As graduation approaches, with it comes everyone’s favorite season: grad party season. For some, this season conjures pleasant images of long afternoons spent eating barbecue pork sandwiches and cake in vibrantly decorated houses (and meeting all of your friends’ grandmothers).

For others, grad party season is stressful, sweaty, and exhausting. What are the rules for going to a grad party? What do you wear? What do you do when you get there? No worries, young party hopper. Here are some tricks and tips to make this the best grad party season yet.

Tip #1: Go party hopping with people you know well and can spend a lot of time with. You’ll be meeting a lot of new people, going to a lot of new places, and will have to navigate every social situation under the sun. Close friends that have your back will make the afternoon fun and stress-free.

Tip #2:  Wear cool, comfortable clothing that you look presentable in. It’s summer people- the weather will be hot and humid, and you’ll be in crowded houses. Naturally, you’re going to want to wear shorts, t-shirts, and flip-flops. However, resist the urge to wear too little clothing, or clothing that’s informal. You’ll be meeting lots of parents, family members, teachers, and friends. Make a good impression! Rompers, nice shorts, sun dresses, collared t-shirts, sandals, and boating shoes are all comfortable options!

Tip #3: Be on your best behavior. Even if you’re not going to a person’s home, treat the party space like you would a house. Clean up after yourself, be courteous to everyone that you encounter, and thank the host or hostess. Planning a grad party is time consuming and expensive, so make an effort to be appreciative.

Tip #4: Smile, and relax. Being around a lot of people (especially ones you don’t know very well) can make you feel anxious and can ruin your experience. Think of a grad party as a little slice of the pie of life; you’ll be in a lot of foreign situations where you’ll have to handle yourself. Remember- you’re there to celebrate the accomplishment of someone you care about. You may feel like an awkward duck, but if you smile, breathe, find friends (or meet new ones!) and focus on why you’re there, the time will fly by.