How to survive the week

Little 500 is an exciting time. The race, the concerts, the parties, not to mention the whole city of Bloomington absolutely reeks of school spirit. Amid all of this overwhelming merriment, how are you going to maximize your fun without getting: a) arrested, b) alcohol poisoning or c) a nasty farmers tan? Just follow the helpful tips below and you are bound to have the time of your life.

Invest in a sturdy fanny pack: Like it or not, the belly bag from the ’80s will be an important asset in your Little 500 weekend. Any handheld purse or clutch that you must keep an eye on is bound to get lost or stolen. Nothing is worse than waking up in the morning, not knowing where your wallet, keys and money have gone. And plus, fanny packs leave your hands free so you can wave them in the air like you just don’t care.

Sunscreen: This might sound like advice from your mom, but there is nothing cute about having sunglass goggle eyes burnt onto your face.

Pace yourself: Though the 21-and-older crowd might want to rip shots as soon as the sun rises, remember that Little 500 is an all-day, all-night event. There is hardly anything more pathetic than the poor soul who parties too hard during the day and consequently spends the next 12 hours sleeping off his or her drunkenness. Go slow and steady with the alcohol, and you will remember this Little 500 forever.

Embrace the open-house policy: During Little 500, the “my house is your house” maxim reigns. While this does not mean open your doors to all of Bloomington’s inhabitants, the atmosphere of the weekend is conducive to neighborly camaraderie. So keep an open mind and show enthusiasm when fellow partygoers from across the street show up on your porch.

Drink something other than alcohol: This means water. Avoid putting a serious speed bump in your festivities by staying hydrated. Alcohol is dehydrating, and passing out is common, especially if you’re chugging all day in the hot sun. The last thing you want is to look like the unfortunate amateur who cannot handle the juice, not to mention that your friends will have to babysit you.

Remember that class still exists: While we would like to think that all classes and assignments are postponed during Little 500, tests, papers and projects are still due. So unless you have the sweetest professor in the world who has pushed all the assignments back or miraculously will give you a pass, hunker down and plan ahead to stay on top of your work. Because when the dust from the bikes clears, you do not want to be left with an ”incomplete” or worse, an “F.”

And above all, stay smart this weekend. Police officers are on the prowl in full force, so do yourself a favor and keep the public intoxication to a minimum.