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We're Sending You on a Free Trip to New York Fashion Week!

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Does your heart flutter when you hear, “Laurent”? Are you the only person in your friend group who can properly pronounce “Rodarte”? Does your mind jump first to the fashion line when you hear someone mention “Public School”?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, you are going to want in on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We’ve partnered up with the bloggers and stylists behind NYC-based Wanderlust Girls to send one lucky collegiette on an unforgettable trip to the city for fashion week in February! You’ll score an invite to one of the season’s top shows—as in, the place to be (and be seen!) in the fashion industry. To enter, you’ve got to show us your personal style: Upload your chicest look to Instagram with the hashtag #SchoolStyleSweeps, and tag @wanderlustgirls. To qualify, you’ll also need to be following both @wanderlustgirls and @hercampus on Instagram! The collegiette with the best look will be headed to New York Fashion Week, but that’s not all—there’s a second place prize of a luxe designer it-bag, and third place will snag a beauty box full of essentials.

Get ready for your dream trip to NYC—and start uploading now, collegiettes! Winners will be selected January 1, 2015!


10 Comfy Outfits for the Day After Thanksgiving

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Ah, the day after Thanksgiving, when the only thing we'd like to do is stay in bed in our most oversized PJs while we sleep off that food coma. With family to spend time with and friends to catch up with, though, that isn't always a viable option—and we hate to be the bearer of bad news, but even after a feast like last night's, you still need to be able to get up and make yourself presentable. That's where we come in—no matter what your post-Thanksgiving Day activities are, we've put together outfits for every occasion that are as comfortable as your favorite sweats... but look a million times as cute and put together. 

1. Ice skating

Post Thanksgiving 7
 

Winter is the best time for ice skating. When you go, you want to be able to move around freely while still keeping warm. A pair a distressed boyfriend jeans won't rip when you fall on your butt on the ice and the palid bomber jacket will keep you from getting the chills on the ice without adding bulky layers. 

2. Lunch with hometown friends

Post Thanksgiving 9

 

SELECTED black tight
$12 - selected.com

 

 

Tory burch shoes
toryburch.com

 

 

H M scarve
$11 - hm.com

 

 

Thanksgiving break is a great time to meet up with old friends from high school who you haven't seen in a while. If you want to dress up a little without actually trying super hard, look for an oversized sweater dress like this one. Pair it with some tights and flats and you are good to go! 

3. Black Friday shopping

Post Thanksgiving 8
 

 

 

 

Barry M red lip makeup
$9.36 - princesspolly.com

 

 

Ah, Black Friday shopping. One of the craziest shopping days of the year calls for an outfit that you'll be able to comfortably wear all day when you're darting from store to store chasing bargains. Boyfriend jeans are a trendy way to wear denim when you don't feel like wearing skin-tight jeggings after your big Thanksgiving meal. Flats are also a must if you're going to tbe on your feet all day.

4. Baking cookies

Post Thanksgiving 1
 

If you're one of those people who gets into the Christmas spirit as soon as Thanksgiving is over, baking cookies is something fun you can to that doesn't involve a ton of money or effort. An oversized sweater and some leggings make for a fashionable and comfotable outfit that you can wear in the kitchen and to the market when you realize that you don't have enough eggs for the batter. 

5. Going to the movies

Post Thanksgiving 10
 

 

H&M pants
$285 - hm.com

 

 

Nike athletic shoes
$115 - office.co.uk

 

 

 

Ray Ban eyeglass
bluefly.com

 

 

Going to the movies has always been the go-to activity on days when you don't really know what to do. This movie-going outfit is super easy to throw on and run out the door. Leather joggers are the lazy girl's baggy alternative to leather leggings, and a graphic tee shirt adds personality to an otherwise pretty basic outfit. 

6. Watching football

Post Thanksgiving 2
 

Boohoo red dress
boohoo.com

 

 

Converse sneaker
converse.com

 

 

 

Football season just doesn't seem to end, right? If you end up watching football the day after Thanksgiving with your brother, your dad, your friends, or whoever else's idea it was to watch football, you'll look sporty chic in this sweatshit dress and leather Converse. The matching burgundy bow will add a little bit of girly-ness to this look.

7. Traveling

Post Thanksgiving 3
 

 

 

 

Ray-Ban black glasses
lanecrawford.com

 

 

Mono Authentic
vans.com

 

 

If you came a long way to celebrate Thanksgiving, the day after is most likely filled with trains, planes and automobiles to get back to school. This outfit featuring army green cargo sweatpants is the perfect outfit for hours of traveling. With an oversized striped shirt and slip on sneakers, you'll dress up the sweats enough to make them look like a fashionable part of your outfit as opposed to a sloppy pair of sweatpants. 

8. Leftovers party

Post Thanksgiving 5
 

Monki kimono cardigan
$56 - monki.com

 

 

Free People white t shirt
piperlime.gap.com

 

 

Topshop boyfriend jeans
$88 - nordstrom.com

 

 

 

Vince Camuto bib necklace
shoptheshoebox.com

 

 

What's the only thing better than one Thanksgiving dinner? Two Thanksgiving dinners! The day after Thanksgiving is the perfect time to indulge in those tons of leftovers you have. With your friends and family over to continue the feast, you'll look cute and casual in boyfriend jeans and a tee shirt dressed up with a glam necklace and some metallic flats. 

9. Drinks with girlfriends

Post Thanksgiving 6
 

 

VILA tall legging
$25 - vila.com

 

 

 

 

GlassesUSA black glasses
glassesusa.com

 

 

Going out to get drinks with girlfriends might be just what you need after spending the day with your sixteen closest family members. This outing calls for a chic outfit that's bar-ready, but still comfortable. The black leggings and oversized sweater look polished, yet they feel like cozy home clothes, and the hat will hide any messiness you just didn't feel like dealing with. 

10. Snuggling with your SO

Post Thanksgiving 4
 

Topshop t shirt
$40 - nordstrom.com

 

 

Topshop pants
$50 - nordstrom.com

 

 

 

 

Even though you'll be in your house snuggling and watching (probably) bad TV, you'll still want to look cute for your SO. This outfit is a trendier version of the usual sweatpants and hoodie you usually rock around the house. The pink cashmere socks add a little bit of luxe to the outfit as well as a fun pop of color. 

These cute and comfy outfits are the next best things to sporting PJs when you're going about your day today. For any activity you may have planned for the day after Thanksgiving, there's a comfy outfit that can be worn! What are you going to wear for your day-after-Thanksgiving plans?
 

8 Subtle Habits That Ruin Interviews (& How to Break Them!)

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Have you ever noticed that you twirl your hair or let your eyes roam during an interview? Trust us, we didn't know we were doing those things, either! The tricky part about habits is that you don't realize that you have them, but other people certainly notice that you do, no matter how small the habits may be. When it comes to stressful situations like interviews, these habits can become more pronounced and can be very distracting to the interviewer. It's even possible that your subtle interview habits are affecting your chances of landing your dream internship job.

Luckily, Her Campus is here to help you figure out whether or not you have any subtle interview habits and give you some tips for how to fix them!

1. Ignoring the security guard

Did you know that your interview often begins before you even step into the interviewer's office? You walk through the lobby, take the elevator and give the receptionist your name without a second thought, especially when your mind is so focused on the upcoming interview. You're also nervous and don't really pay attention to the people you're interacting with as you reach the destination of your interview.

Interview coach Barry Drexler says that this is a common first misstep.

"I tell students to be friendly to everyone within five miles of the company," Drexler says. "The first people I would ask about what they thought of a candidate would be the security guard and the receptionist, because that's when the candidate's guard is down." So it's important to be on your best behavior way before the interview actually starts!

2. Looking distracted in the reception area

Once you reach the reception area, it's also easy to think that it's the same as every other dentist office reception area—you sink into a chair and pull out a magazine or your phone while you wait for your name to be called. Though subtle, these actions can speak volumes and can sometimes determine how the rest of the interview will go.

"[When you're] sitting in a reception area, turn your phone off,” Drexler says. “Don't be fumbling with your phone, don't be reading a big magazine, because the person is going to come out from any direction in a moment's notice to shake your hand, and that's the first impression. If [the interviewer's] first impression is that of you turning off your phone and he's standing there with his hand extended, you're done."

To make the best first impression possible, don't slouch, fidget or be distracted by anything while you wait for your interview. Instead, sit upright, poised and ready to stand up at a moment's notice to greet the interviewer with a big smile and a firm handshake.

3. Avoiding eye contact

According to Drexler, the most important habit to avoid during an interview is eye roaming, or avoiding eye contact with the person to whom you’re talking. When you're feeling uncomfortable, it's common to find it difficult to sustain eye contact with the interviewer and instead let your eyes roam around the room. However, this conveys to the interviewer a lack of presence and that you’re not paying attention to what he or she is saying. "People need to be engaged and present and mindful," Drexler says. "The most important thing is to be engaged and show that you're an active listener."

By making eye contact regularly, you’ll be able to establish a connection and trust with the interviewer. However, it's also important not to stare and make the interviewer uncomfortable. "When the interviewer is talking or asking a question, you must look them straight in the eyes, don't look away at all, but don't stare... at their eyes in a strange glaring way; just be natural and let your face say that you're interested in what they are saying," Drexler says. "While you're 'answering questions' you should look away for a split second here and there to illustrate that you are thinking of something." To find that perfect amount of eye contact to maintain, try interviewing in front of a mirror and practicing making eye contact with your reflection.

4. Displaying nervous tics

Movies and television shows often show girls twirling and flipping their hair to get attention. Unfortunately, these habits will only warrant negative attention in an interview setting. Nervous tics such as playing with your hair, bouncing your leg and fidgeting are extremely distracting to the interviewer and display a lack of active listening, confidence and professionalism.

"Interviewers are looking at the superficial because they don't know you yet," says career coach Deborah Brown-Volkman. "If you're fidgeting, employers [will] think maybe you're not interested."

Wear your hair up and away from your face during interviews to avoid playing with your hair. To combat leg-bouncing, plant both of your feet firmly on the floor.

Other nervous habits you could have could be not being able to sit still, drumming your hands, twisting the cap to a water bottle or not knowing where to put your hands or arms.

The key to tackling nervous habits is confidence and self-affirmation. "I tell students that no one makes you feel nervous; it's impossible for someone to have that much control over your thoughts," Drexler says. "No one can intimidate you. No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. It's all in your own mind. You're making yourself nervous." By replacing those negative thoughts about not getting a job or internship with positive affirmations, you'll be on your way to acing your interview!

5. Projecting bad body language

What you say in an interview is as important as how you say it. Bad body language, such as slouching or being too stiff, takes away from your words. "You have to know how to use body language effectively," Drexler says. "When you make an important point, you [should] lean forward and become animated."

Brown-Volkman believes that how you carry yourself is the most important part of an interview. "The interviewer doesn't know you," she says. "All they know is what you say and how you say it, so the most important thing is to hold your head up high, be confident and be passionate, and that's sitting up straight, not slouching and fidgeting."

6. Speaking in a monotone voice

We've all had one of those professors before—the ones who read off their notes in a completely boring voice. "When you think of a college professor, the worst of the worst read from a speech and they're monotone and flat," Drexler says. "No one wants to listen to that. That's not effective communication."

The same concept applies to interviews. No interviewer wants to listen to someone answer questions in a way that reminds them of a past sleep-inducing professor. Instead, show interest by pausing, raising and lowering your voice when appropriate and using body language effectively. "These are subtle nonverbal cues that are critical," Drexler says.

Another common nervous habit is rushing out responses to interview questions. When you feel nervous, it's easy to start talking really fast. It's important to remember to take a deep breath and slow down so that the interviewer understands the points that you are making. On the same note, some people also tend to talk louder when they’re nervous. To fix this, take in a few deep breaths through your nose and loosen your jaw. Relaxing the muscles in your face and neck helps lower your speaking volume back to normal.

7. Being socially awkward

Yes, being socially awkward is a real thing, and it's more common than you think. Social awkwardness can come out when you're nervous, and it can manifest itself in many subtle ways, like mistiming a handshake or acting robotic. According to Drexler, college students have more of a tendency to be nervous than people with experience and often come across as very stiff during interviews. "They don't display their personalities; either they're afraid to, they're too nervous or they're not in the moment," he says. "They don't come across [as] real."

This habit often results from sticking too much by the book. "It's painful to watch. You sit there going, 'I know this person is a person, and I know they have a personality, I know they're fun, but I can't tell,'" Drexler says. "Oftentimes, if they break through and get hired, it's like they're a different person once they start working."

To display more of your personality during interviews, Drexler suggests not being so formal and instead turning the interview into a conversation. "The key is to make a connection with the interviewer. This is about finding common ground and for the candidate to show a genuine interest in what's being discussed... be personable, animated; show passion and confidence," Drexler says. "Sharing personal interests is fine; taking it too far is volunteering information that would hurt you as a candidate, or cursing."

8. Not smiling enough

There's always one person who everyone loves working with. Chances are she's really nice and friendly. These are qualities that you should definitely convey during your interview, which means that neutral or bored looks should not be a part of your facial expressions repertoire. Not looking happy enough or not smiling enough due to nerves is a problem to watch out for. It's important to have a personable, enthusiastic and bright facial expression.

"Smiling and being personable is so important because people want to work with someone they like, [someone] who's a good person, a nice person, and who's friendly," Drexler says. "College students come across so stiff that they don't seem friendly, even though they are."

When you're nervous, your facial expression may express that in a number of ways, and it's important to know what expression you tend to wear during interviews. If you look pleasant, the interviewer is more likely to think that you really want the job and are genuinely excited to interview about it. So put on that million-dollar smile and work your charm!

Breaking the habits

Habits are habits; they tend to be difficult to break. Nonetheless, with some work and dedication, any nervous habit can be stopped.

The starting point is self-awareness. "You can't fix something unless you're aware of it," Brown-Volkman says. Interviewers won't tell you if you're doing something wrong. And you may not be able to can't your nervous habits yourself. So to determine what nervous habits you may have, ask a close friend or family member to help you out. Maybe they'll be able to tell you right away what your usual habits are because they see it all the time and are usually pretty evident.

It's a good idea to role-play with a friend or family member acting as the interviewer. Your school's career center is also a great resource; most centers offer mock interviews for you to practice your skills and get professional feedback.

Ashley McDonald, a junior at Central Michigan University, learned the importance of preparation from past experience. "When I went in for an interview once, I came in feeling happy-go-lucky," she says. "I didn't prepare beforehand—I thought it would just come to me, essentially. I learned the hard way to always prep answers for interview questions well in advance."

So no matter how annoying your newly discovered habit is, or how long you've had it for, there is a way to fix it. "There's no question that a person can alleviate whatever nervous habit they have," Drexler says. "Anyone can learn anything, whatever it is. The difference is just how much work it's going to take." With some self-awareness and a lot of dedication, you'll be able to improve your interview habits and be that much closer to landing your perfect job!

Beauty Steals to Snap Up This Black Friday

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Thanksgiving is upon us, which means delicious feasts and spending quality time with family and friends. But don’t get too comfortable because as soon as the pie is gone and the guests leave it’ll be time for one of the biggest shopping days of the year… Black Friday.

We all know Black Friday is notorious for awesome deals and crazy sales, but the sales don’t stop there—Cyber Monday is just as fabulous. Now is the perfect opportunity to welcome some new beauty buys to your collection—below, our favorite beauty sales this Black Friday and Cyber Monday!

Bliss

Black Friday: 11/28 to 11/30

-Luxe Holiday Beauty Bag (a $150 value) FREE with $100 purchase; 20 percent off purchases including Bliss Holiday Gift Sets; free stocking stuffers: choose 4 deluxe samples with $100 purchase

Cyber Monday: 12/1

-Save an addition 40 percent on already value-priced pro-sized pump bottle of their best selling formulas

Bliss Fabulips Treatment Kit

Regularly: $45; Sale Price: $36

Urban Decay

Black Friday: 11/28

-Get the Ammo Palette, the Smoked Palette, and a deluxe sample of Perversion Mascara ALL for only $30; free shipping on all orders; UD Ultimate Hookup Contest: each order placed online will receive one card that contains a random prize ranging from $10 off your next purchase, to a grand prize trip to Orange County

Cyber Monday: 12/1

-Get the Electric Palette for only $35, score a bonus deluxe sample of the 24/7 Velvet Glide-On Eye Pencil in Black Velvet; free shipping on all orders; UD Ultimate Hookup Contest

Ammo Palette, Smoked Palette, and deluxe sample of Perversion Mascara

Regularly: $105; Sale Price: $30

John Masters Organics

Black Friday and Cyber Monday: 11/26 to 12/1

-25 percent off all natural beauty products site wide (offer code: holiday14)

Lavender and Avocado Intensive Conditioner, 7fl oz.

Regularly: $22; Sale Price: $16.50

 

Silk’n

Black Friday: 11/20 to 11/30

-20 percent off site wide (offer code: SILKYBLACK)

Silk'n Blue Acne Treatment

Regularly: $149; Sale Price: $119.20

Jane Iredale

Black Friday: 11/28 to 11/30

-30 percent off all Eye Steppes and My Steppes (offer code: BF2014)

Cyber Monday: 12/1 to 12/7

-Grab & Go (a $77 value) FREE with $150 purchase: includes Barely Rose PurePressed Blush, Candied Rose PureGloss, and Mini White Fan Brush (offer code: MYGIFT5)

Eye Steppes

Regularly: $56; Sale Price: $39.20

FragarenceNet.com

Cyber Monday: 12/1

-Returning customers will receive 15% off of their entire purchase (offer code: DCME5); new customers will receive 20% off of their entire purchase (offer code: EMLD2)

Daisy by Marc Jacobs

Regularly: $65.99; Sale Price (20% off): $52.79

Prepare for war, collegiettes: With sales like these, items will be gone before you know it!
 

5 Layered Outfits to Keep You Warm This Winter

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With its plummeting temperatures, slushy sidewalks and falling snow, winter can easily be one of the hardest seasons to dress for – especially without buying an entire wardrobe of new clothes. But don’t despair, collegiettes; you can deal with winter weather by layering, layering, layering! You can stay cozy in the season’s warmest outfits by mixing and matching your fall fashion staples. We’ll show you how to create chic layered outfits that don’t feel bulky—just toasty!

1. Date night out with your guy
 

Date Night

MANGO long sleeve top
$55 - mango.com

 

 

 

Love 21 clothing
forever21.com

 

 

Hue opaque tight
zappos.com

 

 

Winter dates can be a challenge to dress for – how do you rock a dress or skirt without also falling victim to the freezing temperatures and sidewalk slush? Layering is a winter-date-night game-changer! You can still look flirty and feminine in a lace-trim skirt while staying warm if you add layers on top and some opaque black tights on bottom.

Try a twist on the classic collared shirt layered underneath a sweater by topping it with a turtleneck silhouette instead! Add a pair of snow-friendly, thick-heeled Chelsea boots, which have the dressed-up silhouette of heels but will also keep you steady in slush, ice and whatever else the weather winter might throw at you on date night.

2. Chilly walks to class
 

Chilly Walks to Class

Comfy-chic layers are the key to surviving long walks to class in the morning – and they can seriously come in handy in classrooms when the heat is on full blast and the last thing you want is to be stuck in a heavy sweater with nothing underneath. We love the look of a simple gray cardigan peeking out from under an anorak jacket; it’s a totally effortless combo that still looks put-together for class. Stay chic and comfy by trying an update on your basic black leggings: Switch them out for ones with zipper details instead! For the walk to class, top your look off with a furry, black infinity scarf.

3. Weekend brunch with the girls
 

Weekend Brunch

Treasure Bond top
$71 - nordstrom.com

 

 

ASOS wool blend coat
$46 - asos.com

 

 

Lace trim cami
$11 - nastygal.com

 

 

 

 

Look effortlessly put together at your next Sunday brunch with chic layers that are as comfy as your PJs. It can be hard to take off those sweatpants and get dressed on a Sunday morning, so opt for gray joggers—look for them in a soft, sweatpant-esque fabric—and add layers on top. We like a lace cami underneath a denim chambray shirt to add a feminine touch to this laidback look. Add a sharp black coat with leather trim to top it all off and a beanie for extra warmth (or to hide messy Sunday-morning hair!).

4. Saturday afternoon ice-skating
 

Ice-Skating

Madewell red top
madewell.com

 

 

Forever 21 moto jacket
forever21.com

 

 

Faux fur vest
alygne.com

 

 

ASOS blue skinny jeans
$47 - asos.com

 

 

Wedge booties
modcloth.com

 

 

Leith slouchy beanie
$29 - nordstrom.com

 

Take the basic jeans-and-a-sweater weekend uniform to the next level by topping your favorite pair of skinnies with layers instead! Start with a boyfriend-style plaid shirt in classic red tones to look festive for your favorite winter weekend activities. If you’re headed off for a day of ice-skating with friends, update your leather jacket by topping it with a fun, furry vest, which adds a dose of chic to your weekend jeans. Headed off the ice for a hot chocolate break? Shearling booties look super cute, and the low wedge heel keeps them casual enough for the weekend.

5. Holiday party with the fam
 

Family Holiday Party

Clu ruffle top
shopbop.com

 

 

River Island collared shirt
$57 - riverisland.com

 

 

Charlotte Russe red skirt
charlotterusse.com

 

 

Forever 21 tight
forever21.com

 

 

Look festive and ready to celebrate in neutral, classic layers with a touch of holiday-appropriate red! Update the classic look of a collared shirt underneath a sweater by replacing the sweater with a sweatshirt. We love the checked flannel accents on this sweatshirt! Add a touch of festive sparkle with an embellished collar peeking out underneath, which looks chic and sweet for hanging with the fam, and a leather oxblood skater skirt paired with snuggly sweater tights on bottom. Voila! You’re ready to eat turkey, trim the tree or ring in the New Year in style.
 

Getting creative with layers is the best way to combat winter’s dreary, cold weather and to keep wearing some of your favorite fall pieces as the temperatures plummet. Do you have any other favorite ways to layer? Tell us in the comments!
 

9 Reasons Why Guacamole is Better Than a Boyfriend

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Boyfriends can be great. They're go-to cuddle buddies, they say cute things to you and they can reach things you'd normally need a stool to get. But at the end of the day, they're human, and they have the ability to let us down. And some boys exercise that ability frequently.

But there is something better than a boyfriend that will never let you down. Something savory, delicious and creamy, always ready to be spread or scooped onto the perfectly paired chip, burrito or taco. Something that is always available for your eating pleasure. Whether free or not, it is always an invaluable delicacy. Don't fear, for guacamole is here. And there are plenty of reasons why you should desire guac over a boyfriend any day.

1. Guacamole is always ready to spice up your day and put you in a good mood. 

It's never upset or annoyed or too busy for you. 

2. All of your friends already love guacamole.

You don't have to worry about gaining their approval, and you can all hang out without awkwardness.

3. Guac will never ignore you.

It always wants to be eaten and appreciated.

4. If you want to hang out with guacamole, you don't have to make plans. 

You're just a ripe avocado and a little seasoning away from happiness.

5. Guac won't cheat on you or talk to other girls.

It wants every last scoop to go to you, and only you.

6. You don't have to wear makeup, put on pants or even get out of bed to be with guacamole.

It wants to be with you no matter your state of appearance.

7. Guacamole is green, but never green with envy.

It won't ever get mad or jealous. The only jealous people will be the ones wishing they were eating your delicious guac.

8. Guacamole will never leave you.

And if you run out, there's always more love where that came from.

9. Guacamole never asks for anything.

You won't have to lift a finger for it. Just a deliciously paired tortilla chip.

We love you, guac.

DIY Beauty Treatments Made With Thanksgiving Leftovers

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Ahh, Thanksgiving break is here! A much-needed time of rest, relaxation and delicious food to get us prepared for final exams once we get back on campus. 

The best part is that the food-focused holiday doesn't have to end when the meal is over! There are so many awesome beauty benefits found in the ingredients of some our favorite Thanksgiving staples (turkey excluded). Once you're done stuffing your face, "treat yo self" to one of these fabulous DIY beauty treatments!

Cranberry Facial Mask

Full of skin-loving antioxidants, cranberries can prevent wrinkles, hide evidence of skin damage, make your skin look brighter and smoother and reduce redness. Use any leftover cranberries from Thanksgiving dinner to make this super easy two-ingredient mask from POPSUGAR Beauty.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup fresh cranberries
  • 1/2 cup warm water

Directions:

  1. Purée the cranberries in a blender, then strain. You will need the liquid from the berries for your mask, not the chunks of fruit!
  2. Combine the water and your DIY cranberry juice.
  3. Soak a washcloth or cotton pads in the mixture.
  4. Apply the saturated cloth or cotton pads to your face, avoiding the eye area.
  5. Kick back and rest for 15 minutes.
  6. Rinse with warm water and pat your skin dry.
  7. Follow up with a gentle toner and moisturizer.

Apple Hair Mask 

Give your dry locks some much-needed moisture and get rid of dandruff and flakes with this luscious-smelling hair mask recipe from Beautylish

Ingredients:

  • 1-2 large or 3-4 medium-sized apples
  • 2 tbsps. apple cider vinegar 
  • 1 tsp. lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp. corn flour 

Directions:

  1. Peel, core and grate the apples.
  2. Combine the grated apples with the rest of the ingredients, stirring well.
  3. Spread the mixture onto your dry, unwashed hair.
  4. Leave on your hair for 20 to 30 minutes.
  5. For best results, cover your hair with a shower cap followed by a towel. This will allow all of the ingredients to absorb properly, giving you maximum results. 
  6. Rinse off the mask with lukewarm water, and follow up with a mild shampoo, if desired.

Pumpkin Body Scrub

To exfoliate and nourish your dry skin, check out this pumpkin body scrub recipe from About Spas. Rich with vitamins and antioxidants, this recipe will leave your skin silky smooth. Look for organic versions of the following ingredients for extra benefits.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup puréed pumpkin
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 ttbsp. honey
  • 1 drop vanilla essential oil or a pinch of powdered cinnamon (optional)

Directions:

  1. Combine all ingredients together in clean bowl and mix together with a clean spoon.
  2. Draw a lukewarm bath and soak in it for 10-15 minutes, then pat your skin dry and drain the bath. You must apply the scurb to dry skin for it to work properly.
  3. Place a towel into your empty bathtub and sit on it. 
  4. Begin applying the scrub onto your body, one body part at a time. For example, start with your left lower leg and rub the scrub up and down.
  5. Once you're done exfoliating as much of your body as you desire, stand up gently and shake the sugar crystals out of the tub. 
  6. Stand up and shower off the remaining amount of body scrub left on your skin.
  7. After washing off the scrub completely, dry your skin with a warm towel and apply your favorite body cream.

Pumpkin Facial Scrub

Your complexion can benefit from the ingredients in pumpkin just as much as the rest of your body can. Since pumpkin is rich in zinc, it can help purify oily skin and acne. The enzymes found in pumpkin also help to naturally exfoliate the skin without the use of harsh particles. Check out this recipe from Naturally Curly designed for the precious skin on your face. 

Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsps. raw pumpkin (finely grated)
  • 1 egg white
  • 1 tsp. lemon juice
  • 1 tsp. tomato juice (or 1/2 tsp. tomato puree)

Directions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl, stirring well.
  2. Apply the mask in a thick layer over your cleansed face, avoiding the eye area.
  3. Leave on for 10 to 15 minutes, and then rinse off with lukewarm water.

Brown Sugar Hand Scrub

After whipping up the best fall desserts to have with your Thanksgiving meal, use the extra brown sugar to make this luxurious hand scrub. Our hands take such a toll during the winter months, so keep them soft and moisturized with this hand scrub recipe from Naturally Curly

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup coarse brown sugar
  • Baby oil, to moisturize and to help create a paste 

Directions:

  1. Mix the two ingredients together completely.
  2. Using a hand-washing motion, apply the mixture to your hands. 
  3. Continue the washing motion for a minute or two, and then rinse off with warm water.
  4. Pat hands dry and follow up with your favorite hand cream. 

Which of these DIY Thanksgiving-inspired beauty treatments will you try? Tell us in the comments!

 

Bellashoot: The App of Every Beauty Enthusiast's Dreams

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Fellow collegiettes and lovers of all things beauty, we may have just found the perfect app for you. It's called Bellashoot, and it's just been ranked one of the best new apps in the iTunes Lifestyle section. And we could not agree more!

If you're a beauty fanatic in the same way we are, you may frequently find yourself with an infinite amount of tabs dedicated to beauty open in your browser—a YouTube makeup tutorial, Twitter, a makeup artist's Instagram, Facebook, the beauty section on Pinterest—the list goes on and on.

Now imagine a place where you have access to all of your beauty-loving and social-networking needs. You're in for a treat, because that place finally exists.

Bellashoot is all of that in one. You may have heard of their website, which functions very similarly to Pinterest—except it's all things makeup, hair and nails. But now, Bellashoot is bringing that experience to the palm of your hand. Your tutorials, product reviews, beauty tips and inspiration looks are a one-stop, touch-of-a-finger deal now.

The app, available on iTunes for iPhone and iPad, allows you to sign in with either your Facebook, Twitter or GooglePlus account. There is also the option of making your own Bellashoot account and connecting it to your social media accounts.

I downloaded the app myself, and I have to say that it may just be the greatest thing to exist, ever. I began by creating my very own profile as a 'Beauty Enthusiast' (you can choose from beauty enthusiast, professional, brand or writer/blogger/vlogger.)

I had access to all of the things I would normally have all those tabs open for. The interface took me little to no time to understand, because it's really clean-looking and organized. I had instant, readable access to everything I could possibly be looking for. Apps with as much content as this one can often be really complicated, but this is by far is the simplest and easiest to get used to.

In short: no hassle and quick access. 

There are a wide array of categories to filter through—anything from bath & body to fragrances. There's even an 'Inner Beauty' category, which filters posts with tips on self confidence and inspiring quotes, and I think that's just as fabulous.

If you've ever had trouble finding that beauty tutorial you watched once on YouTube and need it now, the app makes it super easy to like and save posts you can always return to when you decide to try out those looks.

I also really like how you can also network and connect with other enthusiasts or professionals out there. You can follow other accounts and leave comments. It isn't an app that strictly feeds you information, but it allows you to become involved. It is not only limited to beauty professionals, but lovers of beauty in general. Bonding over makeup just may be the strongest type of love.

In addition, the built-in camera allows you to share your own looks and tips as well! So if you're looking to build your own platform, this may be a great place to start.

“Bellashoot's mission is to innovate and simplify the way women stay on top of the latest in beauty as she goes through her daily life,” Bellashoot's co-founder, Saje Sandhu says. “We see this social application as a necessary component to every women's beauty vanity and the first place she'll go to be inspired, learn about projects, ask questions and play with various beauty techniques. We are helping women experience beauty in a better way.”

I don't know about you, but I'm in love. This app will certainly be my go-to place for all things beauty!

Oh, and did we mention it's free? The beauty gods must be smiling upon us.

Have you tried Bellashoot? Let us know what you think, collegiettes! 


3 Standout LinkedIn Background Photos

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Having aLinkedIn profile is a necessity for us collegiettes. The go-to social media network for business-oriented professionals, LinkedIn is a crucial component of your career success, especially if you want to catch the eye of recruiters. Still, with more people signing up every day, how can you make sure that your profile stands out from the rest?

Thankfully, LinkedIn has rolled out a new feature on its site to all members that should help. Earlier this fall, background photos slowly became available to all users. Like Facebook, this cover photo is displayed in addition to your profile picture. The extra space offers a great chance to stand out!

Since the feature is so new, it can be hard to figure out where to start. That’s what we’re here for! HC talked to social identity and graphic design experts to bring you tips for how to maximize that header space and create a cover photo that truly shines.

Why your background photo is important

Your traditional profile picture can be kind of limiting; the best you can do is a professional headshot against a white background. With everyone following this same formula, you need something else to express your uniqueness. The background photo gives you a place to do that!

“It’s a way for you to add a personal touch to LinkedIn,” says Jeff Zelaya, social selling trainer and LinkedIn expert. “That cover picture really allows for a space to showcase your personality.”

What’s more, the cover photo is at the very top of your profile, so it’s going to be the first thing people see when they look at your profile. “It really is the first thing that jumps out at you on the page,” says freelance graphic designer Aalja Boyd. “Whatever you want people to know about you, this is the chance to visually say it.”

Your LinkedIn background photo is your visual elevator pitch. Here are three simple ideas for pictures that create a lasting impression.

1. Say a little bit about yourself

A great use of the header space is to focus on the most important aspects of your personal identity. “It’s good to include some imagery that brands the page in some way,” says Hugh Briss, a graphic designer and social identity specialist.

Boyd agrees, but suggests taking this idea a step further and using your cover photo not only to tell who you are, but to show where you want to be. “You should showcase your strengths to capture potential jobs,” Boyd says. Think of the kinds of activities that you excel in or the kind of work you would love to do, and decide on words that exemplify those things.

However, you don’t want to be too verbose—pick and choose your words carefully. “I would suggest you choose your top three strongest descriptors and merge those ideas into one single statement,” Boyd says. “Sometimes, less is more. Too much clutter is distracting. Choose your battles as to what would be the most important information to display. Remember, you only get one shot at a first impression.”

2. Say what you’re looking for

If you want to be a bit more proactive about finding work, use your cover photo to let people know that you’re on the hunt!

Zelaya says that having a call to action in your header space is a perfect idea for collegiettes in the job-seeking stage. “It lets people know how they can help you,” he says. For example, you could announce your availability with statements like, “Hi! I’m a marketing major graduating this year looking for opportunities,” or, “I’m looking for work, and I’m welcoming all invites! Here’s my email address.”

Since this message will appear at the top of your profile, it should be easy to read. However, that doesn’t mean it has to be bland/ “If you want to make a bold statement, use bold colors [and a] simple and clean font,” Boyd says.

Zelaya agrees that you shouldn’t be afraid of using colors in your cover photo. “It’s prominent,” he says. “That text will stand out, and when people land on your profile it’s really clear what you’re looking for.” Be explicit about what kind of prospects you’re seeking so that you can be connected to the right opportunities.

3. Showcase your skills or show yourself in action

Your cover photo is a great place to showcase any skills you might have. If you have little work experience, a picture of you using your skills is a great way to show that you’re qualified for the types of jobs you’re seeking.

“If you’ve spoken in front of a crowd and have a picture of that, use it,” Zelaya says. “It’s a great way to showcase some of your leadership skills or your communication skills.” If you have a picture of yourself winning that speech contest or leading a discussion on an important topic, showcase these in your cover photo to bring those skills to the forefront.

Remember, this is your chance to be creative! “Basically, you want to use this space as a small storyboard to tell a story,” Boyd says. “If you want to show you are fast-paced, blur an image to give it motion. This is where you want to tap into your creative freedom.”

Your background photo can be a space to show yourself in the midst of your work; these kinds of photos tend to stand out very well. “The best examples of ones I’ve seen have been a person and an action, like a long view of a photo where someone is on stage speaking, or showcasing their portfolio,” Zelaya says.

Find pictures from the time you presented your art in a gallery or when you collaborated with your robotics team to build an exciting new piece of technology. Show yourself doing something to get potential employers excited about what you can do for them.

We can’t do much within the square confines of our profile pictures. Your background photo is a unique chance to express yourself, so make sure you use it to its full advantage! This is your opportunity to add a touch of personality to the rest of your profile and show off what makes you the perfect candidate for the jobs you’re seeking. Figure out what you want to highlight about yourself, and keep these three things in mind when you pick the perfect background photo!

The Chicest Ways to Wear Plaid

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This season, if there's one print you need to have in your wardrobe, it's plaid. But there's more to the classic pattern than your standard flannel shirt—so we're serving up nine fun and unexpected plaid pieces that you can (and should!) incorporate into your look this winter.

1. Puffer Vest

J. Crew’s Buffalo Check Quilted Vest ($138) isn’t bulky but still guards you from the chilly weather. It’s perfect for layering and gives any outfit an outdoors-y feel—even if your version of camping is making s'mores in the microwave.

2. Jeans

These ASOS Ridley Skinny Ankle Grazer Jeans ($72.01) will add a bit of grunge to your ensemble with their super-skinny shape and ripped knee detail. Bonus: They’re made with stretch for optimal comfort and fit!

3. Coat

Chances are you already have a neutral coat that goes with everything, so why not invest in one that can make a statement all its own? This Good Times, Plaid Times Coat from ModCloth ($149.99) with a detachable faux-fur collar screams sophisticated Blair Waldorf and will add a vintage flair to any outfit.

4. Shoes

 

Slip-on sneakers are one of this fall’s must haves shoe sillhouettes. Plaid + sneakers = double trend alert! Try Forever 21’s Plaid Canvas Slip-Ons ($24.90) for an affordable option.

5. Skirt

Madewell is the plaid connoisseur. Their Shirttail Skirt ($98) is an adorable mini that's perfect to pair with sweaters, tights and boots. 

6. Scarf

Blanket scarves are a necessary layering piece that will carry you straight into winter. This one from Express ($24.95) is expertly oversized, so you can throw it over your shoulders or tuck it into your favorite coat.

7. Shorts

Shorts are a viable addition to your rotation even if you don’t live on the West Coast. Wear tights under Gap’s Wool Trouser Shorts ($49.95) for a seamless, transitional look.

8. Bag

Carry all your books in the Bessie Tote from Sole Society ($54.95). It even has a crossbody strap for hands-free toting.

9. Dress

Flannel shirts are popular for a reason, but take the classic up a notch with this Lucky Like a Lumberjack Flannel Shirt Dress from Lulu*s ($36). Oversized and flowy, this piece will offer maximum comfort and cuteness!

Well, collegiettes—are you convinced there’s more to plaid than flannel shirts? Which of these pieces is on your must list? How will you incorporate plaid into your wardrobe in unexpected ways? 

The 5 Friends Every Girl Needs After a Breakup

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Your relationship just ended and the only thing you feel up for is a sob fest, watching a chick flick and stuffing your face. Sadly, there’s no magic way to get over an ex instantly, but we all have some pretty great friends to get us on the road back to singlehood. Here are a few friends you need after a breakup!

1. The Friend Who Has Been There  

All of your friends feel for you and care about you, but sometimes you just need the reassurance that someone else has been there and knows exactly what you’re going through.  This friend has had a bad breakup, has made the recovery and even has some experience in recognizing what helped her get back on her feet. You saw her when she wore sweats for a couple of weeks, but you also know that she’s looking better than ever now.  She’ll empathize with all the sad details and exchange relationship horror stories to soothe your pain.  After a good chat with her, it’ll be easier to see that you aren’t alone!

2. The Best-Case-Scenario Friend

There is a 90 percent chance that this girl is called ditzy on a semi-regular basis, but who has ever heard of a better support system than a hypothetical bad fortuneteller for an ex-boyfriend?

“He’s probably sitting there regretting everything he did wrong,” she reassures you enthusiastically. “He probably hasn’t even looked at another girl.”

So maybe she doesn’t have a clue about the whereabouts of your ex, but her intricate storytelling skills are leading you to believe that she’s pretty damn sure of what she’s talking about. You can’t help but believe her, and you find yourself enthusiastically agreeing and picturing him being miserable without you. But that’s not all! This friend is also the psychic for your life, and according to her, something great is going to happen to you… soon!

3. The “Tells-it-Like-it-is” Friend  

Remember when the women of Sex and The City went through breakups (hard to miss—there were so many!)? Well, everyone needs a friend like Samantha.

She’s a bit over the top and she pulls off the most impractical outfits when you go out. It’s likely that she has never not had the upper hand in a relationship, and her confidence is unwavering, but that’s what makes her so believable. Sometimes she’s a bit too honest when it comes to giving you advice in these situations, but she’s like your big sister, and she tells it like it is. She’ll be the one to tell you point blank that you need to stop moping and move on with your life. In the end, her witty remarks about your ex and how you don’t need him will have you laughing and considering career options away from Professional Couch Potato.

4. The Life Coach

A couple of days have passed since your breakup, and you’re starting to show the carb overload on your newly single body. That’s when you know it’s time to enlist The Life Coach friend.

She’s the closest thing to a hippie on your college campus, and all her life mottos revolve around a healthy lifestyle and inner peace.  She’s always asking you to accompany her to the gym or a newly discovered thrift store.

When you’re going through a crisis, she kindly suggests some ways to get your life back on track, and somehow you listen to her, because, truthfully, she has always been the most put-together one of your friends.

Whether she’s offering an unpaid therapy session, suggesting that you skip the Big Mac and fries for a healthier option or even attempting to get you off the couch to go for a hike or a walk around campus, she’s determined that you start the healing process in stride.

5. The Partier Friend

This friend is always ready for a party. After your breakup, she probably didn’t waste any time trying to set you up or take you so you can meet guys.  Her solution to everything is to let loose and have fun, and it’s about time you tried that again.  Besides, your Life Coach has just gotten you back in the health game, and once you’ve gotten off the couch a couple times, this friend will really get you to start appreciating the single life.

She has the best style and loves lending her clothes to you for a night out. Don’t worry about planning anything, because she will get the gang together, find you the perfect outfit and the hottest party and even point out some hotties there who are definitely better than what’s-his-name.  If you’re at the beginning stages of your breakup, you may not see the light at the end of the tunnel, but dating will seem appealing again eventually.  When you do see the light, this friend will be waiting to set you up, double date with you and scope out new prospects.

 

Exes may be a thing of the past, but your girl friends are forever. Hang out with these five friends instead of Ben & Jerry and you’ll feel better in no time!

7 Foundations that Fight Dry Skin

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No matter your skin type, the bitter cold of the winter months can harshly affect any collegiette's skin. You already know how to use skincare to get a glowing visage, but there's more than just a skincare routine that can battle the dry skin that comes with cool weather. These foundations, BB/CC creams and tinted moisturizers not only prime your face to perfection, they are also super moisturizing, meaning you can still keep your face gorgeously dewy—and totally flawless. 

Foundations

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation, $45, narscosmetics.com

This foundation is specifically made for normal-dry skin types and contains the special ingredient of turmeric extract. Sounds complicated, but it’s there to help improve your skin’s radiance. There’s nothing better than a makeup product formulated to make your skin better! All rolled into one little bottle, this magical foundation leaves your skin luminous without sticking to dry patches. It’ll keep your face looking bright and glowy all day!

L’Oréal True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup, $13, lorealparisusa.com

You’ll be amazed at how hydrating this foundation is for your skin. If your skin is extra thirsty this season, this foundation will quench your needs. It’s made of 40 percent water and packed with vitamins for maximum hydration. Extra bonus: Its ingredients are also there to help improve your skin clarity, making it smooth and (even more) beautiful.

BB Creams

Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream, $13, garnierusa.com

Some background info: BB stands for Beauty Balm. BB Creams are basically your skin’s BFF. They handle discoloration, dullness and most importantly, dryness. It’s the hybrid product that you can’t get in all face foundations. The moisturizer is built in already and the coverage is enough for class all day.

Revlon Photoready BB Cream Skin Perfector SPF 30, $12, revlon.com

This super lightweight beauty balm is here to save every bad winter day. Even if your skin’s radiance is lacking minutes before you have a huge presentation in class, the BB cream has plenty of benefits for you. It has the coverage like a normal foundation, but it’s packed with hydration! It won’t accentuate every dry patch of skin on your face (because of its primer/moisturizer-like qualities) and what could be better than that?

It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream with SPF 50+, $38, itcosmetics.com

Not exactly a BB Cream, but CC Creams are under the same umbrella of face makeup. The “CC” stands for “color” and “correct”, so could there be anything bad? Nope, no way. This special CC cream allows you to skip the step of moisturizing before you put on your makeup—it has that much power! It'll leave you wondering why dry, rough, winter skin was ever an issue for you.

Tinted Moisturizers

NYX Tinted Moisturizer, $10, nyxcosmetics.com

Now if you’re looking for coverage, tinted moisturizer isn’t exactly what will fill your needs. However, if you want a dewy, natural feel minus the pains of flaky skin, this was made for you! It’s also a versatile enough product that you could start with primer and/or set with powder.

Bobbi Brown Extra SPF 25 Tinted Moisturizing Balm, $54, bobbibrowncosmetics.com

Bobbi Brown was looking out for dry-skinned faces everywhere when creating this moisturizing balm. We know it can be a concern that products made for parched skin could then make the face overly greasy. But fear not, this is a lightweight, rich foundation that smoothes out the face and can be used instead of your usual, routine moisturizer. It's your coverage and hydration rolled into one product!

Any of these products will beat the winter dryness—no matter what level of coverage you're looking for!

7 Productive Things to Do Instead of Netflix

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If there’s one thing most women of the 21st century have in common, it’s a Netflix addiction.  There’s nothing better than spending the afternoon cozied up behind your computer screen fawning over Nathan in One Tree Hill or McDreamy in Grey’s Anatomy, right? Wrong.

Kelly Hoffman, a licensed psychotherapist, warns against spending too much time on Netflix.  “The danger of too much time in front of a computer screen is that individuals are not enjoying their own reality,” she says. “They tend to isolate and spend too much time alone, which can lead to depression.  Too much computer time takes you away from other activities.” We agree!

To fight the addiction, we’ve come up some fun alternatives that you can complete in an hour. It’s time to switch it up!

1. Get cooking

Take an hour out of your day to learn how to cook something new! Look up a cooking class in your area and go with a few friends. While it’s more likely you will find a greater number of options in a metropolitan area, if you dig deep enough, there should be some in your area, too. You can also try searching local gourmet stores to see if they offer any classes. 

When looking for a cooking class, make sure to get the details. There are classes that offer instruction for one particular meal, some for several meals and themed classes where you can learn to make dessert or a specific kind of pastry.  All classes are different; you just need to think about your own preferences.

Hoffman speaks to the benefit of trying things that are hands-on. “Substituting activities where you’re really learning something new for your typical hour a day spent on television will slowly but surely improve your lifestyle and enhance your positive perception of yourself,” she says. You’ll have fun while you’re there and get to taste the deliciousness of whatever you create once you’re done.

2. Get spinning

Challenge yourself to a spin class.  Cycling classes are a great way to get active without getting bored! Whether you choose to do SoulCycle, Flywheel or an on-campus spin class, you’re bound to shed a few calories and work up enough endorphins to get you going for the rest of the day.

Flywheel costs around $20 to $30 a class, depending on your region. SoulCycle, a more expensive option, costs $34 per class but offers a $20 class for your first ride. They both offer package plans for multiple classes. Spin classes depart from the feeling of a regular bike ride and incorporate different positions, dance moves and sometimes an upper-body segment. Become a stronger you instead of spending the day behind the computer screen!

3. Plant an herb pot

Test out your green thumb with an herb pot.  An herb pot is a great alternative to planting an herb garden outside that could be subject to harsh weather and hungry animals. You’ll probably need time to go to a grocery store or gardening store to pick up your supplies, so this could turn into an all-day project if you want. By planting an herb garden, you’re not only taking part in a fun activity, but you’re setting yourself up for success with all of the fresh herbs you can incorporate into future snacks and meals.  There’s nothing trendier than a girl with her own herb pot!

Here’s how to get started:

  1. Choose your herbs.  It’s best to start with only a few so they don’t get overcrowded in the pot. Pick from oregano, mint, basil, thyme or some of your other favorite herbs. Make sure your pot is unglazed terracotta instead of plastic to allow for air and moisture to pass through (there should be drainage holes at the bottom of the pot as well).
  2. Prepare the pot. Fill your pot about a quarter of the way with gravel.  The gravel, as well as the holes in the pot, is important for drainage. 
  3. Plant the herbs. Fill the pot with soil-based compost and then place the herb plants in the pot about 15 centimeters apart. Fill the gaps between the plants with compost.
  4. Watch it grow. Keep the pot in a sunny windowsill and make sure to feel the soil several times a week so you know when it needs water. 

The crisp and refreshing smell of fresh herbs will be your reward for all your hard work! 

4. Treat yourself to a spa hour

 

Spend an hour pampering yourself! Balancing academics, extracurriculars and a social life can be exhausting, and we think you deserve to be pampered. Instead of unwinding behind the computer screen when your homework is done, take some time out of your day to treat yourself. Put on some spa music, throw on a face mask and paint your nails.

Taking some time to pamper yourself and relax before bed will help you ease into a much-needed deep sleep. Additionally, Dr. Alexander Mauskop, a professor of clinical neurology at SUNY Downstate Medical Center and a fellow at the American Academy of Neurology, says that Netflix at night is never a good idea. “Looking at any screen at night before going to bed suppresses the release of melatonin in the brain,” he says. “The release of melatonin makes us go to sleep, and its suppression can cause insomnia.”

So the next time you have the urge to get a show in before bed, think of the side effects! Give yourself the gift of spa time instead.  

5. Phone an old friend

You may be able to connect with hundreds of people on social media every day, but you shouldn’t replace real one-on-one friend time with Facebook chats or Instagram likes. Instead of spending an hour on Netflix, text a friend you haven’t seen in a while to plan a catch-up phone call. After all, there’s only so much love you can fit into a Facebook conversation!

Hoffman agrees. “A lot of times I see people hiding behind their computer screens,” she says. “It’s important to have interactions beyond the social media outlets that so many people take part in these days. Talking to someone in person or over the phone can really be therapeutic.”

Having a conversation on the phone doesn’t require all the effort of an in-person meet-up but will be a great way to catch up with a friend you haven’t had the chance to talk to in a while.  College is a great time to meet new people, but it’s important to treasure the friends of your past, too. Take the initiative and reach out to a friend you’ve been missing. We promise you won’t regret it!

6. Perfect some new yoga poses

Use your free hour to learn some new yoga poses! Yoga is a great stress reliever and will be much more calming than an hour behind your computer screen. If you’re a beginner, look up a few simple poses online and try them. It’ll feel amazing to stretch your body in new ways. If you’re already a total yogi, try out a few new poses that are challenging for you, like a headstand or a back bend.

“Sitting or lying in one position for long periods of time can cause neck pains and headaches,” Dr. Mauskop says.  Be kind to your body and spend some time nurturing it! Goodbye, Netflix; Namaste, yoga time. 

7. Read a newspaper

While it may sound simple and clichéd, knowing what’s happening all around the world is important. There’s nothing worse than getting caught in a conversation about current events to which you have nothing to contribute!  So instead of letting yourself be lazy behind a computer screen, make yourself read through an entire newspaper.  Even if you do it once a week, you’ll be gaining something essential.

So the next time you feel Netflix calling to you, fight back! We love Netflix just as much as you do, but sometimes it’s healthy to switch it up and try something new.  All of these alternatives are easy and fun, and they won’t take more than an hour. Who knows—maybe you’ll develop a new passion along the way!

Links We Love 11.30.14

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The next fashion sneaker trend. [SheFinds]

The struggles of being a sarcastic woman. [YourTango]

What are the healthiest chain restaurants? [Newser]

Now you can buy double yolk eggs. Weird! [GrubStreet]

Would you watch a show about Internet comments? [Deadline]

39 Christmas markets across Europe to visit before you die. [BuzzFeed]

7 signs you’re not a cool girl (and why that’s ok). [Thought Catalog]

8 types of crushes you had as a kid. [Bustle]

What is it like to go to a Taylor Swift-themed cycling class? [The Huffington Post]

FDA calorie labels probably won’t make people healthier. [New York Magazine]

7 Cool Ponytails to Wear During Finals Week

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Sweatpants, hair tied, chilling with no make up on—sound familiar, collegiettes? Duh! It’s the laidback beauty motto (okay, maybe except for that last part about no make up). We’ve already given you a cornucopia of looks fit for going out. But how exactly do you keep your mane stylish when you're forced to stay inside, with finals in your very, very near future? To help you figure it out, we're talking locks made for study sessions: Easy and chic. Below, seven fresh ways to wear a ponytail on days when you're dealing with second-day hair or don't have time to do much more than pull it back and call it a day.

1. Inverted Ponytail


Start by evenly distributing a pea-size of Verb’s Ghost Oil ($14) to make your strands mega-glossy. Then make a low ponytail and create an opening between the hair near the base. Move the ponytail up, over and down through that space. It's that easy.

2. Loop Ponytail


Get the look by first pulling your hair into a low ponytail and securing it with an elastic at the nape of your neck. Fold the ponytail into a loop and use another elastic to hold it in place. Pull out a one-inch strand of hair from the loop and wrap it around the base to conceal the elastics. This version of the ponytail has comfy written all over it so don’t be afraid to get messy with it!

3. Classic Ponytail... But Better


Adding new touches to the classic ponytail never gets old. All you need for this one is a strip of leather, an elastic and a twist tie. Line up the strip with the elastic and attach them with a twist tie. Then tie away! 

4. Bubble Ponytail


The bubble, or tiered ponytail was spotted at this year’s CFW NYC but you don’t have to be sashaying down a catwalk to wear the look—it’ll also fit right in during study group. First, tie your locks into one ponytail. Depending on your hair length, create as many bubbles as you’d like using clear elastics, leaving the tips untouched. When you’re finished, spritz R+Co’s Outer Space Flexible Hairspray ($29) for a textured effect.

5. Twisty Ponytail


A ‘do that can be worn either while library-ing away or while livin’ it up, the twist ponytail calls for just two things: a hair tie and U-shaped pins. Divide your hair into two sections—one large and one small. Tie the larger part with an elastic then tightly twist the small part away from your face. Wrap the twist around the ponytail, secure it with three pins and watch it unravel to yield the perfect relaxed ponytail.

6. Sky High Ponytail


Lightning fast to create, the ponytail that sits comfortably atop your crown is an at-home hairstyle must. 

7. Wraparound Ponytail


This one is similar to the twist ponytail but even simpler to achieve. Gather and tie your hair into a low pony, leaving a two-inch strand out. Then, wrap the two-inch strand around the base of the ponytail and secure it with two bobby pins. 

With these tips and tricks, you'll look totally pulled together—even when you're surrounded by a frazzled mess of textbooks and papers. What other ways do you wear your hair during finals week?
 


6 Pairs of Tech-Compatible Gloves You'll Love

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Winter on campus can be a struggle—when it's that cold outside, walking to class just isn't a fun experience. Even worse is when you're all bundled up... and you have to expose your fingers to the bite of the wind to check your email, look at your schedule or text your BFFs to figure out where you're meeting for lunch. Fortunately for you, we've pulled together the ultimate solution: Tech-compatible gloves. And believe it or not, these ones are super, super cute, no matter what your personal style—no robot fingers for you! This season, keep your fingers texting and toasty with these six pairs of gloves! 

For the style stalker

These Kate Spade New York Quilted Logo Leather Tech Gloves ($148) will keep you warm and chic on the way to class. The quilted leather gives your outfit a sophisticated look you can wear to formals, interviews, or just to class. 
 

For the active girl

With all the treats you'll be indulging in during the holidays, going on jogs just might be necessary (sorry). With Target’s cheap and cute C9 Champion Touch Screen Compatible Gloves ($15.99) you’ll always be able to access your phone on the go. Did we mention they come in five color combinations?

 

For the minimalist

If you're looking for something more simplistic, Gap's Colorblock Lambswool Tech Gloves  ($19.95) might be just what you need. The wool knit pattern allows for flexibility and warmth while the simple colors allow you to match with any outfit. 

For the edgy girl

It-girls will love this Grandoe Gwynn Women's Studded Cuff Leather Gloves in Black ($140). The discreet studs on the cuffs will give you a sleek and cool look. Paired with a bomber jacket or a peacoat, these gloves will give you the edge to conquer all your classes and the cold.

For the girly girl

If you're looking for something a little more feminine, try these ASOS Touch Screen Bow Gloves ($15.16). The black and white color scheme means they'll work for any outfit while the bow adds a girly touch.

For the trendsetter

If you still love the ombre trend, this pair of Smartwool Stella Ridge Ombre Tech Compatible Gloves ($40) is for you. Coming in three different ombre shades, these gloves are perfect for any chic college girl on the run. Plus, we're loving the cute tassels on the cuffs. 


 

Each of these adorable pairs will keep you both toasty and connected this winter! Which ones are your favorites?

 

The 15 Most Unfortunate Things That Happen In College

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As fun as college is, it definitely comes with its fair share of moments that we would prefer to forget. Check out our 15 unfortunate and uncomfortable encounters to see if you can relate. 

1. Realizing you sent a text to your manager/group project partner/grandmother after having one too many the night before.

2. When the random you had a drunken heart-to-heart with last weekend says hello to you on campus.

3. When your latest fling doesn’t immediately acknowledge you when you see him out.

4. Attending an on-campus event and realizing there isn't any free food. 

5. Seeing one of your professors in real life.

6. When your ex tries to strike up a casual conversation.

7. When someone at a party is wearing the same shirt as you.

8. Getting stuck standing next to the couple making out at the bar.

9. Leaving the bar or party solo.

10. Finding out your account balance after a long night out.

11. When you ask your professor to clarify something and he insists on maintaining eye contact with you for the entirety of his explanation.

12. Running into your estranged former roommate in public.

13. Accidently sending a text talking about someone to the person you are talking about.

14. When the bartender greets you with “Really? You again?!” upon entering the bar.

15. Spotting your crush with another girl.

Count Down to the Holidays with These Beauty Advent Calendars

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Looks like Christmas has come early, collegiettes—and it's here for an entire month. No matter what holiday you celebrate, these advent calendars make your December pretty exciting. Since we can't think of a better way to count down to the holidays, we've rounded up five of the cutest beauty advent calendars for you this holiday season. You're welcome!

1.Benefit Cosmetics “Candy-Coated Countdown” ($99)

Fans of Benefit Cosmetics, look no further. Not only is the "Candy-Coated Countdown" itself cute enough to want on its own, but this sweet shoppe-esque calendar contains 24 delectable mini products—including many of Benefit's bestsellers. Though the fun doesn't stop there, because it also includes a doodle pad, heart-shaped paperclips, hair accessories, and more! 

2. Ciaté "Mini Mani Manor Advent Calendar" ($60)

After we saw this on Kylie Jenner's Instagram, we knew we had to have it. And if you're a self-declared mani maniac, you really need to have it. This is truly a palace of perfect pigments. The calendar itself is designed to look like a manor decked out for the holidays, and we just don't think it gets any cuter than that. It even includes a full-sized Glitter nail polish. So go ahead, take your pick from this wide array of beautiful colors. 

3. The Body Shop Beauty Advent Calendar ($50)

It's beginning to smell a lot like Christmas... Wait, is that how it goes? It does now. The Body Shop's Beauty Advent Calendar contains soaps and lotions with scents ranging from Almond to Cranberry to Glazed Apple. Yum! Not to mention the calendar alone is super cute and festive. We think this would make a great gift for a friend! 

4. Lush "12 Days of Christmas" ($99.95)

And last, but certainly not least, we could not have thought of a more adorable way to package your holiday treats. Lush never fails to deliver, especially with their "12 Days of Christmas" calendar. The calendar opens like a giant story book and contains Christmas-themed products for pampering. (Seriously, there's a Santa bath bomb.) 

Which calendars do you think you'll be treating yourself to this holiday season? 

Her Story: Why I’m Grateful for My Education This Thanksgiving

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When I became a vegetarian, my mother gave me a $200 gift card to a steakhouse. "Enjoy the salad," she said, giggling. She smiled slowly, and softly added: "I love you."

"I love you too, Mom."

The fall of my junior year of high school, my mother handed me this gift across a Thanksgiving table. It was encased within a hazelnut coffee-stained business envelope. It was a joke regarding my recent attempts at crunchy-granola-urban-hipsterdom, a quiet reminder that I did not quite fit in at the table. I placed the envelope across my lap and stared out the window at an Oklahoma suburb that I would only call home for a few days; I live with my father in New York, flying out to visit my mother and her family in Norman when I can.               

I noticed the Waffle House across the street, the empty road, and a dark blue sky, every star completely visible.

The following Friday morning, I sat out in my mother's front lawn while my sister mowed the grass. We looked similar, awkward with our dirty-blonde hair and big shoulders, eyes different shades of the same blue. Her arms, built from hours of physical labor, were tan, almost stained by the sun, my skin pale and slightly pink. We talked about life, her boy troubles, her job.

"Maybe I would be a good chemical engineer." She sighed. "I think I would be good." And I think she would. But I know that in reality, she probably won't. She probably can't.

Normally, my Thanksgivings are hosted in Brooklyn brownstones, a 40-minute subway ride from my Manhattan apartment. They are gatherings of my Jewish, mostly liberal relatives, all laughing happily. Someone will complain about the teacher's union. An aunt will talk about her recent trip to Ethiopia; a family friend will discuss the most recent performance at Lincoln Center.

This November, my friends will all return from prestigious, mostly Ivy League, universities; we will drink Chai lattes and discuss the "work-hard-play-hard" culture rampant at our respective colleges, our prospects for working at that start-up this summer, and maybe the possibility of graduate school. We'll complain about OCR (On Campus Recruiting) skipping over majors in Philosophy for ones in Economics. We'll mention our experiments in our personal cultural revolutions: shopping at Williamsburg thrift stores, reading Marx, even experimenting with vegetarianism. Nothing seems beyond our reach.

And when we discuss our political affiliations, we will make grand sweeping statements about the problems related to class inequity in America. From our ivory towers, we’ll argue for access to higher education, forgetting the important difference between acknowledging privilege and the presumption of demanding action without needing it. Forgetting, that when our debates are over, we can go back to school. It's that sort of passive intellectual activism that never gets much done. Coffee-shop debates that never lead to policy change. Deciding everything is "problematic," and then proceeding through the rest of the day, unscathed. Never emotionally invested.

At my mother's dinner table, miles away, her husband, my half-sisters and brothers, will gather around a Walmart turkey. And, though five of my half-siblings are older than me, I am the first one to attend college.  My sisters work management positions at grocery stores and Cracker Barrels. They tell me they are happy.

So when I think about the thing I am most thankful for this year, it is education. I am thankful I was raised with expectation, and ability, to attend college, equally important and vital to my pursuit of an undergraduate education. I am thankful that throughout my childhood, I was both subtly and explicitly reminded that school was the route to success. I am thankful for the vast opportunities I had, growing up in New York City and being able to attend the fantastic public high school and university I did. I am also thankful that my father constantly reminds me of his side of the family's working class routes.

But I can appreciate my travels to Oklahoma. Spending time with my mother's side of my family, I am reminded of smaller things. I footnote intimate moments and historical facts. I notice the chance to spend time with my siblings, the beauty of land without skyscrapers, and Native American casinos. In Oklahoma, I think about The Grapes of Wrath, discussions of colonialism, Manifest Destiny, Thomas Jefferson's "agrarian dream" for America. My perception of this place is inherently rooted in all ways I was taught to think about it, subtle romanticized American objectification.

In many ways, Oklahoma is gorgeous, and feels much more like the stereotype of America we should think of on Thanksgiving Day. But I wonder, if the beauty I find in it stems from an urban, upper-middle class advantage. I am only a guest to this side of America, a version I can leave whenever I want.

"I will get all eight of my children through high school," my mother tells me, "that's a lot more than you can say for a lot of people." She reminds me making it to the 12th grade in America can be hard. It is often really, really hard. I remember that she only had the opportunity to finish school well into her adult-life, while pregnant with me. As I jump on Facebook during a math lecture, bored to tears by a professor accomplished enough to have his own Wikipedia, my mother struggles under the weight of housing bills.

After getting diplomas, my siblings, to me, all seem stuck. Perhaps, it's naive, maybe even pretentious, of me to think that education is the only way to achieve. But when many college students talk about the need for college accessibility, we encounter a problem: the system is an atrocity, we say, but we are also still very thankful that it worked out for us.

My sisters have been out of high school for years, and have yet to save up enough money to enroll in community college and start working towards degrees. While I count in semesters, they count in paychecks. It's unfair. And it's not because I was smarter or worked harder, but rather that I was lucky enough to be raised with college as a fundamental expectation, not a “maybe,” “what if,” or “maybe later.”

And it's not like they, like countless others, do not "try." One of my sisters attended JobCorp, a government program meant to help students get their GEDs and provide basic vocational training. It is run by the U.S. Department of Labor, one of the agencies we discuss in our college political science courses. These are the programs we discuss with public policy professors, never imagining that we could ever need them.

My sister said she liked JobCorp. A couple months into it, she transferred from the culinary program to the one in carpentry. She has a certificate of some sort, but still works with a job in the food service industry with little likelihood for promotion.

Students at elite universities are often quick to say a blue-collar career isn't for them, but are happy to argue that we need to "increase" vocational programs since college "just isn't for everyone." But most of these students never once entertained the thought they wouldn't be receiving higher education.

But there is an attitude problem at colleges like my own that needs to be fixed. Here, we label ourselves as "intellectual" because we were always told we could and because we can.

And while I know the American Dream says working from the bottom, by your bootstraps, is the best road to success. But in reality, the do-it-all-by-yourself version of the American dream requires a lot of hope. Hoping is hard. Really, really hard.

This problem is two-fold: the uncertainty of college admissions is inherently intertwined with its expense. If you think you have already lost the financial collegiate game, the challenges involved with submitting a standout application and resume seem too much.

My own college application process was militant, exhausting, arbitrary, and needlessly expensive. There are the costs that arrive with SAT prep, college touring, extracurricular activities, A.P. courses. This, very quickly, can sometimes amount to tens of thousands of dollars. No, it's not hyperbole. A family friend works at a NY tutoring program that pays hundreds per hour. Parents will drop $6,000 for a summer mission trip in a Third World country. Even the tuition families will spend on private school to avoid the broken American public high school system.

This is not simply a high cost to compete, but an absurd barrier to entry.

This Thanksgiving, I hope to reflect on all the reasons I am very lucky.

I was lucky enough to not only being raised in a house where college was affordable, but also with a culture of college being affordable. My brothers and sisters on my mom's side were not, illuminating how education, wealth, happiness, and family can all be intimately related.

The financial and educational inequities in America are strange to consider when they are nestled right between you and your siblings. They become a lot more real, and a lot more humbling, when separated by a mere link on your family tree.

The differences in class, reflected by whom you invite, what you talk about, and even what you eat, feel a whole lot closer when they invade your Thanksgiving table.

 

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

5 Ways to Keep the Morning of the SAT or ACT Stress-Free

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You’ve read all the prep guides, taken SAT/ACT prep courses and went to bed super early last night. But now it’s the morning of the SAT or ACT, and despite all of the preparation you’ve done over the past few weeks, you have no idea what to do. What do you wear, what do you bring and what do you eat? What does it take to get ready to ace the test?

As trivial as some of these things might seem, nobody wants to have to worry about all of this before taking an exam that can play a pretty big factor in her future. That’s why HC talked to collegiettes all over the country to figure out what the best morning-before-the-SAT/ACT practices are and how they can help you do better on your test!

1. Wear what makes YOU feel good

It’s no secret that we love fashion here at HC, but when it comes to the SAT and ACT, it’s okay if having a runway-ready look isn’t that high on your priority list. Remember, you’ll be sitting there taking this exam for over half of a day, so comfort is the most vital thing when it comes to your wardrobe choices!

Rachel Berg, a junior at the University of New Hampshire, realized the importance of sacrificing chicness for comfort on her test-taking day.

“My number one concern was making sure I was set to sit there for six hours, so I wasn’t trying to kill it [with my outfit] like I usually do for school,” she says.

However, just because we’re promoting comfort doesn’t mean we think you should show up looking like a complete slob for your exam! Remember, if you feel good, you’re poised to do good things. “Doing your hair/makeup helps to make you feel more put together,” says Claudia DiMuro, a senior from New York University. “If you feel put together, you can tackle the test, no problem.”

When it comes to the SAT and ACT, it’s best to strike a gentle balance: Try comfy bottoms like leggings or yoga pants and a solid-colored T-shirt with a sweater over it. Dress in layers to avoid getting too hot or too cold, and wear basic pieces so they don’t get in your way as you tackle your exam. That heavy statement necklace and those signature bracelets you love won’t do you any good as you try to write quickly and stay comfortable, so leave them at home!

And don’t forget about your hair! While you should dress how you feel most comfortable while taking the SAT or ACT, there’s one standard thing a girl should have down for her exam: an easy updo. Who has the time to push her hair out of the way of their exam while reading a passage in her test packet? No one.

Try a ponytail, a French braid or a topknot to keep your hair hassle-free. The last thing you should be stressing about is pushing your hair behind your ear every five seconds.

“When I took the SATs, it was during that crazy, ‘let’s cut our bangs so they literally cover our eyes’ trend,” says Allie Johnson, a junior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. “I didn’t think to pin mine back, so the entire time I was blowing them out of my face.”

Avoid Allie’s fate by coming up with a cute but easy hairstyle to keep your hair hassle-free throughout your entire exam!

2. Fuel your body and your brain

We’ve all heard it before: Eat a good breakfast before taking a test. But how much is too much? Avoid your Goldilocks moment by eating just the right amount (and just the right food); after all, nobody likes being hungry or feeling bloated while taking a six-hour exam.

The key is to do what’s best for your body and to eat a breakfast that will energize you. If you’re someone who gets hungry after just having fruit, make sure you include some solid, protein-filled foods like eggs or peanut butter on toast. If waffles and sausage make you feel bloated and groggy, opt for Greek yogurt with some fruit in it.

And, as weird as it sounds, try eating a banana. “Bananas are great brain food because of the high level of potassium in them,” says nutritionist Andrea Messel. The potassium in bananas keeps your brain properly oxygenated and helps communication between cells. While this tip might not result in a giant increase in your score, it’s always nice to know you’re doing every little thing you can to boost your chances at acing the test. 

If there’s one thing we can all deem true, though, it’s this: It is way better to take an exam feeling a little too full than a lot too hungry. “I realized [the food issue] the hard way when I took the SATs,” says Tyra Batchelder, a junior at the University of Massachusetts. “I just had my regular cereal and banana and thought I was dying for the first snack break the entire exam. It was terrible.”

3. Pack your bag the night before

Nothing is more stressful than running late the morning of an important event. Between the grogginess of getting out of bed so early on a Saturday, getting yourself dressed and fed and actually driving yourself to your SAT or ACT test location, nobody has the time to worry about her bag being fully packed. But what if you forget something you really need, like your pencils or water bottle?

Pack all of the essentials the night before to avoid getting behind schedule in the morning. Believe us—when you have everything you need and you’re at your test location on time (or even early!), you’ll be glad you took the time to do this in advance!

So, what should actually go in your bag? Of course, there are the obvious things: extra pencils, extra erasers, a calculator, spare batteries. But is there anything else you should be bringing with you?

“I brought a box of granola bars,” says Samantha Milazo, a junior at the University of Scranton. “We all have that friend who is starving and forget[s] [his or her] snack bag, so I had one for myself and for others.”

Aside from snacks, think of personal things you might need. Is it that time of the month? You should probably bring a few tampons. Do you get headaches often? Maybe pack some ibuprofen just in case. Are you feeling a little under the weather? Do what Avianne Tan, a senior at New York University, did and throw a personal box of tissues into your bag.

Don’t forget some of the logistical things, too, like your entrance ticket and some form of ID. Double-check what is and isn’t allowed in the exam room and prepare your bag for that, too.

Remember, everyone is different when taking exams. While some people might be able to power through with just the bare essentials, other people might need to bring more, and that’s totally fine. Whether it’s an extra hair elastic (in case yours breaks) or your inhaler, make sure you have the things that you think you’ll need.

4. Get yourself relaxed and focused

The most important part of getting ready for the SAT or ACT is being relaxed. While this test is something that should be taken seriously, remember that you shouldn’t stress out too much about it!

“Having too many nerves often makes students go too fast or too slow on the [SAT or ACT],” says Nina Wilmot, an SAT/ACT tutor. “They either think they don’t have enough time or second-guess every question they’re working on. It also makes them shy away from a lot of questions that they’d normally be able to answer but in the moment don’t believe they can.”

We suggest doing different calming techniques to get your head in the game. Try some deep breathing, listen to relaxing music or even wind down by watching reruns of a favorite TV show.

“I’d say students should do pretty much anything that would take their minds off the test,” Wilmot says. “Deep breathing is definitely a good idea, or coming up with a mantra to repeat in their heads, like, ‘I know I can do this.’ It sounds pretty cheesy, but just the repetitive action of repeating a phrase will ease some of their tension.”

Last-minute studying isn’t the way to go the morning of the test, either. Getting in that last flash card or finishing that last practice math problem won’t boost your score; what it will do is get you worked up (in a bad way) for the exam you’re about to take.

“I read the newspaper,” says Allison Thomas, a University of New Hampshire grad. “It helped with critical reading. For example, I’d read an article and then try to explain it to my parents.”

According to Allison, reading the newspaper and then talking the article out with her parents helped with her SAT score in a big, big way. “It boosted my verbal score by 200 points!”

For Allison, it wasn’t so much a last-minute cram session, but a way to get her mind focused and primed to do academic work. Reading the newspaper (or a magazine) is a great way to get your brain warmed up and ready to go with the test! Plus, it’s a good, low-stakes way to “study” one last time without poring over an SAT or ACT prep book.

5. Double-check the logistics

It seems pretty simple, but making sure you actually know where you’ll be driving to take the test is a pretty big deal. Are you heading to your high school? Make sure you know where in your high school the check-in will occur. Are you taking the exam at a different test site? Maybe drive there when you have a free night before you take the test. Nobody has the time to get lost on the way to taking the SATs!

“I took mine at this middle school a few towns over, actually,” Tyra says. “I thankfully randomly Googled where it was and noticed that it was literally in the middle of nowhere, so I quickly begged my mom to drive with me there the night before so I could map out the route I was going to go, which helped so much with the stress.”

It also might be a good idea to lock down your method of transportation. Are you driving? Are your parents driving you? Make sure to know this plenty of time in advance so that you don’t end up without a ride and stranded the morning of the test.

The SAT and ACT can be pretty nerve-racking and stressful, but remember that they’re also pretty exciting because they’re getting you one step closer to a new chapter in your life. By making sure you’re prepared for all parts of test day (and not just the studying part), your exam is sure to be hassle-free!

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