Ah, midterms. It’s that lovely time of year when our desks disappear under textbooks, our calendars are clogged with tests and essay deadlines and our free time dwindles down to meals and the occasional Netflix procrastination session. With all that work (and very little sleep), it’s no wonder we get so stressed this time of year.

While stress may seem like no big deal – something that will fade once midterms are over – the reality is that stress takes a serious toll on you and your body, and it can last. Take these steps to de-stress ASAP, before you experience the mental and physical fallout!

1. Do yoga

Getting your “om” on around midterms is an awesome way to let your worries go. Why? Well, when you loosen up your body and take the time to clear your mind – no papers, no deadlines, no fears of failure – you give yourself the space to unwind and regain some perspective. Plus, you can feel better knowing you’re taking care of yourself, which will make it much easier to buckle down when the time comes.

2. Work out

Not a zen kind of girl? Or just need to sweat out some stress? No worries – the gym will help with that! Kicking butt on the elliptical, swimming laps or doing any other highly physical activity will also help kick stress to the curb. Get those endorphins pumping to elevate your mood, and take a break from staring at your computer by giving yourself a change of scenery. Bonus points if you take your workout outdoors to breathe in some fresh air!

3. Set a curfew

Chances are if you’re staying up all hours to study, you’re going to feel the negative effects of your stress (and of sleep deprivation) even faster than your peers. Nighttime is your reboot time, and if you’re throwing off your sleep schedule, you’ll only compound your stress during the day. Set a reasonable curfew for yourself and vow not to break it; knowing that you’ll be hitting the hay at 10 p.m. will make you way less likely to procrastinate beforehand, so you’ll get your work done and give yourself the sleep you need to actually ace that test!

4. Don’t forget to have fun

All work and no play makes for a stressed and unhealthy collegiette, so balance out your books with some movie nights with your roomie or some cookie baking with your bestie. Treat yourself to some fun, and promise yourself to do it guilt-free. Once you return to your work, you’ll feel refreshed and ready to tackle it. Plus, taking that time to pull away from your laptop screen will majorly minimize the chance of you straining your eyes and bringing on headaches, or worse, migraines if you are a migraine sufferer.

During periods of high stress migraine sufferers can see a spike in the number of migraines they experience, so be on the lookout for your triggers at all times especially midterm season!

According to the Millennial Migraine Report* commissioned by the makers of Excedrin® Migraine, only half of millennial migraine sufferers (including collegiettes like us) surveyed say they are trying to reduce their stress to better manage their migraines, which can be a problem for students who are migraine sufferers especially around stressful times like midterms. By taking the advice above - getting regular sleep, exercising and relaxing – sufferers can better manage their condition.

Additionally, since we know you’re never without your smartphone, migraine sufferers can download the My Migraine Triggers™ app from the makers of Excedrin® Migraine, which lets you track when you get your migraines and its potential triggers. It’s easy to use and you can print a log or share it with your doctor right from your iPhone! It’s free and available in the App store and Google Play Store. 

Think you might suffer from migraines? Consult your healthcare professional and find more information on common symptoms. If used as directed, Excedrin® Migraine  can provide relief for migraine sufferers. As with any medication, if you have any questions, contact your healthcare professional! Whatever you do to de-stress around midterms, make sure you have your mental and physical health in mind – not just your essay deadlines and research notes!

*Disclaimer: This article and its survey findings were made possible by Novartis Consumer Health, Inc., the makers of Excedrin® Migraine. Respondents of the survey were diagnosed migraine sufferers. See your doctor for diagnosis of migraines and migraine treatment options.

Dressing for fall means we get to pull out luxe textures and fabrics that we don't get to wear during the rest of the year. Staples like wool, cashmere, leather and more make up every collegiette's fall wardrobe—but they can get pretty expensive to clean. Spilled coffee here, a wine stain there—it happens... and don't even get us started on getting deodorant somewhere where it doesn't belong. But little accidents don't have to mean a hefty dry cleaning bill! With a little extra care, your winter garments can be cleaned right in your dorm room!

Wool

1. Fill a clean sink with cool to cold water, and add one tablespoon of a gentle detergent—you can use one specially made for wool, like the Wool & Cashmere Shampoo from The Laundress ($19), or mild soaps like a dish soap or baby shampoo. Mix the solution well.
2. Before tossing your sweater in, make sure you treat any stains with a Stain Solution ($18), otherwise they'll likely stay in your sweater forever!
3. Turn your sweater inside-out and add it into the mixture. Gently swish it around, so the water is fully absorbed. Then, gently gather parts of the sweater in your hands and squeeze, focusing on areas that may need more cleaning such as the armpit or neck areas. DO NOT pull, twist, scrub or wring the fabric! Doing so will only stretch the wool and make your sweater lose its shape!
4. Let the sweater sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
5. Drain the water, and turn the cold water in the sink on. Under the running water, squeeze the sweater to get the soapy solution out as much as possible. Again, do not wring the piece—instead, you can gather the sweater into a big ball and squeeze the entire sweater between your hands.
6. Once the water runs clear, you can turn the running water off and continue to squeeze the sweater to get as much excess water out as you can.
7. Don't worry if your sweater is still heavy with water at this point! Have a couple of large dry bath towels on hand, and lay them across the floor. Place your sweater over the towel, and then roll the towel up tightly with your sweater inside it. Squeeze the roll to allow the towel to absorb the water from the sweater. Repeat until you've gotten as much water out of the sweater as you can.
8. Turn your sweater right side out, and place it over a dry towel on a flat surface, and let it sit to dry. Depending on the thickness of your sweater and how much water you were able to squeeze out of it, it can take up to a few days to dry. During this period, you can turn the sweater over and back again so each side gets equal drying time.

Hint: Wool coats and outerwear can be washed using this method as well! You'll just need a large basin or bathtub.

Cashmere

1. Believe it or not, you can machine wash cashmere! As always, before washing, treat any stains so they don't set in your item. If it's a sweater or a cardigan, turn it inside out and place it in a mesh wash bag ($3.99-$4.99) before putting it in the machine. If it's a scarf or throw, you can just place it directly in the mesh bag. Add in a small amount of gentle soap or detergent—use a cashmere wash, like the one from The Laundress mentioned above, or you can use baby shampoo or a mild detergent like Woolite's Delicates Care ($6.70).
2. Throw in a few t-shirts in the same or a similar color to help pad your item from being agitated too harshly against the sides of the machine. Use cold water only, and set your machine to the delicates or hand wash cycle. If these settings aren't available, you can follow the same handwash method you would use for wool.
3. As soon as the cycle is over, take your item out of the machine—you don't want your cashmere to be sitting in a wrinkled, wet ball for too long! Because it's been through a spin cycle, it shouldn't be dripping with water, but if it seems like there is excess water in the item, use the towel-rolling method mentioned above to squeeze out the extra water. 
4. Lie the sweater down on a flat surface across a dry towel and allow it to dry fully before wearing or hanging it up.

Leather

1. If your leather jacket is due for a deep cleaning, it's best to take it to a leather specialist! But if you only need to spot clean or do light touch-ups, these are easy to do at home. For simple surface stains, like dirt or something that hasn't been absorbed by the leather, use a damp towel or paper towel (not wet!) and gently wipe (don't scrub) the dirty area clean.
2. If the stains are more complex or deeper, mix 1 to 2 squirts of a mild dish soap or baby shampoo into a bowl of lukewarm water. It shouldn't be too soapy! Take a clean towel and dip it into your solution. Wring it so it's damp, not wet. Then, gently blot over the area(s) that are soiled. Avoid rubbing—doing so may discolor the jacket or leave unsightly streaks or areas of strange texture on your piece.
3. If you feel it's necessary, you can clean off any excess soap by taking a clean towel dampened with water only and blot over the areas you cleaned. If the soapy solution was extremely mild, you can skip this step and take a clean, dry towel and blot over these areas to dry them.
4. Hang the jacket up and let it dry completely! Keep it away from direct sunlight or any heaters in your room.
5. If the areas you cleaned dry stiff, you will need to get a leather conditioner ($17.95) to help soften it and restore it to its original condition.

Suede

1. Suede can be tricky, because even water can stain suede items. If the item has been stained by mud, let the mud dry completely before attempting to treat your item—once it's dry, you can take a dry towel or an old toothbrush and gently brush it (in one direction, not back and forth) until the mud has been removed.
2. If you spill something wet on your suede, try to treat the situation as quickly as possible! Blot excess moisture with a clean paper towel, and then put corn starch or baby powder on the stain immediately and let it sit overnight. The powder should do a fairly good job of drawing the moisture out of your item. Brush the powder off with a toothbrush.
3. If the stain has already dried, try brushing it the same way you would with dried mud to see if that restores your item at all. If not, try using an eraser to rub against the dried stain. As a last resort, you can dampen a clean towel with some regular white vinegar and gently blot the stain until it looks like it's been worked out. Any time you do use water or a wet substance to treat your suede items, stuff your shoes (or shape your jacket) and allow the item to dry fully; once dry, you can use a brush or dry towel to gently rub the area to help work the suede back to its normal texture and color.
4. For scuff marks, take a toothbrush or an erase and rub back and forth against the scuff; usually, scuff marks happen because the suede has been pushed towards one direction, so going back and forth against it will help work it back out.

Don't fret the next time you spill a little red wine on your cashmere sweater during holiday parties this upcoming season! With these tips and tricks to take care of tough stains at home, you can stay calm, cool and collected. Have you had luck cleaning any of your winter fabrics at home before, collegiettes?

As much as we all love Mean Girls, there’s only so many times we can watch it (and recite every line) before we need a little bit of change. There are literally millions of movies out there, which means there are thousands of chick flicks for you to watch that you haven’t seen yet. Give some of the lesser-known movies a try! Just because you haven’t heard of them doesn’t mean that they aren’t any good.

Here are some of our new favorites that we think you’ll love, too!

1. Heartbreakers (2001)

You’ll like this if you loved

John Tucker Must Die

Summary

Mother-daughter duo Max (Sigourney Weaver) and Page (Jennifer Love Hewitt) are experts when it comes to scamming wealthy men for their money. In their attempt to make the last con of their careers a good one, Max and Page decide to go after an older billionaire to see how much they can squander out of him. Things take an unusual turn when Page falls in love with a young bartender and begins to focus more on him than the scheme she has with her mother. Max must try to reel her daughter back into their world of lies and deceit.

Just like John Tucker Must Die, this movie is all about girls coming together and exploiting guys for their own personal benefit. While it’s obviously a comedic film, there’s also some drama and action as well.

Where to watch

Amazon Instant Video

2. Friends with Kids (2011)

You’ll like this if you loved: Friends with Benefits

Summary

This star-studded film (Kristen Wiig, Adam Scott, Jon Hamm, Maya Rudolph, Megan Fox) is about two friends, Julie and Jason, who platonically decide to have a child together because they’re the only two people in their friend group without kids. Julie and Jason don’t see anything wrong with their setup, but from their friends’ perspectives, Julie and Jason are making a really bad decision. What could go wrong when two long-time friends share parenting responsibilities but peruse their own separate romantic lives?

This movie shows us a side of adulthood that’s different than those other movies that show people getting married and living happily ever after. This funny movie is filled with lots of sarcastic humor and a great cast.

Where to watch

Amazon Instant Video

3. Bachelorette (2012)

You’ll like this if you loved

Bridesmaids

Summary

Four high school friends—Becky, Regan, Gena and Katie (Rebel Wilson, Kirsten Dunst, Lizzy Caplan, and Isla Fisher, respectively)—are reunited on the weekend of Becky’s wedding in New York City. Becky’s three friends have a heck of a time wreaking havoc in the city and almost ruining the wedding. Their irresponsible antics and carelessness causes some major speed bumps and creates some serious tension between themselves and Becky. Similar to Bridesmaids, this chick flick is full of a ragtag group of girls that all of your friends will love.

Where to watch

Amazon Instant Video

4. The Sweetest Thing (2002)

You’ll like this if you loved

50 First Dates

Summary

Christina (Cameron Diaz) had sworn off men after being heartbroken time and time again. Her man strike is going along great until she meets Peter at a club one night. After missing her chance with him that night, she decides to crash his brother’s wedding in the hopes of getting another chance with Peter. She and her friends run into some obstacles along the way on Christina’s journey to find Mr. Right. If you love to watch someone try to find true love while making mistake after mistake along the way, then this is the movie for you.

Where to watch

Netflix

5. Serendipity (2001)

You’ll like this if you loved

Say Anything…

Summary

Jonathan (John Cusack) runs into Sara (Kate Beckinsale) during the holiday season in a department store one year when they both reached for the same pair of black gloves. They go on an adventure that night exploring the city and getting to know each other. When the night is over, Jonathan asks for Sara’s phone number, so she writes it in a book that she is going to sell in a used bookstore in the city. Likewise, Jonathan writes his number on a $5 bill. She insists that fate, or serendipity, will bring the two back together and they will each find the numbers. The movie follows the journey of the two long-lost lovers trying to find each other years after their amazing night together.

Where to watch

Amazon Instant Video

6. Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)                         

You’ll like this if you loved

Pretty in Pink

Summary

Watts, a young tomboy, (Mary Stuart Masterson) realizes that she has developed deep romantic feelings for her best friend Keith (Eric Stoltz) after he goes on a date with the most beautiful and popular girl in their school. Watts has a difficult time accepting the fact that she could lose her best friend and newfound love interest to some girly girl who barely knows Keith. Things also get a little complicated when the girl’s ex-boyfriend, who still has strong feelings for her, finds out she went on a date with Keith. This is another one of those classic ‘80s movies with all the teased bangs and overdramatic acting you could ever wish for.

Where to watch

Amazon Instant Video

7. Stuck in Love (2012)

You’ll like this if you loved

Crazy, Stupid, Love.

Summary

Writer Bill Borgens (Greg Kinnear) and his ex-wife Erica (Jennifer Connelly) have been divorced for three years now. Bill, who lives with his two teenage kids, Samantha (Lily Collins) and Rusty (Nat Wolff), is looking to get back into the world of dating. He gets some help from his hook up-buddy (Kristen Bell) setting up his online dating profiles and figuring out what to wear. Meanwhile, Sam’s book is about to be published and she is not looking for a serious relationship whatsoever. In between random hook-ups, she meets a nice guy named Lou who is determined to win Sam’s heart. Following a set of interconnected love stories like Crazy, Stupid, Love., this chick flick will undoubtedly keep you on your toes.

Where to watch

Netflix

Now that you have a good list of chick flicks you haven’t seen before, grab some girlfriends and a ton of popcorn and have the best girl’s night ever! Your friends will love the slew of new movies you have to offer. Happy watching!

Ladies, if you haven't already started prepping for Thanksgiving, you're behind. Luckily, we're here to make sure that you achieve the level of the preparation you deserve for arguably the best holiday of the year: Thanksgiving. "How do I make sure that I can eat 12 helpings of sweet potatoes?" you ask? How do you ensure a proper consumption of turkey, gravy and pumpkin pie? How do you not get burned out after the biscuits (a rookie mistake)? The answer, of course, is training. Here are seven meals for you to train with that will help you guarantee a successful Thanksgiving.

1. Pizza cake

This food plays double duty as both pizza and cake. We suggest two slices... for breakfast, that is.

2. Cronuts

Even if you have to travel to New York City to get one of these cronuts, they are well worth the wait. Between the croissant-donut hybrid and the pizza cake, you will absolutely kill dessert. Start with three. Work up to five.

3. Three-foot sub

If you can't handle the meat, get out of the kitchen! To handle the turkey portion of dinner, practice with this three-foot-long sub - a meager challenge for your growing tolerance.

4. Macaroni and cheese pizza

This meal is important for two reasons: first, CARBS. Second, CHEESE. Both are the staples of any good Thanksgiving meal. Any pizza is a personal pizza if you believe in yourself. Need we say more?

5. Frozen hot chocolate

Don't think we've been neglecting the drinks! For your rest day, try a frozen hot chocolate, like this one from Serendipity 3 in New York City. Drink up, ladies!

6. Quadruple-stacked burger

Today, you face the height challenge: Conquer this burger and you can conquer your dreams of the most perfect Thanksgiving meal. Don't be afraid to get a little messy!

7. Sushi burrito

And finally, the sprint to the finish: the speed challenge. We've taken all-you-can-eat sushi to the next level... and we think you've trained hard enough, collegiettes. Sushi taco on, ladies.

Whether you're an experienced stomach-expander or you generally try to eat salad, Thanksgiving is the time to train, expand your horizons and get your butt off the couch - and to the table. 

While we're still getting over the sad fact that there are no more College Fashion Week stops left on this year's tour, we're eagerly looking forward to what next year's shows will have in store! College Fashion Week 2014 was such a great tour as we got to hit some of the coolest, most welcoming cities across the country. Take a look at the top moments from the tour that started in Boston and concluded all the way in San Francisco!

Boston marked the start of the journey. The amazing energy that came from Her Campus's hometown was a great way to kick off the 2014 tour! boohoo.com, British online retailer and College Fashion Week's official style sponsor, provided all of the fall-friendly looks for the tour and completely blew everyone away in each city.

Thanks to bareMinerals, all of the ladies got the chance to sit down and get their pampering on! As the official beauty sponsor, bareMinerals sent an amazing team who did the models' makeup and gave make-unders to attendees, so everyone looked fresh-faced and fabulous. They even gave out full-sized foundations and brushes! 

At the second stop in New York City, European Wax Center provided an eyebrow touch-up station where its talented professionals worked their magic and made everyone's brows look bold and beautiful!

As the official hair care sponsor, TRESemmé created the beautiful hairstyles modeled in all four shows. Tyler Laswell, editorial hairstylist to the stars, and the rest of the team did their thing and produced the most trendy looks that we've already started trying out on our own!

Chicago was next on the tour, and the night was spectacular! The super trendy venue, Revel Downtown, made the show extra swanky. Attendees and models got the chance to let loose and act silly in the fun Bosco GIF booth, provided by Premium Outlets. Why can't we all have one of these?!

Once in San Francisco, the bittersweet feeling started to set in. We knew that College Fashion Week 2014 was quickly coming to an end, but there was still plenty of style-craving to be had. Seriously, the boohoo.com fashions had us swooning!

We want to thank everyone for coming out to College Fashion Week 2014 and making it such a memorable tour! If you find in the coming weeks you're suffering from College Fashion Week withdrawal (we think we are), reminisce by checking out the sweet video featuring our first stop in Boston. While it's too early to tell you any details of College Fashion Week 2015, we promise it will be just as much of a blast as this year's. So go ahead, mentally mark your calendars and try to contain your excitement for all of the hot fashion, jaw-dropping hairdos and fabulous swag that is to come next time around!

You’ve probably been told all throughout high school to get involved and participate in clubs and extracurriculars. For many college admissions officers, seeing that you’re really committed to your activities proves that you’re responsible and you can manage your time well. Now that it’s college application season, it’s time to impress admissions officers with your extracurricular involvement. Here are a few tips get the most out of your clubs and make them look awesome on your college applications!

1. List your extracurriculars in order of importance

On the Common App, there’s space to list 10 activities. If you’re a super-involved student, this may mean having to weigh the importance of your clubs and cutting a few out of your application.

“It’s important to list things in order of importance and significant contribution,” says Donnaree Wynter Grant, assistant director of admissions events at Northeastern University.  For example, list being the captain of your debate team for four years over a single semester you spent playing JV volleyball. If you’re committed to an activity for longer, it’s probably more significant to you, and therefore should be listed before activities that aren’t as important in your life.

2. Make sure your descriptions are clear

Grant also stresses that it’s important to describe your clubs clearly enough so someone who is reading your application for the first time will understand what the activity entailed. “For example, don’t use acronyms for titles,” she advises. “I won’t know what the ‘ABC club’ is unless you explain what it is and your role within the club.” Make sure you spell out what the club is titled, what it involves and what your position is within the club.

Michael Parcella, the assistant direction of undergraduate admissions at UMass Boston, gives some similar advice. “Letting the college know more about how you were involved rather than just writing down the name of a club is a good a start to best presenting your information,” he says.

Keep in mind that admissions officers look at hundreds of applications from all over the globe, so they won’t always know what exactly you’re talking about. For example, don’t simply write “NHS” for the name of the organization and check off the years you were involved. Instead, call the organization by its full name, “National Honor Society,” give a brief description of what it is either in your own words or from the organization’s website (if possible) and then specify if you held a leadership position (like “president” or “treasurer”) and for which years of commitment. This will make it much easier for admissions officers to read through your list and gather an idea of what kinds of activities you were involved in.

3. Focus on what activities you participated in rather than how many

While you might think that you should list as many clubs and activities as possible, that’s not always the best choice. “It’s not about quantity as it is for the quality of the different activities a student has been a part of,” Grant says. “Some students want to have lengthy resume/activities sheet[s], but if there’s no depth in the things they have done, then it will not be as strong as they believe.”

Again, it’s important to choose the activities you’re most committed to. If you’ve been a member of a certain club for years or hold a leadership position, it’s more impressive than just listing a number of clubs you simply joined because you needed something to add to your application. If you’ve participated in more than the 10 activities allowed on the Common App, this should help you decide which to keep and which to cut.

Jane M. Crowley, associate director of undergraduate admissions at Boston College, agrees. “It’s not the number of activities, but the continuity of involvement that is important,” she says. “Leadership plays a role as well.”

The quality of an extracurricular activity depends on its importance to you, how long you’ve been involved, and whether or not you hold a specific position in the club. For example, if you’ve been a member of student council for all four years of school and are now the president, that should take precedence over another activity you’re less involved with and don’t hold a position in.

This “quality over quantity” concept can also be an advantage to those students who hopped on the extracurricular bandwagon a little late. Grant notes that “for a student who may have only a few things listed, but has done significant work within each of the different areas they noted, then that can speak volumes in the admissions committee.” So if you’re worried about not having a long list of clubs that other students may be including in their application, have no fear. As long as the few activities you committed to are impressive and meaningful to you, they’ll stand out on an application.

4. Demonstrate how these activities will help you succeed in the future

If you want to go the extra mile, show how your involvements in these clubs will somehow help you in your college career.

“Another way I have seen students present their extracurricular activities is through their essay,” Parcella says. Though the essay is a separate section on the Common App and supplement applications, there is a way to connect your activities to your essays. If a certain club or activity has always been a top priority in your life, find a way to center your essay or supplemental short answers around what you gained from it and how you’ll use that experience in your future.

For example, if you’re an active volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, consider reading over the prompts with the idea of volunteering in mind. If you see a prompt that may connect with your involvement with Habitat, it may be an opportunity for you to expand on that aspect of your application. “Connecting something you did with how you would succeed in college is a good way to present your past,” says Parcella.

Now that you’ve heard from the experts, clean up your applications! With these tips, you’re bound to get the “big envelope” in the mail.

Winter means ice skating dates, peppermint mochas and snuggly nights in, but it also means chapped lips. There's nothing worse than those dry, sore lips that come with the onset of cold weather! To battle the winter blues, we asked five collegiettes about their favorite tried-and-true lip balms to keep their lips soft and supple all through the winter months.

Gabby, a senior at Bridgewater State University: Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Hibiscus ($6.99 at ULTA)

"It's the perfect solution to everyday moisturizing needs, while adding just a hint of color to pull together a look!"

Aja, a sophomore at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo: LUSH's Lip Tint in It Started With a Kiss ($9.25 at LUSH)

"I carry it with me at all times. Not only is it super moisturizing, but the color is really pretty and feminine... and the name is so cute!"

Amy, a junior at Emerson College: Hurraw! Lip Balm ($3.80 at American Apparel)

"They stock them at American Apparel and have unique scents like Chai Spice and, my favorite, Grapefruit! They have very minor tints, but do an amazing job of moisturizing in the winter."

Hannah, a junior at Stanford University: EOS Lip Balm ($3.99 at CVS)

"EOS is a staple because it works so well!"

Maddy, a junior at New York University: ​ NIVEA Lip Care in A Kiss Of Olive & Lemon ($2.99 at ULTA)

"I really like the taste and it goes on lightly and doesn't dry cakey."

Are you a devotee of any of these lip balms? Let us know what your favorites are! Whether you're looking for something with a wash of color or a balm that just packs in some serious moisture, there's an option for you! Plus: If you start treating those chapped lips now, we guarantee you'll have kissable kips just in time for mistletoe season... we're just sayin'.

We all know the disgust and horror of dorm life, and some of us lucky souls are #blessed enough to attend a school that lets us to live in an apartment. Even though the chaos of dorm life can finally be put in the past, now is the start of the madness that is leasing season. Trying to find a place to live that not only matches your ideal location, look and price but also that of your roommates is more impossible than trying to understand why Glee is still on TV. The whole process almost makes us want to give up and suffer through communal bathrooms and RAs for another year. Almost. Here's what you have to consider.

Roommates

First, whom do you want to live with? You'll have to tolerate this person's messes, their eating and sleeping habits, their hair all over your bathroom, their significant others and probably their dramatic personal problems. It's important to find future roomies whom you can put up with and who have things in common with you.

But this is terrifying. What if you sign a lease with someone but despise each other by May and have already agreed to a binding contract to share a bedroom for another 12 months? 

You could choose to have your own apartment, but really, who can afford that? Rent prices are cray.

And what if you have the absolute perfect roommate in mind (great closet, frequent baker, generous), but she's already signed a lease with someone else?

There are so many factors to consider. To top it off, you won't know if things will turn out okay for another nine or 10 months. Awesome.

Rent

Then there's the horrible question of, "what can I afford?" Because what college student doesn't want to think about budgeting...

What if you find a cheap place that you're all for, but your future roomie wants something all fancy-schmancy?

Like, c'mon. It's college. You really don't need a luxury apartment with granite countertops and mahogany trim. Save it for the suburbs.

Location

Next is the question of where you want to live. And if your roommate doesn't have the same priorities as you (i.e., the apartment closest to Urban Outfitters and Starbucks), it's time to negotiate.

The irritating back-and-forth sharing of opinions becomes tiresome when you want an apartment located across the street from classes, but your roommate wants to be downtown by the bars. Hey, rooms, you don't need to get drunk four days a week!

Compromise comes into play here, and awkward tension is inevitable. Especially if someone refuses to change her mind.

Ti​me

Then there's the element of the ticking clock of doom and horror. All of the good apartments (great location and price) go really fast, and if you can't figure the numbers out quickly, you're probably gonna be stuck with an apartment that makes the dorms look like the Taj Mahal. Not impressed.

Leasing officers employ their fancy sales techniques to lure you in, telling you not to wait more than a week to sign a lease or the apartment you're looking at will be gonezo.

Then you have to go on showings to view the apartments with potential. It's an exciting time, like shopping, but for square footage and intercom systems!

But as you see more, you realize no apartment is quite perfect. As much as you'd like something roughly the size of Monica and Rachel's place, you'll probably have to settle for less.

Signing the lease

After going to showing upon showing and crunching the annoying numbers, you and your roomies finally decide on an apartment.

It's time to go into the office and sign the lease. There's nothing like multiple pages of paperwork to make you feel like a real adult. You don't even know exactly what you're agreeing to, and you should probably consult your parents... but it couldn't be too bad, right? Eh, just sign.

Well, you did it. After an excessively annoying process, you found a place to live. Now you just have to wait 10 months before you can actually move in. Major eye roll. But hey, when that time comes, can you say housewarming party?

Can you count on one hand how many times you've been off campus this semester? Feel like you might graduate without really knowing the city you're calling home these four years? Going to the same bars (… or frat houses) every single weekend? Sounds like you might be stuck in that campus bubble—and we're here to help you break out of it.

We've teamed up with the ultimate car sharing company, Zipcar, to bring you free rides so you can get off campus and explore your college town, plan a weekend getaway, make it to your internship every week or even just go grocery shopping (since the dining hall is starting to wear on you). One grand prize winner will receive a $150 Zipcertificate and five winners will each get a $100 Zipcertificate! They can be used to cover the application and/or annual membership fees, as well as be used as driving credit. With cars on more than 400 college campuses available to students 18+, Zipcar can save you some serious cash—you pay for driving time by the hour, and each reservation includes gas and insurance.

Ready to get yourself on a new set of wheels? Enter below for one of 6 chances to win! Bonus: Zipcar is also offering an exclusive deal for Her Campus readers—join now at Zipcar.com/HerCampus to get $15 off a first-year membership!

When it comes to fall and winter fashion, nothing looks quite as chic or keeps you quite as warm as faux fur. Each year we pull out our favorite furry pieces to add some coziness to our cold weather looks. We've got you covered (literally) with all the cutest faux fur clothes and accessories you'll find this season!

Must-have mittens

There's nothing worse than having ice cold hands while you carry your mocha to class, but mittens can conjure images of your childhood (when snowpants were a thing). This pair proves that mittens have seen a major grown-up upgrade! We're falling head over heels for these adorable Elvie Marl Knit Faux Fur Trim Mittens ($14 at boohoo)!

Sophisticated stripes

Nothing ruins a night out look like a bulky winter coat does, which is why we love this Striped Faux Fur Coat ($39.90 at Forever 21). The black and white stripes are fun and flirty and the slightly cropped fit makes it perfect to throw on over a dress or skirt, keeping your outfit sexy and you warm!

Perky pom poms

To add an unexpected touch to a winter basic, try this Cable Faux Fur Pom Beanie ($28 at Topshop). The burgundy color is super on-trend and the faux fur pom pom adds just the right amount of fun.

Snuggly scarf

Every collegiette loves a good infinity scarf, but why not up your style game this season with this Faux Fur Infinity Scarf with Twist Front ($41.69 at ASOS)? The black color is versatile enough to be worn with a loose sweater during the day or dressed up with an LBD at night.

Neutral knits

If worn incorrectly, faux fur can seem like you're trying too hard. Keep things casual with a relaxed swing vest in a neutral color, like this gray Knit Vest ($39.95 at H&M). For a high-fashion vibe, stick with other neutral pieces, like grays and blacks, to keep things simple.

Faux fur is an easy way to bring some much-needed hauteness to your cold-weather outfits, and any of these five pieces would be the perfect addition to a winter wardrobe!

Are the real men in your life just not doing it for you? It might be time to steal away for a weekend with a mug of tea and a book containing one of these fictional dreamboats. It may sound a bit drastic, but admit it—there are certain characters you wish you could bring to life off of the page. Here are some of our favorites:

1. Westley from The Princess Bride

It’s probably not best to pine after a guy straight out of a fairy tale, but how can you say no to Westley? He starts out as a simple farm boy who is driven by the depths of his love for Buttercup across oceans, swamps and torture chambers; and through it all, he becomes a man of the world. He duels, outwits his enemies, sprouts off witticisms and does it all looking like a prince. Not to mention, his catchphrase is, “As you wish.” You can’t judge a girl for sighing dreamily at that, can you?

2. Augustus Waters from The Fault in Our Stars

Alright, so maybe he’s a bit pretentious and verbose, but there’s no denying that Gus of John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars would make for a great boyfriend. Even in the face of “a touch of osteosarcoma,” he remains on a “rollercoaster that only goes up” with a zest for life. Particularly be-my-boyfriend moments? When he says to his girlfriend Hazel: “I'll fight it. I'll fight it for you. Don't you worry about me, Hazel Grace. I'm okay. I'll find a way to hang around and annoy you for a long time.” Swoon.

We might not be able to snag a guy who will bring us to Amsterdam to meet our favorite authors like Gus did for Hazel, but if we could have just one date with a guy with such a passion for experiencing everything that he can with his girlfriend, we’d be very, very happy girls.

3. Fred or George Weasley (or Fred and George Weasley) from Harry Potter

While there’s no denying that Harry and Ron are strong contenders for most dateable Harry Potter men (as are Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Neville Longbottom, Cedric Diggory… how are we supposed to choose just one?!), it’s the trickster twins that make our list. Tragic ending for half the duo aside (we’re still pretending that didn’t happen), both the twins are seriously swoon-worthy. They’re downright hilarious, they’re family men and hey, they’re small business owners to boot!

Plus, admit it: we all would want to marry into the Weasley family one way or another.

4. Peeta Mellark from The Hunger Games

Both sides of the Peeta vs. Gale debate have their pros, but a girl’s gotta side with the guy who can bake. (What? We love our carbs.) Not to mention, Peeta Mellark has other things going for him, too. He’s compassionate, selfless and the right amount of hopeless romantic to make us know he’d be down for a night of cuddling. Not to mention the way he can toss around those bags of flour—you’d never need to hire movers again.

5. Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird

Let’s get this out of the way: Atticus Finch is the original literary DILF. Before you shake your head and ask us what we could possibly be thinking, think about it: Atticus is a lawyer—one with a sharp mind and heaps of integrity. He’s polite, looks dang good in a suit and does the job no one else wanted by honorably and fairly representing Tom Robinson, a black man who has been accused of raping a white woman. Who says justice can’t be sexy?

6. Aragorn from The Lord of the Rings

Aragorn is the ultimate tall, dark and rugged warrior. On his journey to claim his rightful place on the throne of Gondor, he proves to be both a great leader and modest despite his hulking destiny. For girls who are fans of the strong, silent type, Aragorn is definitely your man. Not to mention, he looks so good when he gets down and dirty that we might not even complain about how long he goes between showers. 

7. Ed Kennedy from I Am the Messenger

For those unfamiliar with Markus Zusak’s I Am the Messenger, protagonist Ed Kennedy starts out a down-and-out underage taxi driver with few credentials under his belt. So why should we want to date him? He straddles the perfect line between humble and self-deprecating, he can cook, he’s loyal to those he loves and by the end of the book, he can say he’s stopped a robbery, saved a life, planned a picnic and mended multiple relationships. Ed is a hero with a huge heart: a perfect combination.

8. Mr. Knightley from Emma

We know, we know: When we say Jane Austen, you say, “Mr. Darcy,” but hear us out. Aloof, arrogant and witty might read well on paper, but who needs all the trouble? George Knightley, on the other hand, is just… a genuinely good guy. He’s got his own place and his own job, and he has his life together in general. Not to mention: hot older gentleman alert. We’ll take kindness and compassion over witty banter any day—not that Mr. Knightley doesn’t offer that, too. He has just the affinity for sarcasm and the patience needed to match Emma. Sign us up.

9. Levi from Fangirl

This guy might not be on your radar yet, but believe us, he will be. Rainbow Rowell’s Fangirl follows Cath, a girl swept up in the fictional universe of her favorite fantasy series, and the boy who accepts her and all her nerdiness. For the girls lusting after any of the boys in our list so far, a guy like Levi—goofy, honest and open-minded – is a necessity. If you’re lucky, he might even ask you to read your favorite passages out loud, just like Levi. A girl can dream, can’t she?

So, whether you go for the Mr. Knightleys or the Weasley twins of the literary world, never deny yourself a night in with your favorite fictional boyfriend. Remember, you can always put them back on the shelf when you’re done with them. And aren’t low-maintenance boyfriends the best? 

There’s nothing worse than being super hyped up for a date just to see your guy slumping through the motions. You may be into the whole museum idea, but he's not Harry, you're not Sally, and he's going to be bored out of his mind. Find something that you’ll both have a great time doing, and you’ll never have to worry!

1. The museum date

Browsing a modern art museum in your super-hip outfit may seem like a fab time, but your guy likely thinks differently. Unless he’s an art major (score!) or he’s specifically said he’s into art, he probably won’t enjoy walking around observing paintings of large, black dots.

“Museums are boring,” says Danny Thompson, a sophomore at Gettysburg College. “Especially if it’s something I’m not into, like art.”

Brendan Adamec, a sophomore at James Madison University, also mentions that he wouldn’t want to go to an art museum because it isn’t exciting. You want your guy to be on his toes, not falling asleep. Try something more active that lets you talk, like going for a walk and hitting up an awesome restaurant!

2. The movie date

Going to the movies may seem like a good way to break the ice or spend time together, but movie dates don’t allow for much interaction. “I secretly hate the movies,” says Joe Perry, a sophomore at the University of California, Santa Barbara. “You can't talk during the movies, and I'm big into talking and laughing and getting to know each other.”

If you and your guy do decide to see a movie, watch it at one of your places. The casual environment will take the awkwardness away and allow for more communication. This also provides an environment for optimal cuddling and homemade popcorn—double yay!

3. The bowling date

Bowling isn’t the best thing to do with only two people. “I hate going bowling with a girl,” says Jon Mimm, a sophomore at James Madison University. “Bowling isn’t that fun, and I’d rather do something I can help her with, like mini golf.”

Matt Milich, a sophomore at the University of Rhode Island, agrees. “I’d rather go bowling with my guy friends,” he says.

Mini golfing or going to the driving range may be a better way for some flirty competition than plain old bowling. Save the bowling alley for a rainy day with your grandparents!

4. The roller-skating date

It may seem like a fun flashback to go roller-skating with your man, but you should check with him before planning this date. “I wouldn’t want to go roller-skating with a girl because I suck at it,” says Chris Spencer, a sophomore at James Madison University. “I’m trying to impress a girl on a date, not embarrass myself.”

Grant Rybnicky, a sophomore at James Madison University, also mentions that he wouldn’t take a girl roller-skating because he’s bad at it. Maybe your guy is better at ice-skating, or maybe skating in general just isn’t his thing! Laser tag is a fun, physical option that doesn’t require as much skill. Try something more competitive that’s a better way to flirt without falling and hurting yourself!

5. The mall date

Going to the mall with your guy can be a nightmare. Long lines, awkward moments in Victoria’s Secret and your indecisiveness will most likely drive him crazy. Drew Dembek, a sophomore at James Madison University, says, “I wouldn’t want to go to the mall with a girl because I’m not interested in clothes shopping.”

Gaten Cancino, a freshman at James Madison University, agrees. “I secretly hate dates to the mall because I feel like I'm not her center of attention,” he says.

You may say you’re just going there to hang out and look around, but we all know that isn’t true! You’ll save your guy headaches from you asking, “Do I look good in this?” and, “Which do you like better?” And, let’s be real—shopping in Victoria’s Secret while your guy sits outside isn’t exactly quality time spent together.

Be sure to check with your guy before planning a date to see if he’d really be into it. Find something fun and sociable that you’ll both enjoy, and the date should go smoothly. If you’re dying to see the new Nicholas Sparks movie or need those new boots, bring your girls! 

It's hard to imagine living without your cell phone now, but the fact is, you’ve lived around half of your life without one. Depending on when you got your first phone, yours probably didn't even have a color screen! But as we time went on, phone companies began releasing cell phones left and right, each one cooler than the next. In case you’ve forgotten about the cell phones you tried to convince your parents to get you over the years, we’re here to remind you!

1. T-Mobile Sidekick

Thanks to Paris and Nicole, the Sidekick probably became the most sought-after phone that only the most spoiled tweens and teens actually had. If your parents refused to get you one, you weren’t alone. The sliding screen was mesmerizing for tweens and teens alike. Only a few cool kids at school had this gadget, and if they let you hold it for even just a few seconds, you would automatically move them to your Top 8 on Myspace.

2. LG Chocolate

Though we’re still confused by the phone’s name (its shape kind of resembles a chocolate bar...?), we have to admit that it was a pretty snazzy device back in the day. It came in a variety of colors and boasted a music player, which was a big deal for cell phones back in the mid 2000s. Plus, sliding the screen up and down was slightly addicting.

3. Motorola Razr

Even by today’s standards, the Razr was a genuinely cool cell phone. No flip phone before it had ever been that thin and sleek-looking. The flat buttons and compact design made it all the rage - at least, until you dropped it and it snapped in half. When and if your parents caved and finally bought you one, your friends had probably already moved onto the much cuter pink version.

4. Samsung Juke 

If you don't really remember this phone, it's probably because it was released the same year as the first-generation iPhone. Despite the competition that would eventually crush it, the Juke was a cool phone in theory. The teeny size and swivel design were buzzworthy, even though the phone didn't have a Qwerty keyboard. But what drew you in was the MP3 music player, which had enough space to hold more than just a few Usher albums. 

5. LG EnV

When the EnV was released in 2006, you likely had been through a number of cell phones already. From the outside, the EnV looked like your average cell phone that you could use to call your worried mother, but once you opened it sideways –voila, you had a keyboard that you could use to hit up all your buddies!

6. BlackBerry

By the time the BlackBerry rose to fame, owning a cell phone was a legitimate need for a teenager. All you needed to do was convince your parents that your non-BlackBerry-keyboard phone was simply not good enough anymore. The moment your parents bought you one, you took to Facebook to publish your BBM PIN, and then you surfed the web to buy silicone-like cases.

Every campus has one: a collection of counselors and advisers standing by to help you with your resume, networking skills and 10-year-plan. But the sad truth is that many students don’t walk into their campus career center until their senior year, says Amanda Baker, an assistant director of the Johns Hopkins University Career Center. Most career centers offer a myriad of different services: everything from mock interviews to resume workshops to alumni networking opportunities. We talked to Baker and collegiettes about how to take advantage of what your career center offers

1. Peer and alumni mentors

Especially if you’re a freshman or sophomore, pairing up with an upperclassman to talk about your future career can be amazingly helpful. Many schools have a peer mentoring service you can sign up for (or some schools automatically enroll first-year students in such a program) that will pair you with someone who can answer questions you have about prepping for life post-graduation. This was a great resource for Alyssa, a recent graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. “I signed up for this program my first semester,” she says. “I was paired with a senior who helped me develop study skills and motivated me as I took some difficult classes.”

Additionally, many schools would be happy to connect you with an alumnus or alumna to talk about his or her career. “People want to mentor students,” Baker says. “A lot of alumni want to help out students in a nonfinancial way. It’s a great way to get help.”

After you are paired up with a peer or alumni mentor, you’re often encouraged to email or see them regularly. “Build a relationship,” Baker says. Ask them questions about classes to take or why they chose their particular career. Alumni may even be able to help you later when you’re applying for jobs! Check out your career center’s website to see if your school offers a similar program.

2. Career aptitude tests

Have absolutely no idea what you want to do after college? Taking a career aptitude test can be a great way to explore your options if you’re undecided. Baker says that many schools offer tests like Myers-Briggs, a personality test that can shed light onto possible career choices that would suit your skill set. “They’re almost always free,” Baker says.

Be sure to check your campus’s website to check out the offerings. These tests will ask you questions about how you approach life, how detail-oriented you are, how extroverted or introverted you are and many more. Baker says you can take these tests online once your career center gives you a school-specific code (so you can take it for free!), and after you take it, many schools will set you up with a counselor to go over your results together.

“I took the Myers-Briggs during a career center workshop class I took over winter break,” says Vanessa, a senior at Johns Hopkins University. “It was cool to see what careers the test thought I would be good at, [like] engineering, my major. The test also confirmed that I should never work in anything revolving around customer service!”

3. Resume critique

Does your high school resume need some polishing? Most schools offer resume workshops where you can bring in a draft or a finished resume and have a professional career adviser look it over before you send it to potential employers.

This was extremely helpful for Kayla, a senior at the University of South Carolina. “My resume needed a total overhaul, and the career center professionals showed me what needed to be replaced or eliminated altogether,” she says.

Angelina, a student at Ramapo College of New Jersey, credits her resume critique with getting her internship. “[My career center] would look over your resume depending on your major and what kind of internship you're looking for,” she says. “I wish more of my friends took advantage of this, because this workshop helped me land my internship at Good Housekeeping that spring!”

4. Business cards and photos

Your career center may even offer to make you business cards for free! This was an amazing perk for Megan, a student at Illinois State University. “The cards had all of my information on it, plus the Illinois State University logo,” she says. “So many of the employers I talked to were very impressed by them and couldn't believe my career center did it, especially for free.”

While your school might not offer this service, many do offer lots of other free perks! Alyssa was able to get a freeLinkedIn photo taken at the UT Austin career center. “A good picture on LinkedIn presents you in a good light… so it's incredibly important not to post a grainy selfie,” she says. Alyssa loved how it turned out because she likely would not have been able to get as professional a picture had she taken it herself!

5.  Field trips

Some career centers take interested students on field trips to major cities to look at how certain industries operate. Asiana, a collegiette at Le Moyne College, went on a field trip with her career center to look at possible jobs in communications in New York City.

“We went to Eric Mower + Associates [an integrated marketing and communications company], where we got to see what the company was all about, what they look for when hiring and what a day in the life was for the professionals that work there,” she says. Often these programs aren’t free, though—generally if they are overnight trips, like the ones offered at Johns Hopkins, they will be a couple hundred dollars, but shorter trips may be cheaper or free. Check with your career center!

6.  Mock interviews

Interviews can be scary, but with the proper preparation, they can be totally manageable.

Asiana really liked the mock interviews her career center facilitated because they gave her a chance to practice before the real thing. “The mock interviews are so similar to what you will see in the real world,” she says. “Their feedback is so positive and what is not positive is just constructive.”

7. Career staff speakers

Many campus career counselors can even be invited to speak to organizations on campus. Baker says that she often gets requests to speak from sororities, certain classes and professional societies. “We’re happy to partner with classes and groups,” Baker says. “Asking questions in a larger group can be more comfortable for some people.”

Usually one or two career center counselors will come to speak to the group. This is an especially great program for shyer students. “If [students] are feeling nervous, they can learn information without having to directly ask for help,” Baker says. “Through these talks they can meet me [or a colleague] and they’ll see I’m not going to criticize them in a one-on-one meeting!” Baker says that once students interact with the counselors in an indirect way, they may be more likely to seek out the center’s services alone.

If you’re interested in having a career counselor speak to your club or class, be sure to let your career center know at least a few weeks in advance! Career counselors can talk about specific topics, like LinkedIn networking and resumes, but they can also provide a general introduction to what your career center offers. Talk to someone on the staff to see how they can personalize the talk for your group.

8. Summer hours

School might not be formally in session during the summertime, but your career center staff is standing by and ready to help! “Most [career centers] are open year-round, and it’s underutilized,” Baker says. The staff will likely be less busy than during the school year, so you’ll get more individualized attention and support. And if you’re not around campus to make a face-to-face appointment, many career centers can arrange phone or Skype counseling sessions for free.

9. Etiquette dinners

Business events and dinners can be nerve-wracking; it goes without saying that attending one in the future will require a little more preparation than your dining hall dinners. “[My] career center does etiquette dinners every year where they teach you the proper way to dress and act at a business cocktail hour or a formal business dinner,” says Rachel, a student at the University of Hartford. “It's pretty cool, it's free and the food is fantastic; I've been to a couple.”

Remember: this list is certainly not all-encompassing! Each career center will offer different services, and the only way to find out what your campus offers is to check out the website, stop by the office or call for information. Many career centers have very in-depth websites with plenty of online resources, but don’t wait until your senior year to step foot into your school’s career center! Make an appointment and see how they can help you.

With the harsh winds of winter comes dry, duller-looking skin. But don't worry: There are plenty of products out there to help banish your winter blues. We've put together ten glow-inducing products to brighten your skin to perfection!

1. Zenmed: Skin Eraser ($29.99)

Give your skin some a little TLC with this powerful cleanser. Spritz onto skin and watch your skin imperfections disappear. 

2. Origins: Never a Dull Moment Skin-Brightening Face Cleanser ($21.50)

Scrub your cares—and uneven skin tone—away with this fruity cleasner. The scrub polishes away dead skin cells, leaving skin smoother and brighter.

3. Bliss: Incredi-Peel ($49)

Each of these wipes gives your skin a deep, nourishing treatment while targeting wrinkles and dark spots. What more could you ask for?

4. Olay: Regenerist Advanced Anti-aging Regenerating Cream Cleanser ($8.99)

It's never too early to start using anti-aging skincare! The creamy formula nourishes while microbeads exfoliate, giving you a much-improved complexion.

5. Korres: Wild Rose + Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial ($48)

Sleep your way to brighter skin with this "sleeping facial" by Korres. Wild rose is a natural source of Vitamin D, and your skin will soak it all up while you snooze.

6. CK: One Color Skin Illuminator ($20)

Use this skin illuminator on your cheeks or brow bone to bring light to your face.

7. Boots: No. 7 Stay Perfect Smoothing Eye Shadow ($7.99)

The shade of this inexpensive eyeshadow is perfect to do double duty as an illuminator or highlighter. Simply dab in the corner of your eyes, or top of your cheeks.

8. MAC: Mineralize Skin Finish ($30)

This shimmer powder is a versatile product to add shine wherever you need it. Highlight your brows or sweep the product across your cheeks. 

9. Cover Girl & Olay: Tone Rehab 2-in-1 Foundation ($15.49)

This 2-in-1 foundation is every girl's best friend. Conceal dark circles, even skin tone and hydrate your skin all at once.

10. NARS: The Multiple ($39)

This multitasking  makeup stick highlights and adds a little warmth to the skin. The formula adapts from cream to powder to give skin, lips or eyes even coverage. 

With a dab here and there, strategic highlighting and a touch of shimmer, you can achieve luminous skin in no time.

Eating at a college dining hall can be a disheartening, upsetting and (literally) sickening experience. We’ve all dreamt of pancakes and woken up to runny eggs or craved a pizza but found the cheese tasted like it was from a can. We all remember a time when we would have traded at least two of our friends for some fresh fruit and veggies at the salad bar. Some dining halls, however, have really gotten it right. Check out these seven schools that have dining halls we would love to eat at!

1. The University of Alabama at Birmingham (Birmingham, AL)

Can you believe that beautiful dining hall? UAB makes a huge effort to source their food from local places, according to their website, and they post calorie information in the dining hall so that you can make informed choices. They even have a dietitian you can contact if you have questions, and their website even has a whole section about local food trucks that have healthy options, like “Off the Hook,” which serves fresh seafood. Are you drooling yet?

Jakeya Johnson, a sophomore, loves that the “Mindful by Sodexo” station provides “low-calorie yet filling meals.” UAB also provides calorie information for their food. People with allergies even have their own station in the dining hall, so finding options is easy regardless of your dietary restrictions!

2. The Savannah College of Art and Design (Savannah, GA)

Mandalay Rainbow Salad or Multicolored Vegetarian Bahn Mi? Yes, please! These are just a few of the fabulous options one of the dining options at SCAD offers students. All the options are clearly labeled for vegetarians, vegans and those who are gluten-free. They even have recipes available online for students who don’t know how to cook their own healthy options, like this Watermelon with Pepitas, Mint, and Ricotta Salata. What more could you ask for?

“The dining facilities at SCAD are very health conscious,” says Anais Corrales, a junior. “It makes a huge difference. I actually didn't mind being on meal plan.”

Anais loves that most of their ingredients come fresh from local farms. Who wouldn’t want to eat in the dining hall every day at SCAD?

3. Bowdoin College (Brunswick, ME)

You can’t get food much fresher than the veggies that come straight from your college’s own organic garden! The Bowdoin Organic Garden grows over 50 organic vegetables that are served in the school’s dining hall, and opportunities are available for students to be a part of the fun.

Vegetarians and vegans have an easy time finding great options at Bowdoin. Make-your-own omelets? No problem! Bowdoin does brunch as well as your favorite joints in New York City.

4. Washington University in St. Louis (St. Louis, MO)

According to Greatist, WUSTL has a great labeling system for its food where you can know immediately if your food contains dairy, eggs, nuts, shellfish, soy and wheat. WUSTL even has a program called “Connie’s Choice,” where a specific label indicates a food that has less than 10 percent saturated fat, low amounts of sodium and lean meat or plant-based protein. With everything clearly labeled, how can you not eat healthily?

In addition, WUSTL has Studio 40, which was “designed to host social and educational event series centered around cooking fresh, local cuisines.” Students can stay healthy while taking small cooking classes centered around dieticians’ advice and cultural themes. Can your college degree include cooking skills for the real world? If you go to Wash U, the answer is yes!

5. The University of Georgia (Athens, GA)

With an A+ grade from Niche, UGA dining may as well be a restaurant. The students rave about the quality, and the dining hall labels food that’s a “Bone-i-fied Good Option,” food that has less than 30 percent calories from fat and food that is vegetarian or vegan, according to UGA.

“The dining halls are the hubs for all social talk and meeting new people,” says a junior on Niche. “The food is amazing and is better than eating in any restaurant.” Not only is the food great, but you also might meet some new friends!

6. The University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA)

Who doesn’t love fresh strawberries? Every week, USC students have the opportunity to attend the Trojan Farmers Market, where they can buy “fresh fruit, produce, and healthy snacks.” We’re so into the healthy options this program provides for students.

“They always provide several green options, including nutritious ones like kale and chard,” says Jordan*, a sophomore at USC. “They also always make sure to have several protein options, including tofu for the vegetarians!”

Residential Dining always offers steamed vegetables, “proteins with sauce served on the side as often as possible” and extensive salad bars. USC students can also contact a dietician if they have any questions. We are drooling over USC’s restaurants, like the Honors House and The Parkside Restaurant!

7. Clemson University (Clemson, SC)

Coming in on top of Greatist’s list of healthiest colleges, Clemson makes it easy for its students to maintain a healthy lifestyle. You can look at all the menus online for the dining hall and find all of the nutrition facts so you can plan out your meals.

Clemson strives to use sustainable products, prepare food as close to the meal as possible, educate its students on nutrition and maintain a culturally diverse menu. On the menu is a wide array of some good Southern comfort food, but we know Clemson has great produce, too!

Whether you’re an experienced foodie or you just want food that tastes good, these schools have dining halls with options that will keep you looking and feeling your best. You won’t even feel like you’re in a dining hall at these schools! Sorry, Mom—college has good food, too!

*Name has been changed.

Spotted: Actress and style icon Blake Lively stepping out on the streets of New York City in style this week looking perfectly cozy-chic in a must have item for fall: The cape coat. This buzzed-about new coat style has been seen on countless celebs lately, including Blake, and what’s not to like? It’s an on-trend piece, but it feels like stepping out of the house wearing your favorite blanket. You don’t have to shell out $1,350 for Blake’s version (by designer Lindsey Thornburg) either. Stay equally cozy—and chic—on your walk to class for a fraction of the price with our favorite collegiette budget-friendly blanket coat picks below!

1. English Nights Cape ($98 at Nasty Gal)

Want Blake's exact look? Try this plaid version of her rosy red cloak. The pop of red adds a bit of fun to a dreary winter day, and the plaid is both on-trend and festive for the upcoming holiday season. Try it with an all black look like Blake’s to allow the statement-making color to stand out.

2. Two-Tone Poncho ($59.90 at Zara)

Looking for something less heavy? We like the blanket look and feel of this Zara poncho. It’s lighter than Blake’s version, but it looks great layered over a sweater, blazer or even another jacket!

3. River Island Plaid Faux Fur Trim Cape ($66.33 at ASOS)

The black plaid and fur collar of this blanket cape equal instant effortless chic when added to any outfit. Pair with your favorite pair of boyfriend jeans and a sweater and top with a beanie to achieve that cool, effortless model-off-duty look.

4. Agnes Faux Fur Cape ($52 at Boohoo)

Take the coziness of a blanket coat to the next level by adding another fall trend: Fur. We love the understated minimalist look of this structured cape coat. Pair it with a neutral-colored blouse and your favorite pair of black skinnies for a look that is simple and chic.

Will you give Blake’s cape coat look a try collegiettes? Tell us how you’d wear this celeb-approved look in the comments!

Congratulations! You’ve scored a cute boy who wants to go on amazing dates with you. The bad news? Your options are limited because you both live on campus and neither of you have cars, limiting you from some other dates. The typical “dining hall date night” works for a while, but you can only be so romantic when you’re surrounded by the table of loud frat boys to your left and loud, giggly girls to your right. Follow this guide to enjoy some fun and free on-campus dates with your guy!

1. Take a coffee break

A basic coffee date at the café on campus is a great way to spend some time together during the day, especially when you both have a busy class schedule. Make a point to meet up with your guy whenever you both have a break. It’s a nice switch from meeting up at your favorite on-campus eateries, which tend to be far more crowded.

“My boyfriend and I love just walking to the cafe we have on campus so we can get a cup of coffee, hang out and talk,” says Kelly, a senior at Hofstra University. “It’s just a nice way for us to take a quick break from schoolwork and spend some together.”  

2. Attend a sports game

Sports games are a fun, social activity where you can bond with your guy in a casual environment. With the constant action on the field, there’s always something to talk about. There’s nothing like stale popcorn and sweaty athletes to bring two people closer together!

3. Break a sweat at a group fitness class

A step up from a regular workout––find a class at your gym that you both would enjoy and take it together! Most colleges offer a variety of classes, like yoga, kickboxing and Zumba.

“I made my boyfriend come to Zumba with me,” says Elysha, a collegiette from Clemson University. “He completely underestimated how tough it can actually be! We had a great time doing it together.”

Whatever you choose, you’ll be bound to have a great time, burn calories and maybe even learn some new skills. Everybody wins!

4. Visit an art gallery

Many collegiettes overlook all the culture and history their school offers. Most schools have sort of museum or art gallery available on campus. Why not go check it out one day with your guy?

Kelsey, a junior at the University of Illinois, visited the on-campus art museum at her school with her boyfriend. “It was such a great bonding experience,” she says. “We learned about so much history we never knew existed and got to do it together, which made it extra special!”

5. Take a bike ride (or a long walk) around campus

Especially with the weather getting crisper, there’s no more beautiful time for a long bike ride around campus. Don’t have bikes? A long walk works, too! Take in the beautiful scenery with your guy while engaging in casual conversation. This date is simple yet intimate. Hint: if you really want to up the romance factor, do this at sunset. Take pictures of the foliage and yourselves for a cute self-photo shoot!

6. Watch a free movie

Most colleges show free movies on campus, usually monthly or even weekly. Take advantage of this date opportunity and enjoy the movie-theater-date vibe (without the travel time or ticket prices)!

Carrie, a senior from Muskingum University, works for her school’s student life program, helping to set up free movies and food for students once a month. “Couples come in all the time!” she says. “It’s a good place to go casually to enjoy a date night without actually going anywhere.”

Check out your school’s student activities schedule to find out when you can go catch a flick!

7. Have a picnic on the quad

Grab your date, grab a towel to sit on and head to a nice shady area on the quad. This is much more romantic than eating in your cafeteria, and also you’ll be much more secluded.

“It’s fun to explore different areas of the campus to find that perfect picnic spot to spend time with a special someone,” says Sarah, a senior from Lafayette College. You can simply grab a to-go box from your cafeteria, or try out some of these yummy picnic ideas! Half the fun in this is preparing it! Bring a Frisbee to throw around, and you’ve created a cozy park environment. Disclaimer: you may receive some seriously envious looks from classmates passing by because of your super cute date.

8. Have a game room night

Most colleges have a game room, or at least a foosball machine, in the dorm lounge areas. Channel your inner child and spend some time getting silly and playing your favorite games! It’s a low-key, fun date where you both can just enjoy each other’s company while having a blast. This is a good date to get you and your guy comfortable with each other because you can just let loose and have a good time.

9. Have a study date

Every now and then we have to remind ourselves that we are in college, in fact, to study (we know; we forget too). Why not study together? Rent out a study room in the library for the two of you and quiz each other on flashcards. Grab coffees and play some music, and you’ll have so much fun you’ll forget you’re actually doing work!

What do you like to do on campus with your guy? Let us know in the comments below!

You know that old sweater you used to love? The one that still looks great, but just isn’t you anymore? You could let it sit in the back of your closet gathering dust, or you could give it (and your budget) a new life by selling it to someone else!

Let’s face it — whether living in a cramped dorm room, in a modest apartment or at home with your folks, most collegiettes have a thing or two they’d like to purge, and they’d also like to make some money doing it. But selling your things can be frustrating. Online venues like craigslist are popular but sometimes sketchy, and you probably aren’t selling enough items to host a full-blown garage sale. That’s why we’re here to fill you in on some other ways to sell your things, as recommended by deal-seeking collegiettes like you!

Consignment stores

One great way to sell your things is to look up consignment stores (businesses that buy and sell secondhand clothing and other items) in your area. Becoming a seller at most consignment stores is pretty simple: Bring all the items you’d like sell to the store in person, and then an employee will look through your items and decide which pieces the store will purchase and for how much. It’s important to get a feel for the kind of items each consignment store generally buys and sells, otherwise you might leave with handfuls of unwanted stuff and empty pockets.

1. Plato’s Closet

With locations in the United States and Canada, Plato’s Closet is a popular choice among collegiettes who want to sell their pre-loved clothing and accessories.

Alyssa Opdyke, a junior at Fordham University, recommends Plato’s Closet but warns that the store can be picky. “Clothes … have to be super trendy usually, or they won't even take them,” Alyssa says. “But you can get decent money if you have good stuff.”

Specifically, Plato’s Closet asks for current, name-brand fashion pieces that have been gently used, so don’t bother taking a blouse here that you’ve been hoarding for the past few years. If you think your closet has what it takes, then give it a shot! You could walk away with some quick cash.

2. Buffalo Exchange

Take your gently used current and vintage styles to Buffalo Exchange, another consignment store that works a lot like Plato’s Closet. Buffalo Exchange takes retro styles, not just the latest fashions like Plato’s Closet does, but they do ask for quality clothing and accessories in great shape. They also ask that you call your local store ahead of time to see what they’re looking to buy. Although Buffalo Exchange can be a bit picky as well, you can make a great sale if you know what the store is looking for. Plus, Buffalo Exchange donates five cents to a charity of the customer’s choice for every bag refused by the customer, so you can become part of a worthy cause.

Hannah Rupp, thrifter and fashion blogger at An Old Story, a secondhand-style blog, says that ideally she sells at consignment stores like Plato’s Closet and Buffalo Exchange as well as independent local sellers before heading online.

“You get to talk to a real person, know where your stuff is going, and, in most cases, you get payout on the spot,” Rupp says. “It’s a great option for someone who doesn’t have time to wait around on the Internet!”

3. Half Price Books

Don’t think that consignment stores only buy clothing and accessories. Some stores, like Half Price Books, buy pre-loved books, movies, music and other tech. Selling to Half Price Books works just like selling to other consignment stores: Show up at a store with your items, and the staff will make you a cash offer depending on the condition of and demand for the stuff you’re trying to sell. Plus, they donate thousands of books to nonprofits each year!

Websites and apps

You’re always hearing about craigslist and eBay, but there are so many more websites and apps dedicated to helping you sell your secondhand treasures. These venues make selling convenient (you can do it from home!) and virtually hassle-free.

4. Poshmark

Poshmark is a fabulous virtual alternative to a traditional consignment store if you’re looking to sell gently used clothing, shoes and accessories. This app, available for free for Apple and Android phones, lets you create an account, post items you’d like to sell and engage with buyers. 

Although the app takes 20 percent commission from any sale of $15 or more and a flat fee of $2.95 from smaller sales, Poshmark sends you a prepaid shipping label whenever you sell an item, taking a lot of pain out of the shipping process.

Lindsay Wallman, a senior at The College of New Jersey, swears by Poshmark. “[It] is an awesome app that is 100 percent trustworthy and is perfect for selling your extra clothes, shoes and accessories,” she says. “I have had a great deal of success with it and have even found some awesome items for myself!”

Melissa Tierney, fashion blogger at MissyOnMadison.com and deal-seeker, says that she particularly likes Poshmark for its unique interactive features.

“Rather than eBay, where you are just buying and selling items, Poshmark has 'parties' daily that have specially curated style picks from users 'closets' based on the theme of that party,” Tierney says. “For example, a month ago I was asked to host a 'Fall Forward' party on the app, so I went around for two hours and shared fall pieces from my closet as well as fellow Poshers’, and usually that leads to sales because those pieces grab users’ attention!”

With its easy-to-use interface and fashionable community, it’s not hard to see how selling for Poshmark can feel like a fun game!

5. Twice

Twice is another website and app where you can sell your pre-loved clothes and accessories. Twice works like a long-distance consignment store: You send all the clothes you want to sell to them, and they give you an offer for the entire package, which you can choose to accept or reject.

But get this — Twice covers the shipping for you in one of two ways. You can print out your prepaid shipping label (think Poshmark), or you can request a free selling kit that will arrive at your address in under a week complete with a prepaid shipping label. Plus, if your package gets lost in transit, it’s insured for up to $100.

After you ship your package, Twice will make you an offer within the one week. Then, you can choose regular payment (check, PayPal or Venmo) or store credit. If you reject the offer, you owe Twice $4.95 to cover shipping your package back.

Rupp has had some serious success with Twice. “[It was] easy to use, paid for shipping both ways (and included a free mailing bag for my clothes!) and only took about two to four weeks to get a payout,” she says.

Twice is looking for stain-free, current items (less than five years old) from top brands. Send over clothes from brands like Gap, American Eagle and J.Crew, but don’t bother with anything from Forever 21 or H&M. If you have top-notch clothes in great condition, Twice is perfect fit for you.

6. Gazelle

Gazelle buys used smartphones, tablets, iPods, computers and more. The site gives you a free offer taking into account the type of device and its condition. For example, an iPhone 5 in good condition (with no significant cracks but not brand new) can earn you around $150 depending on its storage capacity and carrier.

Unlike Poshmark, Gazelle sellers don’t directly interact with their customers. An online community isn’t right for everyone, so if you’re looking for just a quick sale, Gazelle could be the venue for you.

“It is easy, gives you a fair price and allows you not to have to interact directly with a buyer like eBay or craigslist does,” says Kathryn Balben, a first-year at the University of Virginia who has had success selling her MacBook and iPhone with Gazelle.

Gazelle also covers shipping for items valued at over $1 and pays out relatively quickly after the team inspects your gadget: from three to five business days for an online payment through PayPal or up to 10 business days for a mailed check.

Social media

When you’re thinking of selling your things, don’t take for granted the community you interact with every day. If you’ve got a decent online following already, then you might not need to look any further than your favorite social networking sites.

7. Facebook

If you’re active on Facebook, you probably belong to a few groups. These can be great tools for selling, especially groups for college students. Universities often have “Free and for Sale” or “Exchange” Facebook groups where you can buy and sell items from your classmates. This is a super convenient way to sell all kinds of things because you can easily meet up with your buyer on campus and you’re typically not limited to what you can sell.

But what if you college doesn’t have “Free and for Sale” group? No worries — you can always post on a common interest group (think clubs and organizations) or even your class group (for example, “Vanderbilt Class of 2015”).

Many collegiettes recommend selling on Facebook pages, including Georgia College junior Emily Ward. “[On Georgia College’s page] people post pictures and usually have really great luck,” Emily says. “You can buy anything from a rug to Lilly Pulitzer shorts to a taxidermy animal!”

This is an especially great option if you’re selling concert tickets, textbooks or anything else you know your peers will love.

8. Instagram

If you don’t want to limit your customer base to just university students, you might want to try selling on Instagram. Post a picture and description of what you’d like to sell on your Instagram account and collect payments via PayPal. You can find more detailed instructions here.

If you use Instagram to sell items, be cautious. Make sure that you secure your payment before shipping your items, and don’t agree to meet anyone outside of a public space.

Social media, shopping apps and consignment stores have made it easier than ever to make some fast cash off of your used items. The options listed above are just a few of the many fantastic ways you can sell your things, so don’t settle for craigslist and eBay just because they get the most hype!

What could be better than getting rid of the clutter and making money doing it? Dust off that old sweater (or iPod, or textbook) and start selling! And, hey, odds are you’ll find a bargain purchase or two along the way. 

You really want to wear that cobalt blue shadow... but you're also not trying to look like a clown. As a collegiette who is a nude eyeshadow devotee, I feel your pain. But as hard as it is to step out of our comfort zones, celebs and models alike have given us enough beauty inspiration to make us rock every color of the rainbow. Yep—you can pull off an entire rainbow's worth of color on your eyes. Check out our favorite looks below—and tips for how to make them work!

Red/Pink

Red is a hard color to pull off—how do you do it without making it look as if your eyes are swollen from hours of crying? Mary-Kate Olsen makes it work with just a touch of the bold hue to highlight carefully-lined eyes and sultry, thick lashes.  

(Sugarpill Cosmetics,Pressed Eyeshadow in ‘Love+’, $12)

Orange

Blue-eyed gals—this is the color for you. Orange and blue are complementary colors, so each will make the other pop. The heavy wash of color works for Barbara Palvin on the red carpet, but you can make this work for an everyday look by going for a color with a golder tone, and wear it in a smoky eye in the place of your typical neutral bronze. 

(NYX,Hot Singles Eyeshadow in shade ‘LOL’, $4.50)

Yellow

Yellow is another shade that's scary to try—done the wrong way, it might result in skin that just looks discolored. We love the way Elle Fanning pulls it off—if this doesn't make you want to test it out yourself, we're not sure what will! The key here is to make sure the shade doesn't look like a mistake, or worse, strangely colored skin; if you're going yellow, go for a highly pigmented, super-saturated color so it really stands out. Keep the rest of your complexion natural!

(MAC, Eyeshadow in 'Chrome Yellow', $16)

Green

If you want to make others green with envy at how fabulous you look, search no further. Like any of these other colors, green looks amazing with proper execution. This is another color that could really do great things for your eyes in terms of making them stand out more.

Check out the way Debby Ryan only applied the green eyeshadow under her lower lash line.

Make other collegiettes on campus green with envy when you whip out this shade! Rather than apply it like a classic shadow, use it to create a dab of color along the lower lash line, the way Debby Ryan is wearing it above. Use an angled brush to gently blend it right under your lower lashes; the line should be soft, rather than sharp and precise.

(Stila, Eye Shadow Trio in shade ‘Going Green’, $8)

Blue

Rihanna may be able to pull off outrageous fashion and beauty looks like nobody else, but we can still learn from the way she does it. If you're looking to go bold, create a classic cat-eye with bright blue rather than your usual black. Fill out the look (and make your eyes look wider!) by gently brushing it along your lower lash line, too. Not looking to go with this much color? 

Try a more subtle version with a light dusting of color along the inner crease of your eye, the way Ginnifer Goodwin wears it here.

(Sephora, MicroSmooth Baked Eyeshadow Trio in shade ‘Blue Lagoon’, $19)

Violet

This color can honestly create some of the most beautiful looks. You can either go super dark or super subtle, and it will bring out any eye color. There is just something so elegant about shades of violet/purple.

Can we talk about how great this purple looks on Beyoncé? The color is subtle and goes well with the gold tones of the rest of her outfit, which gives her a gorgeous glow that we all want to achieve. If you want to go super dark, use varying shades of grey and purple to create a sultry smoky eye, or use a light lavender to give an overall wash of color over the entire lid the way Bey does it here.

(Maybelline, Eye Studio Color Plush Silk Eyeshadow in ‘Purple Icon’, $9.99)

Most importantly: Focus on color combinations. Be sure the shadow you're wearing goes well with the makeup you're wearing on the rest of your face (hint: don't do green shadow with bright red lips). What colors will you be rocking, collegiettes?