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Andrea Malkin Brenner, PhD is a college transition educator, speaker, and author. She is co-author of How to College: What to Know Before You Go (and When You’re There) and the creator of the Talking College™ Card Deck (available in English and Spanish). The Talking College™ Campus Visits card deck will be published in Spring, 2023. AMBrenner.com.

For college students, spring break is a chance to plan trips, socialize with friends away from campus, and celebrate a much needed break from their studies. Parents want their kids to have memorable holiday breaks with the assurance that their students know how to travel safely. Discussing the following tips with your college student can help them make well informed decisions and offer you peace of mind while they are traveling.

THEY SHOULD BE CAREFUL

It’s important to remember that FOMO (fear of missing out) may play a role when groups of students plan a spring break trip. Thus, it’s important to make sure that your student feels comfortable with the individuals in their travel group and with the location and lodging that has been selected.

in their new location

Your student should carefully research their destination in advance so that they know the layout of their surroundings and any areas to avoid. Suggest a few safety tips to them as they are booking their trips, such as looking for accommodations that include a room safe and requesting a hotel room above the second floor to avoid break-ins from ground level. Students should also agree to only take licensed taxis or rideshares with built-in safety features, such as Uber and Lyft.

The best way to avoid becoming the victim of a crime is to travel in a group. College students should make every attempt to have at least one person they know with them at all times. They should plan to arrive and leave restaurants, bars, and clubs with friends, and agree on a place to meet in case they are separated. It’s important to remind your student that sharing their exact location on social media can also be risky—it’s best to post photos from their trip after they return.

regarding environmental risks

Many college students head somewhere warm where they can relax at a beach (or to a wintery location where they can hike or ski). Both environments require sun protection. Students should apply a waterproof sunscreen regularly, especially when the sun's rays are strongest.

Since the majority of spring break trips are to beach locations, it’s advisable for parents to remind their college students of water safety tips as well. These include swimming where there’s a lifeguard; being aware of waves or undertow; avoiding alcoholic beverages while swimming; wearing life jackets while boating; never swimming alone; and not swimming or boating after dark.

when engaging with alcohol and other drugs

Although some college students enjoy alcohol-free spring break trips, it’s better to be realistic with expectations when talking with your child. If your student plans to drink on spring break, discuss responsible drinking habits rather than total abstinence. It’s important for them to understand what it means to drink in moderation. Students should be reminded that excessive or binge drinking can lead to poor decision-making, loss of consciousness, or even alcohol poisoning. Parents should reiterate that a person who is impaired by alcohol or drugs cannot legally give consent to sexual behavior.

Of course, any intoxication can lead to injuries or serious accidents. Students should know that they can moderate the effects of alcohol by eating a meal before drinking alcohol and by consuming water between alcoholic beverages. Remind your students to avoid hot tubs and sun exposure while drinking alcohol, as these can increase dehydration and amplify the alcohol’s effect. Responsible alcohol use also involves keeping an eye out for their friends!

Finally, safe drinking means that your student should never leave their drink unattended at a bar or club, as drinks can be spiked with odorless and tasteless drugs. Spring breakers should be wary of drinking out of open pitchers or punch bowls and know that if anyone shows symptoms of a “date rape drug” including wooziness, confusion, slurred talking, or difficulty standing, they should be taken to a hospital immediately.

Students should also avoid taking any pill that has not been prescribed by their own doctor, as it may contain Fentanyl and should be presumed to be potentially lethal. Marajiuna can also be laced with anything from lead and fungus to LSD and Ketamine.

THEY SHOULD BE CONSCIENTIOUS

Being proactive, not reactive, will give your student an advantage wherever they travel. You can help them strategize for experiences that don’t go according to plan as well as for emergency situations.

with important documents and money

When traveling, students should carry their ID (including a passport for international travel), the address of their lodging, a copy of their health insurance card, a bank card, and a credit card with them at all times. These documents should ideally be carried in a zippered pocket of a jacket, in their front pants pocket, or in a bag, purse, or backpack that they keep close. Parents should advise their students to be aware of where their bags are at all times. For instance, at a restaurant, it’s better to place a bag between their feet than hang it on the back of a seat, where others have easy access to it.

It’s also a great idea for students to travel with a photocopy of their important documents and, if possible, with a secondary credit card for emergencies. They should plan to leave their original passport, extra cash, and a secondary credit card in a safe at their hotel or rental house, but carry a copy of their passport and the cash they will need for the day with them. If a student needs additional cash, they can usually find an ATM, but should be careful to go during daylight hours and never alone.

in case of an emergency

Parents can play an important role by discussing “what would you do” scenarios with their college students before they head out for spring break travel. These conversations may include a

plan for an illness (what if you test positive for COVID?); an injury (what if you break your ankle?); or a theft (what do you need to do if your wallet is stolen?).

THEY SHOULD BE COMMUNICATIVE

Spring break may be one of your student’s first experiences planning a trip and traveling with peers. Regardless of how independent a student may be in their campus environment, before they head out to travel, it’s critical for parents to set boundaries, share opinions, raise concerns, and discuss expectations about such things as safety and finances.

with their travel companions

Students traveling with friends should agree on some safety rules in advance of their trip. They should also communicate if anything makes one of them uncomfortable without the concern of “ruining” a good time. This might mean agreeing not to go off alone with someone they just met (and instead, a friend committing to tag along or be nearby.) A code word is also a good way for students to indicate to their friends that they feel unsafe and want to leave a location.

as a bystander or upstander

Most students have been educated through their college’s orientation or residential education units about bystander and upstander intervention. It’s helpful to discuss some scenarios with your student before they head out to travel and suggest ways they can safely intervene if they are personally involved in or witness a situation that they believe to be prejudicial, discriminatory, or even violent. Hotel managers and bartenders are examples of people who are trained to mediate when needed.

with people at home

Finally, especially if a student is heading out on their spring break directly from campus, it’s important for them to communicate their travel plans with a family member. Requiring students to share their itinerary, transportation, and lodging details is crucial in case of emergency. Parents should also make sure to have a copy of their students’ important documents as well as contact information for their student’s travel companions.

With thoughtful planning, an awareness of safety measures, and clear communication of parental expectations, your student’s spring break trip can be another opportunity for them to hone their adulting skills and another moment for you as a parent to “let go” just a little more.