Friendship

If you have someone you can bond with or call on, you have a friend or some people like to just say associate. A lot of people take the word very serious. I feel friendships are one of the most important characteristics of human interaction. Your family is chosen, but your friends you pick. Family members can also be friends. I value friendship. I believe I have the greatest group of friends anyone can ask for. I even include the friends of friends my friends. I don't take the word as serious as others. I can call someone I meet a few times a friend. What has that person done to me to downgrade them to an associate. Probably nothing. Just because you aren't in my inner circle doesn't mean we can't be friends. The people in the inner circle are a different kind of friend though. They are more like family. These are the people you will kill for, go to jail with and definitely make money and celebrate life with. I wouldn't take all of the money in the world if I couldn't have my friends around to enjoy it with me. I know this may sound a bit trite but it is very true. And not all people think like this.

The saying in my inner circle is "You must get 'juked'. It comes with the territory." Just basically expect things to happen. Your friends will ask you for some outstanding favors at moments you definitely don't want to do it, but you are almost obligated to do. For example, it is New Year's Eve and your friends a flight to catch. It is snowing and the airport is 30 minutes away and you thought they had another form of transportation, but they don't. You don't have anything super important to do, so you have to take them to the airport. Meaning of super important work, court, funeral and etc. If you need to go get a haircut or wanted to go to the mall or even worst want to go see the new guy/girl you just met(definitely forget that). Oh well, I'm sorry that will have to wait for another day. So you just except that you're friends just got you. But your day will come and you will be able to get them back with some off the wall favor. You don't get mad just except it. And don't do you favors out of spike. Situations will arise in your life where you will need to call on a friend and when you remember that they "juked" you a few weeks earlier a smile will come to your face.

All a friendship needs to be successful is loyalty and honesty. Just be real with each other. Of course there will be times that that person is pestering you. That is when you tell them. Or sometimes you don't have to because the friend will usually know when and when not to bother you. Love and respect your friends and thank each other for teaching each other how to be not just better friends but better people.

Double Standards

Over the past few weeks I have had many conversations with friends, of both sexes, about the double standard that exists in our culture when it comes to sex. Many women feel that they would be slandered by men and labeled “sluts” and “whores” for doing half the dirt that men do and get away with. Almost all of these women felt like society should hold both men and women to the same set of standards when it comes to sex. Are these women right? Should we look at men and women equally when it comes to sex or is it right that they are held up to a higher standard?

The main reason that men are able to get away with more is because we have always set the rules. As far back as ancient Egypt men have always been the dominant sex. We were the ones who created the laws of the land and had the power to change those laws to our liking. We had free reign to do what we wanted to do, when, and whenever we wanted to do it.

Even though we have always wanted to please our woman and treat them like queens they didn’t have much power. A woman’s main responsibility was to mother our kids and make sure dinner was on the table when we came home. History makes us believe that their major responsibility was to do what we wanted and satisfy us.

I believe that this lack of balance in the relationship between men and women is a major reason why we have the double standard about sex that we currently have. Pharaohs in Egypt fathered countless children from different women. The women were supposed to remain faithful and loyal to him. Even though our society has moved on greatly to balance the relationship between the sexes, and that “old school” behavior is not acceptable today, some of those thought patterns still remain the same.

Men today who are not in a relationship are expected to run wild and have as many partners as they can. Men talk about the bodies that they have collected through their years like boxers talk about their wins in the ring. Even though this might not be the wisest and healthiest way to live today with the consequences that can occur, it is still the way we live. We never claimed to have always thought with our upper head when it comes to the opposite sex and sex.

Women though, are supposed to wisely pick and choose the people that they get involved with. Those who spread their legs quickly to many men are looked at as easy victories. While those who are selective and do not bounce from guy to guy to guy to guy are looked at as quality victories. Trust me ladies you want to be that quality victory.

Your buddies who are easy victories might get more attention, but it’s not the type of attention that you should want. We use them to help us train and prepare like boxers use sparring partner before a major pay per view bout. At the end of the day they are nothing more than confidence builders who keep us from getting ring rust and in fighting shape.

Ladies you got to understand that this double standard benefits you in the long run. We use this in determining who is used for random fun and who gets to come home in meet the folks. It may not always be the best way to make decisions, and its usually not the only criteria, but hey it works for us.

1st Annual Top 25 Under 25

Here is Classmagonline's First Annual Top 25 Beautiful Woman Under the age of 25. The list consist of actresses, models, singers and more. All of these woman are gorgeous in their own personal way. This list took weeks of debating and surveying, but we finally came up with 25 beautiful woman that may have crossed your eyes on a movie or TV screen or in a magazine. So sit back and enjoy the beauty.

Tyler Perry and His Portrayl of African Americans In Movies

World renown playwright and screen writer Tyler Perry has been creating plays and movies that make you laugh, cry and think all at the same time. While creating his works some say he typecast African Americans in a never evolving perception. The critics want his characters to be more evolved and not like the black face of the early twentieth century.

While reading an article about Perry on Bossip.com, this question sparked some interest: Does Tyler Perry have a moral responsibility to use his influence to create more positive images of black people in movies or do you feel he owes blacks a quality product designed to entertain, which is what we pay for?

Well I personally feel he doesn't owe blacks anything or anybody else. I feel that his characters are well evolved and are great depictions of African Americans. He is writing about life whether it is from personal experiences or something he has read. There are crackhead parents, orphan children, battered wives and more. He is reporting everything you watch on the news and read on your favorite blog site. He shouldn't be accused of not having positive images of Blacks.

None of his films has young blacks killing each other on the streets, wanting to become rapper or athletes--if he did that then I might say he is perpetuating negative stereotypes about blacks. He does write fiction with very real situation but at the end of the day it is fiction and entertainment.Tyler Perry is an amazing writer and the stories he creates are easy to relate to. That is the main reason for his success. The people can go watch the movies and plays and feel like they can relate to whatever is going on. That is what causes the laughter and tears.

There will always be critics. We need critics to cause debates and disagreements. Because these disagreements create thought provoking issues that must be debated and both sides must be heard. And the thought provoking issues can possibly be the key to solving many of the issues of the world.

Glorification of the Hood

While watching my daily guilty pleasure Worldstarhiphop I was thinking about how the ignorance that is displayed on the site and how it bothers me at times, yet I still watch it. Sometimes the ignorance is too much. When I see people on camera talking about robberies, brandishing guns, burning money and a lot of other nonsense that I've witness a chill goes through my body and I wonder is this setting the black race back a few years. But the answer is no. There will always be ignorance in the world by all races and creeds. That is one small piece of the black race that is represented. We still have the blacks that are representing the positive.

Does everyone wants or have to be from the biggest and baddest place on the planet? Do we have to witness cracks sells and murders on a regular basis? No, then why do people always brag about where they are from--but only talk about the negative aspects from where they are from. That isn't a good mentality to have. A lot of people grew up in the "hood" and by all means rep it hard because it develops and mold a person and provides character that no other place can match. And just because you are from a place that a million of murder occurs, if you aren't doing the killing then please be quiet. You aren't the person that is going to spend life in jail or be buried six feet deep because of violence and other ills of growing up in the "hood".

I totally condone representing your "hood" and being proud of it, but don't boast about the wrongs that are taking place in the "hood". By all means definitely talk about it and make people aware of everything that is going on but do not glorify the negatives of the hood. So whether you from Brooklyn, Watts, Miami, Baltimore or DC no matter what hood you're from and represent your main goal is should be to grown. You should want to earn money, wealth and stability(financially and mentally). You should believe in social mobility--just because you are from the hood doesn't mean you should stay in the "hood" and just because you leave the hood doesn't make you a sell out as long as you don't forget where you came from. Drug dealers don't just sell drugs to sell drugs they sell them because they want to "live the life": fancy cars, diamond chains, stocks and bonds. It's about growth. So love the hood and learn how to make it out the hood. Don't fit in with all of the negative stereotypes that comes with being a product of a negative environment. Strive to be that rose growing from the concrete.

Every single person on this earth will always be ignorant to something. But it isn't true ignorance knowing that you don't know. Think about it!

Health Insurance: Why is it so much?

“With no union with no dental plan I can’t eat off no 100 grand.” This is a quote from the rapper Beanie Sigel. His profession doesn’t have health insurance. He is rapping about how difficult it is to live a comfortable life with having to pay out of his pocket for health related issues. Despite his high salary he finds it difficult to pay for his everyday life essentials and healthcare. This topic is usually a determining factor when choosing a member of the house or senate, mayor, governor and especially the president. The American public wants to know what are you going to do about their healthcare. The healthcare quandary in America is horrific. Last week the healthcare issues in America finally hit me. I never seriously cared because I am a pretty healthy person, I rarely get sick and for the longest I was on my father’s insurance. Now I am a college graduate and my healthcare issues are all mine.

I have salary paying job with paid vacation and benefits. But the benefits aren’t as good as I first thought. The monthly payments for health insurance with my current job is about $360 a month—this past Friday I received a memo with my check and found out the insurance is going up to $470. Not only is it $470 a month, but you have to pay a co-payment. That is truly absurd. They are trying to find another vendor with cheaper insurance because I am not paying in health insurance what I can pay for in rent or a car note. That just doesn’t make any sense to me; especially since I don’t have any severe health issues. I think the $360 dollars is too much, that is why I am included with the other 10 million plus people in America without health insurance.

If I want health insurance I will have to do my own personal shopping on what healthcare out there fits me and my needs. When choosing healthcare pay close attention to monthly payments and/or whether it is a deductible or co-pay. Without health insurance can be tough. I wanted to go get a yearly check up to make sure I am as healthy as I think I am. I wanted to do a little bit of research. I was willing to pay out of pocket for a physical. As I call around I was in for a rude awakening. Most doctor offices and clinics required $100 plus just to schedule the visit then I had to pay for the actual physical, which the end amount would have been close to $400. And that is a lot of money to the average American. I can’t even imaging how it is for people working on $200 a week working minimum wage. A change in our healthcare system is truly needed in the United States.

In order to end my dilemma I decided to go to the Health Department in my area. It is free, the wait wasn’t as long as I expected and the staff was extremely helpful and kind. Health is very important because without good health it is arduous to lead a good life. You can have money and great family and friends but without good health you cannot not enjoy your money, family and friends. This is article wasn’t meant as a written attack on the U.S. Healthcare system but just to make people aware of their surroundings. We need change. Change will come, but change takes time. Be patient and optimistic and all will be OK.

Guns and Rated "R" Movies, but No Explicit Rap Music

I was randomly thinking the other day about how can Wal-mart sell guns and ammunition and Movies that are Rated "R", but they do not sell music with explicit lyrics. And everyone knows the majority of music with explicit lyrics are rap albums. Why? This entire thought is mind boggling to me. I wouldn't call it racist, but I will say that there is a prejudice with the reason why they don't sell rap albums with explicit lyrics. They can easily be accused for being bias towards the hip-hop industry but I will give Wal-mart the benefit of doubt. But they are taking away the artistic value of the rap albums--matter of fact disrespecting the artist value of rap music. They aren't selling edited versions of movies with less violence and profane language so why rap albums. Yes, it is cool to carry both edited and explicit versions, yes children are heavily influence by the media--so have the edited versions for them, but don't just have the edited versions for all of the customers. There isn't one Wal-mart executive can give me a valid reason why they don't sell these rap albums. Especially not when you sell guns in the same stores--unless they think the youth will buy that rap album in their store then go buy a gun in the same store and wreck havoc on their communities. No that is not possible because the youth cannot even purchase guns. So what is the problem?

At the register when you are buying a rated "R" DVD, it signals the register to check the ID of the customer to see if they are over the age of 18, so why can't they do the same thing with rap albums. They even check for an ID when you are buying Tylenol, Advil and other medicines. An employee told me "If it can be broken down, snorted or smoked we must check an ID." That is amazing. If they are willing to take the necessary precaution to stop drug use and possible lawsuits for using Tylenol, they should do the same for explicit rap albums. All they have to do is check the ID of the customer and if they are of age or with a parent they should be able to purchase the CD and get the entire artistic value of these rap albums. They shouldn't deny customers access to these CDs if they have the necessary actions to prevent from selling to minors, which is their "main concern" right? Or maybe not, or they are truly bias of the hip-hop industry--where the majority of the artist of African American. This little inconvenience to someone is rooted with racial connotation.

What can the public do to get Wal-mart to sell explicit rap CDs? Probably nothing, I honestly don't care I will just go to Best Buy, FYE or download songs from Itunes if I want to hear my rap music. However, I would love to hear a valid justification why they don't sell explicit rap CDs so that I can laugh. Because I feel there wouldn't be anything they can say to justify their statement. They can't be doing it for the kids safety. Safety from a rap album? Are the metaphors and limericks of rap songs that visual to force a young child to cause mass hysteria on the world around them. Or are the movies' visuals more or just as powerful than these lyrics. I am not sitting here saying that rap lyrics can't be influencing and very visual, but movies are the exact same thing if not worst. I believe a picture of someone killing a person will do a lot more damage to a child's psyche than some talking about killing someone.

If Wal-mart decides to sell rap albums with explicit lyrics or not--it will not change my life in any way, but it will ease my mind knowing that there is one less bias against hip-hop(black people)that is slowly but surely dwindling.

In a Perfect World

Graduating from college is a milestone in anybody's life. It is the culmination of at least 16 years of class, homework, and testing. It shows the world that you have the focus and dedication to work your way through any problem. In a perfect world you walk across the stage one week and start your dream job the next.

But if you have graduated in the year 2008 you have realized that this world is far from perfect. We have graduated into the worst economic times since the great depression in the 30’s. At a time when job openings where suppose to be plentiful thanks to the retirement of hundred of thousands of baby boomers, finding a good job is harder than figuring out what really happened to make CB duff out Princess RiRi. Its like the truth (jobs) is out there somewhere, its just going to take a while before enough truth comes out to figure out what went down

(cycle through all the jobs you don’t want to find something worthwhile).

For all of us out there who are just finishing school and trying to figure out what’s next here is what we at C.L.A.S.S suggest:

The Safe Way

Personally the only reason I believe that you should go back to school after finishing undergrad is if you want to become a lawyer, doctor, or your undergrad degree was in complete nonsense. But the truth is going back and getting another degree is actually a smart move. It makes sense for two key reasons.

• Companies have always loved the idea of their potential job candidates having advance degrees. A master’s degree can almost guarantee you a much better salary to start out with than just a plain bachelor’s degree. For some reason they believe that in that extra year or two or three you actually spent those your time in the library with your head in books instead of playing a few more hundred games of beer pong.

• Hopefully after you have ruined your liquor some more (which we fully support!!!) and by the time you have crossed that stage for the second time this recession will be over or slow downed enough to the point that companies are once again hiring. This will make it a lot easier for you to get that dream job you have always wanted.

The I Need Cash Way

If you have nothing for going back to school and just want to deposit paychecks into your account, taking whatever you can get is the right move for you. I don’t mean you have to settle for working the cashier at the supermarket or flipping burgers. With your degree and a little bit of background work experience finding a so-so job should not be that difficult. You are not going to make the paper that you should be making but you will be able to take care of all your bills and still enjoy a decent social life.

The C.L.A.S.S. Way

Become your own boss and start you own business. There will probably not be a better time to try your hand and do what you want. If you have a passion for doing something make it happen. With some hard work, dedication, and a prayer you don’t know what can happen. There is not a company in the world that did not start out as an idea in somebody’s head. It does not matter what you just thought of it was an idea before it became reality. It doesn’t matter if it was Bill Gates, Queen Oprah, or the Donald they all put their dreams and destiny in their own hands and made a way. If they could take their pennies and turn them into BILLIONS, why cant you?

Life is too short to always play it safe. In times like these when a great job is hard to find, I see no reason not to say "F’IT" and make your own perfect world and follow those dreams...

It’s the American Way!!!

Too much technology not enough power. As I sit in the Charlotte airport I look around and everyone is connected to some form of technology. Some more than others, some of the older crowd have a good old book or newspaper, when the majority of the people from my generation are texting (as my mom would say who you gotta talk to this early in the morning?) or on their laptops (hmm I wonder if they are blogging as well). Nonetheless, we are all slaves to that drug called technology.

How do you feel when your battery on your cell is about to die? Do you feel the walls closing in, shortage of breath, can you see the light? I mean really the thought of you without your phone is not one that most of the world likes to deal with. It connects us to work, friends, family, our accounts I mean the list is endless.
Now I ask you to take a walk with me; take away your computer, your cell and your ipod tell me what you day is like. Start at the am and take me to the pm what will you do? Do you know how to do basic math anymore? Prove it what is 4+23 x 10 / 3. Do yourself a favor and do not cheat really work it out on paper. How would you stay in touch with your best buds if you couldn’t text? Do you know how to check the spelling of a word without T9 or ABC√? Do not get me wrong I am a techno freak too, but we have to hold on to our basic skills because the day will come when your faithful and true piece of technology will fail you and you will be left high and dry waiting on geek squad or waiting on your battery to be shipped to you from the corporate headquarters.
Now back to the reason I began this blog. THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH power outlets in this darn airport. I walked up and down the area of 4 gates and saw one outlet, so that day that I spoke about just came crashing down on me. I sit here trying to rush my thoughts before my laptop starts to beep. My message to all public facilities is this: As we techno American freaks work on our addiction to technology you work on your power outlets to help up get things done. Yes we need to keep my basic skills together but when work needs to be it needs to be done and the worst feeling ever is your phone about to die.
NOTE: Circuit City’s (A sign on the times, LORD help us out of this recession) are closing nationwide so stop by and get you some more technology for the low low! Next time you have a free minute write (using paper and a pen) your buddy a letter and drop it in the mail, it will be a friendly surprise.

Yes We Did!!!

On January 3, 2008 a young senator from the state of Lincoln stated these words after a surprise win in the Iowa Caucus in the Democratic primary.

“They said this day would never come. They said our sights were set too high. They said this country was too divided; too disillusioned to ever come together around a common purpose.

But on this January night – at this defining moment in history – you have done what the cynics said we couldn’t do; what the state of New Hampshire can do in five days; what America can do in this New Year. In schools and churches; small towns and big cities; you came together as Democrats, Republicans and Independents to stand up and say that we are one nation; we are one people; and our time for change has come.

You said the time has come to move beyond the bitterness and pettiness and anger that’s consumed Washington; to end the political strategy that’s been all about division and make it about addition – to build a coalition for change that stretches through Red States and Blue States. Because that’s how we’ll win in November, and that’s how we’ll finally meet the challenges we face.

The time has come to tell the lobbyists who think their money and their influence speak louder than our voices that they don’t own this government, we do; and we’re here to take it back.

The time has come for a President who’ll be honest about the choices and the challenges we face; who’ll listen to you even when we disagree; who won’t just tell you what you want to hear, but what you need to know. And New Hampshire, if you give me the same chance that Iowa did tonight, I will be that President for America.”

This young senator was Barack Obama. Even though New Hampshire didn’t give him that chance, America did. On November 4, 2008 Barack Obama was set to become the 44^th president of the United State of America.

Barack Obama’s victory was a major event in the history of the United States. Not only because he is the first “known” nonwhite man to become president of the United States. His election was so special because it is the first time in the 233 year history of this country that people from all different types of background could be proud of the actions of their country. This event differed from others because the masses came to together and were excited about the outcome. There weren’t one or two groups that enjoyed the success of this man. Happiness and joy sprung from all pieces of the globe.

I made the journey to Washington, DC to be a part of history and attend the 56^th inauguration to witness with my own eyes the swearing in of our 44^th president. The city was electric the whole weekend, but nothing compared to that Tuesday, January 20^th. People started to pack the metro train system at 3am for an event that did not start for another seven hours. People with tickets stood in lines that were miles long with no major complaints. People waited for half a day to catch a glimpse of the man they voted for. It wasn’t just a few diehard fans that packed the National Mall. Close to 2 million people packed the mall and parade route that day, just so they could be part of history.

In a country where racism is still strong and very much alive, a biracial man whose father came from the African country of Kenya and mother came from the corn fields of Kansas, can now lead the country. His words, beliefs and honesty about what is going on in the world today brought millions of strangers from being strangers to being a proud American family.

His story proves that America is the place for dreams to come true no matter your situation. As long as you lead yourself and your family in the right direction positive things can happen.

He showed little kids that it is cool to go to school and get your education. That if you work hard and if you believe in yourself all of your dreams can come true. Being positive and carrying yourself in a mature manner does more for you at the end of the day than showing off all your flaws and being ignorant.

He made the racists of the world realize that their thoughts about the other race are wrong and rude. There are people of all races who have families that work to survive and have respect. He has made adults take responsibility for their own actions and not think its ok to blame it on the system. Responsibility is a word he used often on the campaign trail and I HOPE everyone listened as he said it. He is not in office to make your life better he is in office to assist you in making your life better and your neighbors. If you choose not to help yourself or your neighbor - how can he?

As people from all different walks of life stood on the National Mall together, I realized that this country was finally starting to grow up. That after over 300 hundred years of slavery and oppression, after being shot down with water hoses and being treated like second class citizens, we all stood there as equals. That after eight years of one of the worst (if not the worst) presidents in the history of this country, we as a people did not let the race of the best candidate hold us back.

Even though things in this country might not be perfect, things are starting to head in the right direction. I know there are still ignorant people in this country who hate the people because of their skin color. Not realizing that the only reason they have hatred for them is because of their own shortcomings and inabilities as people.

These few dimwits are not stopping the rest of us from realizing that being proud of your heritage does not mean that the next man is not as good as you because he is a few shades lighter or darker than you.

This is a country where a black man could not drink from the same water fountain, let alone sit at the same counter as there white counterparts, let alone cast an actual vote in some parts of this country only 50 years ago. Congrats President Obama!!! The election of President Barack Obama taught us that we are all one group of people, that we are all Americans. And, may God bless America!!!

We at CLASS would like to know what you think this historic event will mean to our country. Please feel free to leave a comment below. Thank You.

Its More Than a Week w/o CLASS.

This is the time of the year where we all need to start planning for the most important week to any college student. Spring Break!

From deciding where to go, what to wear or not to wear, what side of the city to stay, what friends to take, and how much money to spend everything needs to be right to have a worry free spring break.

Here at C.L.A.S.S. we feel it is our duty to provide everybody with the veterans guide to making sure YOU are properly prepared for Spring Break.

1. Start Saving NOW!!!!!!

If you do not start saving your funds now, you will be spending that week at home patrolling the couch at your parent’s crib bored out of your mind, or you will be the broke friend that everyone is ducking when you get in line at the club. Put yourself on a strict budget where your only real expenditures are what you have to spend to maintain (rent, utilities, food, and liquor). Remember it’s only a little over a month, YOU CAN SURVIVE!!!!

Tips:

· Do not eat out every meal. If you must have your fast food fix eat it once a day. NOTE: if you can resist for a few weeks you can have that spring body that all the guys and gals like.

· If you are hosting a house party, make it a BYOB (bring your own bottle), there is no need to get the entire campus drunk while they save their pennies. You bring none, you get none.

Expenses

Depending on your budget, it can get tough to stay inside the “cool” parameters during spring break. The best way to find a decently priced hotel is by looking through all the different travel websites. They usually have a deal that can be found if you take the time to do a detailed search. Use your recourses i.e., friends that have gone before. It is very easy for a hotel to throw up a nice picture of another hotel. Since you are always on facebook anyway, use this time wisely. Once you arrive at your destination become familiar with the prices of food, drinks and social life, then set a daily allowance for yourself and do not go over it. This will seem really hard at times but manageable if you can find “self balance”.

Definition of “self-balance”: On a $50 a day budget.

· Drink-oholic: This is a person who likes to spend all of their money on drinks. This person likes to eat the cheapest food and does not want to shop just drink. A perfect budget for them would include $10 per day on food and $40 on drinks.

· Shop-oholic: This person has to take everybody back a souvenir and must purchase a pair of shoes once a week. Not too concerned about cheap or expensive food but likes to drink. An example budget would include $15 food, $20 shopping, which leaves you $15 for drinks.

TIPS: these were two very farfetched examples of college kids on Spring Break, however in many cases very realistic. A few things that can help oholic’s, find a local grocery store when you get in town (no not the village mart on the strip, a real store) and go shopping. Get chips for snacking, microwavable foods, big bottles of liquor so you can drink before you WALK down the strip. This way you can have a slight buzz before you get in the club and you can spend less on drinks. Make friends with a cab driver and get his card, this way you can use him all weekend on a discounted rate.

2. Workout

Almost all great spring break locations are located where the sun and sand are major parts of the environment. This means clothes off and bodies out. For the sake of your tags and the others on the beach, tone that fat. There is no need to walk up and down the beach looking sloppy and sick if you can help it. That would not be a good look. If you are only a few weeks away from turning sag into definition why not make it happen? Make sure that you are eating right, drinking enough water (leave the beer alone), and get in a little cardio to start. Make everyone who is going with you get on the same work out plan.

Guys’ being able to take off the beater and play in the water with some new female friends is a perfect way to spend your day, and hopefully it will lead to some fun nights. You do not have to join a gym or make any other type of long term commitment, just invest in the Perfect Pushup exercise equipment, which can be found in a certain humongous nationwide super discount store for under $30. If you follow the workout they give you, you will be able to work out the whole upper body. If not crunches, pushups, and running are always a good option.

Ladies please start doing your squats ASAP. Nothing and I mean nothing looks worse than a saggy booty in a bathing suit. The second thing you must do is lose that little spare tire that you got during the holiday season. Most of your time will be spent with your stomach in plain view to everyone. Make sure that it is a nice sight to see. There are plenty of 5 minute AB videos on youtube to choose from. Find one that you like and make it happen.

3. The Trip

One of the great misconceptions about spring break is that you have to spend your whole break on vacation. This is completely wrong. Waiting until Wednesday or even Thursday to go on your trip can be a smart move depending on where you’re going. You’re able to save money this way which is always a good thing (especially in the middle of a recession) and still experience all the fun.

Make sure your roommate is going for the same reasons you are. If you plan on starting to drink at 11am and party until 5am every night, make sure that your roommates have the same goal in mind. I don’t care how good of a friend you are with a person, if one person’s goal is to party with the best of them and the others goal is to relax and relieve stress a conflict will occur.

4. Favorite Spring Break Locations

South Beach Miami – Party alongside your favorite celebrities in the South Florida hot spot. The beach is packed from sun up to sundown with beautiful sights.

South Padre Island, TX – The fun never stops in South Padre. Where you hop from bar to bar all over the island.

Cancun, Mexico – Sit on the beach drinking mojitos and daiquiris enjoying the wonderful views in the most serene of the three getaways.