Q: I kind of screwed up the first impression of my teacher, and now he hates me. How do I get off his bad side? -Not Teacher’s Pet

First impressions are important, but thankfully, they don’t have to be set in stone. Surprise, surprise: teachers have feelings too, and courtesy and friendliness go a long way with a teacher. Show that you care about the class: speak up and participate! A good course of action would be to visit the teacher during his office hours. Be upfront, own up to your past behavior, and really show him your dedication to the class. That should be enough for him to take you off his “Students to Fail List”.

Q: My ex recently emailed me, and we started writing emails back and forth. But now he wants to hang out and I’m not sure what I should do. -Just Wanna Be Friends

“The case of the ex” is always a touchy subject and one that requires much thought and consideration. I’m not sure how long or serious the relationship was, but it sounds like you are at least partially aware of the consequences should you two reunite. I say the best thing to do is to first meet somewhere neutral. Any Starbucks is a safe bet, because they’re everywhere, its public, it doesn’t cost much, and the conversation doesn’t have to last longer than a cup of joe. Beware of the power of the phrases, “I really miss you baby,” and “We were a great couple, weren’t we?” You may be tempted to run back into the arms of your ex, but please try to remember why you dumped the dirt bag in the first place.

Q: I’m thinking about transferring to a university next fall, but I’m not really sure what major I want or if I’m taking the right classes. -Undecided

Three words: see a counselor! It’s really easy to do, just drop in during the counseling hours, and meet with a counselor. They’ve seen it all, and they are a great resource for transfer information, and what courses you need to take. Also, a great site to check out is www.assist.org, which is a really helpful and easy to use website that covers all the different kinds of majors, universities, and transfer agreements between school (like De Anza). But seriously though, see a counselor.

To ask Loriza a question, email [email protected]