Dear Natalie,

I am so stressed out about homecoming. I am the group planner of our group and I have no idea where to make a dinner reservation, how to find a date, and how to avoid the partying that could potentially happen after the dance. I am a freshman and have never been to an event like this and I need some guidance.

-Homecoming Pressure

I remember being so stressed out about homecoming when I was a freshman as well, but everything will be okay, just take a deep breath. First of all finding a place to find dinner is easy if you get help from the rest of the group as well. Get input as to what type of food everyone would enjoy, what type of setting everyone wants to be in, and what price range everyone is willing to pay. This will help you narrow down your choices. Then call the restaurants and make sure they are not already booked because many schools may have homecoming the same night. Once you have found a place that is not booked, make your reservation and you are set for dinner. With the whole date situation, in reality whether you have a date or not you will have so much fun either way. A lot of times it is nicer not to have a date because you do not have to be tied down to one person the whole night and you can dance with your friends. But dates are nice for pictures so just ask a guy friend if he can be your picture date and he will surely agree. Drinking is something that many students will be pressured to do in high school and really the only ways to avoid it are to just say no or go home after the dance. If you want to do something fun after, plan a sleepover with your girlfriends so that you all will avoid the pressures of drinking.

-Natalie