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Khloe Kardashian Receives Backlash for Her 'We Do Not See Color' Comment & I Am Honestly Surprised She Did Not See It Coming

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On Thursday, the queen of social media clapbacks, also known as Khloé Kardashian, took to Twitter to scold a follower who deleted a racist Twitter remark after Khloé replied to it.

At first, the Twitter community was on Khloé's side, shaming the person who "hated" on her baby. Then, Khloé, who was actively participating in the conversation, decided to make a little remark about how in her household, color doesn't exist. 

The backlash was swift. 

We can understand why Khloé was so upset—she has had to deal with numerous racist trolls since the birth of her daughter True in April. However, she shows a lack of awareness of what living in the U.S. is like for someone of color when she makes comments like this. Racism exists in the U.S. and you can't just pretend it doesn't because you feel it shouldn't. Even celebrities face discrimination in their day to day lives and, as many Twitter uses pointed out, True will likely face some aspects of racism as well as she grows up. It can be harmful denying the existence of color rather than addressing the institutional problems that make color important.

Khloé is not the first Kardashian to deny the existence of color. In 2017, Kim defended her Aaliyah Halloween costume by claiming they don't see color in her home. We can only hope the Kardashian clan catches on to the importance of recognizing how racism operates and exists in this country and uses their social platforms to enact real change. 


6 of Annalise's Most Intense 'How To Get Away With Murder' Speeches

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Our favorite dysfunctional, scandalous, murderous, intense TV show is finally back. How to Get Away With Murder made its return with a vengeance on Thursday night, and this season is clearly going to be one of the craziest yet. After opening with the show’s traditional flash-forward-to-unknown-murder scene at Connor and Oliver’s wedding (ugh, just let them be happy please), we’re back in Annalise’s classroom for an advanced course. She’s not here to mess around (as usual), and cuts over half the class right from the start. With Annalise’s intense speeches and monologues finally back in our lives, let’s recap seven of her most intense speeches to date, including the opening to last night’s season five premiere.

Who Wants In? 

 

Annalise gives a pretty dramatic, drawn out, and extremely pessimistic take on what life as a passionate lawyer will be like. After going through all of the consequences choosing that life will have on her students, she poses the question with a smile: “So who wants in?”

Supreme Court Justice System Takedown

 

In last season’s highly anticipated Scandal crossover, Annalise’s case against the US Justice System comes to an intense conclusion. Her speech at the Supreme Court, explaining how Jim Crow lives on through the lack of civil rights afforded to inmates and African-American citizens, especially within the justice system, was one of the most powerful moments of the show to-date.

I Wanted to Die With My Son 

While we all know Annalise wanted nothing to do with therapy, after her therapist pushed her to write a letter to her dead husband Sam, she finally opens up for the first real time on the show about the loss of her baby. The most intense moment of this speech? Annalise admits that she wanted to die with her son, and it’s a rare moment of raw vulnerability from her.

Fighting Her Suspension 

Following scandal after scandal, Annalise meets with the University President and the board to find out they want to suspend her from teaching and being present at Middleton. She does not take this news lightly. Daring them to lock her out of her classroom, she proves her passion and underlying need for teaching and the students, whether or not she shows it frequently.

Except I Don’t Have to Fake It

Granted, this scene doesn't display one of the show’s classic Annalise monologues, but the ending line powers over audiences with its significance. After ADA Atwood refuses to negotiate with Annalise upon the basis of who she is, even claiming that the entire DA’s office would have nothing to do with her, Annalise asks her about her confidence. Atwood explains that it’s a move taken from her, and Annalise clips back with “except I don’t have to fake it." The powerful part of that statement, though, is that we get to see the real Annalise. She stands strong in the courtroom, but the hatred thrown her way takes its toll on her in the long run.

Second Chances

After winning her class action in the season four finale, Annaliese summarizes life for us pretty well. She explains the power of second chances and how things aren’t always as black and white when it comes to who seems good or bad.

Season five is bound to be full of more intense Annalise moments, and we can’t wait!

Should You Drop A Class? How to Decide Whether to Stick It Out or Drop It

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A new semester at school means a lot of things: new trends, new crushes and new classes. Unless the scheduling gods love you—and we’re jealous, if that’s the case—nobody’s course load is perfect. Usually, there’s that one class you just can’t stand. The monotone professor? The painfully dull readings? The grueling exams? We know–it’s all too familiar. With these unbearable courses, sometimes dropping a class is your only option. But where you should draw the line between a class you need to drop and a class worth charging through with a (forced) smile? Though everyone’s situation is different, HC’s advice will help you decide whether or not you should say au revoir to that class.

Situation 1: The textbooks were out of stock, so you’re already behind

Your college’s bookstore can be both a blessing and a curse, but it’s definitely a curse when they suddenly run out of that mandatory textbook. How rude, right? Although you may feel as if you’re already behind, it’s no reason to drop a class. If you were to switch into a different class, wouldn’t you be a little behind too? Instead, ask a friend (or that cutie who sits next to you) if you could borrow their textbook. Worst case scenario, you stay in one night to catch up on all your work once you finally receive your textbook. Of course this isn’t ideal, but that ABC party seemed lame anyway.

Situation 2: The class is a higher-level course than you need and it’s way too hard

While it’s great to broaden your intellectual horizons, enrolling in a higher-level course is not always a good move. Although advanced classes have cooler topics—“Abnormal Psychology” sounds a lot more interesting than “Psychology 101”—there are some drawbacks. If the heightened difficulty isn’t enough to make you cringe, you’re going to feel a little left out when you’re the only person in class who doesn’t know the basics. “If your new psychology class actually requires a background knowledge in neuroscience, and you’re just looking for a 100-level course, save yourself the stress,” says Micha Sabovik, the assistant dean at Boston University’s College of Communication.

If you drop this type of class now, you might not have to face its evil academic consequences. “I accidentally took a class that was way above my level and it wasn’t remotely related to what I was interested in,” Andy Bensch from San Francisco State University says. “I withdrew from the class a few weeks later and it didn’t affect my GPA at all.”

Even if your advanced class sounds like a blast, consider taking a lower-level class instead. That way, you can enjoy the advanced class another semester once you’re finally prepared for it and won’t be so worried about keeping up.

Situation 3: The syllabus is so full of assignments that it almost looks like a textbook

That awkward moment when you pick up a copy of your class’s syllabus and you thought it was a massive reading assignment. Two essays, three quizzes and a midterm in the first half of the semester alone? Just the look of the syllabus makes you want to drop the class.

In this situation, it’s important to trust your instincts and know when enough is enough. “Gauging academic rigor when registering for a class can be difficult, but syllabus day generally provides a clear idea of what to expect,” Sabovik says, referring to the first day of class when the professor goes over the assignments for the semester. “It’s okay, and important, to acknowledge when you’re in over your head.” If this class is mandatory and wasn’t too hard to get into, try scheduling it with less demanding classes next semester instead.

Situation 4: You failed the first test

It’s normal not to ace your first exam of the semester—you’re not used to your professor’s setup and you’d rather lounge out on the quad than study. But what about when you bomb a test so bad that you can’t recover? Alas, it may be time to pull the plug on this course. But before you do, make sure you try out all of your options. “You should always reach out to the professor or teaching assistant to see what you can do to improve before dropping the course,” Sabovik says.

However, if it seems like all hope is lost, it may be time to say adios to that class. Instead of damaging your GPA, take a lower-level class; usually, the workload is lighter and easier. If this horrid class is a requirement, try taking the course over the summer. “I had a really crazy workload and bombed one of my Cellular Biology tests because I had a couple other exams that day,” Lauren from Boston University says. “I decided to retake the class over the summer and I really liked it! Taking the class alone gave me a chance to get more out of the material and do better.” Though you may be wary about trading in your SPF 30 for textbooks, you can still have a fun summer if you’re only taking one class!

Situation 5: The professor is driving you crazy

Whether it’s his constant pacing around the classroom or her lame jokes, there’s something about your professor that makes you want to say goodbye and good riddance to this class. Before you do anything drastic (aka dropping the course), let’s tap into your psyche to figure out why you don’t like this professor, shall we? Although you may despise their quirks or you heard that your roommate’s boyfriend’s best friend didn’t like the professor last semester, it’s time to take a deep breath, keep calm and carry on. “Don’t drop a class just because your professor didn’t receive glowing reviews on Rate My Professors,” Sabovik says.

However, some situations deem dropping a class necessary. If you can’t understand your professor or if he or she goes on random rants instead of teaching you the material, you may want to think about dropping. “I literally dropped my stats class because I couldn’t understand the professor’s thick accent,” Andy says. “She was harder to understand than Boris from James Bond.” If this class is mandatory, make sure you can take the same course with a different professor.

Situation 6: Your friends aren’t in the class

Sounds pre-collegiette, right? However, some people do schedule their classes to correspond with their friends’. While sitting next to your BFF during Spanish sounds like fun, dropping a class just to be with your friends is kind of silly. Chances are you’ll be more focused without your friends showing you the latest Her Campus article during your lecture! Just because you’re taking a class by yourself doesn’t mean you have to rock the lone wolf status for long. Take this opportunity to make some new friends. Nothing’s better than having a new person to wave to on campus!

Situation 7: Your class is nothing like you expected

Although getting into that British history class was like competing in The Hunger Games, you’re a little disappointed now that you’re enrolled. Maybe it’s because the class’s roster lacks Peeta Mellark’s name, or maybe it’s because you don’t get to learn about The Beatles; regardless, your eyes are glued to the clock every single class period. You’re tempted to drop this class and see if Mr. Mellark magically makes an appearance in a different class, but don’t kiss this course goodbye just yet. “You shouldn’t drop a class immediately because it doesn’t cover precisely what you were expecting,” Sabovik says. “You never know when a class will spark a new interest.” No class is perfect, so it’s important to make the best out of a less-than-amazing situation. Besides, your enviable romance with Peeta can wait until next semester.

So you decided to drop a class…now what? If the dropping debate isn’t confusing already, you do have some more options! And what collegiette doesn’t have a love-hate relationship with options? Instead of dropping a class and calling it a day, talk to your professor and see what’s best for your situation.

Pass/Fail: Whether you’re overloading this semester or are dealing with personal issues, scoring that stellar GPA can be Mission Impossible. If you explain your situation to an academic advisor or professor, they may offer a pass/fail option. Translation? Instead of receiving a letter grade, you will either pass the course or fail it. Although you’ll still have to work for your grade, you can relax knowing that your C+ won’t jeopardize your grad school application.

Changing a class: While “Philosophy of Sports” is less-than-thrilling, maybe “Philosophy of Race and Ethnicity” will be more up your alley. If you’re not interested in the course’s specific subject, ask your professor if they have any other recommendations that still fill the requirement you need. You may end up still liking philosophy after all!

Auditing a class: Even though you’re an economics major, you’re secretly a movie buff. But between your part-time job and all your extracurriculars, you just don’t have the time to write a detailed film analysis. When you audit a class, you’re taking a class for pure enjoyment, not for credit. Huh? Auditing a class means that you don’t have to write papers or take exams. I know what you’re thinking—why can’t we audit all our classes? If you’re interested in auditing a class, talk to your academic adviser for more details, like if the class will show up on your transcript or not. Once you’ve decided to audit the class, stop by the course’s respective academic department to solidify your decision. Since you won’t receive any college credit, make sure you’re actually passionate about the subject, because you’re still required to attend each class.

Before you officially drop a class, it’s important to get a crash course in your school’s academic policies. Most schools have a deadline for dropping classes and anything after the school’s designated date is a “withdrawal fail,” which doesn’t look cute on your transcript. If you do decide to drop a class, you also need to make sure that you’re taking at least the minimum amount of classes to be a full-time student. Still confused? Talk to your academic adviser. In the meantime, you have some decisions to make!

4 Ways to Stay in Touch With Your Orientation Friends

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Orientation is overwhelming and exciting at the same time. You’re meeting so many people and learning so much that you may find your head spinning by the end of it. Making friends at orientation is a great way to feel comfortable and make the most of what you’re doing, but how do you keep in touch with them afterwards?

Luckily, we have some tips to avoid losing contact with your awesome new friends!

1. Friend each other on Facebook

It sounds clichéd, but adding your orientation friends on Facebook allows you to keep in contact with them better than just texting. You can see if you have classes together through messaging, make plans to meet up or simply find out what’s going on in each other’s lives. 

Adrian Thompson, a senior at the University of Iowa, became Facebook friends with a girl she got along with at orientation and managed to stay in touch. “When school started I messaged her and asked her what classes she was taking,” she says. “Turned out that she had three of the same gen. ed. classes as me!” They sat together on the first day of class and became great friends.

2. Make lunch plans

During your first few weeks of classes, you may not have a clue whom to get lunch with. If you schedule a lunch date with someone you met at orientation, you’ll feel a lot better. The two (or more) of you will be able to meet up and talk about your dorms, classes and weekend plans. 

Having lunch will open many doors for hanging out in the future. “Getting lunch with people you meet at orientation is a great way to stay in touch,” says Allison Zeppuhar, a sophomore at James Madison University. “I still occasionally grab lunch or dinner with some of the kids I met.”

Bonus: If each of you brings another friend, you can ease your way into conversation and it won’t be as awkward or intimidating.

3. Go out together

Going out together is a fun way to bond and learn more about each other. Find out what your friend is into and plan your activity accordingly. You can get dinner off campus, go to a movie or go to a party together.

“I went to a party with a girl I met during orientation, and we had such a good time,” says Brooke Pearson, a sophomore at James Madison University. “We were able to really let loose and get to know each other more. She is currently my best friend and roommate!”

Round up a group of people you got along well with during orientation through a group text, and see what the night brings! You never know who could end up being a great friend.

4. Become workout buddies

If someone you meet at orientation isn’t in your dorm or your classes, a good way to stay in touch is by going to the gym together. The gym is a central place where anyone can meet, and you’ll be able to catch up every time you go together. Having a workout buddy also gives you motivation to stay healthy, so you’ll be more likely to go on a regular basis (no thank you, freshman 15!). If your fitness buddy is into the same type of workouts as you, it will be even easier to plan times to go together and bond; try meeting up for a group fitness class you both enjoy. Working out together will help you build a friendship you can take places other than the gym!

Staying in touch with your orientation friends will make transitioning to college a lot easier. If you put in the effort, you won’t lose contact with the people you met. Good luck, collegiettes!

Brett Kavanaugh & the FBI Background Investigation: How Will the FBI Investigate the Allegations Against Him?

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On Friday, President Donald Trump ordered the FBI to conduct a supplemental background investigation into Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, ultimately attempting to get to the bottom of the sexual assault allegations that are holding up the Supreme Court pick’s confirmation. With the FBI entering into “uncharted territory” with the reopening of this background investigation, the FBI is now likely “organizing their resources to ensure that every field office and every agent is available to conduct” the investigation within the week timeframe the agency has been given, according to ABC News contributor and former FBI Special Agent in Charge Steve Gomez.

Here is what you need to know about Kavanaugh and the newly reopened supplemental background investigation.

The Order for the FBI Investigation

After the Senate Judiciary Committee heard explosive testimonies from Kavanaugh and his accuser, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, on Thursday, the committee decided to hold a vote on whether Kavanaugh’s confirmation would proceed to the Senate floor.

On the Senate floor Friday afternoon, Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona pushed for a delay of a full Senate vote, saying it was "proper" for the Senate to wait on the vote until the FBI completed a “limited scope” investigation on the allegations against Kavanaugh. The motion came hours after the senator was confronted by sexual assault survivors and protestors in a Capitol Hill elevator after he had announced that he would vote in favor of Kavanaugh.

“What you are doing is allowing someone who actually violating a woman to sit on the Supreme Court,” one woman told Flake. “This is not tolerable.”

The Senate Judiciary Committee requested that the president make the request that the FBI conduct a “supplemental” background investigation with a week-long deadline. Friday evening, after Kavanaugh passed the committee vote 11-10 along party lines, Trump ordered an FBI probe into Kavanaugh’s background.

“I've ordered the FBI to conduct a supplemental investigation to update Judge Kavanaugh's file. As the Senate has requested, this update must be limited in scope and completed in less than one week,” Trump said in a statement.

According to ABC News, the attorney representing Ford, who has accused Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her when they were both in high school, said they appreciate the efforts of the senators who have pushed for an FBI investigation to be completed before a full Senate vote.

“A thorough FBI investigation is critical to developing all the relevant facts,” Debra Katz, Ford’s attorney, said in a statement.

Katz, however, did appear to take an issue with the week-long deadline, saying “no artificial limits as to time or scope should be imposed on this investigation.”

How Will the FBI Investigate the Allegations Against Kavanaugh?

According to the statement from the Senate Judiciary Committee, the investigation will be limited to the “current credible allegations.” That classification would fall under “any kind of allegation where there are witnesses that can be interviewed and any kind of information that can be gathered to determine whether the allegations are true or false,” Gomez said.

The investigation will likely fall into the hands of the FBI’s Washington-based team responsible for conducting background investigations for high-profile appointees, CNN reports.

“You're basically knocking on doors and doing neighborhood canvasses and looking at the suitability and fitness for office of future FBI agents, of people who are undergoing a five-year re-investigation to maintain a top secret clearance, and for judicial nominees, like Kavanaugh,” CNN law enforcement analyst and retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent James Gagliano said.

Agents will likely conduct interviews, complete database checks and research people’s criminal histories, according to Gomez, who said that the investigation will be like a “special operation.” The interviews will be confidential and conducted by individuals who are experts with these types of allegations.

“They are going to pursue every lead, every bit of information possible that comes up in the interviews so they are not going to stop until it’s done because this will now be raised to the highest priority category of investigation,” Gomez said, adding that these sorts of background investigations are a “very high priority” for the FBI.

According to The New York Times, the investigation will also look into an allegation made by Deborah Ramirez, who accused Kavanaugh of exposing himself and thrusting his genitals in her face while at a party when they were both students at Yale University. Kavanaugh has denied those allegations.

The FBI has not commented on this newly opened investigation, but a background investigation of this nature will likely have some sort of oversight from the highest levels of the FBI, and, according to former agents, senior agents could be brought in to bolster the investigation and assist with some of the more sensitive interviews, CNN reports.

The FBI will likely put their full attention to this investigation.

“They could just about drop everything else they're doing, every other background check for generals to get the next star, and cabinet secretaries and US attorneys,” Tom Fuentes, a former FBI assistant director and senior CNN law enforcement analyst, said. “They could wrap everything. If they want to put 500 agents on this tomorrow they could do that.”

Key to Ford’s testimony was the fact that witnesses were present at the party on the night of the attack.

In her testimony on Thursday, Ford alleged that Kavanaugh’s friend, Mark Judge, was present in the room when Kavanaugh pinned her to the bed, attempted to remove her clothes and covered her mouth when she tried to scream. Judge has denied that the incident took place.

Judge, In a statement through his lawyer Friday, said he would “answer any and all questions posed to him” if the FBI requested an interview.

During her testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Ford admitted to a gap in her story: the date of the attack. She claimed to have seen Judge at the local Safeway grocery store six to eight weeks after the attack, and that knowing the exact timeline of when Judge worked at the store would help her to determine when the attack took place.

“It would be helpful with anyone's resources if — to figure out when he worked there, if people are wanting more details from me about when the attack occurred,” Ford said during the hearing.

Ford also claimed that two other people were present at the party: Patrick J. Smyth and Leland Ingham Keyser. Both have said they do not remember being at a party with Ford and Kavanaugh. Both Smyth’s and Keyser’s lawyers have said that their clients are willing to cooperate with the investigation, CNN reports.

FBI officials will try to questions all, or at least some, of the potential witnesses.

Still, 36 years remain between now and the night that attack took place, which means that FBI agents have their work cut out for them.

“You're going to be dealing on fading memories, you're going to be dealing on neighborhood canvasses where the accuser is not sure where that neighborhood was. It's going to be an uphill, daunting task,” Gagliano said.

Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein to Meet With House Republicans

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Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein has agreed to meet with House Republicans next week to explain his reported comments about wearing a wire while talking with President Donald Trump and recruiting members of Trump’s cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove him from office.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte invited Rosenstein to meet with House Republicans sometime during the next two weeks. According to CNN, a Justice Department official said Rosenstein and the Republican senator spoke Thursday evening and have agreed to meet in the next few weeks.

“There are many questions we have for Mr. Rosenstein, including questions about allegations made against him in a recent news article,” Goodlatte said in statement released Friday. “We need to get to the bottom of these very serious claims.”

Freedom Caucus leaders, Reps. Mark Meadows of North Carolina and Jim Jordan of Ohio, said they believed that the Deputy AG would be coming in to for a transcribed interview as part of the congressional investigation into the FBI’s handling of the Hillary Clinton and Russia investigations.

“I thought it was a transcribed interview with both Republicans and Democrats there. I thought it would be the same format we've used before,” Jordan said.

“Leadership has agreed to call Rod Rosenstein before Congress, for a closed-door hearing with our panel investigating, so he can explain his alleged comments on 'wiring' POTUS--as well as other inconsistent statements,” Meadows wrote on Twitter Friday morning. “If Mr. Rosenstein fails to show up, we will subpoena him.”

Democrats, however, has raised concerned about not being included in this meeting with Rosenstein.

“There is no such thing as a ‘closed, private hearing,’” Rep. Jerry Nadler, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, tweeted Friday morning. “The @HouseGOP cannot be left alone in a room with DAG Rosenstein.”

House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. Trey Gowdy, whose committee has worked with the Judiciary Committee on the FBI investigation, told Democrats that they were “encouraged to attend,” although it would not be a full committee meeting with Rosenstein.

The Deputy AG’s future at the Justice Department appeared to be in jeopardy following multiple news outlets reported that, at a May 2017 meeting, Rosenstein and then-acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe, the Deputy AG suggested that McCabe and others wear a wire while talking to Trump, according to memos McCabe made regarding the conversation, ABC News reports.

According to sources, that meeting took place the week after abrupt dismissal of James Comey as FBI Director.

The memos also stated that Rosenstein told McCabe that he could recruit members of Trump’s cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove the president from office. Rosenstein allegedly said he believed he could persuade Attorney General Jeff Sessions and then-Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly to agree, according to sources.

Goodlatte issued a subpoena for the memos from McCabe, CNN reports.

Rosenstein, in a statement on Friday, insisted he “never pursued or authorized recording the President and any suggestion that I have ever advocated for the removal of the President is absolutely false.”

The Deputy AG originally had a meeting scheduled with Trump at the White House this past Thursday, but the president postponed the meeting until next week so it would not distract from the testimony of his Supreme Court pick, Brett Kavanaugh, and Kavanaugh’s sexual assault accuser, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

5 Ways to Make Friends After Freshman Year

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Freshman year has come and gone, and for many, it's a whirlwind. As a newcomer to your campus, you met a lot of people quickly and probably made many fast friends. Whether you're content with your current acquaintances or you’re feeling as though you haven’t quite found your niche, now that you're adjusted to your college lifestyle, you're probably feeling ready to make a variety of new friends  and expand your social circle. This five-step guide shows you the most effective ways to make friends after freshman year using the social, professional and academic opportunities you get in college.

1. Go to Parties in Smaller Groups

As fun as it can be to kick it with a huge, wild crew, it’s probably not the most effective means to making lasting friendships. Instead, invite one or two girls from your dorm to join you at a party one weekend. "I was less intimidated by the social scene come sophomore year, and felt comfortable going out in smaller groups," says Allie Chase from Michigan State. “It's easier to look out for each other, and much less overwhelming, because when you aren’t struggling to remember names right off the bat, you take the time to get to know people more personally.”

Not only does keeping your going-out group small help you get to know who you’re partying with better, but it also makes it easier for you to meet even more new people at the party. “Everyone's loose and ready to have a good time, joke around and connect, but only with approachable-looking people,” says Erin Fett, a recent grad of Colgate. Think about which group you’d feel most comfortable approaching: would it be a smaller circle, or a pack with too many people to count? The first one? We agree!

2. Join a Club Based on Your Career Path

Focusing on your GPA freshman year was a smart move, and now that you’ve set yourself up for success, Sharon L. Jones, the former Associate Director of Career Services at UNC-Chapel Hill, explains that “sophomore year is a good time to venture out and meet people with similar interests, explore careers and build skills.”

Jones was also a former adviser to the student chapter of Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) at UNC-Chapel Hill, and she suggests that you look for clubs based on your current career goals, such as student chapters of professional associations, academic honorary societies in particular fields of study and professional fraternities and sororities. These types of opportunities will not only prepare you for life after college, but will also introduce you to people with similar professional aspirations. Exeter University collegiette Lauren Hudson gained a great group of friends through her involvement with Her Campus Exeter as President and Editor-in-Chief. “Running the whole team has brought me closer to so many girls that I never would have met before,” she says. “These are girls in different year groups and girls who study completely different courses–it's been such a benefit of an already amazing position that I've been able to make so many great friends!”

3. Volunteer Your Time

Those of us who made our first pals selling Thin Mints and Samoas know that community service can be a great opportunity to make friends. Though nowadays, the old Girl Scout getup might only come out once a year (hello, Halloween!), there are endless opportunities to be an asset to your campus community year-round. Whether you choose to build affordable homes, pay visits to hospital patients or groom puppies at an animal shelter, the key to meeting other students with similar skills and interests is to pick volunteer work that interests you.

Christina Hoover, an architecture student at Syracuse University, made some of her best friends when she joined the Freedom by Design team within the American Institute of Architecture Students. Freedom by Design is an organization that uses simple construction solutions to make living easier for those who are confined to their homes. Devoting this amount of time and effort to a cause they care about has allowed the members of FBD to “become more than just a team,” she says. “We’ve become close friends ready to work hard together, take breaks together, and laugh together. Its a one-of-a-kind experience.” Not to mention, volunteering looks impressive on a resume!

4. Take on a Leadership Role in Your Club

Many people take freshman year to explore their interests, and we all know an easy way to do that is through the clubs offered on campus. Whether you’ve been involved in several activities or have been totally devoted to one, you now know the ropes, and can help others get on your level by taking on a leadership position.

Erica Choo, president of the Wellesley Class of 2014 Council, says she ran for her position because she wanted to become more involved on campus. “Since becoming president my junior year, I have met so many incredible people that I probably would not have had the chance to interact with otherwise,” she says.

Through her role of bringing the class closer together with social events and fundraisers, she has organized events that helped others make friends and allowed her to do the same along the way. “On council, I met a girl who I had seen around campus before but never really talked to a whole lot,” she says. “We organized a study break tailgate together outside of the dorms for everyone in our class, popped the trunks of our cars, and blasted the radio so loud that I’m sure you could hear the music all the way from the other end of campus. It was a really great way to meet new people and bond with other girls in our class, and through working together on class council, she has truly become one of my best friends at school.”

5. Study Socially

While Erica’s wild study break tailgate has us easily convinced that taking a breather from the books can be a fantastic way to make friends, we can only wish it was possible to take a study breaks without the aforementioned studying. When its time to buckle down, organizing a study group is a great way to stay on top of your work with a built-in excuse to hang out with the people you’re working with. Invite people in your classes to whom you haven’t talked much to meet up and prep for a midterm together. And since we can’t always rely on revved engines and blasting beats to stay social on study breaks, recent Boston University graduate Mary Danielewski shares a tip for breaking the ice with study partners: “I like to let classmates I don’t know as well choose dinner spots and coffee shops,” she says. “It puts them in their comfort zone, and introduced me to some great new hangouts!”

As you prepare for another year of fun and friend-making, the most important thing is to keep an open mind. Remember that sometimes the best things, including friends, can be found when you aren’t even looking!

7 Common Roommate Problems & How to Solve Them

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For a lot of new collegiettes, freshman year is their first time sharing a room with someone else. While dorm life and roommate bonding are wonderful experiences to have and are trademarks of college life, they can also be the source of some drama.

Roommate trouble isn’t uncommon, but there are plenty of ways to solve any issues that may arise. Lucky for you, we’ve got your go-to guide of some common roommate problems and ways to fix them, complete with advice from collegiettes!

1. She’s messy

Everyone has a different standard of cleanliness, so it’s not unlikely that you and your roommate may disagree when it comes to the state of your room. It’s safe to say that the both of you will have to make compromises and work a little harder to keep your space clean now that you’re sharing it.

Alex*, a junior at New York University, says that she’s dealt with messy roommates for a couple years. “Sloppy roommates can be a problem, but it’s one of the easier roommate problems to fix,” she says. “There are tons of ways to talk to your roommate and let her know that she needs to be a little bit cleaner. Everyone can be messy at times, so it’s an understandable problem that’s generally easy to approach if you do it right.”

If your roommate’s messiness is bothering you, it’s best to step up and talk to her about it instead of letting the issue go on.

How to deal

Make a chore schedule. No one likes forcing themselves to do chores, but trust us, you’ll be thankful you did it. A cleaning schedule is a great way to divide responsibilities and make sure that your room is clean on a regular basis. It’s best to come up with the schedule at the beginning of the year so you can stick to it – no excuses!

If cleanliness problems arise throughout the semester in spite of the chore schedule, take it up casually with your roommate. The conversation doesn’t always have to be awkward – it can be a quick, “Hey, do you mind picking up your side a bit? My parents are visiting!” or even just a short note on your whiteboard while she’s at class.

If the problem gets to be more serious, then consider approaching her about it. Remind her that it’s your space, too, and it’s her responsibility to help keep it looking nice. If the problem gets way out of hand and your roommate gets angry or aggressive about it, consider taking the problem to your resident adviser (RA) or another member of Residence Life – they’re there to help you with housing and roommate issues, so take advantage of their assistance!

2. She’s mean

Even if you and your roommate have the same sleep schedules, are both tidy and respect each other’s belongings, problems can still pop up. Some roommates just simply don’t get along.

Katherine, a senior at the University of Rochester, says that one semester she was randomly assigned a roommate who appeared to hate her for no reason. “Whenever possible, she would get up and leave when I entered a room; if we were hanging out with a group of people, she would make faces anytime I said anything and she only spoke to me if she had something mean or condescending to say,” Katherine says.

Eventually, Katherine took their problems to a mediator and began to get them sorted out.

How to deal

Communicate with your roommate and with others, if necessary. “My advice…would be to communicate about the little things early on, because they can escalate quickly and become unbearable,” Katherine says.

No matter what it is that’s bothering you, it’s best to address it sooner rather than later. If your roommate is making mean comments, ignoring you or just being plain disrespectful, try to nip the problem in the bud and address it as soon as you can. This will save you from months of frustration and an awkward, overdue conversation that would otherwise happen at the end of the year (or never!).

“Even if you're good about communicating, you might end up with a roommate who dislikes you and isn't afraid to show it,” Katherine says. “I coped with this by reaching out to other people. My mentor helped me see that the negativity my roommate had towards me said more about her than it did about me, and my friends helped me put things in perspective by finding the humor in the situation.”

If you’re having issues that even the two of you can’t figure out, consider taking the problem to an RA or counselor. He or she can act as a good mediator and help soothe the tension or even help you relocate if the problem is getting out of hand.

3. She’s absent

When you pictured your dorm, you may have imagined you and your roomie hanging out, eating snacks and watching chick flicks every night. While that’s not a completely impossible scenario, it’s not always the case.

When collegiette Ivy first came to Keene State College, she was assigned two roommates. A few weeks later, though, it seemingly dwindled down to just one. “[One of my roommates ended up] sort of moving into someone else's room and would come back to our room only when she needed clothes or when she was drunk and got in a fight with her new ‘roommates,’” Ivy says.

Absent roommates can be tricky, as they’re usually absent for their own reasons. Some girls get invested in their new significant others, make friends in a different building or are simply too busy to hang around the room. There’s nothing wrong with a busy roommate, but it can be kind of a bummer hanging out by yourself when you come home from class!

How to deal

If your roommate’s absence bothers you, try inviting her to hang out on the off days when she does come back to the room. Ask her what she’s been up to lately. If she’s not giving much of an answer, don’t pry, but do be wary. You want to make sure she’s not getting herself into a bad situation!

If you’re truly worried about your roomie and where she might be, encourage her to talk with your RA. She could be getting into a sticky situation with a controlling boyfriend or girlfriend or staying out too late and crashing at other people’s rooms who don't exactly want her there. If you have the chance to have a chat with her, make sure she’s not getting into any unwanted situations. If she is, try to help her out or direct her to the RA or another member of Residence Life who can help her out in her situation.

4. She’s always in the room

While having a roommate who’s never there can be a bummer, so can having a roommate who’s constantly in the room. It’s always fun to have some roomie bonding time, but you’ll need a break from each other once in a while. It’s easy to get sick of each other when you’re sharing a small space for at least a whole school year!

How to deal

If your roommate is in your room around the clock (except for class time), you might want to have a chat with her. If it’s the case that she’s simply not involved in anything else or doesn’t have many other friends, encourage her to commit to something on campus. Perhaps even consider taking her to a meeting of a club or organization that you’re a member of. Clubs, organizations, sports or on-campus jobs can be a great way to spend your time, get involved and meet new people. You may be able to get your roommate involved while scoring yourself some alone time!

It could be the case where your roommate is more introverted and less involved on campus, so your room is her natural retreat. If this is the case, steer her toward the library or student lounges on campus, or bring her along to one of your club meetings.

If she’s not responding to your suggestions, remind her that there are plenty of other places on campus to hang out and get work done. If it’s necessary, remind her that your shared room belongs to you as well, and that you’d appreciate having the room to yourself once in a while.

5. She’s nocturnal

In college, it’s likely that your sleeping patterns will be all over the place – until you get into a good routine, at least. There are some classes that start as early as 7 a.m. and others that end as late as 10 p.m., so it’s easy to see that students’ schedules may vary by quite a bit.

This was the case with Kira*, a third-year student at Northeastern University, and her freshman-year roommate. “I went to sleep with the lights on every night and then woke up at 7 a.m. as she was just going to sleep,” Kira says.

How to deal

If you’re not a heavy sleeper, this is something you’ll have to take care of right away, as you shouldn’t be compromising sleep for your roommate’s convenience. It’s understandable that based on different clubs and class schedules, your sleeping patterns will differ, but you might have to work to find common ground when it comes to bedtime.

If your roommate’s sleeping schedule becomes a problem, first try to communicate with her about it; she may not even know it’s been bothering you. Consider sitting down with her and going over your schedules, trying to figure out the best times you can have some down time – maybe even consider designating specific quiet hours or bed times if it’s necessary. If it’s something she can’t necessarily fix herself, seek out resources like the library or a student lounge during the day to give her some peace and quiet, and ask her to do the same for you at night. If you just want to stay in your room, think about the alternatives, like sleeping masks or earplugs.

6. She always borrows your personal belongings

For some new college students, having a roommate is like having the sister they never had growing up: double the closet space, sleepovers every night and tons of clothes to share. For others, a roommate is just a roommate, and their belongings are personal, not to be shared or borrowed. No matter how you treat your property and privacy, you should make sure your roommate is on the same page.

How to deal

As soon as you’ve settled in, you should discuss boundaries with your roommate. This could even be done while you’re crafting your roommate contract or cleaning schedule. Make sure you tell her specifically what you’re comfortable sharing and what you’d rather keep to yourself. This can range from sharing clothes to sitting on each other’s beds and chairs. Everyone treats her privacy and property differently, so make sure to remain open-minded and respectful!

If a borrowing issue arises as the semester continues on, you will have to address it. If she happens to borrow a scarf off the back of your chair for a day, simply mention that you’d rather she didn’t do it. If she repeatedly goes through your belongings to pick out her favorite things to borrow, you may want to consider having a more serious conversation about personal belongings. If the issue persists even after the conversation, take it to an RA who may be able to help you out.

7. She brings in a “third roommate”

“The more the merrier” isn’t always a true phrase, especially when it comes to sharing a relatively small space. Unfortunately, some roommates don’t think about this and bring in friends and significant others to hang out – all the time.

“I live with three other girls, and we were all best friends, but [my other roommates and I] don't talk to one of them now,” says collegiette Joanna*. “She had her boyfriend move in with us for the summer without asking us, so he is at our place 24/7, [eating all our food and leaving dirty dishes].”

While the occasional visitor may be welcome, it’s not cool to let your friends in all the time, especially so often that they essentially become new roommates.

How to deal

Joanna says that communication is key, as it is with so many other roommate problems. “I let her know first semester that this wasn’t okay with me, and things were much better second semester,” she says. So, right off the bat, make sure you address the issue.

While it might feel a little awkward telling your roommate to kick her friends out, she has to realize that your room is a shared space. If you’re having trouble coming to an agreement, look at your schedules and find a way to fit in times or days where it’s acceptable to have guests. For example, let her know that she’ll have the room to herself and she’s free to have friends over if and when you go home for the weekend. The night before a huge exam, on the other hand? Probably not.

While your experience sharing a room may not always go smoothly, it will, all in all, be rewarding. As long as you’re communicating effectively with your roommate and letting her know of any issues that arise, your relationship shouldn’t suffer. Roommate bonds are like no other relationship and can last a lifetime, so don’t let silly little habits get in the way of an awesome friendship!

*Names have been changed.


Links We Love 9.30.18

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This senator is telling women to not give up the fight. [Cosmopolitan]

Did you pick up on this adorable detail from the This Is Us premiere? [Glamour]

Matt Damon plays Brett Kavanaugh in the SNL opener. [The Hollywood Reporter]

The Simpsons turn 30. [The New York Times]

The case against "empowering" office supplies. [Vox]

This Instagram account predicts what rooms smell like with frightening accuracy. [Vice]

Best craft distilleries in America. [USA Today]

This state is banning animal-tested cosmetics. [Teen Vogue]

How much every KarJenner is worth. [Seventeen]

These avocado restaurants will make you want to travel the world. [Spoon University]

How to Get Over Feeling Intimidated at the Gym

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Feeling intimidated at the gym? Don’t let the rows of heavy machinery and herds of people who seem to know all about how to use them like a pro scare you away. The gym may make you feel really out of place, but the truth is that it’s a place for everyone. Here are some simple ways to battle feeling intimidated when you really just want to squeeze in a workout.

1. Remember that everyone goes at their own pace

The gym — whether it be the rec center at your school or a fitness studio near your apartment —is a space meant for people (including you!) to freely work out at their own level. “One of the most important things to remember is that everybody goes to the gym at their own pace,” says Rachna Shah, a freshman at Dartmouth College. “There might be people who are running on the ellipticals or treadmills at a high intensity for about an hour's time, and there are people who've never been to the gym before.” There will be a range of skills at the gym, from people who are long-time experts to people who can barely run a mile. Focus on your own growth!

2. Read instructions on the machinery

The explanations are there for a reason! If you ever see someone using a machine flawlessly, chances are that they’ve read the instructions at one point before. Taking the time to learn about each machine is a foolproof way to make sure you are using them correctly and – most importantly – avoiding any injuries.

3. Go at odd times

If you go to the gym at peak times like when people are getting off work or done with classes for the day, chances are the place will be crowded. If you don’t wanna deal, try to go at times when you wouldn’t expect a ton of people, such as early mornings or late nights.

4. Distract yourself with music

Take yourself out of the gym (mentally) and focus on the music rather than worrying. Music is a great way to stop yourself from thinking about other people surrounding you at the gym, which can cause a lot of intimidation. Invest in a good pair of earbuds that won’t fall out as you exercise and make yourself a great playlist to listen to as you workout!

5. Dress to impress

If you look good, you’ll feel good! Lauryn Higgins, a senior at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, stresses the importance of dressing well to make yourself feel confident. “The one thing that has really elevated my confidence is the clothes I wear. Wearing any outfit that makes you feel confident is the one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, so buy a cute pair of leggings or a tank top, or borrow a friend’s if you're on a tight budget.” Try places like Lululemon, Athleta and Forever 21 to find cute workout outfits that are sure to boost your confidence!

Related: 6 Places to Buy Chic Gym Clothes When You Can’t Afford Lululemon​

6. Bring a friend

Squad up! When you have other people with you, it’ll help you feel less intimidated and more excited to workout with your friends. Marisa Pieper, a sophomore at Arizona State University, always makes sure to bring a friend to the gym. “I usually feel less intimidated when I have a friend with me who either knows what they're doing or is just down to learn and sweat with me!”

7. Have a game plan

Especially if it’s your first time, you may not know where to start. Beat this by coming up with a game plan before you step foot into the gym. Plan out what you want to do and for how long, so that way you know exactly what you’ll be doing when you get there.

With this advice, you’ll be feeling confident at the gym in no time!

I DID A THING: Is It Unrealistic To Want To Be A Journalist? Am I Making A HUGE Career Mistake?

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I Did A Thing is our weekly advice column where the Her Campus editorial team helps you out when you ruin your own life (hey, we've been there). Email advice@hercampus.com for any and everything you need help with. We’ll answer you (anonymously!) on hercampus.com so we can all learn, together. We’ve got your back.

@bigdreamer: Whenever I think about my future, I think about working in media. But every time I talk about it, it seems like such an unrealistic dream. Is it even possible for me to get there, and work for a magazine or a news station? Or should I just give up? Especially when I think about what a struggle it is to be a woman in media, I feel like maybe I should just give up.

 

@AlisynCamerotaYES, your future dream of working in the media is highly possible!  You’re right, being a woman in the media can be a struggle some days. But it’s also rewarding, stimulating, fulfilling and valuable.

I believe a career in media is well worth the challenges. Being a journalist requires a lot of hard work and sacrifice, so you must make sure you love it. There will be long days, tough assignments and (at first at least) not much money.

But if you get an adrenaline rush from trying to get the facts and find the truth and tell people’s stories, it’s the best job in the world.

Check out more advice from @helpmehc. We've got your back. Learn more about today's guest columnist, Alisyn Camerota, here. 

Kellyanne Conway Says She's a "Victim of Sexual Assault"

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White House counselor Kellyanne Conway told CNN's Jake Tapper on Sunday's State of the Union that she's been a victim of sexual assault. 

"I feel very empathetic, frankly, for victims of sexual assault, sexual harassment and rape. I'm a victim of sexual assault," she said. "I don't expect Judge Kavanaugh or Jake Tapper or Jeff Flake or anybody to be held responsible for that. You have to be responsible for your own conduct."

Conway acknowledged the past assault while defending Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, who's been accused of sexual assault and misconduct by numerous women, including Christine Blasey Ford, who testified about her allegation in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee last week.

Despite the accusations, Conway said that support for Kavanaugh has remained strong. "Not a single parent whose young daughters Judge Kavanaugh has coached in basketball has come forward and said, 'You know what, I now have second thoughts,'" Conway told Tapper. 

For her, the saga around Kavanaugh is about "raw, partisan politics." She cited the sexual assault survivors who confronted Senator Jeff Flake on Friday as an example.

"I want those women who were sexually assaulted the other day who were confronting Jeff Flake, God bless them, but go blame the perpetrator," Conway told Tapper. "That's who's responsible for sexual assault, the people who commit them."

Tapper asked Conway if her own experience as a survivor affects her working with President Trump, who's been accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women

"Don’t conflate that with this. And certainly don’t conflate it with what happened to me. It would be a huge mistake," she said. "Let’s not always bring Trump into everything that happens in this universe."

Conway also condemned the senators who are pushing for an FBI investigation into Kavanaugh despite their refusal to remove former President Bill Clinton from his office while he was facing sexual misconduct allegations

"The hypocrisy is ridiculous and if not one Senate Judiciary Committee member changes his or her vote because of what they learned from the FBI investigation, that tells you all you need to know about what the president and Judge Kavanaugh [have] said is a sham," Conway said. 

Kanye West Wore a 'MAGA' Hat & Delivered a Pro-Trump Rant on 'Saturday Night Live'

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Kanye West was the musical guest for the 44th season premiere of Saturday Night Live, but it was actually what happened after the show that people are talking about. Following a rare third performance during the credits, West apparently began rambling once the feed was cut and while the SNL cast awkwardly stood behind him. 

"I wanna cry right now, black man in America, supposed to keep what you're feelin' inside right now..." West sang before launching into a rant that Chris Rock managed to catch in an Instagram video. "The blacks want always Democrats… you know it’s like the plan they did, to take the fathers out the home and put them on welfare… does anybody know about that? That’s a Democratic plan," West said. "There’s so many times I talk to, like, a white person about this and they say, ‘How could you like Trump? He’s racist.’ Well, uh, if I was concerned about racism I would’ve moved out of America a long time ago."

Rock can be heard laughing throughout the video — at one point even saying "Oh my God,"— while other audience members booed and yelled at West. Many of the castmembers behind him were reportedly rolling their eyes. Kid Cudi and 070 Shake were also on stage since they had just performed "Ghost Town" with West. 

West, who began publicly supporting Trump within the past few months, donned a "Make America Great Again" hat during a short performance after host Adam Driver delivered the show's traditional end-of-show segment. 

According to West, he was bullied backstage for wearing the hat. "They bullied me backstage. They said, 'Don't go out there with that hat on. They bullied me backstage. They bullied me! And then they say I'm in a sunken place," he said. "You want to see the sunken place? Okay, I'ma listen to ya'll now — or I'ma put my Superman cape on, cuz this means you can't tell me what to do. Follow your heart and stop following your mind. That's how we're controlled. That's how we're programmed. If you want the world to move forward, try love."

Trump himself tweeted about West wearing his campaign hat.

The rapper was actually the last-minute replacement for Ariana Grande, who dropped out as she's still recovering from the death of Mac Miller. 

6 Ways to Update Your Look Without Doing Anything Drastic

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If there’s ever a perfect time to figure out your look, it’s in college. Everywhere you turn, there are students expressing themselves through their hair, makeup, style and even their skin. There is never a more accepting time to express yourself through your physical appearance than in college, but sometimes you don’t want to make drastic changes in case they don’t work out (nobody wants a tattoo they regret). So here’s a list of six things you can do to subtly update your look—and none of them will break the bank!

1. Try clip-in hair extensions

The clip-in hair extensions of 2018 are far more natural than the ones we all tried out in middle school. Some of our favorite celebs, like Selena Gomez and Vanessa Hudgens, use extensions to amp up the volume of their hair. While extensions are on the pricier side of our list, if you buy quality locks made out of real human hair, they’ll last a long time. All you need to do is find extensions that match your hair color, and you’re set to wow your campus with your new mane.

2. Change your part

Yes, changing up your look can be as simple as switching your part. Most of us have gotten into the habit of parting our hair the same way for years. Try moving your part to one side or the other, or go for a middle part. Middle parts have become trendy again in recent years, so now is the perfect time to try it out. The results can actually make a big change in your overall appearance!

3. Treat yo’self to an acrylic manicure

Sometimes all it takes to feel like a *new woman* is a fresh set of nails. If you need inspiration, check out Instagram or Pinterest for the latest trends. Acrylic nails are more expensive than a basic manicure, but they’ll last longer and usually you can pick adorable add-on’s like rhinestones or even fur (we aren’t sure how we feel about the last one though). “Whenever I need a nail refresher, I change the shape, go for a color I wouldn't normally go for and sometimes add rhinestones or some sort of unexpected accent nail,” says Marisa Pieper, a sophomore at Arizona State University. “If someone is looking for an edgier look, I would go for a pointed tip on the nail with some sort of texturized finish and if they want a more modern look, the coffin shape with a matte finish. Nails can make us feel so confident!” Your new mani will last around two weeks, making it the perfect subtle (or not, if you go the furry-nail route) change to your look.

Related: 6 Beauty Essentials You Need to Go Green This Fall

4. Try bold new makeup looks

These days, makeup artists are all over the place. There are thousands of YouTube tutorials for fun new makeup trends to try. Chances are if you wear makeup already, you have most of the things you’ll need at home. Makeup bloggers like I Covet Thee are also a great resource for finding dupes for luxury makeup brands like Lorac and M.A.C. Plus, Sephora has its own version of Reddit for makeup lovers everywhere to ask questions and give feedback and advice. Have a classic go-to makeup look? Switch up your lip color or go for a cat-eye. “If you normally don't bother with lipstick, try a bold color,” says Claire Biggerstaff, a junior at Davidson College. “Deep berries/plums are gorgeous for fall. And if you're normally a bold lip kind of gal, try going nude for a day. You'd be surprised at how big a difference it can make in your whole look!” Just a simple change can give you a major confidence boost, and that’s what really matters.

5. Try out a fake piercing

Remember when we all wore clip-on or stick-on earrings before our parents allowed us to get our ears pierced? The trend hasn’t died! Faux piercings are still available on sites like Etsy. “I bought fake nose hoops on Etsy and they were super cheap and so cute,” says Sarah, a junior at Temple University. “I never had the guts to get a real piercing, and in the industry I work in, face piercings aren’t really acceptable, so this was the perfect trade-off.” Nose rings and ear cuffs are the most popular fake piercings online, so they’re a great option if you’re trying out an edgier look or are just curious. And if you fall in love with it, then you can decide to go for the real thing.

6. Do a wardrobe swap with your roommate/BFF

We all have that one friend/roomie with impeccable style. She just seems to wake up and walk to class like she’s a runway model for Balenciaga, while you struggle to remember pants for your 10 a.m. lecture. To switch up your look, just ask your stylish friend if you can borrow some pieces from her closet. You don’t need to buy new clothes to get a new look. If your other friends are looking for the same kind of wardrobe change, have a day where you trade pieces from each others’ closets. It’s like shopping, but without money!

It doesn’t take much to make a huge impact on your look. Don’t be scared of change, especially since you know that it doesn’t cost too much or do much damage. No regrettable haircuts or piercings here!

The 7 Best Disney Halloween Movies

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Whether it was the channel or the studio, Disney never failed to create brilliant Halloween movies that managed to both scare and entertain children around the nation. Every year, kids were treated to a new round of laughably scary movies to watch, which only contributed to Disney's status as a master of the '90s. Let's take a trip back through time to remember some of the most popular Halloween-related Disney movies. 

1. Hocus Pocus (1993)

Perhaps one of the most loved Halloween movies of all time, Hocus Pocus is watched almost religiously during the season of spook. 2013 marked 20 years since its release, and the film still frequently ranks highly on lists of popular Halloween movies. Hocus Pocus follows the revival of three witches who were hanged in the 1600s and their quest to gain not only revenge, but everlasting youth. Of course, their plot is foiled by a group of teenagers (as always, right?). There were rumors of a potential sequel to the cult classic, but Disney has since laid those rumors to rest by telling The Huffington Post very clearly, "The studio is not developing a sequel to Hocus Pocus." That's a shame, but at least the original is still vastly popular. 

2. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Debates spring up between those who think this movie is a Christmas movie and those who think it’s a Halloween movie, but regardless of when you decide to watch it, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas is undoubtedly fit for both holidays. Featuring ghouls and ghosts of all kinds, this movie is another popular choice for Halloween lovers everywhere. It follows Jack Skellington on his mission to take over Christmas and essentially turn it into a second Halloween. Many people argue that The Nightmare Before Christmas wasn’t actually a Disney movie, but because it was released through Touchstone Pictures, a division of The Walt Disney Company, we'll include it on the list.

3. Halloweentown (1998)

Disney does it best. Not only did they bring Hocus Pocus to the people, but they brought us Halloweentown as well, which follows three (apparently magical) siblings as they discover a mystical town that—as the name implies—is decked out in an entire Halloween theme. The film went on to gain three sequels, though the original one is still arguably the best. The effects are cheesy, and the entire film throws viewers into a fit of late-'90s nostalgia, which is why Halloweentown is awesome.

4. Under Wraps (1997)

Under Wraps was another Disney Channel Original Movie created just in time for Halloween, and it's still one of their best classics. The film follows three friends who discover a mummy named Harold and their quest to return him to his sarcophagus before midnight on Halloween. Some people may have trouble remembering this movie, which is understandable as it hasn't been shown on television for some time—or, at least, it hadn't until a couple years ago, when it was shown as part of Disney's "Throwback Thursday." So why is a movie that's rarely shown on our list of top Halloween films? It takes the classic mummy, a generally scary thing, and turns him into a bumbling, bashful idiot who requires the help of three kids. What about that isn't perfect?

5. Don't Look Under the Bed (1999)

Disney’s final attempt at a “true” horror film, Don't Look Under the Bed, was about a teenage girl whose imaginary friend turned out to be a boogeyman. Surprisingly enough, there were actually a few moments of sheer terror in this movie. Author's note: This movie actually made me afraid to look under my bed for years, so I totally understand why this may have been their last shot at making a real horror film... because it worked.

6. Mom's Got a Date with a Vampire (2000)

Mom's Got a Date with a Vampire starred The Nanny cast member Charles Shaughnessy as Dimitri Denatos, a man who may or may not be a blood-sucking vampire. This 2000 Disney Channel Original found three siblings trying to prove that the man their mom was going out with was actually a vampire. Spoiler alert: He totally is. 

7. Phantom of the Megaplex (2000)

This one came out just after Halloween but has still been shown on Disney from time to time around the October holiday. A modern take on Phantom of the Opera, Phantom of the Megaplex took a group of siblings on a humorous adventure through a movie theater to find out who—or what—was haunting the megaplex.

So now that it's October, the season of scare is officially in motion. Disney will no doubt be showing some of their classics, but we're sure they're ready to introduce a few new movies for today's generation of youngsters. Let's just hope they don't forget their laughably terrifying roots, though!


How She Got There: Jamie Danek, Co-Founder & CEO of Humm Kombucha

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Name: Jamie Danek

Job Title and Description: Co-Founder and CEO of Humm Kombucha

College Name/Major: International Marketing with a minor in Japanese

Website:www.hummkombucha.com

Twitter Handle:@HummKombucha

Instagram Handle:@HummKombucha

Let's be real: although we all might like to think of ourselves as the resident health and lifestyle influencer on campus, there's still a lot that baffles us in the word of health and food fads. For instance, we're still not entirely sure why we need probiotics, but we know they're good for us and that they're a key ingredient in kombucha. For those of you who are obsessed with the magical drink known as kombucha, we have some good news — you can take your obsession and turn it into a career. Jamie Danek dishes to Her Campus on how she made a career out of the fizzy beverage at Humm Kombucha. 

Humm's CEO, Jamie Danek, explains the setbacks, wins, and personal growth that comes from starting a company from the kitchen up. Listen to the full 30-min podcast from @SheSez here: https://t.co/jDS7QsRXSApic.twitter.com/LRjqPuDoLL

Her Campus: What does your current job entail? Is there such a thing as a typical day?

Jamie Danek: Lots of meetings with department heads, lawyers, banks, board members, equity partners, and other businesses in similar places. The only thing that’s typical in my world is there is a guarantee there will be meetings!

HC: What is the best part of your job?

JD: I get to share Humm Kombucha with the world!

HC: What was your first entry-level job in your field and how did you get it?

JD: Since I made the jump into kombucha world, it started with being a co-founder. My first job in the company was to sell kombucha and wash kegs. I was proud to be an outstanding keg washer. I got our business by focusing less on the how and focusing more on the' why'— we just wanted to help people feel better!

HC: What words of wisdom (well-known quotes, an anecdote from your boss) do you find most valuable?

JD: Pablo Picasso – 'The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.' The reason this is so important to me is we all think about why we are here at one time or another. If it’s as simple as knowing what you're good at and sharing it with the world, would more of us do it? Because we evolve as human beings when we take what we learn and know and share it with the world, it’s how we evolve, become smarter, faster stronger as a race.

Martin Luther King – 'The ultimate measure of a man is not how he shows up in moments of comfort and convenience, but how he shows up in times of challenge and controversy.' Why? Because it’s easy to be a rock star when things are easy and flowing but when things are tough, how do you show up? It’s important to me to strive to be that rock star when things are tough too. That’s how you really know a person.

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

*Does a double take* 👀🙀🤯 #5G #gingerjuniper #hummkombucha

A post shared by Humm Kombucha (@hummkombucha) on

HC: What is one mistake you made along the way and what did you learn from it?

JD: When it came time to step up as CEO, I did not want to do it. It was the assumption that I didn’t have the skills to do the job and we didn’t have time for me to learn. So, I became jokingly known as the reluctant CEO. I would have done much better to just step into the role and just do it. I spent a lot of time thinking about the can I, should I. I learned how much the position requires everyday growth, listening and learning. Years ago, I would have been voted worst manager on the planet, seriously. I had to learn from how to turn my "solopreneur"-attitude into an approachable CEO with an open-door policy.

HC: What has been the most surreal moment of your career thus far?

JD: As someone that has struggled with public speaking, from book reports and deep-rooted childhood humiliation, I had to work tirelessly to depersonalize the fear — it’s about what you’re presenting, not who is presenting. Many months after addressing this head-on, I had to say yes to any talk someone asked me to give. Then, I gave a Ted talk about our founder story.

HC: What do you look for when considering hiring someone?

JD: What their sign is, and so long as they’re not a Pisces, we’re good! [laughs]

HC: What advice would you give to a 20-something with similar aspirations?

JD: Kick ass at everything and every job you do. Make it so that when someone thinks about what a person can do that job, it’s you. Ask a lot of questions. The more you ask, the more you learn. The more you seem interested, the more you will stand out. The right people to surround yourselves with are the ones that know that there are no dumb questions

HC: What's the one thing that's stood out to you the most in a resume?

JD: I always resonate with experience that captures their resourcefulness, that entrepreneurial spirit. It’s generally the best indicator of that can-do attitude.

HC Wake-Up Call: Gender Reveal Gone Wrong, Migrant Kids Moved to 'Tent City,'& Hundreds Dead After Indonesian Tsunami/Hurricane

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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 Man Behind a Disastrous Gender Reveal Party Forced to Pay $220,000

In April 2017, an off-duty Border Patrol agent accidentally started a 47,000-acre wildfire in Arizona while hosting a gender reveal party for his wife. On Friday, he was finally ordered to pay $220,000 in restitution after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of "causing a fire without a permit." 

According to The Arizona Daily Star, 37-year-old Dennis Dickey shot a target that contained "Tannerite," an explosive substance that detonates when shot by a high-velocity firearm. He apparently intended for colored powder to appear — thus indicating the baby's gender — but instead, an explosion occurred and fire quickly spread. Dickey's attorney Sean Chapman told The Star that his client "immediately" reported the fire to law enforcement officials and admitted he started it, but 40 MPH winds prevented firefighters from stopping the blaze before it spread. 

For more than a week, nearly 800 firefighters worked to put out the fire. By the time it was under control, the state had suffered around $8.2 million in damages; however, there were no injuries reported. 

Dickey will reportedly keep his job since he was only charged with a misdemeanor. "It was a complete accident," he said in court. "I feel absolutely horrible about it. It was probably one of the worst days of my life."

More Than 1,600 Migrant Children Moved to "Tent City" in Texas

The New York Times released a report on Sunday that detailed the transportation of more than 1,600 migrant children to Tornillo, Texas where they're being held in a detention center dubbed "Tent City." Prior to the move, most children were living in private foster homes or shelters, sharing a room with only one or two or kids, receiving formal schooling, and regularly visiting legal representatives. Now, the NYTreports that children are sleeping 20 to a room, and going without school and legal services.

This is happening as the federal government is dealing with the largest population of detained migrant children ever: 13,000 (which has increased more than fivefold since last year). The camp in Tornillo was originally meant to house up to 400 people, but it was expanded earlier this month to have a capacity of 3,800. 

"In order to avoid escape attempts, the moves are carried out late at night because children will be less likely to try to run away. For the same reason, children are generally given little advance warning that they will be moved," the NYT reported on behalf of several shelter workers who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The Texas facility is expected to remain open "at least through the end of the year." Migrant children used to spend around 24 days in custody, but the average length of time has nearly doubled to 59 days now. 

Nearly 1,000 Dead After Indonesian Earthquake and Tsunami

A 7.5 magnitude earthquake and a tsunami with an 18-foot wave hit the city of Palu on the Indonesian Sulawesi island on Friday. The death toll is currently at 832, which may grow since rescuers are still trying to reach outlying communities and anyone trapped. "We don't know for sure what is the impact," said Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, a spokesman for the National Disaster Mitigation Agency. 

Some smaller villages are really suffering, like Boya, whose residents say the entire village has "disappeared." Every single building in the tiny fishing village was destroyed. 

Authorities are currently training to obtain things like food, water, medicine, tents, and baby supplies since they're all in short supply. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has since offered the continent's assistance.  

What to look for...

A new month! It's finally October, which means Halloween is right around the corner. Check out some of the best horror movies here to prepare. 

It’s the 30th Anniversary of ‘Matilda’ & There’s Now a Statue of Her Sizing Up Trump in London

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Roald Dahl was a beloved author in almost all of our childhoods—from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to The BFG, there was at least one of his books that you read when you were a kid. However, one of his characters would go on to have a special place in our hearts for her intelligence and bravery, and that’s Matilda.

Matilda was published 30 years ago today, and has since been adapted into a movie and Broadway musical. As people are celebrating the legacy of the five-year-old girl, one artist went above and beyond to prove that Matilda is an inspiration for people—especially girls—everywhere.

In Buckinghamshire, England, near Roald Dahl’s home, there is now a statue of young Matilda standing on a stack of books, staring right into the eyes of Donald Trump.

The artwork is amazing on so many levels: it equates Trump with Miss Trunchbull, the authoritarian villain of the novel, and also has comparisons to the Wall Street “Fearless Girl" statue, which had a similar message of empowerment. Many people on Twitter have been applauding the artist’s decision.

 

 

And that’s not the only way people are celebrating Matilda—original illustrator, Sir Quentin Blake, decided to reimagine what Matilda would be up to in her 30s, and it’s just as awesome as you’d expect: she’s an astrophysics professor, a poet laureate and a world traveler all at once. Oh, and she’s still reading a ton of books.

 

Happy birthday, Matilda! Cheers to 30 years of inspiring young girls—and adults—everywhere.

'Grey's Anatomy': Alex Karev Grew TF Up & We Really Need to Talk About It

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Season 15 of Grey’s Anatomy premiered last Thursday, and I have so. many. feels.

Think back to those little intern babies—who would have ever guessed we’d come this far? Who could have possibly imagined, when we were all innocent and fresh-faced with no possible comprehension of the horrors that were to come, that we’d still be here 13 years down the road? Unbelievable devastation has rained down at the hands of these writers, but we’ve also borne witness to incredible character growth. And that, my friends, is what I really want to talk about.

My precious bb Alex Karev was named the interim Chief of Surgery while Bailey steps back to focus on her (stolen) project with Jo and, I must reiterate, who would have ever predicted that? Remember all the way back to day one, when Chief Webber said, “Eight of you will switch to an easier specialty. Five will crack under the pressure. Two of you will be asked to leave.” Was there anyone out there that didn't expect, and maybe even hope, for Alex to be asked to leave?

Once upon a time, Alex was the literal worst: he bullied George relentlessly, he sexually harassed Izzy, he started a syphilis outbreak and his distraction with Olivia afterward lead him to relay an incorrect dosage, leading to the death of Robert Martin. He was put on the gynie squad as punishment after his mistreatment of Addison Montgomery, he was frequently kicked off of others’ services for treating patients like crap, and he dated Ava despite her clear need for psychiatric treatment.

Throughout all of that, there were glimpses of a good person, though, like when he clung to Izzy after Denny died, when he knocked out the meth dealer whose baby was in withdrawal, and when he threatened to kick Derek’s ass for Meredith. Each time, it was so frustrating when he reverted back to his normal self. But ever so slowly, that arrogant jackass morphed into the best friend, doctor and person you could ever want for yourself. Thanks to Meredith’s tendency to pick up strays, he found a family that was always there for him, and that he would always be there for in return. Thanks to Addison’s punishment and Arizona’s mentoring he found his passion in pediatrics. And thanks to Jo, someone with a near-equal upbringing to his own, he found a living example of someone that had overcome childhood trauma and still had her head on straight.

That once infuriating fratboy intern is a shining example of a glow up. Where he once repeated his mistakes, over and over, he now learns from them. Where he once spent his days insulting patients, he now plays games with them. Where he once pushed everyone in his life away, he now embraces his unconventional family. And now, the Evil Spawn is the Chief of Surgery. 

The Best Movie Halloween Costumes for 2018

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It's the first day of October, which also means that it’s the first day of Halloween! If you’re anything like me, you’ve been thinking about your costume since August, but you just can’t decide. Why not take some inspo from the silver screen? Here are 13 costumes from 2018 movies that will dazzle partygoers and get you some of that sweet sweet trick-or-treat candy.

  1. Elastigirl or Violet from The Incredibles 2

DeviantArt

Stretch your imagination and show off your curves as the thicc mama bear or her brave teenage daughter. Throw on a red t-shirt and leggings with some black shorts, along with a homemade mask and Incredibles symbol, and you’ll be fighting crime in no time.

  1. A Dora Milaje warrior from Black Panther

Marvel Studios

Maybe people forget that Black Panther came out in 2018 (SO much as happened since then), but who can forget the bold and bald baddies who protected King T’challa (and saved his ass)? Put on a tribal print dress, use a panty hose bald cap, and paint a long cardboard tube silver to look like a spear. Boom. Wakanda Forever.

  1. Donna and the Dynamos from Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again

Jonathan Prime/ Universal Studios

If you’re looking for something a bit more retro, feel the groove of the 70’s. Get two of your best gal pals and bring along a playlist of your fave ABBA songs. Raid a local thrift store for some far out bell bottoms and claim your title as the Dancing Queen, young and sweet on this Halloween.

  1. Vanellope from Ralph Breaks the Internet

Twitter/Disney

Idea for an even bigger group costume: you’re Vanellope and your entire girl gang are all of the Disney Princesses who appear in the Wreck-It-Ralph sequel. Even if that doesn’t pan out, you can still add some sugary sweet flair to an oversized blue hoodie. Boom! Werk, glitch.

  1. Bryce Dallas Howard in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

Universal Pictures

Remember how in the first movie everyone gave Bryce Dallas Howard’s character a hard time for wearing heels during times of peril? Put your long, red hair (or wig) into a ponytail, grab your business casual, and carry around a stuffed dinosaur. (Hey, maybe you’ll meet your very own Chris Pratt this way.)

  1. Freddie Mercury from Bohemian Rhapsody

20th Century Fox

Even before Rami Malek in the upcoming movie, people have been dressing up as the legendary Queensinger for years! Short hair, white tank, skinny jeans, mustache, done! Just be warned: people will expect you to destroy “We Are the Champions” on karaoke now.

  1. A badass spy from Ocean’s 8

Press

Just watch that whole Met Gala scene and go crazy. Run the show like Sandra Bullock. Roll up on the scene like Rihanna. Crack some codes like Awkwafina. Sunglasses, leather jacket, fanciest dress. The rest is up to you. Now go steal some jewelry.

  1. The creepy nun from The Nun

New Line Cinema

Only do this if you want to scar all of your friends and family for life.

  1. The Meg (a big ol’ shark) from The Meg

Warner Bros. Pictures

Roll up to a party with a shark fin on your head and a blue shirt and leggings. “I’m the Meg!” you’ll yell. Everyone will laugh. Everyone will understand. You will be beloved by all. You will eat a boat. (I especially recommend this if your name is Megan.)

  1. Sexy Thanos from Avengers: Infinity War

Marvel Studios

Is purple your color? Sure, you could be Black Widow or Gamora, but that’s too easy. We’ve all questioned if Thanos is hot, but on Halloween night you’ll get to prove it. You’ll be slaying exactly half of the universe.

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