It can be exciting getting ready for prom, but sometimes it can also be a little overwhelming. Figuring out pictures, what you’re going to wear, who you’d like to go with – there can be a lot to think about in those weeks and days leading up to prom night.

So what can you do to try and make sure your prom night will be super fun? Well, we talked about a few lessons we learned from attending prom in order to figure out a few things that we wish we had known before going to prom. Let our past experience help ease your mind a little bit so that you can have an amazing and memorable time at your prom!

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Wear What You Want

You don't have to match the trends of everyone else at school. Just because your BFF is wearing a floor-length prom dress, doesn't mean that you also have to wear one. Wear what's going to make you feel comfortable - both personally and physically. Don't want to wear high heels? Wear sandals! The night is about you have fun and if you're feeling comfortable and confident, you'll have the most fun.

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You Don't Have To Spend A Lot Of Money

There can be a lot of things to take care of before prom, but you also don't need to feel like you have to break the bank. You can borrow a prom dress you like from an older friend or another family member and you can even make your own corsage (be on the lookout for a video from Jamie soon!). Things like limos are fun, but they can be pricey. If it's not in your budget, just remember that the night is about memories, not who can spend the most, so you will be just fine.

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Practice Dancing

Okay, you are by no means required to dance all night at prom if you're not into that. You can just enjoy the social experience. That said, if you do want to dance, do a little practice in your room. Make sure your shoes aren't slipping off or your dress doesn't fall off when you move around. It's better to make sure everything is good to go in the privacy of your room than when you're out on the dance floor trying to boogie.

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You Can Ask A Guy

I'm sure you know this, but it's worth repeating: you don't have to wait around for a guy to ask you if you have one in mind! It's way better than thinking back on it and regretting that you never went with him if you wanted to. Similarly, you also don't have to go to prom with someone you don't want to. It's totally okay to decline a date (politely, of course). It's better than being resentful all night if you had wanted to go with somebody else.

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You Don't Have To Like Your Date That Way

So you can ask a guy to prom, but that doesn't mean you need to go with someone that you're crushing on. It's cool to just go with one of your guy friends just for fun (though sometimes it's helpful to just make sure you're both on the same page about what going as dates means). You don't even have to go with a guy - go with your girlfriends if you want! Prom can be fun whether you choose to go with a date or not. Do what you think will be the most fun!

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Prom Groups Don't Matter Much

If you do want to go with someone who isn't in your circle of BFFs, don't let that stress you out. Prom "groups" are really just for taking pictures and honestly it's usually hard to get every single one of your friends together into one group anyway. You'll all come together at the dance, so don't stress. Plus, going with a different group of people can be a fun opportunity to get to know some cool new friends.

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Take Pictures

One of my regrets is not really having any pictures from my junior prom because I didn't think to take any and never ended up getting copies from my friends. Luckily it's a little easier now with smartphones. You don't need to be snapping so many pictures that you're not enjoying the dance, but do take a few to help you relive the memories whenever you want.

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Take Advantage Of All The Extras

Prom can have some kind of silly stuff like props or staged pictures, but take advantage of all of it. It can seem cool to sort of roll your eyes and hang back from the crowd, but people put a lot of effort into prom planning, so you might as well give it all a try. You'll make a lot of memories taking advantage of all those prom "extras." Above all, prom is about fun, so don't be afraid to who that you're having it!

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Don't Do Anything You Don't Want

When it comes to after prom, you shouldn't feel obligated to do anything. You can plan a low-key hangout with your friends after prom to avoid parties you don't want to be around. Also, you don't "owe" your date a hookup after the dance and you don't have to drink even if other members in your group are. Prom should be a fun night and not one where you feel unsafe or uncomfortable so you have every right to stick to your personal boundaries.

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Talk With Your Parents

It's just a good idea to fill your parents in on what you're planning for prom. You don't need to let them run the show, but your big high school events mean a lot to some parents, and they may really appreciate that you put them in the loop. Your mom may even have good advice about what to wear! Plus, if you're planning on doing anything after prom, it's good to be upfront with your parents to show that they can trust you (and also for you to know they're around if you ever want to get picked up).

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Are you excited for prom? Do you have any advice for girls going to prom for the first time? Tell me in the comments!

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