Following in the footsteps of VH1′s The Pick Up Artist, comes a similar You-Suck-At-Dating-So-Let’s-Fix-Your-Flaws-Before-You-Start-Throwing-Birthday-Parties-For-Your-Cats show. This time, we watch as GIRLS get some harsh reality about what we do that turn off the MEN. Hosted by the ever beautiful and brutally honest Steve Ward, a master matchmaker and easy-on-the-eyes male, this show follows eight single ladies looking for love as they journey through a “Tough Love Boot Camp.”

Each episode will revolve around one theme and include a Dating 101 class, a field exercise (a date!), and end with a group therapy session where one girl is chosen for doing the worst. Unlike The Pick Up Artist, nobody gets booted off, but the worst contestant will get an embarrassing critique during therapy. This is good news for us viewers because we get to learn some lessons along with the girls (finally, a reality show that’s actually useful!), but thankfully don’t have to do it on national TV!

With issues ranging from trust, intimacy, communication, ex-boyfriends, and the infamous text-aholism, Steve works with these ladies to break their bad habits in hopes of finding The One. Each girl has a classic case of Chase-A-Guy-Away-itis and is nicknamed for their main issue. I’m sure we can all find one girl we relate to the most, so I challenge you to follow your sistah’s progress. Learn some lessons along with your favorite gal and root for her to find love. So, which girl are you?

Abiola (Miss Picky) – The self-proclaimed Princess whose standards are so high that she critiques guys based on a 10 point scale. Props to her for being an independant diva, but will she learn to give guys a chance or continue to write them off before even learning their last name?

Arian (Miss Party Girl) – A former stripper and hardcore partier who dates by a “two week” rule, this chica is dealing with some daddy issues. Claiming that all men are unfaithful, she protects herself by immediately airing her dirty laundry in hopes that a guy will stay with her despite her flaws. Her penchant for TMI and overly-sexual nature keeps decent guys at arms length.

Jacklyn (Miss Wedding Obsessed) – This 23 year old, small-town, wannabe bride is terrified that her “clock is ticking” and hopes to be married by 25. Having already chosen her wedding dress, centerpieces, invitations and photographer, this commitment-minded Southern Belle scares guys off like Jennifer Aniston!

Jessa (Miss Too Much Too Soon) – This insecure textaholic smothers guys with her obsessive nature. Taking pics of them in their sleep, over-analyzing every word and stalking their Facebooks have the men running for the hills. Will she take Steve’s advice and finally learn how to enjoy the moment?

Jody (Miss Lone Ranger) – This 30 year old has found total success in the workplace, but has no one at home to share it with. Too much focus on work and no play has left this hard worker alone and lonely. Although a wonderful role model for goal-oriented girls, can she stop obsessing about work and make time for a real relationship?

Natasha (Miss Fixing The Wrong Guys) – Suffering from the Nurse Curse, she is attracted to men with issues and hopes to be the one girl who can change him for the better. Being too nice and caring, she allows these hot messes to walk all over her.

Stasha (Miss Ball Buster) – This former Playmate’s alpha female attitude and constant bragging intimidates every single guy she meets. Her harsh, critical and upfront demeanor are her way of putting up walls to keep out “losers.” Can this self-proclaimed “sheep in wolves clothing” let down her guard and let in her match?

Taylor (Miss Gold Digger) – A get-what-I-want Daddy’s girl, this unapologetic bitch won’t settle for anything less than “the finer things in life.” Claiming that guys are intimidated by her looks and the attention she gets, she lets her shallow standards do the talking.

Can you relate to any of these ladies? If not, congratulations, but some of us may still be wondering why we’re single. Though these girls do have great things to offer, their issues are stopping them just short of finding true love. Let’s watch as they break down their walls, correct their mistakes and let Steve use an electrocution device to zap away their bad habits. It’s gonna be a bumpy ride…

(Show airs Sundays at 10PM, so watch and come back Monday morning for a recap!)

And, baby, we’ve come a long way.

We’ve all learned a thing or two in 2008, and we figured we’d share our biggest lessons with you. Who knows? Maybe these life lessons will help you get a jumpstart on a fabulous and splendid 2009.

Erica – Kent State: You know that book “He’s Just Not That Into You”? Well, it’s TRUTH. Oh, and a big bowl full of cottage cheese after a night of drinking is amazing and doesn’t make me feel guilty the next morning. Seriously.

S.E. – Fordham: The biggest lesson I learned in 2008 is that freshman boys are the easiest targets

for free drinks. I plan to abuse this knowledge until I’m a senior.

Lauren – University of Michigan: I learned that I’m more beautiful and desirable than I ever thought.

Sara C- Fordham: Not to spread myself too thin! I used to have so much on my plate, and I was always stressed. So I recommitted myself to the three things I love the most: running, writing, and reading. It’s made such a difference!

Kari – FSU: Don’t apply self-tanner while you’re drunk.

John – UConn: The most important thing I’ve learned this year is that, because I will always underperform my expectations, I should expect great things of myself.

Sarabeth – University of Texas: BJ’s aren’t as bad as I thought they’d be.

Rory – University of Oregon: Boys are a massive waste of time. (I’ve learned this lesson year after year, but it never seems to stick…)

Leah – Ryerson University: Trust your gut instinct no matter what other people say.

Suzanne – Tulane: That Americans aren’t as dumb as we thought they were and finally elected an intelligent leader.

Megan – Brown University: You shouldn’t let boys push you into doing things. For example, tequila and Tabasco sauce are not a good mixed shot no matter what they say.

Elizabeth – UC Berkeley: Never bring anything valuable to a party or club – that may be the last time you ever see it.

Noa – CU Boulder: That “just one hit,” or “just one slice,” or “just one drink,” never happens.

Coco: Take your heels off when you can’t walk straight anymore. This will prevent a majority of UDI’s (unidentified drunk injuries)!

What did you learn in 2008?

4 dumb high school students were rushed to the hospital (from school!) after using an herbal supplement called Snurf. What is Snurf (besides the name you give someone who farts in the bathtub) and why didn’t I know about this organic wonder-drug?

Snurf is labeled as an herbal supplement, but it is said to have similar effects to Ecstacy.

Sounds awesome, except instead of giving the kids an awesome trip, it made them all violently ill. Oh, these high school kids these days and their dabbling in drug use. Don’t they know that buying drugs online is a terrible idea? I tried to buy a Gucci bag online once and got some cheesey knock-off instead.

Looks like we are all learning some very important lessons: you can’t trust the internet for drugs or handbags. Don’t forget it!

Sure, you’re excited to meet new people, take classes you chose out of your course catalog, and maybe even explore a new city. But there are things to worry about. A lot of them. Maybe it’s that you’re living away from home for the first time, or living across the country. There are more things you need to be prepared for than just athlete’s foot in the communal showers (plastic sandals will take care of that).

As someone who survived four years and two colleges and managed to graduate with all four of my limbs and at least a bit of dignity, I feel I should imbue on you, humble reader, ten important lessons and tips to help you enjoy college safely and happily, from picking classes to surviving alcohol poisoning.

1. Make orientation week count. I skipped a lot of the activities scheduled for orientation week and later came to regret it. I didn’t want to wake up at 9 AM to go on a tour of Boston, but what I didn’t realize is that a lot of people did wake up at 9 AM to go on a tour of Boston and, in doing so, met all those other people who got up at 9 AM to go on a tour of Boston. You’re not going to meet people if you hole up in your room, so go out as often as you can.

2. Taste-test classes. So you didn’t get into that History of Watching TV class you really wanted to take, go to the first class or two anyway. You’ll be amazed at how many people drop out of the class and a space for you may become available. The same goes for a class with a bad teacher. If sucky prof is teaching a general ed class you have to take, visit the same class taught by a different teacher. In my experience, a great teacher can make any class interesting and enjoyable.

3. Just because you can drink an entire keg doesn’t mean you should. I have too many friends who ended up in a hospital after a night of binge drinking to take alcohol poisoning lightly. If you drink a lot and start throwing up, your body is rejecting what is in it. There’s no other way around it. If this happens to you, you need to start downing water like you wouldn’t believe. All that liquid you’re throwing up is dehydrating you and you need to re-hydrate your body, so drink lots of good H2O, and eat some bread to help absorb some of the alcohol.

If you continue to throw up and it feels like you’re expunging your stomach lining, you need to go to the hospital. Don’t worry about getting into trouble. A scolding from your RA isn’t nearly as bad as, let’s say, DYING. For next time, it’s okay to get drunk; it’s okay to drink a lot, but slooooowwww down. You’ve got to find that perfect place where you’re drunk but you’re not dead. It takes practice but it’s worth drinking only one or two an hour to get there.

4. Friends don’t let friends get date raped. This is an even more horrible experience I’ve seen friends go through. The statistics around this are astounding. Something like one in ten women will be date raped, mostly while in college. But this doesn’t mean you’ve got to become a recluse in order to stay safe. First, buddy up. Don’t go to a party alone and always go with a friend who will make sure you stay safe. She should never be out of your sight for more than a few moments. Preferably, one of you will be sober sister, or at least semi-sober sister. Second, never, NEVER go upstairs, outside, in a car, or home with a guy you don’t intend on sleeping with. And even if you do intend on sleeping with him, tell your friend where you’re going and with who. If you don’t know his name, he shouldn’t be in your bed.

5. Just because it’s consensual doesn’t mean it’s safe. Use a condom. Every time. Without fail. Don’t let him convince you not to use a condom. If he says they’re too tight, buy Magnums (it’s a compliment!), if he says sex just doesn’t feel good with one tell him no sex doesn’t feel good either. The only time you should have sex without a condom is when you’re in a committed, monogamous relationship with someone you trust, when you’ve both been tested, and when you’re on birth control. Find your local Planned Parenthood. They can give you STD screenings and birth control, often for free.

6. Stay safe on campus and off. Many colleges have nighttime car services free of charge to students. Find out about yours as soon as you get to school. They will often pick you up within a certain range of campus and escort you home. It’s like a free taxi ride, so utilize it. Also, having the phone numbers for a few regular taxi companies in your cell will definitely come in handy when it’s three AM and all you want is your bed and a huge glass of water.

7. Keep your RA’s phone number in your cell. You never know when you’re going to get lost in China Town or need bailing out of jail. It’s a good number to have in case of an emergency.

8. Ruthlessly use your college’s free services. Now that I don’t have the luxury of a school gym, career, or counseling center, I’m regretting not using them as much. Your tuition is paying for these services, so use them.

9. The most important four-letter word of all time: TUMS. My friend’s carry a roll of Tums with them at all times. Whether it’s to cure you of cafeteria-induced food poisoning or to help settle your stomach after you’ve mixed tequila with beer in an attempt to create an inventive cocktail, tuck this miracle worker in your pocket next to your Chapstick.

10. If you do drugs, do them safely. Drugs are a reality of college. I could just tell you to say no and stay away from them, but that wouldn’t be very honest or helpful of me. If you do choose to do drugs, there is a way to do them safely. Don’t take drugs from someone you don’t know or don’t trust, don’t take drugs alone, and don’t mix drugs. If your friend takes drugs and you don’t, don’t ditch her just because you don’t approve. Be a good friend, stay with her, and have a conversation about why her drug use bothers you after she’s come down.

And most importantly, enjoy yourself. You’ve worked your ass off for the last eighteen years to get here. Have fun!

[Photo courtesy of sobersensor.com]

It’s a universal truth: Valentine’s Day can suck, even if you’re not alone. Make sure it doesn’t by using one of these five sweet date ideas. Whether you hang out with your GF, BF, or BFF on V-Day, it’s still possible to have a ton of fun with a creative date.

1. A picnic. If you live in the Southwest, a traditional outdoor meal might actually be possible. Those of us who shack up in chillier climates don’t have to abandon the idea of a fun picnic, though. Take your date, make a few sandwiches, then grab a blanket and head to the nearest academic building. Set up shop in one of its more isolated areas, unwrap your food, and—presto!—picnic.

2. Workout.

I don’t know about you all, but exercise is often pretty low on my to-do list. It’s not that I don’t want to do it; it’s just that when I finally get time alone with my boyfriend, it’s not the first thing that leaps to mind. The few times we have done a workout together, however—whether it be playing a few sets of tennis, running together, or even getting into a really energetic match of ping-pong—have been hugely satisfying, both emotionally and physically. So try coaxing your date to do the same. You’ll both feel great and have fun.

3. Cook.

I know, I know—who wants to cook when you can just go someplace ritzy and be served a fabulous meal? Well, I do, for one, and I’m sure I’m not alone. A great V-Day idea is to think of what you would order if you had access to all the menus at all the restaurants in all the world, and then get your date to actually make that dish with you.

It might take some investigative work as far as tracking down recipes and ingredients goes, but you can bet it will be a hell of a lot cheaper than going out—and still worth every cent.

4. Take lessons together.

Have you always wanted to learn the rhumba? What about sign language or how to make pastries? Lots of colleges and universities offer special not-for-credit clubs, classes, and lessons that are both fun and affordable.

If your school doesn’t, look to the community. Almost every town, no matter how small, has community education courses that you and your date could have a blast taking together.

5. Getaway weekend.

Save your pennies from now until V-Day and then splurge on a mini road trip with that special somebody. Pick a destination (I like to close my eyes and stab my finger at a map), toss a few clothes in your backpack, then grab the car keys and try to forget that the words “homework” and “school” exist. This is a great way to make some memories.

Those’ll get you started, but I’d love input from the CC readers as well. Do you have V-Day traditions or plans? Let’s hear them!