#CollegeFashionWeek in Boston has come and gone but we’re still oohing and aahing over the hair fantasy TRESemmé Stylist Tyler Laswell brought to the catwalk. And since we have a hunch you'll be needing some fresh hair inspo this weekend, we’re breaking down the simple recipes for achieving these gorgeous ‘dos without a trip to the salon. Trust us, runway-ready locks don’t come easier than this (and we owe it to Laswell for showing us the ropes). Scroll down for step-by-step instructions, including all the TRESemmé products you need to recreate three hairstyles from #TREScfw that will put an end to your daily topknot habit once and for all.

Look #1: Brooklyn Princess Undercut Braid with Metallic Foil Accent

1. To prep, start by applying TRESemmé Thermal Creations Volume Boosting Mousse ($5) onto damp hair. For added texture, flip your head over and rough dry your strands with your dryer on high heat. 
2. Wrap multiple sections of your hair around a one-inch curling barrel, leaving ends out. Since this look calls for tousled waves, alternate the direction you wrap the sections around the iron.
3. Create a deep side-part and separate the smaller half of the part into two to three sections.
4. Starting with the section closest to your ear, Dutch braid (reverse French braid) from your temple down to the nape of your neck. Repeat this step on the remaining two sections.
5. Fasten each braid at the nape of your neck, secure with bobby pins, then mist your supermodel ‘do with TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Illuminating Shine Spray ($5), a heat activated smoothing treatment that fights frizz for up to 48 hours.

DIY glam gold accent:

1. Apply a dollop of the brand's TRES Two Mega Firm Gel ($4) to the braid you wish to dazzle and lightly blow dry it until the gel feels sticky.
2. Place a metallic foil (found at most craft stores) onto the braid and use a blush brush to gently set it.
3. Remove the foil’s plastic backing and voilà, an amplified undercut braid is yours!

Look #2: Woodlander Retro Twist

1. Comb TRESemmé 24 Hour Body Foaming Mousse ($5) through damp hair and rough dry. 
2. Wrap your strands loosely around a one-inch curling iron, leaving ends alone. Create the same irregular waves described in step two of the undercut braid style above.
3. Separate a section of hair at the front of your crown while loosely pulling and twisting it behind your ear, gathering additional strands as you go. 
4. Glitz up the twist by securing it with colorful or bedazzled bobby pins. Finish with a few spritzes of TRESemmé TRES Two Extra Firm Hair Spray ($4) for a full day’s worth of humidity-free, flexible hold.

Look #3: Imperial Casual Double Bun

1. Start by working TRESemmé 24 Hour Body Foaming Mousse ($5) through damp hair, then rough dry.
2. Wrap your hair around the barrel of a one-inch curling iron, leaving the ends untouched and switching the direction you wrap each section around the iron.
3. Pull the hair at the crown of your head into a messy bun, then secure with bobby pins.
4. Next, with the hair from the temple, create a small messy bun directly under the existing bun and secure with bobby pins.
5. Frame your face with one or two wisps of hair from your hairline to give the style a laid-back vibe. Then, polish the look using TRESemmé 24 Hour Body Finishing Spray ($4) for never-stiff, luscious locks.

And just like that, collegiettes, gone are the days (or weeks) of throwing your hair into a snooze-worthy ponytail. Want even more hair inspo? Click here for easy step-by-step tutorials from TRESemmé professionals.

Is your Spanish not sharp enough for Spain? Are you not itching for the Barcelona club scene or a picture in one of those red phone booths in London? Never fear, collegiettes—you can still cure your case of wanderlust by spending a semester away from campus in a different city in the United States.

Sometimes spending a semester in a different city can be the perfect way to get some space from your campus, some real-world experience and a new perspective when you get back to school. But you don’t have to leave the country—collegiettes can have amazing experiences away from their schools at cities in the U.S.! Whether you want to make a change on Capitol Hill or make a film in Los Angeles, studying “abroad” in a different part of the U.S. can be the perfect addition to your college career. Still on the fence? We’ve found some awesome benefits to staying in the States during your semester away from school.

1. You have lots of options

If you think that exploring a city in the U.S. would be way more exciting and rewarding than studying abroad right now, you could join the ranks of many collegiettes who thought the same thing! For example, if you’re a collegiette who’s passionate about American politics, spending a quarter in Australia may not be the best choice for you. Instead, you could attend another program, like Stanford in Washington, which helps place students in full-time internships in D.C. All students live in a house together and take classes at night.

Another such program, Marist In Manhattan allows students to live together in New York while completing internships. Whether you’re into fashion, media, publishing or advertising, a program like this one can help advance your career and give you a small bite of the Big Apple.

Programs in the U.S. typically provide housing and will help you find an internship in your chosen city. They’re a great way to maintain some independence while still receiving the benefits of being in college. Anyone from any major can find a program that they love—just as there’s no typical study abroad student, there’s no typical student who studies away from school in the U.S.!

2. You can build your resumé

For collegiettes who want great networking opportunities, studying away in the U.S. is an excellent choice. While many study abroad programs simply let you take classes at a foreign university, lots of programs in the U.S. will allow you to do an internship in a city that will help you immensely in the future.

Nicole Knoebel, a senior at Marist College who participated in the Marist In Manhattan program, did an internship with Seventeen while taking online classes. “I made amazing connections in the U.S. that I can use after I graduate,” she says. “I don't think I'd have that right now if I went abroad.”

If you’re concerned about finding a job after graduation or you think your resume could use a little sprucing up, exploring a new city and completing a career-oriented internship could be the smart choice for you, too.

3. It’s easier to keep in touch with friends

One concern for collegiettes studying abroad is the distance from home and the difficulty of communicating with loved ones. With a program in the U.S., you can get the experience of going abroad—living more independently and exploring a new city—without having to sacrifice communication with your loved ones. In addition, visiting your college or keeping in touch with your SO can be way easier when you have reliable cell phone service and Wi-Fi and you don’t have an ocean to cross.

Jen Morgan, a junior at Messiah College who studied in Philadelphia for a semester, says, “If you do meet really amazing friends, it's a little easier to see them once your program is over, since even though you're in different parts of the U.S., you're all still in America, so no need to worry about international travel for visits.”

Whether you want to go home for a weekend every once in a while to see your friends or visit the new friends you’re making during your program in the future, studying in the U.S. can make things way easier!

4. It won’t break the bank

Craving a new adventure that won’t cause you to cringe when you see your bank account? Staying in the U.S. won’t cost you as much money as going to Europe would. You don’t have to worry about exchange rates or international flights—if you plan ahead, you can manage your costs very effectively.

“As expensive as NYC is, it was still way cheaper than going to Europe,” Nicole says. “I loved exploring the entire island and being able to bounce around to the other boroughs, especially Brooklyn, as well.”

It’s definitely easier to get an idea for fair prices and good deals when you’re dealing with your native currency. While your friends may be spending too much at cafes and boutiques in Europe, you can keep saving up for your dream apartment of the future.

5. Logistics aren’t as complicated

While studying abroad can sometimes require a student visa, an expensive new plan for your cell phone and a stressful currency exchange, studying in the U.S. doesn’t require much more than moving into a new apartment and enrolling in classes or internships. You’re already moving to a new city and adjusting to a totally new environment—you don’t need to add the restrictions of getting to a foreign country to the mix to make your adventure exciting!

This also makes it easy to visit once your program is over. “I think the best thing is that I fell in love with a city that I can still visit whenever I want,” Nicole says. “If I became obsessed with a European city, there's a chance I'd never be able to go back. But now, I can always visit NYC and have the advantage of knowing how to navigate the city and have so many favorite spots.”

6. It’s still an adventure!

You don’t have to be abroad to experience an incredible adventure away from your college. Many collegiettes who study away in the U.S. still feel as if they’ve experienced something just as good as traveling to another country—or maybe something even better!

“I love that I can explore and learn in a new area of the country, since even though you're still in America, you're in a new place and able to learn so much about a new place,” Jen says. “You also meet tons of new friends and have new experiences too, just like a study abroad program.”

Morgan Dux, a senior at Juniata College, studied in Washington, D.C., for a semester. “I was able to experience living in a large city (which was a big change for me and something I wanted to accomplish), build my network and forge relationships with students from all over the world,” she says.

Whether you want to stay close to your family, you’re dreaming of an internship in NYC or you’re waiting until after you graduate to travel abroad, studying in the U.S. can be an amazing option for collegiettes who are seeking a new adventure away from school. 

It’s official! October is here and fall has arrived. Some are excited for the change of wardrobe, others are still in the spring/summer stage. Have no fear! Just because it’s fall doesn’t mean you have to put away your spring and summer clothing forever. In fact, keep it out! Here are three looks that incorporate your floral pieces into your transitional fall looks.

Fall and floral – this outfit is perfect for a date at a cozy café or even for some apple/pumpkin picking with your friends. Pairing your favorite summer floral dress with a comfy matching sweater is both adorable and very fashion forward.

Outfit 1) Dress – Lilac Blossoms Belted Dress, $49, shopruche.com

Sweater – Chicwish Open Knit Cropped Sweater in Dark Green, $42, chicwish.com

Boots – Montage Brown, $41, zooshoo.com

Watch – Zalora Square Triple Wrap Around Watch, $15, theiconic.com.au

Necklace–House of Harlow 1960 Jewelry Tholos Mosaic Necklace, $38, bluefly.com

Bag – ModCloth Boho Perk Me Up Bag,$50, modcloth.com

Earrings – Kate Spade New York Emerald Cut Crystal Earrings, $38, cusp.com

Trendy floral – This outfit is perfect for a long day of classes or just hanging out. With a soft sweater and a comfortable pair of boyfriend jeans, this ensemble looks great on anybody. Add color to this relaxed outfit with your favorite floral scarf. Fall doesn’t have to be all about sold colors. Change it up and add your own personal style!

Outfit 2)  

Sweater - TopShop Slouchy Boucle Sweater, $72, nordstrom.com

Jeans - TopShop Moto Destroyed Boyfriend Jeans, $84, nordstrom.com

Scarf -Dissolving Floral Cashmere Silk Scarf, $98, nordstrom.com

Backpack - Modcloth Backpack to the Future Bag, $80, modcloth.com

Shoes - Blondo Bettina Women’s Dress Flat Shoes, $90, 6pm.com

Bracelet - Bestsy Johnson Woodland Owl Fox Oval Link Bracelet, $95, betsyjohnson.com

Earrings - Modcloth Boho Sparkle, $13, modcloth.com

Evening Glam- this outfit is perfect for any special occasion. That admired floral jacket you have isn’t out of style for the season! Wear it! Not only does it add some detail to the outfit, but also the cut of the blazers can be extremely flattering.

Outfit 3) Dress - Sheinside Women’s Black V-Neck Backless Midriff Flare Dress, $30, amazon.com

Jacket - Charlotte Russe Floral Print Cropped Blazer, $37, charlotterusse.com

Shoes - Misguide Clara Black Strappy-Heeled Sandals, $47, missguidedus.com

Earrings - Doror Mhor Black Silk Gold Pin Earrings, $37, boticca.com

Bag - Classic Leatherette Clutch, $15, dailylook.com

No matter what kind of style you have, don’t feel obligated to put your spring/summer wardrobe away too soon. In fashion, you can make anything work. Use your creativity and add your own personal touch to your outfits! Individuality is always an admired quality. 

Fall is one of our favorite seasons, primarily because it includes scarves, chunky sweaters and pumpkin-flavored everything. However, if you’re not quite ready to say goodbye to summer, peep-toe booties may be exactly what you’re looking for. They’re everything you love about fall, yet still give you a chance to show off an awesome pedicure. Take a look:

1. Lucky Brand 'Jaspah' Peep Toe Wedge Bootie, $118.95, Nordstrom
OBSESSED with the subtle cutout pattern here. These boots are fun and innovative—they're so unique, you won't have to worry about wearing the same shoes as the next girl on campus. How good would this color look with a deep maroon pedi?

2. Antonio Jenkins Booties, $59, Zappos.com
These boots mean businesses. Note the difference in textures, which makes these simple boots a bit more complex. Try them with a midnight blue nail color, or go graphic with all white polish.

3. Peep Toe Buckled Bootie, $69.90, Express

The high stiletto heel and open toe give these a flirtatious feel, while the nude color keeps them casual. Pair these with a forest green pedicure.

4. Romantic Soles Thelma, $18.49, 6pm.com
Going out tonight? These shoes are a chic hybrid between boots and heels, which is perfect if you're looking to toe the line between the two aesthetics...see what we did there? Wear these with glamorous gold nails!

5. DV by Dolce Vita, $57.99, 6pm.com
Black + brown is definitely the new black. The stylish mix of color basics, as well as the mesh detailing gives these boots a modern feel. Give these an ultra-sophisticated feel with nude polish.

6. Express Peep Toe Zip Back Booties, $59.90

These booties are peep-toes for grownups. You’ll feel two times more chic just by putting them on. Paint on a classic red nail, and you are ready to go!

Who says we can’t have our toes out in autumn? 

Take 5 minutes out of your day to read this letter about Glossier, a new project started by Emily Weiss from Into The Gloss (avid The Hills fans might remember her as the super intern). 

Seldom do we come across an essay about beauty and cosmetics that touches our hearts (read: we may or may not have bawled through the whole thing). Honestly, we never knew that an essay of this sort would stir up feelings that are analogous to partaking in a revolution. 

Now, before you start freaking out about this "revolution," we would like to let you know that to participate, you do not have to do anything except being true to yourself and have fun.

"Glossier.com...is the beginning...of a new way of looking at beauty... Glossier is about living in—and embracing—the now, not the past, and not the future. It's about fun and freedom and being OK with yourself today. It's about being nice to people and knowing that a smile begets a smile." 

We're ready to jump aboard the Glossier train. "Beauty, like fashion, touches everyone in different ways and offers you endless choices about how you'd like to feel and act and appear," Weiss writes in a statement that encompasses Glossier's mission of "Skin first. Makeup second. Smile always."

The Phase 1 Set ($80) consists of 4 products "designed to leave you fresh and glowing right away":

• Soothing Face Mist ($18): A moisturizing mist—that smells like roses?!—that hydrates your skin before makeup and refreshes it throughout the day.
• Priming Moisturizer ($25): A primer that gives you a dewy and smooth canvas while minimizing pores that you can use alone or with the Skin Tint.
• Balm dotcom ($12): A hydrating balm that seals in moisturizer and helps repair dry and irritated skin.
• Perfecting Skin Tint ($26): A thin and breathable foundation that "auto-fits" to skin, just like moisturizer. 

I am extremely excited to try Glossier—the whole set! I'm really looking forward to trying the combo of the Face Mist and Moisturizer because I am trying to revert from wearing foundation everyday to a natural canvas.

Okay, we know that we aren't personal BFFs with Emily, but after reading her letter (and being long-time followers of her blog, Into the Gloss), we trust her with our new beauty regimen, 100 percent. She's clearly passionate about beauty, freedom and fun; and we're impressed (and thrilled!) that she took the initiativeto create her own beauty brand when she didn't find products that worked for her message and mission. In short, she has us sold!

What do you think, collegiettes? Are you ready to jump aboard the Glossier revolution with us?

Fall is officially here and so are pumpkin spice lattés, fall foliage and, most importantly, fall boots! Fall is the perfect time to rock new boots to class, dinner, parties and more. Not sure whether to splurge on a pair or go for the budget-friendly ones? HC is here to help give you an assortment of cute options so you can pick your favorites!

1. Over-the-knee

Steal:

Splurge:

Over-the-knee boots are a hot option for fall this year. They’re a really versatile shoe because you can wear them with your favorite pair of leggings and jeans or with a snug sweater dress. Whether you want to rock them at fall football games or to class, they’re a great go-to option to complete your outfit.

2. Wedge bootie

Steal:
 

Splurge:

Little wedge booties are perfect for going out in cool fall weather. When the temperature really starts to drop at night, sandals and wedges become less practical, which is where wedged booties come in! They keep your toes warm while still dressing up your outfit. Pair them with some killer faux-leather leggings and get ready to party the night away.

3. Riding boots

Steal:
 

Splurge:

A good pair of riding boots are a must-have for every collegiette’s style arsenal. Riding boots are a great choice for class, football games, an outing with friends or a fun fall date. You can wear them with leggings and your sorority’s spirit jersey for a laid-back look, or you can try them with jeans, a knit sweater and a vest for a cute fall outfit.

4. Stacked heel

Steal:

Splurge:

Stacked heels are an awesome choice to wear to both to class and to girls’ nights out this fall. Have someone you want to impress in your bio lecture? A stacked-heel boot is a cute way to catch his or her attention. These boots make an outfit a little nicer, does wonders for your legs and really pulls together your whole look because it makes you look polished. Plus, these boots can be easily taken from day to night just by adding some statement jewelry.

5. Combat boots

Steal:

Splurge:

Combat boots are also a collegiette wardrobe essential because you can also take them from day to night. Have a class on a Thursday or Friday night and need to go straight to a party or to dinner with a friend afterwards? Wear your combat boots; they’re a great option for class and a basement frat party. If any boots can handle the wear and tear of a house party, these can. You can wear these with black pants or jeans and a pretty top to a party, or you can wear them with a cozy sweater and a scarf to class to soften up the look.

With these styles in your wardrobe, you’ll be the most fashionable collegiette on campus this fall!
 

We all love dressing up as our favorite TV characters for Halloween—but what sorts of funny and crazy costumes have our favorite TV characters come up with? Here are some of the best Halloween costumes we've seen TV characters rock.  

1. Haley from Modern Family as Mother Teresa

Who ever said Mother Teresa couldn’t be sexy?

2. Zoe from Hart of Dixie as Cleopatra

Almost as stylish as Summer Roberts on The O.C.!

3. Ross from Friends as "Spudnik"

Get it? Spud?

4. Jess from New Girl as Ramona Quimby

This brings back to our elementary school days!

5. Gloria from Modern Family as Fiona from Shrek

Joe Manganiello would make a pretty cute Shrek.

6. Leslie from Parks and Recreation as Princess Buttercup from The Princess Bride

Seriously, look at those hair twists. They’re killer.

7. Jo from Grey’s Anatomy as Tinkerbell

We hope she sprinkled some fairy dust on her patients that day!

Watching scary movies is a thrill, especially because we can turn the lights on when they’re over and know that none of it was real (phew!). But some of our worst fears aren’t just Halloween costumes that are worn once a year and then stored away. They’re actually real-life situations faced by professionals everyday. From slimy bugs to bloody crime scenes, your worst phobias are lurking around every corner if you’re gutsy enough to take on a scary job! This Halloween, join us for a countdown of the five scariest careers.

4. Pest Exterminator

Does seeing an insect, or even the picture of an insect, make your skin crawl? Being an exterminator or fumigator would be a hundred times creepier! Not only will your job require you to look for the bugs in a building, but you’ll have to dispose of many dead bug bodies afterwards (and they definitely looked a lot cuter in A Bug’s Life)!

Your only requirement is to be trained and licensed. However, since you’ll also be working with larger pests such as rats, you’ll need a strong stomach as well to handle the sight of dead rodents. We’ve all watched our fair share of insect horror movies involving giant, mutated bugs dominating the world, but this job will make you realize just how easy it is for creepy crawlers to invade and take over!

3. Mortician

Scared of zombies or ghosts? Being a mortician, a funeral director who prepares deceased bodies and carries out burials, is not for those who are easily spooked! It might not seem like a demanding profession, but in order to become one, you have to study science, restorative art, business management, law and ethics and bereavement counseling.

You’ll need at least an associate’s degree in funeral service and mortuary science education; the American Board of Funeral Service Education gives a list of all the colleges in each state that offer the program. A one- or two-year apprenticeship is common before you become licensed and officially run your own practice. It’s not most people’s first choice of a dream job, but it’s a fitting career for collegiettes who care about helping others (especially those who are grieving) and love Edgar Allan Poe.

2. Asylum Psychiatrist

If you freaked out at any point during the second season of American Horror Story, can you imagine actually handling the pressure of working in an asylum? You might find yourself sitting in the same room as someone who committed atrocious murders, listening to his or her motives and trying to understand his or her thought process. At any moment, your patient could act violently toward you, so you have to be prepared. Psychiatrists are bound to keep the secrets of their patients, but it’s not easy going home full of all those dark, twisted thoughts!

To qualify for psychiatry, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in psychology or another subject in the sciences, and you’ll also need to attend medical school and become certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Try to find jobs in counseling and therapy beforehand. You’ll want to become comfortable using your skills before you decide to jump into more extreme patient situations. It’s also helpful to talk to others who work in the field to get an idea of the challenges you’ll be facing and how to handle the stress (and scariness) of the job!

1. Crime-Scene Cleaner

Ever thought about what happens after the police discover that bloody corpse in the middle of the woods? Someone has to clean up the mess, right? A crime-scene cleaner is left to remove the blood. To become one, you’ll need a degree related to biology, as well as technical training in law-enforcement procedures and bio recovery.

According to The Atlantic, crime-scene cleaners often try to avoid knowing as much as possible about the victims, making it easier to do the job on a daily basis and see the situations more objectively.

If you’re dressing up this Halloween, keep an eye out for scary costumes that actually relate to people’s jobs in the real world! You might not have realized just how many scary careers we’re surrounded by every day — and a lot of the ones we see in horror movies aren’t half as frightening as they are in real life.

Which colleges produce the most (and least) dateable alumni? [The Huffington Post]

What would it be like to work for Xbox? [I Want Her Job]

The world, as told by Instagram. [Mic]

200 costume ideas for grown-up Disney princesses. [PopSugar]

Science confirms that friends with benefits is the worst idea ever. [YourTango]

How DNA affects your coffee cravings. [Newser]

Would you mix cooking and watching TV like this? [TheDishh]

7 alternative endings to ‘Titanic’ that we would have preferred. [Bustle]

The girl problem in ‘Gone Girl.’ [GQ]

Kisses from all around the world. [Medium]

There’s a reason fall is everyone’s favorite season. Tis the season for sweater weather, pumpkin spice lattes, buying boots in every color and trying out darker, slightly heavier fragrances. Instead of the light, citrus-infused fragrances that dominate the summer season, fall scents are a bit more demure. Your new signature fragrance just might be one of these deep, rich perfumes. 

1. Nest White Sandalwood Eau de Parfum ($65)

A quick glance at the chic bottle and you know that this Nest fragrance is sophisticated and a little bit mysterious. Strong florals mixed with wood notes creates a balance of masculine and feminine. 

2. Michael Kors Collection Sexy Amber Eau de Parfum ($78)

Michael Kors fragrances are mostly known for their sporty undertones, but this perfume stands out with alluring musk and amber.

3. Ralph Lauren Midnight Romance Eau de Parfum ($94)

This Ralph Lauren perfurme is ladylike and light—with a twist. The smell of peony blends beautifully with dreamy black vanilla. 

4. Tom Ford Velvet Orchid Eau de Parfum ($112)

Brooding and enticing, this fragrance is a decadent mix of quintessential fall scents. Rum, myrrh, black orchid and honey make for an unresistable combination. The bottle looks so fall-appropriate, too.

5. Annick Goutal Vent de Folie Eau de Toilette Spray ($140)

Inspired by New York City, this fragrance weaves soft and rich scents. Black currant, hints of raspberry, cedar and white musk make this perfume a must for fall.

With rich fragrances like these, you might end up pining for cozy sweaters and hot cocoa all year long! What's your go-to fall fragrance, collegiettes?

When you share a campus with hundreds of other collegiettes, running into someone who’s wearing the same dress or has the same tote as you do is very, very possible—cue the awkward, “Cute bag!”

That’s why we love discovering cool new places to shop—and one of our new favorites is ShopbellaC.com, a boutique based in Arkansas. Founded by sisters Laura Walker and Cristie Merritt, the shop is inspired by the Southern charm they grew up around in Atlanta. You’ll find cozy printed cardigans, tunics perfect for lounging in the dorms in, perfect-for-Fall boots, enough statement necklaces to make any jewelry lover swoon and much, much more.

The best part is, we’re giving you a chance to win $100 to shop the site, so you can shop fashion, accessories, jewelry and more—all of which you won’t be able to find at the local mall near campus. So be ready to step out in style, in pieces only you will have!

Enter below for your chance to win!

The college admissions process is in full swing, pre-collegiettes! It’s natural to feel overwhelmed and confused after all, there are so many drafts, deadlines and applications to keep track of! But don’t worry: Her Campus has your back. Here’s your monthly checklist to the admissions process, complete with recommendations for what needs to be done during every month of the year.

June

Happy summer, pre-collegiettes! Though summer is an awesome time to decompress, it’s time to get your college admissions process going!

June Checklist

• Create a binder or folder where you can store all of your college applications information in an organized manner. This binder can include divider tabs for all of the schools you apply to, deadlines and required materials for each, the supplements they require and drafts of your application materials.

• If you haven’t already, start researching schools online that you’d like to attend, and visit their respective campuses if you’re able to.

• Start researching scholarships you’d like to apply to! Like your college binder, create a binder or folder for all of your scholarship websites, applications, supplements and login information. Looking for scholarship databases to help kickstart your search? Try Fastweb, Zinch and Cappex!

• Take the June SAT, ACT or SAT Subject Tests! To register, go to the College Board’s SAT website and make a profile. Then, using the easy online registration process, fill out when you’d like to take your SAT and SAT Subject tests. You can register for the ACT on the ACT Student website. Most schools take either test, and also remember that some schools are even standardized-testing-optional! For Subject Tests, check out individual colleges’ requirements to see how many tests they recommend applicants have (many want at least one or two, but it varies greatly from school to school).

July

It’s the middle of the summer, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to slack on college apps!

July Checklist

• Keep researching colleges and visiting campuses if possible to narrow down your list.

• July is also a great time to start writing your essays for the Common App and supplements if any of your schools have already released their essays (though this greatly differs from school to school and will require you to check individual college websites). The Common App essay questions are already available online, though!

• Scores from your June standardized tests will be available four to six weeks after you take them, so you will most likely receive them during the month of July (and in some cases, even later June).

August

The Common Application opens on August 1^st, so get a first look at what you’ll be filling out this fall!

August Checklist

• Even if you don’t start filling out the Common App in August, it’s important to take a look at it so that you won’t be overwhelmed later on. Start outlining what you want to write in each of the sections, and start gathering up information you’ll need.

• In addition, now that you know exactly what supplement you’ll have to start writing, finalize your college list and get to work!

• Now that you know where you’re applying to college, deadlines become the name of the game! Write down all of the application deadlines for every single school, and take note of early decision and early action timelines if you’re applying to schools through those processes. Most of those deadlines are in November, but some are as early as October 1^st.

September

It’s time to start filling out your applications and making headway on the entire application process on several fronts! Now that the school year is in full swing, don’t get behind on your applications, recommendations and testing.

September Checklist

• Ask teachers for recommendations. Reach out to faculty members, hand them a copy of your resume or a summary of your accomplishments and tell them where you’re applying to college. It’s important to request recommendations early before teachers get swamped, so you should begin meeting with faculty as soon as you get back to school! Timeline-wise, all of your materials for any given application should be submitted two weeks before the deadline, so you should ask your teachers to send in recommendations three to four weeks before an application deadline.

• Keep working on your Common App and any other college applications.

• You should be making your way through drafts on your Common App essay and your supplements.

• Keep an eye on scholarship dates! Many scholarships have deadlines in October or November, and you don’t want them to hold up your entire admissions process.

• Make sure you’re registered for the October SAT, ACT or SAT Subject Tests if you need to take or retake them.

October

October is the month when the entire admissions process is in full swing!

October Checklist

• Continue working on your apps.

• Sign up for the November SAT, ACT or SAT Subject Test if you still need to take them or retake them. If you are applying early decision or early action to a college or several colleges, this is your last chance to take standardized tests!

• If you’re applying anywhere early action or early decision, you should be finishing and submitting your applications.

November

Deadlines for early action and early decision schools are this month!

November Checklist

• If you are applying EA or ED, make sure every part of your application (application or Common App, recommendations, transcript, etc.) is submitted!

• If you are having any problems with your ED or EA applications or your application status, talk to your college counselor or call the admissions offices of the school(s) you’re applying to. Just remember: It takes colleges 24 to 48 hours to process application materials, so don’t call five minutes after you’ve submitted anything!

• If you’re submitting applications by regular decision dates, you should be close to done with every component of your applications.

• Sign up for December SAT, ACT or SAT Subject Tests if you still need to take them or retake them.

• Scores from your October standardized tests will be available four to six weeks after you take them, so you will most likely receive them during the month of November (and in some cases, even later October).

December

It’s time to put your application skills into overdrive! Regular-decision apps are typically due either in mid-December or on January 1^st, so make sure you’re submitting your materials one to two weeks in advance to avoid the last minute rush (and to give yourself plenty of time to ensure that your materials were received).

December Checklist

• Submit your applications!

• Check regularly in your colleges’ portfolios to see your application status. Write down all of the login and password information for these portfolios so you can regularly check back.

• If you applied to a college early decision during the ED I cycle, you will find out around December 15^th if you were accepted!

• Scores from your November standardized tests will be available four to six weeks after you take them, so you will most likely receive them during the month of December (and in some cases, even later November).

January

Now that your college apps are in, it’s time to shift your focus to money matters. The FAFSA and CSS Profile applications are out, so get on them!

January Checklist

• Figure out which financial aid forms you need to fill out and when they’re due, and start completing your applications ASAP! The earlier you submit these forms, the easier it is for financial aid offices to get you what you need. FAFSA deadlines vary from state to state, so make sure you take note of when those forms are due!

• Finish and submit any remaining college applications that are due after the January 1^st deadline.

February

There’s a small lull in the admissions process during the month of February, so take some time to relax and enjoy being a senior! Continue working on financial aid materials if you haven’t finished it already, and also continue applying to scholarships that strike your fancy.

February Checklist

• Continue applying to scholarships and working on your financial aid forms.

• Regularly check your application status on your submitted applications.

• Early decision applicants who applied during the ED II cycle will find out around February 15^th if they were accepted into those colleges!

March

It’s here! College decisions start coming out around mid-March, so get ready for all the emotions that come with those envelopes.

March Checklist

• Celebrate as you start getting all those acceptance letters!

• Start planning out dates for when to visit your top choice schools as soon as you get your admissions letters and you’re able to set aside the finances to attend.

April

So here you are, faced with many college acceptances, and you have to make a decision! Where will you attend school?

April Checklist

• Most colleges send out regular-decision letters around April 1^st. Take a moment and celebrate all of your accomplishments! Applicants who were deferred during the early decision and early action processes will also hear from these schools at the same time as all regular decision applicants.

• Talk to current college students and prospective students on social media.

• Visit Admitted Students Days/Weekends at your top schools and start weighing your options.

• Towards the end of the month, start coming to your final decision and sending in that deposit to the college of your choice (it’s due by May 1^st)!

May

May 1^st is D-Day (“D” as in “Decision”), and you need to make your final choice if you applied to any colleges regular decision or early action! Wherever you go, it’s sure to be a wonderful and totally wild ride. Congrats on becoming a full-fledged collegiette! It’s time to start say goodbye to friends and family and start getting ready for freshman year.

May Checklist

• Send in your deposit to the school you’ve decided to attend. It’s due by May 1^st!

• Your college will be sending you some sort of matriculation package that will tell you everything you need to know about registering for orientation and officially becoming a student at the university. Check your email and your snail mail for this packet, and pay attention to deadlines, as they differ for every college!

• Your college will begin asking you to submit orientation information, health forms, dorm preferences, meal plans, class registration information and other items needed for you to start your time as a collegiette. Make sure all of your other materials for school are turned in (especially if you’re attending your college’s orientation within the next couple of weeks!).

• Sometime during the early summer, your college will be setting up your school email account and online portfolio. Be on the lookout for that information, because both will be a super important part of your college experience!

• The federal FAFSA deadline is June 30^th, so keep that in mind if you haven’t submitted your forms yet.

• If you decided to stay on the waitlist for any school, the college should tell you when to expect a decision. Stay positive, but also keep preparing for the school year ahead!

• Make it through your AP tests (they’re really not too terrible!).

• Send thank you notes to people who helped you on your college journey, including teachers, administrators, college counselors and scholarship donors.

• Have fun being a senior for a little longer and hanging out with all your friends!

• Enjoy your summer but stay productive! Check your school’s website or online portfolio to see if you have summer reading and when you need to have it done. Take a break from schoolwork, but definitely don’t leave your reading until the week before college starts; packing and preparing is already stressful enough!

• Start getting pumped for college!

July 2008 should have been great. My birthday is in July, but everything that happened in that month made me completely forget my birthday that year. In the first week of July, my grandma was diagnosed with breast cancer.

The news hit my family extremely hard. None of us saw it coming when she sat us down to tell us. My grandma is like a second mom to me. She helped raise my brother and me. We grew up in her house because my mom, brother and I moved in with my grandparents after my parents’ divorce. I couldn’t even process the news; I remember my mom asking, “Are you going to be okay?” I was just sitting there, staring blankly after she told us.

My grandma decided she was going have a mastectomy on her right breast, because she felt that her best option was to try to get the cancer out all in one go. She didn't like the thought of losing her entire breast, but she didn’t want to take the chance of having it spread. Plus, she had already been through open heart surgery several years before, so the thought of this surgery didn’t scare her so much.

Just as my grandma was feeling comfortable about her decision, my mom suffered a massive heart attack on July 19 and passed away unexpectedly at only 47 years old. In the midst of her fight against cancer, my grandmother was grieving. I remember her saying again and again over the next several months that no parent should ever have to bury her child. Meanwhile, I was completely numb—my mom and I had been so close, and we did everything together. I didn’t know how to handle everything that was happening at one time. But when you go through events like this, it really makes you appreciate life—your own and the lives around you—that much more.

My mother’s passing gave my grandma second thoughts about her upcoming surgery. She started fearing the potential outcomes and consequences to her health, and her life. But I had to keep telling her, “You've got to do it, you've got to be strong. Mom would want you to go through with it.” During this time, we went through kind of a role reversal—though I was still grieving, I had to be strong for the woman who had been strong for me all my life. You do what you have to do when someone you love is going through something this hard.

Surgery day came around in mid-August, and I was a nervous wreck. I was scared how my grandma would come out of it, if she would get really sick, if they would get rid of the cancer with this operation—so many thoughts were running through my head. My grandma came out of surgery healthy and in good spirits. They had removed her right breast and lymph nodes just in case—thankfully, there wasn’t any sign of cancer there, so it hadn’t spread.

My grandma dealt with the surgery with a sense of humor, saying, “Just call me ‘one-boob Mare’ from now on!” Her name is Marilee, and everyone calls her Mare. For the first time since my mom had passed, I felt a little bit better. I felt like a weight had been lifted when they came out and said that her surgery was successful and that she was already awake from it. It finally felt like something was going right.

Recovery was pretty tough on my grandma, both physically and emotionally. It wasn’t easy for me, either. I was the one who helped her keep the area clean and bandaged, and I became very involved in her recovery process. The first time I helped her change her bandages, seeing the drain in her wound made me feel a little lightheaded and nauseous—I was overwhelmed. It's one thing to hear stories from other people, but when it's actually someone you know and love going through this? Totally different story. You never can really know what something is like until you're directly affected by it.

My grandma made a full recovery from the mastectomy. She didn't want any reconstructive surgery (she said she was “too old to bother with a new boob”—her words, not mine!) so she had a prosthetic bra made for her. She continued to take a variety of medicines post-surgery, and though everything made her feel ill, she stayed positive. Eventually she was able to stop taking medicine, and was back to her old self. It became easier to deal with the loss of my mom, and it felt like the sun was coming out, finally—things started to feel normal again.

But then, three years later, the cancer came back. We weren’t expecting it to happen again. Because my grandma was going in for regular checkups, the doctors found the cancer right away. It was present in a small spot in her chest, in the scar tissue from her mastectomy. I was so upset when I learned it was back. I kept thinking, “Why? What did she do to deserve this again?” Going through it once was enough.

Overcoming cancer this second time was easier than the first—not that fighting cancer is ever an easy battle, of course. Treatment was different this time. The cancer was eliminated with chemotherapy and radiation within just a few months, and fortunately didn’t have the same physical effect that getting a mastectomy had had. Once again, my grandma was able to defeat another hurdle thrown her way.

I'm extremely proud of her for being able to conquer this disease not once, but twice, and I definitely consider her a hero for it. She's the reason that I am as strong a person as I am today, because I look at her and know that a bit of her strength is instilled in me. She's a huge inspiration.

Because I know I have a family medical history of breast cancer, I’m careful to do self-breast exams—something I believe every woman should be doing. Don’t ever put off getting something checked, even if you think it might not be a big deal. Doctors were able to catch my grandma’s cancer in the early states both times, and I truly believe early detection was important to her recovery. My grandma is cancer free and in good health, and she’s able to enjoy life now.

I'm hoping you can find some inspiration here, and always remember that there is hope—hope both for yourself, anyone you know who may be fighting this disease, and hope for a cure someday.

Do you have a story to share?Submit your story to Her Story!

As a high school student, you’re probably super pumped about potentially studying abroad. After all, who hasn’t dreamt of escaping for a semester, exploring European cities, trying new foods and wooing native guys with her third-year French skills, all while earning course credit?

The good news is you no longer have to wait for those distant college years to embark on an educational or cultural adventure. Traveling and studying abroad in high school are great ways to enhance your college applications and make the most of your valuable teenage years. Whether you’re looking to immerse yourself in a new culture, volunteer in a third-world country, grow in your faith or get a sneak peek at the college experience, there’s an opportunity waiting for you out in the big, wide world!

1. Community service or mission trips

Mission trips and community service trips offer a variety of opportunities to get involved on both a local and international level while helping those in need. There’s plenty of flexibility, as trips can range anywhere from one week to one month and can happen at any time of year.

Many churches and religious organizations sponsor trips throughout the year, so if you’re looking to travel in a faith-based group, start by reaching out to a youth pastor or other small group leader. “I’ve been on a total of four international trips and one domestic trip with my church,” says Amy Bennett, a freshman at Purdue University. “These trips have really helped me discover my passion for helping others and [have] led me to pursue a career in nursing.”

Find what you’re passionate about—whether it’s delivering food and medical supplies to a third-world country, helping to rebuild disaster-stricken towns or working at children’s summer camps—and go for it.

If you’re having trouble finding mission or community service opportunities on a local level, try reaching out to a national organization like the Center for Student Missions (CSM). “In high school I went on three mission trips [with CSM] to Chicago; Washington, D.C.; and Los Angeles,” says Gloria Kimbulu, a collegiette at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. “Your group or church is paired with a city host and they plan pretty much everything for you.”

However, it’s no secret that traveling internationally can be expensive. If you’re reaching out on a missions trip overseas, you’ll have to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars for plane tickets and lodging, unless your church or other community service organization is sponsoring these elements of the trip.

Luckily, many missions and community service trips offer fundraising opportunities such as selling baked goods, starting a blog to track your progress and writing letters to your family and friends asking them to make donations. Talk to a youth leader or someone who has been on the trip before about creative ways you can fundraise.

2. Pre-college programs

If you’re looking for a taste of the true college experience, a pre-college program may be the best option for you. While the trip may not always be international, these programs allow you to live on a real campus, explore a new city and earn credit by taking college preparatory courses.

Sarah Dilick, a freshman at New York University, attended various pre-college programs throughout her high school years. “Everything about pre-college programs [makes them] worth the time and money,” she says. “You spend time away from home, which helps improve your social skills by introducing you to more new people than you’d get to know in high school. Experiencing a new place also teaches you to adjust faster to change in environment, which pays off when it’s time to really go to college.”

Not only will exploring and living in a new city offer diverse cultural experiences (such as weekend excursions to nearby tourist destinations, outdoor adventures and exposure to local arts and performances), but it will help you determine what kind of college you’d like to attend, whether it’s big or small, public or private, urban or rural.

Start by making a list of the schools or universities that you’re interested in attending in the future and research which ones offer summer pre-college programs. A directory of the hundreds of pre-college summer programs available nationwide can be found on Usummer. Depending on the school and what you choose to study, the program could range from a few weeks to the entire summer.

Second, find out how academically rigorous and competitive the programs are that you’re pursuing. Some programs have special admission requirements that you’ll have to meet in order to gain acceptance, such as a minimum GPA.

Not only are pre-college programs a great way to familiarize yourself with the college lifestyle, but the experience will stand out on future college applications. Earning stellar grades in college-level courses while you’re still in high school is sure to impress college admissions officers!

“Being able to successfully navigate a college course and get a recommendation letter from a college professor is a huge plus of the pre-college program,” Sarah says. Not only are pre-college programs a great way to see the world, but you’ll head into your senior year of high school feeling prepared and ready to take on college applications with your newfound experiences.

Fall is a great time to look into pre-college programs, as many applications open in September and October (like real college applications would). If you’re really interested in a specific pre-college program, research not only the academic opportunities each program provides, but the application deadlines and financial commitments they require. Depending on the credit hours you’re enrolling in and where you’re living on campus, prices will vary.

3. Language exchange/academic trips

If you’re enrolled in foreign language classes at your high school, talk to your teacher about the various language exchange and/or cultural immersion programs available for high school students in your area. Emily O’Connor, a freshman at the University of Missouri, participated in a seven-week language exchange program in Mexico through the Indiana University Honors Program the summer before her senior year of high school. “I grew during the experience and became independent and self-sufficient—two necessary qualities to have before heading off to college,” Emily says.

Similar to pre-college programs, many of these trips require a competitive application process that includes essays and interviews, but the programs are great assets to future college applications. “Because of the program, I tested into a high level of Spanish and now have a hope of double-majoring,” Emily says.

Not to mention, cultural exchange trips closely resemble the college study-abroad experience, where you may be expected to take classes, interact with students from other schools and live with a local family.

While language exchange trips focus primarily on academics, there’s plenty of time for exploring after class and on the weekends. Many exchange programs send multiple students to a city at one time, so you’ll have peers to travel with during your free time.

You don’t have to wait until your college years to embark on an exciting cultural or educational adventure. There’s a world (literally!) of opportunities available for high school students looking to travel, make a difference and pursue their passions.

Who said Halloween wasn’t a romantic holiday? Not only can you dress up in cute matching costumes with your SO, but you have someone who will cover your eyes and who you can grab on to during the gory scenes of scary movies. Horror films are one of the best ways to get your adrenaline pumping for a fun date during Halloween season, whether it’s with your long-term squeeze or a new cutie you’ve been seeing. While going for a walk to see the leaves changing is a nice way of hanging out, every couple needs a break from the typical fall dates—and what better way to break the lull than with popcorn and a blood-curdling thriller?

So kick off the spooky festivities by cuddling up with your man and watching one of these terrifying movies! Experts even say that engaging in thrilling activities with another person can make your bond stronger. We’ve ordered our movie selections from light-hearted frights to bone-chilling tales that will stick with you long after you’ve turned off the TV—it’s up to you how close you want to get with your guy this Halloween!

1. Warm Bodies

Can’t decide between a horror flick and a rom-com? Warm Bodies takes the best of both worlds by blending a grotesque cast with an irresistibly sweet plotline. In this paranormal Romeo and Juliet adaptation, a zombie boy falls for living girl in the midst of an apocalypse. As their love grows stronger, the boy begins showing more humanlike characteristics (we’ll spare you the beating heart joke), which shed a new light on the war between the living and the dead. So if you and your guy have opposite tastes on the movie spectrum, we’re sure you’ll both find something to love in this hilarious “horror” film. Plus, you can always have a playful argument about who will win the ultimate battle between zombies and humans!

2. A Nightmare on Elm Street

Another classic that takes place in a seemingly peaceful suburban setting, this movie will turn your pleasant dreams into sheer terror. When a murderer with a bladed glove begins haunting people in their sleep, a young girl must prove that a string of deaths are all related to one nighttime killer (before he slashes all of her friends!)

While the plotline will make you sleep with one eye open, keep in mind that this movie was made in the ‘80s. Lindsay Goldstein, a senior at the University of Illinois, says, “The special effects are SO outdated, and it's always great to make fun of how obvious the makeup and fake blood are and laugh together while snuggling up!”

3. Scream

Any installation of this classic thriller is sure to give you a case of goose bumps. The movie features a cast of horror movie mavens that uses their know-how to escape the attacks of a killer by the name of Ghostface (we wonder how long it took them to come up with that…). While the cast makes fun of the conventions in scary movies, they still find themselves falling for the very same tricks.

“I think it [has] just the right amount of scary… that you can talk through the movie and still know what’s going on,” says Asiana Smith, a senior at Le Moyne College. What would you and your guy do if Ghostface was pursuing you? Chat it up and make a game plan as you watch the main characters make not-so-smart decisions.

4. When a Stranger Calls

This 2006 remake of the 1979 film will have you think twice about taking that seemingly harmless part-time babysitting job. When a teenager babysits two children in a large home, she receives strange phone calls from an unidentified number. The police trace the call and tell the babysitter that the calls are coming from inside the house (we think that’s a creepy enough reason for you and your guy to silence your own phones—and that means more attention on each other!). The babysitter soon realizes that her real job description is to keep the kids—and herself—alive and far away from the mysterious caller.

Despite its disturbing premise, this movie can also be an unlikely conversation starter if you’re watching it with a guy you’re getting to know. “I always use this movie to my advantage because I can cuddle up with the guy and reference how much I babysit and love kids,” says Morgan Gibbons, a recent grad of Boston College and the publicity director for HC BC. “Guys usually like to hear that I care about kids… especially if they have younger siblings.”

5. The Cabin in the Woods

If you think all horror films end the same way, you need to watch this movie. The story begins with five adventurous friends who go on holiday in a remote cabin (what could possibly go wrong?). Little do they know that workers in an underground facility are monitoring their every move. By using drugs, the workers begin manipulating the group’s rational thoughts (like sticking together no matter what) to control their fates.

The action pokes fun at the ridiculous scenarios in most horror films and uses a unique approach to keep you guessing at every suspenseful pause. On top of the exciting plot, there are a few sultry scenes (like a tipsy game of truth or dare) that will set the mood for any scary movie date night—just make sure your date doesn’t get jealous when you’re staring at Chris Hemsworth more than him.

6. You’re Next

A family reunion goes awry in this movie when murderers wearing farm animal masks invade the family’s luxurious vacation home. However, the assailants are in for a surprise when one of the sons’ girlfriends has hidden survival skills that could save them all. The retreat turns into a bloody game of cat and mouse as relationships are tested and trust becomes one of the most deadly weapons. This movie is sure to give you an eerie feeling as you’re holding on to your guy, because the most dangerous villains are often closer than you think…(although we’re sure he’s great!)

7. The Conjuring

Set in the 1970s, this movie is about a family who moves into a farmhouse that was previously owned by an accused witch. If that wasn’t bad enough, it turns out the witch killed her own children and then committed suicide. The family starts hearing voices and seeks out the help of a husband and wife who specialize in paranormal investigations. The creepiness escalates, and the couple must perform an exorcism before the family is possessed and history repeats itself. This movie is not for the timid, so make sure you and your guy are ready for the eeriest scenes ever. If you need some motivation to make it through to the end, just know that Patrick Wilson gets a lot of screen time.

Take advantage of the spooky season and indulge your inner child; you can outgrow trick-or-treating, but scary movies are always age-appropriate. Your SO will appreciate the bold suggestion and be more than happy to protect you from those freaky villains (whether you’re really scared or not!). 

With Halloween quickly approaching, you've probably already taken the time to figure out what you're going to wear. But it shouldn't stop there—go all out, head-to-toe this year with an adorably festive Halloween-inspired mani! Check out our easy-to-do, do-it-yourself Halloween nail art below!

First, select your polish colors—I'm using Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Black Out ($3.99), Essie Fear or Desire ($6), Sinful Colors Innocent ($5.80), Kiss Nail Art Paint in White and Black ($8.01), and Sinful Colors Queen of Beauty ($1.98).

Start by paint your thumb, pointer, and pinky fingers with the black polish. Paint your middle finger green and your ring finger orange. Be sure they are completely dry before moving on—the colors will mix with the nail art if they are still wet.

Next we will focus on drawing a cat face on our thumb—this is when I started using the Kiss Nail Art Paint. Begin by painting two white triangles at the base of your nail, the tops pointing toward the cuticle. Paint another triangle at the tip of your nail in the opposite direction—these are your ears and nose. To draw the eyes paint two ovals under the first two triangle. Inside the oval put two orange dots, with a skinny black line down the middle. If you don't have brushes made for nail art, you can use a toothpick to create the look.

We'll draw Frankenstein on our middle finger (the green one). Start by painting his black hair at your cuticle, creating a zigzag pattern and then filling it in. Next paint a straight line near the tip of your nail with shorter, perpendicular lines intersecting it in multiple places. Complete your monster by adding two white dots for eyes and placing two smaller black dots inside for pupils.

Lastly, we will draw a jack-o-lantern on our ring finger. Similar to the cat ears, paint two triangles near the cuticle of your nail. Underneath, draw a zigzag line for the mouth.

To finish off the manicure, paint silver glitter over the two remaining black nails to add a little bit of glamour. Don't forget a top coat to set your designs in place—and allow to dry completely!

Be ready for some Hallow-envy this year! How will you be doing your nails this Halloween, collegiettes?

Ahh, fall. The season of crisp weather, Hocus Pocus and pumpkin-spice everything. Of course, fall isn’t complete without a few candy apples! Since our childhood, candy apples have held a special place in a lot of our hearts, so we couldn’t resist digging up a few ways to liven up the classic treat.  

1. Chocolate-Covered Caramel Apples

But seriously, what girl isn’t a chocolate lover? This works for those nights when you have a seemingly endless chocolate craving and the urge to dip an apple in three layers of sugar (or more).

Recipe from Confections of a Foodie Bride

Ingredients:

• 6 Granny Smith apples
• 6 Popsicle sticks (some caramel brands include them in the bag)
• 2 tablespoons of milk
• 1 14-ounce package of caramels, unwrapped
• Chocolate (white, dark or semisweet)
• Other various toppings of your choice (Oreos, mini M&Ms, nuts, etc.)

Directions:

1. Remove the apple stems. Wash and dry the caramel apples, rubbing the surface well with a dish towel to remove any wax. Insert sticks into the top of the apples and chill for one hour.
2. Microwave milk and caramels for 1 minute in a glass bowl. Stir the caramels and microwave for another minute (watch for boil-overs). Stir well and dip the apples immediately, turning to coat. Using a knife, scrape the caramel from the bottom of the apples (this will prevent the apple from ending up in a pool of caramel). Immediately dip into nuts, mini chocolate chips or other toppings if desired.
3. If dipping in chocolate, put caramel apples on wax paper (buttered parchment works well, too) and stick in the fridge until caramel has set, about 5 minutes.
4. Melt chocolates in microwave with a bit of vegetable oil/shortening and dip the apples, scraping the excess chocolate from the bottom of the apple.
5. Immediately dip into nuts or mini chocolate chips or push larger candies onto the chocolate surface. Let the chocolate set before eating (or dipping into second type of chocolate).

2. Red Hot Candy Apples

Because who would have ever thought to melt actual candy to make a candy apple? This is a genius idea and a great way to spice up a regular apple.

Recipe from MomStart

Ingredients:

• 8 small Granny Smith apples
• Popsicle sticks or skewers
• 3 cups sugar
• ½ cup light corn syrup
• 3 teaspoons red food coloring
• ½ cup Red Hots candies
• 1 cup water

Directions:

1. In a deep saucepan, heat sugar, Red Hots candies, water and light corn syrup over medium heat until boiling.
2. Using a candy thermometer (which can be bought for $10 at Target, without touching the bottom of the pan, continue cooking without stirring until the mixture reaches 290 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Grease a cooking sheet.
4. Insert sticks into the apples.
5. When the sugar is ready, remove the pan from the heat and remove the thermometer.
6. Swirl each apple in the hot cinnamon-candy syrup to coat evenly. Lift out the apples and swirl over the saucepan for a few more seconds to catch the drips.
7. Place the candy apples on a cookie sheet.
8. Cool for at least one hour.

3. Vegan Caramel Apples with Walnuts and Dark Chocolate

There’s no reason that candy apples shouldn’t be fun for everyone! Please your vegan friends with this delicious recipe.

Recipe from The Lunchbox Bunch

Ingredients:

• 1 apple, organic (or regular)
• 4 tablespoons vegan sugar
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 ½ tablespoons coconut cream
• Pinch of sea salt
• ¼ cup walnuts
• 2 tablespoons vegan dark chocolate chips
• 1 wooden stick or thick bamboo skewer

Directions:

1. Wash apple, dry very well and place wooden stick into apple core.
2. Process walnuts and chocolate chips in a food processor until thin and crumbly.
3. Add sugar, vanilla, coconut cream and salt to a sauté pan over high heat. Stir until melted together.
4. Continue stirring as the mixture begins to bubble. Stir bubbling for about 45 seconds.
5. Reduce heat to low. Stir for another minute.
6. Turn heat off and pour mixture into a small dish. Place in the fridge to chill until sticky (about 10 minutes should do it.)
7. Dip dry apple in mixture, then dip in chocolate/walnut coating.

4. Apple Pie Candy Apples

An American classic crossed with another American classic. Who could resist? The name looks a little intimidating at first glance, but it’s actually pretty simple to make—and pretty delicious.

Recipe from The Cooking of Joy

Ingredients:

• 1 apple of your choosing, washed and dried
• 10 pieces of caramel
• 2 ounces white candy melts
• 1 1/2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 3 dashes cinnamon

Directions:

1. Remove the apple stem if necessary and insert a Popsicle stick down the core. Put in the apple in the freezer for at least 5 minutes but no more than 15 minutes to chill.
2. Unwrap the caramels and put them in a small microwave-safe bowl along with 1 teaspoon of water. Melt the caramel in the microwave at 50 percent power for one minute. Remove from microwave and stir. 
3. Dip the apple into the melted caramel, using a spoon if necessary to get the caramel up the sides. Once the apple is covered, place on a greased plate and return to the freezer to chill.
4. In another small, microwave-safe bowl, melt the white candy melts in the microwave using the defrost option. Remove from microwave and stir.
5. On a small plate, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon, making sure to crumble any lumps.
6.  
7. Once the caramel on the apple is not sticky anymore (but before it is frozen!), remove from the freezer. If necessary, try to push any caramel that has pooled to the bottom back onto the apple.
8. Dip in the white candy melts, using a spoon if necessary to get the candy up the sides.
9. Before the white candy sets, roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Place the apple in the refrigerator for a few minutes to allow the white candy to harden.

5. Cotton Candy Apples

Yes, you read that correctly. An apple coated in nothing but sugar that’s hardened to perfection. It kind of makes you forget that, under all of that fluff, there’s actually a piece of fruit in there.

Recipe from Sweetapolita

Ingredients:

• 6 medium Granny Smith apples (or variation of choice); washed, dried and stems removed
• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• ¾ teaspoon cotton-candy candy flavor oil
• 2 tablespoons bright white soft gel food color, plus 2-3 additional colors of your choice
• Cotton candy
• Edible glitter/sprinkles of choice

Directions:

1. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or grease the baking sheet with shortening.
2. Insert the cookie sticks about 3/4 of the way into each apple, but be sure the stick doesn't come out the bottom. Place prepared apples close to the stovetop, as you will need to move quickly once the candy coating is ready to go.
3. In a medium heavy-bottom saucepan, combine the sugar, water and corn syrup. Brush the sides of the saucepan with a damp pastry brush to rid of stray sugar crystals. Turn the heat to medium-high and clip on a candy thermometer (be sure the thermometer doesn't touch the bottom of the saucepan).
4. Let the mixture bubble and cook undisturbed until the thermometer reaches 302 degrees Fahrenheit (hard crack stage). In the meanwhile, get your flavor oil and colors ready to go.
5. When the candy coating has reached 302 degrees Fahrenheit, promptly remove from heat and stir in the flavor oil, followed by the white color, using a heatproof rubber spatula.
6. Once the white is blended completely, quickly add a drop or two of your favorite food gel colors, but this time, do not stir the coating. You can swirl the saucepan once or twice or use a skewer to marble the colors, but be sure not to over-blend or you will end up with a solid color.
7. Holding the handle of the saucepan with one hand, tilt so the coating pools to one side, and dip/swirl each apple until thoroughly coated. Let the excess coating drip back into the saucepan, and set aside on prepared baking sheet.
8. When ready to serve, take one or two small pieces of cotton candy and slide down each stick to sit atop the apples. Adorn with sprinkles or glitter of choice.

Try switching things up a little and enjoy these updates on one of our favorite childhood treats. Happy fall!

Admit it—you’ve definitely skipped out on a gym session (or two) because the only clean workout gear you had available was a ratty t-shirt…and sorry, that is just not SoulCycle-approved.

Well, toss that tee, because with a $500 shopping spree to Without Walls (Urban Outfitters’ new activewear line), you’ll have a whole arsenal of chic-to-the-next-lev tanks, leggings, sports bras and more to wear to your next cardio session! You can also choose from sporty outerwear, thermal leggings and other essentials so that no matter what your exercise of choice—running, hiking, rock climbing—you’re properly outfitted.

Between the vibrant colors, graphic patterns and the coolest cut-outs in structured tops and warm-up sweaters, we can imagine wearing everything to the gym, from the gym and everywhere in between. Check out the entire collection for yourself, and enter now for a chance to win this amazing shopping spree!

For the past two decades of your life, you’ve seen the same doctor—yes, the one who once covered your shots with Hello Kitty Band-Aids, treated your bout of the chicken pox and helped you understand your PMS episodes. Suffice to say, you’ve developed a close relationship with your pediatrician over the years—but as you get older, your medical needs change. Pediatricians will treat patients up to 21 years of age (but some may treat them into college), and after that point, it becomes time to find a new doctor who’s trained to deal with adults.

Although it seems like a daunting task to change doctors, once you’re informed and you understand your health care and insurance options, you’ll be able to make the choice that’s best for you. Here’s everything you need to know about finding a big-girl doctor!

Before making an appointment with a new doctor, however, do confirm with the doctor’s office that they accept your insurance—and call your insurance company to confirm whom your primary care physician (PCP) of choice is. Insurance companies often require a PCP and may assign one to you automatically, so be sure it’s clear to both you and your insurance company who your PCP is.

1. Word of mouth

One of the easiest ways to find a new doctor is to ask for recommendations from people you know and trust. If you’re still on your parents’ health insurance and live in the same city as they do, switching to their primary care doctor is a reliable way to transition to a new doctor. Call the office and see if the doctor is taking new patients—it’s as easy as that!

If you’ve moved to a new city and you get health insurance through your job, ask coworkers whom they suggest. They’re likely all on the same health insurance as you are, and they may know doctors in the area whom they love (or maybe not love so much). They’ll be able to give you the lowdown, and you can make your decision from there.

2. Your health insurance’s website

Visiting your insurance company’s website is a good place to start your search because you can immediately find out which hospitals accept your health insurance. You can usually refine your search by location, specialty and, in some cases, patient ratings as well. Most of the time, you can also see whether a specific doctor is taking new patients or not, so you won’t need to spend time calling every single doctor you’re interested in just to find out if they’re accepting patients.

3. Online search tools

In the age of the Internet, there’s an easy way to browse tons of doctors in your area from the comfort of your own (grownup!) apartment. Check out our favorite online tools below!

ZocDoc

With ZocDoc, you can easily search doctors in your area by location and specialty. You can even filter based on your health insurance (or search all, if you don’t have insurance or you want to see every option) as well as note other factors, such as whether you want a male or female doctor and what the exact reason of your visit is. The search brings up doctors, their appointment availabilities and their ratings, which are all verified—as in, you know the reviews are made by patients who have seen that doctor. When you’re ready to book, select your time, enter your patient information and you’re all set!

Patient Fusion

Similar to ZocDoc, Patient Fusion also offers online booking and verified reviews, so you can trust the ratings associated with each doctor. The best thing about this site is that it’s a part of Practice Fusion, a medical records program for doctors, so having an account with Patient Fusion also means it’s easy to access your own health records online.

Vitals

If you’re looking for reviews only, Vitals is the place to go. You can either search for a specific doctor by name or browse doctors by specialty or location to get an overview of whom you might be interested in visiting. You can filter based on insurance as well so you’re only looking at doctors whom you know will accept your insurance.

If you’re booking online, it’s a good idea to call the doctor’s office anyway just to double check that they accept your insurance so you aren’t surprised with an unexpected bill at the end of your visit.

4. Lower-cost healthcare centers

If you aren’t insured, there are other options for health care that you can consider! You might not want to settle with a PCP without insurance (it’s expensive and you might need to switch once again once you do get insurance), so opt for one of these alternatives instead. Look up urgent-care clinics in your area, as they can usually treat any standard ailments at a more budget-friendly price; many operate under a sliding-scale policy, meaning the cost will be proportional to your income.

If you need women’s healthcare, check with your local Planned Parenthood. Different locations offer different services, but you’ll be able to get your annual exam and other women’s health issues taken care of. While fees may differ at various locations, most services are charged on a sliding scale as well.

Looking for specialty services, such as an eye doctor or a dentist? If your local university has a dental school, for example, they’ll often offer low-cost visits conducted by students (don’t worry, they’re supervised by real doctors and dentists!).

Lastly, if you just need a quick consultation or a vaccine, drugstores like Walgreens will have certain locations that offer basic primary care checkups at lower, fixed costs.

5. Specialist recommendations from your primary care physician

So, you finally found your primary care physician. A primary care physician should be able to provide you with care for a wide range of health problems, but there will be times when you’ll want to see a specialist. Most of the time, your PCP will give you a referral (and he or she will suggest doctors!) if there’s something he or she isn’t able to help you with. Depending on your insurance plan (or the specialty), you may need a referral. In cases where you don’t need a referral, your best bet is to browse the sites we mentioned in tip number three and go through ratings to make sure the doctor meets both your needs and standards.

What do you do if you don’t like your new doctor?

It’s hard to “break up” with your doctor, but it may be necessary. If your doctor rushes through your appointment, misdiagnoses you, sends you away when you’re still in pain or makes rude comments to you, you need to switch doctors.

George Blackall, Psy.D. and author of Breaking the Cycle: How to Turn Conflict Into Collaboration When You and Your Patients Disagree, says that “the most common complaint when these conflicts arise is that people feel like they’re not being heard or understood.” It’s important for your doctor to understand you, but there may be conflicts that can’t be settled. How to tell if you should make the change?

"If you feel in your heart that you’ve given your best effort to build a partnership with your physician and it hasn't happened, then it's time to move on,” Blackall says.

It’s not worth staying with a doctor you don’t like, and, fortunately, there are many ways to find a doctor that you trust and can develop a good relationship with. Lois Margaret Nora, president and CEO of the American Board of Medical Specialties, says that “people should expect quality in their doctor and the system in which the physician practices.” If you aren’t happy with your current doctor, don’t be afraid to make the change! When you find another PCP you’re interested in, notify your insurance company and call your former doctor to have any records transferred to your new office.

See, that wasn’t so bad, was it? Now it’s time to make an appointment! Before you see your new doctor, be sure to have your previous doctor send over your medical history—this way, your new doctor can know about you and how he or she can help you on your first visit.

Since you’re on your way to making the transition from a pediatrician to a primary care physician, it’s safe to you’re officially grown up. Your real-world doctor will help you stay healthy from your 20s to old age… even though you might be nostalgic for those Hello Kitty Band-Aids.