On a college campus, it's relatively normal for people to sleep together before going out for dinner and a movie. It's not uncommon to kick off the covers with someone on Friday night and then have a bedroom romp with someone else on Saturday. But it's also routine to avoid this person and not speak to them again.

We hook up with people because when we're out drinking at the bars, hooking up with the hottie across the dance floor seems like the best idea. But the aftermath of a hook-up usually includes feelings of embarrassment, awkwardness and humiliation. Once the drunken haze settles and the sun shines through the bedroom windows, thoughts fly through your head: What did I do? Am I naked? Why am I on the West side?

If we put ourselves in these "fun" situations, then why can't we make the next morning just as fun as the night before? Whether you picked up a random at the bar, ran into someone from a class or hooked up with a friend, you're bound to run into this person again. Face the facts (he saw you naked), stand proud and say "hi" — it will give your night together more value and humor than an awkward gaze and a sprint in the opposite direction. Tonight you can be lovers, tomorrow go back to being friends.

In any hook-up situation, to avoid awkwardness, one should follow the Girl Scout motto: hold up three fingers and "Be prepared." Although you may feel embarrassed, here are some case studies of hook-up partakers and how they survived.

Note: Always have a wingman or woman to keep you safe and so you can escape a situation early if you aren't enjoying yourself.

Situation 1: You find yourself face-to-face with a class member after the fact. If Monday afternoon rolls around and you walk into your math class to see the guy you hooked up with over the weekend, suddenly feeling embarrassed for using the line, "Let's horizontally integrate at my place tonight," suck it up, laugh at yourself and smile. No conversation is necessary and you can sit on the opposite side of the lecture hall, but it will be more awkward if you don't say hello. This way, you don't have to be an asshole and spend the rest of your college career avoiding eye contact with him or her.

Situation 2: Last night was fun, but your hook-up's ex-girlfriend gave him a wake-up call early in the morning from outside his frat house. You are then forced to run out the back stairway because he promised he'd take her to Chicago and forgot in the heat of the moment. Instead of getting embarrassed over the situation, give her a dirty smile as you leave. Sometimes bras collide, and who got some booty last night? You did.

Situation 3: You just met your hook-up last night, while drunk, and he doesn't know your name. A little offensive? Sure, but do you even remember his? When a friend of mine hooked up with a guy, she was sure he didn't know her name, but didn't care because he was more than well endowed. Look on the bright side of the situation: that walk of shame back home in your hot-pink high heels and miniskirt might not seem so shameful if you have a big smile.

Situation 4: You wake up Saturday morning in your Ashley Olsen costume to find that you made out with Prince last night. Halloween weekend is approaching. Do yourself a favor and while you are planning your elaborate costume, think of what you'll look like dressed up the next morning in someone else's bed. To prevent awkwardness, make sure you can recognize "Prince" without the painted goatee and afro-wig. (And always have some extra cab money in your purse before you leave at night).

Even in costumed situations, instead of sprinting out of the house in utter embarrassment, the least you can do is say goodbye. Nothing will be more uncomfortable the next time you run into each other than if you didn't acknowledge the situation at all. If you run out of the bedroom frantically before she wakes up and send a text-message the next day, it doesn't count as recognizing the bedroom activities of the previous night.

Also be aware of running into roommates that you may know. Your hook-up's roommates might be crazy, someone you work with or an old one-night stand. Be ready to face anyone the next morning. If you work at a bar with his roommates and you walk downstairs together for breakfast, you may be greeted by a round of applause — sure to be followed by plenty of comments at work over the intercom system.

But if you are the one bringing a one-night stand home, be considerate of your roommates — make sure to keep track of him and claim him in the morning. If you are too embarrassed or too drunk to know who you slept with the next morning, your roommates are going to wonder who the random hairy, naked man is in the living room. They will be pissed. And they will embarrass him.

This weekend, when you are on the prowl for your next weekend catch, make sure to say hi to the old hook-ups you run into.

Aubre Andrus is a senior double-majoring in journalism and communication arts. She thanks her roommates at The Bunny Ranch for sharing their morning-after stories. She can be reached at [email protected]