Aside from the turkey, everyone knows sweet potatoes are the most essential component to a perfect Thanksgiving dinner. Whether they're baked or candied, in a casserole or in a pie, we can’t imagine our Turkey Day meals feeling complete without them. Here are just a few yummy ways to add sweet potatoes to your Thanksgiving meal.

1. Oven-Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges

Seasoned with rosemary and garlic-flavored olive oil, these tasty wedges are way better than French fries.

2. Creamy Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup

Thick, creamy and orange – what more could you want from a soup?

3. Garlic Sweet Potato Mash

Forget your plain old mashed potatoes. This recipe keeps the savory taste of the comfort food staple without too much butter.

4. Mexican Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad

For a potato salad with a Southwest flavor, this creation hits the spot. 

5. Buttered Sweet Potato Knot Rolls

Hot, buttery rolls with one-third the calories and fat of traditional rolls with a boost of beta-carotene to boot? Our prayers have been answered.

6. Caramelized Onion and Sweet Potato Soup

Sweet, earthy and much more exciting than your usual chicken noodle.

7. Curried Sweet Potato Salad

When you substitute mayonnaise for mango chutney and Greek yogurt, this classic dish suddenly becomes guilt-free (and tastier, too!).

8. Baked Sweet Potato with Kale and Ricotta

Skip the bacon bits and sour cream this year and create some spuds topped with kale and ricotta instead.

9. Sweet Potato and Apple Casserole

Instead of marshmallows, try layering your casserole with some Granny Smiths and spices. 

10. Sweet Potato Cake Bites

Mini cake bites made with sweet potatoes, oats, dates and walnuts? We’ll have a dozen, please.

11. Sweet Potato Pudding

Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet, so there’s no need to load up this pudding with extra sweeteners!

For the beauty lover, no social media app lends itself to flawlessly applied winged liner or perfect highlights the way Instagram does, in all its visual glory. When it comes to the wide world of Instagram, however, it can be hard to know which beauty accounts to follow for all the latest in hair and makeup updates. We've rounded up five of our favorite beauty-related Instagram accounts based on what you're looking for, so you can start double-tapping your newfound beauty inspiration. 

1. If you love nail art...

 

@yoamo305 #handpainted #gelnail by #MiMi @nailsbymii #nailart #vanityprojects

A photo posted by Vanity Projects (@vanityprojects) on

Nov 11, 2014 at 1:04pm PST

If you repaint your nails every other day (chips are not acceptable), then you should definitely be following @vanityprojects for daily manicure inspiration. The Instagram account is run by a nail salon in New York City and features real-life clients' manicures. Whether you're looking for something classic and simple or something a little more out there (think Pokémon and gems!), then @vanityprojects won't disappoint.

2. If you're looking for one-on-one beauty tips...

 

Skincare I packed for five days in California... Relatively light packing for me!

A photo posted by Eva Chen (@evachen212) on

Nov 11, 2014 at 9:01am PST

You would think that the editor-in-chief of Lucky Magazine wouldn't have time to respond to comments on her Instagram posts, but Eva Chen does just that! Her personal account, @evachen212, is full of pics of makeup and skincare products, celebrity encounters and plenty of shots of Eva looking impossibly fashionable while roaming the streets of New York. The best part? Ask her for product recommendations in the comments, or send a question on how to use a product she's pictured—she'll respond! Gorgeous pics and fashion and beauty advice from an editor-in-chief? Automatic follow!

3. If you're looking for makeup inspiration...

 

My make up essentials. Filmed yesterday...and now sitting in my editing queue. #holdtight #busypixies

A photo posted by Sam Chapman (@pixiwoos) on

Sep 9, 2014 at 3:37am PDT

You've probably know who Samantha Chapman is, even if you don't recognize the name. She's one half of the sister duo that makes up the Pixiwoo YouTube channel, a channel devoted to in-depth makeup tutorials from Sam and her sister Nic. Sam is also the mastermind behind the Real Techniques makeup brushes, which are (finally!) available in the US. Sam's Instagram account, @pixiwoos, documents her everyday life but also provides sneak peaks into her YouTube filming setup as well as her day-to-day looks, which range from fresh-faced to full-on glam, perfect for when you need a bit of makeup inspiration.

4. If you want to know what it's like to be a beauty editor...

A photo posted by amandaelser (@amandaelser) on Sep 9, 2014 at 3:15pm PDT

As soon as we heard Seventeen beauty editor Amanda Elser speak on a panel at this past summer's Her Campus National Intercollegiette Conference, we hopped on Instagram to follow her. Even if you're not contemplating a career as a beauty editor, @amandaelser is full of sneak peaks into a true beauty lover's life. There are pics from inside the Seventeen beauty closet, shots of Amanda with celebs at cover shoots and even a glimpse at this beauty editor's impressive personal nail polish collection. For a collegiette who loves beauty (and may even want to make a career out of it one day!), it doesn't get any better.

5. If you love trying out new hairstyles...

 

#ripost @nicolerichie and @andylecompte #hairtalk #BTS #candidlynicole

A photo posted by andylecomptesalon (@andylecomptesalon) on

Apr 4, 2014 at 5:37pm PDT

If you're the kind of girl who changes her hair up every few months, then you need to be following @andylecomptesalon. The Andy LeCompte Salon in West Hollywood is where all the hottest stars go to have their hair done, from Megan Fox and Nicole Richie to Mila Kunis and Lorde. The salon's account is filled with red carpet pics of celebs rocking the salon's styles, and is perfect for some new 'do inspiration as well as a healthy dose of celeb news. 

These five Instagram accounts cover all the bases for any beauty lover, and will keep you up to date on all the latest trends. Whether you're looking for an inside peak into the life of beauty pros or simply searching for some inspiration to pull you out of a makeup rut, Instagram is chock full of creative and endlessly talented people to help satisfy your beauty cravings.

Ready, set, follow!

When it comes to at-home nail care, sometimes our collegiette budget only allows us to do the bare minimum by just throwing a fancy polish on our nails and calling it a day. If you prefer the DIY manis like us, we’re about to make your day! Here a few nail hacks you probably don’t know about. Feel free to share our secrets!

1. For split/cracked nails: tea bags

 
Broken nails are never fun. Luckily, there’s another solution to repairing broken nails that doesn’t involve cutting them off. We talked to Dr. Dana Stern, a board-certified dermatologist and nail specialist, about how to repair split nails, and she provided us with a simple hack involving tea bags.

“It’s called a poor woman’s silk wrap,” she says. “Empty a tea bag and cut out a patch of the bag to mend the split. Apply a layer of clear nail polish to the nail followed by the patch. Then apply two more layers of clear nail polish.” Sounds easy enough!

2. For graphic manicures: Scotch Tape

Despite what you’ve seen on Pinterest, you don’t need to be an artist to do seriously cool nail art. If you’ve ever wondered how some girls manage to get perfectly geometric nail art, the answer is simple: Scotch Tape. Just apply a piece of tape on your nail wherever you’d like to create a straight line, apply nail polish and strip away the tape while the polish is still wet. Be sure to wait until the paint is dry before adding any more tape to make lines!

3. For painterly nail art: toothpicks

Toothpicks can be used to create complex nail designs. A toothpick can turn any drop of nail polish into a mini work of art, be it animal prints or ombré dots.

An easy design for this hack is polka dots. To achieve this, just apply a base color to your nails. Then, take some nail polish of a different color and use the toothpick to make small dots over the base color. Apply as many dots as you’d like, then apply a topcoat when you’re finished.

4. For dry cuticles: olive oil

Sometimes we neglect our cuticles, only thinking about them when we’re spending money on a real manicure. We may think our cuticles are just things that hang out on our hand, but they’re actually there to protect our nail beds, so it’s important that they stay healthy. Luckily for us, making a cuticle oil of your own is as simple as taking a cup of olive oil and warming it up in the microwave for a few seconds. Once it’s warm, you can apply the oil with a paintbrush or your hands. This is an easy trick that will keep your nails in mint condition.

 
The next time you find yourself worried about breaking the bank for a manicure, just remember that some of the tools that you can use for an at-home manicure might be right in front of you!
 

Okay, so you've gone through the stages of dealing with your breakup. You’ve watched your favorite romantic comedies in your pajamas and tried to cheer up with wise words of women who have made it through the breakup black hole. You’ve taken up hobbies to take your mind off of things, and you feel like you’re getting close to getting over her. Now it’s time to figure out if you’re ready to be friends with your ex, which can be difficult to navigate. There’s the confusion of figuring out if you feel ready, figuring out if she feels ready and trying to avoid the inevitable post-breakup awkwardness.

But don’t stress! We, along with the creators of The Gay Women Channel, Adrianna DiLonardo and Sarah Rotella, are here to help. Their channel is filled with both hilarious and informative videos with dating advice, personal experiences and oh-so-relatable content on being a modern queer woman. So, before you hit send on the text that starts with, “I think we should try to be friends” and ends with a brunch invite, Sarah and Adrianna want you to ask yourself the following questions.

1. Are you both genuinely interested in being friends?

It’s natural to want to be around your ex after a breakup. After all, she was your person. But just because you enjoyed spending time together while you were a couple doesn’t mean you’re both interested in hanging out now that you’re not. Sarah and Adrianna point out that if either one of you is faking your platonic interest, the truth will come out—and it will only lead to someone getting hurt.

2. Are you reaching out because you’re bored, lonely or sexually frustrated?

These reasons are no-go’s when it comes to initiating contact with the ex. One of you will inevitably get upset if you reconnect for a reason that is fleeting. Plus, one of two things will happen. Likely, you’ll reach out expecting the support and intimacy you had before, only to be rejected and feel awful. Or, you’ll realize your mistake and increase the awkwardness by a factor of 10.

3. Did you have a messy breakup?

All breakups are hard and complicated, and they don’t always happen for a clear reason. Be cautious, though, if your relationship ended in a particularly turbulent fashion. If either of you cheated, for example, it’s probably best not to pursue a friendship. Likewise, if there was a major lie or betrayal contributing to the breakup, that’s a clear sign that post-breakup friendship could be tricky.

As far as messy breakups go, Sarah and Adrianna agree that “being friends is probably not gonna happen.” You may say you’re over it and she may say she’s over it, but chances are, one or both of you isn't being entirely honest with yourselves. It’s a mistake to push those feelings away, because in all likelihood they will resurface. You’re better off letting her go.

4. Does any part of you want to get back together?

This one is pretty key, so be honest with yourself. If you’re still holding a torch for your ex, you’re not ready to be friends—especially if your relationship was serious. Sarah and Adrianna agree that if either of you is still interested romantically in the other, a friendship probably isn’t possible. "One of you will always want more,” they say.

Why put yourself through that? It’s like having a crush on your straight best friend and wishing she would notice you—except this is way worse because this best friend was in love with you at one point. This goes both ways, so make sure your ex isn’t harboring feelings for you. It’s not fair to her, and it won’t end well for you either.

5. Are you emotionally prepared to see her with someone else?

There’s a big difference between seeing pictures of your ex looking happy with her new girlfriend on Facebook and having to see them together and talk to them at parties. This one is probably the toughest to deal with. If you’re struggling to figure out the answer, you’re probably not ready.

If you feel good about your answers to these questions and are aware of the warning signs, it’s definitely possible to become friends. However, one of the biggest signs of whether a friendship is possible is whether the breakup was mutual. If both of you felt like the relationship just wasn’t working and you’re interested in being friends, do it. The best strategy is just to be honest about your feelings and respect her feelings if she’s not interested in a friendship. 

Every girl's closet is a treasure chest full of amazing steals, one-of-a-kind pieces and of course, those staples and signature pieces! We caught up with a few collegiettes who gave us the scoop on their one can't-live-without item, so check out what they had to say!

Falon, a sophomore at Boston University
Sam Edelman studded ankle booties (similar, $66.33, ASOS)

"I've had them for probably about five years and they're still hanging in there! (With minor repairs such as heel replacements). These shoes are incredibly comfortable and unique! In addition to this, they are easy to pair with any outfit, casual or a bit more dressed up!"

Judith, a senior at Barnard College
H&M black skinny jeans (similar, $19.95, H&M)

"I love them so much because they go with everything and they’re flattering on my body type since I’m short. In these, I’m not swimming in fabric!"

Morgan, a junior at Syracuse University
Fur infinity scarf (similar, $75, Piperlime)

"I can't live without my fur infinity scarf. As a student at Syracuse University, the winter here is especially unbearable. My fur infinity scarf makes it a lot more bearable while staying fashionable at the same time! It makes any outfit more trendy."

Anna, a senior at Northeastern University
Leather J.Crew flats ($89.50, J.Crew)

"I don't know what I'd do without these. I've gone through multiple pairs of this shoe and I wear them everywhere –when I'm traveling, to work, to class, you name it! They're also really comfortable and easy to back since they're flexible."

Sydney, a senior at Washington University in St. Louis
Long, cozy cardigans ($128, Urban Outfitters)

"I absolutely CANNOT live without my long, cozy cardigans. I throw them on top of anything as an extra layer, not to mention they look cute and effortless with leggings and boots."

Samantha, a graduate student at Boston University
Ugg slippers ($110, Bloomingdales)

"I love coming home and slipping right into these! It's getting colder here in Boston so they feel extra cozy lately!"

Do you share any closet staples with these collegiettes? Let us know the one item in your closet you just can't go without!

Uh-oh! Have you broken a guy’s heart—without even knowing it? In the past, you may have accidentally sent sexy signals to some unlucky dude, when you actually weren’t interested in moving him out of the friend zone. Her Campus talked to college guys, and they had stellar advice for what not to do. Next time, you’ll be able to catch yourself when you’re giving off the wrong signs.

1. You Touch Him a Little too Much

You’re chilling with your guy pal and you playfully slap him on the thigh because of some crude remark he made. But that good-humored thigh slap can have implications you weren’t even aware of.

“I was at this party and this girl was very touchy-feely,” says Logan McCann, a junior at Central Michigan University. “And [then] she randomly ducked out.”

Collegiettes, this is a big, fat no-no. If you’re not hooked on a dude, physical contact is off-limits. Touching him in any way (even a little arm punch!) will definitely give him the idea that you’re attracted to him. Of course, tapping him on the shoulder to get his attention is okay, but anything past that will send him the wrong signal. That rule that you learned in kindergarten about keeping your hands to yourself still applies in this case.

2. You Make too Much Eye Contact

You know that hot guy in your class whom you can’t help but sneak a peek at every... oh, three seconds? And you laugh extra loud at those cutting comments he makes in class. Those are surefire signals that you’re interested—so don’t bust the same moves on a guy friend.

“Girls who I thought were interested would give me a lot of eye contact, and be more into the conversation,” says Anthony Smith, a recent graduate of Central Michigan University. “It gave me the wrong idea.”

This isn’t to say that you should avert a guy’s gaze at all costs, just don’t ogle him incessantly. Staring at him will make him think you want him. You gape at Channing Tatum during Magic Mike, so why wouldn’t he think that? Don’t give him the flirty eye (you know what look we’re talking about—that seductive, “come hither,” sexy, sleepy gaze), and try not to act overly absorbed in all he has to say.

3. You Laugh at Everything He Says

Oh man, this dude is too funny! We all have that guy pal who needs to go into stand-up comedy ASAP. You may not know, though, that laughing a little too hard at his jokes could send him the wrong message.

“Laughing at a lot of things I say is definitely a way girls have led me on before,” says Ben Lambert, a junior at Michigan State University.

Even if he’s hilarious, you might give a guy the wrong idea if you can’t stop ROFL-ing when he’s around. If dating this dude is not on your mind, try to tone down the cute giggling a bit. After all, laughing at a guy’s jokes will give him a serious ego boost: he’s naturally going to think you’re into him if you’re into his puns.

4. You Always Initiate Conversation and Hanging Out

Asking if he wants to catch up on the latest Will Smith action flick is fine, friendly thing to do, but when you’re always the one to ask? He may jump to conclusions.

“She would always text me first,” says Ryan Swindlehurst, a junior at Central Michigan University of a girl he thought was into him. “One day, it just stopped.”

Texting a guy pal is totally normal, but constantly being the first to do so may give him the impression that you want to take it to the next level. Don’t make the first move every time—if you’re the one always asking to chill, take a break! If he’s as into the friendship as you are, he’ll take turns with you.

5. You Dance With Him for too Many Songs

You’re on the dance floor, and man, are you on fire! Plus, you’ve found a great guy to stomp to the beats with. Just remember that if you’ve dubbed him your permanent dance partner, he’s probably going to think you want him.

“She’d dance with me all night,” says Vernon Benjamin, a junior at Central Michigan University of a collegiette who led him on. “[I got] her number, she’d text me and then all of a sudden she’d stop.”

We all know how fun dancing with a dude is. But make sure you don’t do it too much when his heart’s on the line. Dancing with him for jam after jam just makes him think that you’re interested, especially when slow songs are included in the mix. Collegiettes, be sure to make the rounds! There are plenty of dance partners out there.

Having a guy friend is fabulous, but ladies, it’s important not to forget that you’re a dime and he’s human. Avoid these five moves like the plague—you don’t want him thinking you’re interested if you’re totally not. Most of us have experienced the short end of the stick (ugh! Guys have such issues committing), and it’s certainly not warm and fuzzy. So once in a while, take a minute to reflect on how you’ve been treating your male companion. After all, accidentally sending sexy signs could ruin your friendship.

You and your SO start off doing everything right: going to the best restaurants, picnicking in the park and hitting up local concerts. But it’s not long before you get a little too comfortable with each other. If you’ve started spend most of your quality time together in front of the television, you might be stuck in a dating rut.

But maybe it’s not so bad. Even the most adventurous couples deserve a relaxing night in from time to time, right? A cozy dorm room date gives you a perfect chance to cuddle and unwind from all the stresses of college life. However, that doesn’t mean that you have to settle for a drab love life. The next time you and your SO opt out of that candlelit dinner for a night of takeout and Netflix, get creative with it! Try out one of these ideas for turning your tiny space into a romantic getaway.

1. Build a blanket fort

Remember how awesome blanket forts were when you were a kid? Unleash your imagination with this childhood favorite all grown up.

A blanket fort can up the intimacy of a movie night by bringing you and your SO even closer together (literally). Plus, all of the fabrics and dim lighting can create a dreamy ambience. You can surprise your SO with this romantic gesture or build it together for a fun challenge.

This is going to take some creativity, especially if you’re trying to build one with the limited materials in your dorm room. You can use your sheets and comforter for most of the fort, but don’t limit yourself. Do you have any extra scarves? Try stretching them out to make a roof or draping them over the entrance of your fort.

To connect the fabrics, try some unconventional fasteners, like hairbands and binder clips. If you have a mattress topper, you can move that to the ground or just layer blankets to create cushions. There’s no one right way to make a blanket fort, so let your unique space and tools inspire you!

2. Dinner and a movie — with a themed twist

Maybe you and your SO want to keep things simple. Try picking out a movie ahead of time and having a theme night. If you’re watching a cheesy rom-com, have an indoor picnic with fruit, chocolate and finger sandwiches. Watching your favorite anime show? Get sushi takeout!

A theme will make your movie night feel like less of a lazy date and more like a full-blown event. If you can’t think of a theme that fits your movie just right, have a movie theater night in your room. Get boxes of candies, pop some movie-theater-style popcorn and dim the lights. Don’t forget to put your phones on silent!

If ordering takeout doesn’t fit into your budget, try making some simple snacks in your dorm. Preparing food with your SO can make the evening even more playful and romantic.

3. Have a game night

Having a game night is great way to have some fun and spark friendly competition between you and your SO. You can go the traditional route with classic board games like The Game of Life and Battleship. Or, get a little flirtier with some great couples’ games like I’ve Never… and Battle of the Sexes.

If one of you has a game console, playing video games is another fantastic option. Games like Mario Kart, Wii Sports and even Call of Duty will up the energy of your date and make the sparks fly.

Whether you choose board games or video games, this date idea is super fun and gives you a chance to see how your SO acts when the heat is on. Don’t forget—winner gets a back massage!

4. Learn something together

Push some of your furniture to the sides of the room, put on big band music and learn how to swing dance. Or dougie. Or footloose. Find an instructional YouTube video and try to master a dance together in your room. The small space will make things interesting and extra adorable because you’ll have to stay close and help each other learn. Plus, when you’re done, you’ll have new moves to show off at your BFF’s next party.

Looking for something a little more relaxing? Learn how to make cute origami animals together. Or learn how to make a tastynew dessert. The possibilities are practically endless. You can use this as an opportunity to learn more about your SO by finding out what little skill you’d both love to learn.

5. Quiz each other

Pull out your laptop and take some online quizzes. These can be anything from serious personality tests to sillier BuzzFeed quizzes or a mixture of both! Figuring out how you’re similar and different (no matter how goofy the results are) is insightful and a lot of fun. There are tons of great quizzes to take online, so have some fun digging! You never know what you might find (and find out).

6. Indulge in your nostalgia

So maybe you liked some embarrassing stuff when you were younger. Maybe you still like some embarrassing stuff. Odds are your SO does too, and now you can use all of those dirty little secrets to make your dorm room date even more adorable.

Pick out a few of your favorite cartoons or childhood movies and take turns laughing at what you liked back in the day. Or, go on a YouTube marathon, watching old music videos or funny clips you used to love.

7. Make it fancy

Okay, so maybe dinner by candlelight isn’t the best idea when you live in a dorm, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make your dorm room date classy! Start by making a yummy meal for your SO as a surprise. Don’t forget to set the mood with some smooth jazz or classical music, dim lighting and a tablecloth (if you can find one).

This date is going to be over the top, so have fun with it — tell your SO to dress up a bit and do the same. For extra romance, buy a bottle of wine and have a “spa night” after dinner where you take turns showing off your massage techniques.

Don’t let your tiny space intimidate you! Whether you’re out of ideas, tired or just trying to save some cash, these fun and simple twists on the classic college movie night are great ways to create a memorable dorm room date.

Do you have any other dorm room date ideas? Let us know in the comment section!

Your birthday is probably the only day of the year when it's acceptable for you to be self-centered. Family and friends will come together to celebrate your big day, and they'll shower you with gifts. However, if you were born during last few months of the year, your birthday aspirations usually fall flat, and the occasion can quickly turn into a suckfest. Here's why: 

1. When your friends and practically the whole grade had their licenses, you still had to be chauffeured around by Mom or Dad.

By the time you got your license, everyone in your grade could already drive. It was a big deal when that kid whose birthday is in January got his license, but by the time you did, no one really cared anymore. 

2. When all of your friends are celebrating turning 21, you're still 20, and thus, you're left behind.

If you thought that left-out feeling you got when everyone could drive was bad, then being among the last to turn 21 is death. All of your friends are comparing their new, mature-looking photos on their new licenses while you're still staring at that awkward DMV photo you took back in high school.

3. You can never throw an outdoor birthday party.

Any hopes of having an outdoor party are gone by October. Picnics, barbeques and pool parties are completely out of the question. You're pretty much limited to throwing a bash indoors, where fun clearly has its limits.

4. Half of the people you invite to your indoor party can't come because they're with family for the holidays.

If your party falls even within two weeks of a big holiday, expect half of your guests to be busy with family. You end up having to reschedule for January, and by that time, everyone has forgotten why there's a party in the first place.

5. Or they can't come because finals are happening and everyone is studying.

If your birthday falls around finals week, you can forget about celebrating on the exact day. In fact, you should probably be studying yourself; there's always the likelihood you have a final the day of or after your birthday.

6. Relatives try to pass your birthday present off as a holiday present.

If your birthday is in December, there have probably been many occasions when a relative would hand you a birthday present that doubled as your Christmas present. If your birthday was in March, like your brother's, you definitely would have received two separate gifts like he did. Not cool.

7. You want to wear something fancy and flirty when you go out on your birthday with your friends, but it's freezing out.

Anyone with a summer birthday has it so easy; they can wear whatever they want without having to work around the weather. By November or December, it's usually under 50 degrees, and your options are to either dress sensibly or have your toes and limbs freeze the moment you leave your home.

In case you couldn't make it out to the third stop of College Fashion Week 2014 in Chicago (or just want to relive the fabulousness), we've got the inside scoop on what you missed! The spectacular event, held on October 18th at Revel Downtown, 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!

Is it ever too early to start looking into internship opportunities? Definitely not! Internships are great for all students, not just college undergraduates. They teach students about the field they’re entering, give students great networking opportunities and in many cases even help students pick a college major. But what are pre-collegiette internships all about, and where do you even get one?

HC got the scoop on some great places to look into for high school internships. From organizations like NASA to the New-York Historical Society, there are plenty of places to get professional experience before college.

1. New-York Historical Society

The New-York Historical Society’s Student Historian program serves students in 10^th, 11^th and 12^th grade to immerse them in jobs in public history. The program seeks to train students in public speaking, leadership skills and understanding of United States history.

This program is perfect for students interested in history who want to learn more about the inner workings of museums, archive rooms and teaching materials within the discipline. It gives students considering a college major in history the opportunity to understand what it takes to put that degree to use and to translate the skills and knowledge gained in a classroom to use in the professional world. To learn more about the Student Historian program as well as other programs the New-York Historical Society offers, visit their website here.

2. South Middlesex Opportunity Council

The South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC), an organization located in Framingham, Massachusetts, seeks to “improve the quality of life of low-income and disadvantaged individuals and families by advocating for their needs and rights,” according to their website, which makes it the perfect place for those interested in social justice and activism to intern as a high school student.

The SMOC offers internships in many different areas, including behavior health, administration, nutrition services, childcare, anti-violence advocacy and homelessness. To learn more about the specific programs they offer, take a look at their listing.

SMOC has internships perfect for the future civil servant: someone who wants to teach, work in public administration, work in human services or advocate for others less fortunate than themselves.

To apply for one of SMOC’s internships, visit their hiring page.

3. Microsoft

In Microsoft’s high school internship program, students will learn a lot about the world of computer science and programming. Microsoft internships are geared toward STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) students, so if you were thinking of pursuing a degree in one of those fields, Microsoft is the place for you!

Students applying to Microsoft’s high school internship program should:

• Have a working knowledge of HTML
• Be comfortable using email and Microsoft Office
• Live in the Washington state area
• Be willing to work 40 hours per week
• Be able to provide a resume and letter of recommendation

It’s never too early to start learning about computer science and programming, and interning with Microsoft is a great way to get a leg up on your college studies. Plus, getting to know people at Bill Gates’ company doesn’t sound half bad, are we right?

To learn more about internships at Microsoft, take a look at their webpage.

4. Google

Google’s Computer Science Summer Institute, a program designed for students following their senior year, seeks to introduce future computer engineers into the professional world, help them learn more about computer science and set them on the right track to networking within the field. That all sounds pretty good to us!

Applicants should be intending to go to a four-year college located in the U.S. or Canada, be majoring in a computer science field of study and demonstrate a passion for computer science. To find out more about applying, visit Google’s website.

5. NASA

Like Microsoft, NASA’s internship program primarily serves STEM students. To be considered for NASA’s high school program, students need to fulfill the following conditions:

1. Have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
2. Be 16 or older at the time when the internship starts
3. Be a U.S. citizen

NASA’s internship is definitely best suited for all of you science students with an interest in Earth and space science as well as computer science. This real-world application of your already existing skill sets as well as skills you will learn during the program will give you an advantage while pursuing a natural sciences and/or computer science degree by the time college rolls around!

To apply for this internship or learn more, you can visit NASA’s website.

6. The Constitutional Rights Foundation

According to its website, The Constitutional Rights Foundation (CRF) “seeks to instill in our nation's youth a deeper understanding of citizenship through values expressed in our Constitution and its Bill of Rights and to educate young people to become active and responsible participants in our society.”

Through its Expanding Horizons Internship program, the CRF places many high schoolers in the Los Angeles area in internships with various organizations in the LA area—anything from law firms to nonprofits.

To be considered for an internship via CRF, students should do the following:

1. Fill out the application
2. Submit a transcript and two letters of recommendation
3. Provide proof of participation in Free/Reduced Meals Program
4. Write an essay
5. Complete interviews

CRF’s program is awesome because it helps underserved students in urban areas get internship experience before heading to college, helping them to stand out during the admissions process. It also gives students with all sorts of academic interests a chance to explore different careers—there is no single subject CRF caters to.

To learn more about CRF’s Expanding Horizons Internship program, visit their website.

7. The Smithsonian

Ah, the Smithsonian—this place has it all when it comes to internships, including opportunities in public administration, natural history and art history. If working in Washington, D.C., is up your alley, an internship at the Smithsonian would be a great fit for you.

While the Smithsonian offers an unbelievable amount of internship opportunities at all different times of the year, one thing stays the same: students need to be 14 years old to apply, and if they’re under the age of 18, they need signed parent/guardian permission.

It can be pretty intimidating to start poking around the Smithsonian internship website because of the pure volume of opportunities there. If you’re not sure where to begin (which, by the way, is totally fine), try using the “find” feature on your Internet browser for key words. If you still have no idea what you’re looking for, try applying to the General Smithsonian Internship Pool. This is for the student who doesn’t have a specific office or museum at the Smithsonian he or she would like to apply to, but has a general interest in interning at the Smithsonian.

To learn more about the Smithsonian and its vast array of internship opportunities, take a look at its internship website.

No matter where they are, high school internships can be a great way to figure out what you might want to do with your life and gain experience for your resume. Good luck, pre-collegiettes!

With family-oriented holidays just around the corner (and your grandparents asking you about who you’re dating), it’s a stressful time for collegiettes in serious relationships, especially those asking: “Is it time for my boyfriend to meet my parents yet?”

Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to tell you what exact time you should bring him home. However, there are some questions you can ask yourself to figure out whether a meeting with the parents is timely for your specific relationship. Dating experts and HC readers have weighed in below, and we’ve condensed this nerve-wracking issue into four questions you have to consider before bringing your boyfriend home!

1. How long have you been dating?

Before taking the next step of bringing your boyfriend home, you should think about how timely it would be within the context of your relationship. Marni Battista, the founder of Dating with Dignity, says couples usually enter the “safe zone of introduction” somewhere between the three-month and six-month mark. However, you’ll have to use your own judgment to determine when the two of you are comfortable and ready. Battista warns that bringing a boyfriend home too early in the relationship can scare him off, so be reasonable with your timing. As excited as you may be to show off the man in your life, Battista says, “take care not to invite him on that family cruise on your one-week anniversary.”

However, if there is a special occasion coming up, it can be acceptable for your boyfriend and your parents to cross paths a little earlier. “I waited a month to meet my boyfriend's parents, but with good reason,” says J’na Jefferson, a senior at Rider University. “A month after we started dating was his birthday, so since we were finished with school, I spent his birthday weekend with him and his family. They were very warm and inviting!”

2. How serious is the relationship?

Bringing a guy home shows that you take a genuine interest in him and plan to have a lasting relationship. Because this is such a meaningful gesture, you want to make sure you and your guy are on the same page. “Be sure you're both serious about your relationship and committed to each other,” Battista says. If you see a future with your guy (one that has potential to go beyond graduation) and he’s also in it for the long haul, don’t be afraid to take that next step.

“I've been with my boyfriend for over three years now, but I met his parents (and he met mine) pretty early on because we were pretty serious from the start,” says Shira Kipnees, a senior at Franklin & Marshall College. So the more invested you are in the relationship, the more appropriate it is to introduce your special guy to your parents.

One challenge of having a serious relationship in college is that you visit home less frequently—usually only during major holidays if you attend a school far away. This means that if you do decide to bring your boyfriend home, the first meeting will be during a significant event (possibly with a larger gathering of family members). Because of the added pressure, Battista says, “you're probably going to want to be pretty comfortable with him.” If you aren’t quite at that stage in your relationship but still want your boyfriend to meet your parents, Battista suggests bringing him home during a lower-pressure time, such as spring break or a long weekend.

3. Have your parents asked about him (or has he asked about your parents)?

While you may feel completely responsible for making the call on when your guy should meet your parents, remember that your parents and your guy are probably contemplating it, too. If you’re unsure whether it’s too soon for an introduction, gauge the situation by using their reactions. Battista agrees that if either your boyfriend or your parents has expressed interest in meeting the other, then it’s probably time to arrange a meeting. It’s natural to be curious about important people in a loved one’s life, so mutual interest (or even interest from one party) is a great reason to pop the parent question.

Instead of stressing the next time your parents ask about this mystery guy, be happy that they are interested in getting to know someone who is so important to you. And if it is your boyfriend who is doing the asking, dating coach Evan Marc Katz says that “any guy who feels strongly enough about you to meet your family should be allowed to meet your family.”

4. What does your gut tell you?

As the relationship becomes more serious and you integrate your boyfriend into your home life, it’s just a matter of time before he crosses paths with your family members. When your boyfriend turns into a major part of your future, it’s time for Mom and Dad to meet the special guy who's taking up so much of your calendar space.

Asiana Smith, a senior at Le Moyne College, encourages collegiettes to follow their instincts. “I think you truly know when the time is right and should do it then,” she says. While Asiana said it was a little weird to meet her boyfriend’s parents in an informal way (it was an unplanned encounter while she was at his house), she warns collegiettes about pushing for a premature introduction. “I feel you should never force meeting the parents because that just make the whole ordeal more difficult and probably [increase] the pressure put on your [significant other],” she says.

Katz says, “The bigger deal you make about this, the bigger deal it becomes.” In other words, it’s better to go with the flow of things and follow your instincts. If you feel compelled to bring it up, then go for it. If not, there’s plenty of time later in the relationship for formal introductions.

When in doubt, have a talk with your boyfriend about where the relationship is going and how quickly things are progressing. There’s no point in stressing over that awkward first meeting if the two of you don’t see eye-to-eye about your future together. If the two of you are ready to take the next step, then welcome the occasion warmly, because meeting each other’s parents is a huge milestone for your relationship. It may seem intimidating at first, but you’ll be so relieved when first impressions are out of the way. Plus, being on good terms with each other’s families can make your relationship even stronger. By the time the actual meeting rolls around, you’ll be wondering why you were even worried in the first place!

When Kendall Jenner announced on her Instagram that she was tapped to be the new face of Estée Lauder, we were anything but surprised. After all, she's proven to be a force to be reckoned with in the fashion world, having appeared in shows for Marc Jacobs, Chanel, Givenchy, Dolce & Gabbana... to name a few. We're totally impressed by her fashion prowess—but her beauty game is just as good, too. In honor of her amazing new position, we've put together Kendall's top beauty looks!

In honor of her debut, we have compiled a couple of our favorite beauty looks from Kendall Jenner.

1. Estée Lauder Photo Campaign

We can definitely see why Estée Lauder wanted Kendall to join the team—she looks absolutely stunning. Also, that subtle smoky eye? Phenomenal. 

2. 2014 Billboard Awards

Kendall is glowing and she looks so effortlessly perfect. The bronze shadow, defined lashes and nude gloss let her highlighted face do all of the talking. She definitely reminds us of a golden goddess, no?

3. Backstage at Diane von Furstenberg

Everything about this look is soft but still edgy. We love how the tousled curls frame her face, and the smoky eye is subtle yet sultry. And the pouty lips? They do little sister Kylie proud!

4. Cannes Film Festival

The berry-colored lips and pink-tinted eyeshadow help bring a rosy glow to Kendall's face—love!

5. American Music Awards

Can we take a moment to acknowledge how fierce Kendall looks here? Pairing the bold color with those super-long lashes is a little bit bombshell and a lot chic.

6. Fall/Winter 2014 Marc Jacobs Show

If Kendall can inspire big sister Kim to bleach her brows, then she's clearly a beauty trendsetter! Though we'll probably stick to our brows the way they are, thank you very much, please sign us up for those icy pink lips.

Kendall Jenner—we're expecting big things from you!
 

Senior year of high school seems so far away now. But thinking back, can you recall the hundreds of times parents, friends and peers asked you about what you were going to major in at college? Most of us answered back confidently with huge smiles on our faces. Sure, we might have been a bit naive back then, but we had the right idea—majors are supposed to make us feel excited and eager to learn.

When people ask you about your major today, do you still light up in the same way you did at the start of your college career? If your answer is a halfhearted nod or a varying form of hesitation, it might be time to reconsider your choice of major. Check out these four signs that your major just isn't right for you, and see what you can do about it! 

1. You're doing poorly in your major classes

Classes for your major aren't meant to make you pull all your hair out or worry yourself into knots. If you find yourself doing poorly in classes for your major, chances are your major might not be right for you. Prerequisites are early indicators about whether or not you've made the right choice. If you're already struggling before you hit your major classes, it's a sign that you might want to rethink your major.

As a lover of science, Jaya Powell came into Duke University three years ago wanting to be a neuroscience major. Unfortunately, neuroscience came with a lot of prerequisite courses in areas she wasn't very strong in.

"My first semester I barely passed chem, and would have failed calculus if it weren't for the curve," Jaya says. "On the other hand, I excelled in my other humanities courses."

Jaya realized early on that her initial major wasn't right for her, so she decided to switch to linguistics and has been happier ever since.

If you've made it past all of your prerequisites without incident, however, "Hallelujah Chorus" is probably playing in your head (choir and all), and life seems pretty good. Once you actually start taking major courses, however, you realize that you're struggling hardcore in the classes that you're supposed to be good at. What happened?

While the difficult material can be to blame, it's probably not the whole story. It's possible that you might just not be interested in the subject anymore. After all, you can still struggle in a class even if you're a good student.

"If a student is falling behind in the class’s work, it might indicate that he or she is not interested," says Nancy Leighton, program administrator of Peer Support Services at Queens College. "Students who do not like their major almost always do significantly poorer in their classes than those who like their majors. The reason is motivation."

According to Leighton, students who aren't motivated to work won't put as much effort into their classes, which may result in lower grades.

"It is like the saying, 'Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life,'" Leighton says. "This rings true even in undergrad. If you are majoring in something that excites you, you’ll be more inclined to go to class and learn about it and retain the information for the future."

Jaya has found that her tests aren't too strenuous anymore now that she's found the right major.

"For me, there's so much passion I have for my field it's almost scary!" Jaya says. "I'm excited for every assignment, and I even enjoy my midterms and finals because they give me a chance to demonstrate my knowledge."

Bad grades can indicate a lack of motivation, and a cure might be to simply find classes that genuinely interest you.

2. You're don't like going to class anymore

As the lecture continues on, your eyelids seem more determined than ever to stick together, and you're helpless against their willpower. Your eyelids don't seem aware of the fact that it's two in the afternoon, so you can't even use the early morning as an excuse for nodding off in class. You just can't seem to stay engaged with the material, even though you're supposed to be majoring in it. If you find yourself wanting to sleep through or skip class, it's a sign that you aren't studying what you actually want to study.

Megan Sweet, a junior at Michigan State University, started off pre-med, but as her classes got harder and harder, she found herself losing interest.

"I couldn't get myself to pay attention in the classes," Megan says. "I was taking a writing and acting class to get arts credits required by the university, and my attitude was completely different in those classes. I found myself excited about getting up and going to class."

Megan Sweet ended up switching her major a total of four times before sticking to one. Now that she's found her calling in television production and screenwriting, classes don't seem like such a chore for her anymore.

Before Elodie Jean-Phillippe, a junior at Duke University, made the switched from a biology major to a political science major, she also found that she wasn't really enjoying her classes.

"I would get jealous of my friends talking about their classes because even though they complained, they really did love it," Elodie says.

Choosing the right major can mean the difference between sleep-inducing classes and classes that you actually look forward to every week. Four years is a short time. Before you know it, college will already be over, so there's no time to waste sleeping through classes or wishing you could take something different. If you don't like going to your classes anymore, it might not be a bad idea to try something new.

3. You're more interested in your unrelated extracurricular activities

Is there something that you absolutely love to do outside of class and wish you could spend all day doing if you could? Whether you’re blogging, attending figure-drawing sessions or volunteering at a local organization, extracurricular activities are often overlooked as something people do just for fun, but these activities actually have the potential to turn into something more.

Rebecca Shinners, a recent graduate of Boston University, originally started out as a political science major at Tulane University and did well in her major classes. One of her extracurricular activities inspired her to take a completely new path.

"I think what made me realize I wanted to change majors is that I started writing for Her Campus in my free time, and I could just really see it turning into something that I did for the rest of my life," Shinners says. "When I transferred to BU, I went into the College of Communication, where they gave me a more practical look at advertising, PR and journalism, and I was able to find the best fit for me."

Rachel Cisto has a similar story. Now a senior, Rachel started at the University of Hartford as a physics major because she had liked going to Space Camp and joining her high school's robotics team. When she got to school, however, she ended up joining the Student Television Network.

"As I went through the semester, I realized I was enjoying the things I was doing for STN more than the things I was doing for my major," Rachel says. "Then, at the end of the semester, we went on a field trip to one of the local TV stations where some of our alumni work, and I had a ‘flashbulb moment’ where I realized what I wanted to do with my life. I emailed my adviser at 3 a.m. saying I needed to switch to journalism, and the rest is history!"

So pay attention to what you're really into, whether it's in the academic realm or not. Who knows? Maybe your favorite hobby will turn into an actual job somewhere down the line!

4. You picked your major because you wanted to please your parents

Whatever major you applied to college with seems to have just stuck. Maybe you were planning on switching it once you started attending college, but somehow you never got around to it. If you had a feeling that your initial choice of major might not have been the right fit, don't be afraid to explore your options.

Dylan Ebraheem, a senior at Montclair State University, originally applied to the school as a biology major not because he liked it, but because he wanted to please his parents. 

"I realized before September started that it just wasn't something I was in love with or could see myself doing," Dylan says. "So in August, I switched from bio to English."

However, after experiencing a difficult time in a professor's English class, Dylan felt disheartened, but then realized that he was just in the wrong field again.

"I remember the time I had gone to the Met in New York to see the Alexander McQueen exhibit," Dylan says. "I had been in awe and fell hopelessly in love with fashion. I switched to the fashion major and haven't looked back."

Dylan says his switch to a fashion major caused more doors to open for him than anything else before. Now with 10 internships under his belt, he has found his calling in fashion PR and social media—all because he did what felt right to him.

"It takes time, lots of thought and experimenting," Dylan says. "Sometimes you want to please others, but in the end you should only be making yourself happy in doing something that you genuinely care about."

What happens next?

Whether you've been having doubts about your choice of major or you recently had an epiphany that your major just isn't right for you, don't be afraid to do something about it, just like countless other college students have.

Leighton suggests speaking with a counselor about your concerns first. 

"The counselor could help [students] determine why they picked the major in the first place," Leighton says. "Oftentimes, students pick majors that they think will make them money, or their parents wanted them to. With the help of a counselor, students might be able to get to the root of their issues with the major and possibly explore their true interests in pursuit of a new major."

Of course, it's hard to pick one thing and stick with it, so it's also not a bad idea to open up your possibilities by taking classes in a number of areas instead of being limited by your major. Megan has firsthand experience with finding her passions through taking a wide variety of classes before settling down with one major.

"I came to the realization that I am here to further my education, and I should study something that I actually could see myself doing," Megan says. In addition, it's important to consider how many classes you have already taken for your major, as well as how many credits your new major will be.

"This could be an important exploration for students trying to graduate in four years, such as those who receive financial aid," Leighton says. "This could indicate to students how many more semesters they would need to graduate."

If you have considered all these issues and are set on changing majors, most schools are reasonable about allowing their students to make the switch.

"All it took was a trip to the registrar's office to change my major," Elodie says. "It was that simple: I filled out a form, and three days later, my major was changed."

And remember, while your major is certainly important, it isn't everything. Your major doesn't have to determine your final career path, because it's about experience, too.

"Although it is important to have some idea what you want to do after you graduate and develop a loose ‘path,’ the undergraduate major isn’t the be-all and end-all of your life goals," Leighton says. "Furthermore, graduate programs are becoming more and more necessary to even get a salary-paying job, so the undergraduate major is becoming less significant." 

So instead of becoming overly concerned about your career and forgetting to enjoy yourself in college, keep an open mind and try to find a major that you're truly passionate about! Remember, your choice of major isn't something that's written in stone. You might find that sometimes, the best things come from the most unexpected places. 

The cold has definitely set in by now, and leaving your dorm room without bundling up just isn’t an option anymore. As much as we love layering during the cooler months, sometimes, winter gear can get… a little drab. You rotate through the same three coats all season, and there are only so many ways you can wear those jeans!

So why not insert a little bit of fun into your wardrobe this season? We’ve teamed up with Sock It To Me, a company that consistently turns out the coolest, boldest socks, to give you the chance to win one of ten $50 shopping sprees to their site! Our favorites? These sushi-patterned ones that are kind of making us feel hungry, this winking kitty pair that speaks to our inner cat lady, and these adorable cupcake-printed knee-highs. Adding a little something quirky to those long winter days—even if you’re wearing these under boots!—lets you express your personality in a fun way. Wouldn’t you feel better about stepping out on a cold day knowing you’ve got baby manatees on your feet, after all?

Up your cold weather style game, now. Enter below for one of 10 chances to win a $50 Sock It To Me gift card!

After college, everybody disperses to all corners of the world for job opportunities, significant others, volunteer work and more. You might stay in your college town, but what if your closest friends move home, head to new cities or even go abroad?

Staying close with your college BFFs when you’re not living together and sharing the same experiences on campus can seem difficult, and suddenly the traditional methods of staying in touch—like phone calls and texting—just aren’t enough to maintain as tight of a bond as you once had.  But that’s no reason for you to lose the closeness you had with your besties! With a little extra effort and a touch of creativity, it’ll be just as if you were still spending late nights up in your dorm room together. We’re bringing you six fun ways to keep in touch with your friends after graduation!

1. Have phone dates

There’s nothing like a good old-fashioned phone call. Think about it—how many times have you phoned a friend in the past two weeks? Yep, that’s what we thought. If you have friends overseas, you can download apps such as Viber or Rebtel, which offer free calls over Wi-Fi to others who have the same app.

Of course, texting is also a perfectly valid way to keep in touch! A traditional group text can be great, but if you and your friends text throughout the day, the hundreds of notifications that come through all day can get annoying. Instead, have your friends download a messaging app such as GroupMe—you can choose to leave notifications on or turn them off, so you can check in whenever you’re free rather than have your phone buzzing every five minutes. The app also has its own set of fun emoticons, and you can even use it to create silly memes of your photos—and any photos that are shared are stored into an album in the app that you can look back on later. It gives you a much more interactive way of communicating with friends than normal texts do!

2. Use social media

You’re already on social media every day stalking your college ex checking in on what your friends are up to, so why not take advantage of what these sites have to offer? If you already love Snapchat, try using Instagram’s direct messaging tool to send select friends private Instagram shots that they can like or comment on. Or, use Facebook to create groups with your friends: Features like group chats, shared photo albums and event invites make it easy to notify all your friends at once.

3. Send snail mail

Snail mail has become a thing of the past in this technology-driven age. With the immediacy of text messages and emails, handwriting a letter that will take days to get to its destination seems too outdated. However, while sending something in the mail may not be the best way to get urgent information to your friends (like a promotion at work or a new boyfriend), there are a lot of fun things you can do with a piece of paper and a pen! Get a diary or scrapbook that can be passed between you and your friends and send it along every now and then for each of you to fill with photos or even rants about how much you miss each other.

If you’re not the type to be constantly mailing items back and forth, use special occasions as a reason to send your friends a little something. During the holidays, for example, arrange a Secret Santa, where you each have a different friend to mail a gift to.

4. Write a joint blog

Want to write, but just don’t have the patience for letters? A great way to stay in contact with friends all over the world is to create a joint blog. It can serve as a private online diary of sorts between your besties, or, if you have a shared interest, you can put your talents together to create a public blog, like a fashion, cooking or travel blog. You can get started for free with tons of hosting services, such as Blogger (which connects to your Gmail account) or WordPress. Keeping a blog between friends is not only a great way to maintain your closeness, but it’s also an easy way to document memories that you can easily look back through later on!

5. Schedule meet-ups

If you’re feeling nostalgic for your college days, plan a trip to your alma mater! It can be during special events, like homecoming or around graduation (when schools will have tons of alumni events, networking opportunities and activities), or you can just go whenever it works with your schedules.

“Post-graduation, a few of my friends got an apartment in a big city close to where we went to college, and we planned a weekend where we would all travel to that city and stay,” says Katie Sieger, a recent graduate of St. Olaf College. “We all brought food and sleeping bags and had a great time hanging out and reminiscing!”

Your meet-ups can also be used as a chance to travel and explore new places together. Rachel Kossman, a 2011 graduate from Northeastern University, organizes a yearly reunion in a new city with her friends who are spread out across the country.

“This year, we're all headed to Louisville, Kentucky!” she says. “It's a unique city that none of us have ever been to. We're renting an Airbnb, a car, and will spend five days drinking bourbon and catching up. I can't wait!”

Even if you do live in the same city as your friends, getting together is often easier said than done when your work schedules conflict. Set aside time to make your friends a priority and schedule days to meet, whether it’s for a weekly dinner or a yoga class that you all go to together. And don’t be afraid to get adventurous, too! Just because you live nearby doesn’t mean you can’t travel somewhere together. Travel services like Contiki andSTA Travel are specifically aimed at young people; you can sign up for trips abroad where your entire itinerary is planned out, and the prices are budget-friendly, with collegiettes and recent grads in mind!

6. Share an activity

We’ve all read The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, and though that magical pair of jeans doesn’t actually exist in real life, you can still borrow the concept of sharing something among one another—and no, it doesn’t have to be an item that you mail back and forth to create memories with. Instead, share an activity with your friends! If there’s a book you’ve all been dying to read, start an informal book club where you can discuss your favorite parts via a chat app or Skype. Or, if The Bachelor is your shared guilty pleasure or you’re all obsessed with The Mindy Project, FaceTime, Skype or set up a Google Hangout while you watch the show together so you can settle down with a glass of wine and your BFFs.

They say that the friends you meet at college are the friends you make for life, so keeping those close relationships is incredibly important. With so many ways to stay in touch, all it takes is a little extra time and effort to keep those bonds of friendship going strong—and every time you see each other, you’ll pick up right where you left off, no matter how many miles are between you and your besties right now.

ICYMI, Solange Knowles had the most epic wedding that only Solange would have—yes, it involved party buses, Southern comfort food and a whole lot of dancing. While we're pretty upset that our wedding invitations apparently got lost in the mail, we're still going to take a moment to appreciate the younger Knowles' incredible wedding style.

Though she made tons of outfit changes throughout the day, one thing stayed consistent about Solange’s chic wedding day looks—they all had the same minimalist, sleek vibe that totally made them not your average wedding dresses. Our favorite? Solange’s Stephane Rolland jumpsuit and cape combination that she wore as she arrived at the wedding on a bicycle. Solange killed it in this unconventional wedding dress—and you can too—for daytime, that is! Below, we show you how to adopt her fashion-forward look into your daily wardrobe, or even for your next formal.

1. Champagne Taste Cape Blazer ($68 at Nasty Gal)

The best way to execute Solange’s wedding day look for everyday wear? Try the season’s trendiest jacket shape: The cape blazer! We like the sleek, crisp lines of this shape in an equally sophisticated white shade that can totally work for winter wear. Wear it with one of our jumpsuit picks below for a more dressed-up look, or dress it down with boyfriend jeans and a grey or black tee for a more casual vibe.

2. ASOS Jumpsuit With Clean Bandeau ($94.75 at ASOS)

For your next formal or dressy event, take a cue from Solange and try sleek white jumpsuit instead of a dress! We like the way the strapless silhouette makes this piece more polished and elegant. For a formal affair, pair it with simple pointed toe heels to let the minimalist silhouette stand out.

3. Boucle Overcoat ($62.90 at Forever 21)

If you’re looking to try out Solange’s look in a way that’s more winter-appropriate, try a white coat in a simple minimalist shape with clean lines, like this one from Forever 21. The wool-blend boucle texture means you’ll stay warm on your walk to class without having to sacrifice style. Its simple shape means it goes with all of your winter basics you already own, but we also love it with a pop of color underneath, such as a sweater in a maroon or a dusty pink color.

4. Jumpsuit ($59.95 at H&M)

To pull off Solange’s jumpsuit look for day, try a shape with long sleeves in a darker color like black or grey. We love the flattering wrap shape of this one from H&M, which can be dressed up with your favorite pair of heels and a sparkly clutch for night, or black flats and an oversize coat for day.

5. Monki Loose Tailored Pant ($56.85 at ASOS)

Love Solange’s minimalist vibe, but not feeling gutsy enough for a jumpsuit? Opt for a pair of sleek tailored pants instead! This silhouette goes with anything, but we love the look of continuing the sleek vibe on top with a leather jacket or blazer to keep the whole outfit looking polished!

6. Boxy V-Neck Surplice Top ($15.80 at Forever 21)

To make Solange’s V-neck cut on her jumpsuit work for day, try a simple white blouse with the same neckline shape! Pair with basic black skinny jeans for a silhouette that is simple and sophisticated, or even with a pair of tailored pants (like the ones listed above!) to get that super trendy matching separates look.

What did you think of Solange's wedding jumpsuit, collegiettes?

One of the best parts of Thanksgiving is getting to spend time with family members we may not get to see too often. However, with that reunion comes a few questions from them that we’d probably rather not answer. Here are a few questions we’re hoping to avoid at the family dinner table this year.

1. “So, have you done anything interesting lately?”

2. “How’s your love life?”

3. “What is it you plan on doing with your degree again?”

4. “Do you remember when you used to have a crush on your cousin Robbie?”

5. “Are you doing any studying at school, or just a whole lot of partying?”

6. “Whatever happened to that nice boy you brought to dinner last year?”

7. “What do you think of my cranberry sauce?”

8. “How’s that fitness regimen you started over the summer going?”

9. “Did you do something different to your hair?”

10. “Do you have any plans for after graduation yet?”

11. “How come you never come to visit me anymore?”

12. “Do you really think that new piercing looks professional?”

13. “Are you already on your second slice of pie?”

14. “Can I start expecting grandchildren any time soon?”