Taylor Swift has reminded us of just how powerful one voice can be. After asking her Instagram followers to vote in the midterm elections, voter registration spiked both nationally and in her home state of Tennessee, according to Vote.org, a site dedicated to registering voters and increasing voter turnout.

The number of individuals registering to vote from around the country shot up 240,000 in the 48 hours after Swift had called on her 112 million Instagram followers to register to vote Sunday night, according to Kamarie Guthrie, Vote.org’s communications director. While there are many factors that contribute to this increase in voter registration, including the approaching deadlines for several states, Vote.org saw an increase of 102,000 for those between 18-29 registering to vote, ABC News reports.

Guthrie noted that Tennessee registration spiked significantly after Swift’s post. This month, Tennessee saw 5,183 new registered voters — with 2,144 of them registering within the last 36 hours, Hello Gigglesreports.

According to Guthrie, web traffic also took a drastic jump. Average traffic on Vote.org usually tops out at about 14,000 visits, but in the 24 hours after Swift’s Instagram post, traffic reached 155,940.

Swift in her post on Sunday night said she would vote for Democratic candidates Phil Bredesen for the U.S. Senate and Jim Cooper for the House of Representatives. But she urged her followers to vote for the candidate that closely aligns with their values.

“Please, please educate yourself on the candidates running in your state and vote based on who most closely represents your values. For a lot of us, we may never find a candidate or party with whom we agree 100% on every issue, but we have to vote anyway,” Swift wrote.

She also wrote in her post: “I always have and always will cast my vote based on which candidate will protect and fight for the human rights I believe we all deserve in this country. I believe in the fight for LGBTQ rights, and that any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender is WRONG. I believe that the systemic racism we still see in this country towards people of color is terrifying, sickening and prevalent.”

Mary Mancini, chair of the Tennessee Democratic Party, told ABC News that she was excited about Swift speaking out about the election.

“It's really exciting. She did what every American should be doing, she came out and made a case for why shes voting the way she is. We know what people think about Tennessee and the truth is Tennessee is in the middle of transformation,” Mancini said. “A new generation of leaders are coming from across the state that are shaping who we are and who are going to be. She speaks for them. She's who Tennessee really is and what our values are. That’s anyone, no matter who are, or what you look like, or where you live should have the opportunity for a better life for you and your family.”

Mancini also said that Democrats in several parts of the state get bullied into silence because of their views, but she hopes that Swift’s post will encourage those voters to speak out about their beliefs and vote.

“Imagine someone who doesn't have her stature or megaphone being bullied for thinking the same way. Everything there is is geared towards silencing people who have the same viewpoint that she does. It's been a great thing for Tennesseans that share those same values,” Mancini said.

President Donald Trump spoke to reporters on the White House’s South Lawn after learning of Swift’s post, saying she is “doing a good job.” However, when discussing Swift’s decision not to support Marsha Blackburn in the state’s Senate race, Trump said, “I’m sure Taylor Swift doesn't know anything about her. Let's say that I like Taylor’s music about 25 percent less now.”

Your senior year may have only just begun, but the sweet freedom of college life is just a year away! There's only one thing that stands between you and that refreshing new college experience: getting in. Application season is here and while sending your transcripts and test scores may sound tedious, the essay portion is by far the most creative (and sometimes the most stressful) step of the process.

The essay portion gives you a chance to tell that admissions officer just how wonderful of a student you really are, and to vouch for your skills and talents in your own words. But when you're competing against thousands of other applicants, how do you stand out? Will an essay on your “passionate desire to help others” really cut it? Here are four essay topics you should avoid using in your college essays, so that you’ll leave a lasting impression on the college of your dreams. 

1. “I am an ideal student for this college because…”

Fortunately, nowadays most college essay prompts aren’t, “Write three reasons why we should accept you into our university.” If prompts were as stale as that, then students would be more likely to provide equally as stale answers. However, even if a college prompt inspires creativity, students can still fall into the trap of writing simple answers like, “I am perfect for this college because of X, Y and Z.” Avoid answering prompts with these kinds of simple sentences. Your college essay is the most “lively” part of your application. It’s basically a written speech from you to your prospective college, and if you sound too robotic, your essay can definitely be put in the waitlist or (even worse) the rejection pile. 

Sarah Madaus, a senior at Temple University, always thinks about what experiences are unique to her when she writes admissions essays. "Whenever I'm writing an admissions essay, internship essay, etc. I always think, 'What experiences have I had that most others haven't? Is there something about me that makes me think differently than the majority of people?'" Sarah explains. 

The more specific you are about your desires as well as what you can provide your dream college, the more appealing your essay will be to your admissions officer. For example, if you’re interested in a certain film studies program at your dream university, then read up on the events and initiatives at that university’s film department. Then relate those events to similar experiences you’ve had in your high school career, and how excited you would be to take your experience to that new arena of a similar, but more advanced theater setting where you can expand on the skills you already have.

When you discuss these specific benefits you want out of the college, the reader automatically assumes, Yes, this student can offer something meaningful to our university. You don’t need to say outright why you’re perfect for the university because your experience and passion will already speak for you.

2. "I really want to help others."

It’s a touching sentiment to center your essay around your strong desire to serve other people. We’re not encouraging you to abandon those feelings, but we do want you to know that it’s not an original source of motivation. Everyone wants to make a lasting contribution to the world in some way, and helping others is usually the mission for many students going to college. The student applying for the biology major and the student applying for commerce may both want to help people, so what’s the difference between the two? Essentially, if you say you’re only interested in a field of study solely to “help people,” that doesn’t say anything unique about your interests and strengths in your desired field of study. 

Audrey Lent, a senior at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, stresses the importance of personalizing your essay. “One thing I would suggest is DON’T be vague and generic,” she says. “Colleges want to hear a story that is personal to you.” Avoid simple explanations about how you really want to help people and instead build a specific vision of exactly how you’ll help others, including your passions for specific aspects of your academic field.

If you’re a pre-law major with an interest in international studies and you want to help people with immigration issues, you could write about your dream to travel to underdeveloped nations and be an immigration lawyer who negotiates asylum cases. Your goals don’t have to necessarily be this specific, but it’s a good example of focusing in on what you want out of your field and how you as an individual can achieve those goals.

Related: How to Perfect Your College Application Essay 

3. "My extracurriculars taught me the importance of..." 

Don’t get us wrong, the extracurricular activities you undertake are incredibly telling of your interests outside of your academic work. It’s not easy to juggle other commitments you’re passionate about alongside your schoolwork, and admissions officers will definitely notice your efforts to keep up with both. Again though, it’s easy for your essay to sound too generic if it only articulates how your extracurricular taught you about general concepts, like the importance of “organization” and “time management.”

Hattie LeFavour, a sophomore at Middlebury College, advises that you try not to let your extracurricular define you in a typical, boring way. “I would say it’s solidly cliche to write about how much a sport taught you about hard work, and I’ve been told by admissions counselors themselves that they’re sick of reading about life-changing ‘voluntourism’ in other countries,” Hattie says.

Basically, those topics don’t shed light on how you have specifically grown as a person. Lots of different commitments can teach you about hard work and helping others, so, again, that’s not something that makes your experience necessarily unique or impactful. If an extracurricular truly helped you evolve as a student and a leader, then they’re the perfect topic of discussion in your essay. If your extracurricular made you think more deeply about leadership, community, morality, privilege and/or communication, then those are impactful ways those responsibilities changed you, and an admissions officer will definitely be intrigued by your transformation, all thanks to the extracurricular you stayed so dedicated to.

4. "I struggled a lot, and that makes me a better student." 

College essays work very much like a story, a narrative of the transformation you’ve gone through throughout your high school career. Just like any well-written story, a college essay gets a lot more exciting when there is some type of struggle involved. It’s safe to say that when you try your best to do well in high school, you run into some bumps in the road. But admissions officers might be turned off if your paper is just full of complaints and few to no resolutions. The mistakes in your past are only worth mentioning in an essay if they transformed you into a better person.

For example, if you battled some mental health struggles and your schoolwork suffered along with you, how did you come out of that turbulent time as a better, more evolved person? Did you look toward your extracurricular, like multi-cultural dance, as a form of therapy? Did that experience change you, and if so, how? Stories like these are so vital to letting your admissions officer know not only who you are, but who you became after facing such tribulations.

Kelsey Parmenter, a senior at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and former peer adviser for her college, says that college admissions officers are itching to hear about how students combat their own personal issues.

“From my experience working as a peer adviser, I’d say that colleges want to hear less about your struggles and more about how you overcame them and became better and stronger,” Kelsey says. “Don’t spend the whole essay describing the hardest time of your life and then leave a small part at the end about how you grew or why it makes you a good student for getting through it. Use the essay to talk about how powerful you are or what the event meant to you and use examples throughout.” This is extremely helpful advice for anyone who wants to acknowledge the flaws in their academic career while also letting colleges know that those mistakes were still productive.

Related: How You Handle The College Admissions Process, Based on Your Zodiac Sign

College essays hold a lot more weight than you may think. They’re the voice of your application and if your essay can say just the right things, sometimes even a less-than-perfect SAT score can be overlooked. There’s warranted pressure around the essay, but in the end, it’s important to be specific about what you want and what you’ve done throughout high school to make you into the outstanding student you are today. Hone your individual experiences and think deeper about the mark high school left on you and the mark you left on your high school, then write about those sentiments to your heart’s content. Passion is palpable, and if you can avoid the nonsensical topics like these and get to the good stuff, then your dream college can feel that passion and will want you at their school.

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.)

Hurricane Michael Upgrade to Category 3

Hurricane Michael churned in the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday, upgrading to a Category 3 storm, and is likely to make landfall as a Category 4 storm with a dangerous storm surge of up to 12 feet, officials said.

According to CNN, Michael was expected to intensify overnight and draw closer to a Category 4 in strength when it makes landfall Wednesday afternoon near the Panhandle, the National Weather Service said.

The hurricane is threatening dangerous storm surges to low-lying areas that are ill-equipped to handle it.

Officials have residents to evacuate the area now. If the storm makes landfall as a Category 2 or higher, it will become the strongest storm to make landfall in the United States this year.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott called Michael a “monstrous storm” that could bring “total devastation.”

“Hurricane Michael is forecast to be the most destructive storm to hit the Florida Panhandle in decades,” Scott said warned at a news conference on Tuesday. “You cannot hide from storm surge, so get out if an evacuation is ordered.”

“We can rebuild your house, but we cannot rebuild your life,” Scott warned.

On Tuesday night, Michael had sustained maximum winds of 120 mph, and gusts of up to 150 mph. According to the hurricane center's scale, a Category 3 storm has sustained winds of 111 mph to 129 mph. A Category 4 storm can have sustained winds of over 130 mph.

The storm is forecast to make landfall near Panama City, Florida as a Category 4 hurricane on Wednesday afternoon. By Thursday morning, Michael will move across Georgia and into South Carolina.

Besides the dangerous storm surge, residents should also prepare for torrential rain and major flooding, Scott said, with 4 to 8 inches of rain expected, and some areas even receiving as much as 12 inches.

According to CNN, winds of tropic storm force will be felt in the area starting as early Wednesday. Mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders have already been issued in at least 22 counties on the Florida Gulf Coast ahead of Hurricane Michael.

Kanye West to Meet With Trump

Kanye West is set to visit the White House on Thursday where he will meet with President Donald Trump and Jared Kushner, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said.

“Kanye West is coming to the White House to have lunch with President Trump and he will also meet with Jared Kushner,” Sanders said in a statement Tuesday. “Topics of discussions will include manufacturing resurgence in America, prison reform, how to prevent gang violence, and what can be done to reduce violence in Chicago.”

It’s unclear if West’s visit to the White House will be open to the press.

West has faced backlash over the past few months after announcing his support of Trump, including in a recent “Saturday Night Live” appearance where the rapper said that cast members “bullied” him, ABC News reports.

“They bullied me backstage. They said, ‘Don’t go out there with that hat on,’” West said of his red ‘Make America Great Again’ cap. “They bullied me backstage. They bullied me. And then they say I’m in a sunken place.”

Trump later tweeted his support for West.

West deleted his Twitter and Instagram accounts following the inundation of criticism after his “SNL” appearance, and for a tweet afterward in which he called for the abolishment of the 13th Amendment, which outlawed slavery in the United States.

The president has touted West’s support as evidence that his message is resonating with the African American community, including at a recent political rally in Topeka, Kansas.

“It’s habit because for a hundred years, African-Americans have gone with Democrats but now they're changing and they’re changing fast and they're coming. Thank you, Kanye West,” Trump said.

1,500 Noncitizens May Have Accidentally Been Registered to Vote in CA DMV Error

More than a thousand noncitizens may have been accidentally registered to vote in California in a processing error, according to officials.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) admitted the mistake on Monday, which caused as many as 1,500 noncitizens to be registered to vote in the state.

According to ABC News, the DMV was alerted about the mistake when Randall Marquis, a Canadian citizen and legal permanent resident in the U.S., went to The Los Angeles Times to tell them about receiving a piece of mail from the DMV saying he was registered to vote.

“I got this postcard thing, this little piece of cardboard, and it said, ‘Congratulations, you're registered to vote,’” Marquis told Sacramento ABC affiliate KXTV. “I thought, ‘Oh, that’s the stupidest thing I've ever heard,’ and I threw it out.”

This is the second voter registration error in the state in recent months. The DMV notified Secretary of State Alex Padilla in early September that approximately 23,000 Californians had their voter registrations handled incorrectly, including being assigned to the wrong political party.

via AP

“An extensive external audit by our departments found that approximately 1,500 customers may have been registered to vote in error,” the letter from the DMV to Padilla read. “This error has been corrected and is separate from the processing error we notified you about in writing on September 5.”

“This error occurred when DMV technicians processed customer requests at field offices to change voter eligibility responses on driver license applications,” the letter says. “Due to the order in which the change was processed, the customer's initial responses were retained instead of the correct and revised responses.”

“We have worked quickly with the Department of Technology to correct these errors and have also updated the programming and added additional safeguards to improve this process,” DMV Director Jean Shiomoto said in a statement to Sacramento ABC affiliate KXTV.

The DMV specified that none of the impacted individual were undocumented immigrants.

What to look out for…

To all of your aspiring chefs and food lovers, Buckingham Palace is hiring a chef and the job included 33 vacation days. So sharpen your knives and polish your resumes!

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.)

Hurricane Michael Upgrade to Category 3

Hurricane Michael churned in the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday, upgrading to a Category 3 storm, and is likely to make landfall as a Category 4 storm with a dangerous storm surge of up to 12 feet, officials said.

According to CNN, Michael was expected to intensify overnight and draw closer to a Category 4 in strength when it makes landfall Wednesday afternoon near the Panhandle, the National Weather Service said.

The hurricane is threatening dangerous storm surges to low-lying areas that are ill-equipped to handle it.

Officials have residents to evacuate the area now. If the storm makes landfall as a Category 2 or higher, it will become the strongest storm to make landfall in the United States this year.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott called Michael a “monstrous storm” that could bring “total devastation.”

“Hurricane Michael is forecast to be the most destructive storm to hit the Florida Panhandle in decades,” Scott said warned at a news conference on Tuesday. “You cannot hide from storm surge, so get out if an evacuation is ordered.”

“We can rebuild your house, but we cannot rebuild your life,” Scott warned.

On Tuesday night, Michael had sustained maximum winds of 120 mph, and gusts of up to 150 mph. According to the hurricane center's scale, a Category 3 storm has sustained winds of 111 mph to 129 mph. A Category 4 storm can have sustained winds of over 130 mph.

The storm is forecast to make landfall near Panama City, Florida as a Category 4 hurricane on Wednesday afternoon. By Thursday morning, Michael will move across Georgia and into South Carolina.

Besides the dangerous storm surge, residents should also prepare for torrential rain and major flooding, Scott said, with 4 to 8 inches of rain expected, and some areas even receiving as much as 12 inches.

According to CNN, winds of tropic storm force will be felt in the area starting as early Wednesday. Mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders have already been issued in at least 22 counties on the Florida Gulf Coast ahead of Hurricane Michael.

Kanye West to Meet With Trump

Kanye West is set to visit the White House on Thursday where he will meet with President Donald Trump and Jared Kushner, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said.

“Kanye West is coming to the White House to have lunch with President Trump and he will also meet with Jared Kushner,” Sanders said in a statement Tuesday. “Topics of discussions will include manufacturing resurgence in America, prison reform, how to prevent gang violence, and what can be done to reduce violence in Chicago.”

It’s unclear if West’s visit to the White House will be open to the press.

West has faced backlash over the past few months after announcing his support of Trump, including in a recent “Saturday Night Live” appearance where the rapper said that cast members “bullied” him, ABC News reports.

“They bullied me backstage. They said, ‘Don’t go out there with that hat on,’” West said of his red ‘Make America Great Again’ cap. “They bullied me backstage. They bullied me. And then they say I’m in a sunken place.”

Trump later tweeted his support for West.

West deleted his Twitter and Instagram accounts following the inundation of criticism after his “SNL” appearance, and for a tweet afterward in which he called for the abolishment of the 13th Amendment, which outlawed slavery in the United States.

The president has touted West’s support as evidence that his message is resonating with the African American community, including at a recent political rally in Topeka, Kansas.

“It’s habit because for a hundred years, African-Americans have gone with Democrats but now they're changing and they’re changing fast and they're coming. Thank you, Kanye West,” Trump said.

1,500 Noncitizens May Have Accidentally Been Registered to Vote in CA DMV Error

More than a thousand non-citizens may have been accidentally registered to vote in California in a processing error, according to officials.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) admitted the mistake on Monday, which caused as many as 1,500 noncitizens to be registered to vote in the state.

According to ABC News, the DMV was alerted about the mistake when Randall Marquis, a Canadian citizen and legal permanent resident in the U.S., went to The Los Angeles Times to tell them about receiving a piece of mail from the DMV saying he was registered to vote.

“I got this postcard thing, this little piece of cardboard, and it said, ‘Congratulations, you're registered to vote,’” Marquis told Sacramento ABC affiliate KXTV. “I thought, ‘Oh, that’s the stupidest thing I've ever heard,’ and I threw it out.”

This is the second voter registration error in the state in recent months. The DMV notified Secretary of State Alex Padilla in early September that approximately 23,000 Californians had their voter registrations handled incorrectly, including being assigned to the wrong political party.

via AP

“An extensive external audit by our departments found that approximately 1,500 customers may have been registered to vote in error,” the letter from the DMV to Padilla read. “This error has been corrected and is separate from the processing error we notified you about in writing on September 5.”

“This error occurred when DMV technicians processed customer requests at field offices to change voter eligibility responses on driver license applications,” the letter says. “Due to the order in which the change was processed, the customer's initial responses were retained instead of the correct and revised responses.”

“We have worked quickly with the Department of Technology to correct these errors and have also updated the programming and added additional safeguards to improve this process,” DMV Director Jean Shiomoto said in a statement to Sacramento ABC affiliate KXTV.

The DMV specified that none of the impacted individual were undocumented immigrants.

What to look out for…

To all of your aspiring chefs and food lovers, Buckingham Palace is hiring a chef and the job included 33 vacation days. So sharpen your knives and polish your resumes!

We’ve been waiting for the return of Riverdale for months, and tonight’s the big night! But before the season three premiere, Riverdale stars KJ Apa (Archie), Lili Reinhart (Betty), Mädchen Amick (Alice Cooper) and Luke Perry (Fred Andrews) made an appearance on Andy Cohen’s late night talk show, Watch What Happens Live. 

The four actors were there to talk about the new season of Riverdale, but they made some time to indulge on some adult beverages and recreate an iconic scene in television history. Some fans of Riverdale might not be old enough to remember, but before he was Fred Andrews, Luke Perry played Dylan McKay on the popular show Beverly Hills, 90210. 

Early on in the show, Dylan is dealt an emotional blow when Brenda decides to break up with him after a series of tumultuous events in their relationship. This turn of events left viewers devastated (similar to how I felt when I thought Ezria wouldn’t make it on PLL), and instantly became a classic. 

Well, last night, Andy Cohen, in his recurring segment “Clubhouse Playhouse,” had KJ Apa and Lili Reinhart recreate the memorable scene, while Luke Perry looked on. KJ and Lili handled the scene with the perfect level of drama and gravitas. 

Luke seemed satisfied with the performance, chuckling throughout, nodding his approval and giving a thunderous round of applause at the end. 

Watch Lili and KJ reenact the iconic scene below. 

Season three of Riverdale premieres tonight at 8 p.m. on The CW. 

Whether you’re the one dealing with jealous feelings or you’re dealing with someone who’s jealous of you (though who wouldn’t be jealous of you, because you’re perf), nobody wants to be jealous.

Jealousy is something everyone has experienced at some point, unless of course you’ve finally mastered not giving a shit about literally anything or anyone. In which case, why are you even reading this article? We get it—you’re researching for a friend, right?

Even though jealousy within a relationship is a pretty common topic, jealousy about others’ relationships is kind of an unspoken area that nearly everyone has dealt with. Here are a few ways that you can help yourself beat that couple envy.

Related: 5 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Compare Your Plans to Your Peers

1. Focus on yourself and your relationship (even if your current relationship is with Netflix)

It’s easy to be fixated on someone’s seemingly perfect couple-dom, whether a celebrity fling or even a fictitious couple.

However, you shouldn’t miss out on your own relationship because you were too busy fixating on another couple’s relationship.

You actually don’t even need to be in any form of relationship to be jealous about others’ relationships. However, you shouldn’t envy someone just because they’re in a relationship and you’re not. After all, being single is an excellent time to focus on yourself and your future.

Emily Schmidt, a sophomore at Stanford University, says, “I always deal with relationship jealousy by reminding myself that my guy is out there. I just have to be patient. Sometimes I’ll go and read cheesy quotes on Tumblr if I’m feeling especially angsty, but for the most part, focusing on myself helps a lot.” Whether you want to believe it or not, there is someone out there for you (even multiple someones), so you shouldn’t worry about being jealous of someone’s seemingly perfect bae.

2. Remember that every relationship is different

What works for the couple you’re jellin’ on might not work for you and your SO, so you shouldn’t obsess over other couples. Don’t try to be like another couple, just because that couple appears to be blissful.

Just because your bestie and her beau display an obnoxious amount of public affection, doesn’t mean you and your SO need to feel pressured into doing the same. Without sounding like a PSA against peer pressure, don’t force something that doesn’t come naturally.

Personally, I used to overtly hold hands and cuddle up on my former SOs, but I only did it because I saw so many other couples doing it. I thought it was just a natural way to show your SO that you like and appreciate them, but it just felt all sorts of awkward (mostly because I hate PDA).

So save yourself the trouble and focus on doing the things that work for you and bae.

3. Stay away from social media

First rule of the internet: nothing is true. Okay well, some things are true on the internet, but social media accounts represent the best of someone’s life. After all, who would want to document the worst (or even mundane) parts of their life or relationship?

John Remus, a senior at Iowa State University, explains, “You tend to obsess about random people on Twitter and Facebook, and it just becomes unhealthy because you’re so focused on what other people are doing in their relationship. If you stop following couple accounts or use social media less, then you can occupy yourself with your own relationship.” Seriously, someone’s social media account is not an accurate representation of themselves of their relationship.

Don’t strain your own relationship because you want to be like all the other Insta-couples.

4. Be happy for the other couple

We get it, it’s easier said than done, especially for us petty gals. However, you should try to focus your energy on admiring a decent and healthy couple.

Before you start photoshopping you and your beau’s face onto photos of your campus’ It Couple, take a second to appreciate that there’s a happy couple (even if they’re only smitten on paper Facebook). 

An anonymous alumna from Florida State University explains that she starting thinking more positively about other couples’ relationship. “I started going to student counseling when I was a student to try to get rid of my negative outlook. It was really affecting my relationship with my boyfriend and my relationships with my friends, because I was spending a lot of time becoming obsessed with relationships that I wasn’t even involved in.” There is absolutely no shame in seeking therapy to help you learn how to process your emotions more effectively, especially if it helps strengthen your relationship with your friends and SO.

Even if you don’t feel like your relationship is the best relationship at the moment, it’s always inspiring to see that there are other couples that are thriving at the moment. After all, what’s life without hope?

Related: 4 Signs Your Friend is Jealous of You

5. Ask other couples questions

If you’re jealous about another couple or pining over someone else’s “couple goals,” you should try asking them questions about what works and what doesn’t work for them.

Even if you use this interrogation interview to overthrow this poster couple’s Insta-fame, at least you’re channeling your energy toward minimizing the couple rivalry, rather than forcing your SO to take 75 photos of your couple brunch for your shared Instagram account.

After all, if you’re jealous about someone else’s relationship in the first place, then you might need to work on something in your own relationship. And there’s nothing wrong with working on something, even if it isn’t “broken.” That is how maintenance works.

Instead, try to figure out why you’re jealous of another couple, and try to replicate that in your own relationship (but, you know, edit it to fit your relationship). For example:

• If you’re hating on another couple because they seem to spend a lot of time with each other, try spending more time with your SO. However, don’t chill with your SO just for the sake of hanging out with them—make that time meaningful so it doesn’t seem like an assignment.

• If you’re jealous that other couples know more about their respective SO, try learning more about your other half. Just don’t interrogate them. Whether it’s a game of “Never Have I Ever” or a goofy questionnaire that you found online, make sure you both are having fun learning about each other. You wouldn’t want it to feel like those awkward ice-breaker exercises during syllabus week.

• If you’re worried that you aren’t making your partner happy, talk to your SO. Seriously, don’t fill yourself with pseudo-doubt when you can have a conversation with your babe. It’ll be less stressful than your performance review at work, we promise.

• If Sharon and Bree got matching tattoos, but you don’t want matching tattoos, then try to find something you and your SO can share together. Perhaps you could start off with some matching temporary tattoos or some couple bathrobes.

• If your fav Insta-couple just went on a cruise together, but you and bae are broke AF (plus cruises are boring), do something different (but affordable) from your usual routine. Take a day trip to a state park or watch a steamy movie— you know, something low-key.

If you’re jealous about someone else, then you obviously want something that they have — or something that you think they might have. Regardless, you shouldn’t silently sulk about the dream relationship that you don’t have. Instead, gradually work on your own relationship. Your relationship is what matters, after all.

Love is alive and well on the set of Riverdale. First, we were gifted with #Bughead IRL. Now, I would like to introduce you to my newest ship: Camila Mendes and Charles Melton. 

Fans have been speculating over their relationship for months now, ever since the pair had been spotted out several times together, according to Seventeen. However, Camila put the mystery to rest after sharing a picture with Charles on Instagram.

They're so cute! And it appears the duo's co-stars ship them as much as everyone else. 

Both Vanessa Morgan and Madelaine Petsch were head-over-heels for the photo, commenting “OBSESSED!!!!!!!” and “YES IT IS!!!!!!," respectively. 

Lili Reinhart left a simple little flower emoji while KJ APA, who plays Camila’s on-screen boyfriend, Archie, jokingly asked: “Are u guys dating?” to which Camila replied, “I’m sorry you had to find out this way." 

Even her Riverdale father, Mark Counselos, left a comment in support of the relationship. “Ah the old eyeball smooch," he wrote. 

Thank you both for making me believe in love again.

Alcohol is an amazing thing, but it's especially good when it tastes like your favorite desserts. It’s tough to find a reliable drink that doesn’t cause your eyes to fill with tears at every sip. So, now that Cinnabon has come out with two liquers, you have to jump at this opportunity.

One of the two new flavours is called Horchata Crème Liquer. Horchata is a milk drink usually made from almonds, tiger nuts or rice. Cinnabon’s website says promotes it as a perfect blend of cinnamon, almond and rice. They advise you to sip it on the rocks or in a cocktail. They’re giving us the ability to splash some into coffee, warm cocktails or anything that needs a creamy, sweet kick to it. We are very grateful.

Image via Cinnabon

The other addition is Cinnamon Crème Liquer, which is described as a velvety (so we’re already sold) blend of cinnamon and real dairy cream. They recommend putting it in some coffee, too. So, your coffee has double the upgrades. Cinnabon literally writes that these new drinks will “nourish your soul" and we believe it. 

We all know someone that always picked Cinnabon every time you went to the mall. You literally can’t walk past it without being immediately hungry. Now that you can mix that sensation with your Friday night pre-game, your weekends are bound to be on the up. Happy cocktail making!

This article has been syndicated from Heylifestylee, an InfluenceHer Collective Member. Read the full post here. 

Despite polka dots being a huge trend on last Fall’s catwalks, they seem to have stuck around for this season as well. If you thought polka dots were a thing of the past, it’s time to warm up to this highly versatile, classic print.

Since the 1950s, women have adored polka dot print. It is firmly entrenched in the world of fashion and, at this point in its fashion life cycle, it has started to break out of its shell. There are many ways to style polka dots, and designers and street style stars have brought them into the limelight.

Two of my favorite ways to style polka dots are with other polka dots of different sizes/shapes, or with solid white or black separates.

Solid separates

This is a classic, can’t-go-wrong styling option. If you want to dip your toe into the polka dot waters while making it look like you know exactly what you’re doing, try this out. Pair your one polka dot item with solid black or white separates and you’ve got a guaranteed stylish outfit. You can even pair it with a colorful purse and fun accessories to step your game up a notch.

Polka dots on polka dots

Pairing one style of polka dots with another is a more daring option, but if done well can look absolutely amazing! This way makes you stand out from the crowd and you’ll no doubt turn a lot of heads.

A few other trendy ways to style polka dots are pairing them with other patterns (like stripes, florals or plaid — don’t be afraid to step out of the box!), wearing polka dot accessories or outerwear, a full polka dot jumpsuit, sheath dress, or jeans, and you can even wear colorful polka dots. They don’t have to just be black and white!

This classic trend will be around for the long haul, so mastering it now will not only help you gain confidence in creating stylish looks, but it will also help you stay on trend for years to come.

Read the full post here. 

In what sounds like a scene right out of a horror movie, a man was stabbed in the arm by his friend in a freak accident at a Haunted House in Madison, Tennessee.

The Nashville area neighborhood features the Nashville Nightmare Haunted House and escapes games every year. The attraction is run by the production company, Thirteenth Floor Attractions, who has several other locations of these frightful experiences.

According to the Tennessean, the Halloween obsessed James “Jay” Yochim, loves haunted houses and all things scary. Yochim is no newcomer to these scary attractions and has actually been to other Thirteenth Floor Attraction scary nights.

Interacting with the “cast members,” Yochim and friends were joking and playing around with a particular cast member who handed Yochim’s friend a knife and “told her to stab him with it" after teasing the group.

Thinking that it was all a part of the fun and a gag of sorts, Yochim’s friend reportedly stabbed him with the knife that they both thought was a prop. Yochim even said, “Keep in mind, we’d been chased by chainsaws, holding other weapons, all kinds of stuff all night, and it was all fake.”

It’s that time of year again, when horror movie trailers run rampant and it’s impossible to watch even prime-time TV without being freaked out by something in the commercial break.

Next up in the world of horrific trailers is Pet Sematary, a remake adaptation of Stephen King’s horror novel of the same name. The trailer shows a young family moving into a new house in rural Maine, and patriarch Dr. Louis Creed (Jason Clarke) can immediately tell that something is off.

The rest of the trailer follows John Lithgow as “unusual neighbor" Jud Crandall telling Dr. Creed about the strange things afoot in the forest in the back of the property. “It was a myth,” Crandall says. “Kids used to dare each other to go into the woods at night.”

We then see those kids playing an ominous rhythm on drums and marching in hyper-realistic animal masks. Combined with a matted, evil-looking cat and some gross and misplaced dirty feet, the scene is set for some otherworldly, zombified madness. “Sometimes dead is better,” Crandall says. (That's fair; I now don't want to see a child OR a cat for at least another week.)

Last fall, another one of Stephen King’s previously adapted novels, It, became a box office smash. Its sequel, It: Chapter Two is set for theaters in September 2019. With Pet Sematary’s release date set for April of the same year, it looks like 2019 is going to be filled with lots of mind-bending, otherworldly thrills and chills.

Though real life has proven itself to be scary enough lately, sometimes it feels good to step into a dark world where things can always be worse. Check out the trailer for Pet Sematary below:

If you asked us a month ago if ‘90s cult classic Clueless could get any better, we would have answered with a firm, “As if!”

But apparently it can, with the help of a Clueless musical.

This year, Cher Horowitz, along with her iconic yellow and black plaid outfit and her best friend Dionne, will be making her theater debut in an off-broadway musical. Back in June, The New Group (a theater company based in New York) announced that the musical, written and directed by the film’s writer Amy Heckerling, would premiere in November. But, they left us with one question: Who’s playing Cher??

Unfortunately, Alicia Silverstone won’t be reprising her role. But the person who will be taking on the iconic role of everyone’s favorite ‘90s icon is going to be just as good. On Tuesday it was announced that Dove Cameron, best known for playing Mal in Disney’s Descendents, will be playing Cher.

A few days ago, the 22-year old actress shared with fans that she’s packing her bags and moving from L.A. to New York, but kept fans guessing why she was making the move until today.

If you’re worried about Cameron being able to fill Cher’s designer shoes, don’t be. This isn’t Cameron’s first musical. Aside from Descendants, she was also in NBC’s Hairspray Live! in 2016, she’s going to be starring alongside Jennifer Aniston in the upcoming comedy musical Dumplin’, and has previously won an Emmy for her role in Disney’s Liv and Maddie.

The musical only runs from November 20 through January 12, and according to The New Group, it will feature reimagined ‘90s hits to fit the storyline. We’re just hoping that they find a way to fit “Rollin’ With My Homies” into the show.

We all go through those times when we just don’t want to go to the gym. Maybe you have a ton of classes this semester, a demanding workload, or are working on top of school. At the end of the day, you probably feel too exhausted to find the motivation to go for a run, take a yoga class, or lift some weights.

But your slump doesn’t have to last forever, and it’s not impossible to get yourself back on a regular gym schedule. Although, if we’re being honest, it will take some work. Don’t worry though—HC has some tips on how to make your return to the gym a little bit easier.

1. Start out slow

If you haven’t been to the gym in months, don’t start the first day back with a 5k sprint on the treadmill. Doing that will only make you more discouraged about working out. Yes, after a long break you’re not going to be able to do all the things you were able to do before—you won’t be able to run as long or lift as much, and maybe you can only do five pushups instead of ten—but if you give yourself time, you’ll get it all back.

And if you’re having trouble getting yourself out the door, just think off all the benefits that regular exercise has:

• You’ll feel like a badass when you’re done

• You’ll be more energized throughout the day (it seems unbelievable that you’d have more energy after a tough workout, but trust us it’s true)

• It helps clear your head and destress

• It’s a lot better for you than just sitting on the couch (an obvious one, we know)

• You can gain muscle strength and tone your body

• You won’t feel guilty about eating that extra cookie or two for dessert

2. Plan your gym sessions out at the beginning of the week

If you plan out which days you’re going to go the gym before the week starts, you’re more likely to follow through. Instead of just waiting for a time when you “feel like” going (because if you’re in a slump, that day probably won’t come), plan it out and be consistent.

“I definitely think that being consistent is the most important thing,” says Vanessa Medina, Emerson College class of 2021. “I know for me personally, if I skip one day at the gym it sets the tone for the rest of the week. Consistency is key—if I go every day it helps me to keep my motivation up.”

Make a plan and stick to it!

Related: 7 Body Positive Habits You Should Add to Your Routine

3. Sign up for exercise classes

Going to the gym by yourself and planning a workout on your own may seem daunting, especially if you haven’t been in a while. A great way to ease back into things is to sign up for workout classes.

“If you are able to I think that signing up for a consistent exercise class or a personal trainer is a great motivator. If you have a scheduled class or appointment you are so much less likely to flake and stay home because you’re probably going to lose money,” says Meghan Shaffer, a junior at The College of the Holy Cross.

Plus, if you attend a class you have both the instructor and the other people taking the class to push you to do your best. You’ll work out harder if there’s someone whose sole purpose is to motivate you and a group of people challenging you to keep going.

4. Find some cute workout clothes

If all you have to work out in is an old tee shirt and ratty shorts, it probably won’t help you get excited about going to the gym. But if you have something cute to work out in, you’ll probably be more likely to go.

“If I buy cute gym stuff, I feel good when I’m going to the gym or to a workout class. If you feel good, you’ll feel more motivated to get up and go,” says Vanessa. Even though we all love Lululemon, there are so many more affordable sites to choose from. Places like Fabletics offer subscriptions services and discounts for members, and even Gap and Old Navy have some really cute leggings and sports bras to choose from.

And you can’t just leave your new matching leggings and tank sets sitting in your drawers. You’ll want to show them off, and there’s no better place to do it than at the gym!

5. Have a workout routine that you like

If you’re someone who prefers working out on your own, rather than with a group or in a class, make sure you have a workout plan that you like. “The key is to find a good workout routine. I think once you find the routine that works for you and gets you excited to get up in the morning, then you always have the motivation to go to the gym,” says Sophia Liu, a 2018 graduate of Smith College.

Make a list of all the exercises you’re going to do at the gym beforehand, that way you won’t find yourself walking in circles unable to decide what to do next. If you have a plan, you won’t end up doing the same three exercises over and over.

And make sure it includes things you enjoy. If you hate cardio but have running on the schedule for the next day, you’re going to be less excited to get up and go. But if you combine some of your least favorite things with exercises that you like, you’ll have a much better time. If you love core exercises, alternate between the treadmill and crunches.

Whether you try one of these tips or follow them all, getting back to the gym will be so much easier. Even though it might seem daunting at first, in the long run, you’ll thank yourself for finding the motivation to start working out again. Just think of all the abs you’ll (potentially) have and how great you’ll feel!

You know what they say: the youth is the future. And now, it looks like Selena Gomez and Michael B. Jordan are joining in to support the next generation as they begin to work toward achieving their dreams.

Gomez and Jordan are teaming up with Coach as part of their Dream It Real foundation, which itself is in partnership with the Future Project. According to The Cut, these organizations aim to guide teenagers to chase after anything and everything they’re passionate about through the help of “dream directors” that visit high schools across America.

As honorary dream directors, Gomez and Jordan will personally be stopping by various high schools in the US, and talking to students there to inspire them. Knowing Gomez’s status as a multi-hyphenate (actress-singer-producer) and Jordan’s vast filmography, which includes everything from poignant TV shows like Friday Night Lights to blockbuster films like Black Panther, there’s likely few people better suited to inspire young people to shoot for the stars.

I’m pretty sad that I’m no longer in high school and therefore won’t be able to meet these two, but I can’t wait to see the great work they do with Dream It Real.

Now that Brett Kavanaugh has been confirmed to the Supreme Court, the threat to women’s reproductive rights feels way too real. But Planned Parenthood announced on Wednesday a three-part plan to protect and expand abortion access. 

In a multi-million dollar plan called, Care For All, the organization plans to expand access to abortion, to strengthen pro-choice legislation, and to reduce the stigma attached to abortion. 

“We know that we’ll need an ironclad network of states and providers across the country where abortion will still be legal and accessible, no matter what happens at the Supreme Court,” Planned Parenthood’s Executive Vice President Dawn Laguens told ABC News. 

In Planned Parenthood’s overview of Care For All, the organization explains that it will expand services in states where abortion is already and likely to remain legal and accessible. It also plans to provide telemedicine for individuals living in remote areas. Currently, Planned Parenthood in 14 states use telemedicine to provide medication abortions. The organization hopes to raise that number with the Care For All plan. In states such as California where abortions are legal, the organization wants to provide financial aid to low-income residents and transportation assistance to people who have to travel long distances to reach an abortion clinic. 

In terms of policy, Planned Parenthood will fight for policy changes in 10 states including Illinois, Maine and Washington, where it plans to create a Regional Access Network for abortion. It also plans to work with advocates across 25 states to continue to strengthen abortion access and combat anti-abortion legislation. The plan is unclear as to how Planned Parenthood will stop anti-abortion laws, but it says the organization plans to fight "tooth and nail" to "defeat hostile policies intent on shaming our patients and rendering abortion inaccessible."

At the same time, the organization aims to destigmatize abortion through collaborations with the fashion, music, film and television industries and create public awareness campaigns. 

“We demand a world where who you are or how much money you make doesn’t determine your access to health care or access to safe, legal abortion,” Laguens said in the press release. “We demand a world where your personal health care decisions aren’t affected by stigma, shame, or silence. WE demand a world where providers can give patients the care they need without harassment or government interference.”

Josh Radnor, known to most of us as Ted Mosby on the beloved CBS series How I Met Your Mother, is set to play the love interest of Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo). 

People confirmed that the actor will appear as a potential love interest of Meredith’s on Thursday night’s episode. In a sneak peak of the upcoming episode, Meredith Grey can be seen dressed in a tan-colored trench coat and white blouse underneath. Her sister-in-law Dr. Amelia Shepard (Caterina Scorsone) asks “What happened? Are you going to a funeral?” Grey then admits that she is going on a blind date. 

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Pompeo said that this season will really dive into Meredith’s dating life. Following the death of her husband Derek Shepard in 2015, she’s had a pretty crazy ride in the romance department. 

“Patrick Dempsey is a very tough act to follow, and it’s challenging to get someone to come on a season 15 show,” Pompeo told Entertainment Weekly.“We’re gonna find someone who makes an impact. That’s our biggest challenge this year.” 

Radnor played Ted Mosby on the CBS series from 2005 to 2014, and most recently starred in the now canceled NBC’s series Rise. It’s unclear if Radnor will appear in more than one episode. 

A woman was kicked off a flight by police on Tuesday after she brought her “emotional support” squirrel on the plane and refused to leave. 

According to the Associated Press, the passenger initially refused to get off the plan. The crew then asked everyone on the flight to leave the aircraft, which delayed the flight for two hours. 

The squirrel situation was handled by authorities who were called to remove the unnamed passenger from a Frontier Airlines flight from Orlando, Florida, to Cleveland. Once the police arrived, the women and her squirrel got off. 

“The passenger noted in their reservation that they were bringing an emotional support animal but it was not indicated that it was a squirrel,” the airline said in a statement to Huffington Post. “Rodents, including squirrels, are not allowed on Frontier flights.” 

In a video of the incident, the women with the squirrel flipped off the crowd as she was wheeled off the plane. Some fellow passengers can be seen clapping for the  one-finger salute. 

Huffington Post reports that other airlines including American Airline don't allow squirrels on the flights.

Note to self: don’t bring a squirrel on a plane. 

Gone are the days when we spent the first half of the semester carefully planning out a different, inventive costume for each and every night of Halloweekend, or multiple Halloweekends, if Halloween fell in the middle of the week. In college, all we had to worry about was making sure our outfits were cute, our drinks were full and our makeup was on point. Kids didn’t come running up to our dorm doors begging for candy, guests didn’t have to be adequately entertained and you didn’t have to face your boss in your costume.

Don’t worry, though. You may be at a loss now that animal ears and a Rubbermaid tub full of jungle juice won’t really cut it, but we’ve got your back.   

1. Dressing up at work 

Depending on where you work, you may get to dress up on Halloween, but your costume choice if you’re a bartender is going to vary from that of a software engineer. It’s important to dress for the workspace you’re in! Even though the occasion calls for disguises, remembering where you are when you select your attire is key.

Kathleen Rotondo, a developer at IBM, says, “Please be smart about this; there are lines that can’t be crossed. This isn't just dressing up to go out with friends. It’s your job and should be treated as such. When it comes to gore, less is usually more, but there’s no reason not go all out on a fictional character or something that’s not so scary.” This also applies to traditionally sexy costumes—there is a time and place for them, and a professional setting is not one of them!

“Puns based on the workplace go a long way,” Kathleen says. “A guy from work last year dressed up in a white shirt that said ‘404 Error: Costume Not Found,’ and given that we're programmers, everyone lost their minds over it.”

If your employer will let you dress up for the occasion, you should definitely take advantage of it! Get creative with your costumes, but be smart about your choices.

2. Decorating your space

Whether it’s your home or your office, there is such a thing as too much or too soon. You don’t want HR called on you for having a plastic weapon that looks a little too real, or the police called for what people mistake as a murder scene.

Danielle Buchanan, a graduate of Eckerd College, loves to visit Target, TJ Maxx and Homegoods to shop for her holiday decorations. “They’re all so fun, and pretty inexpensive!” she says. Target’s dollar spot always has great finds for holiday supplies, such as battery-powered LED lights and bat-shaped chalkboards!

Haleigh Kopinski, a graduate of Point Park and a Social Media Community Manager for Aerie, likes to make her own decorations! “I take one weekend to just completely ‘fall out’ and do DIYs. Last year, I made a welcome sign out of fake leaves, potpourri light jars, and candles!”

Kathleen found that fairy lights and spooky pictures worked the best for her office. “Classic pumpkins are a great idea, but if they're real, be careful about making sure you get rid of them before they rot; nobody wants to visit your office if it smells like that,” she says. “I also keep a bowl of candy on my desk for anyone who visits!” You don’t want to do anything that could make you look bad or create drama within the office.

Overly grotesque décor, such as very bloody or lifelike recreations or references to real-life crimes, or campy versions of décor dedicated to cultural holidays, like the Day of the Dead, could all instigate tensions between individuals within the office. There’s a fine line between appreciation and appropriation, and crossing it could create hostility and awkwardness.

3. Seasonally appropriate snacks and drinks

In the land and time of pumpkin spice, a rarity available to us mostly during the fall, it can be difficult to open your mind to other flavors. There are lots of great recipes, for drinks and snacks alike, to get you ready for Halloween, pumpkin not required.

Haleigh likes to create her own recipes around this time of year. “Pinterest is a life-saver, but I enjoy pumpkin everything and apple cider sangria a lot!” she says.

Witch hats made of Hershey’s kisses and fudge stripes and cocktails called “Dark and Spooky” are sure to get the Halloween spirit flowing and all of your guests ready for the party.

4. Throwing a party

One of the best things about Halloween in college was Halloweekend(s), which were the several days, or even a whole week, in a row where costumes ranged from full-body morph suits to outfits made out of rolls of caution tape. Everybody was in the same boat, ready to celebrate all day, every day. The prospect of a party to bring you back to your heyday may be just what you need to get out of the post-grad funk, but your neighbors in your post-grad quarters, be it the house next door or the apartments all around, probably don’t feel the same way.

If you’re going to throw a party, you’ve got to be conscious of your surroundings. Surely you’ll have some neighbors that want to celebrate with you, but you’ll also have young children that need to go to bed when they get back from trick-or-treating and older neighbors that don’t want to hear your screams all night.

Also, keep in mind the potential clean-up. Many decorations, like fake blood or broken glow sticks, could stain your carpets, curtains, walls and upholstery if you don’t know how to, or forget to, clean it up that night.

It may be in your best interest to take the party to somebody else’s house or out on the town, but make sure you have rides planned out. Kathleen suggests taking an Uber if it’s available in your area, especially when alcohol is involved. “It will be dark and children are little,” she says. “The last thing you want to be is responsible for hitting somebody.” Driving while intoxicated to any degree is no joke. The more people you have to Uber with, the less congested the roads will be and the more money you’ll keep in your pocket.  

5. Preparing for trick-or-treaters

If you don’t throw or go to a party, hopefully you’ll be participating in the most popular part of the holiday.

It’s been a long-standing tradition that if you’re accepting trick-or-treaters, you leave your porch light on, and if you’re not offering treats you keep it dark. A lot of overzealous children don’t follow the rules, though, and even if your porch light is off, they’ll still ring your bell or knock on your door in the hopes of a sugar rush. You can purchase or make a sign that says “Trick or Treat” on one side and “Out of Candy” on the other if you don’t want to participate, or want to make sure they stop coming once the treats are gone, but Halloween is a really exciting time for kids and if you have the means to participate, you could make any number of kids’ nights.

“Remember how magical trick or treating could be? Make it that way for another kid,” Kathleen says. “The excitement on their faces and the gratitude they offer will make you so glad you did!” Even if all you want to do is sit inside with a drink and a scary movie the night of, keeping a bowl of candy nearby for those who come to visit will make everyone happy.

6. Marathoning holiday favorites

Whether it’s to kick off the season (and it’s never too early to do so) or as a quiet night in instead of celebrating, a Halloween movie marathon is a must. There’s nothing like a Disney Channel Original Movie or a horror film to get you pumped for Halloween.

“I'm still a sucker for Halloweentown,” Summer Arlexis, a graduate of Boston University and a fashion and beauty staff writer for Bustle.com, says. “I mean, what 90s kid wouldn't consider that a classic? DCOMs are always giving me life!” And who could forget the scariest DCOM ever created, Don’t Look Under the Bed? Even in our twenties, these kiddy Halloween classics still cause us to drop everything on the nights they air!

Haleigh says, “One tradition that has stuck from college is that every year, my two old roommates and I get together to have a wine night, and watch the most awful scary movies, like Sorority Row and the Scream series.” You can even take old traditions like this and use the time to create new ones, like decorating your own fall or Halloween-themed wine glasses to use.

Whether it’s a throwback classic or family-friendly film, it’ll do the job to get your ready for anything the Halloween season has to throw at you, and as long as you act safely and smartly now that you’re out in the real world, with real consequences, this Halloween will be just as amazing as all the ones before it were.

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.) 

USA Today Under Fire For Donald Trump’s Op-Ed

We just cannot escape from Trump’s opinions. USA Today faces criticism after publishing an op-ed article from Donald Trump on Wednesday that may contain factual inaccuracies. 

The article talks about the Democratic party’s push for “Medicare for All,” and it claims that the plan would “demolish promises to seniors.” Bernie Sanders proposed “Medicare For All,” which aims to provide healthcare to 28 million uninsured people and coverage for the 56 million people with Medicare. 

In about 17 paragraphs, Trump accuses Democrats for wanting to “outlaw private health care plans” and take away “freedom to choose plans while letting anyone cross the border.” The president proceeded to claim that he’s worked to protect coverage for “patients with pre-existing conditions,” but the Washington Post fact-checked those claims and found them to be false.  

Many took to Twitter to express their outrage at USA Today for not fact-checking Trump’s claims before publishing the article. 

Stephen Miller’s Elementary Teacher Said He Used To Eat Glue

Trump’s senior White House advisor Stephen Miller is a “strange dude” with some weird habits, according to his third grade teacher.

Nikki Fiske taught Miller 25 years ago, when he attended Franklin Elementary in Santa Monica, California. She told the Hollywood Reporter that he would isolate himself from others and had “strange habits”.

“I remember he would take a bottle of glue - we didn’t have glue sticks in those days - and he would pour the glue on his arm, let it dry, peel it off and then eat it,” Fiske said.

Miller helped to create some of the administration’s most controversial and racist policies including the travel ban on primarily Muslim-majority countries and family separation.

The Meta Gala Theme Has Been Announced 

The New York Metropolitan Museum of Art announced the theme of next year’s Met Gala, which is “Camp: Notes on Fashion.” The museum launches an exhibit each year, where attendees are encourage to dress for the theme. It’s basically going to be all things campey, and we are expected to see some pretty exaggerated and theatrical choices. 

According to People, the official title is in reference to a 1964 essay called “Notes on Camp” by Susan Sontag. Pop icon Lady Gaga, singer Harry Styles, tennis star Serena Williams, Gucci’s creative director Alessandro Michele and Vogue editor-in-chief are expected to serve as co-chairs for the event. 

What to look out for….

To all my fellow pizza lovers, tomorrow is apparently National Sausage Pizza Day. So go order a slice and enjoy! 

This article has been syndicated from Overthinker's Notebook, an InfluenceHer Collective Member. Read the full post here. 

It’s officially that time of the semester. Class is becoming a grind, mornings are getting darker and colder and sometimes it’s all you can do to keep your motivation up. Though I initially championed waking up early this semester and being productive, I’ve been waking up later and later every week. Unfortunately, once we’re in this rut, it’s hard to pull ourselves back out. How can we get our motivation back?

Over the course of the past few years, I’ve accumulated a number of tips I’ve either read or discovered that help make me more willing to get out of bed and be productive in the morning. If you’ve been on the morning struggle bus lately, I recommend giving a few of these a try in order to gain some morning inspiration.

Wake up at a reasonable time

The first step in feeling good and being productive is waking up at a reasonable time. “Reasonable,” however, can mean different things to different people. For me it means being out of bed by 8; any later and I feel I’ve wasted hours of my day. However, if you’re the type who’s regularly up late working, a later time would probably be more appropriate so you can get your sleep. Conversely, if you have to be at work at 9 and would like some time in the morning to be productive, an earlier time may be necessary. The goal is to get up early enough that you feel proud of yourself for doing so, which will improve your motivation to get stuff done.

Make a getting-ready playlist

If you tend to spend forever getting ready because you’re still half asleep (AKA me), it may help to put some music on. Try putting music on while you’re in the shower, brushing your teeth and/or doing your makeup. Choose something upbeat that you’ll look forward to listening to every morning. This will help wake you up and motivate you to conquer the rest of your day.

Have your favorite coffee

I don’t know about you, but nothing gets me out of bed like thinking about what kind of coffee I’m going to have. If you struggle with being motivated to leave your bed, try tempting yourself with coffee and see if that helps. Plus, if you get into the habit of treating yourself with coffee in the morning when it’s time to be productive, chances are it’ll be something you’ll look forward to a little more. And if you’re not a coffee drinker, try using tea or hot chocolate.

Cook yourself breakfast

If you have the time to spare, making yourself a nice breakfast can be a really good way to get yourself up and motivated in the morning. Put on some music, pick a dish or recipe you love and get moving. Not only will the act of cooking force you to wake yourself up, but I’m sure the smell will help too. Plus, a good breakfast does wonders for your focus throughout the morning!

Read something that inspires you

When I was at my job this past summer and had a little more time to kill, I’d spend my Saturday mornings reading blog posts. This wasn’t just to support my fellow bloggers, however — some light reading about topics that caught my eye always made me feel inspired. While this specifically may not work quite as well for you, there’s likely a book or something you’ve been excited to read. Whatever it is that’ll pique your interest, try reading a few pages in the morning to get your brain juices flowing. I’ve found it works wonders for clearing my head.

Journal

Another thing I’ll do in the morning to clear my mind is journal. While some people like to do this at night to get their thoughts out before they go to sleep, I’ve found I prefer to do it in the morning. I’m more motivated to take it seriously, and if I’ve got a million thoughts swirling around about the day ahead, it’ll help me calm down so I can focus. Plus, it often gets me thinking about what I need to accomplish that morning.

Start with administrative tasks

If your struggle is with jumping into your high-brainpower tasks, start small. Check and reply to your emails, reply to comments or put the finishing touches on that already-written post draft. Crossing a few little things off of your to-do list will give you a sense that you’re getting stuff done, which will make you more motivated to start on your larger projects. It’ll also mean you don’t have to do them later in the day.

Hopefully, with one or more of these tips, your mornings will be less of a drag!

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