It happens all the time. You hit that bump in the road just big enough to break up with your (now ex-) boyfriend. We won’t spend time making you wait for the answers on this one.

Cutting right to the chase: here’s what our 14 surveyed guys had to say about topics like when he might (or definitely doesn’t) want to see you after a break-up and if he ever thinks about getting back together – one of the questions some of us collegiettes would pay good money to find out the answer to.

On Where He Hates Running into You

Imagine, a few weeks after a break-up, you’re out on the town with the new guy you’re hanging with. He’s cute. You’re happy. And then you see your most recent ex. We can bet he’ll feel like he was definitely in the wrong place at the wrong time. With that awkward moment in mind, we asked the guys what other places they don’t want to see you right after a break-up.

Here’s where they hope they won’t bump into you:

• “For any type of get-together for [her] accomplishments, or running into [her] with [her] new significant other.” – Matt, University of Wisconsin
• “Pretty much anytime I’m by myself.” – Robert, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry
• “When I’m with my new girlfriend.” – Greg, Ulysses S. Grant High School
• “In line at a store, or anywhere where you are with another girl.” – Joe, Syracuse University 
• “As much as you don't want to feel it, seeing your ex anywhere just after a break-up with someone new gives that stomach-churning feeling.” – Jim, Syracuse University 
• “Drunk. There are too many emotions after a fresh break-up and you tend to voice them (good or bad) when inebriated.” – Francois, Syracuse University 

On How Long He Needs To Cool Off

We asked the boys if, given some time, they’d be fine seeing you in the places they listed above. 42 percent said they need a few weeks at least. This is totally fair, and to be honest, it’s probably good for you as well. 14 percent of them said to leave him alone for a year; then if you still want to, call or Facebook message him to catch up. That year gives him a chance to meet new people and get back on his feet. If you do decide to call him up, keep it to a low-key how-have-you-been convo to set a casual, friendly tone. You don’t want him to feel like he’s jumping back into anything. Francois from Syracuse University said to take into account each break-up situation. “Sometimes you aren't too emotionally invested, therefore less time is needed. Sometimes it can take days, sometimes months or a year” before you’re both ready to see or talk to each other again.

On Where He Won’t Mind Seeing You, Post-Break-Up

Even when we’re hurt, or upset, or mad after it ends, sometimes we secretly hope we’ll see him, right? Well here’s when he kinda’ wants to see you, too.

• “At a party with mutual friends.” – Matt, Syracuse University 
• “Catching up over some food.” – Mike, Northeastern University 
• “If we've ended on good terms and have both grown past it. After all, we were obviously very close friends before so why would we want to throw that away?” – Jim, Syracuse University 
• “While I’m taking to someone else at the bar.” – Robert, Syracuse University (We can understand the make-her-jealous tactic here – sometimes it just makes you feel better.)
• “If the reason we broke up was resolved.” – Greg, Ulysses S. Grant High School 
• “If we ended on good terms.” – Rory, Syracuse University  

The two answers, “At a party with mutual friends” and “Catching up over some food” both have one thing in common: casual settings. After a break-up, if you’re going to meet up with each other – or you do just by accident – keep the conversation low-key to avoid bringing up any issues or making him feel uncomfortable.

On Hooking Up Post-Break-Up

It’s happened before: you swore you were done talking to him, then you’re back at his place by the end of the night. We asked the guys if they were still into hooking up after a break-up (and no they didn’t all say, ‘Hell yeah!’). 22 percent of them said that if they break up, that’s it, no hooking up afterwards. No games for those boys, please. 36 percent of them said they might hook up if they were drunk – even more of a reason to tell your girlfriends your game plan before you head out in case you also get a little… off track. Another seven percent of the guys said that if you’re still game to hook up after a break-up, so are they. To some of the guys, the type of relationship it was matters: “If it was a real relationship, no, but otherwise yes,” says Joe from Syracuse University. We’re guessing this means that if you were dating for a while, it’s probably out of the question because too many feelings are involved. If you were more casual or only together for a few months, though, some post break-up hook-up action might be on his mind.

On Getting Back Together

The question of the day. We asked the boys if they ever think (or hope) they might get back together with an ex. As tough (or apparent...) as it may be initially after a break-up, sometimes it’s just not meant to work out. 30 percent of our guys seem to feel this way, saying that they’re not ones to wish things would go back to the way they were. Their take is: if you broke up, there’s a reason for it. And they might be right. Another 36 percent say that they might miss you for a little while, but then they’ve moved on. It might not be what you wanted to hear, but it’s a totally healthy approach – neither of you should spend all your time wishing to have the other back! Realize what was good, and not so good, about that relationship and take your lessons learned into the next one.

On If He Still Facebook Stalks You

Surprisingly, 36 percent of the guys said they won’t be checking your every uploaded picture. A bit of a relief, perhaps. But still, we kind of wanted him to see that cute new guy we’re hanging with! Another 15 percent of them, however, said they might look at a couple of your photos for a few weeks, but not all the time. Francois, Syracuse University, ’11 said, “If I start stalking, I have to delete that person. You can't move on if you're still hanging on.” He’s right, and it goes both ways, ladies!

On When He’s Jealous of Those Pictures You Added

Even during a relationship, you’re probably tagged in or uploading pictures of you and other guys – friends, or otherwise. We wanted to know, after you break up, what types of pictures make him jealous. (Because even though he might not stalk you, he’ll probably see a few photos of you on his newsfeed.)

Here’s what the guys spilled:

• “If she seems more in love with that guy than she was with me.” – Greg, Ulysses S. Grant High School 
• “If she’s smiling the way I used to make her [smile].” – Thomas, Vermont Technical College 
• “When she does things that were OUR thing with her new guy.” – Mike, Northeastern 
• “If she’s hugged up with another dude or if she’s with someone I was already suspicious of in the relationship.” – Rory, Syracuse University 
• “All the time. Especially if you think the guy is better than you or would win in a fight. Guys want to think they’re the best at everything.” – Aaron, LeMoyne College 

If you’re posting photos of you and another guy soon after a break-up (and you’re trying to make your ex jealous), based on these guys’ responses, it could be working. If you want to stay on good terms, though, or are hoping to re-spark the relationship anytime soon, we suggest holding off on photos in which you’re doing anything more than just smiling and standing next to another guy. At least for a few weeks.

On Hooking Up with His Friends

We’re just going to say: know what you’re in for if you decide to hook up with your ex’s friends. All 14 guys surveyed said this is clearly against bro code. Matt from Wisconsin University summed up the gist of all of the responses: “No sex with a bro’s ex.” Since he expects his friends to keep their hands off of you, it’s best not to tempt them. If you want to stay on your ex’s good side, we’d 100% advise not calling up one of his friends after a late night out. Even if you don’t care what your ex has to say anymore, be aware of the bro code and that the rest of the friends won’t be fans of this new fling either. It’s sure to be a bumpy ride if you’re going after the friend of an ex.

Here’s our quick take-away on what these guys taught us about handling a recent break-up: do your best to avoid seeing him for a while; if you do see him, keep things causal and brief; don’t think he’s Facebook stalking you, because he’s probably not (but it’s best to avoid posting sensitive photos right away if you want to remain on good terms); and don’t, under any circumstances, find a reason to hook up with his best friend.
 

Maybe you’ve tested the waters of your college’s hook-up scene and now find yourself absolutely tired of it; in fact, you just don’t care anymore! The good news? You aren’t alone in your feelings. Hundreds of college women are coming together to publicly proclaim their distaste for the college hook-up culture. Welcome to the SWUG life!

You Know You’re a SWUG When…

The idea of the “SWUG,” or Senior Washed Up Girl, became popular after an article was published in The Cut in April that discussed Yale’s self-proclaimed SWUGs: collegiettes who were no longer naïve about the college hook-up scene. SWUGs are typically described as “veterans” of the college hook-up culture and are now tired of getting dolled up to party and sick of dealing with college guys who just want to hook up. They don’t follow party norms like squeezing into bodycon dresses—instead, they’ll show up to a cocktail party wearing running shorts and sneakers

Chloe Drimal, a recent graduate of Yale University and one of the original commentators on the SWUG movement (as well as one of the students profiled in The Cut’s piece), says that the definition of a Senior Washed Up Girl is a lot more relaxed than most people think. “The SWUG’s problem and its beauty is the fact that there is no true definition of ‘SWUG,’” she says. “Everyone can morph it into whatever meaning she wants or needs. Because of this, it can be self-deprecating and satirical to some (like me), and to others, it is a feminist and psychoanalyzed issue.”

The big takeaway from SWUG life? The awesome “IDGAF” motto. SWUGs do what they want, whenever they want. “A SWUG to me is a girl who stopped caring about what guys thought, because they became her best friends and were able to forget their bodies were a little different,” Chloe explains. “Her biggest priorities are her friends and the quest for creating memories, because life is too short. So sometimes she gets a little crazy, wears clothes that don't match, but the more ridiculous she is, the better. She lives in the moment, because yesterday is gone.”

The Rise of the SWUG Movement

It turns out that the movement is far more complex and important than just a frustrated response to hook-up culture; the SWUG lifestyle illustrates how young, educated women are taking a stand for their wants and needs. Rock on, ladies!

Holly Wood, a doctoral student in sociology who is studying relationships, says that women are beginning to think more intelligently and realistically about their relationships and what they want for themselves over what guys want. “The SWUG movement is clever because it's senior women recognizing that their male peers don't value what they have to offer,” she says.

“These women assumed that they'd grow up in a world where men would value them as equals, especially if they attend the same college and major in the same things and pursue the same professions,” Wood notes. “But they get to college and realize that while guys have mostly accepted women as their peers in the classroom and in the workplace, they don't necessarily want to date their peers. That's when the red flags go up for today's educated women. This is a crushing realization.” Thus, women proclaim to be SWUGs, officially checking themselves out of the complicated hook-up culture equation.

However, Wood is quick to point out that SWUGs aren’t taking this seemingly “crushing realization” badly. “SWUGs recognize that college men their age won't seek out relationships with women their own age but pursue casual sex with younger women, [but] [SWUGs] aren't sitting around feeling sorry about it,” she says. “Instead, they are using humor to identify the problem and laughing about it. They are forming bonds with each other over a shared problem.” It’s a more unconventional way to go about women empowerment!

How Are SWUGs Helping Younger Collegiettes?

SWUGs are paving the way for younger collegiettes who are tired of the college hook-up scenes. Women are taking charge of their bodies and their lives.

Melissa*, a sophomore at Wesleyan University, says she has started taking more control of her sex life as well as her relationships, especially after watching the SWUG movement unfold. “I just try to be honest and respectful to people I hook up with and make it clear upfront that I expect the same in return,” she says. “I think guys don't act so upfront because they are afraid of leading a girl on by acting like a decent human being, so they're distant and inconsistent and sometimes plain rude or mean to ensure that girls won't get clingy. But that's really immature and irrational.”

Katherine*, a senior at the University of Miami, agrees with Melissa’s straightforward approach as well as the SWUG mentality of setting your own rules. “My last two relationships started as hook-ups and so did my current one. The current and previous ones were long and fairly serious relationships,” she says. “When I started hooking up I made the rules and I chose my partners sober. The boys were the ones who typically had to take the ‘walk of shame.’ I was confident in my sexuality and skill, and because of that, I never stepped out of my comfort zone and always was comfortable asking for what I wanted.”

Though to some it may seem like a bizarre joke, the SWUG movement is so much more. Younger collegiettes are watching these women as they make fun of their own situations and the entire world of college hook-ups, and they’re following suit. Collegiettes have also started sharing their stories of SWUG life through social media. The website SWUG Diaries has become a hit sharing such stories, as has the “Spinstagran” on the site.

Guys Weigh In

Since SWUGs pride themselves on not being tied down to guy drama, you might be wondering what college men think of this movement!

David Levine, a sophomore at Bowdoin College, agrees that the SWUG movement is great for empowering collegiettes, especially given society’s expectations of women. “Hook-up culture can be so difficult and so frustrating,” he says. “It’s insane that the double standards are so powerful that by senior year, a girl is exhausted enough to give herself the label of ‘SWUG.’”

David was most struck by a male college sophomore’s quote in The Cut’s article, where he referred to a SWUG as “a veteran” who has “been through the meat grinder.” “It kind of shows just how far we still have to go as a culture, even speaking as a guy who really doesn't understand,” David says.

Justin Greene, a sophomore at Wesleyan University, finds the SWUG movement interesting. “I think it's good so long as the SWUGs are happy with it,” he says. “It’s totally cool that they're over the frat/party thing and don't feel inclined to pursue sexual or romantic relationships. That's genuinely great; they shouldn't feel pressured to do so. If this is presenting a positive message to women, then I'm all for it.”

However, Justin does see issues with sticking labels on these types of movements. “At the same time, I think it has the potential to be unnecessarily alienating,” he says. “You don't have to ostracize yourself due to your ideologies and pin a label to it and turn it into some tacit token of membership to something.”

The Bottom Line

Overall, Wood explains that SWUGs have a creative way to illustrate their stance. “The SWUG movement is a form of social performance,” she says. “It's what Kristin Wiig is doing in Bridesmaids––you articulate all the hidden emotions and feelings that women are expected to keep under wraps, to shush up about, and you bring them to light by joking about them. You can't ignore them.”

Even better? The SWUG movement is opening up discussions about hook-up culture on college campuses. “If you're attending Yale or any other campus where SWUGs have caught on, they're now part of the dialogue about the hook-up scene and college in general,” Wood points out. “If you are studying college hook-up culture and you ignore what they're saying, you're missing a major piece of the puzzle. That's powerful. That's why it was, in my opinion, such a clever articulation of what they feel to be a social problem for them.”

The SWUG movement, with all of its grittiness and hilarious one-liners, is making its way into college culture. All that’s left to do is keep calm and SWUG on!

*Names have been changed.

Ever get the feeling that boys aren't worth the trouble? So do we, which is why we found a delicious replacement: Nutella. Here's why we would pick the heavenly chocolate spread over a boy toy any day.

Boys may be thought of as the simpler of the sexes…

…but they are still largely a mystery to us girls.

For example, it will never cease to amaze us how they can eat like this...

…and this…

…yet still look like this.

Seriously, someone explain this to us. 

What’s the deal with video games? How do they keep guys amused for hours?

And golf? This is about how amusing we find watching golf:  

How about “No Shave November?” Who decided that was going to be a thing?  

What is their obsession with getting “swole?”

And why do they get so emotionally invested in sports? C’mon, guys. It’s just a game.

We’ll never understand why it’s so hard for them to ask for directions…

…or to ask for any sort of help, for that matter.

And how hard is it to remember to put the seat down, really?

What is it about guys that makes them lust after girls like this…

…when they could spend their time chasing a girl like this? Whatever, boys.  

Why do guys ask for our number if they never intend to call us?

And how is it possible for them to be so oblivious to how we’re feeling?   

What we’d really love to know, though, is why guys are so afraid to make themselves vulnerable.

Why does the word “commitment” make guys run for the hills?

We’ve resigned ourselves to the fact that we’ll never fully understand the male species…

…but we hope they at least come around to the idea of washing their clothes on a weekly basis soon.

Tired of having to sort out the “nice guys” from the “bad boys”? Want to move up from one-night stand to full-time girlfriend, but unsure of how to do so? Stop worrying, because Real Live College Guy Dale is here to help with all of your collegiette love kerfuffles and steer you clear of unnecessary boy drama during your brief but ever-important time in college.

I hooked up with this guy three times right at the end of the semester. He was a senior and I was a freshman. We really hit it off (it seemed) and have been talking almost every day since we left campus. Sometimes the conversation is flirty (he's mentioned visiting me in the fall) and sometimes it seems totally platonic. I'm really starting to fall for him, but I know it doesn't seem practical, especially because we live nowhere near one another. Is it worth holding hope that something will come of it, or was I simply his "last hurrah" on campus? – Wondering at WashU

Wondering,

You may not have been a “last hurrah,” but the odds of things working out in the long run… well, take it from someone who has been in a long-distance relationship: they’re not exactly 100 percent.

However, the fact that you hooked up three times is awesome. Sure, people casually hook up all the time, but I don’t believe that anyone who was looking for just casual anything would make the effort to talk to their hook-up every day afterward.

Guys, like girls, are weird when it comes to talking. Sometimes, we’re all about making you feel good (“Hey, beautiful”), and sometimes we’re just talking––and it’s easy to confuse platonic conversation with a lack of interest. However, it’s just as easy to read too much into what your partner is saying. And it sounds like you’ve got yourself a partner (even if it isn’t Facebook official).

Now, here’s the difficult part: he’s done. He graduated and is off to do whatever, wherever. You’ve got a few more years left. As romantic as it can be to have your guy come visit you, it’s not likely that that will happen consistently. Travel isn’t cheap, and unless both of you put in equal effort to make things work out, it probably won’t.

Like I said, though, I doubt any man would hook up with a girl three times in succession and continue talking to her (every day or not) post-graduation unless he wasn’t actually interested. If the two of you can handle the work that is a long-distance relationship—a hundred miles or a thousand––then you’ve got my blessing.

Ever wonder what guys think, how to deal with them, or whether instead of listening to you, they just imagine you naked? Our Real Live College Guy Joe will answer all your questions about men and relationships with wit, clarity, grace and physical attractiveness (can you tell he wrote this intro himself?) all while imagining you fully clothed! Well, usually – he is a college guy.
 
Toward the end of the last school year, my boyfriend and I were practically living together – I had clothes at his apartment, and he had his toothbrush at mine. Unless we were in class, we were together – for meals, at the library, out on the weekends. It put a bit of a strain on our relationship, and I think summer gave us a good break from each other. Now that we’re getting ready for school, though, he talks about all the things we’ll be doing together and how he’s bringing extra pillows and other things to leave at my place. I’m definitely not interested in taking a step back from our relationship, but how do I tell him that spending so much time together isn’t a great idea without hurting his feelings?– Looking for Healthy Distance at Le Moyne

Ah, yes. When the restraining orders fail, what’s a girl to do? Well, it just so happens that I have a few very constructive things to say on the matter. Whenever he comes to your house and you don’t feel like seeing him, hide. Don’t let him see you through an open window. If he has a key to your place, hide better. Cupboards never fail. Or just change the locks, and if he ever asks you some question like, “Hey, did you change the locks?” tell him he must have been trying to get into the wrong house. I bet he’s always doing stuff like that, that guy.
 
By now, my frequent readers (Hi, Mom) will be saying, “Aw, he’s just kidding. JOE, QUIT WRITING YOUR GIRLY COLUMN FOR ONE MINUTE AND TAKE OUT THE DAMNED GARBAGE!” And Mom is right. The tuna scraps from last week are becoming a health hazard.
 
But you didn’t come here to hear me ramble about my life – this isn’t Her Campus’ hit TV series Real Live College Guy Live and Unplugged, for Pete’s sake (Question: Who is Pete?). You came here to have your question answered – and because the tab on your computer screen looked pretty and nice to click on.

Here are the reasons, I think, your guy is spending/wanting to spend time with you. He is insecure and thinks you might leave him unless he constantly proves his love for you. He’s come to associate y’all’s relationship with y’all’s extreme closeness, and he thinks that if this closeness goes away, so will your relationship. And he could just really like you.

I’m sorry, I’m sorry. That was clearly all B.S. – I’m just goofing off again. The real reason is that he’s a spy. I don’t know what kind, but from the looks of it – toothbrush, library dates, extra pillows – it’s probably for the Russians.

So how do you get a little space back without incurring his wrath and risking a salvo of Ruskie missiles dropping on your hometown? NOTE: Here’s where that Real Live College Guy Joe finally drops the funnyman act and gets serious. Make it very, very clear that you love him (or like him bunches or whatever you say) and want your relationship to basically remain the same. You just think it’d be nice to skip a Smooching Sunday or a Stare-Intensely-Into-Each-Other’s-Eyes-for-Every-Waking-Second Wednesday every now and then. 

I wouldn’t make a whole to-do about it. Don’t have a sit-down talk that begins with, “I want to spend less time together,” because he will think it is a breakup talk no matter how good your megaphone is when you scream, “This is not a breakup talk,” into his face. 
 
Rather, if there’s a time you’d rather spend with yourself than him, just say it: “You know, I think I want to sleep in my own bed tonight rather than have Marshmallow-Roast Mondays,” stuff like that. If you assert yourself like this, you will soon probably come to develop a new pattern in which you spend a healthier amount of time together. Of course, he could just invite himself over, show up unannounced or break in through a window if you’re dating a cat burglar. To avoid this, try to catch a terrible disease or cover yourself in cysts, so he’ll run away screaming upon seeing you. 

Or you may just take this opportunity to be frank with him and say, “Look, I just wanted to spend a little time to myself tonight.” This option has its downsides, since he will be angry that he came all the way over there when he could have cat-burgled three other houses. But at least you will have established your needs and triggered the unpleasant but important conversation you two will likely have about setting new routines for spending time together. Alternatively, you can just put up with him for a night, curling up for a movie or giving foot massages and doing all those other little things couples hate doing together, and have this conversation in the morning. 

If he is a rational human being, he will understand your need for space, though his feelings will initially be hurt. I don’t think there’s much of a chance that he will become distant from you because of your desire to spend a couple nights apart – in fact, he’ll probably become closer because of all the spying he’ll have to do on you to make sure you’re not sleeping around. 
 
Basically, though, whether you outright tell him you want some space or you mention it in passing once he’s tracked you down after you’ve changed your identity and gotten facial plastic surgery in order to hide from him, just be honest with him. Tell him you want to infuse a little ‘me time’ into your relationship. You still want to stay together, just not as Siamese status. He won’t freak out and think you’re breaking up with him as long as you have a good convo. He may even like having extra time to himself, which he can use to plan new ways you’ll spend all of your living, breathing minutes together. Don’t-Leave-the-House December, anyone?

Tired of having to sort out the “nice guys” from the “bad boys”? Want to move up from one-night stand to full-time girlfriend, but unsure of how to do so? Stop worrying, because Real Live College Guy Dale is here to help with all of your collegiette love kerfuffles and steer you clear of unnecessary boy drama during your brief but ever-important time in college.

There's a guy I've had a few classes with who I've always had a small crush on. One semester, though, he got a girlfriend. It was only a small crush, so I didn't think much of it. I left next semester to study abroad, and we never talked except once. A month before my semester abroad was over, though, I received a Facebook message from him. I didn't think much of it, until he sent a couple flirty emoticons. I brought up him having a girlfriend, but he said he didn't have one. In my online Facebook and Twitter stalking that followed, it appeared that he still did. His Facebook wasn't incriminating, but his Twitter (which I don't actually have; I found his through Google) makes it look like they are still together. His “ex” still tweets occasionally about him being her boyfriend. I actually like him and would love for something to happen when I return home, but I don't want to get played. I don't want to keep flirting with him if he has a girlfriend, but I also don't want to blow him off and then find out he was telling the truth and she was just having a hard time letting go. Do I believe what I see online, or do I believe what he has told me himself? – Not Wanting To Get Played at Notre Dame

First things first, Notre Dame, unless you’re studying investigative journalism, stop with the social creeping. Any guy who discovers that you’ve been searching through his every status and tweet to find out what he’s up to is going to be irreversibly put off.

But hey, if it looks like he has a girlfriend but he’s telling you he doesn’t, he’s probably lying. Too often, I hear about guys pulling one over on women even though they have significant others just so they can hop in the sack with another girl. Whether you like it or not, it sounds like you are already, in fact, being played.

Sure, his “girlfriend” might just be a crazy ex. Sure, he might be playing you. What it really comes down to is the evidence that you have to consider: Confusing tweets from an “ex”? Suggestive emoticons? It sounds like he’s giving you the run-around, and the last thing you want to do is deal with the guaranteed hassle of becoming “the other woman.”

Look, we’ve all had crushes on people in our classes (I still have a crush on a girl from my freshman philosophy class… is that weird?), but beyond that, these crushes are generally temporary and simply aren’t worth the trouble that seems to be waiting beyond the constraints of your social network super-sleuthing.

As a single gal, there are times when it’s difficult to see the perks of your boyfriend-less lifestyle (for example, that time when you made the poor choice to see the latest Nicholas Sparks book-turned-movie and began to forget all the perfectly legitimate reasons you broke up with your ex).

But no worries, Her Campus is here to help! Let this list remind you of all the perks of being a Beyoncé-certified single lady; you’ll be back to reveling in your independence in no time and loving life in the land of the singles.

1. You can spend the entire day watching Bravo television without anyone complaining about it.

2. You never have to choose between hanging out with him or your friends.

3. It’s one less person you have to buy holiday and birthday presents for.

4. No one is going to yell at you for hogging the bed.

5. There are endless opportunities for you to partake in a random dance floor make-out.

6. The only person who will experience your bad morning breath is you.

7. You can rest assured that you’re not the dreaded “boyfriend girl.” You know, that girl that can’t not be in a relationship. Oh, hey, Kristin Cavallari. We didn’t miss you.

8. You won’t feel guilty about feasting your eyes upon the hot shirtless men at the gym.

9. There’s no one holding you back from studying abroad.

10. If you want to watch ABC Family’s Saturday night double feature of The Notebook and A Walk to Remember while sobbing into your bowl of ice cream, you can. And you can love it.

11. Your eight-hour solo shopping spree is not going to push anyone to the brink of madness, like it would if you had a boyfriend in tow.

12. “Shit Single Girls Say” exists for your viewing entertainment, and it’s satisfying knowing that somewhere out there, a fabulous gay man understands you.

13. You never have to watch him and his friends play video games for hours on end.

14. Ryan Gosling’s filmography is 36 titles long.

15. No one is there to witness the ghastly sight of you wearing your glasses and retainer to bed.

16. You won’t suffer from constant stubble-burn. Never struggle to explain away your irritated pink-skinned chin again.

17. Did you see what happened to Heidi Montag? That’s a girl who could have used a few more years of the single life, and you’re certainly not following in those plastic footsteps.

18. No need to be ashamed of the picture of your latest celebrity-crush that’s hanging over your bed… or the one you’re using as your screensaver.

19. You’re free from the drone of ESPN... free at last!

20. You can lay poolside without fear of the male archetypal scoop-and-throw into the water.

21. All those guilty pleasures you like to indulge in (we’re looking at you, Pretty Little Liars)? No longer “guilty,” just “pleasures.”

22. You can take as long as you want to get ready to go out without worrying about him sitting there waiting for you, meaning it’s perfectly OK to reenact Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me” music video over, and over, and over...

23. No worries about what he’s in the mood to eat, the choice is yours!

24. Nothing attracts Facebook comments from forgotten man candy like a recently posted “Single” relationship status. Get excited.

25. You can wear opaque lipstick and not have to worry about him making him look like a drag queen post-smooch.

26. Sometimes just having a crush on someone is amazingly fun, and so is writing “Mrs. Aaron Samuels” all over your notebook à la middle school.

27. There won’t be any unnecessary jealously about you hanging out with your guy friends. Bro out.

28. You can wear your ridiculously comfortable – but also hideous – pairs of underwear without having to worry about someone seeing them.

29. You’ll have enough time to juggle all those intramural sports, Greek-life events and club activities you love so much without dropping the ball on anything. Resident overachiever and proud!

30. Wing Night? Oh, you mean Pinkberry Night?

31. You don’t have to impress two sets of parents. Only your own. OK, maybe not even your own.

32. “Buy one, get one free” actually benefits you. You were never a great sharer, anyway.

33. There’s always the exciting potential of a first date with someone new.

34. You and your fellow un-attached friends can really get into belting out Beyonce's “Single Ladies.” Step 2: Learn the dance.

35. Dinner for one is way cheaper than dinner for two, and with your internship “salary,” “cheap” is your new favorite word.

36. Relationships can be rocky, but pinning your perfect relationship on Pinterest? Totally drama-free.

37. You don’t have to censor your “Never Have I Ever” answers about your exes.

38. You have much more free time to catch up on all those books you’ve been meaning to read. Fifty Shades of Grey, anyone?

39. If you land an awesome internship in a far-away city, you won’t feel guilty about leaving him behind.

40. You never have to have that awkward “Time of the Month” chat when things get a little too heated... no matter how we say it, it never ever comes out sounding cute.

41. Your chances of catching that cold that’s blazing through your town are halved. Tell the world you have the immune system to beat all immune systems; they’ll never know your secret.

42. You always get to control the remote.

43. You appreciate Kelly Clarkson’s “Miss Independent” on a whole other level.

44. You can paint your nails without him whining about the smell.

45. You don’t have to deal with anyone’s mood swings but your own, and they’re really enough to handle already, aren’t they? Or is that just us…?

46. You won’t have to experience that nervous sweaty feeling that meeting the ex-girlfriend-turned-good-friend would put you through.

47. You're free to casually flirt with your coffee shop's cashier. You’re also free to casually accept the free coffee or pastries he may or may not choose to bestow upon you.

48. No one will eat the leftovers that you were so looking forward to eating for breakfast the next morning before you get your shot at ‘em.

49. You can enjoy playing the field. In fact, you’re the star forward.

50. Did I mention Ryan Gosling?

Photo Sources:
Girl with tv remote
http://wisesisters.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/dance-floor-make-out.jpg  
http://www.mensfitness.com/sites/mensfitness.com/files/imagecache/node_page_image/blog_images/playing-video-games.jpg
http://ruthiedean.com/2012/08/19/relationship-status-single/
http://www.getbabied.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/bogo.jpg  

We can’t even pretend that we girls are easy to figure out.  

But what is it about us that has guys so perplexed?

Maybe it’s the fact that we spend so long on our makeup,

especially since most guys think we’d be better off without it.

But that’s just because they rarely see us without it.

Or maybe it’s the uncomfortable clothes we insist on wearing out…

…especially when we just end up complaining about how much our feet hurt in our heels.

Why is it, they wonder, that we insist on wearing leggings as pants?

Or waxing? Why would we ever subject ourselves to that kind of pain?

They wonder why it is that we love flowers so much,

and what our deal is with being so indecisive all the time.

Why is it that we can never be without our girls - even when we go to the bathroom?

Why do we love drama so much?

And what's up with PMS?

Ugh. They just can't understand. 

They’ll never make sense of our fad diets...

...especially since they know how much we love food.

Guys will never understand how it is that we can get so emotionally attached so quickly.

Our emotions in general are kind of a mystery to them.

Guys may never understand our womanly ways…

…but at least we know we’ll always keep them intrigued.

Name: Drew Yingling
Hometown: Clearfield, Pennsylvania
School: Bucknell
Major: History and Economics
Class Year: 2015

The Basics

Favorite Book: Night by Eli Wiesel (nonfiction) Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling (fiction)
Favorite Movie: Mean Girls, no shame
Favorite Store: Wegmans
Most Played Song on your ipod: Friends in Low Places by Garth Brooks, perennial favorite
Favorite Class at Bucknell: Anything with Leslie Patrick, she is simply unparalleled
Campus Activities: New Tour Guide, Canine Romps, Cooking for Care, Bucknell Brigade
Campus Posse: Mestre, Dilks, Quigley
General Interests: Nature, animals, running, going out to eat, photography, music
Little Known Fact: I have tattoos, but you'll probably never see them.

Girls, Girls, Girls

Relationship: Single
What do you look for in a girl: Spontaneous, unashamed, active
Female turnoff: close-mindedness
Celebrity Crush: Beyonce, watch out Jay-Z

Best of the Rest

Proudest Accomplishment: Being valedictorian of my graduating class. I came in as a freshman wanting the academic recognition and was able to achieve it while still enjoying my high school years.  
Where do you see yourself in 10 years: Hopefully on a beach somewhere without a worry in the world.
3 words to describe yourself: Sorry For Partying

Name: James Cirelli
Birthday: January 25
Age: 21
School: Drexel
Year: Pre-Junior  
Major: Environmental Engineering
Relationship Status: Single

Hometown: Staten Island, NY

Astrological Sign: Aquarius

Hobbies/interests: biking, nature, camping

What clubs/organizations are you a part of on campus? Drexel Sierra Club

What is your role in the Sierra Club? I’m the treasurer. I handle our entire budget and all our monetary things. I was on the Earth Week committee for this week. Those are the big things!

Do you have a “going green” tip for HC readers? Try using tap water. Philadelphia has very clean water and you save a lot of money and a lot of plastic by simply using a reusable bottle.

Biggest turn-on: A good sense of style. A cute sense of style!

Celebrity Crush: Emma Watson

Three words you’d use to describe yourself: Silly, shy, and eclectic.

Do you consider yourself a “hipster”? No. Hipsters… No.

Future career goals/ambitions: Well I’m an environmental engineer so I’d really like to get into forest management and working with rivers and streams and basically the outdoors with an engineering aspect. And also traveling to every state park in the country.

If you had to pick a song to be the theme song of your life, what would it be: Animals by Baths

Most embarrassing song on your iTunes: She Wolf by Shakira

Favorite movie quote: It’s got to be something from Princess Monanoke because that’s my favorite movie.

Guilty pleasure: Selflessly indulging in Nutella.

Best pick-up line: Can I buy you a drink? In a reusable bottle, of course.

What is something most of Drexel doesn’t know about you: I have a tattoo on my inner arm that most of Drexel won’t see.

What is your tattoo of? The Hylian crest from the Legend of Zelda.

What’s something on your Drexel bucket list: Crowd surf at a show at Flux.

What made you choose Drexel as your campus?
 Well I grew up in a city and I wanted to move to another city for college. When I visited Philly, it had a unique charm to it that I didn’t get when I was in Boston, which is another school I was looking at. I was also looking for an Environmental Engineering program, which Drexel had, so, those two made Drexel the perfect choice. A lot of people don’t like Philadelphia but I think it’s a great city. You just need to adventure a little bit. 

Name:Jake Sigler
Year of Graduation: 2016
School: Emerson
Major: Writing, Literature, & Publishing
Hometown: Yorktown Heights, NY
Status: Single
Sign: Virgo

Turn-ons: Determined, has a good sense of humor, and doesn’t take herself too seriously
Turn-offs: Conceitedness and selfishness

If you had to choose just five songs to listen to for the rest of your life, which songs would you pick?
1. “Semi-Charmed Life” by Third Eye Blind
2. “Sunday Morning” by Maroon 5
3. “Love Song” by 311
4. “Superman” by Five for Fighting
5. “Lose Yourself” by Eminem

Celebrity crush:
Emma Stone. She’s pretty perfect.

Perfect first date:
So long as it’s with Emma Stone, it would be perfect.

Best pick-up line:
I don’t use pick up lines, but if I did it would be, ‘I’d use a line on you…but I’m too intimidated by your beauty.’

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
Aruba. Blue water, clear skies, no worries.

First thing you notice about a girl: Her eyes.”=

Three fun facts:
1. I have a tattoo of a quotation mark on my left shoulder.
2. I’ve been playing soccer since I was two.
3. I’m a poet.

Name: Stanton Brown
School: Rhodes
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Millington, TN
Major/Minor: Business Major, History Minor

Campus Involvement: Football, ATO, Track and Field
Hobbies & Interests: Snowboarding, Swimming
Fun Fact: He has 6 tattoos.
Favorite Quality in a Girl: A open-minded girl with a great smile.

Name: Killian Castner
School: RIT
Year: Sophomore
Major: Industrial design
Hometown: Charleston, South Carolina

Involvement: WITR, cycling team, industrial design student association, RA
Interests: Cycling, running, music, going to concerts, cooking, hanging out with friends
Relationship Status: Single
Dream Girl: Zooey Deschanel
Dream Job: Designer for Specialized Bicycles out in California
Favorite Quote: "-ism's in my opinion are not good. A person should not believe in an -ism, he should believe in himself." -Ferris Bueller
Interesting Fact: I have multiple tattoos, one of which is a Star Wars one

All the way from British Columbia Canada, meet Grayson, a freshman hockey player. A fun fact about this campus cutie, he has a tattoo in an undisclosed area. “A little mystery never hurt anyone,” he says. Ok, I’m curious! His favorite tv show is Gossip Girl and claims he’d do anything for Blake Lively. We understand. We would too.

Name: Grayson
School: UNH
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Abbotsford BC Canada
Relationship Status: Single

Blondes, brunettes, or red heads: Dirty Blondes

What’s your favorite thing about UNH Girls? Everything

Where is the best place to meet girls on campus? Library

If you could be one guy celebrity, what would you be? Bradley Cooper

What song best describes you? Never Say Never- Justin Beiber 

Biggest turnoff? Smoking cigs

Favorite sports team? Philadelphia Flyers

If you could nominate the next campus cutie, who would it be and why? Just go through our entire locker room

Name: Jordan Pace

Hometown: Sallisaw, Okla

School: Oklahoma State

Classification: Senior

Major: Double major in economics and international business

Plans after graduation: Head to law school, hopefully in New Orleans

 

Favorites
Favorite campus hangout: Library lawn. It is cool to walk by and see everyone having fun, and relaxing
Favorite quote: ”History does not long and trust the care of freedom to the weak or timid.”-JFK 
To me this means be passionate about something, put yourself out there and stand up for something
Favorite song: Cruise-Florida Georgia Line. I love country

TV show: Criminal Minds, How I met Your Mother and Big Bang Theory. I am a nerd!

Food: Anything seafood, I am excited for New Orleans

Memory of OKState: Beating OU in football on my 21st BIRTHDAY!

Fun Facts

Before I die... I want to get a traditional tattoo from a monk. A real traditional tattoo, not one done with a machine
Not many people know: I am scared of lizards, they freak me out
Describe yourself in three words: passionate, motivated and easy-going

Love Life

Dream date: Take a girl on a hot air balloon ride, I think that would be romantic. Except for the awkward guy that has to be there driving the balloon
Deal breaker: If she is too into herself, I need deep conversations that aren’t about “The Bachelorette” or her nails. I just like to have intelligent conversations with people

Celeb crush: Hayden Panettiere and Beyonce

I like it when a girl wears... Baseball caps, if a girl can pull off a baseball cap she is normally cute

Name:Josh Hurt
Hometown: Tulsa, Okla.
School: Oklahoma State
Major: Theatre
Class: Freshman
Nickname: Joshy

“I help girls with their fashion, but I can also help guys change oil.”

Political Views: Liberal
Relationship status: With guys...technically, I single. But with my girlfriends I’m married, divorced and engaged. Technically, I’m supposed to have children at some point

Hobbies: Being with my friends, having a lot of fun. I dance. I’m just really chill. Studying is not my thing.

Celebrity crush: Cam Gigandet from Burlesque

Boxers or briefs: Briefs

Qualities in your perfect man:
I like them taller than me, I like if we just get each other and have a lot of fun. I like them to be physically fit and to feel safe with them. If I feel safe I’m golden. So basically height, looks, personality and stability/safeness.

If you could hangout with a celebrity dead or alive who would it be and what would you do:
I’d love to dance with Gaga and Christina.

What pick up line of yours has the best success rate:
Oh god, I never use pick up lines, but I am cheesy and like to do cheesy things for people I like.

What type of sunglasses describes you?
Ray-bans, because I really like urban style.

What is your life motto?
I believe we are all put on this earth for a short amount of time. So we should each live our lives to the fullest.

Something weird about you: I can jump into a split. Also I’m very outgoing and say whatever is on my mind. I’m that weird kid in the back of the room that’s always giggling.

What is something you are you proud of: 
I am very proud of my confidence and very proud of whom I have become. Today, I am more open. Basically I am very open to finding myself.

What is your favorite thing about living in Stillwater?
(laughs) Not a damn thing!  And you can quote me on that.

So, do you have a favorite place to eat in this town? Coney Islander.

Do you have any tattoos?
No, but I am getting one going down my side in honor of my brother. It is going to say “lucky you”. Lucky for my health and lucky I’m alive. My twin brother has the same tattoo.
 

If you’re anything like me, you grew up internalizing the belief that chill is the new black – we play it low-maintenance and cool, we pride ourselves on our ability to go with the flow, and we rarely start fights.  But no matter how easy going you are, some fights just need to be fought.  No need to freak out about a missed call or a toilet seat cover, but here are five fights worth picking…
 
The "I want to be exclusive” Fight

This is a conversation worth starting because – let’s be honest – what do you have to lose?  If you’re not in a relationship but want to get exclusive with your promiscuous partner, you might as well be upfront. Frame it as definitive statement instead of a passive-aggressive attack (“I’m ready to stop hooking up with other people and I want to be exclusive” instead of “Ew, that girl you hooked up with is a trashy b*tch”) to avoid ambiguity. Worst case scenario? You spare yourself a bad break-up by bypassing a relationship you never had.  Best case scenario? You risk a fight and get a relationship as the reward. 

The “You’re never around” Fight
I get it, your boyfriend is busy, but you have every right to start a serious conversation (we don’t want to call it a fight, because we’re hoping it ends with a simple “You’re so right. And beautiful.”) asking him to spend more quality time getting to know your friends. By asking him to integrate himself into your social scene you’ll save yourself a big headache down the line –relationships are infinitely easier when all of the important people in your life get along(the last thing you need to hear after skipping ladies’ night for date night is how rude and boring your boyfriend is). To avoid drama, frame the conversation as a compliment: “My friends like you so much that they really want you to be around more…”  Not convinced friend/relationship harmony is important to your sanity? You can disagree with me, but you just can’t argue with the Spice Girls: “If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends.”

The “You’re being too controlling” Fight
I don’t care if your boyfriend is Marc Jacobs – he still shouldn’t be telling you what to wear.  Who you hang out with, what classes you take, where you live, and what you look like are decisions between you, your friends, your academic advisor, your landlord, and your hair stylist. Your guy has no business micromanaging your life.  Scared to have this fight? Then cut straight to the “I think we should see other people” talk. Your hair stylist will be there to dry your tears.
 
The "Don't push me to have sex” Fight

This is less of a fight and more of a defense against sexual assault.  But seriously, some girls are worried that standing their sexual ground will stunt a relationship, upset their boyfriend, or lead to a reputation as a prude (and really, you can only pretend that you’re on your period for so long…).  But the bottom line remains - so what?  At its worst, your aggressive rejection of his aggressive sexual advances is a little bit uncomfortable; at its best, confidently discussing sexual boundaries keeps you happy and safe and free of genital warts! You can reassess the situation when you feel ready to go further.  Whenever you fill like caving in, just remember – the person without the weird crotch itch always has the last laugh. 

The “You’re acting weird in front of your friends” Fight
We’ve all seen it: the dashing, amazing, Prince Charming of a guy who turns into a real villain in front of his bros (fairy tale metaphors never get old).  Maybe he’s scared of getting called whipped, maybe he’s uncomfortable introducing you to his friends, or maybe he’s just really, really socially awkward.  Whatever the reason may be, he needs to stop treating you like trash.  A simple “Hey you were acting really weird in front of your friends” gives him the opportunity to explain himself without feeling automatically accused.  Why should you start the fight? Because you deserve better. Why do you deserve better? Because, as L’oreal would say, you’re worth it.

Contrary to sit-coms and your grandmother’s dating advice, you’re not a cold, high-maintenance, unlovable girlfriend if you occasionally raise important problems in your relationship.  Euphemisms aside, you’re not necessarily a jerk for starting an argument.  So do it.  Because, trust me, you’ll feel better after a good, clean fight (and I’m not even talking about the make-up sleepover…).  Pick your battles, fight fair, and thank us when it’s all over.

We get it: it stinks to be in a boyfriend slump. You miss getting random texts during the day, having someone who looks at you differently than a friend would, and benefitting from a person in your life who means something special to you. Let’s be honest––if you’re stuck in a dry spell between relationships, like many collegiettes are at some point in their college career, a no-strings-attached hook-up can begin to be pretty tempting. Whether you’re hoping it could lead to a relationship or that it’ll just serve as something fun in the meantime before you meet Mr. Right, it’s easy to see the pros in casually hooking up with someone. What’s harder to see, however, are the reasons why a hook-up might not be such a great idea after all.

“Friends with benefits sounds like a foolproof plan. Any safe harbor in a storm, right?  You are feeling lonely [and] he is game for a go; why not?” Jodi R. R. Smith, president of Mannersmith Etiquette Counseling, says.  “Why not indeed.  There are plenty of reasons to opt for a cold shower or battery-operated romance instead.” Before you dive headfirst into a hook-up, consider these 5 reasons why you should think twice.

You’re Close Friends

If the two of you have a solid history together, think twice before hooking up. While friendship can definitely lead to a great relationship, if you’re just looking for something casual, it’s not worth risking what the two of you already have in the name of a fling. “While there are the occasional ‘Samanthas’ [of Sex And The City] among us, for the vast majority of females, sex creates an emotional connection to the other person,” explains Smith. “Before that first kiss, imagine you see him tomorrow holding hands on the quad with another co-ed.  If you feel a bit of jealousy creeping into the pit of your stomach, then you are not emotionally disconnected enough to go through with it.”

Reflect on the memories you have with this guy to help decide whether or not you’re willing to risk a future where similar moments will no doubt be altered. “If this person is truly a good friend, search your feelings: are you secretly hoping this hook up with lead to a relationship?  If so, better to keep your clothes on and ask him on a date then to lock lips and forever lose a friend,” Smith says.

You’ve Known Him for 20 Minutes

The flipside is also something to consider when deciding whether or not to start a new hook-up. If you barely know the guy you’re considering get close to in the imminent future, make sure you’re not jumping into something too quickly. “Slow down and ask yourself why you are so ready to jump into bed with a stranger,” says Smith. “Is he a cutie with good boyfriend potential?  Then flirt the night away, get his number, and start with an afternoon date which can evolve into a dinner date, and then turn up the heat after you have known him for a number of hours rather than a number of minutes.”

While too much history can be a definite turn-off when deciding whether or not to hook up with someone, not knowing enough about what a person is like outside of the situation you just met them in is also something that should give you pause. Slow things down a little and check with other friends or classmates who might know more about him. You don’t need to know every single thing ever about a guy, especially if you’re just looking for something casual, but make sure he is who he says or appears to be. Double check that basic facts check out—like that he’s actually single—whenever possible before rushing into something more.

You Want Revenge or Payback

It’s never, ever, ever a good idea to hook up with someone as a way of getting back at a boyfriend/girlfriend/recent ex who has made you angry or upset. This often leads to a lot of hurt and confusion for you, whoever you hooked up with, and the other person in the picture. “I hooked up with two guys immediately after I started school freshman year just to get back at a long-distance boyfriend,” says Anna*, who goes to the University of Missouri-Columbia. “I was mad [that] he blew off our Skype dates and wouldn’t answer his phone, and thought this would be a way of getting his attention.”

Smith explains: “Women use sex to feel loved. Hook-ups are not a sign of a confident gal with good self-esteem.” Instead of hooking up with someone else to calm your anger or heartbrokenness, consider having a cozy night in with some girlfriends, wallowing in chick flicks, or even taking a weekend at home if you live close enough and need some TLC from mom. Give yourself a day or two to cool off instead of doing something you’ll regret later on.

You’re Really Just Not That Into Him

“Don't feel pressured or guilty to hook up with a guy that you're not actually interested in or attracted to,” advises Gabbie Cirelli, a sophomore at UNC-Chapel Hill. “I had a new guy friend that I thought was really cool and funny, but it was pretty clear from the beginning of our friendship that he wanted to exit the friend zone. I knew I wasn't attracted to him, and I knew that I didn't want to hook up with him, but I did so anyways because I felt so bad.”

Instead of giving in, try to help him out by finding someone else for him, Smith advises. “If he gives your grief about being in the friend zone, ask him what he is looking for in a girl and start playing matchmaker with your friends,” she says. “He may not float your boat, but everyone’s boat is different. And if he keeps pressuring you, ditch him; clearly, he is not really a friend.”

Relationships that start out of sympathy or pity, or from pressure put on the two of you by friends or others around you, almost never end well. “Even if you think you're being nice and doing a lovestruck guy a favor by hooking up with him, it’s really just going to cause further trouble for both of you if you're not into the hook-up,” says Gabbie.

He’s Forcing You Into It

You wouldn’t stick it out in an abusive relationship, so why put up with an abusive partner in a hook-up or FWB scenario? Maybe it’s comments from your friend about the way he acts towards you or treats you, concerns expressed by family members about changes in your behavior or attitude, or that little nagging feeling that doesn’t seem to go away when you’re together with him, but if things feel wrong or you have any doubts about starting something more than friendship with a guy, hold back! Take any verbal threats, displays of physical violence, or statements about you “owing” him for a meal, drink, or sexual encounter seriously.

“In 2013, we woman have the right to flirt all we want.  If he wants to pay for dinner, he is paying for the pleasure of our company, NOT the chance to be pleasured later,” says Smith.

Any guy who tries to intimidate you, threatens you into starting something, tells you that you “owe” him something, or demonstrates other emotionally or physically unhealthy behavior is bad news. “Lose him and his number fast… when a guy shows you who he is, believe him the first time!” says Smith. Avoid a hook-up like the plague in this situation!  

It can be hard to think about the cons before things get hot and heavy with your dude of choice. As difficult as it may be, it’s a good idea to think twice, and consider if any of these reasons (or ones unique to your situation) serve as a reason to avoid hooking up, no matter how tempting the guy may be.

*Name has been changed.

A good chunk of the summer has passed by and chances are, you and your guy have gone through most of your summer date ideas. You can only beat the heat in a movie theater so many times before your wallet – and your motivation to go out in the first place – take a hit. Even though summer has some scorchers that call for indoor dates only, you won’t regret getting out once in a while and enjoying the fresh, warm summer air! (Especially when the semester comes around and you’re stuck in the library studying).

So, what’s a collegiette to do when she’s looking for fun (and romance) in the sun? Here are 10 outdoor date ideas that will take your summer lovin’ to the next level:

You’ve Tried: Playing Mini Golf
Now Try: Batting Cages

Mini golf is a classic summer date that shouldn’t be discounted! It’s a great activity to do if you want to chat with your guy. However, if you’re looking to spice things up a bit, why not try a batting cage? This may intimidate some collegiettes but it has all the awesome parts of mini golf: a little competition, time for talking, and low cost. If you and your guy are at different hitting levels, you can start simple with a slow pitch or kick up the speed a little. And if you really love it, you could make it a regular date activity by joining a couples’ softball league. Briana from the University of Missouri-Kansas City says "It's always fun to do things together that aren't typical dates or include a lot of people. Being in a co-ed softball league is a good way for [me and my boyfriend] to meet a lot of people and interact in a different dynamic. Not only is the game super fun, but also it's definitely a plus to see each other and hang out in an active group setting. And he gets to help me learn how to throw, which I've never done before!"

To find a batting cage in your area, try Yelp.com. Just type in ‘batting cages’ in the search box; the site will recognize your location and show you the nearby cages!

You’ve Tried: Laying Out At the Beach
Now Try: Beach Bocce Ball

You might not have heard of bocce ball, but if you spend a lot of time at the beach, you probably have seen someone playing it. It’s sort of like bag toss– there’s a small ball that represents a target and each player throws different color balls, trying to get them to land closest to the target. Easy enough, right? Bocce beats lying inactively on the sand but doesn’t require strenuous activity. It lets you and your man have a bit of healthy competition and an even healthier bit of flirting, plus it will force you to move around the beach and if you get hot, you can just take a dip in the waves. An added bonus: if you’re out with another couple, it’s easy to modify the game so that you can play in teams or add players!

You’ve Tried: Going On a Picnic
Now Try: Camping

Want to really put your relationship to the test? Find a nearby camping site (many of them have free or cheap admission) by researching online and plan an overnight trip. If neither of you has camped before, there will be some challenges: setting up the tent, building a fire, and battling the buggy night. But, camping has all the fun of a picnic with the excitement of being away on a mini-vacation. And if the sound of an owl hooting makes you jump in the night, you’ll have your man there to comfort you!

You’ve Tried: Paddleboats
Now Try: Kayaking

Paddleboats make for leisurely fun, but if you’re looking to cover more ground, kayaks are the answer! Many rivers will have daylong kayak rentals so you and your love can have fun that lasts beyond a few hours. There’s lots of scenery, you can pack snacks, and it’s a great upper-body workout... what’s not to like? However, kayaking also requires some serious teamwork for balancing and steering. Be prepared to work together and refine your communication skills!

You’ve Tried: Going to a Park
Now Try: Visiting Your Old Playground

Who said that your playground days were over? You may be too big for some of the playground tunnels and slides at the nearby park, but you’ll never outgrow the swings and jungle gym! If you live by the playground you went to when you were growing up, visiting can bring up a lot of old stories you probably haven’t shared with your guy before. You can wow him by recounting how you used to be the four square queen! Ally from the University of Illinois loves this ‘retro’ date.“This probably sounds random,” she says, “but one of my favorite things to do with my boyfriend is go to my old elementary school playground, especially when the sun goes down. The little kids that play on it during the day are asleep so we usually have the whole place to ourselves. Swinging and monkey bars just never get old!”

You’ve Tried: Going To the Pool
Now Try: Slip ‘n Slide

Speaking of ‘retro’ dates… there’s lots of fun to be had during a day at the pool, but why not shake things up by breaking out your old Slip ‘n Slide? You’ll get some exercise, you’ll get some sun, and you’ll definitely get wet and avoid being overheated. And, with a little searching through your shed or garage, you may be able to turn it into an all-out water fight. “Last week my boyfriend and I decided to look through his house for all his old water guns and his Slip ‘n Slide,” says Danielle, a student at the University of California-Los Angeles. “We found a bunch of water guns and invited over some friends to have a huge water fight in the backyard. We split into guys vs. girls teams and the goal was to stay as dry as possible (which obviously was impossible to do). It was a blast and I felt like a little kid again!”

You’ve Tried: Going Downtown
Now Try: Going to Your State Fair

If you’ve explored every boutique and ‘mom and pop’ restaurant in the small town you live in OR if you’ve gone to every bar and tourist attraction in the city you live in, it might be time to leave town! Most states hold their state fairs in the summertime, and usually they’re more than worth their entry fees: yummy food, amusement rides, art showings, and talent shows are only a few of the draws. Be sure to bring some money though, as ride tickets and funnel cakes can start to add up. But it will all be worth it when you can say you shared a kiss at the top of a Ferris wheel!

You’ve Tried: Hiking in Nature
Now Try: Creating Nature

Going for a hike offers two perks for the price of one: it’s in a picturesque setting and it’s a great workout. Definitely hike with your guy if you haven’t already! But if you have and are starting to get a little tired of the beaten path (literally), why not take the natural inspiration and turn it into a summer-long date idea by creating a small garden? Becca from Clemson University fully endorses this green-thumb date idea: “My boyfriend and I made a budget and then each picked out a vegetable that we love to eat. We went to a local nursery, got all the tools needed to grow our vegetables and then planted the seeds. Over the course of the summer, we had a daily thing to do together when we’d water or weed our plants. It was an unusual idea but so great when the summer was over and we got to enjoy the fruits (or in this case vegetables) of our labor!” Having something that you and your guy are mutually responsible for and work on together will be really rewarding when the bulbs start to bloom. Plus, it will give you a glimpse of how well you two work together (which is especially helpful if you’re trying to gauge how serious the relationship is and/or where it will go in the future).

You’ve Tried: Laying Out Under the Stars
Now Try: Becoming an Amateur Stargazer

It’s awesome to lie out together and watch the stars come out at night (and if you’re lucky, to catch a shooting star–perhaps to make a wish for lasting love!). But if you and your guy are getting bored of ‘just looking,’ it’s easy for you to educate yourselves about what you’re actually looking at. It’s a simple concept, but learning something together will create a shared experience that you can bond over. If you’re ever going through a rocky relationship patch, the two of you can break out your star charts again and get back in touch with happier times. Check out these apps (made especially for amateur stargazers) if you need a starting point:

• Google Sky Map: Android, Free
• SkyView: iPhone, Free
• Star Walk: iPhone, $2.99 

With a little practice, you’ll be quizzing each other on constellations in no time!

You’ve Tried: Watching a Sunset
Now Try: Watching a Sunrise

Getting up at the crack of dawn may sound like a chore, but it can have benefits! If going out in the heat sounds like torture to you, try getting up early and catching a scenic sunrise – it’s always nice to start the day with romance! It may take some prodding to get your guy to agree, but once you’re out there, you’ll both be glad for it. Emily, a junior from the University of Missouri, didn’t regret being an early-riser for a day: “My boyfriend and I both like to sleep in, but one day we challenged ourselves to wake up early and watch a sunrise. Honestly, it was way more beautiful than any sunset I’ve ever seen. Plus it was nice and cool out so I didn’t have to worry about feeling like a sweaty mess. Afterwards we went and got breakfast. It was the perfect way to start my day.”

What are you waiting for, collegiettes? If you’re feeling out-of-the-box, give these dates a try and let us know how they go! Have another alternative date idea? Tell us about it in the comments!

You’ll never forget when you first saw him – at the beach, at the pool, walking around your hometown… He’s what you were looking for or what you were trying to avoid (if you, like us, aren’t a fan of goodbyes). He’s been your constant companion and the source of your denial about the impending school year. Your girls would argue that he’s the ‘Danny’ to your ‘Sandy’ à la “Grease.” Who is he? Your summer fling, of course!

It’s a bittersweet relationship. At first, it seemed like an awesome idea to start up a romance when the whole summer was yours for the taking. Summer is about enjoying a break from the typical semester life and kicking back a little, right? But as summer went on and the two of you got closer, you were reminded of the all-too-true fact: come August or September, your relationship would face inevitable change. You have to make a decision: do you stay together or call it quits?

At this point, you may be weighing the pros and cons and have a general idea about what you’d like to happen with the relationship. Unfortunately, you aren’t the only one with a stake in the decision. You may be wondering if what’s running through your mind is similar to what’s running through his. Does he want to see where your relationship goes? Does he even have the time once school starts? What would he expect of you if you continued on with your relationship? All are valid questions to ask, and if you’re searching for some answers, you’re in luck: Her Campus talked to 14 guys around the country about their thoughts on making a summer fling last into fall!

The Big Factors

Here are the topthree things to consider when prolonging your summer fling according to guys:

Distance

How often you and your sweetie are able to see each other is obviously affected by how far away you are from each other. You’re in Cali and he’s in The Big Apple? You might find that the distance is too great to make your relationship worth it (or even make it work). About 15 percent of guys said distancewastheirbiggest factor. Jacob from the University of Iowa learned this from experience: “My ex-girlfriend and I had a good relationship, but ultimately we were going to different schools (that were far apart) and we still had three years of school left. A few months or even a year of long distances would’ve been worthy of consideration… But there was no way I’d do that for three years.”

Dylan from Wichita State University said that he’d think about distance before the relationship got to be serious: “If we were too far apart, I wouldn’t allow myself to become too attached to begin with.”

Seriousness

Almost 50 percent of the guys we talked to said that ‘seriousness,’ or how much potential they saw in the relationship, was the most important factor in deciding whether or not to stay together. “Ultimately it depends on what you're looking for,” says Cliff from Arizona State University. “If you are hoping for a real long-term relationship and you see that your summer fling has potential to turn into that, you shouldn't let the other factors get in the way.”

Time Commitment

If you and your guy are both involved in a ton of organizations or working part-time jobs, you may want to ask yourselves if you even have the time to maintain a relationship (especially if distance is involved and you’d want to communicate regularly). Twenty-five percent of guys, including Ben from the University of Missouri, said that time commitment would be the biggest factor in their decision. “I’m way too busy for a girlfriend during the semester,” said Ben. “I don’t want a relationship to be a top priority in my life right now so I don’t see myself devoting time out of my day each day for that. I’d rather wait until I’ve graduated [to be in a relationship].”

If It’s Not Worth It… End It (Gracefully)

You and your summer love may decide that these factors (and more) are too much of a burden to make a relationship worthwhile. However, it can be awkward/sad to end a relationship when you’ve been enjoying it. So, how do you end things? Completely cut it off or keep in touch? The guys say:

“Assuming I was able to avoid getting too attached knowing we’d be apart in the fall, I’d love to stay friends.”– Dylan, Wichita State University

“I would hope to at least be on good terms. Obviously it's hard to plan out whether or not you'll keep in touch/stay friends but the best thing to do is be open-minded, don't try to force it, and if it's going to happen it'll work itself out in the future.” – Cliff, Arizona State University

“I would keep in touch and stay friends but keep it at a healthy minimum. Too much contact would probably just make one, or both, of us miss each other more, and that would just make the situation more difficult.” – Jacob, University of Iowa

If It Is Worth It… What Next?

If you decide that you want to give your relationship a shot, be aware that you and your guy may have different ideas about what actually constitutes said ‘relationship.’ You’ll want to discuss this with each other beforehand. How often do you want to see each other (whether you’re at the same school or not)? What are your expectations of each other in the relationship? This will be easy to discuss if you’re at the same school. But, if you’re not, that’s when things get tricky.

How to Communicate

We asked guys to rank their preferred mode of communication if they were to continue on with a summer fling. Here are the top five in order of most preferred to least:

1. In-person visits: 36 percent
2. Skyping: 28 percent
3. Phone calls: 18 percent
4. Texting: 17 percent
5. Letters/mail: 1 percent

Jacob explans, “You can’t beat face-to-face communication. It’s hands down the best way to keep in touch. I would make an effort to try and visit each other and if you can’t, Skype is the next best thing.” Guess you’d better get ready to smile for the camera, collegiettes!

How Often to Communicate

How often would guys want to communicate throughout the week? All guys surveyed would want to communicate at least once a day, but how much they want to communicate during the day varies. About 75 percent of guys would want to communicate a little bit everyday (with texting throughout part of the day or a short phone call).

“I would hate to talk so much that I’d feel bored or uninterested, but it’s nice to connect everyday.” – Dylan, Wichita State University

“I don’t think anyone’s life is interesting enough to be constantly texting about it everyday. I’d rather have some space for some of the day, accumulate things to talk about, and then text a little or a talk at night. It wouldn’t always have to be short but I wouldn’t want to feel pressured to talk for hours each night, either.” – Ben, University of Missouri

About one-fourth of guys would want to communicate more, with texting throughout the entire day or a longer phone call at night.

“Communication is … important [in] any relationship, especially in one as difficult as a long-distance relationship. Obviously there will be times where there's no time to talk, in which case both parties will have to be patient, but long-distance relationships require effort from both sides to keep in touch.” – Cliff, Arizona State University

If You’re Both Busy

The act of communication itself isn’t difficult in this day and age – but making time for it can be. If busyness was a factor in you’re decision, you’ll have to plan for it ahead of time or end up living the reality that Jacob fears: “I wouldn’t ever want to be in a situation where my girlfriend would say that she wanted to Skype later that day so I’d make time for her and wait until she could, only to be blown off because she was too busy.”

How to deal: Be patient with each other and set goals for how much time you’d like each other to devote to the relationship. Obviously, life will get in the way of these goals sometimes. But having a general guideline will hold you both accountable when you may be slacking in the relationship.

Worries, Worries, Worries

No relationship is without some tough times. You and your guy may have some apprehensions about making your summer relationship last into the fall, but the difficulties don’t end once you’ve made the decision to continue dating. What do guys think they’d worry about the most if they were in this kind of relationship? About 40 percent of guys said time commitment (as discussed earlier) was their number one worry. But, about 25 percent of guys said this would worry them even more: temptation.

Whether he’s worried about someone tempting you to hook up or being tempted himself, there’s no doubt that you and your guy may run into these kinds of troubles whilst in the ‘party culture’ of college. Jacob from the University of Iowa thinks atmosphere could greatly determine what choices each person makes: “When alcohol and partying is involved, I’d be worried for both of our sakes (when it comes to temptation). You’d both have to be really committed to the relationship. I’d have a hard time not being kind of concerned if I knew she was going out to bars or parties a lot without me ever being there with her.”

How to deal: establish trust. If you and your guy can’t trust each other, then temptation will only be one of your many worries in the relationship. And if either of you find yourself in a sticky situation, be honest and upfront. For example, if you have a guy friend that got too close when your other friend was being shutter-happy with her camera, just explain the whole situation and don’t try to hide it. It will only seem like you’re lying about something.

Every summer fling situation is different. Just because these guys feel a certain way about how they’d like a relationship to go doesn’t mean that your guy will feel the same. You may have to do some of the detective work yourself and figure out what he’s thinking! Hopefully, hearing from these guys will give you a starting point in your summer fling decision.

If you’ve found yourself in this situation before, we’d love to hear how you and your guy dealt with it in the comment box below!

Here's the thing: we don’t mind being single. Honestly. 

We just wish the world didn't feel a need to constantly remind us of our single status.

We hate those couples who insist on holding hands in public,

or sharing their dessert with each another,

or—the horror—kissing in our presence. Get a room, lovebirds!

We hate those events where we're expected to bring a date,

and we really hate those questions about if there’s “someone special in our lives.”

We’re just like, that lunch we had today was pretty special; does that count?

What about Valentine’s Day? What is that nonsense?

And when did Christmas start revolving around finding the “perfect gift for your sweetie?” Please.

How about seeing couples tweet at each other constantly or write mushy messages on each other's walls on Facebook? 

Don't even get us started on those girls who Instagram pictures of the flowers their boyfriends sent them. (#BestBoyfriendEVAHHH!) 

BRB, going to go eat dinner alone.

But you know what we really hate? That being single has such a stigma.

We don’t have cats running all around our apartments, believe it or not.

We don’t cry into our pints of Ben and Jerry’s at night because we don’t have a “special someone.”

No, we may not be in relationships right now, but we are not yet planning to spend the rest of our lives in empty solitude.

Someday, we might find someone who appreciates just how great we are…

…but right now, we are totally okay being our sassy, single selves.

If anyone wants to buy us dinner tonight, though, we wouldn’t protest.

Oh, college guys… they say the darndest things. From clueless comments to “oh-no-he-did-not-just-say-that” pick-up lines, we’ve all heard guys say things that have made our jaws drop or our eyes roll. Here’s a list of the funniest, most ridiculous things guys have said—yep, they really did—to collegiettes.

• “My boyfriend once asked me why I cut my eyelashes so often and how they grew back so quickly while watching me use an eyelash curler.” – Sarah, Bucknell University ‘13

• “A frat boy trying to hit on one of my friends in class talking about his first job (said): ‘You know, it was a great experience... I learned a lot about myself, like I won't have this swag forever.’” – Dawn, UNC-Charlotte ‘13

• “My roommate and I were at the bar, and a guy walked up to her, grabbed her hand, and said, ‘Happy Halloween, baby,’ then walked away. It was May.” – Katie, Western Michigan University ‘13

• “I was hooking up with this new guy, and in the morning he goes: ‘I'm still nakey.’ Not to mention, he called out my French tips the night before. Needless to say, that was the last time he was nakey in my bed.”– Anonymous, University of Michigan ‘13

•  “A coworker of mine this week told me that if I'm so pretty, then my mom must be really beautiful, and commenced to ask more about my mom, as if that was gonna get me to like him more.” – Aspen, Savannah College of Art and Design ‘16

• “‘BTW sex tonight?’ was one of my personal fave texts ever received... haha, not.”– Leah, Skidmore College '14

• “I went home from the bar with a guy, and next thing I knew he was kicking me out and said: ‘You’re 25 and you probably don't even go here (referring to college)!’ I have no idea where that came from!” – Anonymous, University of Michigan ‘13

• “Freshman year a guy once said to me mid-hook-up, ‘I like the color of your nails.’ They were painted a turquoise-blue—such a random thing to say given the context!” – Deepa, University of Pennsylvania ’14

• “My now boyfriend of two and a half years said something quite funny the night after we first kissed. His idea of an amusing ice-breaker text (we'd drunkenly hooked up at a party) was: ‘I think you got lipstick on my face,’ to which I replied that I hadn't been wearing any. Not quite the response he'd planned!” – Rosanna, University of Leeds ‘14

• “I had been seeing this guy for a few weeks, but wasn't really into him, so I decided to put a halt to things. Right after I told him how I was feeling, he farted. Loudly. I'm one of those adult children who erupts into a fit of giggles whenever she hears a fart—real or fake—so I started laughing. He then proceeds to respond IN ALL SERIOUSNESS by rubbing his leg and saying, ‘Man, you hear that? My hamstring...’”– Jessica, University of Oregon ‘12

• “I have actually seen a guy say this line and have seen the girl he said it to hook up with him immediately afterward: ‘How much does a polar bear weigh? Enough to break the ice. Hi, I'm (insert name here).’” – Sarah, Bucknell University ‘13

• “I met a guy at a club during my first week of freshman year who offered me a ‘private tour of NYU,’ ending at his apartment. Ew, no thank you!” – Hannah, New York University '15

• “I was walking down Newbury Street and some random guy standing there looked straight at me and said, ‘You a black man's dream.’ It was my second week in Boston after moving from suburban Orange County, and I was so bewildered. My friend and I just kept walking and couldn't stop laughing. I still get teased about it to this day!” – Sonali, Boston University '14

• “I drive a sports car and I once had a guy tell me: ‘I'll take you out on a date if you let me drive your car.’ There was no date.” – Anonymous, University of Alabama at Birmingham ‘13

• “I was in Paris last year, wandering around trying to find somewhere to eat. This waiter was trying to convince me to come to his restaurant, and said the following: ‘I am from united. You are from states. Together, we are United States.’” – Katy, UNC-Chapel Hill ‘11

• “A boy tried to chat me up on behalf of his friend. When I told him that I had a boyfriend, he responded: ‘But Toby’s better, Toby's marriage material!’” – Rosanna, University of Leeds ‘14

• “It was the first week of orientation and I had hooked up with one of my new resident’s friends. I got called down to the RA office when we were done hooking up and he went outside to smoke. Minutes into dealing with a situation in the office we hear: ‘Dude, I just hooked up with the RA! So that means the RA is like my b*tch this year!’ ‘Um, chill dude. She's not your RA, she's mine.’” – Anonymous, Fashion Institute of Technology ‘14

And straight from the horse’s mouths… college guys’ most cringe-worthy one-liners:

• “I just really can't connect with someone until I know them sexually.” – said to Elyssa, Carnegie Mellon University ’10 

• “I feel like we're close enough that I can tell you this, but I spent 45 minutes stalking your Facebook last night.” – said to Michelle, Emerson College ‘12, a month after she and the guy stopped dating

• “This is around that time of the night where I ask you to make out with me. Just throwin’ that out there.”– said to Anonymous, Harvard University ‘13

• “I want to climb you like a mountain.” – said to Amber, North Carolina State University ‘11

• “You and me, we will never work out... but we should be ‘sex friends.’” – said to Mackenzie, Suffolk ‘15

• “Just so you know, I have an emergency abortion fund, and if you ever get pregnant you are having one.”– said to Emily, Hofstra University ‘12

• “Dang girl, I see them muscles, what you workin' with?"– said to Anonymous, Harvard University ‘13

• “You've never kissed anyone before?! Wow, but how? You're too adorable for that to be true! Wait... that means you're a virgin then too, huh? Darn.” – said to Taylor, Wellesley College ‘13

• “’You dance like Baby, girl, and you're hot as f*ck.’ (I'm assuming by ‘Baby, girl’ he meant Baby from Dirty Dancing.)” – said to Anonymous, Harvard University ‘13

• “Hi, I just wanted to let you know you are beautiful... but excuse me, I have to go to the bathroom.” – said to Delia, Suffolk University 2012

• “Put that big booty to use. ‘Cause it's big and round. Slappable and grabbable.” – said to Taylor, Wellesley College ‘13

• “I've got a concussion. Come visit me? I’m in room number 225.” – said to Anonymous, Harvard University ‘13

• “That was fun. We should do that again sometime. BTW that's a mean hickey. I feel like I'm in middle school again.” – said to Taylor, Wellesley College ‘13

• “Look at how perfectly our hands fit together... maybe our tongues will, too.” – said to Anonymous, Harvard University ‘13

• “‘Don't flatter me, I'm white.’ (In response to: ‘You're a good dancer, too!’)” – said to Anonymous, Harvard University ‘13

• “Do you know how to pronounce ‘bagel?’” –said to Delia, Suffolk University 2012

• “Guy: Listen, I know we've both started a lot of rumors about each other.  
  Me: What are you talking about? I've never started a rumor about you.
  Guy: Okay. Well, I've started a lot of rumors about you, then.  
  Me: What?! What rumors have you started about me?!
  Guy: That you're hooking up with your ex.
  Me: You told me you heard that! You came up to me last week and told me you heard that!
  Guy: Yeah. I did. From me.” - said to Michelle, Emerson College ‘12

What do you think, collegiettes—which guy was the most ridiculous? Do you have a ‘sh*t he said’ story that can top these? Tell us in the comments below!

Newsflash, ladies: Everything you think you know about losing your virginity is wrong.

Or maybe nothing so dramatic, but real talk: for all it’s discussed, gossiped about, and portrayed in the media, there are a lot of misconceptions floating around about virginity. How often have you heard books, movies, TV shows, or even your own friends tell you when you should lose it, how you should lose it, who you should lose it to, and what it should feel like?

The real answers to these questions? Losing your virginity is different for everyone, and we’re here to debunk all of those pesky myths.

Myth #1: It will hurt, it will bleed, and there’s no way it will feel good.

Busted: One of the most commonly accepted “facts” about losing your virginity is that it will hurt—and that it’s supposed to. But, good news: while there’s definitely no guarantee that there won’t be some discomfort, losing your virginity shouldn’t be synonymous with crippling pain.

Pain during a girl’s first time having penetrative sex can usually be boiled down to two culprits: nerves and inadequate preparation. According to Amber Madison, sexpert and author of Hooking Up: A Girl’s All-Out Guide to Sex and Sexuality, when girls are nervous, their vaginas tense and tighten, making penetration more difficult and painful, and it can sometimes cause bleeding. Therefore, a girl can minimize the chance of pain and bleeding the first time and prepare her body for penetration by making sure she is comfortable and relaxed.

Being aroused is also very important, says Rachel Maulding, Director of Education for romance company Cloud 9 Parties who has a master’s in human sexuality. “Men are taught that as soon as they’re hard, it’s time for penetration,” Maulding says. “Women don’t work that way, but because we’re so new to it when losing our virginities, we don’t know what our bodies should feel like and how to make it feel good.”

Inexperienced girls shouldn’t be shy about extending foreplay until they feel totally ready, both mentally and physically. Make sure you’re properly lubricated (being naturally lubricated is a good sign of arousal, but don’t be afraid to whip out some lube, either) and don’t move forward until you’re dying to feel what comes next.

Maulding’s other advice for maximizing pleasure your first time? “Masturbate. Learn how to orgasm by yourself first and don’t expect it to always be present during sex,” she says.

Myth #2: It will be a monumental event that changes everything.

Busted: What do movies like American Pie, The 40 Year-Old Virgin, and The First Time have in common? They’re all one of many films about the quest to lose your virginity. And why is swiping your V-card such popular story fodder? Because we’re constantly made to believe that losing our virginities is a rite of passage, after which we will be changed women or suddenly feel all grown up.

But guess what? You might wake up the morning after doing the deed and feel a big, whopping… nothing at all. And that’s okay.

That’s not to say that losing your virginity won’t be a big event in your life. If your definition of special involves candlelight and romantic music, by all means whip out the candles and the Marvin Gaye. What’s important is to be aware of your expectations and evaluate why you have them. Building up your loss of virginity as a BFD (no pun intended) can only lead to getting let down.

“If you’re looking for losing your virginity to change you or your life in a big way, you should go back to the drawing board,” says Maulding. “That’s not what sex is about.”

Myth #3: It has to be with someone you love.

Busted: Debunking this myth is easy. Any sentence that starts with, “Your first time should be with someone that…” is likely an instruction you don’t need to listen to.

Sure, there are tons of ways to end that sentence that could be correct, but only you can fill in the blank. Many people desire to be in love with the person they lose their virginity to—and many people don’t. Spoiler alert: it’s okay both ways, as long as you’re comfortable. According to Madison, love shouldn’t necessarily be what’s important when choosing to have sex for the first time.

“Maybe it will be with someone you love, or maybe it will be with a guy [you don’t love who] you’ve been hooking up with for awhile and you decide you’re comfortable enough to lose your virginity to,” she says. “What matters is that you’re comfortable.”

Myth #4: There is a set definition of virginity, and you can only “lose it” once.

Busted: The phrase “losing your virginity” is often tossed around without much thought. When a girl loses her virginity, that means she has penetrative sex for the first time and she breaks her hymen, right?

Not necessarily. Allow us to do some rapid-fire myth-busting: defining virginity as having an intact hymen is limiting, excluding those who were born without a hymen or who tore it before ever having sex, whether by falling off a bike, masturbating, or inserting a tampon.

Taking the hymen out of the equation, the next definition might be to say a virgin is someone who has never had sex with another person. But that might not be so clean-cut, either. Miri, a Freethought blogger and sexual health and assault peer educator, challenges us to question our definitions of sex. We may consider being penetrated with a penis the only qualification, but what about hands and dildos? What about lesbians? What about someone who feels oral sex is more meaningful and intimate than penetrative sex?

That’s the cool thing: it’s possible to think about having a variety of virginities that you can lose. Yes, for heterosexual females, there will be only one “first time” of dictionary-defined penetrative sex that we typically think of when we talk about losing virginities, what fun is it to think like that?

“Personally, I lost my ‘virginity’ as we commonly define it when I was 18, with my best friend who I'd been hooking up with,” says Miri. “It definitely felt like a big step, but I've had many as-big or bigger steps since then: the first time I went down on someone, the first time I hooked up with someone ‘casually,’ the first time I hooked up with a woman… and so on. Why is it that only one of these ‘steps’ qualified as ‘losing my virginity’? Rather, I sort of lost many different virginities, and I have many yet to lose.”

Disregarding the myth that you only have one V-card to lose is positive on multiple levels. First, it allows us to appreciate and decide the significance of various sexual activities for ourselves—and, like Miri describes, it makes virginity feel far less finite, because there are always new things to look forward to.

More than that, though, it can help girls experience their emotions as valid, no matter what the sexual activity.

“We place too much emphasis on virginity,” says Madison. “What girls feel emotionally after having sex can be very intense, but the way they feel after just hooking up is supposed to feel less intense. So if she’s hurt if a guy doesn’t call after sex, it’s okay, but if she tells her friends she’s hurt after he doesn’t call after a hook-up, they brush it off.”

You might brush it off as semantics, but Miri says that changing the way we think about virginity, hooking up, and sex in general can also allow you to reframe your sexual experiences (or lack thereof) in healthier ways.

She says: “Your sex life stops being about whether you have or have not lost your virginity, and more about what different types of stuff you've tried, still want to try, [or] would rather save for someone special.”

Myth #5: You have to lose your virginity before you start college.

Busted: Whether you’ve been on the receiving end of disbelieving looks and questions when admitting you’re a college virgin or knew girls who were racing to the finish line before freshman orientation, you’re likely familiar with the attitude that virginity is something you’re supposed to shed before freshman year. This probably comes from the other popular notion that college is the epicenter for rampant sexual activity, hook-ups, and sexual discovery. And while this might be true for some people, it isn’t for all—but that certainly doesn’t put an end to the pressure. Bridgette, a rising sophomore at the University of Mary Washington, received plenty of it before she lost her virginity to her boyfriend at the end of freshman year.

“They made it sound like one of those emails [like], ‘If you don't pass this on to 12 of your friends then you will die,’ except it was, ‘If you don't lose your virginity before college then you're going to be alone forever,’” she says.

While the pressure might not be so intense everywhere, there’s no denying that at some point or another, young women will come across messages trying to tell her when it’s appropriate to lose her virginity. And just with the other myths, no one can tell you when is right except for you. So long as you make the decision yourself, losing your virginity before, during, or after college can all be the right answer.

Still worried about being a virgin in college? Most likely, the pressure is much ado about nothing.

“No one cares,” Bridgette says. “Seriously, no one cares if you have lost your virginity or not. No guy cares. No girl cares. Your roommates won't care. Your teachers won't care… I didn't lose my virginity before college and I wasn't alone. I'm happy I saved my virginity to the right time, and I know I won't regret it.”

Myth #6: You will fall head-over-heels in love with the person who you have sex with for the first time.

Busted: Anyone remember that episode of Girls when Shoshanna tried to lose her virginity to her old camp beau, only to be stopped short when he found out she hadn’t done the deed before?

“No offense, okay?” he says after explaining that virgins aren’t his thing. “I’ll totally have sex with you once you’ve already had sex. I just, you know, it’s like, virgins get attached. Or they bleed. You get attached when you bleed.”

Once you stop laughing, though, you have to remember that this attitude is common—the belief that all girls are hardwired to fall madly in love with the person they sleep with the first time. They’ll demand a relationship, call endlessly, become attached, clingy, desperate… yikes.

Good thing that’s not always true.

“Sex can bring people together, but it also can drive them apart,” says Miri. “Or it can—yes, it really can—change absolutely nothing.”

However, it is important to remember that despite the ridiculousness of the notion that losing your virginity will turn you into a clingy, obsessed mess, there is some scientific backing to the idea thanks to oxytocin, a hormone released by men and women during orgasm.

“Clingy is psychological,” says Maulding. “But it’s not just girls; it’s guys, too.”

Supposedly, this hormone deepens the feelings of attachment and makes couples feel close, so make sure to think critically about the feelings you experience after sex. There’s a chance that any closeness that you may feel might just be great sex, not love.

Myth #7: These are hard and fast rules.

Busted: Last but not least, despite all myth-busting and debunking, it’s important to know that people have varied experiences and that any of the above myths can still be truths for you personally. You can decide that it has to be with someone you love, that it’s going to be a monumental event, and that you only have one virginity to lose. You can even decide that it’s not going to feel good, though we don’t advise it. The important thing is—cheesy as it may sound—that it’s up to you. Why wouldn’t it be? It’s your virginity.

One hottie is working up a sweat on the tennis court, another is standing behind you at the salad bar, and it’s definitely more than the Bunsen burner that’s heating up your chemistry lab. Your campus is positively brimming with hot guys! But finding the nerve to actually approach one? That can be more terrifying and uncertain than the current job market. That’s why we’ve chatted it up with relationship experts, real college guys, and the collegiettes who’ve put their good advice to the test, to share with you the ultimate guide to approaching college guys.

Tricks of the Trade

Ask questions

“Think of yourself as one of those female newscasters and just start asking questions,” suggests Dan Lier, author of Men: 10 Secrets Every Woman Should Know from Two Guys That Do (available on askdanandmike.com). “The key to actually getting into a conversation with men is to ask a question about them.”

Lier explains that on an emotional scale, men trail behind their female counterparts, making some college-aged men shallow and self-centered. So channel your inner Katie Couric and start asking him about himself. “Because guys like attention, he’ll think, ‘Wow, she’s really interesting!’ But the fact is, you’re not being interesting, you’re being interested,” explains Lier. “And because you’re being interested, guys will want to be around you.”

Like any good journalist, Kean University student Brigit recommends you ask flirty open-ended questions. “Don’t ask anything that he can answer with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no,’” she explains.

Gabrielle from The College of New Jersey is living proof that Brigit’s advice works. When Gabrielle first spotted a hottie scribbling away in a tiny notebook during their conversation hour her freshman year, she immediately started chatting him up after class. “I caught up with him on our way out of the building and asked him what he was writing,” she says. “I was so surprised with how easy the conversation flowed from there.” That simple question was all it took; the two are celebrating their two-year anniversary this month.

“You never know unless you ask,” says Lier. “If you never take action and go up and talk, you’ll never get anywhere.”

Use context clues

Not sure just what to ask? Gabrielle suggests that you look for something you might have in common. “There are lots of cues that guys give off – their clothes, what they do, where they are, what they read – that might clue you in on a conversation starter, and something you already share,” she says.

“Come up with a question, something that you can talk about comfortably and go ask him about that,” says Lier. Notice that he’s always wearing a sports jersey? Lier recommends asking him a sports-related question. “Most guys like sports,” he says. “ And if you have some knowledge of sports, that can be really attractive to guys.”

Sports seriously not your thing? Don’t sweat it. An excessive knowledge of sports is not necessary for this tactic; just ask about the team and let him do the talking.

Be fun, friendly, and flirty

“Always be positive, upbeat, and fun,” shares Lier. “Guys love to hang around girls who are fun.” You don’t even need to open your mouth to convey your stellar personality. “Flirt!” exclaims Tristan Coopersmith, a Love Styslist who coaches women in the matters of the heart so they can have a healthy love life. “Channel that hot inner flirt inside and show him what you got!” She recommends you use your body language to convey interest. And what’s this love stylist’s go-to move? The wink and smile combo of course! If that’s too bold for you, while talking to him, try biting your lower lip to subconsciously hint that you want him to kiss you. Another great option is a subtle hair toss to draw some attention to your 1000-watt smile.

Avoid taboo topics

While it is always important to be open, Coopersmith gives us a list of some “taboo topics” you’ll definitely want to avoid in the beginning, like exes, religion, bouts in rehab, financial problems, your crazy family, sexual history, and anything about marriage or weddings. “A good litmus test is if the guy would feel like he’s sitting in your therapy session, you’ve said too much!” says Coopersmith.

Stay calm, cool, and collected

Let’s be honest, it takes some serious cojones to approach a random hot guy on campus and strike up a conversation, but according to Her Campus’s “Real Live College Guy” Andy Bensch, the payoff can be big. “In reality, all guys would love it if girls initiated more often,” says Bensch. He does warn, however, that guys might be slightly taken aback at first by your bold confidence, but says that they’ll get over it pretty quickly. Most guys find it sexy when a woman is able to take charge. “You just have to put yourself out there,” says Brigit. “The worst he can say is ‘no.’” But according to Robb from The College of New Jersey, the chances of a guy rejecting you is unlikely. “He probably wants you to talk to him,” says Robb.

Still not convinced? Coopersmith shares these words of wisdom: “Life’s too short to be on standby. In the game of dating, you gotta play if you wanna win!”

How to approach him when he’s…

In class

Take note of where he sits and how he acts in class. If he’s usually in the first couple of rows, takes notes, and participates in class, it’s safe to assume that he is the studious type. Chat him up after class and ask if he’d like to study with you for that big test next week. If he’s the type who sits in the back row or snoozes during class, he’s probably not too interested in the class. In this case, try asking him if he’d like to grab some coffee with you so you can both wake up from your professor’s latest snooze-fest.

At the gym

If he’s always at the gym running on the treadmill, ask him if he runs track or is training for a marathon. Always see him lifting weights? Ask him if he’ll spot you once he finishes his set. If you spot him out on the basketball court, offer to play a one-on-one match with him.

At a party

It’s pretty tough to start a meaningful conversation once a party gets going and the music is blaring. Your best bet in this situation is to lean in close and introduce yourself, and then ask if he’d like to dance.

Remember to be yourself

The most important thing to keep in mind when approaching a cutie is just to be the fabulous collegiette you are! You never want to feign an interest in something just to impress a guy. He’ll be able to see through that and the situation might get really awkward. And after all, if he doesn't like you for who you are, then he's not the guy for you!

As every girl who’s ever envied Zooey Deschanel knows, quirkiness is the cutest trait in a collegiette. The dating scene is full of awesome, attractive girls, so if you want to catch a guy’s attention in the middle of the crowd, you have to celebrate what makes you different from those thousands of others!

Not convinced you’ve got a good quirk? Don’t be so sure. While some quirks may send men running for the hills (think creepy doll collections or nasty hygiene habits), others can be totally endearing. You may be insecure about your tendency to snort when you laugh, but some boys will love you all the more for it – it’s what makes you unique, and it reminds them that you’re a one-of-a-kind catch! Find out which quirks drive the guys wild and how to use them to your advantage!

1. You Have a Really Loud Laugh

You may be embarrassed that you have a horse-like laugh – there’s no denying that it’s inconvenient in the library (and anywhere that you try to giggle about your crush within earshot).

Arden Leigh, author of The New Rules of Attraction: How to Get Him, Keep Him, and Make Him Beg for More, seduction coach, and co-founder of the Sirens Seduction Forum for Women, says that despite the high volume, a genuine laugh is an attractive asset.

“Emotional states are contagious,” says Leigh. “When a guy is around a woman with a great sense of humor who is genuinely enjoying herself, he often can't help but feel good too in the process.”

Shira, a junior at Franklin & Marshall College, found that her loud laugh was nothing to be embarrassed about. “My boyfriend loves my real laugh,” she says. “[It] takes so much energy out of me that I can’t breathe, I’m laughing so hard. He thinks it’s really cute.”

Matt, a senior at Skidmore College, says that a real laugh is a good sign. “It’s how I know she’s laidback enough to roll with the punches,” he says. “She’s not high-strung.”

Play up those giggles! Guys love positive reinforcement, so if you think he’s funny (don’t fake it if he’s not!), don’t be afraid to let loose a loud laugh. If he’s anything like these fun-loving campus cuties, he’ll love your sense of humor (and he might even warm up to a snort or two).

2. You Bite Your Lip When You’re Thinking

Whether you’re working on plans, attempting to figure out the subway or suffering from a serious case of first date nerves, you can’t help but bite your lip. It’s better than biting your nails, anyway! While you don’t want to look like you’re eating your bottom lip for breakfast, you definitely don’t need to hide this habit in front of your hot crush.

Andy, a former Her Campus Real Live College Guy, admits that guys have a soft spot for this quirk. “Oh my God, I love it when a girl bites her lower lip,” he says. “Such a turn-on!”

Why? “Biting your lip when you smile can be sexy because it draws attention to your mouth and conveys a fun, mischievous attitude,” explains Leigh. Just don’t pout unless you’re genuinely put out about something—pouting signals disdain or childishness, says Leigh. Those are definitely not the messages you want to send!

3. You Have a Serious Sweet Tooth

Candy, cupcakes, mocha lattes, fro-yo... if it has sugar in it, you will eat it anywhere, anytime. Your mother may frown upon your unbalanced diet––we’re sure a nutritionist would, too––but your inability to resist anything frosted is endearing and adorable to guys.

Stacey, a junior at Vanderbilt University, once ended up on the wrong side of her sweet tooth, but her weakness for all things Candy Land-appropriate became a bonding moment for her and her boyfriend when she panicked about spending $20 on sweets in one sitting. Now, it’s their inside joke. “[My boyfriend has] been known to bring me my favorite sweet treats from around campus,” she says.

Shira had a similar experience. “[My boyfriend] knows I have a serious sweet tooth and finds it very cute,” she says. “He even told me as we passed by a chocolate shop on one of our first dates that he was willing to get ‘a sweet for my sweet.’ We both thought it was very cute, and now sweets are a major part of our relationship.”

Don’t give yourself cavities in the pursuit of this cute quirk, but don’t be afraid to be honest about your cravings. Carole Lieberman, M.D., psychiatrist and author of Bad Girls: Why Men Love Them & How Good Girls Can Learn Their Secrets, says that guys see sweet teeth as ultra-feminine.

“It’s cute when a girl can’t stay away from chocolate,” says Mike, a senior at Springfield College. “I wouldn’t want her to eat it all the time or anything, but I like to take a girl out for ice cream.”

4. You Have an Intense Obsession or Collection

So you can’t stop watching the Harry Potter movies or quoting your favorite classic poets. Do you have boxes full of vintage magazines or a crazy collection of Friends memorabilia? Read your horoscope three times a day or geek out over the recent discovery of Super-Earths? No need to keep your obsessions in the closet!

“A lot of men are nerds and secretly yearn for a girl who shares their fandom on their favorite pieces of pop culture,” says Leigh. “But even if he's a Star Wars fan and you're a Trekkie, he'll respect your enthusiasm.”

If your interest is completely removed from his – we doubt he’s a big fan of The Bachelorette, but you might have the contestants’ birth dates and zip codes memorized – don’t worry. “Anyone who has a passion or hobby is seen as a much more engaged and interesting person,” Leigh assures us. “Fandom and geekery are always appreciated.” Show him what sparks your interest; he’ll appreciate getting to know the real you, and he might even catch onto the craze, too!

Just be sure to steer clear of over-obsession! There are a lot of reasons why hoarding isn’t a good idea – hello, health and wellness – but it’s also a given that no guy is going to be impressed by an apartment or dorm room completely lined with alien-themed memorabilia or stuffed with baby dolls.

5. You Sing All of the Time

Like Jess of New Girl, you sing your feelings. Sometimes it’s under your breath; sometimes it’s at the top of your lungs. Whether it’s show tunes or R&B, you’re always feeling the beat. And, as a result of your quirkiness, so is everyone around you.

Is it annoying? Sometimes—such as in the middle of a serious conversation. But you shouldn’t keep your voice box under lock and key just to avoid scaring away a guy.

“Guys like girls who are happy, not moody,” Lieberman says. “So, as long as you are singing, he knows he’s not in the doghouse. But, be careful what you sing, since the lyrics can reveal your unconscious thoughts. For example, you don’t want to sing, ‘Goin’ to the chapel and we’re gonna get married...’”

Matt agrees that singing, in moderation, is actually a turn-on. “I play guitar and sing, so any girl who likes to sing is more interesting to me,” he says. “It’s pretty adorable if she sings in the morning, or if I hear her singing in the shower. But it would get on my nerves if it were all of the time.”

Sing when you’re happy, sing during a lazy day on his couch, sing wherever you want (as long as you aren’t disturbing the public peace or substituting song for speech). Your sunny disposition will instantly lift his spirits.

6. You Scrunch Up Your Nose When You’re Mad

Like singing, a scrunched nose can lighten any mood. No, it’s not your most attractive look (we wouldn’t recommend it for your profile pic choice, for instance). But contrary to what the perfectly unwrinkled, un-scrunched noses of models in magazines may lead us to believe, guys love it.

“I scrunch up my nose when I’m playfully mad,” says Kathleen, a junior at James Madison University. “Everyone knows I’m playful because I smile with my eyes! Most guys laugh and just acknowledge the fact that this is one of those ‘when I’m right, I’m right’ moments. I can make any tense situation better by being playfully mad.”

“There is something inherently adorable and innocent about a girl who crinkles her nose when she laughs,” says Lieberman. “It reminds guys of cute cartoons from [their] childhood.” We promise: though this quirky crinkle may earn you some endearment, he won’t actually treat you as a little kid. Scrunch away to ease tension during an argument – he won’t be able to stay mad at a face like that!

7. You Blush Easily

True, blushing can be a burden. It makes it impossible to play it cool when you get caught staring at your crush, and you can’t take a compliment without looking like you’ve been painted pink. Still, that sign of embarrassment and excitement can be hugely attractive.

“I’ll say it: I love when girls blush,” reveals Jack, a senior at Boston University. “It’s like a mystery. Why is she blushing? I want to know.”

Leiberman says that “blushing shows a guy that you are sensitive and vulnerable, which makes him feel more secure about approaching you.” Your rosy cheeks might just earn you an invitation to dinner!

While these love experts remind us that not all guys find every quirk attractive, these seven are some of the fan favorites. “Generally, if a person is attracted to you already, he will come to find your idiosyncrasies endearing because they're what makes you unique,” says Leigh.

Go easy on the boys! With your lovable quirkiness making him weak at the knees, he won’t stand a chance against your charms.

Name: Taylor Alvaro
School: Northwestern
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Birthday: May 22, 1993
Major: Mathematics
Relationship Status: Single

What is Cirque du NU?
Cirque du NU is a circus and service club that uses light hearted circus entertainment to provide service to organizations like the Ronald McDonald House in a similar altruistic fashion that these organizations provide services to the community. Cirque volunteers primarily at the world's largest Ronald McDonald House to help alleviate the families' stress of having other family members hospitalized.

What inspired you to create this club at NU?
I wanted to continue volunteering with the Ronald McDonald House in college because of a personal connection- I stayed at the house for a month as a five year old while my brother was having life threatening open heart surgeries.

How long have you been a professional circus entertainer?
Tres años.

What else are you involved with on campus?
I am a Delt (DTD) and a political scientist research assistant.

What is your favorite place on campus?
Not plex.

What are your guilty pleasures?
Owning a giant beanbag that unfolds into two king sized mattresses.

What qualities do you look for in a girl?
I look for someone that makes me laugh, is fun to be around, and is genuine.

What’s on your Bucket List?
Get married and have kids.

What words do you live by?

1. “Family first.”
2. “The problem with doing nothing is that you never know when you’re done.”

What is your ideal date?
Rooftop dinner overlooking the city with some fine drinks, a dance club, ending with a night on the beach under a perfectly clear sky with no other surroundings.

What’s one thing most people may not know about you?
I was almost in a boat crash and a plane crash.

Why HC loves Taylor: He’s sweet and super talented!

Name: Eric Bolduc
School: U Maine
Hometown: Dixfield, Maine
Relationship Status: In a relationship
Sign: Taurus

Campus Life

Major: Microbiology Minor: Chemistry & Pre-Med
Favorite thing about UMaine: The small town vibe
How are you involved on campus: Sigma Phi Epsilon, Class of 2014 Council, Operation H.E.A.R.T.S.,
Favorite place to eat in Orono: Pat’s Pizza
Best place to meet girls at UMaine: Community Service Events
Why did you choose UMaine: Got recruited to be a Kicker on the Football team and the wide range of majors it has to offer. 
Best Professor: Anne Hanson
Best Class: Organic Chemistry
Worst Class: English 101

Miscellaneous

What is on your ipod's top rated: Taylor Swift
Boxers or Briefs:  Briefs
An embarrassing confession: I twirl my hair
Ski or Snowboard:  Ski
Salty or Sweet:  Sweet
Cats or Dogs:  Dogs
Dream job: Researching Orcas
Biggest Pet Peeve: Laziness
Three words to describe yourself: Hard working, Motivated, Athletic

Favorites

Favorite song to dance to at a party: I can’t dance
Favorite food: Homemade Mac N’ Cheese
Favorite Beer: Molson Export
Favorite App (game or otherwise): Pulse

Name: Dave Revens
School: JMU
Year: 2014
Hometown: Warwick, Rhode Island
Major: Business

Relationship Status: Single
Campus Involvement: Kappa Alpha Order, community service
Interests: Football, running/track, & hanging out with friends

Name: Dan Schergen
School: Marquette
Year: Junior
Studying: Broadcast and Electonric Communication

Dream Job: Set designer on films and TV shows.
What is the first thing you notice about a girl? 
Her hair, girls who have fun and different hairstyles are very intriguing.
Guilty Music Pleasure:  Metro Station.
If he could marry one celebrity, you'd choose...  Emma Watson, because she’s perfect in every way.
Favorite Color: Purple, the color of royalty
Coke or Pepsi? Regular Coke, Diet Pepsi

Favorite sport: Frizbee, if that counts as a sport… if not, Hockey. 
Favorite place to take a girl on a date in Milwaukee: The Rave, a good concert is the best first date.  
Favorite Late-Night Snack: Tortilla chips and Salsa con queso.
Favorite Fast Food Restaurant:  Wendy’s. The fries. 

What is your favorite 90's television program? Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Dream vacation destination:  I would love to go back to Ireland someday soon. 

Dogs or Cats? 
Cats.  They’re so much easier to hang out with, and don’t require as much attention as dogs, but dogs are very fun.  

Athletic Team He'd Like to Join: I am not good enough at anything to play a sport, but I would love to hang out with the Blackhawks for a few days.  

What would you name your yacht: Mary Kay

His superpower of choice: Flight

Favorite Disney Character: The Muses from Hercules

Favorite TV Show: Parks and Recreation.  The character development is wonderful, and it makes the show very believable.

Something you’ve always wanted to do: Play with my band in a club on Bourbon Street.

If you had a bathtub filled with one type of food, what would it be? Biscuits and gravy.

Name: Forrester Pierce
School: Villanova
Class: 2014
Major: Finance
Hometown: Roslyn, New York
Relationship status: Single

Do you have any pets?
Yes, I have two Portuguese Water dogs, and my parents flew to Calgary, Canada to get them. Their names are Shadow and Midnight and they are eleven and ten years old. I also have a rabbit and two goldfish in my house. In my backyard, I have two goats (names are Maggie and Chiquita). I also have two ponies during the summer time named Pete and Clover.

That's a lot of animals. 
Well, I have always wanted a snake ever since my fourth grade teacher kept a pet snake in the classroom.

What's your most memorable Villanova experience?
My most memorable experience has to be the break trip that I went on last spring. I went to Beaumont, Texas and it was just so humbling to spend a week building a house. I have never just spent a week performing service and it just felt so good afterwards. I also met some awesome people on my break trip. I could not have asked for a better group of people to go with to Beaumont. 

What do you look for in a girl?
I know it is a cliché, but I look for a girl with a good personality. By this I mean this girl has to have a good sense of humor because I can be a very sarcastic person. I'd like it if she's adventurous and tries to do new things and would convince to me to do those things with her. I also look for a girl who is chill like me and won't let little stuff bother her. Basically I like girls who are outgoing, nice, and just know how to have a good time. 

How about physically?
I honestly do not think about what I look for physically in a girl. If she has the personality that I am looking for, then I do not care what she looks like physically.

What would be your idea of a perfect date?
I don’t care what I do on a date as long as I am able to spend time with her. If I have to say something though, it would really depend on who the girl is that I am dating. I would want to see what she is most interested in and just have an amazing time with her. 

What would be the worst turn off?
When a girl seems very distracted when we are on a date together. I also don't like girls who feel like they have to be the center of attention.

How about turn on?
When a girl is able to be spontaneous and just go with it.

What sort of things are you involved in at Nova?
My big involvement at Villanova is the curling club (for those who do not know it's the sport with brooms on ice). I will admit that I am not very good at it but I still enjoy playing it. I am also involved with a couple of business societies. 

Do you have any special plans for Thanksgiving?
Yes I plan on going to my aunt and uncle’s house for Thanksgiving. We have had a recent tradition of frying the turkey for Thanksgiving and plan on having Thanksgiving dinner early enough so my dad, my brother, my cousin and I can go to the Jets vs. Patriots game at MetLife Stadium later that night.

Would your family have to approve of a girl you bring home?
Yes my family would definitely have to approve of a girl that I bring home. I am very close with my family, and if they do not like a girl I'm with then there is a problem. They would give her the benefit of the doubt, though, and trust my judgment for the most part.

What about your friends?
I feel like my friends would also have to approve of the girl. My friends at Villanova are a very important part of my life and I trust their judgment as well and take into account how they feel about the girl I'm with. I would still make the decision, but I would take their opinion into consideration. 

Three words to describe yourself - Go.
Caring, chill, genuine

What's your favorite...
Class taken at Nova: Intro to Sociology, I had such a great professor
Disney princess movie: Just saw the movie Tangled so I have to say that
Baked good: Brownies or anything Sam Galasso bakes.
Suck up. What about favorite sports team? J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS
And finally, outdoor activity: Golf

Name: Justin Reid, that one took time to think of! 
School: UNC Chapel Hill
Hometown: Fayetteville, NC
Year: Junior
Major: Chemistry, minor in Biology
Relationship Status: Single

Favorite Yopo flavor: Thin mints - yeah they have it, best cookie ever
Favorite Study Spot: 2nd floor Davis, my apartment, and I can't give up any secret spots
Fun Fact: I saw the Queen of England from 10 feet away while walking around in London
What do you look for in a girl: Somebody who can carry on an intellectual conversation for longer than five minutes. The least attractive thing is somebody who feigns ignorance
Motto: Something can only affect you as much as you let it. Change and adapt...

If you don’t know Justin Reid, you should. Justin is the kind of guy you can’t help but love. He is smart, funny, handsome (and single, ladies!) and an all-around good guy. For instance, two days after I asked him these interview questions, he apologized for taking so long to respond, but he was studying for a physics test (did I mention he’s smart?). Justin is the kind of person who is willing to help you no matter what, and that doesn’t just apply to his friends. The majority of Justin’s extracurriculars are based around volunteer work. Justin volunteers weekly in the Oncology Patient and Family Resource Center at the hospital as a way to give back some of the positive assistance his family received (two of Justin’s grandparents and his mother have all suffered from cancer). Justin also works with in the Pediatric Playroom as a member of Project Sunshine; a club devoted to keeping kids’ minds off their illness. Of his volunteering, Justin says, “It’s hard to quantify, but just trying to give back, especially in something I empathize with, is why it’s not work for me.”

When Justin isn’t helping others, he likes to cheer on UNC at basketball games (spirited, check!), run the trails around Carolina (healthy, check!), and play piano (musical, check!). After college Justin plans on attending pharmacy school, working in a hospital, and eventually opening his own community pharmacy. When he’s not busy doing all that, Justin plans on traveling the world. Since he has already been to Germany, France and England (a three week long trip after high school on his own), he is looking forward to visiting Eastern Europe.

So ladies, need I say more?

Name & Year: Jake Douglas, 2014
School: William & Mary
Major: Government
Hometown: Boston, MA
Relationship Status: TAKEN!

What is he involved in on campus?
He's active in the Botetourt Squat, Students for Peace in Israel and Palestine, and volunteering throughout Williamsburg!

What is he interested in?
He's passionate about Israeli-Palestinian peace, US-China relations, making people smile, and art.

Why was he nominated as a Campus Cutie?
"Jake is hot, hot, hot, as recognized by pretty much everyone, and also the nicest person ever.  Give him a shot. He's great." -Anonymous

Stalk him on Facebook HERE!

Name & Year: Zach Quaratella, 2014
School: William & Mary
Major: History & Education
Relationship Status: Taken!!!!
Hometown: Providence, Rhode Island

What is he involved in on campus?
Zack works on the Flat Hat, Botetourt Squat, maintains a steady job as the happiest person at the Pita Pit, and volunteers at the local animal shelter in his spare time!

What is he interested in?
Zack is interested in photography, both for publications and as an art form. He loves helping people, baking, and staying super fit.

Why should he be a campus cutie?
"Zack is the sweetest, most caring guy you'll ever meet. Plus, he's a snappy dresser, and also, cute!  PS. How does "four minute mile" sound to you?" -Anonymous

Check him out on Facebook HERE!

Name: David Samuels
Age: 20
School: Emerson College
Major: Writing for Film and TV
Hometown: Baltimore, MD

Coolest Life Experience: I studied abroad last year in Israel. I interned at a newspaper in Tel Aviv and did a lot of awesome volunteer work.

Celebrity Crush: Emma Watson

What do you look for in a girl? 
I like when girls laugh at my jokes. I’m trying to make them laugh, so it’s awesome when it pays off. Also, liking Indian food and dogs is a major plus for me.

Turn-ons: Leggings and girls who can hold a conversation. I love when girls ask me questions. It makes them seem like they are genuinely curious about me.
Turn-offs: Bad hygiene.

Longest relationship: One year

Top 5 favorite bands: M83, Cut Copy, Real Estate, Frank Ocean, and The Strokes

Dream Job: Writer for Saturday Night Live.

Hobbies: I love hockey. I currently play for the team here at Emerson. Also, I love sleeping. I mean who doesn’t love to nap?

What made you choose your major? 
When I first read the script for Boogie Nights, I was fascinated. It was so complex; I wanted to write something just like it.

Coolest Place in Boston: Harvard Square. There is just so much to do there. There are so many cool stores and places to eat; I love walking through there.