It’s the time of the year that most upperclassmen have been looking forward to: Junior Prom is in one week, and the senior Gambol is in two months. While prom season can be an exciting time, it can also be stressful. You need to figure out what to wear, who you’re taking pictures with at pre prom, and most importantly, who will be your date.

Finding a date may seem like a daunting task, but here’s a little secret—there’s no need to worry if you don’t have one! At the end of the day, prom is a high school milestone that will be memorable for years to come, regardless of who you choose to go with or not to go with. You should not pass up  on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity just because you don’t have a date.

Some people feel so pressured to have a date that they end up taking someone they barely know. But honestly, would you rather dance the night away with your best friends or awkwardly try to maintain a conversation with an acquaintance? When all is said and done, your friends, the people that you’ve spent the majority of your last four years with, will be the most important aspect of your high school experience. In the future, you may wish that you made the most of your time with them instead of stressing over a forgettable date.

Right now, prom may seem like a huge deal, the apex of your high school career. The truth is, it’s just another night, a chance to let loose and enjoy yourself with your peers. In a few years, or even a few months, no one will remember or care who went to prom with whom; they will just look back upon their own experience and smile. Prom is what you make of it, so if you find yourself too stressed about finding a date, take a step back, take a deep breath, and remember that you don’t need a date to have a good time.

On top of the pending AP testing week, most upperclassmen are prepping for something arguably more stressful: prom.

There’s an endless checklist leading up to the big day that includes finding an outfit, date, and figuring out where you’ll be before and after.  In the face of all of this, you need to know that these stresses are unreasonable, and more importantly, common.

Since this is most students’ first formal, school-affiliated dance, it’s possible that they’re building up its significance in their heads. What’s important to remember is it’s just another night with your friends, and while you should try to make the most of it, don’t overdo it.

The Outfit: wear what makes you comfortable and what you truly want to wear.  If you’ve always envisioned yourself wearing something totally crazy, it’s highly unlikely that anyone will stop you.  Prom is a night you should remember with fondness, and wearing something you don’t love or that doesn’t make you happy could seriously sacrifice those memories.

The Date: If you choose to go with a date, it’s important to go with someone you know you can tolerate for a whole night.  Chances are you’ll be spending a considerable amount of time together, what with photo taking, prom arrival, and prom departure. Going with someone you’re interested in would be a bonus, but if your date is your friend, you’ll be fortunate to have a friend around for the night.  If you decide, however, to go without one, it’s absolutely no big deal.  The parts of prom that you’ll remember most clearly are the moments with your friends, not the photos you took with your date.  After all, prom should mainly be a night for you and your friends.  Having a date shouldn’t be stressful, it should be fun.

Prom Itself: Maybe you’ve heard that pre-prom and after-prom are notoriously superior to prom itself.  But with this outlook, it’s pretty much impossible to have fun.  Enjoy the few hours while they last because someday you’ll wish you’d enjoyed it!

Most importantly, remember that it’s just prom; although it should be fun, know that it is most definitely not the defining night of your high school career.  Be safe, have fun, and happy promming!