Prom Dates: Hey, It's OK If You're Going Stag On Your Big Night
High school can be really stressful -- to say the least. Our weekly "Hey, It's OK!" series is here to remind you of all things you SHOULDN'T be worried about, no matter who tells you otherwise!
Prom season is upon us, and as many high school seniors scramble to snag the perfect date (and the perfect dress), it's also time that some of you might be realizing that you're probably going alone. Although you may have hoped to spend your big night with someone special, there are actually a number of benefits to going by yourself (or with a group of friends) for the dance. Scroll through the list below for five reasons it can be awesome to go stag on prom night.
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1. You'll Have More Freedom (And Less Stress!).
Not having to worry about a date means getting to spend the evening however you want. And without a date by your side the whole night, chances are you'll spend a lot less of your time worrying about things going perfectly and stressing over whether your siggo is having fun. Instead, you can get dressed up, dance, spend time with your friends and classmates, and in short, just enjoy what makes YOU happy.
2. You Can Spend The Night With The Most Important People: Your Friends.
When you look back on your high school years, the one thing you'll remember more than anything else is the people you hung out with. So why not spend the biggest night of your high school career with everyone you care about the most? Prom is a great opportunity to bond with your closest friends before you all leave for college -- and it can be harder to do that with a date by your side.
3. Going Alone Totally Beats Staying Home.
There will likely be numerous situations in life when you can choose to either stay at home by yourself and do nothing, or risk not having a good time and go to an event by yourself. We'd venture to guess that 99 percent of the time, you'll be happier if you just go. Even if it's not the prom night you always dreamed of, you'll still have the memories -- and you'll never have to wonder what you might have missed out on.
4. You Can Still Do All The Traditional Prom-y Stuff Without A Date.
Tacky Italian dinner at the Olive Garden? Check. Group photos taken by mom and dad? Check. Dramatic entrance walking down the stairs in your gorgeous dress? Check. You don't need a date for prom to feel like prom, and you can still have the full experience even without a siggo. If you want the classic prom night, find a good friend or group of friends, and do it big -- with all the bells and whistles.
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5. Prom Really IS What You Make Of It.
Letting go of your prom-night expectations is the best way to make the experience less stressful and more enjoyable. You don't have to have a fairy-tale prom with a hot date for the night to be one you'll remember for the rest of your life.
At the end of night, whether you have a date or not, you'll get out of prom what you put into it. If you're enthusiastic and committed to having a great time, you probably will. So put on your best formal wear, do you hair, rent a limo, grab some friends and make prom your own -- date be damned.
Tell us: Are you going stag for prom this year? What makes you most excited for the big night? Share your thoughts in the comments or tweet @HuffPostTeen!
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