February 8, 2022

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February 8, 2022

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PAGE 2 February 8, 2022

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Virginia Tech aims to reduce waste, energy consumption from labs

The Green Lab Certification program was recently established to make laboratories on campus more environmentally friendly.

MEGAN RICHARDSON news contributor

Virginia Tech is establishing a new program, called the G ​​ reen Lab Certification Program, in an effort to make lab spaces on campus more sustainable. This program highlights strategies for students and faculty to utilize in order to make the numerous lab spaces on campus more environmentally friendly.

The program was originally developed

by Ellen Garcia, a Virginia Tech student who received her master’s in biology in 2020, who pitched the idea to the Energy and Sustainability Committee.

“She … did a presentation to the committee recommending that the university adopt such a program,” said Rob Lowe, a senior environmental engineer and member of the Energy and Sustainability Committee. “They all agreed it sounds like a good program because laboratories do use a lot of energy, they use a lot of resources, they produce a whole lot of waste, so anything we can do to cut down on that is helpful.”

Lowe said that there are several areas that are scored to gain this certification. Virginia Tech’s environmental health and safety website already had a portal for laboratories to manage training and waste issues, providing the perfect place to integrate Garcia’s survey tool. The tool is made up of 100 questions, and labs are aiming for a score of 80 or higher in order to gain a certificate for the green lab. The scored areas include energy conservation, cold storage (refrigerator/freezer use), lighting in the lab, ventilation, water use, waste reduction, recycling, inventory procurement (how well items are purchased), “green chemistry,” travel and engagement.

The Green Lab Certification Program is a new program that has just been introduced and is currently being pushed through to labs, but is still relatively unknown to many. Lowe went on to say that the process wouldn’t be instantaneous and would require time to take hold at the university.

“Some of them (the lab personnel) are inclined to participate, and some people are not inclined to participate. So, we provided the tool, and we’re hoping for the best,” Lowe said.

The certification program is driven by Virginia Tech’s Climate Action Commitment, which outlines the university’s goals to achieve carbon neutrality on campus by 2030 by reducing the energy consumption of buildings (including new buildings) on campus as well as the operations of agriculture, forestry and land use. The commitment also aims for Virginia Tech to use only renewable electricity and become a zero-waste campus by 2030.

Overall, this program provides laboratories on campus a way to change their lab practices to benefit the university and the environment as a whole. While it may not be a requirement for labs to become green lab certified, it brings the issue to light and can lead to students and faculty using the labs to think about their practices in those spaces.

“People will look at the questions and think about their own practices and habits and try to do better. It’s more of an awareness tool,” Lowe said. “It also provides some resources that people can look up best practices. It’s just trying to get people to think and try to do things the right way. We’re trying to get people to do things a little bit better because there’s a lot of waste that comes out of laboratories. A lot of waste. If we can get people to do a little bit better, that’ll help the university toward its

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CURRENT STATUS OF FEB. 4–5 DOWNTOWN BLACKSBURG SHOOTING Jamel D. Flint has been taken into custody in Roanoke, Virginia, without incident. He is facing multiple felony charges connected to Friday night’s events, including first degree murder for the death of 18-year-old Isiah O. Robinson from Roanoke, Virginia. Blacksburg PD calls this an ongoing investigation and encourages anyone to call (540) 443-1400 with information. Callers can remain anonymous by reaching (540) 961-1819 or by emailing ciu@blacksburg.gov

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February 8, 2022 PAGE 3

Dating apps can impair self-confidence with a single swipe

I

Apps like Tinder, Bumble and Hinge have become an artificial way to meet people and build a connection.

t’s that time of the year again where grocery stores are stacked with heart-shaped chocolates and teddy bears stitched with “I Love You” or “Be My Valentine.” But don’t get your hopes up –– these gifts are primarily for people that are happily in love, but for those who are not, Tinder and other dating apps are always there for you, whether you like it or not.

Dating apps have become very popular for the single audience, especially for college students, as it’s an easy way to swipe right on who you’re interested in and left on who you’re not, then meet each other at your own convenience. While there have been plenty of successful relationships that have come out of dating apps, they do more damage to one’s self-esteem than if one were not using the apps at all.

It’s been proven time and time again that people find it easier to say and do things online when they can hide behind their screens. Dating apps such as Tinder, Bumble and Hinge inhibit realistic behavior, which then prevents people from creating meaningful, authentic relationships.

A lot more users can be more successful with dating in real life if they are willing to approach and talk to people, but it seems that they’re most confident when given the option to “ghost” someone as soon as they get bored, leaving people to question their appearance and communication skills, and fueling insecurities overall.

“I think they (dating apps) can be harmful to your confidence because someone’s first impression of you is based solely off of your looks and appearance without getting to know you,” said Lauren Snider, a senior majoring in civil engineering.

With apps such as Bumble, users are able to choose who they are attracted to

and set filters such as preferred height, race, age, etc. This creates an extremely superficial perception of dating based entirely on one’s looks and how someone presents themselves online.

As with many other social mediums, people will only show what they think are the most attractive pictures of themselves, essentially eliminating what might be one’s authentic self. This strategically constructed persona will lead potential partners to want to meet a fake, nonexistent version of yourself while simultaneously ruining your own self-concept.

When you post pictures of yourself that you consider your most flattering, it’s disheartening to see that the other person you swiped right on either didn’t match with you, message you or maybe even ghosted you. You feel hurt by this since our online selves are seemingly the most “perfect” version we could ever hope to be.

Even if you are not seeking validation through these apps, it can quickly turn into an anchor that sinks both your perception of dating and your self-confidence. This mindset can make even the most confident people wonder if they are unworthy of love, sex or even acknowledgement.

Dating apps, in essence, are an artificial way of meeting new people online, opposed to in person, where it’s more natural. Because of dating apps’ convenience and the ability for users to swipe on who they think is “hot,” physically walking up to someone to show interest seems to be the more stressful route to take.

This may be because some people are more shy while meeting face-to-face than when matching with people who have already shown interest. Socializing hasn’t always been a nerve-wracking experience, but because a lot of people

resort to meeting intimate partners online, it has evolved from a normal skill everyone possesses into a “bold” personality trait only some people have.

As Valentine’s Day gets closer, keep in mind that dating apps and social media as a whole do not signify your worth. There are definitely certain apps that are tailored to what you are looking for, and a lucky few have found long-term partners there, but finding the right person boils down to being straightforward with what you want and how you present yourself online.

A lot of people are too scared to make the first move in organic settings, but similar to many other life endeavors, you’ll never know what great things and people await you until you take that brave first step.

Single or taken, the holiday represents the love you give and receive from those who care about you, and

if you just so happen to be interested in the person that sits next to you in class or near you at the bar, walk over and introduce yourself. They might be thinking of doing the same exact thing.

LILYA FENJIRO • senior • multimedia journalism

Lifestyles

PAGE 4 February 8, 2022

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Teaching with love: The story of Dr. Andrew Becker and Dr. Trudy Harrington Becker This Hokie professor couple shares their love of teaching at Virginia Tech and their love for each other.

COLLEEN HENNEBERRY lifestyles staff writer

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and in light of this love-filled holiday, we saw it fitting to speak with two lovebirds –– more specifically, professors at Virginia Tech –– who share virtually all the same interests. Even if you are a single pessimist and dread Valentine’s Day (we’ve all been there), this couple is a breath of fresh air.

Andrew Becker, Ph.D., is an associate professor of Latin and Greek languages, literatures and cultures in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures. Trudy Harrington Becker, Ph.D., on the other hand, is a senior instructor of history. They both have several awards, publications and professional roles within the university that have greatly influenced the Classical Studies program.

“When we arrived here, there was no real classical studies program,” Harrington Becker said.

Before their arrival at Virginia Tech, Becker and Harrington Becker met at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where they both studied in the Department of Classics as graduate students. Harrington Becker explained that she was always the history person, while Becker was more of the literary and language expert between the two.

“She had a beautiful boyfriend, so I thought there was no chance,” Becker said.

“But then she dumped him and then we got married … a few years later.”

These self-proclaimed “nerdy” graduate students completed graduate school, and while Harrington Becker was completing her Ph.D. from the University of Florida, Becker received an offer to teach at Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech was gracious enough to allow Harrington Becker to finish her Ph.D. in Blacksburg so the two could stay together.

The university also allowed HarringtonBecker to take a semester off to finish her dissertation. Overall, the Beckers received an immense amount of support from the department to do what they wanted to do in their careers.

“We started teaching more on campus together … we got our offices one floor apart,” Becker said.

Becker and Harrington Becker’s time at Virginia Tech has been full of nothing but adventures. They started teaching study abroad programs in 1997 in Rome and have traveled together with students and faculty ever since. The Beckers even took their three children along for the ride, specifically on a study abroad program in Riva San Vitale at Virginia Tech’s Steger Center in southern Switzerland.

“Part of that was chance, but part of that was a conscious choice,” Becker said in regard to their shared classes, study abroad programs and students they taught. “One of the things that continued throughout that study abroad was that our differences kept being important parts of our relationship.”

Harrington Becker shared her thoughts on the privilege of leading study abroad programs with her husband.

“I can’t imagine doing a study abroad on my own,” Harrington Becker said.

Some people might think that sharing the same interests and having a similar career as your spouse could be taxing over time; however, this couple makes it work seamlessly.

“The way we approach the world is different,” Becker said. “What we were studying is different. The way we write, the way we teach, everything was different, but interesting enough to the other.”

The Beckers have found that since they work together often, it’s easy to let home life bleed into work life and vice versa. Even then, setting aside a special time for your

significant other is an important part of a healthy relationship where you constantly work with one another.

“We try to make time to just sit together for a few minutes each day without doing something else,” Becker said. “(We have a) little area out in the back of the house where we can sit … (and) have a beer or something like that (which) works pretty nicely.”

In regard to their relationship as a married couple, the Beckers’ philosophy on maintaining a healthy marriage is simple.

“My only suggestion would be to … not try to assimilate to each other as much,” Becker said. “So many people try to feel like they have to approach everything the same way. We don’t approach things the same way and that’s OK. … The only times that we get in trouble is when there are things we’re afraid to talk about.”

Harrington Becker’s advice is similar.

“Always tell the truth. … The right thing to be doing is supporting each other,” Harrington Becker said.

Now, the age-old question: What do the Beckers do for Valentine’s Day? Harrington Becker mentioned that although they both are passionate about classical literature and are aware of St. Valentine, they do not do anything specific –– in fact, they celebrate Harry Potter’s birthday more than Valentine’s Day. For this particular Valentine’s Day, the Beckers commented that they will mostly stay at home, especially in light of the pandemic. When asked about their celebrations, Becker noted that the couple is happy with a simple meal of “chicken shawarma and a bottle of wine.”

Along with every couple, the Beckers have had their fair share of troubles during the pandemic.

“Everything is trickier, … (but we have) huge support from the departments and the chairs and our college

COURTES

Y OF THE

BECKERS

dean, but also huge support from each other,” Harrington Becker said.

So, Hokies, whether you are in a relationship or single, we all could take a page out of the Becker’s love story: the secret to a happy and fulfilled relationship is support and love.

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February 8, 2022 PAGE 5

My heart beats for you: The shocking stories behind famous love songs These classic tunes aren’t always what they seem. Read further to learn the truth behind some of the songs on your Valentine’s Day playlist.

ERICA KULBACK lifestyles staff writer

It’s Feb. 14: The fire is crackling, you’re eating a box of Russell Stover chocolates and you just trimmed a bouquet of red roses and placed them in a vase. You hit play on your Valentine’s Day playlist that’s full of your favorite love songs of all time. You catch yourself scream-singing “Hey There Delilah” and think to yourself, “Who on earth is Delilah?” From the Plain White T’s to Whitney Houston, so many artists sing about love and heartbreak in their lives, and all we get to hear is what they have to say about it in a threeminute song. I don’t know about you, but I want the full scoop.

“Hey There Delilah” by the Plain White T’s Plain White T’s guitarist and frontman, Tom Higgenson, wrote “Hey There Delilah” in 2006 about Delilah DiCrescenzo, a Columbia College graduate and cross-country runner. Unfortunately, the two never actually dated, meaning the long-distance relationship in the song was entirely fictional. Higgenson did tell DiCrescenzo about the song in hopes of wooing her, but she was already in a relationship.

In an interview with Columbia College Today, DiCrescenzo said, “When I’m at the gym, it’s (‘Hey There

Delilah’) playing; when I’m at the pool, it’s playing. Part of me wants to scream at the top of my lungs that it’s about me. Another part of me wants to cower and say it’s not.”

“Hey Jude” by The Beatles I always thought “Hey Jude” was a love song about a girl, but it turns out it’s a different kind of love song. In the summer of 1968, John Lennon started dating Yoko Ono and left his wife Cynthia and son, Julian. As a friend of the family, Paul McCartney went to visit Cynthia and Julian to see how they were doing and try to lighten their spirits. In the hourlong drive to their home, McCartney was inspired to write what later became “Hey Jude.”

In The Beatles Anthology by the Beatles, McCartney said, “I would always turn the radio off and try and make up songs, just in case… I started singing: ‘Hey Jules – don’t make it bad, take a sad song, and make it better…’ It was optimistic, a hopeful message for Julian: ‘Come on, man, your parents got divorced. I know you’re not happy, but you’ll be OK.’” McCartney ended up changing “Jules” to “Jude” because he liked the name Jud from the musical

“Oklahoma!”

“Layla” by Derek and the Dominos “Layla” was written in 1970 by Eric Clapton during his time as singer and guitarist for Derek and the Dominos. Clapton was inspired to write the song by a story about an Arabian princess who was forced to leave her true love when her father married her off (The Story of Layla and Majnun). So you might be wondering: Who is Clapton’s unrequited love? She happened to be Pattie Boyd, the then-wife of Clapton’s thenfriend, George Harrison. Seven years after “Layla” was released, Boyd officially divorced Harrison and went on to marry Clapton in 1979 (poor George). The couple lasted 10 years before divorcing.

“Every Breath You Take” by The Police The charming melody and simple rhymes may make “Every Breath You Take” seem

like a cutesy love song, but Sting claims he had different intentions when writing it in 1982. He emphasizes it is about jealousy and an intense obsession with a lover.

In an interview with BBC, Sting said, “The song is very, very sinister, and ugly and people have actually misinterpreted it as being a gentle little love song, when it’s quite the opposite.”

Sting also explained how he wrote the song in the midst of divorcing his first wife, Frances Tomelty, using songwriting as a coping mechanism . The cryptic aspect becomes more obvious when you listen for lines like, “Can’t you see you belong to me?” The Police’s “Every Breath You Take” became their biggest hit and is frequently used as a wedding song. continued on page 6

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PAGE 6 February 8, 2022

“I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston Despite what you may think, “I Will Always Love You” actually isn’t romantic at all. It was written by Dolly Parton in 1973. She wrote it for Porter Wagoner, her mentor and duet partner, when she made the decision to leave the duo after seven years of working together.

Wagoner believed Parton was making a mistake by ending their partnership, but

collegiatetimes.com Parton knew it was time for her to move on. Before leaving, Parton sang the song for Wagoner, leaving him in tears.

Nineteen years later, Whitney Houston was recording the soundtrack of “The Bodyguard.” This is where Kevin Costner had the idea for Houston to sing Parton’s song. Houston decided to use Linda Ronstadt’s version of the song as a template, which was actually missing a verse. When Parton heard that Houston

was using Ronstadt’s version, she immediately sent over the final verse that had been missing from the recording.

There were rumors of the two singers having a falling out after the cover, but they both rejected the rumors and only spoke positively of each other in interviews.

Hopefully, these insights didn’t ruin your favorite love song. Whether it was the love story you expected or not, these

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are still all awesome songs to listen to this Valentine’s Day.

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All the single Hokies: How to treat yourself right this Valentine’s Day This holiday is not just for those in committed relationships. Take some time for yourself using these tips and tricks.

SAM TULLY lifestyles contributor

Valentine’s Day: a day filled with love, baby angels and giant teddy bears. While that might sound wonderful to those in relationships, it can be hard to be single on Valentine’s Day. Sure, singles can remind themselves that Valentine’s Day capitalizes on guilt and bad chocolates, but that may not be enough. If you still can’t shake a longing to celebrate this day with someone special, you are not alone.

Before all of us lonely or heartbroken singles start feeling sorry for ourselves, it’s time for a reality check: being single can be wonderful. This might come as a shock to some of us, but the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. If you’re still unconvinced that being single on Valentine’s Day is the best gift you don’t know you have, here are some pieces of advice that can help make this day a little easier to bear.

Expand your horizons Is there a dance class you’ve been eyeing for a while that none of your friends have shown much interest in? What about that book that’s been sitting on your bookshelf that you swear you’ve never had time for?

Maybe you finally have an excuse to bingewatch that documentary that you saved months ago. Learning new things can be surprisingly fun when you aren’t doing it for a grade, so you might as well take advantage.

Retail therapy Let’s be real: funds are hard to come by. One of the biggest worries about Valentine’s Day for couples is how they’ll afford to celebrate. Luckily, us singles

don’t have to worry about that this year.

It’s perfectly fine to save your hard-earned cash — but if you have room in your budget, why not spoil yourself? If you’re looking for some take-out, try Green’s, Souvlaki, Italiano’s or Blacksburg No. 1. If you want to find some cute clothes, downtown’s 310 Rosemont, Fringe Benefit and Hello Gorgeous Boutique have got you covered. Take yourself on the best date ever; you deserve it.

Spread the (platonic) love A cheat code for having a great single Valentine’s Day is to hang out with friends.

You’re never really alone if you have some good friends to back you up. Think about sending them letters to let them know how much they mean to you, or gather up your other single friends to spend the day with.

Another great way to spread love is to give to others. This could mean donating some old clothes to Goodwill, volunteering at the Humane Society of Montgomery County or just holding the door for strangers.

Kindness is a gift that keeps on giving.

Take care of yourself If you do nothing else this Valentine’s Day, make sure to look after yourself.

During mentally taxing times, remember that taking part in self-care can make your days that much easier. Whether that means catching a few episodes of your favorite TV show, giving yourself a spa day, getting ahead on assignments or staying in bed for an extra 20 minutes, I encourage you to treat yourself like your own valentine this year. @CollegiateTimes

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February 8, 2022 PAGE 7

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Cheap and charming college date ideas Looking to impress that lucky someone you met at Sharkey’s last Saturday?

Here are some ideas to win over their heart while not breaking the bank.

EMELIA DELAPORTE lifestyles contributor

Most people who have never been involved with Virginia Tech would think that there’s nothing to do around here; they may assume that this is the most boring part of the state — being so rural and so far from cultural centers like Northern Virginia and Richmond — but these assumptions are wrong.

The New River Valley is bursting with things to do and see, and luckily for you on this upcoming Valentine’s weekend, the region can be super romantic and super cheap. Whether you’re taking out your significant other, hanging with friends or treating yourself this year, there’s something for everyone.

Welcome to your new view of the New River Valley.

Outdoors

First things first: get outdoors. The Blue Ridge is famous across the nation for its beauty and ecological riches. This is a ridiculously gorgeous and fertile area, even in the winter. Plus, there are few things more COVID-19-friendly than being out in nature. Here are a few examples of things you can do.

Close to home: The backyard of Blacksburg

Go for a stroll or a bike ride on the likely familiar 15 miles of the Huckleberry Trail.

Maybe this seems boring, but it’s really about the company.

Visit Virginia Tech’s very own Hahn Horticulture Garden. Free and on campus, the garden is open from dawn until dusk every day and spans almost 6 acres.

If you’ve never been to Heritage Community Park, now is the time to go. This Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources natural area is nearly 170 acres, boasting more than 100 species of birds. Hike the varying habitats and see what you’ve been missing.

When you have gas money

If you’re newer to the area, you probably haven’t heard of the Bottom Creek Gorge Preserve. This Nature Conservancyprotected area features the second-highest waterfall in Virginia and more than 5 miles of trails, all while being just around an hour

from campus.

Thirty minutes in the opposite direction from Bottom Creek Gorge is the regionally famous Cascade Falls. The Cascades is on The Hokie Bucket List and is perhaps more beautiful in the winter than the summer; if you’re lucky, it’ll be frozen.

Only a one hour drive away, America’s favorite drive is right in your backyard.

Look no further than a ride down the Blue Ridge Parkway for some scenic relaxation and a newfound appreciation for the region you call home. You can get on the road a few miles south of the iconic Roanoke Star and drive to your heart’s content.

Dining

Being comfortable enough to chill out and eat with someone is surely a sign of love.

If eating out is something that suits your fancy, check out these neat restaurants.

Close to home: Blacksburg Eateries

It’s not a weekend in Blacksburg without a visit to Benny Marzano’s — yes, pizza for Valentine’s. Benny’s is cheap, the slices are huge and it’s got ice cream.

Next Door Bake Shop is a funky self-described Asian fusion cafe featuring paninis, bubble tea, pastries and more.

Sugar Magnolia is not just the name of a Grateful Dead song — it’s also a fantastic ice cream parlor. Check it out on Main Street.

When you have gas money

That Cascades hike might make you mighty hungry. Luckily, there’s a cozy little cafe in the back of an outdoor gear store in Pembroke, the town before the trailhead.

Welcome to Cascades Cafe. This location is only a roughly 20-minute drive away.

Another charming downtown spot has a firm hold over the hearts of the people of Floyd. Enjoy live music, a homemade meal, ice cream, candy and knickknacks at the Floyd Country Store, around 45 minutes away.

This next spot is drop-dead romantic — not love-and-kisses romantic, but straightout-of-your-literature-class romantic.

The Draper Blooms Tea Garden is everything you need to play out your turn of the 19th-century fantasies, just approximately 40 minutes away.

Arts, culture and entertainment

Entertainment, arts and culture are not in short supply in the New River Valley, and it’s surprisingly affordable. Take a look.

Close to home: Blacksburg’s Cultural Scene

Everyone in Blacksburg has heard of the Lyric Theatre, even if they’ve never been.

Now is the perfect time to go and catch a movie. The Lyric is showing “Spider-Man: No Way Home”this weekend, Feb. 11–13.

If you have an interest in local history and culture, look no further than the Alexander Black House & Cultural Foundation. Free to the public and open five days a week, you’ll be enchanted by this out-of-place architectural structure.

In case you didn’t know, there’s an art gallery right on campus, tucked on the second floor of Squires Student Center.

Aptly enough, the current exhibit at the Perspective Gallery features love.

When you have gas money

If you’re looking for the happy intersection of video games and actually leaving your room, the Roanoke Starcade is an interactive museum with over 3,000 games.

Pay to enter, play for free.

The Floyd Center for the Arts, only an approximate 45-minute drive away, does indeed appear to look like a barn; it definitely isn’t.

For the perfect crossover of culture, food and the outdoors, check out the Salem Farmers Market. There’s nothing better than supporting NRV local farmers.

Photoshoot spots

Everyone loves a good photoshoot –– and if you don’t like being in photos, you likely enjoy taking them for the people you care about.

Close to Blacksburg

hom e:

Photogenic

The Pylons on Virginia Tech’s Drillfield aren’t just a great place to catch a sunset.

Whether you pose at the top of the landmark or the grass below, they make a great picture frame.

The “Live Fully” muralin downtown Blacksburg is a classic photo spot. You’ve

definitely seen it online.

The Duck Pond on campus is another notable photo spot. If the weather isn’t too cold, head on out — and please don’t feed the wildlife. Check out the National Geographic blog titled “Stop Feeding Ducks Bread” on why.

When you have gas money

Finally, here are some equally photoshoot-worthy spots a little farther from your typical Blacksburg landmarks, all just around one hour away.

The Roanoke Star on Mill Mountain is a gorgeous spot for pictures. Drive to the top and get more than photos — get a fantastic view.

There’s a particularly charming-looking bridge at New River Trail State Park. Take a chance to explore while you’re there.

The Blue Ridge Parkway features a number of interesting stops, including the historic Mabry Mill. Your stop may just be the Parkway’s next famous photograph.

Hopefully, something from this list catches your fancy. When you make memories, be sure to post them and support your NRV businesses and tourism spots.

Loving your college town and the area around it is a big part of succeeding where you’re planted — and planting the seeds of lifelong love.

@CollegiateTimes

PAGE 8 February 8, 2022

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I can’t get you out of my headline this Valentine’s Day.

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February 8, 2022 PAGE 9

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Your ultimate guide to mastering the five love languages Confused when your friends compare how they want to be shown affection?

Read this comprehensive and sarcastic guide to all things romance.

JAKE WALSH lifestyles staff writer

Mark your calendars; Feb. 14 is coming up. It’s Valentine’s Day, the one day that is truly important not to forget. You may have forgotten your partner’s birthday, anniversary or graduation, but you won’t forget Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day is not only the day to celebrate your relationship with the one who has stood by you even in your worst times, but also the day when you get to make up for how lousy of a significant other you’ve been for the last year. Nothing screams “great boyfriend” like a bouquet of “I’m Sorry” flowers and a dinner that costs so much you’ll have to take out another student loan. Sadly, even that won’t be enough for every relationship, because gifts aren’t the only love language. In order to be prepared for all love scenarios, you need to master the five all-encompassing love languages according to Verywell Mind. It’s a treacherous journey that only few have been able to master, but, you, too, can become the living avatar able to call upon the teachings of Cupid himself and wield whichever language you need to make your partner forget how terrible you’ve been and fall in love with you all over again.

Words of affirmation

Forget what your parents have taught you.

It’s 2022; things are changing and people don’t just like to only be complimented anymore.

You need to step up your game with Instagram posts. Make sure your #ManCrushMonday or #WomanCrushWednesday knows that they’re appreciated. Sometimes the weekly reminder isn’t even enough, and you’ll have to upgrade to #ManCrushEveryDay or #WomanCrushEveryDay. You may annoy your timeline, and you may even get blocked by some people you thought were your friends, but sometimes that’s what it takes. The way people speak in terms of affirmations has also changed in the past few years. Don’t just tell your girlfriend she’s pretty, tell her she looks “bussin’,” and just see how her eyes light up.

If your partner fits into the words of affirmation category, never let up. Keep your CPM (compliments per minute) up, and make sure they always remember how special they are to you. But, of course, simply telling your partner you love them every now and then is enough.

Quality time

Quality time is tricky because it involves giving your full, undivided attention to your partner, but sometimes all you can think about is that new “Spider-Man” movie you just saw.

In those situations, the most important thing you can learn is how to fake active listening in a conversation. Of course, sometimes you’ll be interested in what your partner is

saying, and in those situations it’s easy. Keep eye contact, stay engaged in the conversation and affirm what your partner is thinking, even if they’re wrong. If you’re not so into the conversation, here are a few tips.

Learn phrases like “Wow,” “That’s crazy” and “Tell me more” to interject during a silence to always stay engaged, no matter what your partner may be talking about.

Try to gently nudge a conversation towards a topic that is more interesting to you, for example: “Wow, your boss is a jerk; he kind of reminds me of that character from the new season of ‘Euphoria.’’’

Learn how to cry on command. If you can pull this off, your partner might think you’re so engaged that the conversation moved you to tears, or at worst, they’ll forget about what they were saying and try to comfort you.

Overall, these strategies can be avoided if you truly take the time to listen and set aside time with just the two of you. It really shouldn’t be hard if you’re with the right person.

Physical touch

If your partner’s love language is physical touch, you should be glad because this is an easy one. Nothing is better than relaxing on the couch after a long day and catching up

on the new episode of “Survivor” you missed. As long as you invite your partner over to cuddle, it will be a great night for the both of you. A great gift idea would be a pair of hand-holding gloves, so even when it’s cold, you can still hold each other’s hands. As long as you are there for your partner and comfort them when needed, it shouldn’t be too much to ask to hold their hand every once in a while.

roam free and have them come home to a clean house without having to do any work yourself.

Once a week, offer to do a chore for them. The trick is to do it infrequently enough that they’ll be grateful, but they won’t start expecting you to do it any more than that. Helping people generally makes you feel good, and if it helps the person you are with feel more loved, it’s a win-win.

Receiving gifts

Gift-giving in this day and age is easier than it’s ever been. Targeted advertisements will know what your partner wants better than you could. While your partner is away, scroll through their Instagram feed and look out for all of the advertisements; there’s a good chance there is something there that would make a very thoughtful, personal gift. Don’t just buy anything, though; the algorithms aren’t perfect, so use your discretion — I don’t think your partner needs Flamin’ Hot Cheetos branded flip-flops. It’ll always take at least a little bit of work on your part, but if you really know your partner, it should be easy. After all, it’s the thought that counts.

If you’ve learned anything from this article, I hope it’s that even though some of these less than ethical strategies may be easy, it’s generally even easier to put in a little bit of effort and show your partner how much they mean to you based on these five love languages.

Acts of service

The easiest way to accomplish acts of service is to find something that you and your partner both enjoy, so every time you do something for yourself, you can say it was for both of you. Try out new things. Maybe you’ll discover you have a love for cooking, so when you surprise your partner with a fancy dish one night, you can both enjoy yourselves. Buy a Roomba, so when your partner is out of the house, you can let it

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Your guide to the notorious drug store run, nightstand edition

editor@collegiatetimes.com

No matter what sexual health item you need around Feb. 14, the shopping trip can feel scary.

Continue reading for tips on creating a strategy through confidence and comedic relief.

CUPID & APHRODITE we’re just here to help

Editor’s note: This piece was written with satirical intent.

We’ve all been there –– love is in the air, you’ve finally achieved the perfect mood lighting with the TikTok-inspired LED lights in your room and you’re ready to give your partner of choice (or, perhaps, yourself) the best gift of all on Valentine’s Day. Alas, the excitement of the moment can quickly turn to disappointment when you go to look for that one crucial item and find it missing from your nightstand, forcing yourself to decide whether the potential fun is worth the nerve-wracking CVS run. As the self-proclaimed champions of awkward shopping trips, we’re here to help –– so follow along for our tried-and-true guide to shopping for everyone’s least favorite Valentine’s Day essentials.

Essential #1: Condoms One of the most empowering things one can do is take charge of their sexual health, especially during a time where they might be testing the hormone-infested waters moreso than usual: college! The first step to empowerment, for some, can be buying condoms to keep in a cool, dry place in your sexy dorm or apartment built in the 1980s.

Let’s be honest –– buying condoms can be extremely awkward and socially painful, especially when Walmart and Target have them caged up in clear, plastic boxes with locks and alarms on them in-store. And you never know who the sales associate is going to be who volunteers to open up the box of XL Trojan Variety Pack you’re only buying because all of the other options confuse you. Someone who may not know what their preferences are –– or if they have preferences at all yet –– will first succeed through finding a brand that is safest and most comfortable for their body. It’s best to know if you’re allergic or sensitive to any latex products or lubricants before purchasing condoms, and you can research different brands from the comfort of your own home before making the trek to Target.

If you don’t have a consistent partner you’re having sex with, it’s also helpful to purchase a variety of condom sizes. We don’t ever

want to hear the excuse that the condom is “too small to wear.” With this category, it’s best to brave the storm despite the potential pain you’ll experience at check out –– just remember that you’re taking charge of your own health … and pleasure. If enduring the awkwardness like any average shopper sounds too daunting, you can always go for the bold approach of being overly confident about your purchase to the point that it freaks out the people around you. Obnoxiously point out that yes, indeed, you are buying the largest size available –– but ribbed for their pleasure, of course, because you live and die by “Ut Prosim” –– “That I May Serve.”

Essential #2: Pregnancy tests Whether it’s for you, a friend or someone down your dorm hall you decided to do a favor for, the drug store trip to purchase a pregnancy test is often the most terrifying of them all for college women. Especially when shopping in a well-populated CVS or Walgreens near campus, you’re bound to run into someone you would rather not see with a pregnancy test –– or two, to be extra sure –– in your hand. Furthermore, you’re terrified of your mom seeing something along the lines of CVS-CLEARBLUE-02/28 in your debit card purchase history. Long story short, you’re paranoid and already afraid of the potential results of this about-to-bepurchased pee stick. We’re here to tell you that you are not alone and that more students are buying pregnancy tests than you think.

If you’re a bit more anxious about the situation, here are a few tips for making the pregnancy test run a little easier: first, go to the drug store at the crack of dawn, or right when it opens. It’s unlikely that most college students will be up and at ’em that early, and you probably won’t encounter long check-out lines. Grab a shopping basket and put a larger item or something loose to lay on top of the test while you shop around.

Worst case scenario, you tell the cashier you decided not to buy that bigger item when you reach the register. Unless the cashier is a peer of yours, they won’t care that you’re buying a pregnancy test. Go to the ATM the day prior and take out $20 so you only have to use cash for the transaction. This way, it’s impossible for your parent or guardian to ask why you spent $10.50 at Rite Aid on

a random Wednesday morning. Just tell them the cash deposit was for groceries or a gas payment. There are ways to navigate the shopping trip that will ease the already stressful situation, especially if you can’t ask a confiding friend to accompany you or help you make the purchase.

Essential #3: Birth control For those brave enough to sail the treacherous seas of IUDs, implants and shots, we salute you – but for the 14% of women using traditional oral contraception, the monthly trek to the pharmacy to pick up your prescription can be daunting in more ways than one. Nothing says “romance” like basking in the awkwardness of your male pharmacist refusing to make eye contact with you while asking if you have any questions. And who doesn’t love having to pronounce the utterly impossible name of your generic birth control? Your OB-GYN thought it would be exciting to challenge your pronunciation skills alongside your ability to down extra hormones promptly at 7:45 a.m. every morning. Forget easy-peasy names like “Yaz” or “Junel” –– try articulating the countless “-ones” and “-ates” and “-ols” all jammed into one tablet title.

As ominous as a prescription pickup may feel when you first get on the pill, the relief you will experience walking through those automatic doors and out to your car makes it worth it –– as does knowing you’ve made the extra effort to have safe sex.

Essential #4: Emergency Contraception Who are we kidding? Spending $50 on Plan B, often all by yourself if you’re purchasing discreetly or if your partner was rudely unwilling to pitch in after you both agreed to skip the condom “just this one time,” can really drain a college student’s wallet. Let’s avoid the drug store altogether and visit the lovely local Schiffert Health Center, where you can purchase Plan B at a “reasonable,” discounted price. You’ll be on your way back home from McComas Hall on Blacksburg Transit thankful that your college tuition may or may not have helped you during your time of need. Just make sure you bring your backpack with you to store the Plan B during your travel time –– that way the sweaty gym-goers aren’t making

assumptions about how your previous night went.

Essential #5: Vibrators The idea of entering an actual sex shop is still too terrifying for many to entertain, and purchasing toys online may not be an option for those of us still sharing credit cards and bank accounts with our parents.

However, whether we feel like it or not, we are adults here, and we’re above hiding among the anime merchandise at Spencer’s and peering at the sex toys in the back when we think no one’s looking. Luckily, Target, CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid and Walmart all offer some selection of sex toys, meaning you can instead suffer the same humiliation under fluorescent lighting with a much higher chance of running into your professor, crappy ex-roommate or Tim Sands. Our recommended approach –– throw on a pair of sunglasses and a big furry coat and channel your inner Carrie Bradshaw. Engage in a loud phone conversation with a friend where you proudly proclaim how sexually empowered you are and mention how it’s no big deal that you’re buying a vibrator at Target. Will it really make buying said product any less internally awful? Probably not. But at least it will spare you from truly embarrassing yourself by giving in to the temptation of pretending it’s “just a back massager.”

Essential #6: Lube As one of us can especially attest to, there are few experiences more cognitively frightening than buying lube at 8 p.m. on a Friday night in the Christiansburg Walmart.

While the smartest approach is probably to walk confidently to self-checkout without a care in the world, let’s be real: most of us are awkward, and that would be too easy.

A personal favorite is to mutter something about it being for a science experiment while trying to conceal the label as best you can and pretending you’re on the verge of shuffling off this mortal coil at any second if anyone were to acknowledge that you are having sex. @CollegiateTimes

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February 8, 2022 PAGE 11

Track and field team finds its rhythm before ACC Indoor Championships Virginia Tech broke multiple records this weekend.

GLEN RORIE sports staff writer

With almost three weeks left until the ACC Indoor Championships, the Hokies put forward various remarkable performances in their midseason grind at the Doc Hale Elite Meet on Feb. 4–5 and the JDL Camel City Invite on Feb. 5.

Day One

In the men’s 400-meter dash, junior Kennedy Harrison and redshirt senior Tyreke Sapp took first and second place, respectively. Harrison, in his first collegiate open 400, ran a 46.83. His time is the fastest time in the ACC this season, with Harrison taking second place in the Virginia Tech indoor track record book behind Jacory Patterson. Sapp ran his personal best of 47.72 seconds.

In another collegiate first, freshman Barbora Malíková won her first 800m dash with a time of 2:05.86.

Senior Cole Beck continued his win streak in the men’s 60m dash, taking the victory in final with 6.67 seconds.

Freshman Victoria Gorlova continued to impress in her young collegiate career; Gorlova won the women’s long jump with her personal best of 6.08m. This jump already slides her up to second place in the Hokies’ record book. Gorlova also stands fifth in the ACC in this event.

Junior Matt Mitchell ran a season best of 8.07 to take second place in a close 60m hurdles race. University of Tennessee sophomore Ethan Robinson won the race by two centiseconds.

On the field side, graduate student Rebecca Mammel and sophomore Sara Killinen took first and second in the women’s weight throw for the second time this season. Mammel had another personal best on this day, throwing 22.21m, while Killinen threw 20.86m.

Graduate student Alexios Prodanas placed second in the men’s weight throw with 20.83m.

Day Two

After a sensational sophomore year headlined by first team All-American Honors and a gold medal in the indoor ACC Championships in the 800m dash, junior Lindsey Butler held her own in the women’s 800m elite dash at the JDL Camel City Invite. Butler clocked in a 2:05.03; not only did she finish first among collegiate athletes in the race, but she also now has the fastest time in the ACC and NCAA this season.

The field athletes were the main story of the second day of the Doc Hale Elite Meet.

Graduate student Rachel Baxter continued to further her already-elite resume as she cleared her season best of 4.48m to win the women’s pole vault once again. Junior Georgia transfer Julia Fixsen took third place in the women’s pole vault. Fixsen completed 4.48m as well but took two attempts. The two ladies share the second spot in the NCAA and the first spot in the ACC. On the men’s side, senior Harrison Rice tied for first after clearing 5.16m and graduate student Jake Spotswood placed second in the event.

Like Baxter, junior Tyson Jones also recorded a season best in his event. Jones threw 18.74m to win the men’s shot put.

Multi-time ACC performer of the week, senior Essence Henderson placed second among collegiate athletes in the women’s shot put with 16.85. Graduate student Fiona Richards took third with 16.53m.

Graduate student Hailey Huston Myles won the women’s triple jump with a jump of 12.37m and senior Chauncey Chambers took second in the men’s triple jump with a jump of 15.95m. Though he did not win the event, Chambers did jump a personal best.

In the JDL Camel City Invite, senior

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Antonio Lopez Segura also had an outstanding day. Lopez Segura broke Virginia Tech’s 3,000m run record as he ran 7:49.03. After conversion, he has the fastest time in the ACC and second in the NCAA. Graduate student Seb Anthony finished second among collegiate athletes in the men’s 800m with 1:50 flat. After conversion, he takes the first spot in the ACC. Junior Chase Kappeler placed second among collegiate athletes within the women’s 3,000m run. In her first collegiate 3,000m, Kappeler ran 9:34.42, putting her 10th in the Virginia Tech record books.

Finishing behind her was junior Ava Hassebrock, who ran 9:35.53.

In the finishing events of the Elite Meet, the men’s 4x400m relay team won the relay with a season best time of 3:09.09, taking over fourth place in the Hokies’ record book after just running 3:09.41 a couple of weeks ago.

At the conclusion of these meets, the Virginia Tech track and field team will split up and travel to Clemson, South Carolina, for the Tiger Paw Invitational and to Lynchburg,

Virginia, for the Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational on Feb. 11–12.

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A weekend of sweeping for Hokie men’s tennis The Virginia Tech men’s tennis team defeated both rivals during its weekend series.

MARGARET ALLOCCA sports staff writer

On Friday, Feb. 4, the men’s tennis team faced Chattanooga and immediately after that match, Hampton University. Despite the enduring day of play, the Hokies defeated both teams respectively 7–0.

Michael Shepheard collected his first win of the season against Chattanooga.

All singles matches against Hampton played

by Ryan Fishback, Carlo Donato, Alberto Orso, Alex Ix and Matt Harper were completed in straight sets.

On Saturday, Feb. 5, the team faced Davidson and Richmond. The Hokies defeated

Davidson 6–1 and Richmond 7–0.

The Hokies impressively won all singles matches against Richmond in straight sets.

Alvaro Saez-Royuela Ariza, Fishback, Donato, Shepheard, Orso, and Ix competed for singles.

The team will be traveling to Tennessee to face Vanderbilt and Middle Tennessee on Feb. 11.

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Tale of two halves: Virginia Tech starts fast, holds off Pittsburgh Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh have a rematch set for Monday, Feb. 7, in Cassell Coliseum.

RIDGE WILSON sports staff writer

As well as Virginia Tech men’s basketball played and shot the ball in the first half against Pittsburgh on Feb. 5, the Hokies shot the ball poorly in the second half.

It came down to a few timely stops and scores deep into the second half, as the Hokies held off a furious comeback from Pittsburgh and escaped with a 76–71 win at the Petersen Events Center.

The win was the third straight for the Hokies, who shot 75% and made 10 3-pointers in a blistering first half, but went ice cold from the field after leading 49–22 at the half.

Despite shooting just around 38% in the second half, it was just enough for the Hokies (13–10, 5–7 ACC) to avoid becoming just the third team in NCAA history to lose a game they led by 27 or more points at halftime.

Pittsburgh cut the lead down to 74–71 with just seconds left, but Storm Murphy made two free throws at the end to seal the deal.

Sharpshooters Sean Pedulla and Hunter Cattoor struggled mightily, as well as Keve Aluma, but Murphy, Nahiem Alleyne, and Justyn Mutts carried the scoring load just

enough to finish off the lowly Panthers (8–15, 3–9 ACC).

The Hokies will rematch Pittsburgh in Blacksburg on Monday, Feb. 7, but considering their continued reliance on outside shooting, they must try to avoid replicating their second half performance if they want to sweep this doubleheader.

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