To the average college student, turning 21 is the most important rite of passage based on age. Granted, turning 18 may yield more political power with the right to vote, but for a 21-year-old, the responsibility of being able to purchase alcohol independently shapes the typical stigma at an American university. Your 21st birthday may be the wildest night of your life, but there are several important factors that should be considered before you decide to go out and rage until you black out.

First of all, make sure you understand your limits. Shot after shot bought for you by strangers who want to help you celebrate may entice you to consume ridiculous amounts of alcohol, often leading to a terrible next-day hangover at the very least. If you haven’t drunk before, start with one drink per hour and take it slow. This is equivalent to one beer, one glass of wine, or one shot. Trust me, saving yourself from spending your birthday hunched over a toilet will prove to be a much more rewarding experience in the long run. Follow the common suggestion of drinking an alcoholic beverage followed by a glass of water. The ability to process this alcohol significantly depends on your body type and metabolism, which is variable from person to person and can never be instantly predicted. Furthermore, eat something before you go out and start drinking. Any food helps “soak up” the alcohol and balances out nutrient intake, though consuming foods high in carbohydrates has been shown to help process the alcohol more quickly.

On a continuing note of personal safety, appoint one or a couple friends to watch over you for the night, and never go out on your own. If you are unfamiliar with the bars and other locales in the area, look up establishments that are closer to where you live, so you have less of a walk or ride home. In La Crosse, the Safe Ride bus makes many trips around the city per night, and making your way to the bus stop at the end of your celebrating gives you an easy and cost-effective way to get home. Never get behind the wheel after going out with your friends, even if you have only consumed one drink. The last thing you want on your birthday is a DUI or a death certificate. If you can’t make it back to your own house, have at least one back-up option – talk to your friends about possibly staying over at their place.

As the temperature drops in western Wisconsin, the risk for developing hypothermia increases dramatically. If your birthday falls during the early winter months, you should plan on dressing in layers to keep yourself warm. Thinking you have a “drunk coat” on is a real phenomenon: as you drink more, you will most likely begin to believe your body temperature is also rising, which happens to an extent. However, the psychological effect of alcohol lowering your inhibitions also makes you think you’re a lot warmer than you are, which can be incredibly dangerous. Going outside with just a t-shirt on, even if you feel hot, is a terrible idea with increasing wind chills and lower temperatures setting in earlier before and during snowfall. Bring along a coat on your 21st – it could save your life.

All in all, turning 21 and celebrating that important milestone is certainly an experience to remember. Consuming alcohol with your friends can be a fun way to party and not worry about the stresses of school, but this activity also has serious consequences if the facts are not considered. With my 21st coming up this week, I plan to go out and have an awesome time with my friends, but also make safe and responsible choices while I enjoy my birthday. Hopefully, you will do the same.