On Monday, the House Energy and Commerce committee released Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s prepared remarks for his hearing on Capitol Hill this week.

In March, Cambridge Analytica, the data analytics company that worked for Trump’s 2016 campaign, was suspended for stealing data from Facebook profiles of millions of US voters. Many people criticized Facebook for not being stringent enough with its privacy policies.

Related: A Firm That Worked With The Trump Campaign Allegedly Stole Private Data From 50 Million Facebook Users

In a Facebook post on March 21st, Zuckerberg said, “I’ve been working to understand exactly what happened and how to make sure this doesn’t happen again. The good news is that the most important actions to prevent this from happening again today we have already taken years ago. But we also made mistakes, there’s more to do, and we need to step up and do it."

Zuckerberg’s testimony on Capitol Hill will include an apology that he didn’t do more to prevent this breach of privacy.

“It’s clear now that we didn’t do enough to prevent these tools from being used for harm as well,” he will say. “That goes for fake news, foreign interference in elections, and hate speech, as well as developers and data privacy. We didn’t take a broad enough view of our responsibility, and that was a big mistake. It was my mistake, and I’m sorry. I started Facebook, I run it, and I’m responsible for what happens here.”

He will also explain the measures Facebook has taken and will take in the future to prevent another such occurrence. These measures include “building new technology to prevent abuse” and “strengthening our advertising policies.”

Zuckerberg is set to testify on Wednesday in front of the House Energy and Commerce committee. His full testimony can be found on The Washington Post.

Tuesday, April 10 marks 2018’s Equal Pay Day, a day dedicated to bringing awareness to the gender pay gap. The date marks the estimated number of days (from January 1) women must work to earn the same pay men did in 2017. Even though there are laws in the United States that mandate equal pay, it's clear that discrimination based on gender and race still occurs.

According to Vox, women make about 79 percent of what men make on average. The statistics are even worse when you break down the gap by race and ethnicity. 

"While this overall gender wage gap [the 79 percent] is an important statistical representation of how women take home less money in wages than men across the economy, it is important to consider the specific influencing factors: A number of different things, including race and ethnicity, interact to affect earnings," said the Center for American Progress. "When examining the wage gap for women of color, for example, it becomes clear that on average, women of color experience a much greater wage deficit than white women."

For example, according to HuffPost, in 2016, women on average were paid 80 cents for every dollar men earned, while "black women were paid 63 cents; Latinas, 54 cents for every dollar white men made." 

Overall, estimates say that it may take another 14 years to eradicate the wage gap.

This is why the National Committee on Pay Equity brings awareness to the pay gap each year with their campaign. The group encourages businesses to take a second look at their pay scales and helps individuals contact their congressional representatives to talk about the pay gap.

In addition to that, the NCPE encourages people to participate in WAGE Clubs, which give women a space to talk about evening out the gap. 

It’s been 22 years since the NCPE started bringing awareness to the wage gap with this day. Since then, hundreds of organizations have supported their efforts by staging their own equal pay awareness events. To learn more about Equal Pay Day, check out NCPE’s official website here.

Take a deep breath: former BFFs Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton REUNITED. The two were spotted talking at The Daily Front Row's Fashion Los Angeles Awards over the weekend.

They seemed to be all smiles, and E! News reports that in addition to chatting, Nicole and Paris shared a hug. 

There's no talking about the 2000s without mentioning Nicole and Paris. Their iconic friendship was constantly on full display in tabloid magazines, during red carpet appearances, and most notably, on their own reality TV show, The Simple Life.

Unfortunately, the two had a falling out in in 2005. While they ended up resolving their feud (and even filming another season of the show), their friendship never really went back to what it was.

In 2014, Richie told Andy Cohen on an episode of Watch What Happens Live that although she and Paris remain on good terms, they hadn't spoken for awhile. There have been a few instances between the two since then — including an Instagram TBT from Paris — but the recent spotting is the first public one in awhile. 

I sincerely hope Nicole and Paris are on good terms, and I'll forever continue to dream of a Simple Life reboot.

On Monday, the FBI raided the office, home and hotel room of President Donald Trump's longtime personal lawyer Michael Cohen. According to The Wall Street Journal, agents seized records including those related to a payment to a pornographic film actress — likely a reference to Cohen's $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels shortly before the 2016 election. 

The WSJ reported that the search was executed as part of an investigation by both the U.S. attorney's office in New York and the office of special counsel Robert Mueller. However, several law enforcement officials confirmed to NBC News that the search was not the work of Mueller's prosecutors. 

That didn't stop Trump from lashing out at Mueller, though. Speaking at the White House before a meeting with military commanders about Syria, Trump called the raid a "disgraceful situation" and an "attack on our country." According to The New York Times, Trump also "accused his own Justice Department of perpetrating a 'witch hunt' and asserted that the F.B.I. 'broke in to' Mr. Cohen’s office."

Cohen's payment to Daniels is reportedly only one of the reasons he's being investigated. 

Just last week, Trump denied having any knowledge of the payment. Daniels is still pursuing a lawsuit against Trump to void the nondisclosure agreement that Cohen arranged since Trump never signed it. 

17-year-old Lizzy Martinez said in a tweet that after deciding not to wear a bra with a t-shirt to school, she was pulled out of class because she was a distraction to boys.

According to BuzzFeed News, Martinez was directed to the dean's office where she was told that her nipples and breasts were "distracting" and causing a boy to laugh at her, therefore violating the school's dress code policy. 

What followed was even more ridiculous. 

"[School officials] had me put on a second shirt and then stand up and, like, move and jump around to see how much my breasts moved," Martinez told BuzzFeed News. "I was mortified."

She was then given four Band-Aids to put over her nipples. 

"They told me to cross out my nipples and I just went to the bathroom and cried," Martinez told BuzzFeed News. "I was in shock that it was such a big deal that I wasn't wearing a bra. Most days I don't wear one. It depends on my mood. I'm not wearing one right now, and why should it matter?"

Martinez later found out that after tweeting about what happened, her high school, Braden River High School, had blocked her on the social media platform.

Martinez's mom was outraged over the incident, which she called body shaming.

"[School officials] had to ask her to stand up and bounce her breasts around to show it was a distraction," she told BuzzFeed News. "So how was it a distraction?"

Since the situation garnered national attention, Mitchell Teitelbaum, the school district's general counsel, said that the situation was mishandled; however, there was still "a violation" of the dress code. The current code does not specifically address bras and undergarments, but the district is allegedly amending it to include a note about them.

Highlighters are a magical makeup product that can make you look young, dewy and flawless. Unfortunately, it can be virtually impossible to find the right highlighter for your skin texture and tone. While finding something worthwhile is always hard work, there are several easy tips to help you find a stellar glow.

How to apply your highlighter:

Most importantly, you need to know where to place your highlighter. Highlighters should be placed on the high points of your face, as well as places that you want emphasized. Urban Decay Beauty Advisor, Ebony, says, “When you’re highlighting, I recommend highlighting the tip of your nose, just above the cheeks, on the bone and your cupid’s bow.”

Other high points of your face can include the bridge of your nose, the arch of your brow bone, your chin and your forehead. However, placing the right amount of highlight in the inner corner of your eye is key to completing any look. After all, who doesn’t want their eyes to shine?

If you want to be extra, try brushing some highlight on your collarbones, the tops of your shoulders and the high points of your ears. Applying highlighter on these areas will help give you an effortless sun kissed glow, especially during the summer months.

Traditionally, highlighter is placed on the high points of your face after you've slapped on the rest of your face makeup. However, you can switch it up the order a bit. For a subtle glow, try adding your highlighter before you put on your foundation. If you’re using a powder or a cream highlighter, make sure you set your highlighter before you start beating your face. If you’re using a liquid luminizer, you can also mix it in with your foundation and apply a healthy amount all over your face for a dewy summer glow.

Plus, you can truly shine by using more than one highlighter. That's right, you don't have to commit to just one highlighter at a time. Layer on that glow! After all, holographic highlighters are still fetch right now. You can give your highlight more depth by adding a bit of lavender or blue highlight on your checks and your cupid’s bow…and the tip of your nose. Heck, why not all over your face?

Regardless of when you put on your highlighter (and how many you use), choosing where you place glow is your preference. If you have a naturally pointy nose, you might want to steer away from adding any strobe on the tip. Then again, you could love your pointy nose and celebrate it with some extra glow. But now that you know how you apply your highlighter, it’s important to choose the best kind for your skin tone and type.

Related: People Are Losing It Over the New Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit

Oily skin:

It might seem impossible to find the right highlighter when you have oily skin, especially when your T-zone is naturally glistening. Preparation is key to making your highlighter look less freak and more fleek.

Step 1:

Start with a clean slate. Make sure you wash your face to remove any unnecessary oils. And for the love of cosmetics, make sure you apply an oil-free moisturizer after you’ve cleaned your face. The Vitamin E Intense Moisture Cream ($22 at The Body Shop) is great because it keeps your skin hydrated and extremely smooth, which makes foundation look immaculate. Plus, it's vegan and cruelty-free.

Also, don’t forget to lock in that moisture barrier with a vitamin-C based serum. After all, a great skincare routine is the best way to start any makeup look.

Step 2:

Time to prime. Like your moisturizer, your primer should also be oil free. To prevent that midday wet-face look, make sure you find a matte pore minimizing primer, like the POREfessional face primer ($31 at Benefit Cosmetics) which is a favorite.

Step 3:

It’s time to actually put on your highlighter. Powder highlighters are best for oily skin because they help to soak up excess oil, preventing you from blotting later in the day. When applying your highlighter, make sure you don’t use too much. Excessive powder highlighter (or powder in general), can give you some major cake-face. If you have textured skin, it can also overemphasize your skin’s texture. Anastasia Beverly Hills' Glow Kit ($40 at Anastasia Beverly Hills) in that glow is a very versatile for nearly every warm skin tone. Don't just take our word for it, beauty bloggers everywhere are mesmerized by Anastasia's Glow Kits.

Combination skin:

If you have combination skin, your checks and chin are likely the dry portions of your face, while your T-zone is typically oily. Using a powder highlight on your cheek bones or your chin will only make the dry portions of your face look parched – and nobody wants to look thirsty. Instead, try a cream-based stick highlighter or liquid highlighter on these areas. Alex McGuire, an Iowa State University alumnus says, “I really like stick highlighters. They keep a high amount of pigment where I want it, while allowing me to blend it out easily with my fingers or a brush.” McGuire's loves using the MegaGlo Makeup Stick in ($3.99 at Wet n Wild Beauty), because it gives her glow a smooth finish.

Dry Skin:

Because powder and creamy highlighters can make your skin look cakey and emphasize its natural texture, liquid highlighters are the best way to make your glow pop. Using your fingertips to blend out a liquid product will help give your glow a smooth finish because it will help warm up the pigment. Davidson College Sophomore Claire Biggerstaff says, "One of my absolute favorites is Becca Cosmetic's Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid Highlighter in Moonstone ($41 at Becca Cosmetics). I use it on my cheekbones, tip of the nose and cupid's bow for the kind of natural, lit-from-within glow that a lot of powder highlighters can't do!"

However, skin doesn’t just stop at being oily or dry, which is why it’s important to find a highlighter that compliments your skin tone as well as your undertones.

Related:Becca’s Amazing New Highlighter Fits Every Skin Tone

For light skin tones: 

Light pink and silvery highlighters tend to flatter lighter skin tones. However, if you have naturally red hyperpigmentation or pink undertones, then you might want to elect for a highlighter with a silver hue. That way you don’t draw attention to any red areas of your face.

1. NYX Duo Chromatic Illuminating Powder

The NYX Duo Chromatic Illuminating Powder ($8 at NYX Cosmetics) is a great powder option. Not only is it affordable, but it also comes in twilight tint, which is a silver color, and snow rose that is just as it sounds…rosy. Plus, it’s easy on the wallet.

2. Milk Holographic Stick

While advertised as a holographic highlighter, the Milk Holographic Stick ($28 at Milk Makeup) is an extraordinary creamy highlighter for pale skin tones. Plus, it works as a great lavender highlighter for medium and dark skin tones that can be layered so an iridescent glow

3. Benefit Cosmetics High Beam Liquid Face Highlighter

My personal favorite for a liquid highlighter is the Benefit Cosmetics High Beam Liquid Face Highlighter ($26 at Benefit Cosmetics). Plus, it’s get for layering powdered highlighters on top of it for some additional glow.

For medium skin tones:

Lighter golden and peach pigments work remarkably well for medium skin tones.

1. Naked Illuminated Shimmering Powder

Ebony has a powder highlight that she swears by:  “I personally love the Naked Illuminated Shimmering Powder For Face and Body.” While the Urban Decay highlighter ($32 at Urban Decay) also has a great pigment for lighter skin tones, the best shades for medium skin tones are either aura or lit.

2. Maybelline FaceStudio Master Strobing Stick Illuminating Highlighter

As for a cream-based product, the Maybelline Facestudio Master Strobing Stick Illuminating Highlighter ($9.99 at Maybelline) in medium-nude glow is an excellent option if you have any olive undertones. Also, it’s very affordable, which is always a positive.

3. NYX Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator

The Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator in gleam ($7.50 at NYX Cosmetics) provides an amazing shimmer that compliments yellow undertones. Plus, the gold champagne shape works best for yellow undertones. McGuire says, "it gives me a great bronzy finish for all over usage."

For dark skin tones:

Bronze and golden highlighters compliment your skin tone the best. However, a rose gold highlighter will also add a superb highlight to your cheekbones. While light to medium skin tones can get away with using more translucent highlighters, highlighters with lush pigmentation will help your skin shine. Literally.

1. Bobbi Brown Highlighting Powder in Bronze Glow

The Bobbi Brown Highlighting Powder in Bronze Glow ($48 at Bobbi Brown Cosmetics) is a smooth highlighter that creates an effortless sheen.

2. Cover FX Enhance Click Highlighter

For a cream-based glow, tryCover FX Enhance Click Highlighter ($18 atCover FX) in either gilded or candlelight. The creamy highlighter, which has been featured in Spill the Beauty, is perfect for warm undertones.

3. L’Oreal True Match Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator in Golden

L’Oreal True Match Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator in Golden ($12.99 at L’Oreal Paris) is an excellent chose for a liquid highlighter. Not only does this specific highlighter feel practically weightless, it’s very friendly to a college student’s budget.

How to fake a highlight

Regardless of how you glow, you don’t have to use actual highlighters to light the beacons. Ebony explains that Urban Decay’s “Pink Naked Skin Color Correcting Fluid ($28 at Urban Decay) also makes a wonderful highlighter.” Another shimmery highlighter decoy is Pigment by MAC ($22 at Mac Cosmetics).
The color correcting fluid might be best for lighter skin tones, but there are alternative pseudo-highlighters. An iridescent eyeshadow can replace the highlighter in your makeup routine. Plus, most eyeshadow brands have powder, cream and liquid options available in at least a couple of dozen shades, which is perfect for those days that you want to customize your own rainbow highlighter look. If you’re a low-key makeup artist who can blend out pigment like Barry Allen, then you can also use a shimmery matte liquid lipstick. Still, if you can’t find the ideal highlighter or highlighter-wannabe, you can also make your own.

While makeup in general is a difficult skill to master, highlighters are particularly tricky (mostly because it can be challenging to restrain yourself from bathing in it). Surely, these types will help you determine the right highlighter for your skin type and skin tone. Regardless, where and how you glow and is entirely up to your discretion. If you want to practice a full-face using only highlighters, then by all means do it!

Good morning Her Campus! With a break-neck news cycle, there is no possible way for you to stay on top of every story that comes across your feeds—we’re all only human, after all.

But, life comes at you fast. So grab a cup of coffee and settle in for this quick and dirty guide to stories you might’ve been sleeping on (like, literally. It’s early.)

The Pentagon Released New Details About Sending Troops To The Border

Last week, President Trump signed a proclamation to send National Guard troops to the United States-Mexico border. Now, the Pentagon is offering details about what the troops will (and won't be) doing. 

Lt. Col. Jamie Davis, a Defense Department spokesman, told The Washington Post that troops will "provide air support through drones and light-, medium- and heavy-lift helicopters."

"[Troops] will also help maintain roads and other infrastructure, clear vegetation and assist with facility maintenance, in addition to operating surveillance systems, including cameras and blimps," Davis told the Post.

However, troops won't be arresting migrants or carrying out armed patrols. Details regarding the operation's length and cost haven't been released.

Nikki Haley Said Russia's Hands Are "Covered In The Blood Of Syrian Children" After Chemical Attack

Though President Trump has yet to make a decision regarding how the U.S. will respond to a chemical weapons attack on Syria that occurred over the weekend, U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley strongly condemned Iran, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Russia; the latter of which she said has its hands "covered in the blood of Syrian children."

"Russia could stop this senseless slaughter, if it wanted," Haley said at a special meeting of the United Nations Security Council. "But it stands with the Assad regime and supports it without hesitation. What's the point of trying to shame such people? After all, no civilized government would have anything to do with Assad's murderous regime."

Haley said that the United States will respond. "History will record this as the moment when the Security Council either discharged its duty or demonstrated its utter and complete failure to protect the people of Syria."

Read more of her remarks here.

The Government Is On Track To Have A $1 Trillion Deficit In 2020

The prediction of the rising deficit came from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office on Monday. 

"The federal budget deficit grows substantially over the next several years," said CBO Director Keith Hall, according to the Washington Post. "Federal debt is projected to be on a steadily rising trajectory throughout the decade."

In fiscal 2018, the deficit is expected to hit $804 billion, which is up 21 percent from 2017.

What to look out for...

Today, April 10, is Equal Pay Day. Her Campus broke down everything you need to know about it here.

If you’ve ever googled “first time sex tips” or “how to tell if he likes me,” then you’ve likely ended up on an article from Cosmopolitan or read something produced under the direction of Joanna Coles, chief content officer at Hearst Magazines and highkey dating guru.  

As one of publishing’s biggest stars and someone who’s regularly center stage in women’s media, it’s easy to lose track of the fact that Joanna is chock full of all the essential, everyday sex and dating advice that college women crave, picked up from her years of experience serving at the helm of Cosmo as editor-in-chief. Now, access to the mass reserve of Joanna’s relationship advice just got easier with the release of her book, Love Rules: How to Find a Real Relationship in a Digital World (which you can pick up on Amazon here).

Described as “a diet book for romantic relationships,” Love Rules compares resisting junk food with avoiding partners and dating habits that are bad for you. Joanna talked to Her Campus about how college women can utilize her love rules when navigating everything from swiping right to closing the door on an old love.

This interview has been edited for length.

Her Campus: What was the most significant thing you discovered while writing Love Rules?

Joanna Coles: One of the things that most alarmed me was that people are finding dating – which should be really fun – fraught and confusing. Also, that we have in society stopped prioritizing real relationships as an important part of our psychological nutrition. Instead, we spend a lot of time trying to build up audiences of fans and followers and Facebook friends, and behave as if they have the same value as a real relationship – which we know they don’t. An online partner is not the same as an actual partner, and online communication, even if it’s funny and flirty and fabulous, is not as valuable as a real conversation.

HC: In Love Rules, you emphasize continuously that dating apps are convenient, but just not comparable for meeting someone in person. Can you speak more to this?

JC: They’re not. The thing is that they are incredibly useful for connecting people, but they are connecting tools, they are not an end in itself. The amount of time that I have seen young women and men, and older women and older men, wasting on these fancy relationships online, especially when you’re texting back and forth – and the person may be a very entertaining texter – but it’s not going anywhere if you don’t speak on the phone or you don’t meet in person.

HC: What do think is one of the more important aspects of building an online dating profile to get those connections later in real life?

JC: I’m not saying the physical photo of somebody is not important, but what you want to look for is how they are expressing their values, and how you are expressing your values. In the end, that’s the connective tissue that will allow you to create an important relationship... You’re looking for people that have got similar interests, people who are active, people who seem to be in an appropriate place in their life and that speak to you in words that you would use.

HC: Out of the 15 love rules, what is the one rule you feel women should be prioritizing the most?

JC: I do think “clearing out your cupboards” and not sleeping with an ex are really important. It’s this idea that you can somehow simmer people on the back burner... and then re-engage with an ex when you feel like it over a weekend if you’re feeling lonely. These are not good habits to get into, and they stop you from moving forward.

It’s already very hard to close the door on the relationship, and it’s impossible to stop staying connected with someone because we’re all connected online. It’s easy to follow what someone is doing, and it’s easy on a low moment to text them or to start following them on one of their social media channels, and actually, that makes it even harder to get over someone.

HC: How should women who want to go about building real, authentic relationships approach hook-up culture during college?

JC: This is my comparison to fast food: I really do think the hook-up culture is like french fries; that it’s delicious in the moment, but it leaves you with an aftertaste... and it’s essentially emotional calories. You have to go into a hook-up very clear of what you want out of it. If you’re the kind of person that could go into a hook-up and be absolutely fine knowing that you may never see this person again... then that’s okay. But it’s hard for hook-up sex to be good... because you don’t know each other’s bodies so you don’t know what turns each other on.

Over the long haul, sex usually gets better when you have a degree of trust with someone because you can build up the communication tools to tell someone what you like. Hook-up sex might be energetic sex... but it’s unlikely to be very satisfying because you don’t know each other, and this is a bit of a risk...

You also need to be really honest about why you’re having the hook-up, and if it’s just to have a bit of physical fun, that’s fine. But if what you actually want is a bigger connection, then it’s unlikely you’re going to get it from a hook-up—especially with a random stranger.

HC: For rule 14, you talk about pinpointing a relationship role model. In your personal life, who has been your relationship role model?

JC: I think it’s changed over time. I’m still figuring out who my relationship role models are. My parents are still married and have been married 54 years. I don’t necessarily want their marriage, but I’m impressed by how they’ve pulled it off... So probably my parents, and my grandparents who were very happily married.

As you get older you appreciate the longevity of relationships more. I have a few friends that I’m sort of impressed with the way they’ve held it all together. But I think throughout your life it changes, as you go into different stages and if you have children, you realize that you want different things out of different people.

Order your copy of Love Rules now, and follow Joanna on Instagram to keep up with her latest adventures. 

If you’re looking for something new to binge-watch, you need to seriously consider Imposters. The show's first season is currently streaming on Netflix, and according to cast member Marianne Rendón, it’s chock-full of twists and turns, surprises and gasp-worthy moments. Imposters' second season just premiered on Bravo on April 5, so you don’t have much catching up to do! You can catch Imposters on Bravo every Thursday night at 10/9c.

Her Campus recently spoke with Rendón about her experience playing Jules Langmore, working with renowned actress Inbar Lavi and studying the art of acting at the collegiate level.

Her Campus: Season 2 of Imposters premiered on April 5, what can we expect from the coming episodes? Would you say this season lives up to the first?

Marianne Rendón: I think 100 percent the second season will live up to the first. It gets very different in some ways to the first season that you see us doing even more unexpected things, but I think it's very similar to the first in that there's constant twists and turns at every corner. You can expect to see us continuing to be on the run with this ring in our possession and trying to figure out what to do with it and how to sell it. We find ourselves in Scottsdale, Arizona, which is Richie's hometown, and he gets us involved with some pretty sketchy characters as we attempt to sell the ring for as much as we can. In the most Bumbler fashion we know, it doesn't go as planned.

HC: Your character, Jules Langmore, is both a con artist and the victim of a con. Have you been able to relate to her at all? Do you enjoy playing a character that walks a fine line between moral and immoral?

MR: Yes to all of the those things. I was really interested in telling stories about people who are very quotidian and seemingly normal, the very everyday folks who are trying to make their way into the con world. I like all of the Bumblers' different relationships to the con. You'll see Jules go through a lot of shape-shifting character roles. She'll do some role playing. She'll become different characters. I think that element as an actor was the most fun for me because we're constantly trying to transform ourselves into different people.

HC: When you auditioned for this role, how did you prepare?

MR: I think what's important about this show was the rhythm of the language and the rhythm between the Bumblers. I read the script, and I made sure I was working on her sharpness and how quick she was. She vibrates at a very high frequency as you can tell in the first season. I was living within that high energy. She's also very sarcastic and very witty, and I relate to some of that sarcasm and self-deprecation.

HC: What’s it like working with Inbar Lavi? Have you grown close over the two seasons?

MR: Yes. Inbar is an incredible actress, and she gives so much when she's working with you. She's very present and intense, and she's one of my favorite people to work with on the show because her focus is very electric. There's some really interesting tension that happens between Jules and Cece and Maddie in the first season, and you'll see a lot of that intensity between them in the second season as well.

HC: You went to both Bard College and Juilliard. What degrees or programs of study did you pursue there?

MR: Bard is a liberal arts college, so we're required to study a lot of the humanities and writing. It was a writing-based program, but I focused on theater throughout. It was an incredible program. We had a lot of interesting artists that came through. I was doing a lot of performance art and a lot of dance. I was originally a dancer from childhood until I was pursuing modern to flamenco. I had my hands in a lot of different pots in the liberal arts college. I realized at the end of my study that I really wanted to be an actor, and I knew that I needed better training, so I auditioned on a whim to Julliard. It's the only prep school for acting I auditioned for, and I think I wrote my essay for it the night before it was due. It was more of a dare to myself if I was going to go for it. I ended up auditioning for it, and it's a very intense audition process—it lasts over four months.

HC: What were the most important lessons you learned during your time as a student?

MR: I think in terms of my undergrad and being exposed to so many different things within the humanities—different philosophers, different artists visually, musicians, things that influenced me very much as an artist and opened up my fear of artistic aesthetic choices—helped me to hone in on what I really wanted to pursue professionally. When I was at Juilliard, I just think there's so much time spent on one thing—yourself—and it's very monastic in some ways. It's 14-hour days at school, so it made me really aware of my strengths as a performer and confidence, which is so essential to longevity and performing. I think it made me a much better person in that it made me confront a lot of my insecurities and a lot of things I don't like about myself and to make peace with that. It's a lifelong journey, but I think it started within the work at a pretty young age.

HC: Do you think it’s important for young women aspiring to be in the entertainment industry to study their craft at the collegiate level?

MR: I'm not sure. I think it's so individualistic. I know plenty of actors and actresses who have not studied and didn't need to and are very interesting performers for that reason. I think that if you're eager to go immediately into a conservatory program without really knowing what you want, it can be dangerous and detrimental as an artist. I think what I would tell a lot of young women is to expand your horizons and try to absorb as much information as you can about other subjects because essentially that's going to make you a better actor. When you really want to continue to pursue acting and continue to practice, you can role play things with you friends and audition for stuff, but it's not essential to study acting on a collegiate level to be a good actor. It was for me because I think I was eager to practice, and I wasn't quite confident enough to get out in the world without knowing myself on that level.

Harry Potter, the book series that so many of us have been obsessed with since our adolescence, is getting an upgrade with a bit of a makeover. The first in the franchise, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, which was released on June 27, 1997, rang in its 20th anniversary last year. In 1998, the book was then reintroduced in the U.S. as Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Seven books, and our whole lives later, the series is still thriving in popularity. It may be the only novel we read as children that is also frequently assigned as a teaching tool in college.

To celebrate its anniversary, this year the Harry Potter novels are being re-released by Scholastic with brand new covers. Brian Selznick illustrated the seven cover designs for Scholastic, all different and significant for the book it covers, yet cohesive with one another. 

“I’m a huge Harry Potter fan (a proud Hufflepuff!) and to be asked to illustrate the 20th anniversary edition covers was an absolute honor,” Selznick said in a statement, according to Entertainment Weekly. “I knew this project came with so much responsibility to the stories, as well as to the readers. I revisited the books and was especially moved by the relationships between the characters in J.K. Rowling’s magical world, so I wanted these covers to reflect that. One of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of the process was drawing seven independent covers that would stand on their own, while making sure that they also lined up to create one single satisfying image. It took dozens and dozens of sketches to get it right, and I am thrilled to share my great love for the books with these new illustrations.”

Earlier this year, books with house-themed covers to represent the novel’s school houses, were released by Bloombury, as announced on Harry Potter’s online world, Pottermore. The covers came in house colors, as well as black with stripes of the colors. These covers, while pretty, only came with options for the Philosopher’s Stone and Chamber of Secrets novels. Now, readers will have the chanve to enjoy the two decade old series with reinvigorated style.

We can't wait to get our hands on these new Scholastic paperback versions—even if the originals are still on our shelves.

Laverne Cox is making us all swoon with her modern day dating dream-worthy relationship. The Orange Is The New Black star shared a photo of herself and her new boyfriend via Instagram Stories, making it official as we do in the social media age.

Cox added 14 heart emojis to the image, where we see the happy couple in bed. “I’m in love. It’s incredible, it really is. It’s like love is so incredibly healing,” she told Access Hollywood last month. How sweet!

Not only did Cox debut her new relationship (which has been reportedly going on for about nine months now) in the most relatable way, but also explained that she met her boyfriend the same way so many other couples meet—on Tinder. Despite the stigma of online relationships, Cox claimed she couldn’t imagine dating without it. “I’m a Tinder girl," she revealed to People. When I broke up with my ex, I went back on Tinder, because I feel like if you want to date, you have to be on the apps. You have to be on the apps to be in the game." 

While Tinder is often thought of as more of a place for hookups than relationships, the actress and her beau give us hope that you can find a real relationship on a dating app. It’s the hope we need really. It’s not like it’s easy to find a S.O. in real life these days. Cox hasn’t revealed much about the man who has stolen her heart is, but we are already in love with the couple.

Cox previously opened up about the struggle of dating as a trans woman, telling Attitude magazine“the problem is that people disavow the womanhood of trans women so they assume the male partners are gay." While our world is nowhere near perfect, this queen’s relationship serves as a reminder that relationship troubles can be overcome regardless of sex and gender, and gives us hope for a more open and understanding dating pool in the future.

Whether you’ve been dating for years or have only been exclusive for a few months, there may come a point when you start questioning your relationship with your SO. The act of questioning your love for a particular person can be the first sign that you are considering ending it. This can be heartbreaking, yes, but sometimes it’s necessary. We understand ending a relationship is never easy, which may prolong your decision to do so, but it’s important to learn to be honest with yourself and the person you’re with.

Here are some questions to think about if your relationship isn’t turning out the way you had hoped.

1. What does my future look like with my partner?

It can be intimidating to think about the future, but usually if you’re with the right person, it’s a topic you’re both eager to discuss. College is a time for personal growth, trying new things and exploring the endless possibilities that await you in the real world. It only makes sense that people change as they get older or dedicate themselves to new paths. Healthy relationships involve individuals that are able to grow together. They support one another and encourage them to enjoy themselves, knowing at the end of the day their love is strong enough to last through it all. You shouldn’t feel like your partner is holding you back in any way.

Lindsey Allen, a senior at the University of New Haven, expresses the importance of discussing the future of your relationship. “If one of you wants to travel the world and the other would like to stay in his/her hometown forever, that's a serious conflict,” she says. “Determining whether you and your SO have the same goals in mind is a big step in figuring out whether or not the relationship will actually last.” It’s scary to admit you might be in a dead-end relationship, but thinking about the future is the first step to determining how to make your dreams a reality. You shouldn’t be with someone who makes you feel limited — end of story.

2. Are my needs being met?

This is a question that’s necessary at any point in a relationship. Dedicating your time and love to another person is a big commitment, so you should make sure you’re getting treated the way you deserve to be. This doesn’t mean your partner should change who they are for you — that’s never a good solution. It’s simply important to revisit how you and your SO are treating one another as the relationship grows. Are you still speaking kindly to each other? Do you feel supported and loved? Are you proud of the relationship you’re in?

People have different expectations when it comes to their relationships but desiring respect, trust and happiness should resonate with everyone. Hailey*, a senior at Emmanuel College, explains her experience when she realized the person she was with wasn’t enough for her. “It took me awhile to gain self-confidence,” she says. “But once I did, I realized my worth and realized I could be with someone who was actually what I wanted.” If you don’t feel appreciated in your relationship, then it’s not worth your time anymore. Being single is better than being with someone who doesn’t treat you right, no matter how many years you have been with them.

Related: What Really Happens When You Hook Up With a Friend

3. Am I still in love with my partner or just the idea of them?

Many couples seem to fall into a routine the longer they’ve been together. If being with someone feels more like a comforting habit than being in love, it’s time to reconsider. More importantly, if the only reason you’re still with someone is because the act of breaking up with them is too daunting, then you shouldn’t be with them. It’s not fair to yourself or your partner to stay in a relationship because you’re scared of being alone. Therefore, so many women express the importance of being happily single before you enter a relationship. The person you’re with should add to your already secure life — they shouldn’t feel like a crutch.

Megan Lambert, a junior at Emmanuel College, shares some insight into her recent breakup. “The decision was not at all easy. But I realized what I would miss out of the relationship wasn’t his personality but rather the idea of being in a relationship — and that wasn’t okay or fair to either of us.” It can be difficult to reflect on the current state of your relationship, especially after years of being with someone, but it’s how you know you’re truly where you want to be.

4. Why am I in this relationship?

This seems like an easy enough question to answer, right? It’s usually good to ask yourself this once the “honeymoon phase” is over. Love is blinding; this is true. But when it really comes down to it, you need to be able to answer this question honestly. Are you head over heels in love? Wonderful! Does your partner bring out the best in you? Even better.

Being honest with yourself can be extremely difficult because you might not always like the answer. Be sure to take a step back from your relationship and evaluate it. Hopefully this will leave you feeling even more appreciative for the person you’re with. On the contrary, if asking yourself this question reveals more heartache than you expected, talk it through with your partner. Being in a relationship means being able to confide in one another — about anything. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, then you should rethink where your relationship is headed.

5. Will I be happier without this person?

Happiness seems to be the ultimate goal in life. Who wouldn’t want to live blissfully every day? Many people find themselves seeking happiness through relationships. However, it’s important to remember the most vital relationship is the one you have with yourself. Chances are you’re with your SO because they make you happy. Ask yourself, is this still true? If you can see yourself living a happier life without your partner, then it’s time to end it.

Rachel Petty, a senior at James Madison University, agrees this question is a must-ask. “If the answer is yes [you’d be happier alone], it's clear that it's time to end the relationship. There's no reason to hold onto something if it's for comfort,” she says. “You have to do what's right for you and you only!” We couldn’t agree more. If you’re not with someone who adds positivity to your life, then why waste your time with them? All relationships go through ups and downs, but if the downs become a constant, you need to take action for the sake of your own happiness.

6. What does this relationship bring out in me?

Your partner should help to bring out the best in you. This can come from their love and support, which encourages you to be your ultimate self. They should make you happy, which helps you maintain a positive outlook and take on challenges knowing you have someone cheering you on. Your partner should make you feel comfortable with who you are and you should be excited to do the same for them.

Lindsey expresses the importance of being with someone who makes you feel good about yourself. “Does being with this person bring out the best in you or the worst? How do you feel when you're with them? If they make you feel stressed or unfulfilled, that's a key sign that things should end.” You shouldn’t have to consistently worry about what your partner will think of you. All relationships require compromise, yes, but you should never have to hide who you are to fulfill someone else’s expectations or ease their insecurities when it comes to trust. Be your true self, and the right person will love even your most difficult qualities.

7. Am I treated with respect/do I respect my partner?

Finally, one of the most important aspects of a relationship: respect. Being with someone you respect and admire is key to being in a healthy relationship. You should be proud of the person you’re with and the way you two interact. If you’re making excuses for who they are or hiding parts of your relationship from your friends, that’s not okay. You deserve to be respected, and you deserve to be with someone who you can respect too.

Knowing your self-worth is one of the greatest ways to ensure you’re being treated properly. If you have low expectations for yourself and don’t treat yourself with respect, chances are you won’t recognize when your partner is in the wrong. Be confident in what you desire, love who you are, and set an example of how you should be treated by treating yourself the same way. If you can’t respect yourself in the relationship you’re in, that’s also a sign it’s time to end it. And if you can’t treat your SO properly because you don’t respect who they are, a goodbye is definitely in your future.

Every relationship is unique in its own way. That’s what makes love such a beautiful thing. However, all healthy relationships tend to have the same qualities. You should be able to trust the person you’re with and show them off proudly. You should feel confident with who you are in your relationship and be able to recognize when you aren’t getting what you deserve. Be honest with yourself about what you need, what you want, and where your future is headed. Your answers will ultimately tell you what to do. Cheers!

*Name has been changed

Much to everyone's surprise (or perhaps just mine?), Rachel McAdams, everyone’s favorite star of some of the most iconic chick flicks, including Mean Girls and The Notebook, is a new mom!

The 39-year old actress welcomed her first child, a boy, with boyfriend Jamie Linden, and somehow was able to keep her pregnancy almost completely under wraps for the past nine months.

News of McAdams' pregnancy surfaced only a few short months ago. The Canadian-born star has stayed almost completely out of the spotlight, even choosing to opt out of premiere of her new movie Game Night in February.

Her relationship with Linden has also been kept pretty private. They’ve been dating since late 2016, but still haven’t made their red carpet debut as a couple (Linden is a Hollywood writer who has worked on movies ranging from Dear John to the upcoming Chaos Walking).

Other than a photograph of McAdams with Linden holding a newborn baby in his arms, they’re not revealing much about their bundle of joy. Maybe they’ll continue to keep their little one free from the scrutiny of the tabloids, or maybe we’ll catch a glimpse of the undoubtedly handsome baby boy.

With a major Hollywood writer for a father and an adored movie star for a mother, we have only one question: will the new baby boy end up following in his parents footsteps?

We can’t wait to find out.

Congratulations to the happy couple!

In the wake of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High Schooling shooting near Parkland, Fla., the Parkland survivors have organized several anti-gun violence protests and rallies. From March for Our Lives to sit-ins at the state capitol. As Parkland survivors continue to organize anti-gun violence rallies, not every agrees with the survivors’ political efforts—and some people are allegedly threatening certain survivors.

As NBC News reports, a talk show affiliated with Sinclair Broadcast Group allegedly tweeted a threatening message to one of the Parkland survivors and young activists, David Hogg. On March 26, Jamie Allman, who hosts a morning radio show entitled “The Allman Report” on KDNL-TV which is owned by Sinclair, tweeted, “When we kick their ass they all like to claim we’re drunk. I’ve been hanging out getting ready to ram a hot poker up David Hogg’s ass tomorrow. Busy working. Preparing.”

Because Allman’s alleged threat includes sexual assault, against a high school student and a minor nonetheless, Sinclair quickly removed Allman from his show, according to the Huffington Post. Although Allman’s broadcast was immediately canceled and taken off the air, the Independent claims that Allman officially sent in his resignation after as a result of these accusations.

While Allman has since made his Twitter account private and he is no longer affiliated with KDNL or its parent company Sinclair, several advertisers have redacted their advertisements from the radio show.

As The Wrap notes, three advertisers disbanded from Allman’s show his tweeted circulated. Some of the advertisers that have since revoked their advertisements from the show has even used their social media to tweet their dismay. “This is a most unfortunate situation and what has taken place is contrary to PALM Health’s core values. We have contacted the radio station not only to voice our concern, but we have also stopped advertising on Jamie Allman’s show,” on advertiser tweeted.

Nevertheless, this isn’t the first time David Hogg or any of the other Parkland survivors have been subjected to apparent attacks. Last month, USA Today says that Laura Ingraham took a brief hiatus from her position at Fox News after she allegedly attacked Hogg’s college admission status. Since the Ingraham incident, advertisers boycotted Ingraham’s talk show, and ABC 7 reports that UC Irvine has accepted Hogg’s college application (but Hogg will likely take a gap year before he enrolls in college).

Black Lives Matter is a worldwide organization that supports various campaigns and protests that fight combat violence and racism that often afflict black people. While BLM is a movement that aims to protect the well-being and safety of black communities, some people might be using the BLM name to profit off their cause. According to CNN Tech, the most prominent unverified BLM Facebook page was actually a scam and allegedly run by a middle-aged white man in Australia.

MarketWatch reports that the page, which had approximately 700,000 followers, was entitled “Black Lives Matter.” While the page in questions was not verified by Facebook, the page had notably more supports then the verified page, which is legitimately affiliated with BLM.

CNN notes that the page claims that proceeds went to BLM-related causes in the U.S.; however, a portion of the funds was transferred to Australian bank accounts.

Amidst Facebook’s ongoing debacle regarding user data collection, CNN Tech claims that Facebook refused to terminate the account immediately, even after the media outlets contacted Facebook for approximately a week. Facebook did eventually suspend the page, but CNN notes that the social media conglomerate only suspended it after it has suspended an admin of the page.

The New York Post reports that this sham BLM page was run by Ian Mackay, who is an official at the National Union of Workers in Australia and has previously worked as an organizer and branch vice president for the organization.

Regardless, this isn’t the first time that Mackay has profited off of phony activism. According to CNN, Mackay has previously registered several websites, often (and falsely) associated with black-rights organizations and protests. The Post adds that back in April 2015, Mackay also registered blackpowerfist.com under his own name and contact information.

Since these allegations have surfaced, the National Union of Workers has suspended Mackay’s employment, and he is currently awaiting investigation. Tim Kennedy, the union’s national secretary, tells The Post, “The NUW is not involved in, and has not authorized, any activities with references to claims made in CNN’s story.

Nevertheless, certain sources claim that Facebook was negligent of this on-going issues. Quartz claims that Patrisse Cullors, one of BLM’s co-founders, notified Facebook several months ago about this apparent scam; however, Facebook did not reprimand this hoax page.

Cullors tells The Post, “We rely on donors who believe in our work and our cause and that [the] money will be used in a way that is respectful." Because donors for Mackay's page assumed their money would benefit the legitimate BLM cause, this fake page indirectly took money away from BLM. (Plus, Mackay's fake page is inadvertently associated with the real BLM, which can fear-monger people from donating to notable organizations in the future.) 

Although the page has since been suspended and various payments platforms have stopped supporting this fake cause, this shady page isn’t a solitary incident. Because social media platforms are plagued with bot accounts and deceptive accounts, the best way to verify a page’s authenticity is to directly contact the organization that the page claims to be affiliated with.

For Disney starlet Sofia Carson, today is a major day: It's her birthday!

Yes, the Descendants star turns the big 2-5 today and already has so much to show for her quarter of a century.

After appearing in just a few episodes of Austin & Ally in 2014, Sofia Carson shot to fame when she appeared in the role of Evie, the Evil Queen from Snow White's daughter, in Disney's TV movie Descendants—a film focusing on the children of Disney's greatest villains. She went on to star in other Disney Channel Original Movies, such as Adventures in Babysitting alongside Sabrina Carpenter and Descendants 2, as well as the fourth installment of the Cinderella Story series.

But that's not all—as with most Disney stars, the girl can really belt it out, too! After being signed to Hollywood Records in 2016, Carson released her single "Back to Beautiful" in February 2017. The track was written by Julia Michaels, and has received over 20 million views on YouTube! Talk about amazing.

This is all just the beginning for the rising star. Here are six reasons why we think Sofia Carson is the next big thing.

1) She's multi-talented

I mean, really. If you want to make it in the entertainment industry anymore, you either have to be super amazing at one thing or really great at a bunch of things. Sofia proves that she can hold her own on screen and on stage. At 25, that's an important skill to have! If you want to be a singer and an actress, you have to prove that you can do both—and she does both so well!

2) She embraces her culture

When you've begun to make it in America, it's easy to focus solely on that, but Sofia Carson isn't afraid to show her Latinx roots. She's appeared on the Disney Latin America Telenovela Soy Luna, as well as the Spanish-Italian movie Tini: The Movie. It's important for girls of all backgrounds to have someone to look up to and she falls under this umbrella with former Disney stars Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato, and singer Camilla Cabello. They remind fans that they can (and should!) proudly embrace every part of who they are.

3) She's a hardworking gal

Though she's always busy filming various projects, People's Choice revealed that she is always working on her music during her down time. She's aware of the cycle of Hollywood and how easy it is to get lost, but she has her eye on the prize. Carson is hard at work on her latest album and is honest with her fans when she tells them that she isn't sure about release dates. It's important for younger fans to see her work ethic and remind them that nothing worth having comes easy!

4) She wants to be a role model

In the latest issue of Le Fair magazine, Carson said that playing someone like Evie was something she had always hoped for. "When I was a young girl and dreamed of what I wanted to do with my life, I knew I wanted to inspire and empower young girls like me. Even if it was just one girl, to be able to do that with Evie and to be able to do that with my music is priceless to me. Inspiring young women to chase their dreams is the most important thing I could ever do.”

5) She practices self-love

In the same article, she mentions how important her song "Back to Beautiful" is to her and how she perceives herself. "‘Back To Beautiful’ is an anthem about how beauty isn’t skin deep," she explained. "It’s about how beauty sees no race and how it doesn’t matter who you love or where you come from, we’re all beautiful.” If that isn't an important message to scream from the rooftops, I don't know what is!

6) She's about to join a major cast

One of the most widely discussed moments of summer 2017's TV season was the final moments of the Pretty Little Liars series finale. After leaving Rosewood for bigger and better places, Mona kisses her boyfriend before heading down to a basement when she's been keeping Spencer's evil twin sister Alex Drake and her mother Mary in her own version of a dollhouse. "Spin-off!" was all anyone heard. I. Marlene King apparently listened and Sofia was cast to star opposite Janel Parrish's Mona and Sasha Pieterse's Alison in the upcoming Pretty Little Liars: the Perfectionists. In TV for young adults, there's no better role than within the world of Pretty Little Liars. 

Happy birthday, Sofia Carson! We can't wait to see what you do next.

Everyone most likely knows Sandra Oh as Christina Yang on Grey’s Anatomy, but since her departure from the show four years ago (can you believe it’s been that long?) Sandra Oh has been up to A LOT.

In a recent interview with Vulture, Oh talked about her career, her next project Killing Eve, and racism in the entertainment industry.

The Korean-Canadian actress has over and over again proved her acting chops through the twists and turns on Grey’s, but Vulture asked what took her so long to find a new project where she would be playing the lead role. The former Grey's star responded by talking about the lack of representation for people of color in the entertainment industry, and the heartbreaking moment when she assumed she was reading for a supporting role rather than the lead in Killing Eve.

Oh explained that when she read the script she was on the phone with her agent, and she had no idea that the role she was reading for was the lead. “In that moment, I did not assume the offer was for Eve. I think about that moment a lot. Of just going, how deep have I internalized this? [So] many years of being seen [a certain way], it deeply, deeply, deeply affects us.”

After so many years of seeing such an absence of women of color in major TV roles, she says she was “brainwashed” into thinking she wasn’t capable of a lead role.

Oh believes that the reason people of color never see themselves as the heroes in their own stories is because that’s never what happens on television or in the movies. "You know what, not only is shit hard, it’s extremely unfair. And racism exists. Let’s start there. I felt it, and I have felt it deeply. And I’m extremely fortunate. So I’m not going to not say that it’s not there, because it is" she said.

The truth is there’s a great divide when it comes to the representation of people of color in the entertainment industry, but Sandra Oh is definitely on her way to help change that.

Sexual health is the not-so-fun part of being a sexually active college student, but it’s so, so important. Just like any other health matter, your sexual health has an impact on your overall well-being, and there will be consequences if you’re not careful. Just like you have to pass your midterms, you should pass STD tests. Just like you take an Excedrin for your migraine, you take a birth control pill to prevent pregnancy. Those are loose comparisons, but you get the idea.

“Treating sexual health care like any other type of care can also help you see it as just another part of your overall wellness, which can decrease any weird or shameful feelings you have about your sexuality,” says Sam Walls, a sex educator and the assistant director at Scarleteen, a website for “sex ed for the real world.” “That’s why I include sex right along with other aspects of physical and mental health when I write about relationships and sex in college settings.”

Here are seven precautions you should be taking in regards to your sexual health, because safe sex is the best sex!

1. Figure out your birth control method

This might seem a little obvious, but there’s a surprising amount of sexually active women not using birth control all of the time. According to a study by the Guttmacher Institute, 10 percent of sexually active women at risk of unintended pregnancy are not currently using any contraception.  

While the Mean Girls health teacher preaching, “Don’t have sex, because you will get pregnant, and die” might be an exaggeration, getting pregnant is a very real possibility. Finding a birth control method, whether it be the pill, an IUD (intrauterine device) or the good ol’ male condom, will help ease your mind and diminish the possibility of an unwanted baby-on-the-way. And when we say figure out, we mean really figure it out, because birth control can be tricky. You might think you’ll just simply go on the pill, right? But some people react poorly to certain methods, so consult a doctor to find the best and most sustainable method for you.

“There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to contraception and here again, having an open, honest chat with a health care provider is crucial,” says Fred Wyand, Director of Communications for the American Sexual Health Association. “Ask about options, pros and cons of each, and use that to determine what fits best for you.”

The American Sexual Health Association has a birth control comparison chart and Scarleteen also has “Birth Control Bingo” to help weigh a lady’s options. Walls says things like frequency, side effects, effectiveness, etc. are all worth considering. And while a thorough Google search might give you some deets, a health professional will really be your best resource for picking a birth control method.

Related: 7 Things You Need to Know About Birth Control

“[Planned Parenthood] worked with me to find the best birth control for me (the shot) and getting tested there was quick and professional,” Marisa Pieper, a sophomore at ASU, says.

Consider doubling up on birth control, too. “We’re big fans of the buddy method of contraception, where you combine two contraception options to further decrease the risks that come with sexual activity,” Walls says. “Part of the reason we encourage this method is that hormonal methods of birth control, like the pill or the IUD, don’t protect against STIs. You need to pair them with a barrier method, like a condom, if you want to decrease your STI risk too. Combining contraceptives means that if something goes wrong with one method, you still have pregnancy protection from the second method.” Better safe sex than sorry sex.

After you figure out which birth control method (or methods) work for you, get a hold of it, whether it’s getting the prescription filled, ordering it online or popping by your local drugstore. Then learn about them. Figure out the side effects. How long you need to be on it before it’s effective. And it’s best to figure out birth control before it becomes a concern.

“When I was having an intimate moment with my partner, I learned that the condom broke, and that was a wake-up call for me,” says Jessica*. “I immediately bought Plan B that night. I couldn’t stop thinking about the possibility of being pregnant even though there was no cum, and after this experience, I began researching and looking into the birth control options because I can’t live life on the edge and accidents happen more often than you think.” 

She's not alone. Pregnancy scares aren’t just rom-com plotlines, ladies.

2. Condoms. Condoms. Condoms!

Like Walls says, the birth control buddy system should include a barrier method too, which is most commonly condoms. If you’re on the pill or have an IUD, both extremely effective birth control methods, then you might think you’re set. No babies? No problems. Wrong-o. Condoms are always a good idea.

“Hormonal birth control methods like the pill are tremendous with pregnancy prevention but don’t do anything regarding STD prevention, so using a condom is still important,” Wyand says.

Believe it or not, there’s such a thing as condom safety too.

“Never keep them in your wallet, pocket or places of high friction. Try to keep them in air-controlled room-temperature locations for as long as possible. A safe space in your room works great,” says Annie Bryan, a Saint Louis University student and intern and volunteer with Planned Parenthood. “Not your car!”

Take notes ladies. There's a chance your partner hasn’t read the instructions on the box.  

3. Get tested for STIs

…And more than once. “All partners should get at least one new, full round of STI testing three to six months into a relationship, then keep testing once a year,” says Walls. And you should never feel weird about going in to get tested. 

“Doctors/OBGYNs do this kind of stuff all the time,” Annie says. “My doctor has me tested each time I come in no matter what, so it's super chill! Don't be afraid—they went through a lot of school to see what's going on in your pee.” It’s their job to know what going on, but it’s your job to seek out the testing.

Again, we hear this all the time, but a lot of students just assume that if they don’t have symptoms they must be a-ok. Um, were you not there for that scary high school health class when they told you there are asymptomatic STDs?

STDs are out there, and they’re more common than you’d like to hear. In 2016 the Center for Disease Control said “nearly half of the 20 million new sexually transmitted diseases diagnosed each year are among young people aged 15–24 years.” Guess who fits into that demographic?

“There's no shame and you'll feel amazing knowing that you're healthy and taking care of your body!” says Marisa about going to get tested.

Keeping tabs on your vag for abnormal symptoms might give you some indication if you might have an STI, since some symptoms, like odd discharge and sores, are bright red flags. However, there's not always obvious proof since lots of STIs are asymptomatic. “If you’re sexually active, the only way to know your STI status or the STI status of a partner is to get tested,” Walls says.

4. Learn about sex itself

A lot of people kind of just learn as they go when it comes to sex—trial and error. And that’s fine, but only to an extent. When considering STDs, contraception, UTIs, etc. knowing WTF is going on can help you understand how to have safe sex, in all senses of the word.

For example, STDs can be transmitted without having vaginal sex. UTIs are often caused by sex. Condoms can be more likely to break under certain conditions. These are all things you should know. Knowing this shouldn't take away from enjoying sex though. If anything will give you peace of mind and so after you learn about sex, you can make decisions accordingly. 

“As long as you’re taking steps to be safe and everything is consensual, there’s no shame in pursuing sexual adventures, just like there’s no shame in deciding to not be sexual,” Walls says.

Related: 7 Myths About Safe Sex, Debunked

5. Keep it clean

Not like PG, but like hygienically clean. UTIs are not cute, and sex can cause them if you don't wash up. 

Annie has some good tips to keep things all neat and tidy so bacteria doesn’t infect your urinary tract. “Don't mix butt stuff with vulva stuff without cleaning up. Pee after sexual activity, and shower if you can! Stay hydrated always,” Annie advises.

No one wants to be in pain when they pee, so keep your hygiene in mind.

6. Talk to you partner(s)

Whether you’re in a committed relationship with your sexual partner or just hooking up for one night, figuring out sexual history can be important.

"I’d say the big three conversation topics are safer sex, boundaries and desires. Having the safer sex talk means discussing STI status, what contraception is being used if the activity could cause pregnancy, and any other health issues, like chronic pain, that could influence comfort or safety during sex that a partner should be aware of," Walls says. "Boundaries and desires go hand in hand when you discuss them, and we suggest people use a tool like our yes, no, maybe so list to help them have that conversation."

Related: 4 Ways You Can Get An STD Without Having Sex

In terms of your physical health, safe sex should be an ongoing conversation. “Talk to a partner about safer sex, both before having sex in a relationship but also as the relationship unfolds and perhaps changes,” Wyand says.

That’s obviously easier said than done. For people having casual sex, asking about their “number” or when the last time they got tested might feel like it’ll kill the mood, and maybe it will. But it will also kill the mood when you have to call up your sexual partners and tell them you got an STD. Not fun. These conversations can be awkward AF, so maybe try and ease into them.

“I think a great place to start a conversation about sexual health is by talking to your sexual partner about what they like,” says Annie. “Literally, ‘is this nice?’ works, and you can continue the topic from there… Never be afraid to open up the conversation.”

The American Sexual Health Association has online tools that can help you think about how to approach these conversations, but the most important thing is to have them. “Be your own advocate,” Wyand says. “Speak up with your health care provider and with your partner. Don’t be afraid to initiate these conversations and remember it’s not only smart, it’s absolutely your right to do so.”

It’s your body and your health, so be proactive. 

7. Talk to a doctor!

Besides just birth control and STDs, Walls says just going to your doctor and getting your lady bits all checked out is super important. “Yearly check-ups help you know if everything is a-okay downstairs or if there are any issues that you need to address,” Walls says.

The best person to talk to about your sexual health questions? Find a doctor you trust and feel comfortable talking to. There are a lot of conversations to be had. “Which STD tests might be right for each of us as individuals? What if the partner resists using a condom or isn’t attuned to our comfort level regarding birth control?” Wyand lists as questions to consider.

Chances are, your campus might have an excellent resource for sexual health. If so—great! However, some campuses aren’t quite with the times, and if so, Wyand recommends Planned Parenthood, which has a pretty widespread network or other clinics in the community.

“I go to Planned Parenthood for birth control and STD testing because scheduling is super easy, they're very professional and they go above and beyond to make sure you have the resources and information you need,” Marisa says.

What’s important is that you’re talking about it with your partner and a professional.

“STD testing is about more than simply taking a swab or drawing some blood, and contraception involves more than taking a pill or unrolling a condom,” Wyand says. “It’s not only about having the tools to promote sexual health, but using them correctly and appropriately. A big part of doing that is having frank discussions with our medical team and partners.”

 Very important: you shouldn't care about other people speculating about you and how you take care of yourself sexually. 

“Try not to let shame or stigma get in the way of looking after your sexual health," says Walls. "Things like having honest conversations with partners about birth control, being proactive about STI testing and keeping a stash of safer sex supplies in your room are all great habits to develop if you choose to be sexual. They’re not signs of some moral failing, they are signs that you’re being responsible and considerate of your health and the health of any partners you have. It’s all about what feels right for you.”

Be smart and safe about your sexual health, collegiettes!

A woman is anonymously suing Michigan State University, alleging the school discouraged her from filing a police report after three MSU basketball players raped her at an off-campus party in 2015.

The lawsuit, which was filed Monday and does not name the three basketball players (who are no longer at the school), states that when the student turned to the Michigan State University Counseling Center for help dealing with what she'd been through, was told she'd be "swimming with some really big fish," if she were to file a police report and that she, "faced an uphill battle that would create anxiety and unwanted media attention," NBC News reports. The victim says that when she disclosed that the men who raped her were MSU basketball players, "the counselor’s demeanor completely changed," and he or she immediately brought an additional staff member into the room with them. 

To make matters worse, during her visit to the Counseling Center, the victim was allegedly not informed of her Title IX rights, and she received no information about how to seek STD or pregnancy tests.

According to the victim, who is publicly being referred to as "Jane Doe" for the purpose of the lawsuit, she was an 18-year-old journalism student at the school when she and a friend went out to a bar on the night of April 12, 2015. At the bar, they met members of the men's basketball team, one of whom offered to buy her a drink. He later invited her to an off-campus party, allegedly telling her that her roommate was already there.

When she arrived and realized her roommate wasn't there, the woman says she "was feeling discombobulated" and couldn't move her fingers enough to text her roommate. After realizing she was "incredibly thirsty" she began to think she may have been drugged. She says she was invited into one of the players' rooms, where he gave her a glass of water, before the room eventually went dark and she was thrown face-down on the bed as three players took turns raping her, the lawsuit states.

The woman says she doesn't remember anything else until she woke up on a couch in the apartment the next morning and took a cab back to her residence hall, where she told a friend what happened the night before. Her friend reportedly took her to the MSU Counseling Center around a week later.

Doe's lawsuit is the latest of several accusations that Michigan State covered up claims of sexual assault and abuse within the athletic department. Larry Nassar, a USA Gymnastics doctor who has been sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison for molesting upwards of 200 women and girls throughout his career, was a longtime faculty member at the school, and MSU is named as a co-defendant in a lawsuit that claims that the school may has covered up and ignored complaints about his abuse. Since Nassar's sentencing, both MSU's president and athletic director have resigned.

They say you should "write what you know"— and it sounds like Khloe Kardashian is taking this old adage to the next level with her newest project.

The third Kardashian sister has announced that she'll be executive producing a new true crime series called Twisted Sisters about IRL crimes committed by sisters, People reports. The six-part series will run on Investigation Discovery — and the only bad news is that we'll have to wait until 2019 for its premiere.

While it's unlike any other project Khloe has ever worked on, who better than one of America's most famous sisters to tell the stories of these killer (literally) sisters?

"I am so excited to be bringing you TWISTED SISTERS. As a self-proclaimed ‘true-crime addict’ there is no better way to tell these tales about the bonds that sisters possess and how they can go so terribly wrong," Khloe said in a statement.

According to ID's statement, the excitement for their partnership is totally mutual.

"We are thrilled to be working with Khloé on this new venture," ID's president Henry Schleiff told Page Six. "With one of the most renowned experts on sisters now a member of our own ID family, we know she will be able to bring a unique perspective that will inform and entertain our fans, while enticing new viewers to tune in."

If you've ever gotten hooked on a true crime podcast or documentary, you know how addictive the genre can be — and it sounds like Khloe totally understands the obsession. Is it 2019 yet?