounds miserable, right? I can assure you it
was. Two hours in a hot tub with my friends became two weeks of pain and antibiotics.
What we thought was harmless fun in a hot tub morphed into a bonding experience
none of us ever hoped to have.

Next time you find yourself near a hot tub, do yourself a favor and think twice before
slipping in! As appealing as hot tubs may be, consider who could have been in there
before you and what they may have added to the mix. My advice would be to stay away
because folliculitis is not the souvenir you want to bring back from spring break. Don’t
say I didn’t warn you!

By Anne-Marie Urrutia

one campaign. 6 campuses.

Two weeks prior to spring break, college campuses are usually filled with conversations about beach plans and lake house trips. However, for LTUTers across Alabama, those two weeks will be filled with hosting engaging events designed to address the national problem of college-age binge drinking.

Students across Alabama will implement LTUT on six college campuses—Alabama State University, Auburn University, The University of Alabama, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Troy University and The University of South Alabama.

This phase of LTUT is intended to raise awareness of the negative social and physical consequences of binge drinking. Its goal is to encourage students to make responsible decisions concerning alcohol consumption during spring break.

The campaign will consist of events on-campus and at local bars. LTUT’s swag will be displayed at Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control stores en route to the beach as well.

In addition to on-campus initiatives, LTUT’s Executive Leadership Team will take its message to the Alabama Gulf Coast along Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, where it will hold beach contests, LTUT gear giveaways and events at local bars.

So look around your campuses this week to get some awesome LTUT swag!

Remember—You think you could implement a statewide campaign and you couldn’t without the awesome students of LTUT 2012.

By Brian Haight

It takes LessThanUThink to get downtown and back safely

It’s the weekend and you want to be responsible while drinking.  You and your friends are trying to decide between hitting up bars on the Strip or bars downtown. Normally when going downtown, someone has to be a designated driver, which almost always leads you deciding just to stay close to campus. Thanks to The University of Alabama’s Student Government Association and the Transportation Services department, this decision has become a lot easier.

Now you can do both! Today, the SGA and Transportation Services introduced the Downtown Express. The new north campus and south campus routes will take you and your friends safely from campus to downtown.

The Downtown Express doesn’t make the consequences of binge drinking disappear. However, it does provide you a safe mode of transport between the two locations.

When using the Downtown Express remember: You think you won’t get on the wrong bus, and you wouldn’t. Three drinks ago.

Operating Times:

Thursday: 6:00pm – 2:00am

Friday: 6:00pm – 3:00am

Saturday: 6:00am – 2:00am

By Haley Schwartz

It takes LessThanUThink to have the perfect Valentine’s Day

First dates are scary. If you really like the other person, the pressure to make a great first impression can be a little overwhelming. As a girl, I can tell you that I’ve agonized over what to wear and how to fix my hair and makeup, wondered if my breath smelled okay and hoped that I wouldn’t say anything embarrassing. Once the first date is out of the way, the nerves may be gone but the pressure to impress isn’t. Through the crazy, confusing and wonderful dance we call dating, you’ll probably have some good ones, some great ones and some that you’d rather forget. Since Valentine’s Day is this week, I thought I’d share with you some dating advice on how to make the most of your night out!

• Having a smart-phone is a wonderful thing, but in a world full of iPhones, Droids and Blackberrys, sometimes it’s nice to be “off the grid.” While you’re on a date is one of those times. No one wants to look across the dinner table and see his or her date texting or updating a Twitter status. Be present when you’re with a date.
• Girls: wear clothes that fit and are appropriate for the occasion. Guys are noted for saying they are attracted to women with casual, easygoing style. Go easy on the makeup and remember: Just because it zips, doesn’t mean it fits.
• Limit your alcohol intake. The stories of dates gone wrong due to someone being too drunk are endless. Drinks at dinner or out at a bar are fine, as long as they’re consumed in moderation. You’re on a date because you genuinely want to get to know the other person, and doing so in an alcohol-induced haze isn’t the best way to impress your date. No one wants to be the sloppy drunk girl everyone laughs at while she struggles to walk across the restaurant. Have fun, but remember your limits.
• Talking may be the key to communicating with your date, but if you’re the only contributing to the conversation, you aren’t really communicating well, are you? Listening is one of the greatest qualities a person can have. Don’t forget to take a breath every once in a while and let the other person have some floor time.
• Everyone knows someone who they could literally care less about. Your date doesn’t need to know about them. As the conversation starts to flow, it’s natural that other people’s names will come up. Remember to be polite and don’t trash talk anyone (this includes ex’s). You don’t want to come across as a psycho, judgmental snob who doesn’t like anyone.

I know that most of these tips are old news, but everyone can use a refresher on how to be a good date. Being polite and staying true to yourself are the best ways to make a lasting impression on anyone you have your eye on. Happy Valentine’s Day!

 By Casey O’Rear

Spring break, coming FasterThanUThink!

After New Year’s Day, it hits you: “I have to get ready for Spring Break!” Most people immediately hit the gym and start eating their veggies in hopes of that perfect bod. A few weeks go by, and they quickly drop out of the routine (myself included). While that “spring break body” will look great in pictures, that’s not all you should be worried about. There are a few dwindling tasks to check off the list that tend to get pushed back until the last minute.

Believe it or not, spring break is only 30 days away! By now, plans have finally started to come together. You know where you are going and the friends you are taking along. Thirty days from now, you will have hopefully arrived at your getaway location and thrown all your cares away. But, maybe first you ought to consider adding these to-dos to your list:

1. Book the room. This task sounds easy, but, in retrospect, it becomes more of a process. Location is key. You and your friends want to be in a prime location close to all the action. But, a great location is often accompanied by a not-so-great price. You have to find out how much money your friends are willing to fork out on a room. After calculating the total you must find a room that fits the budget. Ok, you have found the perfect hotel, but wait – they are all booked up for the second week of March. The search continues. Start the process now, so you can avoid the pile of stress later.

2. Find the designated driver. This is an important decision. Your life is in their hands. The driver should be willing to deal with whatever distractions and complications may come their way. A huge responsibility comes with being the driver. Not only are they in charge of getting everyone to the location and back safely, but they are also in control during the trip. The whole group has to make it to dinner, to putt-putt, to the bar and back home. The driver is responsible for making sure that is a success.  Considering all of the possibilities and solutions now can help in a conflicting situation later.

3. Make a budget. Let’s get real, we are college kids. This means the majority of us are constantly checking our bank statement and praying our card doesn’t get declined at Publix. Mapping out a budget now could be crucial to the success of your spring break. Think of cutting back in the coming weeks. Saving $10 you would have spent on a cover and another $15 ordering drinks at the bar can buy you two meals during spring break (and that’s just one night’s savings). On vacation you spend much more money than a regular week at home. You need to factor in meals, activities and the nightlife scene. Eating out can definitely break the bank. You might want to consider stopping by the grocery store beforehand and grabbing Pop-Tarts and sandwich fixings. Thinking of smart ways to get more bang for your buck can help make this spring break a successful one.

These are just a few steps you can take now to get on the road to the perfect spring break.

Got any share-worthy spring break suggestions?