So, you’re going to be spending Valentine’s Day alone. What a bummer. Seeing all your friends with their significant others isn’t easy. You just wish that could be you. Even walking to class is a struggle because all you see are couples holding hands. No matter where you go you will be constantly reminded that it is Valentine’s Day.

You don’t have to drown your day in sorrow, though. Plenty of people will be spending the day alone, just as lonely and as pitiful as you! (Just kidding!) In fact, many don’t have a significant other to spend the day with but will still be able to enjoy the day and keep their dignity in tact.

“I plan on going to class on Valentine’s Day and drowning my sorrows in sweet chocolates,” junior Chris Hixson said.

Now if chocolate doesn’t do the trick for you, we have come up with a survival guide for singles. The most important thing for singles to remember is that Valentine’s Day isn’t just a holiday for couples, it is for everyone. Do not define yourself by your relationship status–it does not define who you are as a person.

? If you’re surviving a recent breakup, spend your time surrounded by the ones you love. Have a girls or guys night with your single friends! Rent some movies or go out to eat. Don’t dwell on the fact that you’re not with someone. Call home! Your mom loves you no matter what and everyone can take some comfort in that.

? Realize that Valentine’s Day is a commercial holiday. It’s another excuse for Hallmark to make some cards, for the chocolate companies to make crappy tasting chocolate in cardboard hearts, and for HyVee to make bank on dozens of roses. Cards get thrown away, chocolates make you fat, and flowers die, so who cares if you don’t receive a gift. Go buy that special something you’ve been eyeing, and treat yourself.

? Live up the single life! It’s wet Wednesday after all. Get a bunch of people together, single or attached, and go out for a night on the town, if you’re of age of course! Just don’t drink too much-remember you still have class on Thursday!

? If you are single now and don’t want to be, start now by thinking about ways to meet new people. Attend more campus activities and go out more often. When you surround yourself with people, you are less likely to think about not having someone and more likely to meet someone new. As the saying goes, love finds you when you least expect it!

? Go to Wal-Mart, spend a dollar or two and send all those little Valentine’s Day cards you used to get in elementary school to your friends (and even professors)! There’s no way that your time and effort in writing all those cute little cards will go unnoticed.

Now there is nothing wrong with having a partner on Valentine’s Day. This is not a bash to those who have a significant other. We’re just merely stating that a person doesn’t need to be in a relationship to enjoy Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day, after all, is just another day. Really appreciating your loved ones shouldn’t revolve around one day. I mean come on; if that were the case then we’d all be single!

“It’s just another day to me,” sophomore Rachael Lesan said. “Some people hate it and get all pissed off, but I don’t care. It’s not a big deal. I’m going to hang out with my friends who are bummed about it and have a good time.”

“I don’t really care about it at all, but I do like eating the candy,” sophomore Brady Thoronton said.

Single or attached, just remember, don’t take Valentine’s Day too seriously. Have fun with your significant other or go out with your single friends and have a good time. Valentine’s Day may be the day of love but remember it isn’t just the love between couples–It can be the love between friends and family too. Just remember, don’t stress out about this commercial holiday, you are saving a buck or more that can be spent on well, you!