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9 Disney Songs Rewritten for College Life

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There is no such thing as being too old for Disney, especially with a few collegiate remixes to our favorite songs. Here are nine of our favorite Disney tunes if they had been written by college kids.

1. The extent of your cooking skills
 

2. When you have one drink too many and start missing your ex

3. When adults ask how we handle stress

 

4. When your mom takes you grocery shopping
 

5. When your tuition bill comes in 
 

6. When your roommate is trying to get stuff done, but you want to hang out 
 

7. When you survive another week of school and work
 

8. When you go home to your parents' house for the weekend
 

9. Waiting in line for the bathroom at the bar

 


9 Times Lena Dunham Totally Got Us

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Lena Dunham's book, Not That Kind of Girl, was released on September 30, and we're all freaking out about her continual brilliance. Lena first became a queen to us all when the oh-so-relatable Girls premiered on HBO. Created by and starring Lena Dunham, Girls' comedic and dramatic modern-day look at the honest (and often miserable) moments in the lives of four New York City women was an instant hit. Lena is a witty writer, a relatable actress, a brilliant advocate for feminism and simply a badass. We're celebrating Lena's book with nine quotes with which Lena Dunham proved to be our spirit animal.

1.“Every now and then I’ll tweet something and I’ll just think, ‘what?!’ And then someone favorites it and I guess I feel a little less alone.”

2. “I’m always afraid that I’m being unprofessional, yet I continue to sign all of my emails, ‘xoxo’.”

3."I think about my best friendship—which the Marnie-Hannah friendship in Girls is based on—as like a great romance of my young life.”

4.“I still go to a party and say something embarrassing to someone, and then write them a weird email about it the next day, and then write them a text because I think they didn’t get the email. No matter what happens with your level of success, you still have to deal with all of the baggage that is yourself.”

5. “Girls are trained to say, ‘I wrote this, but it’s probably really stupid.’ Well, no, you wouldn’t write a novel if you thought it was really stupid. Men are much more comfortable going, ‘I wrote this book because I have a unique perspective that the world needs to hear.’ Girls are taught from the age of seven that if you get a compliment, you don’t go, ‘Thank you,’ you go, ‘No, you’re insane.’”

6.“My dad finds Twitter just infinitely unrelatable. He’s like, ‘Why would I want to tell anybody what I had for a snack, it’s private?!’ And I’m like, ‘Why would you even have a snack if you didn’t tell anybody? Why bother eating?'”

7. “I always feel that there are two choices for women … either be totally confident about your non-size-zero body and say, ‘I love what I look like and this is who I am,’ or be the person who is obsessed with diet and exercise and keeping toned. What feels more realistic to me is that some days I wake up and think, ‘I love how I look.’ On other days I say, ‘If I had real self-control, I would be 10 pounds lighter.’ That contradiction is, to me, what being a girl actually feels like.”

8."I am anti-pants."

9. “That lostness and that questioning—I wish I could say that I completely went away when you were getting to do the thing you wanted to do, but unfortunately, that’s not the truth.”

 

9 Disney Songs Rewritten for College Life

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There is no such thing as being too old for Disney, especially with a few collegiate remixes to our favorite songs. Here are nine of our favorite Disney tunes if they had been written by college kids.

1. The extent of your cooking skills

2. When you have one drink too many and start missing your ex

3. When adults ask how we handle stress

4. When your mom takes you grocery shopping

5. When your tuition bill comes in 

6. When your roommate is trying to get stuff done, but you want to hang out 

7. When you survive another week of school and work

8. When you go home to your parents' house for the weekend

9. Waiting in line for the bathroom at the bar

6 Reasons Being a Millennial is Awesome for Your Career

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Millennials get a bad rap—get a bunch of our parents together and they’ll likely lament the time we waste on Facebook or question if we ever communicate face-to-face anymore. But in reality, being a millennial has a ton of perks—especially when it comes to the skills you need post-graduation. We talked to collegiettes and Sarah Reifer, an assistant director and career counselor at the Johns Hopkins University Career Center, about why it’s great to be a millennial and how to market your skills in the workplace!

1. We get technology

We Facebook, tweet, text, you name it—and we’ve been doing so basically since we knew how to use a computer! We’re the first generation to barely know a life without texting or iPods or iPads. “The millennial generation is more plugged in and interconnected than any generation before them,” Reifer says. “Being on a computer is a function of almost any job, and this is something this generation has grown up with.”

Lucky for us, this particular trait is likely something you already have—but that doesn’t mean it’s implied when you’re out on the job hunt. Reifer recommends demonstrating through your resume or cover letter how you’ve used technology, whether for class, an internship or a student club. For example, if you run the Facebook page for your sorority or if you use HTML to program your school newspaper’s website, definitely list these skills on your resume.  

2. We understand marketing

Whether you’re a business major or not, if you have a Facebook, Twitter or Tumblr account, you are doing a form of marketing: for yourself! By carefully choosing cover photos and sharing tweets that will get you more followers, you’re creating a brand for yourself. “Marketing is a second nature [for this generation],” Reifer says. “They’re very mindful of public image and perception.”

This is a skill that should come across in your resume, cover letter and all of your public social media sites! Reifer says to list the social media sites you use on your LinkedIn profile or resume, especially if you’re interested in fields like marketing, communications and journalism, where having a strong Twitter following and a polished website are crucial. And if you’re not going into a field like marketing, knowing your personal brand is helpful simply in applying for jobs, Reifer says. When you sit down for an interview or write a cover letter, you’re marketing yourself!

3. You’re results-driven

One of the biggest insults slammed at the millennials? We only want instant gratification. However, Reifer says that millennials are actually “results-driven.”

So what does that mean? We’re efficient and we’re always focused on what’s next. “It’s an entrepreneurial spirit,” Reifer says. “You can show this if you’re a founding member of a club or an organization. Things like this show leadership, perseverance, work ethic and the concept of bringing an idea full circle.”

Allison, a recent graduate of the University of Maryland College Park, agrees. “We have this unrealistic expectation of getting results quickly, but I think it’s also a source of motivation too,” she says.

4. We’re super well-rounded

Blame it on the Internet: because we have grown up in a world dominated by the incredible World Wide Web, our interests are as diverse as ever. With the Internet at our fingertips, we have access to a ton of information that our parents never had, which allows us to pursue passions and take up interests we might not have known existed without it.

“This makes for really multifaceted individuals,” Reifer says. “These students become great contributors to the workforce. Here’s an example: perhaps a student is majoring in a subject and they are involved in a totally different extracurricular activity that shows teamwork and leadership. It shows diversity of interests both academically and socially.”

5. You’re informed about the world around you

Growing up with cable television, dozens of news sites and more blogs than you can count has its advantages. “We live in a time where media is so accessible,” Reifer says. “We’re plugged into the national level and the global level. [Millennials are] informed individuals and informed citizens. This makes a great contributor to any office space.”

Laura, a student at Florida International University, agrees. “We have all the information we need at our fingertips thanks to our smartphones and Google,” Laura says. “It is easier to communicate—in regards to that, news spreads much faster and we are more aware of events going on around the world.” Of course, our parents have access to the Internet as well—but our generation is using it more than any other demographic.

6. We’re respectful of different cultures and groups of people

As a whole, our generation is one of the most diverse in history, says Reifer. “[Millennials] have a heightened level of social and civic awareness,” she says. Through the Internet especially, we’re exposed to so many different ways of thinking, so even if you grew up or go to school in a homogenous town, you’re likely more informed about other viewpoints.

“Growing up in a time where people have more rights than they did when my parents were growing up has made me think more critically about other people and the struggles they experience, even if those struggles may not be similar to mine,” says Anna, a recent graduate of Johns Hopkins University.  “Since moving to Baltimore for college, I've been exposed to an incredibly diverse, rich population that has allowed me to expand my worldview past what I learned in my small, 99-percent-Caucasian town.”

How will this help? According to Reifer, our generation will be working in a very diverse workforce, and embracing diversity is key to furthering social progress as well as learning about different views that you may have never even thought about!

 

So the next time your parents make a snide remark about our generation, show them this list. Turns out we millennials are actually going to be really in demand! 

6 Pieces You Can Wear to Show Your Election Day Pride

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Happy Election Day! Today is the day to get your vote out—and there's no better time to show your pride! But sometimes, you want to wear a little more than an "I Voted!" sticker—so we've shopped out some of our favorite patriotic pieces that you can flaunt today, or any day (they're totally chic!). Check them out:

1.Jewel-Chanteuse Collar - Bauble Bar ($44)

This gem of a necklace is everything you want out of a patriotic fashion statement, without being over the top. The pastel mint colored rhinestones are a nice contrast to the red and blue ones.

2. Star Print Scrunchie - Topshop ($8)

If you’re not looking to get all decked out in red, white and blue, this subtle scrunchie is the way to go! The starred and dotted hair tie clearly pays tribute to the American flag, but it also resembles the vibe Rosie the Riveter’s outfit gives off!

3. Oasis Stripe Shell Top - Asos (On sale for $26.53)

This blouse is beautifully bold. The staggered and varyingly sized stripes offer a more flattering look, plus the curved neckline and middle pleat make it super chic for a day at your internship, too.

4. Checkered Sweater - Vintage Havana (On sale for $47.60)

So this piece doesn’t have stars or stripes, but maybe that’s a good thing! You can still rock the patriotic look this election day without looking like a flag. This sweater would go awesome with a pair of dark wash jeans and some canvas sneakers—so perfect for fall.

5. Drapey Stars Tee - J.Crew ($39.50)

A sparkly tee like this one is subtle and sophisticated. It’s soft and comfy—in other words, the perfect top to wear when you're waiting in line at the polls. Slip this no-fuss tee on with a pair of leggings and your favorite fall boots and you’re golden (literally).

6. Open Front Duster Blazer - Charlotte Russe ($38.99)

 

By election day, it can be quite chilly out. Stay warm and stylish with this long and dramatic outerwear piece that is the perfect item to rock all the way to the polls.

Even with these must-haves, that "I Voted!" sticker is still a must-have—so don't forget to rock that vital accessory, too!

Impostor Syndrome: What it Is & How to Deal

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You just got your second midterm back, and, whatdyaknow, there's a gorgeous, red A at the op of the page. Instead of feeling proud of yourself for the accomplishment, though, all you can focus on is the negative stream of thoughts running through your head: You got a good grade on the exam, but you were just lucky this time. You obviously did well because the test was way easier than you thought it was going to be. You got through this test, but the next one is the big one you're going to fail.

This may just sound like a typical student being humble or insecure, and it's such a recurring, widespread sentiment on college campuses that most people don't give it a second thought. However, these feelings may actually denote a serious problem that students are especially susceptible to—impostor syndrome.

What is impostor syndrome?

Impostor syndrome—huh? Is it something from a TV crime show? While it sounds extremely dramatic, impostor syndrome isn't some super rare disorder that police squads are always on the lookout for. Instead, it's a psychological phenomenon in which people are not able to internalize personal accomplishments. Although it's not considered a psychological disorder, it involves chronic self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy and intellectual fraudulence, even when there's evidence that the opposite is true.

"It's not a fancy word for low self-esteem," says Dr. Valerie Young, a leading expert on impostor syndrome. "Low self-esteem is more of a global sense we have about ourselves, but impostor feelings are specific to achievement situations like school, work, career, academics."

Basically, students who suffer from impostor syndrome think they're not actually successful, competent or smart and only pretending to be that way (hence the word "impostor"). People who feel like impostors also unconsciously employ different coping and protecting strategies like blaming things on luck to manage the stress of feeling like an impostor and avoid being “found out.” They try to fly under the radar because they fear getting exposed as a fake.  

"Have you ever felt like a fake or fraud in your workplace or academic program, or worry that other people might 'figure you out?'" says licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Lauren Feiner. "Impostor syndrome is that insecure feeling deep down inside that you don’t believe you deserve the job or career you have, despite maintaining high performance.  It is that nagging fear that you will be 'found out' for not being as smart or as experienced as people think."

For example, someone who feels like an impostor might have a great GPA but will find all kinds of explanations for why that's the case. She might get her senior thesis approved but doesn't think her senior advisor even read it (“she just put it on a scale and weighed it”). She might often tell herself, “If I can do it, how hard can it really be?”

Sarah* has struggled with impostor syndrome for longer than she can remember. She recently got an amazing job, but while everyone else was really happy for her, she wasn't all too excited about the accomplishment herself.

"I was thinking things like, 'Oh, I was only selected because no one else with experience applied, because I did horrible in the interview,'" Sarah says. "I never really feel proud of myself, and [I] always downplay my achievements."

Who is susceptible to impostor syndrome?

Unfortunately, it seems like impostor syndrome was made especially for us college students. According to Young, it's prevalent on college campuses and commonly a part of the student experience.

"[Impostor syndrome] is a problem that high-achieving people, students being among them, have internalizing and crediting or owning their accomplishments," Young says.

Feiner recalls meeting many highly qualified, bright, successful women who felt like they managed to "fool everyone." One was a doctoral graduate student at Stanford who worked as an engineer at a big tech company. 

"She would constantly argue that she wasn’t smart enough or competent enough, and others would soon discover this about her," Feiner says. "Examples of success were quickly downplayed as luck, a fluke or the result of deceiving others."  

Race and gender also play into impostor syndrome. Women, people in the STEM fields, first-generation professionals, students of color or people who fall into more than one of these categories are particularly susceptible because they may feel like they don't belong or like they’re taking on the pressure of trying to represent a group, according to both Young and Feiner.

"A sense of belonging fosters confidence, so the fewer people there are in a major who look like you—and that also applies to race—the more likely you'll struggle with confidence," Young says. "Whenever there are assumptions about people's competence, and there aren't many people who look like you, then you're more susceptible."

In other words, if you don't see others like you in your profession or career path, it's easier to attribute your success to luck instead of merit.

Students in creative majors like writing, art, music and acting are also more vulnerable to impostor syndrome because, unlike other majors, they aren't necessarily being judged by objective standards.

"You're being judged by people whose job title is ‘professional critic’ once you get out into the art world or literary world," Young says. "You're only as good as your last performance."

 Stereotypes can also affect your susceptibility to impostor syndrome. Those who fall into certain groups that are prone to stereotypes about intelligence, like blonde women or Asians, face labels about competence and thus are more susceptible to impostor syndrome.

How it affects your work and career

Have you ever gotten a competitive internship or accomplished something huge at work and then kind of just brushed it off as luck or told yourself that it was because no one else was there to compete with you? This is what people with impostor syndrome go through all the time. These impostor feelings also have consequences on their work performance and careers.

For college students, waiting until the last minute to do things is simply a way of life, but there is actually a link between impostor syndrome and procrastination. While not all procrastination is a result of impostor syndrome, the tendency to procrastinate on super important things like applications for internships is connected to the syndrome because it can act as a coping mechanism. Since those with impostor syndrome might be afraid of being discovered as a fraud, they might use procrastination as an excuse or fallback in case things don't actually work out.

"If they don't get the internship, then they can say, 'Well, I'm really disappointed, but I'm hardly surprised because I know it really didn't reflect my best effort,'" Young says. "But the rub is that if they had gotten accepted, they would have felt like they had fooled them. They wouldn't have felt deserving because they knew it really didn't reflect their best effort, but they picked them anyway, so now they feel like a big impostor."

Having impostor syndrome can also turn people into workaholics. Most students have to work hard to do well in school, but self-identified impostors feel like they have to study harder and work harder than everyone else for all the wrong reasons, like believing that they're innately less smart than their peers.

"It's coming from this place of feeling like they have to do that because they're not as intelligent as other students," Young says. "They think, real or imagined, that it's easier, that I have to work harder because other people are inherently more intelligent than I am."

Not only do people with impostor syndrome tend to discount their successes, which can negatively affect their relationship with their work and career, but they may even fear success because of the visibility that comes with it and the strain that it puts between their inner feelings and outside perceptions. This can cause people to hold back and avoid reaching their full potential.

"Although impostor syndrome may drive some people to work harder and achieve more, it can also lead to chronic self-doubt, low self-esteem and burnout," Feiner says.

So while impostor syndrome might have its basis in psychology, its effects on work and life are very much tangible.

How to overcome impostor syndrome

College life can be tough all by itself, but tack on impostor syndrome, and anybody would want out. How can you get rid of that awful feeling of being an impostor? There are certain fundamental steps you need to take to free yourself of the syndrome.

1. Normalize your feelings

Basically, accept that impostor syndrome is a part of the student experience, especially if you're taking advanced classes or you’re in grad school.

"It just goes with the territory," Young says. "Your intellect is being tested over and over and over almost on a daily basis. That doesn't happen outside of school, so just know that it makes sense that, given I'm in college, I'm likely to have these feelings."

The feelings of inadequacy typical of people with impostor syndrome usually come with a lot of shame, but normalizing your feelings and realizing that having these thoughts is a pretty common experience can start to take some of that shame out of the equation.

2. Reframe your failures and your definition of competence

As collegiettes, we’re constantly subjected to this crazy definition of what it means to be competent. Students think that to be truly competent, you have to be absolutely perfect. This leads to the idea that if a student was truly intelligent, she would ace every single thing, which causes people who feel like impostors to feel ashamed when they do fail because they think they shouldn't. They experience the same situations of failure as others do, but they have different automatic thoughts in response.

Failure, of course, is part of all success stories, including those of our favorite celebs. Oprah Winfrey was fired from a TV reporter job, Dr. Seuss had his first book rejected by 27 publishers, Steven Spielberg was rejected by USC's School of Cinematic Arts multiple times and Lucille Ball was considered a failed actress before landing her I Love Lucy role. And look how everything turned out for them!

3. Realize that perfection is unrealistic

Why? Because it is.

"You don’t have to attain perfection to be worthy of the success you’ve achieved," Feiner says. "If you continually set the bar at a level of perfection, you will always feel disappointed. Set the bar at a realistic level so that you don’t always fall short."

It's important to question these automatic impostor thoughts, rethink the standards that are imposed on people and acknowledge that these standards are very much unrealistic. Have you ever met someone who's great at everything? Neither have we. In fact, it's pretty impossible. So focus on the value and unique strengths you bring to the table, not on attaining perfection at everything.

"It's not doing everything perfectly, it's not knowing it all, it's not doing everything by yourself and never getting any help," Young says. "Confidence is … identifying the resources it takes to achieve a goal."

4. Stop comparing yourself to others and own your own successes

Don’t even think about comparing yourself to the girl you know who seems to have it all: the amazing career lined up after graduation, the hot boyfriend, the fancy car and the designer clothes. Trust us, she’s definitely not perfect—nobody is! Instead, focus your energy on your own achievements.

"Most people have an easier time focusing on their failures and mistakes rather than on their accomplishments," Feiner says. "It is important to have a balance. Write down a list of things that you have achieved or succeeded at in the last year, [because] these deserve space as well."

By focusing on yourself rather than others, you can more easily avoid comparisons that are often unfair, biased and rarely helpful. There's often the idea that "everyone else seems to be doing fine," when in fact, that’s far from the truth.

"We often compare our internal insecurities to others’ external appearance of confidence," Feiner says. "You only have access to your own self-doubt, so you mistakenly conclude that your self-doubt is more accurate. We are aware of how much we’re struggling and falsely assume that others are getting by more effortlessly."

According to Feiner, we also tend to compare our weaknesses to other people’s strengths, leaving us feeling inferior. We say things like, “But I’m not as creative as Jessica,” or, “I’m not as efficient as Kayla.” Meanwhile, Jessica and Kayla may be wishing they were as detail-oriented as you are.

So go ahead: Take more risks and don't be afraid of falling down, because even the best of us fall short sometimes.

"If you can accept your failures, you can succeed much quicker," Feiner says.

5. Don’t give up

Keep going no matter how you're feeling, what grade you got on your last exam or what kind of day you're having.

"People want to feel confident 24/7, but that's not how confidence works," Young says. "We have moments of confidence, it ebbs and flows, and to realize that if you're in a tough major or that you're really challenging yourself, you're going to have these ‘oh my god’ moments, and that's okay—it's what you do with it [that counts]."

If something didn't go well, try to accept it and then focus on what you can do differently next time. Maybe seek out some tutoring or have someone look at your paper before handing it in. No matter what you do, don't give up.

6. Remember that this is a gradual process

There are no magic pills you can consume that will take all of these feelings of inadequacy away. However, there are steps you can take.

"You have to change how you think," Young says. "You have to change your thinking and then change your behaviors, challenge yourself, do the things that scare you, realize you can do it—or you fall down, you get up and you try again, and then, after a while, your feelings will start to change."

Be courageous, take on challenges, own your achievements, learn from your failures and don't let your doubts hold you back. After all, the only thing being an impostor here is the impostor syndrome itself!

*Name has been changed.

Calling All Sweet Tooths: Win $50 Worth of Baked Goods!

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Are you ready for the best midnight snack ever? Forget the stale trail mix you picked up from the vending machine in the library, and those saltines that have been sitting in your dorm room since the beginning of the semester? Yeah, leave those where they were.

We're giving away $50 worth of baked goods and other treats from Harvard Sweet Boutique, an all-natural gourmet bakery where you'll find enough cookies, brownies, toffees and enough goodies to make your mouth water. They also offer low-carb and gluten-free options, and you can even get special-made packages, like the college care package—basically, the best box you'll ever get in the mail. The bakery ships nationwide, so you can stock up on your sweets no matter where you are.

Taste buds craving some deliciousness yet? Satisfy them now by entering below to win a $50 gift card to Harvard Sweet Boutique!

Fill out my online form.

7 Reasons You Should Watch ‘Transparent’

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Out of queer-friendly shows to watch instead of studying for midterms? Enter Transparent, a new show by Amazon about trans parent Maura Pfefferman and her family. The show strikes a perfect balance of humor and drama as it follows Maura’s journey of becoming comfortable with herself as a trans woman, and believe us, you’ll be hooked from the first episode. Here are just a few reasons why we’re obsessed with Transparent.

1. The main character is a trans woman

Not only does Transparent feature a trans woman character, but she is the focus of the show. Though the media is making strides toward recognizing transgender and genderqueer individuals, it’s no secret that they’re usually side characters in TV shows. Transparent, however, stars a brave trans character coming out and living as her true self for the first time. As Maura comes out to her daughter, she says, “My whole life I’ve been dressing up like a man. This is me.”

2. Trans and genderqueer individuals’ lives aren’t made the subjects of jokes

More often than not, trans women are demeaned in our culture and sometimes even made the subject of jokes in television shows. You won’t find that on Transparent. Trans people are represented as what they are: Humans born in the wrong bodies. They’re genuine, strong characters we can learn lessons from and relate to.

At the same time, the show doesn’t shy away from showing how trans women can be treated. For instance, when Maura runs into an old family friend while having lunch with her trans girlfriends, he laughs and mocks her, but she stays strong. In addition, when she is called a man while trying to use the women’s restroom, she continues to be true to herself. She accepts herself, even if her family and the world do not.

3. There are actual trans actors in it 

Representation matters! With more shows making diversity a priority, Transparent shows it’s okay to be yourself. Transparent embraces acceptance, love and, above all, the bravery it takes to be true to yourself. For instance, Davina, Maura’s best friend, is played by Alexandra Billings, a trans actress; and Dale, Maura’s daughter Ali’s love interest, is trans actor Ian Harvie. Also, the trans individuals at Maura’s trans support group are actual trans people, like the group leader played by Zackary Drucker, a transgender artist.

Unfortunately, not every trans character is played by a trans actor – the biggest example being Maura—which the show has been rightfully criticized for.

4. It features an array of different relationships

Sure, there are heterosexual couples, but that’s not all. Sarah, the oldest daughter, was once in a serious lesbian relationship in college and is still in love with the woman. Ali sees a trans man for a short time. Their relationship is brief, but it is one of the first glimpses of a trans individual in the show as a romantic interest.

All that said, most of the characters are heterosexual, which leaves plenty of room for representation for a variety of queer and LGBTQ+ relationships, but we trust that Transparent will be cognizant of it in later seasons.

5. It realistically portrays the difficulties of coming out

Some LGBTQ+ individuals can relate to the challenges coming out of the closet. It takes TONS of courage to come out, whether you’re bisexual, pansexual, genderqueer, trans or something else entirely. Viewers can relate to Maura’s realistic journey, and it’s inspiring! We get to see Maura come out to her family, attends trans support groups, go out in public spaces as Maura, become more involved in the LGBTQ+ community and face the struggles of being “out” and true to herself.

6. Jeffrey Tambor is incredible

Maura is played by a cis man, meaning a biological man who identifies as male, instead of a trans woman, which raises the issue of representation. However, Tambor plays Maura wonderfully. Through his acting, we really get to know Maura and the struggles she faces. We see her sadness, the discomfort of being in a body that does not represent her and how important family and her support group is to her. Through Tambor’s portrayal of Maura, we really get to know her, sympathize with her and celebrate with her.

7. It shows the importance of allies to the LGBTQ+ community

Coming out to your family is one of the hardest obstacles manyqueer people face. Maura’s family’s support is important to her, which is why she had to finally be honest with herself.

Transparent also shows how important it is to have support from other members of the LGBTQ+ community – after all, they face similar issues and challenges. The weekly trans group Maura attends shows how vital that support can be. Maura sees that she is not alone. She meets other trans individuals like her who have gone through the same struggles as her and have survived. The group is especially important because it gave her the courage to come out to her family and start living as her true self.

Transparent is bringing trans individuals’ stories to the frontline of the mass media, but those aren’t the only great aspects of the show. Make sure you check it out online—it’s free for Amazon Prime members, but you can purchase episodes through Amazon (and the pilot is free!). This is a show you do not want to miss!


5 Ways to Spruce Up Your Top Knot

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As we enter the month of November, the mid-semester hairstyle rut is currently in full swing with the upcoming arrival of winter (...and yes, the impending finals season). This means top knots are everywhere you turn on campus, as we say goodbye to beachy summer waves—and the time we had to spend making them.

The good news: the cold weather blues and long hours in the library don't mean you have to opt for a messy sock bun! Top knots are a collegiette go-to because they're so easy to do, and giving them a little extra oomph is just as simple. Here are our top five ways to spruce up that top knot this season:

Create braids on braids

Fishtail, French and Dutch, oh my! Braids are trendy and cute, and they’ll serve as the perfect addition to your top knot. Whether you wrap a small fishtail braid around your top knot, or braid the back of your hair before putting your hair up in a bun, your style will be on point. To give your hair some grip while you braid, use a texturizing cream such as the Texturizing Sculpting Wax from Pantene($5). Apply it to the middle of your strands to the ends, starting with only a small amount of product and adding more as necessary.

Add a hair scarf or bandana

Rosie the Riveter isn’t the only gal who can pull off a bold red bandana in her hair to go along with her bun! If a bandana isn’t your style, a flirty hair scarf works just as well, and Etsy has a lot of affordable options around $20 or less. Simply style your hair as desired, and then tie your scarf or bandana around your top knot. Not only will it add flair and color to your ‘do, but it’ll provide support around the top knot to keep it upright.

Rock a hair bow

Just like the scarf or bandana, a feminine bow adds a little pop of color and personality to your hairstyle. Clip the bow into your bun for extra support, on the top, to the side or directly below the bun. Claire’s has a wide selection of oversized lace bow hair clips for only $6.50, so you can buy more than one to go with a variety of outfits.

Get creative with bobby pins

Whether you use bobby pins to prevent your top knot from falling completely or just enjoy using a couple to pin back a few loose strands of hair, every collegiette needs some in her hair arsenal. To change the height and shape of your top knot, use more or less bobby pins as desired. You can also create unique designs with the bobby pins when pinning back extra pieces of hair around the top knot. Mix it up with a variety of “X” shapes and zigzag lines to add a little flair to your style.

Don’t be afraid of hairspray

A little extra hold will take your hair from messy bun to totally polished top knot. After creating the knot, spray it with hair spray to give it extra staying power, while preventing frizzy fly-aways and other minor hair mishaps. We recommend the Two Extra Hold hairspray from TRESemme($5) if you’re looking for a budget-friendly product that will give you salon-quality results.

 

What are your favorite ways to spice up your top knot? Let us know in the comments!

6 Things You Should Never Say to Your Crush

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Have you ever said something to a guy you’re totally crushing on and immediately regretted it when you saw his reaction? Or maybe you didn’t even realize you said something wrong, but are freaking out and worried that you did since he hasn’t texted you in two weeks? You’ve probably watched enough rom-coms to know some of the obvious things that are better left unsaid (for example, How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days taught us not to name the below-the-belt-region “Princess Sophia”), but what about the more subtle things you may be saying that you don’t even realize are turn-offs? Her Campus is here to make sure you don’t make those mistakes again. We talked to experts and college guys to find out what you should avoid saying to a guy you’re crushing on so you don’t lose him.

1.  “Oh yeah, I saw that on Facebook…” 

Let’s be honest, we’re all guilty of Facebook stalking—but revealing that you’ve clicked through enough of your crush’s pictures to know that he vacationed in Costa Rica with his family three years ago might scare him away. 

“A girl once liked a picture of me from a few years ago, way back in my photos, and even though part of me was kind of flattered, I was also a little freaked out that she was lurking [on] my Facebook that hard,” says Matt, a senior at the University of Michigan.

So keep your Facebook activity on the down low. If he brings up something you’ve seen a picture of on social media, don't mention that you already know about it; instead, ask him to tell you more. That will keep the conversation flowing… without freaking him out with the thought of you creeping on his profile.

2. “Your ex-girlfriend…”

“It is a very bad idea to bring up exes when talking to a guy you like,” says Mike, a senior at the University of Michigan. “If you bring up his ex it makes you look jealous and nosy.”

Bashing his ex-girlfriend makes you come off as catty and insecure. You may think you’re doing him a favor by justifying their break-up, but whether he is on bad terms or good terms with her, putting her down will make you seem nasty—and not in the way he wants you to be.

Also, your crush probably doesn't want to be reminded of his ex. And even if he does (in which case, he’s not over her—red flag!), why take the attention away from yourself and put the spotlight on someone he used to be with?

3. “My ex-boyfriend…”

When you’re talking to a new love interest, let’s just keep all exes—yours and his—out of the picture. “Don’t ever bring up your past relationships unless he specifically asks,” Mike says. “If his or your ex does come up, move past this subject quickly, because it will probably have a negative effect on your conversation.”

Bringing up your ex-boyfriend can signal that you’re still attached, which will discourage your crush from pursuing you because he may think you’re not ready to move on or that you’ll always compare him to your ex.

And while we’re on the subject of not bringing up your past boyfriends, you may want to avoid your past hook-ups, too. “Guys don't want to know about guys you were with,” Mike says. “Thinking about your hook-up history will bother him and make him want to talk less.”

While there’s no need to pretend you’re a virgin if you aren’t, your crush likely doesn't want to hear about how many times you’ve been around the block either. 

4. “I really want to be in a relationship. I’m so sick of being single!”

Relationship expert, author and psychologist Dr. Seth Meyers says that you should “never tell your crush that you don't want to be single anymore.” Why? “This sends the message that you want to be with someone, but not necessarily him,” he explains. In other words, he may not get the hint that you’re interested in him specifically, and he’ll think that you’re just fishing for a relationship instead.

Additionally, he may not be in a place where he wants to get serious with anyone, so you could turn him off if you immediately bring it to the relationship-or-nothing level. “I was talking to a girl at a bar once and she kept talking about how all her friends had boyfriends and how she wanted one too,” says Scott, a senior at UC-Davis. “I had pretty much just met her, so she came off as the type that would be clingy right away even if we just made out or something.”

Instead of bringing up your interest in being in a relationship, try to focus on conveying your interest in him.  Rather than take a passive approach, Meyers advises to tell your crush that you like a lot of the qualities he has.

 5. “Did you get my last text?”

The double (or triple… or quadruple…) text is a definite don’t. If he doesn't respond, don’t keep texting him back. Constant texting can come off as needy or just bothersome.

“I had hooked up with this girl two or three times, and then she started texting me non-stop,” says Justin, a recent graduate of the University of Michigan. “I don’t mind texting, but she was constantly texting me without any real purpose, so it got annoying quickly. If I hadn’t responded to her in an hour, she would text a question mark or something passive aggressive like ‘k, I guess not’… it was too much for me.”  

Waiting for a text back can be painful—we’ve all been there. Have your friends help hold you back from overdoing it, though, so you don’t want to scare him away. If your iMessage thread with him is a constant stream of blue on the right side with no responses from him in between, that’s when you know you might need to take it down a notch.

6.  Nothing

There are plenty of things that aren’t ideal to say to your crush, but saying nothing is even worse! This is especially true if you’re telling other people about your interest in him.

“Don't let him find out that he is your crush from someone else,” says Mike. “If you end up telling him how you feel, that's one thing, but if he finds out from someone else it may just make things more awkward and push him farther away.”

Make sure that he hears your feelings from you. You might not want to throw your feelings out there right away, of course, but hinting at your interest can make him realize that there is potential between you two. Talking to him, no matter what it’s about, is the only way that you will get any closer to him, so don’t let the fear of saying something wrong keep you from saying anything at all!

 

All guys are different—they aren’t all going to react to the above statements in the same way. But when it comes to dealing with a new love (or lust) interest, it’s better to play it safe while you are still getting to know each other so that he doesn't have any reason to doubt that you’re not the cool, awesome collegiette that you are. Save the crazy for later.   

5 Immediate Signs He’s a Keeper

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Struggling to find the perfect guy? We feel your pain. You don’t want to waste precious time that could be spent with your Prince Charming on the wrong guy! With the hook-up culture that has come to define romance these days, we know it can be tough to find Mr. Right. But it’s not time to give up hope yet! There is a Ryan Gosling out there for each and every one of us… you just need to find him. With these tips, you’ll be able to tell if he’s the one by the end of your first date.

1. He wants to know you better

Hanging out with a new guy is exciting! We’re all familiar with the thrill you get when he texts you and the inevitable butterflies when he asks you out for the first time. However, this excitement should be reciprocated.

Rachel Born, a Ph.D. candidate in human sexuality at Widener University, believes that showing you care goes both ways. “Infatuation, that feeling of wanting to be with the other person, happens to both women and men when they fall in love,” she says. “If he's lukewarm about hanging out with you, take it as a sign.”

If you spot him scrolling through his Instagram feed during the date, he’s definitely not worth it. Maintaining eye contact and keeping his phone in his pocket are sure signs he’s a keeper.

While love may not be on the table on the first date, if he makes an effort to participate in the conversation and listens to what you have to say, he’s probably interested. Lucy, a collegiette at the University of Windsor, met her boyfriend in a high school class and knew he was a keeper because he was so engaged in their conversation.

“He was actively listening to what I was saying,” she says. “He made sure that he was contributing interesting responses to our conversation rather than just a ‘yeah’ or a ‘sure,’ and he was making tons of eye contact.”

Now Lucy says he’s not only her boyfriend, but her best friend! If he’s putting in the extra effort and showing you that he cares, he might just be the one.

2. He’s consistent

You want to be with someone you can trust. Dr. Seth Meyers, licensed clinical psychologist and author of Dr. Seth’s Love Prescription, says that a good way to get a sense of a guy’s honesty from the start is if he calls when he says he will. If you’re talking to a guy at a party and he leaves to chat with friends, claiming he’s coming back later to finish the conversation, make sure he keeps his word! When he says he’s going to do something, it should happen. The same applies to your first few dates. If he comes half an hour late to pick you up and gives questionable excuses, take it as a warning.

Although they might seem like small details, if he’s honest with you about the little things, he’s much more likely to confide in you about the important stuff down the line. “A consistency between words and actions is one of the most telling signs that a guy is a keeper,” says matchmaker Jasbina Ahluwalia.

If you can’t be sure that what he’s telling you is true, there’s no way you’ll be able to feel comfortable with him, making it impossible for the relationship to go anywhere.

3. Your friends are his friends, too

The Spice Girls had it right the first time! If you want to be our lovers, you’ve definitely got to get with our friends. Making an effort with you isn’t the only thing he should be doing. While it’s always flattering to have a guy come up to you at a party, if you’re standing with your friends and he ignores them, that’s a bad sign. Just think about it—you would never want to get caught third-wheeling a conversation, so your friends shouldn’t have to, either! When you introduce him to your friends, he should respond accordingly and engage with them as well.

A genuinely nice guy will make conversation with your friends even if you’re the one he’s interested in. Dr. Meyers agrees and says if a guy goes out of his way to be nice and make an effort with your friends when you’re all together, he’s one of the good ones. Actions speak louder than words, and him actively trying to get to know your friends says it all! If he’s working towards befriending your pals, he’s definitely a keeper.

4. He’s respectful

While you shouldn’t necessarily expect your guy to be interested in Pumpkin Spice Lattes or the latest fall nail polish color, he should always respect the things that matter to you. You don’t want a guy who agrees with everything you say just to make you happy, but it’s essential that even when he’s being honest, it comes across in a respectful manner.

He should be supportive, not sardonic! Your thoughts and ideas are important and should be treated as such. “If he can celebrate your you-ness, then yes, he's a keeper!” Born says.

This quality can be easy to spot right off the bat by watching how he interacts with others.  For example, if you’re on a first date and he is dismissive or rude to the waiters, watch out! The way he acts towards them can be very telling of his personality.  If he’s always conscious of the way he speaks to others and makes sure to utilize the proper etiquette when he’s out, that’s a good sign. His attitude towards others is a reflection of how he will act towards you. 

5. You’re on the same page

While it may be hard to tell if your core values align the first time you talk to him, the first date presents many opportunities to see where he stands. For example, if he spends a significant portion of the date talking about his parents or his siblings, you’ll be able to immediately tell he’s family oriented. While the conversation may begin a bit more surface level, you’re bound to discover some new, more important things about him as the date goes on.

Being different than your guy is okay – opposites do attract sometimes! However, you want to make sure that you’re on the same page where it really counts. If your core values are completely different, Ahluwalia says there may be a problem. For example, she says that “if you place a high-level of importance on healthy eating and fitness, and he regularly disparages people who ‘waste’ money on produce or ‘waste’ time on physical activity,” that disconnect may make getting closer quite difficult. Make sure to remain attentive, because the next thing he says may very well make or break your connection with him!

If you can check all of these things off your list, he might be the one! If not, keep searching. We know Mr. Right is out there somewhere!

The 11 Most Annoying Things That Happen to Girls

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We all know that being a girl isn't always rainbows and sunshine. Things can be fine and dandy one second, but then your nails are drying and you remember just how vulernable you really are. Sometimes the only way to get over how much these things suck is to complain about them, so just let it happen.

1. Doing your nails before bed, only to realize that they'll inevitably be smudged in the morning. 

And now you have to start all over.

2. Going to use the bathroom at a boy's apartment and realizing he doesn't have any toilet paper. 

How does anyone live like this?

3. Wearing a skirt in an attempt to look cute, but the wind has different plans. 

Just pray no one saw your unicorn underwear. 

4. Doing your hair only to realize that it's raining and there was no point. 

Why even bother?

5. Wearing heels when you go out. 

And inevitably doing that awkward wobbly walk.

6. Having to sit like a lady. Come on, can't we just be comfortable?

7. Trying to put your hair up only to have your hair tie snap. 

Cue the rage. 

8. Getting your period at the most inopportune moments. 

And ruining the rest of your day as a result. 

9. Crying over something and realizing you didn't wear waterproof mascara. 

And it never looks as good as Lauren Conrad makes it look.  

10. Getting catcalled. And please, don't try to tell us it was a compliment. 

11. When your pants don't have any pockets.

And yet boys have pockets the size of purses. Has anyone else noticed this?

Score a Behind-the-Scenes Look at College Fashion Week Boston!

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In case you couldn't make it out to the first stop of College Fashion Week 2014 in Boston (or just want to relive the fabulousness), we've got the inside scoop on what you missed! The spectacular event, held on October 4th at The Estate Club, was a huge success. Get the full experience; watch our amazing recap video below! Who knows? You may even spot yourself or a friend on screen!

Check out all of the other fabulous coverage of our cross-country fashion week at CollegeFashionWeek.com! Stay tuned for details of College Fashion Week 2015 - we might even bring the catwalk to campus in YOUR city!

4 Important Questions to Ask College Admissions Reps

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If you aren’t familiar with college rep days, they’re a great opportunity to jump-start your college search right in the halls of your own high school. During a college rep day, admissions representatives from various colleges and universities will gather in your school at specific dates and times to answer your questions about applications, give you the inside scoop on the school and provide information on how to contact important people on campus. While many of the fall college rep days are geared toward seniors working on applications, most schools allow sophomores and juniors to attend these sessions as a way to begin exploring their options for after high school graduation.

While walking into a room full of admissions representatives may seem intimidating, college rep sessions are easy to navigate when you know what information you’re looking for. In an effort to make your college rep day experience as painless as possible, we’ve compiled a list of the four most important questions to ask admissions reps.

1. “Are there any admissions requirements outside of the standard application?”

While the Common App has streamlined the college application process, not all applications have identical requirements. When speaking with a college admissions rep about the school’s application, find out if they require any additional materials or actions.

For example, many schools may require an extra essay (in addition to the general Common App one) if you’re applying to a specific academic program. Similarly, an application to a fine arts program may require portfolio submissions.

“I knew I was going to major in art education and that you had to be accepted into the school of art [in order to major in art],” says Capriella Fenicle, a freshman at Ball State University. “I had to bring in my five best pieces [from high school] to the school’s portfolio day as an additional part of the application process.”

Some schools even require that all applicants seeking admission be interviewed by admissions officers or notable alumni. Ask now and take note of the deadlines so you don’t find yourself stressed out by last-minute surprise requirements!

2. “What are some lesser-known scholarship opportunities that you wish more students would apply for?”

While asking about scholarships in general may seem like a no-brainer, take this opportunity to ask about the financial opportunities that may not be advertised on the school’s website or may be harder to find. Some schools use your general application to automatically consider you for scholarships, but others require a separate scholarship application entirely.

Additionally, there are more than just academic scholarships available, so research your options online and know which ones you qualify for ahead of time, whether it’s athletic or artistic opportunities, outside scholarships offered by organizations in your community or scholarships based on your financial need.  Making a list of the scholarships you plan to apply for (along with their due dates) is the best way to stay organized and ensure you don’t miss out on anything important.

Scholarships can be awarded to students for anything from extracurricular involvement to eye color—the opportunities are endless! Discussing scholarships with an admissions rep is a great way to get personalized advice and learn about opportunities relevant to you and your specific financial situation.

“[When considering scholarships], I asked an admissions representative about what the odds were of actually receiving a scholarship, when I would be notified about receiving a scholarship and all the logistics of it,” says Anna Burse, a freshman at Indiana University. “You shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions [about scholarships], because you have absolutely nothing to lose.”

3. “What are the students like?”

Or, even more specifically: What kind of personalities can be found on campus? How well do students from different disciplines interact? While these questions may be easy to answer yourself after going on a campus visit and interacting with real students, discussing them with an admissions representative is a great way to get a feel for the school’s environment ahead of time and to find out whether or not it’s a good fit for you. The insight of an admissions representative is crucial when it comes to questions like these that don’t have quantitative answers.

4. “What makes this college distinctive?”

Almost every college or university has one or two trademark features that makes it stand out amongst the crowd. Whether it’s the acres of fall foliage on the gorgeous campus, the nationally ranked business school, the dominant Greek life or the legendary basketball team, give the admissions rep a chance to brag about the place he or she knows best.

“I found talking to admissions representatives [about what makes their school special] to be extremely beneficial,” says Rachel Golliher, a freshman at Taylor University. “The people sent [to your high school] know their respective schools really well, so it’s easy to quickly get questions answered about what they have to offer.”

Even if you already know about the school, hearing about what makes it special from the perspective of a passionate admissions rep will only make you more psyched to check out the campus for yourself. Regardless of size or location, every school has something unique to offer. The conversation could also help you stand out from the crowd in the admission rep’s mind, which could come in handy if you stay in contact with him or her as you move forward in the application process.

While preparing questions is a great way to ensure you’ll get the most out of your college rep day, don’t be afraid to approach an admissions rep on the spot just to chat. Their job is to help you be as informed and prepared as you possibly can be to conquer the college application process, so take advantage of the wealth of knowledge and insight they have to offer.

Do your background research, have an idea of what interests you and make alist of schools to help you stay organized. While deciding on a college can be a stressful process, college admissions reps are there to help you every step of the way—and what better place to get in touch with them than your own high school?

The 9 Easiest Recipes EVER: 3 Ingredients or Fewer

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While cooking meals in your dorm or apartment can be a great way to stay healthy and save money, as busy collegiettes with heavy course loads, extracurriculars and social lives, it can be tough to find time to spend in the kitchen. With this list of easy recipes that use no more than three ingredients, you can effortlessly and inexpensively whip up some healthy and tasty snacks!

1.  Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Made with bananas, oats and no added sugar, this chocolate chip oatmeal cookie recipe from The Burlap Bag is quick and guilt-free!

Ingredients:

  • 2 medium ripe bananas, mashed
  • 1 cup of rolled oats
  • 1/4 cup chocolate chips

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. 
  2. Spray a non-stick cookie sheet with cooking spray.
  3. Combine the mashed bananas and oats in a bowl.
  4. Fold in the chocolate chips and place a tablespoon of each on the cookie sheet.
  5. Bake for 15 minutes.

2. Oat and Date Bars

Cooking couldn’t get easier than this no-bake oat and date bar recipe from Colorful Canary. With its only two ingredients being oats and dates, this recipe provides a tasty, nutritious and high-fiber snack option.

Ingredients:

  • Medjool dates 
  • Oats 

Instructions:

  1. Pulsate water and dates in a food processor until a thick, smooth paste forms.  It should be the consistency of a thick jam.  
  2. Add the oats; pulsate until blended.
  3. Press into the bottom of a glass pan to about 1/2" thickness and chill.
  4. Once chilled and firm, cut and serve.

3.  Banana Pancakes

It’s sometimes hard to set aside enough time to work a healthy breakfast into a hectic schedule, so this three-ingredient banana pancake recipe from Eugenie Kitchen is the perfect choice for the busy, health-conscious collegiette. The combination of eggs and bananas provides protein and potassium to kick-start your day!

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ large bananas
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/8 tsp baking powder

Instructions:

  1. Crack the two eggs into a bowl and whisk together.
  2. In a separate bowl, mash the banana with a fork or masher, but do not over-mash as this will cause your pancakes to not be fluffy. Be sure to use enough egg to hold the mashed banana together, but make sure that you don’t use too much banana, or else the pancake will not hold.
  3. Combine both bowls of ingredients together and stir.
  4. Cook in a pan over medium-low heat, using only about one to two tablespoons of batter for each.
  5. Once bubbles begin to form, flip the pancake over and allow it to cook for an additional minute.

4.  Oat Pancakes

While the natural sugars in the bananas add sweetness to the previous recipe, pancake lovers who prefer savory to sweet can go with this sugar-free, two ingredient pancake recipe from Run Eat Repeat, which uses only oats and eggs. For extra flavor, protein and healthy fats, you can also use your favorite nut butter as a topping!

Ingredients:

  • 1 egg
  • 1 packet of instant oatmeal

Instructions:

  1. Whip up the egg and stir with the packet of oatmeal.
  2. Spread the mixture onto a hot, oiled pan.
  3. Wait to flip until the first side has set.

5.  Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding

This chocolate chia pudding from Babble is healthy and vegan dessert option for chocolate lovers.  The incorporation of chia seeds not only adds texture but also fiber, protein, minerals and omega fatty acids. You can find chia seeds at health foods stores like Whole Foods, and maybe even at your local supermarket.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup soy milk (vanilla)

  • 1 tbsp chia seeds

  • 1 tsp cacao powder

Instructions:

  1. Briskly stir the seeds, cacao powder and soy milk for a few minutes until the seeds begin to plump.
  2. Alternate, easy (no-stir) version: Place all ingredients in a blender and allow to mix on the lowest setting possible (ultra-low) for a few minutes until thickened.

  3. Place in fridge to chill.
  4. Serve with fresh fruit.

6.  Peanut Butter Cookies

Another easy cookie recipe is Better Recipes’ peanut butter cookie recipe.  The peanut butter and egg base is a good source of protein, and since the recipe’s other ingredient is sugar, an option for those looking to reduce their sugar intake is to substitute regular sugar for a zero-calorie option such as Stevia, Truvia or Splenda.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 egg

Instructions:

  1. Combine peanut butter, sugar and egg.  
  2. Refrigerate at least one hour or until firm.  
  3. Roll into 1-inch balls and press down with a fork, making crosshatch marks.  
  4. Bake in a 350-degree oven for 8-10 minutes.

7.  Sugar-Free Raspberry Yogurt Pie

This light, fluffy, low-calorie dessert option from Kalyn’s Kitchen requires only a microwave and two ingredients. Greek yogurt is rich in protein, calcium and potassium, so this dessert can help power your through a late-night study session.

Ingredients:

  • 32 oz. plain, non-fat Greek yogurt
  • Sugar-free raspberry Jell-O (or use any flavor you like)

Instructions:

  1. In a large, microwave-proof bowl, mix together the yogurt and sugar-free Jell-O powder until it's all combined. 
  2. Microwave on high for 1 1/2 minutes.
  3. Remove the bowl from the microwave and stir several times, then microwave 1 minute more. 
  4. Pour the heated yogurt mixture into a 9-inch glass or ceramic pie plate that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. 
  5. Refrigerate three hours or until set, then cut and serve with a dollop of sugar-free nonfat whipped topping if desired.

8. Tomato and Avocado Sandwich

While you may think the best sandwiches contain several ingredients, by picking only two ingredients that complement each other, such as tomatoes and avocado in this recipe from Saveur, you can create a tasty and nutritious vegetarian lunch or dinner option that serves as an excellent source of vitamin C and healthy fats.

Ingredients:

  • 2 slices of seven-grain bread
  • ½ avocado, peeled and sliced
  • 3 tomato slices

Instructions:

  1. Top one slice of bread with tomato and avocado.
  2. Top with the other slice of bread.

9. Bun-less Turkey Burger

Turkey burgers are leaner than regular beef burgers but still pack in a lot of protein. By eliminating the bun, you avoid refined carbohydrates that are essentially empty calories because they contain sugar but no other nutrients to really fill you up.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Prepare turkey burger according to package instructions.
  2. Place tomato slices on top of cooked burger and wrap in lettuce.
  3. Top with ketchup, mustard or other condiments of your choice.

 

While cutting down the number of required ingredients will make a recipe quick and easy, there are other ways to speed up the mealtime process, like making microwavable meals. For more easy meal ideas, check out these 7 easy meals to make in your apartment!


6 Easy Ways to Organize Your Makeup

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As you’re digging through your overstuffed desk drawer desperately searching for that new tube of mascara, it hits you. Tossing all your beauty products into one drawer isn't the best way to store your makeup—maybe it's time to get organized. How to do it? Check out our six space-saving ideas below. Bonus: They're all totally chic ways to show off your favorite products while keeping them neat and easy to access... even if you've only got five minutes to get ready before you run out to that AM lecture.

1. Shoe Organizer ($9.99)

This shoe organizer works for three reasons: it’s cheap, it’s sheer (so you can see what product is in which pocket) and it doesn’t take up any valuable counter space. Organize hair products, styling tools, bottles of nail polish and more in these neat little pouches.

2. DIY Makeup Magnet Board

 

 

Recycle an old sheet pan, hot glue magnets to your makeup, and voilà! You have a super cool way to display pretty packaging, and it's easy to see where everything is.

3. Bubble Vases ($6)

As seen in many a fashion-girl’s Instagram feed, bubble vases are a cute way to display your makeup brushes. Fill the vase with marbles, sea shells or colored stones—whatever suits your dorm room decor. Doing this will help keep your brushes clean and keep the bristles from getting bent.

4. DIY Upcycle Candles

Recycle those empty candle glasses while conquering that ocean of lip glosses! 

5. Decorative Tray ($19.97)

A colorful tray is a chic, minimalist way to display your favorite perfume bottles. Put a tray on top of a stack of fashion-y coffee table books, add a small vase of pretty flowers and you're good to go. 

6. DIY Spice Rack

Tackle your endless supply of nail polish with this easy DIY project. Purchase a spice rack that will hold as much of your polish as possible and put your handyman skills to the test.

Having an organized makeup stash will make your life (and mornings!) so much easier. How do you keep your beauty products neat and tidy?

 

5 Splurge-Worthy Winter Accessories

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We love looking cute and staying warm in the winter, and cold-weather accessories are the perfect way to accomplish that. But sometimes it might be hard to determine if a product is worth paying a little more for. So with help from Maria Vasilevsky, founder and senior stylist at Stilista, you can decide if an accessory is worth the investment, and maybe you’ll get inspired to add new accessories to your winter wardrobe!

1. Boots

To survive the winter, every collegiette needs a sturdy pair of boots that can handle some rough weather. For days when the snow pileup isn’t too bad, you can still get use out of a good pair of riding boots. Vasilevsky says knee-high leather boots are definitely worth the money if they’re lined with leather as well. If you’re dealing with heavy snow, snow boots are your best bet. Vasilevsky says shearling boots are really great for providing extra warmth, especially if it’s real shearling.
 

Boots

SOREL waterproof boots
bloomingdales.com

 

 

Tory burch boots
toryburch.com

 

 

Sorel boots
$170 - mytheresa.com

 

 

Sorel shoes
luisaviaroma.com

 

 

Sole Society riding boots
solesociety.com

 

2. Headbands and earmuffs

Headbands and earmuffs are a must-have winter accessory. They protect your ears and head from the winter elements and, as an added bonus, don’t mess up your hair like hats do. This is the perfect accessory to wear on a winter date like ice-skating because it’s both cute and practical. Fur, cashmere and shearling are going to do more for you when it comes to warmth, so look for accessories made from those materials.
 

Headbands and Earmuffs

 

Sofia Cashmere fox fur earmuff
bergdorfgoodman.com

 

 

Lauren Ralph lauren
$88 - houseoffraser.co.uk

 

 

UGG Australia accessory
uggaustralia.com

 

 

3. Scarves

Scarves are an absolute lifesaver for walking across campus in the winter. They’re an extra layer of warmth that can also really add to an outfit! Every collegiette loves to have several in her closet (the more, the merrier!), but how do you decide what kind of scarf to invest in?

Vasilevsky says “a cashmere scarf is always a good investment if you know that you wear scarves and know that you rely on them.” A well-made cashmere scarf is a timeless piece that will last you a very long time, so don’t feel guilty about spending a little extra money on one!

Scarves

 

Planet viscose scarve
$46 - johnlewis.com

 

 

 

 

John Lewis cashmere scarve
$80 - johnlewis.com

 

4. Gloves

Gloves are another winter essential. Walking to class with your bare fingers exposed to the chilly air is one of the worst feelings, so having a good pair of gloves to cover them up is important! In particular, Vasilevsky recommends long leather gloves for those cold days. She likes long ones because you can wear them with ordinary coats and sweaters and also those that have cropped sleeves.

Gloves

Opera glove
$255 - black.co.uk

 

 

 

UGG Australia glove
uggaustralia.com

 

 

Karen Millen glove
karenmillen.com

 

 

5. A hat

Hats are perfect for those days where you just want to be all bundled up. Some days are just too cold to only wear a headband or earmuffs, and that’s where a snuggly hat comes in! It gives all-over warmth and makes you look like a cute snow bunny. Vasilevsky recommends a cashmere beanie, which is both warm and perfect for people who are sensitive to lambswool. If you do a lot of outdoor activities in the winter, like skiing or snowboarding, Vasilevsky recommends going for hats made by athletic brands because “they usually offer a fleece lining and have a better fit and provide more warmth.”
 

Hats

Tory Burch cable hat
toryburch.com

 

 

Johnstons cable knit beanie hat
$135 - selfridges.com

 

 

Cashmere slouch hat
$105 - black.co.uk

 

 

 

The North Face beanie hat
$40 - johnlewis.com

 

Spending more isn’t always something to feel bad about – in fact, when it comes to quality, splurging on a winter accessory is totally acceptable. You’ll get a lot of use out of these high-quality, durable products, so, at the end of the day, paying more is completely worth it.

 

Win the Ultimate Finals Survival Kit from Logitech!

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Yes, collegiettes—finals week is slowly creeping up on us, and with it comes long hours at the library, more reading than you thought was possible and big papers to write. But fortunately, there are ways to get through finals unscathed, and we don't just mean with copious amounts of caffeine. We're talking the ultimate care package...

We've partnered up with Logitech to take care packages to the next level (sorry, moms)! As much as we all love the home-baked munchies our parents send in the mail, chocolate chip cookies aren't going to get that presentation finished. That's why we're giving away these must-have gadgets that will get the job done: a chic wireless mouse from Logitech's 2014 Color Collection, which comes in tons of cool patterns and colors; the Ultrathin keyboard cover, which you can connect to your iPad for easy on-the-go typing; and because you'll need something to listen to your Finals Week Playlists on, the X300 Mobile Wireless speaker so your tunes can go where you go, no matter where your study session is.

You're not ready to take on finals week until you're armed with the tools to help you through the last stretch of your semester—so enter now for a chance to win this entire care package, worth $200!

Fill out my online form.

How to Follow Up After a Job Interview

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You snag an interview for a job you really want and prepare extensively. You dress the part, and you give the interviewer a firm handshake and a warm smile when you arrive to set the tone. You have answers prepared for all the questions you’re asked, and the interviewer is impressed with your resume. You walk out of the interview confident that you’ll get a follow-up call.

Then two weeks pass, and you don’t hear a word. You’re left wondering, “What happened?” Is it rude to call and ask about the status of the job? How long is too long to wait? Is it pushy or demanding to call now?

Sound familiar? It happens to the best of us. Read on for how to follow up after an interview!

Following up immediately after the interview

You may think your work is done when you complete your interview—not so! There are a few crucial things you should do right after your interview before you change out of your power suit and into your comfy sweats.

Send a thank-you note

Any time you have an interview, you should extend some form of contact to your interviewer within a day or two afterwards, says Diana Martinez, a career coach at the NYU Wasserman Center for Career Development. If the interviewer says he or she will be making a decision about the position soon, make sure you go home and send him or her a thank-you email as soon as possible.

“We’re in the age of technology, so an email should suffice and is expected,” Martinez says. “You can either include the body of the letter in the email or attach it with a quick message thanking the employer.”

Consider sending snail mail as well


If it’s been a few weeks and the employer hasn’t made a decision, consider sending a thank-you note on nice stationery (personalized, if you have it!).

“A handwritten letter sent via regular snail mail may be appropriate [if the employer won’t be making a decision right away],” Martinez says. “[It] goes a long way, and it personalizes the follow-up process. It’s also very charming, and the employer will definitely remember you!”

If you choose to send a card in the mail, it’s still a good idea to send a shorter thank-you note via email to your interviewer right after your interview.

What to say


Martinez advises that your thank-you note should include the following things:

  • Your gratitude to the employer for having met you on the specific date and time of the interview. “Remind them of who you are; they sometimes might conduct up to 10 interviews a day!” Martinez says.
  • A summary of the qualifications that make you the perfect fit for the job
  • A comment about something personal that happened during the interview—“perhaps a conversation not related to the job that was very enjoyable,” Martinez says.
  • A reiteration that you are interested in the position and that you look forward to hearing from the employer in the future.

You can also use the thank-you note to expand on an area that you weren’t able to elaborate on in an interview.

Proofread your thank-you note several times, or let someone whose judgment you trust look over your draft. “It’s your opportunity to make a positive impression,” says Heather R. Huhman, an experienced hiring manager and founder of Come Recommended, a public relations agency for job seekers. “Use a friendly yet professional tone, and be sure to offer to provide any follow-up materials, like items from your portfolio.”

Thank every interviewer individually

If several people interviewed you, make sure that each person gets his or her own thank-you note. Martinez stresses that group thank-yous are “impersonal and [make] it seem like you were too lazy to take the time to thank each person individually.”

Following up when you haven’t heard back

If you haven’t heard back about the job for a week or two, don’t get down on yourself and assume that someone else was offered the job while you were sitting around waiting for a call back. If you interviewed at a smaller company, it’s possible your interviewer just has a lot on her plate, so the decision could take longer. If the company is larger, the hiring process probably has several rounds of approval to cross before a new hire can be accepted.

If you haven’t heard back about the job, read our tips below to follow up in an appropriate, professional way.

Consider the timing


According to Huhman, the best time to follow up after an interview is about a week after the interviewer said he or she would be in touch with you. If the interviewer didn’t specify when a decision would be made, “it’d be appropriate to follow up within seven to 10 days after the interview,” Huhman says.

The time of the week when you contact your interviewer can also be important. Just consider the average person’s work schedule: Mondays usually are usually spent replying to emails that came in over the weekend, and on Fridays, employees are just trying to get out the door as soon as they can to start the weekend.

“It’s a good idea to get in touch on a Tuesday or a Wednesday, when [an employee’s] workload isn’t as stressful,” Huhman says. “Consider emailing the hiring manager early in the morning to show them that you are enthusiastic about the position.”

Choose the right medium

Following up when you haven’t heard about a job is best left to either email or a phone call. Email can be more convenient for your interviewer, since she can reply to your message when she has the time. “Most hiring managers are too busy to answer phone calls,” Huhman says. “You can also get in contact through a professional network such as LinkedIn.”

Be persistent

While you may think that continually following up after your interview would make you seem pushy, it’s actually quite the opposite.

“It’s important to be persistent,” Huhman says. “Continue to follow up every seven to 10 days until you receive a response. However, if you don’t hear back after two or three attempts, it’s safe to assume the interviewer already made his or her decision.”

Ask for feedback


If you follow up after a job interview and learn that you didn’t get the position, it’s okay to ask the interviewer for more information on what influenced his or her decision and what you can do in the future to make yourself a better candidate. This may help you learn if it was a lack of experience on your resume, your behavior during the interview or other factors.

“It’s definitely a good idea to ask for feedback on why you didn’t receive the job,” Huhman says. “Just keep in mind that hiring managers are busy, so they might not have time to give you an in-depth response on your resume, cover letter or interview.”

If the employer has feedback for you, remember to thank her for her time. “Make sure that you thank them after the conversation and always try to stay connected with the employer (via LinkedIn or by inviting them out for coffee as a gratitude gesture) so they might keep you in mind for other opportunities in the future,” Martinez says.

Keep in touch


If you’re not offered the position but still would love to work for that particular company someday, touch base with your interviewer every now and then to check for open positions.

“If you plan to follow up with a company for future job opportunities, it’s important to maintain a relationship with the hiring manager,” Huhman says. “This relationship will keep your name fresh in the hiring manager’s mind and increase your opportunity of learning about new employment opportunities.”

Reach out once a month or every other month with any updates to your resume and to remind the hiring manager of your interest in the company. Make sure the information you provide is valuable—the goal is to keep your interest on her mind, not to flood her inbox.

Following up can be nerve-wracking, but if you want that dream job, it’s something you have to do. Make it easier on yourself at your next interview—before you leave, be sure to ask the interviewer when you can expect to hear back from her so you can time your follow-up with her schedule.

Above all, be polite and enthusiastic when following up without being a nuisance. With the right follow-up tactics, you’ll be making another great impression on your interviewer—and maybe even secure that job!

A Timeline of a Typical College Night Out

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Every so often in college, we all enjoy having a fun night out with our friends in the efforts to create some lasting memories. But somehow, they all end up following a pretty similar trajectory. Here is a timeline of a typical college night out!

10:03 p.m.: You got a text from one of your guy friends saying that there is a HUGE party at the biggest house on frat row! Your initial plans for the night—re-watching the entire first season of Breaking Bad and scarfing down several bowls of Ramen noodles—will have to wait. You pick up your phone and text him for a ride as well as some of your best girlfriends to come over beforehand. This is so exciting!

10:07 p.m.- 11:14 p.m.: You open up your closet to peruse all of your cutest outfits. You have all those cute clothes in your closet that you’ve just bought, but it seems like nothing is cute enough! After minutes of searching, you settle on something that says “I’m available but not too available.” Makeup and hair are simple, and you picked a style that you’d be fine sweating up from all the dancing you’re going to do! You check yourself out in the mirror, and you think you look awesome. Gosh, being a girl can take a lot of hard work sometimes.

11:30 p.m.: Your best gal pals are finally here! Before your ride comes, you’re all obligated to take at least 10 pictures together for Facebook/Instagram/Twitter purposes. Every moment must be documented!

11:37 p.m.: Your ride is five minutes away and you’re stuck on whether to upload your picture with a Valencia or Sienna filter. The decision-making process is crucial.

11:42 p.m.: Your guy friend is here and you went with an X-Pro filter instead.

11:53 p.m.: Welcome to the frat house! The smell of alcohol and future bad decisions fills the air. You see some of your classmates, but your eye goes directly to the cutie from your sociology class. You walk over to him, but another girl beats you there.

12:01 a.m.: You may not have caught the eye of that hottie, but you did catch the eye of someone else you know from class. Unfortunately, he’s got a wicked lisp and zits galore. Yikes!

12:11 a.m.: If you had a dollar for every time you heard “Shake It Off”, you could probably pay your tuition.

12:12 a.m.: However, you HAVE to dance to it with your girls. Let the epic dance party commence!

12:43 a.m.: It’s beer pong time! You and your guy friend need to continue your reign as champions. It’s on like Donkey Kong.

1:11 a.m.: Oh, no—your best gal pal is drunkenly making out with her ex.

1:13 a.m.: You pull her over to tell her that this is not a good idea, but she just says that alcohol makes her very affectionate.

“You do you, girl. Do you,” you reply, as you walk back to the dance floor for another dance sesh.

1:42 a.m.: You really worked up an appetite with all that dancing, and your feet are getting tired. However, there’s another really cute guy nearby who seems to have been looking at you as well. Food… or guys? The struggle is all too real.

1:44 a.m.: You came to a pretty reasonable conclusion. Talk to the guy and convince him to get food with you and your girls! Everyone wins!

1:57 a.m.: You and your posse drive to a fine eatery to satisfy those late night munchies– McDonald’s. Even though you know you should go for a healthier wrap, biting into a huge Big Mac sounds way too tempting. Burger it is.

2:35 a.m.: After chatting with your friends and that cute guy (who ended up just being a jerk—ugh), you all get dropped off at your respective locations.

2:37 a.m.: Cute-but-jerky guy tries to get your number. You laugh in his face.

2:41 a.m.: You get back to your dorm room, but you’re wide awake and wired from all the fun from the party. You watch one episode of Breaking Bad, and then you hit the hay.

7:39 a.m.: You wake up EXTREMELY thirsty and with the biggest headache of all time. Not enough water last night, oops! Grabbing Gatorade now.

10:13 a.m.: After falling back asleep for a little while, you wake up to a text from a number you’ve never seen before. You soon realize it’s the boy from sociology class with the lisp. Who invited him to that party in the first place?! Maybe you made some other mistakes last night other than not drinking enough water??

10:21 a.m.: As per your morning ritual, you go on your social media sites. You see one of your friends tagged you in some pretty unflattering photos from last night, so you promptly un-tag yourself. You also check your Instagram – 40 likes with that X-Pro filter! Get it, girl!

10:34 a.m.: Time to shower and put on some sweats, even though you were already in sweats when you slept.

11:01 a.m.: Your friend texts you for a donut run. A large iced coffee will definitely cap off that great night out!

 

You never know what will happen during a fun night out with your girlfriends. College is about making memories and having fun – from the moment you step out of your dorm at night until you wake up the next day!

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