Binghamton University, get ready because it’s time to put on some green crap and brace yourselves. Parade Day’s here. This shamrock-filled, day-long adventure substitutes for the lack of pots of gold in Binghamton (there are no rainbows here; weird, since it’s so sunny). In order to make the most of Binghamton’s best day, or if you just want to survive, here are a few helpful guidelines to follow.

1. Don’t go out Friday night

This mid-semester holiday starts at sunrise and challenges your partying stamina. A word of advice: Stay at home the night before. Getting up early is hard for every college student and it’s even more difficult to rise and shine with a hangover. You’ll most likely consume your first beverage anywhere from 8 to 10 a.m., and it’s more enjoyable if you are fully awake and ready for the day’s activities.

Instead, use the night wisely and stock your fridge.

“Buy your alcohol the night before so you don’t waste valuable drinking time that morning,” said Mike Gonfiantini, a junior majoring in industrial and systems engineering.

2. Choose the perfect outfit

For those of you who haven’t ordered custom Parade Day shirts with your friends, it’s probably too late to purchase them now, but you can still deck yourself out in green. Go to the store (perhaps Target) and find anything green for you and your friends to wear as you celebrate. The dollar store may even have St. Patrick’s Day necklaces, a perfect adornment for any Parade Day outfit.

On Parade Day, rock your full green attire, green beads and green makeup (that is, if you’re a girl).

3. Prepare yourself

Preparation is very important, as this Irish celebration isn’t your typical Saturday night on State Street. While people may need a few hours to prepare for an average night out, preparation for this drinking extravaganza starts far in advance.

You may want to think twice if you plan on spending some quality time hitting the books this weekend. Parade Day’s epic nature leaves little time for school work. Plus, the recovery time may destroy any chance of productivity on Sunday. As dreaded midterms approach, it’s a good idea to do as much studying and homework as possible before the weekend starts. This way, nothing will hold you back from State Street at 11 a.m. on Saturday.

In addition, get a full night’s rest before the fateful day. If God rested on the seventh day, Parade Day was probably the eighth.

4. Eat

Many students choose to kick-start their Parade Day by attending a Kegs and Eggs party, as a good breakfast is necessary to survive the rest of the day. Although it’s a clever party idea, a few scrambled eggs probably won’t be enough to fill your stomach until lunch. Eat a sufficient amount of food (especially carbs and protein) before heading Downtown to your first social gathering. Ladies, if you have enough room in your purse, it may be a good idea to bring a granola bar or power snack in case you’re hungry between meals.

And if you’re ever hungry throughout the day, plenty of Downtown restaurants will be more than happy to help out.

4. Alcohol basics

Although Irish Car Bombs are appropriate for celebrating Irish festivities, try to keep liquor consumption to a minimum — if you want to continuously drink throughout the day, beer is a safer option. It will keep you full and hopefully not too drunk, so you can actually go out on Saturday night. Also, be sure to space out your drinks, so you can wake up on Sunday.

“Make sure to drink a lot of water, and keep drinking alcohol continuously to prevent a midday hangover,” said Vladimir Gudovich, a senior majoring in finance.

5. Rest

It’s a good idea to take a break from State Street around dinner time to re-charge your batteries for the second half of the Parade Day marathon. Whether you go back to your dorm or crash at a friend’s house Downtown, your body will benefit from a few hours of rest. You can grab a bite to eat or catch up on sleep. Parade Day shenanigans resume around 10 or 11 p.m., matching the same hours as normal Saturday nightlife. And you’ll be ready to party for the rest of the night after your meal and nap.

6. Take photos

You may not remember some events of the day due to your drunken stupor, but your camera definitely will. Remember to charge your batteries or stock up on replacements so your camera can survive Parade Day too.

These tips are sure to help any Parade Day rookie, whether you’re celebrating your Irish heritage or just pretending to be an Irishman for the fun of it. Stay safe, be merry and have fun. And don’t go home with Rasa.