Spring Break Safety Tips

It’s here. It’s Spring Break and for some of you it’s time to put away the books, pack the duffle bag, say goodbye to the tundra of central Nebraska and head for warmer weather. And no, we’re not jealous you’re heading to a tropical location, (well maybe a little). Really, we want you to have a good time and to go make some great memories with your friends. We also want you to be safe, and at the risk of sounding like that awkward sex-ed teacher from high school, we want to remind you of a few spring break safety tips.

For many, Spring Break is less about the beach and more about the booze. The Journal of American Collage Health estimates that during spring break the average male drinks about 18 drinks per day, and for females that average is about 10 drinks. That’s a lot of beer, and some serious beer goggles. I don’t think we need to explain how that much alcohol is going to impair someone’s judgment. That may be why about ½ of all sexual encounters during break are unplanned and unprotected. If you’re going to drink, don’t over do it.

What’s the problem? It’s spring break. We’re young. We’re supposed to let loose and have fun. That’s what you’re probably thinking. And yes, you are young and you should have fun, but you need to be smart too. Let’s look at a couple other things that happen when large amounts of alcohol and an atmosphere of casual sex are present.

One half of all sexually active college students will have at least one STD. Many, if not most people don’t know they have it because often there are no noticeable symptoms. So half of the people you might have sex with have an STD. You have no way of knowing which half. Students also report that 75% never or rarely use a condom on spring break. Perhaps because they have bought into some myths about STDs that just aren’t true. Whatever the reason, you don’t have to be a math major to figure out those odds aren’t very good. But STDs may not be your biggest risk during spring break.

Sexual assaults during spring break are a horrible reality. The numbers are a little scary, scary enough we hope you read them and take some precautions. You don’t even have to be drinking for alcohol to play a role in a sexual assault, but if you are drinking the chances of victimization increase. Right around 25% of women report being the victim of some kind of sexual assault and in 81% of sexual assaults both the victim and the perpetrator were drinking. So if you plan to drink, make sure someone who isn’t drinking has your back and will stop you if you try to head out the door with that guy. Another safety tip is to keep an eye on your drink. If you can, put a lid on it. If not, keep your hand over the cup. Be sure you know what’s in that cup at all times. Remember, you want to be in control of what happens. One last word of caution. When alcohol is involved, victims are less likely to recognize the experience as rape. But that doesn’t change the fact that it was rape and that it is a crime.

Bottom line, we don’t want you to walk around break scared, we just want you to be cautious. Spring break should be a fun time with your friends, not one you regret. We want you bring back some great memories and a few selfies with your besties, but not a souvenir that can have lasting health and emotional affects.

We know you’re not planning to visit us, but if you get back in town and have some concerns about what might have travelled home with you, we offer complimentary STD testing and treatment as well as pregnancy tests and limited ob. ultrasounds to confirm a positive pregnancy test.

Have fun, be smart, stay safe.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Understanding Abortion Pills: What to Know

July 21, 2026

If you're considering the abortion pill, knowing what it actually involves is an important first step as you weigh your decision. Schedule a free, confidential appointment at Collage to talk through your questions and get accurate information at no cost. How the Abortion Pill Works The abortion pill uses two drugs taken at different times. Mifepristone , the first, blocks progesterone, a hormone the body needs to maintain a pregnancy. Without it, the pregnancy stops developing. The second drug, misoprostol , causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy. Risks and Side Effects Cramping and bleeding are expected parts of the process. Additional side effects can include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headaches. Complications include: Incomplete abortion (pregnancy tissue remaining in the uterus) Heavy bleeding that does not stop Infection Without in-person medical care, distinguishing normal symptoms from those requiring urgent attention is difficult. Why Gestational Age and Pregnancy Location Matter The FDA approved the abortion pill through 10 weeks of gestation. It is important to know how far along you are for your health and safety as you move through making your next decisions. A limited OB ultrasound also screens for ectopic pregnancy , a pregnancy outside the uterus that the abortion pill cannot treat and requires urgent care. A positive test alone does not rule out an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage , since hCG can remain elevated after pregnancy loss. Getting the Full Picture Collage offers free pregnancy testing and limited OB ultrasounds to give you the medical details you need before deciding anything, whether you're considering parenting, adoption, or abortion. Schedule your free, confidential appointment at Collage today. Kindly call the numbers for the branch nearest to you: Kearney: (308) 234-9880 Grand Island: (308) 675-2217 All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing. Collage does not provide or refer for abortions; however, we do offer pre-abortion screening through our no-cost services.

Why Does an Ultrasound Matter Before an Abortion?

June 28, 2026

If you're considering abortion, there's one medical step that protects your health before anything else. An ultrasound confirms your pregnancy and provides information that a positive test alone cannot.

How Does Abortion End My Pregnancy?

May 29, 2026

If you’ve recently learned you are pregnant unexpectedly, we understand how overwhelming this might feel right now. If you're considering abortion as an option, taking time to understand how the process works is important so you can make an informed decision. Collage is here to help provide you with confidential support and abortion information at no cost. We offer a safe space, free of judgment, where you can think calmly about your options, receive lab-quality pregnancy testing, and get a complimentary ultrasound so you can get the facts around your pregnancy and learn what options are available to you. Schedule your free appointment today. Medical Abortion Medical abortion, also known as the abortion pill, ends a pregnancy by using two drugs taken at different times. The first pill, mifepristone, works by blocking progesterone and causes the embryo’s death. The second drug, called misoprostol, is usually taken a day or two after and causes the uterus to contract, expelling the pregnancy tissue through cramping and bleeding. Common side effects can include bleeding and cramping, bleeding with blood clots, and a low-grade fever. Medical abortion is only approved through ten weeks of gestation by the FDA . Follow-up care is typically recommended after a medical abortion to make sure the process is complete. Surgical Abortion Surgical abortion terminates a pregnancy in a clinic or medical setting and involves removing pregnancy tissue from the uterus through a suction device or a tool called a curette. This can also be called dilation and evacuation or dilation and curettage . Common side effects of surgical abortions are bleeding and cramps. You may also have a late or early period as your uterus has to build a new lining after the procedure. What Are The Risks Of Abortion? Medical and surgical abortion both have possible risks that you should be aware of. Some women may also experience emotional responses afterward. Complications that can arise from abortion are: Infection. Scar tissue on the uterine wall, known as Asherman's syndrome . Heavy bleeding that may not stop. Diarrhea and digestive pain. An incomplete abortion. Confirm Your Pregnancy With An Ultrasound Before making a pregnancy decision, it is important to verify your pregnancy with an ultrasound. An ultrasound provides important medical details such as how far along you are, the location of the pregnancy, and whether a heartbeat is detected. These details are important since the abortion pill is not FDA-approved for over ten weeks, and it also rules out ectopic pregnancy, which requires urgent medical attention. As many as 26% of all pregnancies end in a miscarriage, and you can still get a positive pregnancy test result for days or weeks after a miscarriage because it takes time for hCG to leave the body. An ultrasound will confirm whether or not you have miscarried. We provide no-cost pregnancy services at our center, including limited OB ultrasounds, so you can get informed about your pregnancy and options. Get Pregnancy Support at College If you're considering your next step after learning you are unexpectedly pregnant, we are here to give you a safe place to ask questions and learn more about your options. Collage provides confidential appointments and no-cost pregnancy services, including medical-grade pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and STD testing . You don’t have to figure this out alone. We are here to listen. Schedule your free confidential appointment to learn more about your options. Collage does not provide or refer for abortions; however, we do offer pre-abortion screening through our no-cost services.