Classy Causes: Facts on Fair Trade

Lately, I’ve been having a string of bad luck. Just every little thing that could go wrong did. I was sick, exhausted, stressed, and verging on seriously depressed. Like so many other classy co-eds, I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself and am often pretty stressed out. All my recent bad luck made me a little insecure and so I took some time to think about what I really think is important in life. Even as a child, I wanted to make a difference in the world. Now, as a college student, I occasionally feel so useless because I can’t afford to donate to charitable causes very often, so I’ve been seeking out more practical ways to help out and supporting fair trade is one I recently heard about at a lecture and want to share with all of you.

What is it?:

• Fair trade is NOT a charity. It is about using a more equitable exchange system to create sustainable change for producers.
• Fair trade organizations create partnerships with their suppliers and help support the communities they come from.

What do fair trade organizations do?:

• Create opportunities for economically and socially marginalized producers
• Develop transparent and accountable relationships
• Build capacity
• Promote fair trade
• Pay promptly and fairly
• Support safe and empowering working conditions
• Ensure the rights of children
• Cultivate environmental stewardship
• Respect cultural integrity

How does fair trade make a difference in the world?:

• Tangible benefits include the building of schools, construction of wells for clean, easily accesible drinking water, sending children of producers to school, and income generated from fair trade sales helps pull communities out of poverty.
• Intangible benefits include revival of cultural techniques, increased biodiversity, increased value of women in their communities, and positive community development in developing countries.

How can I help?:

• Buy fair trade products. Tons of different products are available, from clothes and home goods to coffee and chocolate.
• Ask your local merchants to carry fair trade product lines.
• Tell other people about the fair trade mission.
• Work or volunteer for a fair trade organization.

For more information, you can visit www.fairtradefederation.org (where I got the majority of these facts). I’d also like to thank Jessica Canfield, the Executive Director of Mustard Seed Fair Trade, for introducing me to the cause.

Kat McClain is a College Lifestyles intern who enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her amazing Alpha Chi Omega sisters, volunteering, and learning about new causes. She is currently trying to figure out what to do with the rest of her life and desperately counting down the days until Spring Break.

Classy Co-Ed’s Guide to Wearing Fabulous Shoes

I confess that I have far more pairs of shoes than are really necessary for any college girl, but that also makes me an expert on picking, wearing, walking in, and looking absolutely stunning in every kind of shoes imaginable.

The First Step: Picking Your Perfect Shoe

In the Store:

1. Don’t let really good sales trick you into buying shoes that are not the right size.- No matter how gorgeous they are (I’m looking at you red and cream Steve Madden mary janes), they will sit at the back of your closet unworn forever.

2. Know your limitations.- Not everyone can walk or even stand properly in five in five-inch platforms and if you know you never wear heels under three-inches high (like myself, I have a short-girl complex), don’t be tempted by kitten heels you’ll only wear once.

3. Do go for colors, patterns, and fun details.- Shoes are an easy, classy, and almost risk-free way to jazz up a humdrum outfit, check out the latest Jeffrey Campbell shoes!  Every girl has a dozen neutral outfits that could benefit from a great pair of statement heels.

4. Invest in a pair of nude heels (as high as you can gracefully walk in).- Every girl can use the huge confidence boost that comes from knowing her legs look mile-long, and that is exactly the effect of a great nude shoe. Plus, they’re effortlessly classy and look great with so many different outfits.

5. Do let a salesperson size your feet.- They can help you make sure you’ll find the best fit and, thus, the most comfortable shoes for your feet, and they almost always have great recommendation for products that help make wearing heels even more comfortable.

In your Closet:

1. Consider your outfit and your audience.- While I love a great pair of suede shoes, they are not the best choice for rowdy parties (no one wants a spill to ruin great shoes). Also, a job interview or brunch with your grandparents might not be the place for sexy cage heels or anything Lady Gaga-esque or studded.

2. Always break in new shoes before wearing them to a big event.- It sounds weird, but go for a decent length walk in your new heels to scuff the slick bottoms and to find any spots that might need cushioning before you wear them out.

The Next Step: Walking

1. Use your muscles for balance.- Since your normal weight distribution is off, you’ll need to use your calves and core to keep yourself balanced. Try taking a few steps with your eyes closed and focus on feeling your muscles keeping you upright.

2. Take longer steps.- If you actually had longer legs, you would take longer strides, so since heels elongate your legs, stretch them out and walk naturally.

3. Maintain good posture.- Keep your spine straight and your head up. Never watch your feet, even if you’re concerned about wobbling in your heels.

4. Be confident!- Even if you’re unsure, looking confident will make your walk ten times better. You know what they say, “Fake it until you make it”.

*A note on fabulous flats: I know that I don’t say much about flats here, but that’s because, for me, flats have always been far more uncomfortable than high heels so I almost never wear them and have very little insight on how to make them less heinously cruel to feet (unless we’re talking about sneakers, Sperry’s, Uggs, or other flat boots, but I figured rocking those fabulous everyday shoes was a no-brainer for you lovely ladies!) If you’d like any more shoe related tips or tricks or you have a tip or trick of your own, I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

Kat McClain is a College Lifestyles intern who loves shoes (probably too much!), dressy outfits, stripes, plaid, and all things preppy. She is looking forward to Spring Break, her summer trip to Cancun with her one of her best friends, the birth of her first godchild, and moving into (and decorating!) her first apartment this summer!

The Other V-Day

It seems like almost as soon as New Year’s Day is over, stores immediately begin decorating everything in pink and red, with hearts and cherubic cupids abounding from every display. Valentine’s Day can be a wonderful way to celebrate romance and relations (or it can be a somewhat harsh reminder of the lack thereof, depending on the circumstance), but it’s not the only V-Day in February. The lesser known V-Day is a movement to end violence against women that I think every classy co-ed should know more about. This semester, I am participating in my campus’s annual production of The Vagina Monologues, and as part of the process of putting on the show, speakers are brought in to teach the cast about issues related to women.

What I’ve learned:

1. Violence against women is a lot more prevalent than I realized.- Even here, in the United States, about five hundred thousand women are raped each year. I couldn’t believe all the different kinds of violent atrocities occurring in the world without my knowledge.

2. The way society portrays female issues affects how we feel about them.- As a young woman who considers herself to be a classy co-ed, I always feel a little guilty being explicit about things related to sex and just vaginas in general (it’s literally hard for me to type out these words knowing that people will be reading them). However, being in The Vagina Monologues has taught me that it isn’t a negative thing for a woman to express her sexuality. That you don’t have to be conservative about sex and women’s issues to be classy. The media portrays things like getting a period or being a girl who enjoys sex as dirty and unusual and wrong and something to be ashamed of, but as classy co-eds coming from a world of opportunities, we should not allow society to continue to shame us into silence about ourselves, our feelings, and our bodies. On that note, it’s always classy to know your options so maybe you should check out Jessica S’s article on Birth Control Options- http://collegelifestyles.org/2011/01/calling-all-co-eds-stay-informed-on-birth-control-options/

3. That finding “The One” isn’t the secret to happiness.- You probably don’t know me very well, and, even if you did, I don’t come across as the kind of girl who thinks she needs to be in a relationship to be happy, but, in the spirit of full disclosure, it’s always there in the back of my mind that if I want to have the life I dreamed of as a little girl, with the husband and the kids and the dog and the white picket fence, I’ve got to find a guy (and get him to commit) in a certain amount of time (stupid biological clock :p). The monologues don’t expressly discuss this topic, and nothing specific has ever been said about not needing a man to be happy, but in hearing about the struggles of women in different situations than me, I have come to realize I have so so much to be thankful for and to be happy about. We are college students. We are women who are being educated at some of the finest institutions in the world. We are women with vast opportunities and the ability to be honest and open about love and sex and being women and that, in and of itself, is amazing.

How to Get Involved:

1. Go see or audition to be a part of a local Vagina Monologues production: Tickets are often inexpensive and most, if not all proceeds, usually go to benefit local women’s charities.

2. Donate to or volunteer with your local women’s shelter: Women’s shelters help women escape violent situations and cope with the aftermath of these traumatic experiences, eventually helping many of them into happier lives. Many of these shelters are underfunded and understaffed and could use your help. www.womenshelters.org offers a list of women’s shelters in various areas.

3. Learn more about the issues facing women today: So many people are unaware of the tragic circumstances that many women face around the world and raising awareness can start with you. V-Day has a website that features a Get Involved section that has a good Get the Facts section in it.

4. Be safe and help keep your friends and sisters safe: As women in college, there are specific risks of violence that we face in our campus communities. I know you’ve heard it all before, but don’t be an easy target. While assaults are never, ever, the fault of the victim, there are steps you can take to prevent situations that put you, your friends, or your sisters in danger. Don’t go to parties alone, watch your drinks, watch each other’s backs.

Women are strong, amazing people too, and we deserve to be safe on campus and around the world. Let’s be a part of making the world a better place for women.

Have Your Happiest Year Yet!

We all have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, so this year, why not make that pursuit a little bit easier? There are tons of simple ways to make yourself happier, and a lot of them don’t cost a thing and don’t take more than a minute. So what are you waiting for? Read my tips below to start of your new year happily.

1. Make a mix full of music that cheers you up.- I don’t know about you, but I have some go-to songs that boost my mood no matter what. Even after really horrible breakups, friend feuds, and even bad grades, my guilty pleasure song “Party in the USA” by Miley Cyrus never fails to put a goofy smile on my face. Just pick songs that have happy memories associated with them (like “Party in the USA” reminds me of going dancing with my girlfriends during my freshman year of college and my sorority winning homecoming). Put the mix on whenever you want a reason to smile.

2. Look up laughing babies on YouTube.- My older brother taught me this one. I once told him that I was having a bad day and he forwarded me a link to the most adorable giggling baby (and no, I’m not one of those baby-obsessed girls. Honestly, I prefer puppies, but it’s impossible to feel unhappy while looking at a laughing baby). Also, one of my best friends and I watched all of Grey’s Anatomy last summer and now whenever I’m sad, she sends me all kinds of hilarious Grey’s clips.

3. Work out.- I know, I know, you hear it all the time. Working out boosts endorphins and all that jazz, but seriously, it’s such a win-win. You’ll feel better, it’ll take your mind off just about anything, and you’ll be healthier too! A girlfriend and I go to a Zumba class at the gym together once a week, and it makes me feel incredible (not only because I feel healthy and accomplished and happy, but also because it’s like the friendship equivalent of date night and making time for the people you love is yet another wonderful happiness boost).

4. Take a deep breath and look up.- I know it sounds a little silly. I thought so too when I read it in a magazine, but I’ve tried it out in times of relative desperation (I have the worst luck with running into people at awkward moments), and it actually works. It kind of instantly clears your head, which helps lower stress and makes it easier to deal with whatever is going on, both of which will leave you happier in the long run.

5. Volunteer your time!- When I’m actively participating in volunteer activities, just knowing that I’m putting some good out into the world makes me feel happier all the time and extra happy when I get to actually do philanthropic work and see how I’m helping out. Also, the people you meet while volunteering almost always enrich your life in ways that can make you happy far beyond just this year.

There are tons of other tricks to feeling happier and I’d love to hear some of yours if you want to leave me some comments below. Good luck and have your happiest years yet!

Kat McClain is an intern with College Lifestyles, a sophomore at the University of Missouri, and a member of Alpha Chi Omega. She is looking forward to her new Service Learning class and Greek Week.

The Ex-Files

I’ve been seeing this pop up on TV (Gossip Girl’s Chuck and Blair) and in music (T. Swift) a lot lately, so I wanted to dive into the topic of exes a little bit. I know most of us have them, and that quite a few people have trouble letting go. So what makes the difference between an ex who should stay in the past and one that warrants a second chance? That’s the question I’m  starting to address today, classy co-eds, but with a disclaimer: I am not a relationship expert and every situation is different, so these are just loose guidelines.

First things first, a few considerations:

• How long ago did the two of you date/break-up?- If it was last week, chances are that this is a mistake. You guys split for a reason and a week probably isn’t enough time to resolve those issues.
• How serious was your relationship then?- This can go both ways. Super casual romances that never really took off are usually easy fixes, but it’s possible that the connection was just never really there and never will be. Really serious relationships tend to come with the kind of feelings that last beyond a breakup, but they also tend to end more catastrophically. Plus, the temptation is always to pick up where you left off, rather than starting over in the current situation.
• How did the relationship end the first time?- I know that for me there are definite dealbreakers here. Any guy who was willing to lie, cheat, and break promises then, probably hasn’t changed that much. It’s up to you and what you can forgive and forget about, but you really do have to forget and move on for a second chance to work.
• What’s different about the two of you now?- Is there a significant difference between the circumstances then and now? Have the two of you grown up a little more since the split? Why would this time around work when last time didn’t?

The next thing to consider is the logistics of getting back together. In my experience, it works better to literally start all over at the first date-type stage. It’s a little difficult and awkward, but it forces you to treat the new relationship as a new relationship and not a continuation of what the two of you had before. That said, you should try to do something different together to reinforce the feeling of new romance (read: no boring dinner and a movie dates). Race each other in go-karts, go ice skating, go mini-golfing, play laser tag, just have fun and challenge each other a little. The adrenaline rush of competition helps make things feel fresh and new.

A few tips for deja vu couplings:

• Try not to rehash the past.- Sometimes before you can honestly start over, you have to discuss what happened back then. But once you’ve committed to giving it a second chance, don’t look back. Don’t discuss it. Don’t joke about it. I’m not saying to forget it happened, but it’s not important to your new relationship.
• Recognize patterns of behavior.- It is easy to fall back into your old pattern of interaction, just like the first time you dated. Which is part of the draw of returning to an old flame in the first place, but if you notice that you’re falling into the exact same problems you had before, you need to address it before you just repeat past mistakes.
• Don’t rush it.- Because the two of you already know each other and have a history, it’s not as easy to take things slowly, but it’s important to re-discover (not to sound cheesy) each other. Don’t skip steps you wouldn’t skip with any other new relationship.
• Don’t keep it a secret.- There’s no reason to hide your happiness from the people who care about you. Yes, there may be negative comments, and it takes maturity to calmly ask for your loved ones to support your decision, but it will only cause problems later if you don’t tell anyone.
• Have fun!- With so much to think about before you get together, it can be hard not to over-think it every step of the way. But relationships are supposed to be fun and make you happy, so once you’ve made the decision, just enjoy it. If you’re that worried about it not working out this time around, maybe the second-chance relationship isn’t for you.

Winter Dates for Classy Co-Eds

I find winter a little dreary personally and I absolutely loathe snow, but there’s something wonderfully fun about dating in the winter. Nothing like a little love to warm up this season, so here are a few of my favorite date ideas for winter (and cute outfit suggestions to match!).

1. Ice skating- Even though I really don’t like being cold and I’m not typically super-coordinated, I’ve had some really wonderful times on the ice. It’s a good date idea because it gets you guys moving around, possibly competing a little, and it might even give some of you a chance to show off or learn something new. I don’t know about you, but circa 7^th grade, it was the thing to do to couples skate at the skating rink, and this is kind of like an upgraded throwback. Being cold gives you guys a good excuse to break the awkward touch barrier on early dates and challenging each other (maybe doing a quick race around the rink to decide who picks up the tab for coffee after) can help you forge closer bonds faster.

What to wear: Warm winter boots or cute closed toed (not too dressy!) heels, cable knit sweater tights, knee length or higher denim skirt, a girly cardigan, and a camisole. Depending on how cold it is (or if you have an indoor or an outdoor ice skating rink), you could also add in a scarf, gloves, and a cute hat.

2. Baking and decorating holiday cookies- I’m obsessed with Christmas, so I always have a lot of fun inviting over a group of people, or just my current paramour, over to make the sweet stuff everyone loves. As a date, teaming up to make yummy treats to share (possibly during a fun Christmas movie like Four Christmases) or competing to see who’s the better decorator lends a festive air and can also become a fun tradition if you guys are still going strong next holiday season. Just google a good recipe and make a nice mug of hot chocolate (with whole milk, whipped cream, mini marshmallows, and sprinkles! It’s worth the calorie splurge, because it’s totally delicious and every girl knows the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach ) .

What to wear: Since you’re staying in, go for cute and comfy in warm fuzzy socks, distressed jeans, and a cute thermal. If you head over to his place instead of inviting him to yours, opt for leggings under the jeans, a cute fur lined hoodie, and your scarf/hat/gloves of choice, if necessary.

3. Go to a lighting ceremony- There is something so magical about watching the city get all lit up for the holiday season and oftentimes there’s music and performances during the ceremony. You can get coffee or hot chocolate and huddle together in the cold to enjoy the show. Then you can grab dinner somewhere local and enjoy all the culture and holiday spirit around you.

What to wear: Since you’ll be outside most of the time, it’s important to have a cute outer layer with a fitted pea coat or trench. For the cute factor when you take off the coat, pair a sweater dress with some killer boots (and opaque tights, of course, so you don’t freeze).

Kat McClain is an intern at College Lifestyles, a student at the University of Missouri, and very disappointed that Pumpkin Spice Lattes are gone until next fall. She loves movies, music, and the lovely all boy Warblers from Glee.

Healthy Halloween Snacks

There are a lot of scary things about Halloween, but the calorie count doesn’t have to be one of them. I know that as a classy co-ed, staying healthy isn’t always so easy. A lot of the time we’re on a budget, and, let’s face it, fast food is a lot cheaper than most healthier options. Also, a lot of us just don’t have the time to find healthy solutions. Well, I’m here to help. Grab your girls (or your guy! Baking can be fun bonding time for him too.) and make some healthy pumpkin themed yumminess for Halloween this year.

*Side note: Pumpkin is one of those delicious and also super healthy foods. It’s benefits include: fiber, vitamin C, vitamin E, and carotenoids to help prevent cancer and heart disease, boost immune function, and keep your skin and hair healthy!*

Pumpkin Cookies!- I like this recipe from Very Best Baking (http://www.verybestbaking.com/recipes/32364/Old-Fashioned-Soft-Pumpkin-Cookies/detail.aspx) These were delicious and easy to make. Plus they turn out really pretty, so you can wrap them in cellophane and tie a ribbon around the top for a cute Halloween surprise for your friends or sisters.

Pumpkin Granola Bars!- I found this recipe here: http://www.verybestbaking.com/recipes/32364/Old-Fashioned-Soft-Pumpkin-Cookies/detail.aspx and added in craisins, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice for a little extra flavor. I also left out the wheat germ, but kudos to you if you’re brave enough to try it. It’s super healthy! You could also try dark chocolate or peanut butter chips for a little bit more fun, depending on what you like. These are awesome because they don’t have anything overly processed in them too.

Pumpkin bread!- I love to buy this at Starbucks with my favorite fall flavors (Mostly Salted Caramel Hot Chocolates lately- so delicious!), but it’s so much cheaper to bake a couple of loaves at home. So I hunted down this great recipe: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Baked-Pumpkin-Bread/Detail.aspx. These are awesome because you can freeze them for later (for up to 3 months!) so you don’t get pumpkin overload trying to eat all that bread before it goes bad.

Kat McClain is an intern with College Lifestyles and a student at the University of Missouri. She is so proud to be a Tiger and an Alpha Chi Omega following another successful homecoming (Mizzou’s 99th) and in love with eating pumpkin flavored things, drinking hot chocolate, and listening to Taylor Swift.

Fall in Love with Fall

Autumn is probably my favorite season of the year. As much as I love summer with it’s bikinis, shorts, and flip flops, and spring’s florals and pretty colors, autumn is the best because it’s just cool enough for sweaters, boots, jeans, and nice hot coffee. So this post is dedicated to all the fun fall things I just can’t wait to get my hands on.

1. Pumpkin Spice Lattes, Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate, and Caramel Apple Spice- I love Starbucks year round, but the autumn flavors are without a doubt the best. To keep it green, pick up one of the super cute tumblers and get a small discount on every coffee (it’ll pay for itself if you, like me, get your Starbucks fix quite a bit).

2. Cardigans!!!!- I am obsessed with cute cardigans, especially ones with stripes or unexpected pops of color. I like to wear them long and with skinny jeans tucked into boots (perhaps even with my flirty summer camisoles underneath).

3. Messenger bags- Ok, so I’ve been carrying my messenger bag since school started, but it’s fall semester so I say it counts. I love the awesome paisley and floral prints that Vera Bradley uses. I carry my books in a pretty Simply Violet patterned one.

4. Jeans, jeans, jeans!- I am very hardcore about my denim. I own approximately 20 pairs of jeans, plus quite a few denim skirts (super cute with tights and boots). They dress up, they dress down, and they’re just so comfy. They work with any style from girly to preppy. My favorites are from Miss Me.

5. Boots- Every classy co-ed on a campus with snow owns at least one pair of boots, because they make it so much easier to get around without having soaking wet and frozen feet. However, there are a lot of options that are a little more fun than the standard Uggs. Even though I love mine as much as the next girl, I’ve got a new obsession with Ralph Lauren Leather riding boots and a pair of flat purple suede boots I got on sale last summer.

Kat McClain is an intern for College Lifestyles(TM), a junior at the University of Missouri-Columbia, and a member of Alpha Chi Omega. She is so excited for autumn, homecoming, Halloween, and, of course, all the lovely fall fashions.

Eat Your Way to Better Grades

Well, maybe not entirely, but I’ve been doing a lot of reading about foods that can boost brain function and improve performance on memory tasks (like exams), and I’ve been testing out some healthy study time snacks and other healthy habits that might give you an edge on your next big exam, paper, or project (and can help keep your skin, hair, and body healthy too so when you’re not too busy studying you look and feel great too).

Smart food: Chocolate- yes, ladies, you read that right, chocolate (the ultimate comfort food) is actually good for your brain. However, dark chocolate is best because it has less sugar, milk, and ingredients other than cacao (the healthy stuff). And since it’s not so easy on the waistline, I would recommend eating it in moderation.

Study snack idea: Dark Chocolate dipped pretzel sticks- It’s easy, and you can keep it really healthy by picking out low fat or whole grain pretzels. I like Rold Gold Honey Wheat Braided Twists (they’re slightly sweet already and they don’t have a ton of salt on them). I also like to use organic dark chocolate (but it’s a little bit more expensive and any brand will work). Basically, just melt the chocolate in a saucepan (or very carefully in the microwave in a pinch) and dip the pretzels into the chocolate dip. You can eat them warm or you can pop them in the fridge for a little bit to cool them off if you prefer.

Smart food: Blueberries- these yummy little guys are packed with vitamins that help keep your whole body healthy, not just your brain. They’re also really great because there are tons of ways to eat them. Plain, dipped in dark chocolate , in smoothies, in salads, in juices, the possibilities are endless.

Study snack idea: Blueberry smoothie- this one is really simple: just toss a cup of frozen blueberries, a cup of milk (or soy milk or almond milk if you want a few added health benefits or a lactose aversion like me), and half a cup of another fruit (I really like bananas, but strawberries are always wonderful too) into a blender and liquify. You can also add sugar to taste if you’re looking for a little pick me up or just like it a little sweeter.

Healthy habit- Exercise! I know that people say this all the time, but studies show that elevating your heart rate can help clear your mind so you can push through those late night study sessions. Plus, exercise helps keep you in good shape, letting you feel and look better all the time, not just in class or in the library. So pull an Elle Woods (I love Legally Blonde!) and take your books to the gym: work out while you read and kill two birds with one stone.

Healthy habit- Drink water! Again, this is cliche, but staying hydrated helps keep you alert and focused as well as helping keep your skin clear and your body healthy.

Healthy habit- Sleep! I’m really bad about this one and I know that many of you classy co-eds must be as busy as I am, if not more so, but not getting enough sleep can impair your performance up to as much as if you had shown up drunk! And since I know that none of you classy ladies would ever do that, why would you want to deprive yourself of sleep? You can easily improve your grades, your mood, your health and your appearance just by adding in a few more hours of sleep.

I only have one tidbit left for you ladies and then I have some hard core studying to do myself (I’m going to have an apple with some organic almond butter to snack on, since nuts are a good brain food too!): I am an avid coffee drinker and I was pleased to find that coffee is not as bad for you as some would lead you to believe. It helps keep you alert and is actually pretty healthy in moderation. Just try to stop drinking caffeine in general before dinnertime so you can still get you beauty (and brain) rest. Good luck with your classes this semester ladies!

Kat Mcclain is an intern for College Lifestyles (TM), a pre-law student at the University of Missouri-Columbia, and a member of Alpha Chi Omega. She is currently putting her time management skills to the ultimate test, looking forward to homecoming, and loving her sisters more and more every day.

X’s and O’s: Football Basics for the Classy Co-Ed

I personally love football and I think that the only thing that makes Monday bearable in the fall is Monday night football. But it’s something I’ve always had to share with my guy friends, since most girls can’t make head or tails of the game after the coin flip. There are lots of reasons to figure out football, including enjoying your school’s games that much more (and impressing that cute football fanatic in your class . I’m going to try to stick to the bare bones essentials for all you beginners out there for now.

Scoring:

• It seems obvious, but the field is 100 yards long plus the two ten yard long end-zones on either side (where touchdowns are scored). It is divided in half, and each team is designated a half. Touchdowns (worth six points each) occur when one team gets the ball into the other team’s endzone.
• There are a couple of other ways to score in football: field goals, safeties, and extra point attempts after touchdowns.
• A field goal is worth three points and happens when the kicker kicks the ball between the uprights behind the opponent’s end-zone. A safety is worth two points and happens when a player on one team tackles the opposing team in their end-zone.
• Extra point attempts after a touchdown are usually like field goals from the 5-yard-line (right in front of the opposing team’s end zone) which are worth one point. However, the team can also attempt a two point conversion, in which, they have to either run or pass the ball into the end zone again from the 2 or 3 yard-line (2 in the NFL and 3 in the NCAA).

Flow of the Game

• Details of the coin toss: the visiting team’s captain calls the toss and the winner of the toss gets to choose to kick-off, receive the kickoff, or defend a certain end zone (usually only during severe weather conditions; wind can be very important in a football game).
• After the coin toss, the designated kick-off team’s kicker will kick the ball from their 35 yard line. The team that kicks off then tries to tackle the receiver (whoever caught the ball) or force him out of bounds. Officials mark the point where the ball was last in play (where the receiver was tackled or forced out of bounds) and the team on the offensive (the receiving team/the team currently in possession of the ball) runs their first play from there.
• Plays start with the center snapping (that between the legs backwards pass is called a snap) to the quarterback. The quarterback then throws a pass, runs the ball, or hands the ball off to another teammate. The offense gets four downs (or tries) to move the ball ten yards closer to the defense’s end zone to eventually score. If they don’t get that far, the ball is turned over to the defense (which then becomes the offense). The sequence of plays between the start of the initial possession and the turnover to the other team is called a drive.
• Other Turnovers: interceptions (when the ball is caught by a defensive player instead of a teammate) and fumbles (when the ball is dropped by the offensive team and the defense takes possession).
• Punting: a punt is when the ball is kicked before it hits the ground and is either used when, due to game circumstances, the offense is far enough away from the first down marker that it warrants the risk of losing possession or to maximize the distance the other team has to go before the change of possession.

Timing:

• Football is broken up into four quarters. After the first quarter, the teams switch end zones. After the second quarter, there is a break for half-time.
• Teams are given 40 seconds between the end of each play and the snap of the next one. This time is recorded on the play clock.
• Each team gets three timeouts, which are up to one minute long. Teams use timeouts to adjust their team (switch players, etc.) and strategy.

Penalties:

• Penalties are basically punishments for breaking the rules of the game which typically result in loss of yardage (5, 10, 0r 15 yards depending on the severity of the penalty).
• Penalties are capped at half the distance between the offense and the end zone.
• Common penalties include false starts (which is when players move illegally before the snap has occurred, usually in a way the stimulates the start of play), holding (when a player illegally holds a player other than the ball carrier in an attempt to prevent a block or cover a receiver), face mask (when a player illegally grabs the face mask of another player), and personal fouls (conduct and safety violations, including unnecessary roughness).

Now that you know the basics, have fun actually understanding the game when your guy friends or boyfriend is forcing you to watch a game, impressing some cuties with your newfound knowledge (and hopefully love!) of football, or cheering on your school’s team from the student section.

Kat McClain is an intern with College Lifestyles(TM), a junior at the University of Missouri-Columbia, a Chargers (and of course Tigers!) fan, and a sports lover. She’s currently obsessed with sparkly make-up and lotion, the Fox Sports iPhone app, and the return of Glee.

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