The word ‘prom’ makes everyone think of something different. Perhaps your school has the traditional prom queen and prom king scenario—similar to a scene out of a movie. Maybe your prom takes place on a boat or in a ballroom. Some schools have junior and senior proms that students may attend. Or it’s possible you’ve never even heard of a prom. Maybe you’ve heard about prom from television shows, movies, or famous celebrities talking about it.

Selena Gomez covers Seventeen Prom edition

Many girls (or guys), when they think of prom, think of fairytales or memories. While prom is a time to spend with friends and to let go of stress with school, it’s not just a fairytale evening. It’s important to know that although prom is about having a good time, it’s not all just fun and games. Leading up to prom can become stressful and problematic. If you’re planning on attending prom, make sure you plan ahead of time so you don’t get stressed out. Below are suggestions to make your prom night as smooth as possible. If you’re not careful, prom could become the opposite of the fairytale evening you were planning on having.

1. The Date. Not everybody is lucky enough to be attached to a devoted boyfriend or girlfriend. If by the time tickets go on sale you don’t have a date, it’s easy for you to become stressed out. Some students go up until the very last second before finding a date. Not everyone is asked, and not everyone is brave enough to ask. If you have someone in mind you want to go with to prom, there’s a chance you don’t want to ask because you’re afraid of rejection. Don’t be nervous! Rejection is hard to take, but realize that if you’re rejected, he (or she) is not worth your time. Many proms allow students to take students from other schools. If you have a friend, or someone you’re talking to from another school, ask them! If you’re worried they won’t know anyone, it is okay. Why? Even if they don’t know anyone else, they’ll know you.

2. The Dress. Finding the perfect dress is important to every girl attending prom. Finding the perfect dress that no one else has, and that you can afford, well, that’s a whole different story. If you’re worried about someone else having the same dress as you, try going to a store that isn’t as popular as others. Once you get your dress, feel free to show friends to make sure they don’t get the same dress. If you’re worried about prices, try looking for cheaper dresses. Just because they’re not as expensive, doesn’t mean they’re not as pretty. Remember it’s not about what you wear; it’s about how you wear it.

More casual hair styles for prom.

A possible up do

3. The Look. Once you’ve found your dress, there’s the hair, the makeup, the shoes, and the accessories to worry about. Make sure you find your dress early enough that you have the time to plan everything else out. If you don’t want to do your hair yourself, call a salon or someone you know who can do it for you. You can check out celebrity red-carpet photos or prom hairstyle sites so you go into your hair appointment knowing whether you want an up-do or the opposite. If you wear a long dress, you won’t be able to see your shoes as well, so they’re not as important as you may think. Make sure you’re comfortable in your shoes, though, and not about to fall over all night. Try doing your makeup a few nights before the prom. That way, if you’re doing your makeup for the prom, and you don’t like the way it turns out, you have time to reconsider how to do it. Also, if you want to go tanning, make sure you go tanning with time in between, so just incase you turn out “orange,” you don’t look orange for prom.

4. The Before. Planning on taking a limo? There’s always the difficult decision of who’s in your group for pictures and the limo, and who’s not. Remember limos only seat so many people. The larger the limo, the more they usually cost. If you have a million friends, there’s no way all of them can fit in the limo. If you really want to take a limo, it’s easiest to choose your closest friends to go with. Just remember, you’ll see all of your friends at the prom itself! If you do get a limo, make sure to book it ahead of time or else they’ll all be gone! Also, remember to charge your camera and grab your tickets and whatever kind of ID you may need!

Taylor Swift celebrates her missed Prom.

5. The After. Some people go directly from prom to the shore (if you have a shore nearby, that is). Some go out to dinner, or go back to someone’s house. It’s better to know what you’re doing ahead of time so you’re not scrambling when prom is ending. Make sure to plan with your friends what you’re doing. If you’re going to sleepover somewhere, make sure you have a change of clothes available somewhere. Make sure that whatever you do, your parents know, and that you’re safe.

Although prom can cause a lot of stress, be careful to not let it take over your life. Remember to relax and be calm, or else you won’t have any fun at all. As long as you plan ahead, and are relaxed, you’ll have a great time.

Check out prom websites online if you’re having difficulties finding a dress, or find yourself stressing out too much.