“Halloweekend” is a staple of college life across the United States. Students dress up in costumes known and obscure and celebrate the holiday with friends and family from Thursday through Sunday. However, amidst the midterm crunch, heavy workloads and busy schedules, it can be easy to forget how to stay safe and look out for yourself.

On Tuesday, Oct. 28, NMU WellBeing hosted the Precautionary Pumpkins event in Jamrich Hall to celebrate the season and remind students of the many ways they can have a fun, low-risk Halloween. The event offered a welcoming atmosphere where students could decorate pumpkins while learning general tips and tricks for having a great weekend.

Emma Wargin, a peer educator with the WellBeing promotions department, spoke about a few of the things students can do to keep themselves and others safe.

“Some great tips are to avoid mixing substances, set limits and always have a sober driver,” Wargin said. “Plan ahead and always have a buddy with you if you do decide to engage in substances.”

An important emphasis of the event was to remind students that driving under the influence of cannabis is still driving under the influence. In the state of Michigan, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle when a drug that could impair your ability to drive is in your system. This means that the consumption of cannabis, alcohol, hallucinogens or any other impairing substance is illegal when intending to drive.

Along with safety information, Precautionary Pumpkins provided paint, acrylic markers and mini pumpkins of varying sizes that students personalized to get into the Halloween spirit. Poison apples, creepy cobwebs and jack-o’-lanterns with crooked teeth were among the many creative designs that made the event a “night of gourd vibes.”

“Events like these are great because not only are they social, but educational too,” Wargin said. “We want to support students and let them know about the resources that are offered to them.”

The WellBeing Center makes it their goal to provide students with a foundation for success. They aim to create a community of individuals who care about the wellbeing of themselves and others, because “the wellbeing of every individual contributes to the wellbeing of our NMU community” (NMU WellBeing website).

It is important to take the time to care for yourself and nurture the relationships around you. Sometimes this can be difficult, and things like substance use, isolation and under- or oversleeping can seem like the only way to keep yourself afloat. So this Halloween, prioritize putting yourself first and making decisions that will help make the holiday weekend safe and enjoyable for everyone.

If you missed the Precautionary Pumpkins event and are interested in learning more about how to stay safe this Halloween—or want tips on how to manage stress or anxiety—contact the NMU WellBeing Center, which makes it their mission to provide students with “individualized support for becoming their whole, authentic selves” (NMU WellBeing).