Is it a coincidence that Carly Rae Jepsen’s infectious pop song can be heard all over campus just as summer break approaches? Maybe, baby, maybe not, but as we dance and sing along, the fact this will all be gone in just a few short weeks can’t be ignored. Whether you’re only spending the summer away from Happy Valley or you’re a senior moving on to bigger and better things, Valley has tips to help your relationships survive the chorus. 

Make Social Media another one of your friends.

            Sometimes Facebook seems more like an enemy, but if you keep your pictures and posts PG-13 for employers’ sake, it’s truly a great way to keep up with your friends. Utilize features other than the generic News Feed such as by creating a private group with your friends to share information in a forum-like setting. Twitter is also a great way to share fleeting thoughts, exciting achievements, and general news quickly when mass texting just won’t cut it.

Plan ahead.

             When using social media, make sure to post your events far in advance. Before leaving State College, ask around to decide a definite date to visit a friend’s shore house or trendy loft in the city. That way, every member of your group can schedule a free weekend, and plans are more likely to come to fruition.

If you are graduating, try to invent an annual get-together. Be it Artsfest, Blue and White weekend, or the quintessential Homecoming game, book a local hotel room early, save your cash, and encourage your besties to do the same. Together, you can reminisce and make new memories simultaneously!

Skype and mean it.

            Even if you are extremely comfortable with each other, video-chatting can sometimes fall flat. Instead of randomly choosing a time to be online, call your girlfriend while applying makeup before a date or cooking dinner after a long day to switch up routine facetime. There won’t be awkward silences that come with distance; it’ll be just like she’s in the room giving you advice or passing the salt.

When all else fails, don’t consider the maybe – actually give your friend a call. Something is to be said about traditional phone conversation. Catch up, have a few laughs, and remember why he/she is your friend in the first place. And that’s worth keeping, so where you think you’re going, baby?

Photo by Sam Florio.

It’s nice to feel appreciated, which is why some of State College’s finest stores offer customer appreciation rewards.

The first Thursday of every month is really something to look forward to thanks to The Pita Pit Customer Appreciation Day. Most of their mouthwatering pitas are $3.50 (that’s half off!) for the entire day.

There is always a need for caffeine during finals week and that’s where McLanahan’s comes in. They are offering free coffee every morning during finals week in addition to breakfast specials. Their special this spring, is if you come in between 7 – 11 a.m., you can purchase a bagel with cream cheese for .99 cents. Even when it’s not finals week though, McLanahan’s still offers a frequent buyer’s card for all of the Eight o’ Clock roasts.

For the discount-hunting, caffeinated-environmentalist, head to the recently re-opened Webster’s Café located at 133 E. Beaver Ave. Webster’s has a latte of new menu options, and when in the mood for a regular cup of Joe, purchasing a Webster’s mug pays for itself. Every time you go in with your refill mug, a cup of coffee is only a dollar, and it’s one less cup in the trash.

Another great saver, especially as summer approaches and the craving for a frozen treat comes around too often, Kiwi Yogurt offers a great solution. The Kiwi Yogurt club frequent buyer card is truly the cherry on top with a great deal: when you buy a sweet treat ten times, the next Kiwi yogurt (up to a set amount of ounces) is free!

Photo by Sam Florio.

As the semester winds down, graduating seniors can now pass their elderly knowledge and advice on to the younger PSU student body. While we only have a few years here, there is a never ending amount of things to explore and experience, from THON, to Greek life, to the numerous amounts of clubs and societies. Here is some guidance from the Class of 2012 that they would like to pass on to you about their recommendations, regrets, and overall advice.

“I regret not being more active in student clubs and activities. Be active and enjoy the time you have while, getting your work done and expanding your knowledge.” – Adam Blaier, 22, Media Law and Policy

“I recommend taking chances and doing things you never thought you would do. I also recommend doing what you want to do. This is your experience so make it count, because these four years go by way too fast.” – Kristen Kelso, 22, Food Science

“I really recommend getting involved in THON – there is nothing better than working with your fellow students for an amazing cause. I’ve met some of my best friends and made some of the best memories in college through THON!” – Brittany Caplin 22, Public Relations

“Before graduating, make sure you participate in Paternoville, go to THON, go see a volleyball game, and take Soc. 119 with Dr. Sam Richards.” –Omar Lopez, 22, Supply Chain and Information Systems

“Don’t let anything dictate who you are besides you, and never be afraid to say ‘no.’Also, finding a balance between school work, friends and having fun is key.” – Garrett Ray, 22, Landscape Contracting: Design

“Make sure you find friends who are there for you and will stick up for you. Surround yourself with good, loyal people and be there for them as well.” – Erica Goldblatt, 22, Special Education

“Going abroad was by far the best experience of my life. If you still have time left and you’re unsure, do yourself an amazing favor and GO ABROAD. It opened my eyes up about the world around me and I learned a lot about myself. It’s a truly amazing opportunity that should be taken advantage of at Penn State.” Jennifer Ross, 21, Nutritional Science.

“Get involved with as many clubs as you can. Being part of clubs can help create opportunities for you after your college career, and they are great for meeting new people.” –Kevin Livengood, 22, Civil Engineering

Looking for a study break, or an exciting way to exercise? Instead of paying for a gym membership you hardly use, get fit with one of these inexpensive alternatives.

Local wanders
Take a stroll to Walnut Springs Park where there are traveling trails and beautiful trees. With the buds blossoming, the pretty colors of spring are starting to shine through. This is a place to be one with nature and maybe even spot a few animals. Millbrook Marsh also has trails, and also includes a boardwalk bike path for a scenic route.

Be a team player
Have a ball by joining your favorite intramural sports team. IM sports are not only a nice workout, but are also a great way to meet new people. From basketball to soccer to table tennis, there are some great opportunities to show off or improve your team playing skills and your athletic bod.

Marathon mania
If training for a marathon or jogging for fun excites you, there are many 5K runs and walks in the spring, including the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Beaver Stadium Run on Sunday, April 22. Many of the runs are inexpensive and the money raised goes to charities, meaning you can get into shape with more than vanity for a purpose!

Let’s go to the…
For fun indoors, the State College YMCA has activities that really rock (pun intended), such as the rock climbing wall in the gym. If you don’t have a membership, on Thursday and Friday nights it only costs $5 to enter. Or, if you don’t want to go off campus, the Intramural Building has many gyms to play sports and have fun with friends.

Whatever your fancy, don’t let finances keep you from your goal of a ripped summer body! This advice, and a little motivation, is all you need to get moving, and to keep saving.

Photo by Nina Abbott

We’re all aware of the three R’s: reduce, reuse, recycle. So in honor of Earth Day coming up on April 22, start thinking about saving money and the planet at the same time.

Reduce
Instead of buying a bulky case of water, invest in a sturdy, reusable water bottle. This saves you tons of money in the long run and allows you to reuse instead of using a new plastic bottle every day. The many free hydration stations on campus also let you refill your bottle.

Reuse
Instead of purchasing a best-selling book or buying the latest DVD, borrow it free from the library. The Pattee and Paterno libraries have a newly added leisure reading room that makes browsing for a light read easy. Downtown, the Schlow Centre Region Library also has a large selection of books and movies that you can check out for free.

Recycle
It’s that time again to begin spring-cleaning. Trade in unworn or gently used clothing to a consignment shop or donate it to the local Goodwill. Plato’s Closet (1526 N. Atherton St.) offers cash for your unwanted clothing and accessories. Handing in old clothes also makes room for new, springy items, too. Plato’s Closet also has great brand name items for sale, and plenty of sweet deals. Sign up for the State College newsletter and receive even more savings with exclusive deals and email offers.

Photo by Nina Abbott

Springtime in Happy Valley means finally wearing shorts and flip-flops to class, lounging on the HUB lawn, spending afternoons at Café 210 West — and suffering the dreadful case of allergy attacks.

So how do you get rid of these irritating sneezing fits and constantly itching eyes? Allergy medications come in all different forms such as pills, capsules, sprays and liquids that you can obtain by prescription or over the counter. If you suffer from sneezing fits and have a constant runny nose, antihistamines may help to relieve nasal congestion. Allergy eye drops, like Visine-A, help relieve the symptom of red, itchy and watery eyes. Sudafed and other decongestants help control congestion of the nasal passages so you can breathe easier. But before you chose an allergy medication, visit your doctor and get a skin test. Make sure to find out which allergens are triggering your attacks so you don’t waste your money on products that are not right for you.

If you would rather go the natural-remedy route, Rodale.com lists 10 foods that help combat spring allergies. First on the list is the green, mean, allergy-symptom-fighting machine: broccoli. The vitamin C in this veggie helps reduce inflammation and has been shown to help relieve blocked sinuses. Citrus fruits, which are also very high in vitamin C, are also capable of fighting off these symptoms. Other foods listed include kale, collard greens, parsley and flavonoid-loaded elderberries which can be found in wine, juice and jam. Apples, onions and garlic contain a substance called quercetin that acts like an antihistamine to combat itchy eyes and nasal congestion.

So go get some relief and enjoy this wonderful State College spring weather!

Photo by Ian Lopera

As the days become longer, our attention spans seem to become shorter. To ensure your GPA doesn’t plummet due to beautiful weather, consider these tips from Kathleen Nemchik, a senior psychology major and Community Help Center staff member.

Use the buddy system
Yes, it’s a clichéd concept, but it works. And Nemchik assures you aren’t alone.

“If you’re struggling with Spring Fever, it’s likely that your friends and fellow students are too,” she says. “Strategize and get them on board.”

When all of your roommates also have assignments to complete, make a group decision to turn off the television. If there is a mass-text invitation to enjoy Berkey Creamery ice cream, resist in unison (and think of the calories you’ll save!). After all, tedious tasks are less miserable when you have friends for support.

Set short-term goals
It’s much easier to ignore deadlines that lie in the distant future, so change your way of thinking.

“Make a list.” Nemchik advises. “Put the immediate tasks first, but don’t neglect assignments due next week. This way you’ll be thinking of them and can’t be bombarded last minute.”

For example, if you have a three- to five-page paper due on Monday, encourage yourself to write at least two pages by Thursday or Friday. This technique brings us to our next recommendation…

Apply positive reinforcement
“Positive reinforcement increases the likelihood that something will happen,” she says. “When a favorable outcome, event or reward occurs after an action, that particular response or behavior will be strengthened.”

So if you do manage to complete your short-term goal of writing two pages before the weekend, treat yourself to that Creamery ice cream you’ve been pining for since the invitation (eh, you’ll burn it off later). Take your successful participants in the buddy system with you and enjoy yourself, because now you deserve it.

You survived Bieber Fever, so really this is a no-brainer. Just remember Nemchik’s tips and keep your spring fever in check. Hello, Dean’s List!

Photo by Jill Podhor

Spring has arrived, which means it’s time to break out the sandals or buy a fresh new pair — and quick! For a fast way to start your spring wardrobe, take advantage of flash sales. Flash sale websites have exclusive, limited-time sales on great brands. Some require an invite while others just involve signing up. Besides great savings, they also offer great rewards such as store credit when you invite others to join.

Ideeli.com and Hautelook.com are both like an online T.J.Maxx, filled with fashion made affordable. Many high-end, brand-name favorites like BCBG, Steve Madden and 7 For All Mankind are featured on the site, but with half the retail price tag.

For a site that has so many steals, it’s no wonder they call it PLNDR. Streetwear and trendy apparel is always on sale at PLNDR.com with brands such as a BB Dakota, Betsey Johnson and Crooks and Castles. Shoes, clothes and accessories are often over 50-percent off, and sometimes prices are slashed even further and placed into a bargain bin of savings! If the website’s savings aren’t satisfying enough, enter the code VALLEYPSU for an extra 10-percent off!

Fab.com is, well, a fabulous place to find fresh and exciting designs. There’s always a sale on fun gadgets, creative gifts and authentic art. From pop art by Andy Warhol, to artsy and eco-friendly fashion, there is something here for everyone.

Of course, shopping for deals doesn’t have to be limited to flash sale sites. When you’ve finished filling your online shopping cart on any clothing site, be sure to check Retailmenot.com to see if there are any coupons or promo codes that can be used for your order.

Photos by Nina Abbott

It’s the first day at your first real internship in a real office setting. You’re so nervous, you are sweating through the underarms of your brand-new Express blouse — that the tag is still on, oh no! You were so busy celebrating your first professional acceptance that you forgot to prepare for the internship itself. Don’t panic and spill your iced latte all over the business suit you’ve barely broken in yet, though. We have some easy-to-remember do’s and don’ts for office etiquette.

Cellphones
Your iPhone should be neither seen nor heard by fellow office mates, so keep it on vibrate and check texts in privacy. The exception, says Matt Ishler, assistant director of career counseling and planning at Penn State Career Services, is if the device is being used for work-related reasons such as sales stats, a work calendar or any other relevant information your phone might hold. Have it on you in case of such a possibility, but bring it out only if needed.

Asking questions
You’re there to learn, to ask and to try the business out for yourself, so never feel bashful or stupid about asking questions. Take notes, and be sure to listen carefully when they do answer. Though  remember — asking the same things repeatedly can make you seem careless and unprofessional. “I never mind answering interns’ questions,” says Jim Lydon, an employee at The Bank of New York Mellon. “We’ve all been there, and it’s better to ask ahead of time than making the mistake and having to go back and correct it.

Meetings
Every office setting is different, says Ishler, but learning the culture and behavior norms is vital. “Typically, I tend to say to be fairly cautious, and I encourage students to listen first before speaking up,” Ishler says. “But don’t withhold any feedback or questions.” Asking a co-worker or employer ahead of time about meeting communication is a good idea, he said.

Dress code
This is something you should ask your employer about ahead of time, but when in doubt, ere on the side of more formal. Avoid sandals, skirts above the knee, “loud” colors or prints, heels you have trouble walking in and large pieces of jewelry.

Asking for time off
Do this as little as possible, but if you have to, ask way ahead of time. “The earlier the better,” Ishler says. “I would say that at the point of time the position is offered, say, ‘I have one question for you before I accept, and it has to do with a time commitment to this specific time frame, and I’d like to see if it would be possible to arrange to have time away from work for this number of days.’ It is always better to be upfront.”

Making mistakes
Address blunders and mishaps ASAP with your boss. Ishler says it is a good idea to approach him or her prepared with two possible solutions to the problem, and questions on how to avoid it in the future. Also, Ishler advises, be careful to not point fingers. That will only create greater problems in the larger scope of your professional career, he says.

Other than these simple rules of thumb, all you need to bring is positivity, a good work ethic and a sense of humor for when things go wrong. You got hired, so they already love you. Just be yourself and come ready to work!

Photo by Lindsay Lipovich

Farnoosh Torabi leads a glamorous journalism career. The best-selling author has appeared on big-time shows Good Morning America, the TODAY Show and Larry King Live. She’s contributed to national glossies Glamour, Marie Claire and Cosmopolitan. But here’s one thing you might not expect:

Her 2002 Penn State degree was in finance.

Torabi, who was featured in Valley’s Fall 2011 issue, returned to speak at her alma mater last night in the HUB Auditorium. She discussed her unusual path from finance to journalism and how she combined the two subjects as a financial-advice writer and TV personality. She also shared her practical money pointers for students.

Couldn’t make it last night? We have some of her tips here:

Debt is debt.

We often refer to student loan debt as “good debt.” And while investing in your education is worthwhile, it’s still debt! When making decisions about how much to take on, follow this rule: The college debt you accumulate should be no greater than half your expected first-year salary.

Get a job.

“I know that’s easier said than done,” Torabi admits. But even if your parents pay for your tuition, earning your own money makes you more independent. For Torabi, that meant financing a semester abroad in Paris and buying Christmas presents for her family and friends.

Choose roommates wisely.

One student in the audience asked how to approach a roommate about late rent payments. You can avoid that problem by simply being smart about who you live with. But if you still find yourself in this tricky situation, be polite but assertive. And if he or she really can’t pay up, offer to help the person find another place to live. Sure, you’re friends, but “when it comes to money, it’s business,” Torabi says. In the end, everyone gets kicked out when the rent isn’t paid in full.

Be high performance and low maintenance.

Even in a job-slashing economy, people who perform well without any drama don’t get fired. Be calm, polite and a hard worker — your boss will thank you later.

Torabi is the author of “Psych Yourself Rich.” Follow her on Twitter at @Farnoosh.

Photo courtesy of Farnoosh Torabi