Time to schedule! Or, at least, time to start thinking about your next schedule. We all have our tactics: avoid 8 a.m.’s, make every weekend a three-day weekend, look up each class on ratemyprofessor.com, take classes with friends. But when it comes to finding those last few credits, consider a GHA (Gen Ed – Health and Physical Activity) that actually gets you moving.

If you truly want to learn the science or history behind health and fitness, go for it, but for everyone else, why not burn extra calories and receive scholarly credit?

If you’re feeling adventurous… try KINES 001, Intro to Outdoor Pursuits. This course covers all the outdoorsy activities you can imagine: biking, kayaking, orienteering, hiking, rock climbing and more. These are skills you can use for life with your friends or family, locally or on vacation.

If you’re looking for that special someone… or just want to learn how to ballroom dance, taking KINES 017. This one’s a favorite amongst girls and guys, with 20 sections open (probably not for long) to suffice its popular demand. I remember on my accepted-students tour, my guide announced something along the lines of, “There comes a time in every man’s Penn State career when he decides whether or not to take ballroom dancing.”

If you’re feeling handy… and like seafood, take KINES 004 and learn how to fly fish. Catch some fish, cook them up and eat like a champ. Or if you plan on hunting with a bow and arrow any time soon, try indoor and outdoor archery with KINES 026.

To really get your heart pumping… trying KINES 072, Fitness Walking or KINES 065, jogging. Initially forcing you to partake in exercise for class credit, you’re bound to continue the healthy habit after the semester’s over.

For stress relief… you can either learn to manage your stress with exercise in KINES 083, or try yoga with KINES 077.

For self-defense and strength, Penn State offers a few courses in martial arts such as KINES 076, Tai Chi Ch’uan. Not only do martial arts keep you fit, but they’re a great skill for women (and men) to have for safety.

If a class is full, watch-list it — GHAs have frequent turnover. These courses are a worthwhile addition to any semester. Watch out for extra fees and equipment requirements on some courses. Other than that, just show up and get moving.

Photo by Rhiannon Hedrick

Finally, you can breathe! A much-deserved spring break is just days away and doing absolutely nothing is exactly what your body and mind need.

Well, at least in theory. Ultimate relaxation should revitalize you, but how much is too much? Between endless eating (Mom’s cooking and your favorite restaurants … I bet you can’t wait) and having no real reason to get off the couch, your calorie input and output aren’t quite the ratio you’re used to. Mid-way through break you’ll start feeling sluggish and even more tired. We’ve all been there. And if you haven’t, I’m thoroughly impressed.

Breaks are such a sudden and drastic change in healthy habits. Suddenly miles walked to class each day and the convenience of on-campus gyms are out of the picture. But by planning ahead, let’s try not to fall into the slump this break!

For starters, try to get in a workout first thing in the morning (or afternoon — whenever you wake up). The more you sit, the less likely you are to get up and going. Starting your day with a little bit of exercise will give you energy and make all the eating slightly more acceptable.

No gym membership at home? You’re not excused! Combine the Internet and your muscles and you’ll find that YouTube is a wonderful tool. Real trainers broadcast quick, easy workouts you can do in your bedroom. “8 Minute Abs” is a popular one, and you can’t tell me you don’t have eight minutes to spare any day of break.

Let’s not forget about the outdoors, either! After all, it’s spring, so hopefully the sun shines on your hometown while you’re around. Weather permitting, please your body and your parents by going for a nice walk around the neighborhood together. Catch up and tone up!

Along the same lines, make workout plans with your home friends. Reuniting with your high school buddies is the best part of break, and you can be each other’s encouragement while you’re home. Go down to the high school track like the good old days for some déjà vu of gym class fitness tests.

For even more a flashback, be a kid again. If THON didn’t spoil you with enough toys already, chances are you still have a garage or closet full of workout-friendly toys at home: jump rope (cardio) and hula hoop (abs)!

Most of all, don’t procrastinate. Start as soon as you’re home and you won’t want to ruin your healthy streak.

Photo by Rhiannon Hedrick

If you’re a “girly-girl” and love manicures, but lately have been swamped with exams, homework and THON (while throwing sleep into the mix), it may seem impossible to take an hour from your busy schedule to paint your nails.

Well, that hour of painting and drying can now be condensed into just 20 minutes; the secret is nail strips. The best part about nail strips is there’s absolutely no drying time—which means no smudging!

The strips only require a few steps for easy application:

1.Take each nail strip and measure the best size for each finger, one nail at a time.

2. Peel the strip off carefully and firmly press it onto the nail.

3. Using the provided nail file and cuticle sculpture, file and form the strip to match the size and shape of your nail.

4. File the sticker for a smooth and natural look.

5. Repeat steps 2-4 for every other nail until you have a completed a gorgeous, simple manicure.

**Secret trick for a longer lasting look: stroke a layer of clear nail polish on top of your completed manicure!

Sally Hansen is a popular used brand for nail strips, however, other brands suffice as well. Strips can be found at CVS downtown (how convenient!) and with plenty of designs available, you can match your nails to your personality. From solid colors to bold prints and glittery shades, the choices are endless, so have fun with it!

Photo by Stefan Choquette

Spot them. Dodge them. Watch them whip bye.

Students on bikes: whether you absolutely hate them or barely even notice them, you might want to consider being one of them.

Ok, I know. Biking definitely isn’t the most common means of transportation around campus; pedestrians clearly rule these streets and catching a ride with @Hank_CATAbus is a close runner up.

Well, it makes sense. Overloaded bike racks, crowds of dawdling students and strict rules against riding on the sidewalks make biking to class more complicated than convenient, unless you live far off campus. All of these reasons not to bike only apply to the high-traffic times between classes, though.

What about early evening on a sunny day? Any time on the weekend? Hop on your bike for a leisurely ride around campus and the neighborhoods. You’ll be surprised at how beautiful Frat Row is during the day (football Saturdays don’t count) and all the nature State College has to offer.

Rolling hills in the area give you a nice push and the steeper inclines (think Shortlidge or Locust) assure you some cardio-action as well as an awesome leg workout. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, try nearby mountain biking trails.

No bike? No problem! The Bicycle Shop, at 414 W. College Ave, offers low-priced daily or weekly rentals. For those who did lug a bike to State College but left it rusting under the awning of your residence hall all winter, you can pay for a nice tune up and be ready to go.

The health benefits of biking are obvious, and it’s a great way to have fun being active with friends. But for all of you fashionistas out there, I have to admit, biking also has a kind of chic, trendy feel, too. So before we turn to daylong season for a reason to get outside, let’s proclaim this spring semester bicycle season.

More than likely, the last time you were told to take the stairs was at your first-ever floor meeting freshman year. Your RA and eco-rep wanted to importune conserving electricity in East Halls.

Well, nothing against being green, but aside from all the living plants and trees that need your help, you’re a living, breathing, young and beautiful college student whose health and body could use some help, too.

In a typical residence hall, there are 11 steps from the ground to the first floor, and then seven between each level after that. Think about how many times you’re back and forth from your building in one day. If you live on the fourth floor, and come in and out of your room five times a day, that’s 160 steps just counting the way up — 320 if you take them down, too. If you opted for the elevator each of those trips, you took zero steps, helping none of the following parts of your body:

Your butt: Stairs are an excellent way to tone your behind. Think squats — without actually having to do squats.

Your quads: On the way up, the front of your thighs are doing a lot of work. Remember, dresses and short-shorts will be in season before you know it…

Your calves: Though walking down stairs isn’t much of a challenge, it definitely does work your calf muscle. Want knockout legs even without heals?

Your heart and lungs: There’s no shame in being short a little breath after trekking up to your destination. The speedier you are, the more help to your cardiovascular system.

Your mind: The elevator is there, and it’s tempting — there’s no doubt about that. Feel a sense of control and pride in resisting the easy way out.

Realistically, taking an elevator isn’t even that convenient; you can probably make it to your room in the same amount of time. So do yourself a favor and just skip it. Take the steps.

Photo by Rhiannon Hedrick

You’ve got the dress and you’ve primped your hair perfectly. You’ve accessorized, you’ve shaved — an exhilarating night awaits you! Something is missing, however. Most of the essentials are covered except for the deal breaker — time to dress up those eyes.

Eye makeup can be a tad tricky sometimes. Achieving red-carpet looks may seem impossible for anyone other than a professional makeup artist, so here’s a tip: Applying makeup is not about the technique, the brand or the right kind of brush. Makeup is about fun, creativity and most importantly, practice.

Take smoldering, smoky eye makeup. There are several steps to this look that any girl can pull off without even trying. So put down the brushes and pull out a pallet because it’s time to finger paint! An index finger does the job better than a brush, and it’s easier to clean.

1. With clean hands, prepare your eyes for shadow by applying a small amount of liquid foundation to each eyelid. This primer will enhance the pigment of the eye shadow and allow the color to stay on all day and night.

2. Separate your eye into four sections: inward, frontal, outward and brow. Begin applying a neutral, shimmery, base color in the inner corner of your eye. The more shine the better! Apply this in the crevice of your eye with your finger.

3. Apply another nude, but more of a matte color (light brownish), to the entire frontal part of your eyelid. Spread evenly and slightly blend into the first color. Don’t worry about being perfect.

4. Now this part gets a little intimidating: Use a shiny, black shadow. Apply lightly because you can always add more. Start on the outward tip of the eye and stroke your finger over this section several times. Once you reach the outward corner, take your finger and guide the shadow into the crease of your eyelid, where it meets the brow line. Blend until the colors look cohesive. Warning: DO NOT GO ALL THE WAY TO THE BROW LINE. Rinse your finger and repeat on the other eye.

5. Apply liquid eyeliner to the lash line of your eye. Liquid eyeliner stands out much better than pencil and creates a seductive, vintage look. The trick to using liquid is practice. Make a thin line on your lid with pencil and trace over with the liquid. Start thin; the bigger your eyes, the wider the line. If you find your hand is really shaky while applying, rest your palm on your cheek to gain more control. Steady your hand and you’ll go far!

All that’s left is to apply mascara, and voilà! With this simple five-step process, you’ll save time and energy, and realize even you can steal those red-carpet looks without really trying.

Photo by Yuting Zhang

Whether you’re a self-proclaimed tomboy or glamorous diva, every girl has at least one makeup item she just can’t seem to let go of. But how long is too long? A month? Two years? Don’t worry, we’re here to save the day — and, more importantly, your skin.

Jaded by the hustle and bustle of college life and love for her favorite products, every girl probably assumes makeup lasts a lifetime. And let’s be honest, new makeup is not something you put into your college budget.

But although it can be pricey, tossing old essentials is better than putting your skin and eyes in danger of infection.

Samantha Jeffery, a stylist at Looks Hair Design for almost six years now, gives us an expert opinion on the longevity of makeup.

“Keeping the same makeup for too long can cause germs and bacteria to grow, especially in foundation. Always use a new sponge so you are not rubbing dirt into your face. [It’s important to] start with a clean, fresh surface,” Jeffery says.

Jeffery explains how long each type of makeup usually lasts. Most are about a year, but mascara has a much shorter life span than the rest of the pack — only three months of use.

“Mascara can easily get chunky and each person has little bugs that live in their eyelashes,” Jeffery says. “The transferring of them can be bad, that’s why it’s important not to share makeup.”

Brushes should also not be neglected. These tools play a key role in applying powders and shadows to your face, and they require the most care. Since they are sitting out in the open, they are constantly exposed to germs in the air. It’s key to keep them clean.

“Shampoo and condition all your brushes every two weeks to be safe and so you are not building up bacteria,” Jeffery says. “Then let them air dry.”

If you haven’t already grabbed your makeup bag in the midst of reading this article, go take a look at your products now. Saying farewell to your favorites might be traumatic, but it’s time to move on. You’re on your way to cleaner skin.

How long it’s safe to keep your makeup
Mascara: 3 months
Foundation: 6 to 8 months
Eyeliner: 1 year
Eyeshadow: 1 year
Blush: 1 year
Lipsticks: 1 year or longer if they are not sludgy or loosing moisture

Photo by Sam Florio

 Ah, water: the basis of our existence and quench of our dehydration. But better yet, a recreational addition to our fitness routines!

No, this isn’t a lecture about drinking eight glasses of water a day (though you probably should). Instead, this is about utilizing water as a workout tool — whether it’s liquid, frozen or a little snowy. And all three states of matter are all accessible right here in Happy Valley.

Take a swim at one of the on-campus swimming pools. With a gym membership ($5 admission without), you can dive into the 82-degree water at the White Building and swim 25-yard laps. Race your friends or go at your own pace — either way, it’s a worthwhile cardio workout. With open hours of operation different times each day, taking a dip shouldn’t be difficult to fit into your busy schedule.

Next up: Penn State’s ice rink at the Greenberg Indoor Sports Complex on campus. Public sessions are available Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Passes are $5.75 and skates are only $2.00. This is a lower-intensity workout (unless you’re an intense figure skater or hockey player), but it still gets you moving. Go with friends or on a date!

As for the snow, we all know Tussey isn’t the biggest mountain out there, but it can definitely be a fun way to get some fresh air and make your muscles work. Lift tickets range from $20 to $40 depending on the day, so hop on the Cata Bus (B Route) and head on out. Never skied or snowboarded before? Tussey has group and private lessons (or you can even take a KINES course for credit). Since this is weather permitting, let’s hope to see a little more snow this season!

Use these recreational tools as an addition or replacement to a day’s workout — you’ll be glad you did. Who needs a treadmill or an elliptical when you have pools to swim in, ice rinks to skate on and a mountain to tear up?

Photo by Rhiannon Hedrick