We have finally reached the end of No Shave November. Girls everywhere can rejoice in the fact that no longer must they put up with some of the sad excuses for facial hair seen around campus, and guys like me no longer have to sadly admit, ‘Yeah, really, it’s been growing all month.’ And since you’re breaking out the razors anyway, now is a great time to get a new haircut.

Maybe your mom cuts your hair. Maybe you have a childhood barber (or stylist, if that’s your thing) who you swear knows your locks better than anyone. Or maybe you’re just trying to make a statement. More power to you.

But assuming you have a somewhat simple head of hair, most places around here will probably do a good job trimming it. Worst-case scenario, borrow some clippers and give your head the old ‘one on the side, two on the top’ routine. Girls, ignore that advice.

Once complete, there’s no telling where a new haircut can take you. The reason you didn’t get that internship last summer? It was definitely your hair. No second date? No other way to explain it than a bad mousse job. Not only will a snazzy new haircut put you in the zone, chief, but it can take any lazy day and make it passably productive. Sure, you didn’t go to the gym or study for your final, but you got a haircut, so lay off. If your mom asks you to go Christmas caroling over break, just tell her you need a haircut instead. Crisis averted.

Besides the inevitable attention it will bring you, even if compliments are a direct lie to your face, a new haircut is a great way to reinvent your image, surprise your parents and just look good again. Your head may be significantly colder, but you’ll raise the heat enough that those ugly Christmas sweaters will be off in no time.

— Compiled by Aaron Gould, asst. feature editor, akgould@syr.edu