There seems to be an unwritten rule somewhere that says every aspect of a woman’s life is subject to commentary from any person within a 200-mile radius. However, when it comes to things like your dating life (or any of your feelings, for that matter), one thing stands true: what’s yours is yours, and no one else’s.

Sorry we’re not sorry.

1. Eating Junk Food

Who ever said you needed to have a bad day or a breakup to make out with a giant piece of pizza or dominate an entire pint of ice cream? Don’t worry; Cosmo and SHAPE Magazine have plenty of thigh-busting, arm-shrinking workouts to make up for it. Junk food was made for a reason, and someone’s gotta eat it. So in that case, we volunteer as tribute.

2. How Active (or Inactive) Our Sex Lives Are

Society has formed this stigma around sex for college-aged women: either you’re having too much of it, or you're not having enough. The fact of the matter is that this stigma has turned sex into something women feel ashamed of.  Nothing ruins a great thing more than someone telling you how to do it and when to do it, especially sex. Why don’t we start focusing more on making it safe and exciting instead of degrading women for having (or not having) it?

3. How Much (or How Little) We Are Eating

It’s the classic “I haven’t eaten since, like, 8 a.m., so I'm starving,” or “I ate a really, really big lunch.” You know what, girls? Don’t ever feel like you owe anyone an explanation about what you are (or aren’t) putting in your mouth. Your eating habits are yours and yours only, so you go on and eat (or don’t eat) that giant sandwich and feel no shame.

4. Our Relationship Statuses

If we’re single, we’re trained to think there is something inherently wrong with us. If we’re in a relationship, were trained to think we are boring, tied-down creatures with owners who have a leash. So there’s really no winning with this one. If anyone asks you why you’re in a relationship or why you’re still single, you have full permission by Gretchen Weiners' Rules of Feminism to roll your eyes and walk away.

5. Wearing Leggings and Drinking Starbucks

Let’s just put this whole “White Girl” thing to bed. Whether girls are white, black, Hispanic, purple or polka-dotted, has it ever crossed people’s minds that maybe we wear leggings with UGG boots because they're comfy and that we drink Starbucks because it’s really, really good? If we're going to pay $5 for a cup of coffee, we're going to enjoy it, and we’re going to be cozy as sh*t while we do so.

6. Being a Boss

Let’s clear something up right now: being a boss does not in any way make you bossy (or a b*tch, for that matter). It simply means you know what you want, how you want it and how you’re going to get it, and there's nothing wrong with that. Contrary to popular belief, being a woman who takes her job seriously and expects people to pull their own weight is not a crime.

7. Being Emotional

Women have been brainwashed into believing that having feelings somehow categorizes us into the “crazy and overemotional” category deep in the pits of womanly hell. If you are feeling sad, happy or angry, there's obviously a reason why you're having that reaction. Even if it is just your period, let it out, girl. Let. It. Out.

8. Our Taste in Guys

We're finally getting to the age where “swag” and “sick game” no longer fall on our list of what we look for in a guy, and that’s okay. You don’t ever owe anyone an explanation as to why you find someone attractive, and anyone who makes you feel like you do isn't worth your time.

9. Our Political Views

We're still young, and (whether we believe it or not) we're very naïve. Meeting someone who knows every true and unbiased fact about politics is a very rare occasion. That being said, don’t ever let someone make you feel like your views are wrong, because they aren’t. That’s the beauty about politics - there is no right or wrong side. It’s all about what you believe, and that’s something that nobody can ever take away from you.

10. Our Weight

Whether it’s a thyroid problem, a digestive issue, a fast metabolism or just a flat-out pure love for food, it doesn’t matter. A woman should never have to justify her weight. Period. Last time we checked, whether you're fat, skinny, chunky or somewhere in the middle, our graves are all the same size.

He seems to have fun talking to you when you’re out with friends, but he only texts you after dark. Or maybe he calls you his girlfriend, but he’s been pretty distant lately. Maybe he only seems to notice you when he’s between relationships. What gives? Is he stringing you along?

If he is, there has to be an explanation. We talked to college guys and relationship experts to give you the lowdown on why that guy is keeping you around if he doesn’t want a relationship. Here are four reasons a guy might be stringing you along and how to tell if it’s happening to you.

1. He’s looking for something casual

College is the time to date around and figure out what you want in a significant other. While some of us may be ready to move forward with that plan a bit sooner, others would like to play the field a little longer.

“The most time-honored and tested reason to string someone along from a guy’s perspective is because he’s not totally committed to you or the relationship,” says Dr. Ish Major, psychiatrist, dating expert and author of Little White Whys. “He may possibly be seeing other people or he’s … not that serious and just wants to be involved with you in some capacity.”

Francis, a senior at Georgia Perimeter College, says that he doesn’t want to start anything serious in college. “I would prefer to avoid anything remotely resembling a relationship,” he says. “I’ll have plenty of time for that later, so there’s no need to rush it now.”

How to tell

Matchmaker and dating coach Jasbina Ahluwalia says that if a guy is stringing you along for this reason, there will be a noticeable lack of any kind of emotional connection on his end. “You have no idea how he feels about you,” she says. “He talks about himself but never asks anything about you, your thoughts or your desires.” A guy intent on keeping the relationship casual isn’t going to put in much work to try to get to know you.

He will also hesitate to put a clearly defined label on your relationship. “You’ll never be introduced as his girlfriend,” Dr. Major says. “You’ll always be introduced as ‘my good friend,’ ‘my dear friend,’ ‘my date’ or ‘the woman I’m dating.’ That’s his way of letting you and everyone in earshot know that he’s here with you, but it’s not that serious.”

Ahluwalia also says that if a guy never initiates anything other than physical intimacy, this is a good sign that he’s stringing you along.

Our Real Live College Guy Dale says, “Sometimes, when we’re not sure how we feel about someone (or totally know how we feel and are just using them for more physical means), we bait them along. Certain phrases get tossed around a lot to keep people waiting. If you hear your guy saying things like, ‘I’m not sure I’m ready yet,’ or, ‘I’m not saying ‘never, but’… then pay attention.”

2. He doesn’t want to hurt your feelings

We absolutely hate it when guys do the fade-out thing, but letting a girl know he’s just not that into her is a difficult situation for all parties involved. If a guy knows that having this talk will hurt and upset you, or if he feels guilty that the sparks have fizzled out on his end, he may just keep quiet and hope you figure things out on your own.

“Some guys just don’t know how to let someone down,” Dale says. “Nobody wants to be the bad guy, you know? I don’t look forward to breaking things off with someone because more often than not, I’m not sure how attached they are. So in stringing along, our attempts at being the good guy end up making us the bad guy.”

Brad*, a Duke University senior, knows this all too well. Caught up in a friends-with-benefits situation that was quickly turning into something more on the girl’s side, Brad knew that something had to be done, but he found his willpower lacking.

“I knew she’d be upset about it,” he says. “I could tell she was falling for me, and I knew I didn’t feel the same way about her. I just couldn’t bring myself to say it, though.”

How to tell

If your guy starts ghosting, he may be stringing you along in an attempt to avoid hurting your feelings.

“He may disappear for weeks at a time,” Ahluwalia says. “He may be hesitant to commit to spending time together ahead of time, or he regularly cancels dates with little notice.”

Suddenly, he always seems to have something else to do, or he only invites you to hang out in groups. “You’ll see him be late often,” Dr. Major says. “He’ll include other people often, change or flat-out cancel dates or appointments with you. This lets you know that while you are included in his social calendar, you’re not a top priority.”

A guy might not cut things off with you completely, but these actions show that you’re no longer at the top of his list.

3. He’s not sure if you’re “the one”

A guy may see the potential for a future with you, but if he’s not totally sure, he’ll probably keep you around as an option until he’s sure he’s found the girl he wants to be with. “He wants to maintain a backup plan while he’s continuing to search for his Ms. Right,” Ahluwalia says.

Dr. Major says, “He’s keeping his options open. He’s not totally sure if you’re ‘the one’ he wants yet.”

How to tell

A guy who’s not sure if you’re the one for him will be careful about giving you that impression. For your part, you may be stuck wondering where the two of you stand. “He never refers to you as his girlfriend, even if you’ve been together for several months,” Ahluwalia says.

The most telling sign a guy is keeping you around because he’s just not sure about you is whether or not you’ve met any of the important people in his life.

“Never, and I do mean ever, will you meet his parents or any significant member of his family whose opinion he values,” Dr. Major says. “A guy has no interest in having that conversation with his mother or father about who you are and ‘where this is going’ unless he’s absolutely sure it’s heading for something more long-term.”

4. He’s using you as a rebound

Sometimes we may feel like we need a “transitional person” to help us move safely from one relationship to the next. Still, it sucks to realize the guy you thought had boyfriend potential was simply using you to get over someone else.

“When some guys are rejected or dumped, they go to their fallback girl,” says Michael*, a senior at Georgia Tech Lorraine. “The whole purpose of this girl is to reassure the guy. Once they feel like they can move on again, they will leave just as quickly as they came.”

For this guy, you’re simply there to help fill the void left from his previous relationship. He needs a way to distract himself, and you’re his solution.

“He’s with you out of a fear of being alone rather than a genuine interest in you as a person,” Ahluwalia says. “He’ll continuously go back and forth between choosing to spend time with [you] and wanting to run away from [you].”

If a guy is constantly coming back to you in between all of his failed relationships, you may be nothing more than a shoulder to cry on.

How to tell

Sometimes it seems as though he never stops talking about his ex or hating on other women in general. Ahluwalia says these are clear signs he’s rebounding.

What’s more, while he may be freshly out of a relationship, he’s not that keen on starting a new one. “He tells you he’s not looking for a commitment,” Ahluwalia says. “He’s using physical intimacy with you as a way to avoid dealing with his breakup and is not interested in any level of emotional intimacy.”

While it’s not necessarily true that nothing comes of all rebounds, if he’s showing any of these signs, you might want to reconsider your relationship (or lack thereof) with this person.

“These guys are much more concerned about repairing their feelings than attending to yours,” Michael says.

If you’ve figured out you’re being strung along and it’s not sitting right with you, it’s time to get clear about your expectations.

“You have to have ‘the talk’ about exclusivity,” Dr. Major says. “Say, ‘I really enjoy being with you and I’m not interested in seeing anyone else.’”

If a guy doesn’t respond favorably, then understand that it’s not your fault. “A guy not committing to you has very little to do with you,” Dr. Major says. “It’s mostly about where he is in his dating career right now. No matter how amazing a girl you are, if he’s just not ready, there’s nothing you’ll be able to do to him, with him or for him that will get him there.”

Navigating the world of relationships can be a tricky business. It’s important to be clear about what you want both to yourself and to the guys you’re considering. Keep these signs in mind to avoid being strung along in the future!

*Names have been changed.

Whether you’re in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia or somewhere in between, Pennsylvania is an awesome state to go to college in. Who can deny the greatness that is the state of liberty and independence?

Since we’ve already told you what it’s like to go to college in the South and in New England, it’s time to take small glimpse of what it’s like to go to college in the amazing state of Pennsylvania.

1. You’re very familiar with the great “Wawa vs. Sheetz” debate.

The perfect late-night study break, a trip to Wawa or Sheetz will happen at least once during your college career. Not only do you have a favorite of the two, but you embrace whichever place you support wholeheartedly. It’s a Pennsylvanian’s version of *NSYNC vs. the Backstreet Boys.

2. Attending the Pennsylvania Farm Show is one of the highlights of your year.

Don’t deny it – you and your roommates have totally taken selfies with all of the cute cows.

3. Turkey Hill products make your world go round.

Pass the iced tea and Phillies Graham Slam ice cream! The dining hall always has Turkey Hill items in stock.

4.You’ve been “Hershey Park Happy” at least once.

Since you’ve never truly lived until you’ve been to Chocolate World.

5. An authentic Philly cheesesteak is only a short distance away.

Your options are limitless: Pat’s, Geno’s, Jim’s and everywhere in between. This is the perfect way to ask out your campus crush, since what guy doesn’t want to eat an authentic Philly cheesesteak?

6. You know that a soft pretzel eaten in any other part of the country is nothing compared to soft pretzels from the Philly Pretzel Factory, since you’ve indulged in several right before an exam.

Pass the mustard, please!

7. Not only do you enjoy froyo and ice cream, but you also love the delicious frozen heaven known as water ice.

So many flavors to choose from, and it never gets old. You know you can always get water ice at every tailgate and big function.

8. Little Debbie snacks have nothing on Tastykakes.

A Tastykake is the perfect treat for all of your pre-finals mental breakdowns.

9. You prefer Herr’s potato chips over Lay’s any day.

Because who doesn’t love the crunchy potato goodness that is Herr’s?

10. You’ve been to the Philadelphia Zoo and adored all of the cute animals.

It’s the first public zoo in the USA, filled with adorable animals and nature. How much better can it get? Be sure to check it out during fall break if you haven’t been there already.

11. You’ve taken your fair share of photos with the Liberty Bell and the LOVE statue when you find yourself in Philadelphia.

These landmarks look even better in Valencia, so prepare to take the best photos ever for Insta.

12. You know not to set up an Eagles fan with a Steelers fan, unless you’re asking for drama.

Even though the Eagles defeated the Steelers in the third pre-season game, but who’s counting?

13. The same goes for fans of the Phillies and the Pirates.

The Philly Phanatic and the Pirate Parrot aren’t exactly besties.

14. When someone says they’re from Lancaster Country, you don’t really know where they’re from, since you’ve lived here long enough to know that there are SO many different places where they could actually live. The possibilities are endless.

Ephrata? Lititz? Millersville? Quarryville? You’ll never know until you ask, which can lead to a whole new conversation. Forget explaining this to your out-of-state friends.

15. When you go home for Thanksgiving or Christmas break, people ask you if you’ve seen any of the cast members from Breaking Amish or Amish Mafia.

Yes, because every Amish person who has ever existed has been on your campus.

16. You’ve been asked for help pronouncing the Schuylkill River.

Even though you still might not know how to say it.

17. “Shoofly” has an entirely different meaning for you.

Who’s making pie in the lounge?!

18. You’re well aware of the capital of Pennsylvania.

No, it’s not Philadelphia; it’s Harrisburg, and you can’t leave there without stopping at Midtown Scholar.

19. No matter what anyone else has said about Pennsylvania, you still stay true to the state that has stood by you.

Cheers to the red, blue and gold! 

There are certain words and phrases that can kill the resumes of even the most experienced collegiettes. You could be working hard juggling internships, on-campus jobs and extracurricular activities, but when employers spend just a few seconds skimming your resume, one phrase can make the difference between the “yes” pile and the recycling bin.

So whether you’re applying for internships, part-time jobs or a full-time job for after graduation, it’s important to make sure that your resume tells employers who you really are, what skills you have and what you can bring to the table if they hire you. Since your resume should only be one page, you need to carefully select your words to get across the clearest, most concise message possible. You want to make sure your truly fabulous self shines through, so don’t let your resume get crowded with useless phrases! We consulted experts on some overused resume terms and what to replace them with so an employer can see you’re the perfect collegiette for the job.

1. “Think Outside the Box”

If you’ve described yourself as able to “think outside the box” or said you’re a “problem solver” in your resume, you’re probably trying to tell an employer that you’re creative, flexible and quick on your feet. Unfortunately, choosing such common and overused phrases is probably going to convey exactly the opposite!

Try to be more specific about your previous experience. “If you increased sales by 50 percent at a place you worked at, say it. If you can name an instance where you mediated a dispute among coworkers, write a sentence about it,” says Reyna Gobel, a student loan and career expert and author of CliffsNotes Graduation Debt: How to Manage Student Loans and Live Your Life. “You want to show you know how to accomplish tasks you’re given and then some. Otherwise, the employer has no idea of whether you can do tasks assigned to you.”

Don’t just tell employers that you can think outside the box; tell them how you have thought creatively in previous experiences. Since your resume should be short, it’s important to be concise; give a brief description of what you did in your resume and the employer can ask you for more detail when you land the interview!

2. “Motivated”

You may really be motivated, driven or passionate, but employers see these words so often they’re starting to lose meaning. Try to draw on your experiences to show employers that you possess these qualities without explicitly stating it.

Gobel says the most common problem she sees on students’ resumes is a lack of confidence. “You have more experience than you think,” she says. “Emphasize your best skills through detailing your best actions.”

The best way to let an employer know that you’re hardworking is by giving him or her proof. Even if you don’t have much internship experience, draw from on-campus or summer jobs or your extracurricular activities. “Concrete information wins over resume buzzwords every time,” Gobel says.

Really think about your experiences and how you could apply them to the job you’re applying for. Be sure to tailor your resume for each job. “You have skills that can apply towards fulfilling the needs in the job description you applied for,” Gobel says. “Failure to customize a resume WILL cost you a great career.”

3. “Responsible for”

Rachel Tannenbaum, associate director for student programming for Barnard College Career Development, says phrases like this express a given. “Some position descriptions fall flat simply because there is ineffectual wording before the main verb,” says Tannenbaum. If you describe a job by saying you were “responsible for” something, an employer isn’t going to immediately pick up on the skills you acquired at that position. “We assume you were responsible for something you did,” says Tannenbaum.

Instead of using this phrase, she says to “lead with the action verb.” For example, if you have something like, “Was responsible for recruiting volunteers at top-tier NYC institutions to canvass local neighborhood” in your resume, replace it with, “Recruited volunteers at top-tier NYC institutions to canvass local neighborhood.” Employers often skim resumes very quickly; you want to pull them in by leading with specific skills and experiences they will be looking for.

4. “Assisted”

According to Tannenbaum, a big mistake students often make is underplaying their experience. For example, your resume might say, “Assisted with on-site operations at the Annual Film Festival for Young Talent.” This statement is vague and can make an employer think you played a very small role, even if you took on a lot of responsibility in reality.

Tannenbaum says to ask yourself in what ways you assisted with on-site operations. What roles did you take on, exactly? Improve upon this statement by explaining how you assisted; for example, replace it with, “Verified schedule of events with caterers, AV specialists and set crew to ensure smooth execution of the Annual Film Festival for Young Talent.” This tells a potential employer exactly what you did and can do and doesn’t minimize your role in the organization.

5. “Put Together”

Students often start job descriptions in their resumes with weak action verbs, like “put together,” “worked with” or “changed.” However, according to Tannenbaum, “There is just a better verb you can use, plain and simple.”

Instead of “Put together weekly reports,” opt for “composed.” Delete “Worked with several departments” and write “collaborated” instead. Rather than say, “Changed the organization system for sales records,” try a word like “revamped.” These strong action verbs will show an employer that you can speak professionally and that you’re putting effort into your resume.

6. “Logistics”

According to Vicki Salemi, career coach and author of Big Career in the Big City: Land a Job and Get a Life in New York, students often fill their resumes with empty jargon like “logistics,” “sharing best practices” or “whatnot.” These words may sound impressive and intimidating, but in reality, they’re not telling an employer anything about you and the work you’ve done.

“What is ‘logistics,’ really?” Salemi says. “If you helped plan a corporate event with meeting planners, you can say you worked with budgets and room specs instead of ‘logistics.’”

Technical jargon isn’t as impressive to an employer as specific examples of what your skills are and how you have applied them. Salemi says to use phrases that “pack a punch and have meanings that are action-oriented.” For example, she says to replace something like “shared best practices in knowledge” with “established weekly department meetings to brainstorm.” Swapping out vague phrases for detailed evidence of your abilities will definitely show an employer what you can do!

With these tips from career experts, your resume is sure to be in perfect shape in no time! Express yourself and your experiences clearly, and we’re sure employers will see you as the wonderful and talented collegiette you are. Happy job hunting!

Long breaks are the perfect time to give a different beauty regimen a shot—like a makeup trend you've never dared test before. It's an opportunity to figure out new looks that work for you... and learn which ones definitely don't. Plus, you'll be experimenting in the confines of your own home, so if the look doesn't quite hit the mark, nobody will know except for you. Need some makeup inspiration to get started? Below, we've put together the looks we can't wait to try this break!

Majestic Metallics

This pink/purple metallic eyeshadow that Tia Mowry has going on is a wonderful look that transitions wonderfully from fall to winter. You can make it as dramatic or subtle as you want it to be; it all depends on how much pigment and eyeliner you use.

Get the Look:

• Make sure your face is matte as opposed to dewy so that the attention can be focused on your eyes.
• Using NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Violetta ($35), apply the lighter color onto the inner V of your eye and blend up and outwards to the lids.
• With the darker color, apply to the outer V of your eye and then blend inwards to your lids to achieve a daytime look.
• For a nighttime look, apply more of the darker color to your lid and then add a metallic/shimmery plum (such as Sephora Collection Colorful Eyeshadow Shimmer in No. 33 Dying For Shoes, $13) in the outer V. Blend that into your crease.
• Don't forget to finish it off with eyeliner and mascara!
• To complete the look, just add a dab of your everyday go-to gloss, or a rosy gloss, such as Sephora Collection Ultra Shine Lip Gloss in Rose Petal ($14).

Leggy Lashes

All we want for Christmas is to learn how to recreate Kim K's look in about the 5 minutes we have from rolling out of bed in the morning to running to class. Fake lashes are a trend that, we believe, will never go out of style. The trick to perfecting them? Practice, practice, practice. As for wearing them during the day? Less is more.

Get the Look:

• Prep your face however you want. We prefer a radiant/hydrating foundation or tinted moisturizer, like NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($42).
• To lift your cheeks and get a natural glow, use NARS Blush in Orgasm ($30). And for those with darker skin tones, give Buxom True Hue Blush in Rendezvous ($24) a try.
• For your eyes, use a large angled eyeshadow brush (such as e.l.f. Studio Angled Contour Brush, $3) to apply a wash of matte nude in a shade 1 or 2 steps down from your skintone.
• To give some definition, use a fine-tip liquid pen (such as Kat Von D Tattoo Liner, $18) to line the top of your eyes.
• Apply your lashes as close to your lashline as possible. Sephora Collection Bulls Eye Lash Applicator ($12) really helps in the application. For those who want a softer and more subtle look, try brown fake lashes (3 pairs for $7.32).
• To complete the look, just add a touch of lip gloss and you're ready to go.

Glamorously Gothic

For a modern take on the gothic look, we look to Evan Rachel Wood for inspiration. This cool look is a more polished version of that middle school phase most of us went through, when we had no idea what exactly we were doing with makeup. Evan matches her lips to her eyes, which looks eerily fabulous.

Get the Look:

• For the gothic look, start out with a matte face.
• Use a rose color on your cheeks. Try out Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Dazzled, or Blushing Bride for darker skin tones ($26).
• If you're going to match your eyes to your lipstick and still obtain the glam goth look, two colors that are wonderful are a dark red and a plum. For a red, try out Make Up For Ever Artist Shadow in S848 Raspberry ($21) and Sephora Collection Rouge Cream Lipstick in Courtisane 02 ($12.50). For plum, we recommend Make Up Forever Artist Shadow in D926 in Blueberry ($21) and Sephora Collection Rouge Cream Lipstick in Crush 23 ($12.50).
• Apply the eyeshadow to your lids and then blend up and out all the way to your brow bone.
• Use a thick and pigmented eyeliner (such as Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Perversion, $20) to line the top and bottom of your eyes.
• Finish off your eyes with some mascara.
• Use the corresponding lip color to complete the look!

Color Craze

Adding some color is always a fun way to drastically change up your eye look from day to day. If you have a colorful eyeshadow palette, your possibilities are endless (and cheaper than buying each eyeliner color separately)! The only thing that limits you is your own imagination. Use this break to experiment with a whole slew of colors and combinations. An icy blue is sure to turn heads as you hit up this season's holiday parties. You can even channel Peta Murgatroyd and match your eyes to your jewelry.

Get the Look:

• Prep your eyes by applying a wash of nude to your lids and a lighter color to your brow bone.
• To make the eyeliner color pop, apply a shimmery pearl or champagne color to the inner V of your eyes and blend it into your lids.
• Using a colored eyeliner (such as Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Electric, $20), line the entirety of your eyes and let it dry before the next step.
• If you're using eyeshadow, dampen an eyeliner brush (like Sephora Collection Classic Must Have Angled Liner Brush #90, $14) and then use whatever color you would like: We love Sephora Collection Colorful Eyeshadow Shimmer in No. 14 Surfin USA ($13).
• Using a fine point black eyeliner (like Kat Von D Tattoo Liner, $18), line the top of your eyes and the outer 1/3 of the bottom of your eyes.
• Add mascara to finish off your eyes.
• To complete the look but also keep all the attention on your eyes, use a barely-there pink on your cheeks and lips. For blush, try out Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Dollface, or Flush for darker skin tones ($26). For lips, try out Tarte LipSurgence Lip Tint in Enchanted ($24).

Which one of these looks are you going to try? Let us know your results: We want to know what worked and what didn't!

Although it seems like we were just lazing away our summer days, there’s definitely no denying it: Winter is here, and the holiday season is right around the corner. Kind of freaked out by how fast this past year went? We are, too. Also kind of freaked out by all of that gift shopping you have to do soon? Ditto. The pressure to find your loved one the perfect gift can oftentimes be exhausting. What should I get my roommate? What should I not get my new boyfriend?

The holidays are stressful, but don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. If you’re looking to make this year’s present creative, unique or even a bit weird, then check out these options that are sure to be way, way better than your boring old gift card.

1. Let her know she lights up your world

Give your loved one a piece of the universe this holiday season by gifting her a star!  Easily done through online services such as Name a Star, this gift is a creative one and can be romantic or even just a sweet, friendly gesture. Your BFF or SO receiving a star from you this holiday season is sure to brighten up his or her day. Just imagine your loved one looking up at a starry night sky and seeing your gift twinkle down at him or her!

Name a Star’s nine different packages to choose from range from basic certificates priced at just under $20 to more robust packages for nearly $100. The location of your star is up to you: Either choose the specific constellation you want it to be in or leave it up to the service to pick one out for you. But don’t stress about the location! Name a Star guarantees your star to be visible via a telescope, binoculars or the naked eye (depending on where you live and its pollution levels) from your location during the time of year you place the order.

Additionally, most packages come with a star chart to help you accurately mark the location and “celestial address” of your star. Although a symbolic gift, the recipient will have her star’s name recorded in an official Name a Star Record Book.

2. Get her in touch with her wild side

Who wouldn’t want to be gifted a lion, a tiger or even an elephant this holiday season? If your friend is an animal lover or you just want to see the look on her face when you tell her, “I got you a polar bear for Christmas,” then consider adopting her a wild animal!

Wild animal adoption can be done through many zoos or animal conservation organizations, so be sure to check out one near you. Some, like the Smithsonian’s National Zoo or the World Wildlife Fund, have adoption packages at a wide range of prices that help to support animal life.

Katie Sieger, a recent graduate from St. Olaf College, says that for just a $55 fee, you can adopt a wild animal from WWF and receive a plush, an adoption certificate and species card, a photo of the animal and a gift bag.

“When you ‘adopt’ an animal in someone's name from WWF (you can adopt a tiger, African elephant, three-toed sloth, panda, polar bear, red panda, sea turtle and so many more!), your donation helps with the WWF's conservation efforts around the world,” Katie says. “It's a great gift idea if you have a friend that is obsessed with animals or passionate about protecting endangered species.”  

Oh, and WWF’s latest addition to its long list of adoptable animals? A narwhal. Imagine the look on your friend’s face when you give her that.

3. Take her up, up and away

Gliding peacefully 3,000 feet in the air in the early morning over beautiful landscapes that are sure to take your breath away? Yes, please!  Hot air ballooning is only becoming more popular, accessible and affordable to the public these days — many ballooning groups can be easily found with a simple Google search based on where you live.

Balloon Rides Across America offers flights from almost 100 different locations across the United States. Their prices typically cost $299 per person, but you can currently save $40 for a reservation for one person or $80 for a reservation for two. This service suggests you book your flight a week to 10 days in advance, or further ahead of time for a specific date, such as a holiday or birthday.

Similar companies like American Balloons are a bit cheaper, ranging from $189 per adult or $125 for children. This service advises that you reserve your spot at least two weeks in advance.

Don’t forget: Experiences like hot air balloon rides can be made much more affordable by taking advantage of promotions, holiday specials, online vouchers, coupons or discount sites such as Groupon.

4. Give generously to those who need it

In the spirit of the holiday season, why not give your loved one the warm, fuzzy feeling that comes with doing a good deed? Donating to a charity in your friend’s name is a great alternative gift idea that is perfect for the friend who already has it all (or just has a good heart!). Plus, getting the certificate or card in the mail saying how the donation has benefitted the lives of others is sure to put a smile on your loved one’s face.

A great organization to give to is The American Red Cross, which will mail the recipient a Tribute Card in response to the donation. Others include Save the Children and ActionAid.

Recent University of Nottingham graduate Sheetal Mistry explains that ActionAid “has a 'Christmas catalog' where you can donate gifts to charity in the name of friends and family.  For example, you can buy a goat for a poor family in Africa as a gift! My mother's friend bought her a sponsorship of a child in poverty in Sierra Leone. I know that's a bit of a serious gift … but it's definitely different and creative!”  See all of the unique gifts you can give through ActionAid here.

If your loved one is passionate about a certain cause or volunteers with an organization, consider donating there as well. Making a difference for a cause that she loves is going to make the holiday season that much greater for her.

5. Push her down a hill (we promise she’ll love it!)

Ever heard of zorbing? Basically the art of rolling down a hill in a hamster-ball-like transparent “zorb,” zorbing is sure to be an insanely fun and unique experience for you and a best friend or loved one to do together. Zorbing works by having a person (or several people) strapped into or standing inside a flexible plastic ball that is then placed inside a slightly larger ball, leaving room between the two for shock absorption when you are bouncing and rolling down the hill.

Look into gifting either a dry zorbing ride, in which you are securely strapped inside the ball, or a wet zorbing ride, in which you try to run inside the ball filled with water (significantly more difficult—and fun!). Wet zorbing is also said to be better for light stomachs because you are held afloat by water instead of constantly being rolled upside down. If zorbing interests you, find a sports center or organization near you that provides zorbing events.

For more information, check out sites like OGO or Freeballin USA. Zorbing with Freeballin’ USA costs $20 per one-person ride. If you want to book a two-person ball, it’s $30. Zorbing isn’t available in many states, so if you are looking for the ride of your life and you live in the right location, you should definitely give zorbing a chance!

6. Get her the gift that keeps on giving

A monthly gift box service tailored to the interests of your loved one is an unique and fun gift that he or she is sure to love (and continue to love!). There are countless different types of gift box services you can get. Consider signing your girly BFF up for a monthly beauty box service like Birchbox for just $10 per month or having an ingredient and music box delivered to a friend who loves cooking and great music with Turntable Kitchen at $25 per month. A monthly gift box is sure to be something that your loved one looks forward to each month.

Not sure if you can afford a full year of gifts? Don’t worry! Many gift box services allow you to decide how many months you want to continue the service for. Some will allow you to simply have the gifts delivered until you choose to stop the subscription, or you can set a certain number of months that you would like to pay for ahead of time.  While some high-end and more luxurious sets can be quite expensive, cute and fun ones like Sock Panda, which is a monthly gift box service of crazy and fun socks, are much cheaper (Sock Panda being just $12 per month!). 

You know your friend is going to expect a gift from you in December, but imagine how excited she will be when the gifts continue to roll in for several months after that as well!

 7. Take a ride on the wild side

Pull a Paul Blart from Paul Blart: Mall Cop and take your bestie on a Segway ride. As cheesy as it sounds, you guys will be laughing all the way through (and will get some super cute pictures while doing so!). Some prime location spots to take a Segway ride include your favorite park, a sports track, a trail or your local downtown. If you are going to an actual course or you signed you and a friend up for a lesson, look into reserving a spot a couple weeks or months in advance, based on how regular the lessons are or how busy the course usually is.

In many metropolitan cities, like Washington, D.C., Chicago or San Francisco, there are Segway tours you can go on that will give you a firsthand look at the interesting or historic parts of the city. These are often cheaper than taking part in a Segway lesson on an actual course. Services like City Segway Tours are a great option (if they are available in your city) and cost around $70 per person, depending on the location and tour you choose. However, many cities and large parks also have Segway stands that you can rent a Segway from for a lower hourly rate. For these, there is generally no way to book in advance because it is not an actual lesson. Renting a Segway in a park is also generally much cheaper, and you have the freedom to explore on your own without being guided. Just imagine the memories you and your loved one will have from this creative gift!

8. Get candid together

Want to create some super-cute holiday memories? Hire a photographer to take pictures of you and your BFF, SO or family this holiday season! Who wouldn’t want a framed, totally candid (okay, maybe completely staged – they have to get our good angles, right?) picture of you and your loved one frolicking in the snow in cute holiday-themed sweaters?

There are many ways to make this gift option inexpensive, too. Head over to the photography or photojournalism building on your campus and see if a fellow classmate could snap a few pics for you. You could also get in touch with a local event photographer or high school senior photographer (contact him or her through his or her Facebook page or personal website!) and see if he or she needs sample prints for their website at a reduced price or even for free. You could also book the same photographer who shoots for your sorority, sports team or school newspaper. If all else fails, hit up a friend who has a fancy camera and see if she’ll get a couple candids!

Booking a rookie or inexpensive photographer could run around $30 or more per hour (with professional photographers being much more pricey). Unless you only want to post these photos on social media, you will have to also pay for prints.

Not all gifts have to come in a pretty little box. Why not get creative this year and give your loved one a truly amazing experience instead?  Get weird and creative with your presents this year and give your friends and family a gift (or experience!) they will remember for years to come. 

With upcoming holiday parties, winter break and yes, a new semester on the horizon, this season requires a lot of shopping. Consider this a gift from us to you—a guarantee that you definitely will not be caught in the same party outfit you wore last year.

We’ve teamed up with Ruche to give away a $500 gift card to the site! Created by a husband-and-wife team, this site is a gold mine of vintage-inspired pieces for the modern girl, like pretty beaded tanks, versatile lace-up boots and structured, lady-like bags. Peruse the site for your favorite items (start bookmarking the pieces you’ll want to get with your shopping spree!), or check out their brand new winter lookbook for tons of style inspiration.

Can’t wait to get shopping? Get 20 percent off your first purchase when you sign up for an account on the site, plus get free shipping with any order of $75 or more! And don’t forget to enter for your chance at a $500 shopping spree, below!

As our favorite maid of honor once said, “It's a great color. It's a great length. It's fun. You can twirl. You can move in it. You can spread your legs apart...” (Annie Walker, Bridesmaids). While this was in reference to a dress, the same thing can be said for the bold fashion statement that we are absolutely loving: The jumpsuit. Okay, admittedly this adult version of a onesie has always received mixed reviews, but we're pretty sure we've come up with five amazing reasons for you to ditch your cocktail dress and opt for a chic jumpsuit at your next holiday party this season! 

1. It’s an insta-outfit

While your friends are scrambling to pair the perfect top and bottom, you can rest easy because your top and bottom are so perfect for each other that they are connected! Just add jewelry and shoes, and bam! Your outfit is complete. We're partial to the Draped Garnet Jumpsuit ($178) from Anthropologie—the deep wine red is absolutely gorgeous. 

2. Your legs stay warm

So tights aren’t your thing, but neither is freezing your bare legs off in the biting cold. It sounds like a jumpsuit is right for you! Try the Dietrich Printed Jumpsuit ($158) from Anthropologie—printed with adorably tiny top hats, it was pretty much made to party in.

3. You can bust out all your craziest dance moves

Rather than subtly bobbing to the music, feel free to take center stage in your jumpsuit without fear of flashing fellow party guests. A jumpsuit allows for you to show off all your best dance moves. Have the urge for a Rockette-style kick line? Go for it! Since nothing says happy holidays like sequins do, we recommend the Jumpsuit with Sequin Bodice ($85.28) from ASOS.

4. You’ll stand out

In a sea of party dresses, you and your jumpsuit will attract the attention of envious party-goers who are (probably) cold and (definitely) deprived of the dance floor. A jumpsuit is the perfect wardrobe piece to experiment with new style options, and one with a classic silhouette in the bodice and pretty pleats at the waist means you can wear a jumpsuit to even the most formal events. Try the Royal Blue Strapless Jumpsuit ($43) from Lulu's.

5. They flatter your figure

No matter what your shape or size, jumpsuits are totally forgiving! The ASTR Floral Jacquard Jumpsuit ($78) from Nordstrom, with the deep V-neck, a cropped leg (to give just a tiny peek at the ankles) and a tie at the waist is particularly flattering. We also love that this piece serves as a unique take on the LBD—and the dark, subtle floral makes for the perfect finishing touch.

Are you sold on the holiday jumpsuit yet, collegiettes?

A report released this week by the Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics shows that the percentage of women in the U.S. using long-term methods of birth control—such as IUDs and implants placed under the skin—has increased significantly in the past few years.

During 2011 to 2013, 7.2 percent of women surveyed from ages 15 to 44 use long-term birth control methods—statistics based on data from 2006 to 2010 show the previous rate to be 3.8 percent, meaning the number of women who are opting for long-term birth control has close to doubled. Its use appears to be most popular among women ages 25 to 34—approximately 11 percent of women in this age group used long-acting reversible contraception (LARC).

In total, 62 percent of U.S. women between the ages of 15 to 44 reported using some form of birth control. As expected, the most common form of birth control is the pill (with 16 percent of women choosing this method; 25 percent of women ages 15 to 24 use the pill). Somewhat surprisingly, however, female sterilization was the second most popular method, with 15.5 percent of women going this route. When divided up into smaller age groups, the study found that almost 1 in 3 women between ages 35 to 44 chose sterilization; only 1 percent of women ages 15 to 24 opted for it. Also common are male condoms, coming in at 9.4 percent.

Dr. Vanessa Cullins, vice president of external medical affairs at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said that the statistics on female sterilization are not as surprising as they seem. “Consider the fact that the majority of women in this country have had the number of children they want to have by mid-twenties to thirty or so—and they still have the capacity to get pregnant until they are 50 years old,” she explained to Time, adding that she expects the number to decline in upcoming years as LARCs become more popular and affordable.

What do these statistics say about modern women? Are we more conscious of our sexual health? Does this show that previous, more traditional priorities have shifted from the home to women's careers? Let us know what you think, collegiettes!

It should be a rule in every college or university’s handbook: During the holiday season, every collegiette must watch Love Actually at least once during their time at school. (Haven’t seen it yet? It’s on Netflix. Go! Now! Then come back and read this article.) This movie has it all. Seriously, with nine different plotlines, there’s undoubtedly at least one couple you’ll connect with. Plus, it’s just a great, feel-good way to launch you into the holiday spirit when you’re looking for the perfect way to procrastinate on studying for finals. To help you justify this “learning experience,” check out these seven love lessons all viewers can pick up on after watching Love Actually.

Lesson #1: Love triangles are messy.

Maybe the saddest story in all of Love Actually is the Juliet/Peter/Mark love triangle. (This one could also be the creepiest. Videotaping your BFF’s wedding when you’re crazy about his bride? Not the world’s best decision…) No matter how you look at it, it’s a messy situation.

So what’s a collegiette to do if she finds herself in a similar situation? Taking a page out of Mark’s book might be best. Depending on the situation, get the truth out there. You don’t need to go all out and make some big gesture with super cute notecards, but if you feel like you can’t stay in a situation any longer without speaking up (e.g., it’s hurting your friendship with one or both of the other people involved, it’s affecting your mental or physical health, you’re sabotaging other relationships because you’re stuck on someone else), find a way to gently break the truth to one or both of the other members of the triangle. Once you make peace with the situation, make things less awkward for the time being by removing yourself from the situation. It’s the decision of the couple to decide what to do next, not yours.

Lesson #2: When it comes to new relationships, just be yourself!

It’s clear from the first time they meet that what David, the fictional new Prime Minister in the movie, likes about Natalie, one of his staffers, was that Natalie’s true self shines through. She’s not afraid to be herself in front of one of the most powerful men in Britain, and even sticks to her guns when he comes to woo her back, inviting him to accompany her to the Christmas play she’s about to leave for instead of letting him whisk her back to 10 Downing Street.

Take a page out of Natalie’s book next time you’re flirting with a potential BF. Be yourself and let your own personality shine through. Don’t feel like you need to pretend to be someone you’re not to get a guy. After all, you want a person to like you for you, not someone who’s fake! 

Lesson #3: Sometimes, a best friend is all you need.

While most of Love Actually focuses on romantic relationships, you can’t overlook the touching moments that occur between fading pop star Billy Mack and his manager, Joe. These two may not be the conventional example of friendship, but the scenes between Billy and Joe show just how important your BFFs can be when it comes to dealing with the ups and downs of love and everything else.

Just like your guy needs his bros, it’s important to make sure you don’t ditch your gal pals when you’re seeing someone. Dating and relationships are great, but nothing beats the power and comfort of a best friend who just gets you. Whether it’s serving as a sounding board for a friend who just needs to vent or providing advice to help a friend navigate one of the trickier situations those in love go through, make sure you’re there for your friends when they need you.

Lesson #4: Even the biggest barriers to love can be overcome.

Okay, maybe learning an entirely new language for someone you’ve just met a la struggling writer Jamie and Aurélia is a little, well… Hollywood. That being said, situations like struggling to communicate how you feel or long-distance relationships are very real obstacles a lot of us face in the crazy pursuit of love.

These barriers can often be overcome, however—a lesson well worth remembering.

Whether it’s a huge argument, spending a semester apart when one of you goes abroad, deciding to take a break or another scenario that’s imposing some sort of obstacle between you and your partner, get creative! Find ways to tackle whatever it is separating or frustrating you, whether that’s trying new ways to keep in touch, being more open about what you’re feeling or a number of other solutions. Love may not always be able to conquer all, but it can sure tackle an awful lot!

Lesson #5: Be upfront about your mistakes.

We’re human; we all mess up. Harry (the character played by Alan Rickman, the same actor who plays Snape in Harry Potter) cheating on his wife, Karen (played by Emma Thompson, who plays Professor Trelawney in Harry Potter!), is one of the more heart-wrenching plotlines in Love Actually. However, this too lends itself to an important lesson: Be honest and upfront about your mistakes, especially when it’s as serious as cheating on a significant other. Your partner will appreciate your honesty rather than finding out in another manner, and you’ll feel much better getting it off your chest.

Lesson #6: Don’t be afraid to try new things.

Oh, Colin. Colin, Colin, Colin. As sleazy as this ladies’ man may be (he flew all the way across the pond just to find a date), he does seem to know the key to many an American girl’s heart. Why do British accents have to be so adorable?! Judgment aside on his Wisconsin escapades, you’ve got to admire his persistence.

Colin demonstrates the importance of switch up your approach if your usual tactics aren’t working when it comes to snagging a date. Hitting all the hot spots on campus with no luck? Try somewhere new off campus. Sick of dating the same old doofy frat guys? Try chatting up that cute artsy guy you always see at your favorite coffee shop.

Lesson #7: Big gestures can mean a lot.

Let’s face it––nothing makes us swoon like those big romantic gestures throughout Love Actually, like little Sam’s race through the airport to see Joanna at the gate right before she embarks on an international flight or David standing up to the American president (and looking super hot while doing so, might we add!) after he was hitting on Natalie. There are definitely things the guys in our lives do that take our breath away.

But the big gestures aren’t just for the guys to do! Go out of your way to do something nice for your guy from time to time, whether that’s cooking a delicious dinner for the two of you to share, snagging tickets to see his favorite team play or anything else creative you can think of. Even the strongest relationships that have existed for months or even years can benefit from the occasional reminder of how much he means to you!

While the hilarious scenarios are enough of a reason to watch Love Actually this holiday season, you could also learn a little bit about love along the way! What other love lessons did you learn from Love Actually? Let us know in the comments below!

Earlier this week, Time magazine announced its person of the year—and despite rumors that Beyoncé was going to make the cut, we were thrilled to learn that the Ebola fighters were given the honor.

The Ebola fighters were chosen out of other contenders, which included Taylor Swift (the only celebrity to make the list), Vladimir Putin, Apple CEO Tim Cook and this year's runner-up, the Ferguson protestors. Past recipients of this title include Pope Francis, President Barack Obama, "The Protester" (representing global events such as the Arab Spring and and Occupy movements) and more. 

Though Ebola has existed in African villages for decades, the disease struck this year in the deadliest outbreak yet, claiming the lives of more than 6,000 victims out of even more thousands of cases this year.

According to Time, the title is dedicated to the group of doctors and aid workers who had the biggest impact on the world and news while fighting the disease. We've all become familiar with Dr. Kent Brantly, a 33 year-old doctor from Texas who was running an Ebola treatment facility in west Africa when he became the first American to be infected. Brantly and his coworker Nancy Writebol, who was infected shortly after, were sent to isolation wards in Atlanta's Emory University Hospital to be treated for the disease. 

Brantly and Writebol have since recovered from the disease. 

"It's an incredible honor," Brantly said during his visit to the Today Show on Wednesday. "Those who paid the highest price for their service are themselves West African. It's an honor for me to be considered part of that group."

The magazine will be released with multiple covers, each highlighting a different Ebola fighter to represent the group. In addition to Brantly, the covers will feature Dr. Jerry Brown, Ebola survivor and disease counsel Salome Karwah, Doctors Without Borders health educator Ella Watson-Stryker and Ebola survivor and ambulance team supervisor Foday Gallah.

In an article explaining the choice and supporting the decision, Time editor Nancy Gibbs writes, "The rest of the world can sleep at night because a group of men and women are willing to stand and fight. For the tireless acts of courage and mercy, for buying the world time to boost its defenses, for risking, for persisting, for sacrificing and saving, the Ebola fighters are Time's 2014 Person of the Year."

The issue of the magazine hits newsstands today. 

Everyone knows that winter break is the perfect time for cooking, skiing, spending time with your family... and, of course, finding a show to obsess over while you inhale a small mountain of cookie dough. We've put together some of our favorite classic shows that you won't even be embarrassed about when Netflix asks, "Are you still watching?"

1. Gilmore Girls

Lorelai and Rory will make you feel like you, in comparison, have no caffeine addiction whatsoever. This feel-good show is perfect for binge watching because it's funny and... you know, the guys on it are pretty easy on the eyes.

2. Friends

Coming to Netflix on New Year's Day 2015, Friends is the classic must-watch show about six friends living in New York. Can this be our lives after we graduate? Yes, please.

3. 30 Rock

Liz Lemon is our favorite #girlboss, and she will totally justify your need to eat a pizza, an ice cream sundae and peppermint bark over the holidays. Did we mention she's hilarious?

4. Modern Family

This family's antics will make you feel like your own wacky family's Christmas is totally normal! Plus the episodes are so short, you can make a serious dent in all the seasons on Netflix...

5. Law and Order: SVU

If you need some career inspiration or just a good old-fashioned crime show, this show will make you feel like you're saving the world (or that you could totally make it through law school because you're basically an expert now) with a minimal amount of work.

The holidays wouldn't be the holidays without a healthy amount of binge-watching! Finish up those finals and get ready for a break filled with family, food and lots of time Netflix-ing in your PJs.

Growing long, healthy hair is important to a lot of us. Unfortunately, we can’t always have a head full of hair that goes inches past our bra straps—because when it comes to hair growth, we can be our own worst enemies. You may not realize it, but there are a few things you may be doing that are stopping your hair from growing.

1. You’re not eating well

 
Hair health isn’t just caused by the way you take care of your hair itself; it’s also caused by the way you take care of your body. You might be slowing down your own hair growth if you aren’t sticking to a vitamin- and protein-rich diet.

We talked to Dr. Nicole Rogers, a hair transplant surgeon, about the ideal diet for healthy hair. “Women should have at least 40-45 grams of protein on a daily basis as well as an adequate amount of iron [roughly 15-18 milligrams],” Rogers says.

To stimulate your follicles and give them a little extra help, try regularly eating protein- and iron-rich foods like salmon, eggs, Greek yogurt and spinach, which are rich in these nutrients.

You might also be putting your hair at risk if you’re a frequent dieter or you’ve ever followed an extreme diet regimen. “Crash diets can be great for losing weight in a hurry, but they can also take a toll on one's hair, with possible shedding two to three months after the sudden caloric deprivation,” Rogers says.

2. You overheat your hair

 
Using heat on your hair can weaken and break it. Try using hot tools on your hair only once a week, and make sure you buy products that allow you to control their heat settings.

“Hairdryers and curling irons should be used at the lowest heat setting possible,” Rogers says. “The best-case scenario, though, is not using any heat at all.”

3. Your hair is overprocessed

 
Overprocessing can damage your scalp and cause breakage. If you use a lot of different chemicals on your hair, such as relaxers, your hair might be overprocessed.

“What’s damaging about relaxers is that some people don’t follow the instructions or they leave the product on their hair for too long,” Rogers says. “Lye-based relaxers like potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide are generally the most damaging.”

Even if your hair looks good in the end, applying any sort of chemicals to your hair may result in damage.

There’s also the issue of how you choose to dye your hair. Some people may think that simply throwing in some highlights is a safer alternative to dyeing their hair bleach blonde, but highlights are actually damaging, too.

“Highlighting the hair can damage it by making it more porous,” Rogers says. “It causes less damage to either leave the hair its natural color or to dye it a darker color.”

4. You don’t take vitamins

Remember those Flintstones Vitamins many of us took when we were younger? As a kid, you may not have realized the effect these vitamins had on your overall health. Although they don’t always taste great, daily vitamins are actually beneficial to hair growth.

“Taking a multivitamin daily can be a great addition to any diet to help improve the quality of one's hair,” Rogers says. You don’t have to swallow a pill in the shape of a prehistoric cartoon character, but we suggest taking a multivitamin that will fill any gaps in your regular diet and result in stronger, healthier hair.

 
Waist-length hair may feel like a pipe dream, but if you reverse these habits you’ll be able to grow a longer mane in no time!
 

Taylor Swift has had a killer year. From the release of 1989 to her consistent record of stellar style, it seems like she can’t (and won't) stop. But if there’s one thing T. Swift loves more than her crop tops, it’s her famous roster of besties. No, we’re not talking about her precious kittens, but the lineup of celeb gal pals that she’s constantly spotted with. The singer recently made headlines with a delightfully snarky request for her upcoming 25th birthday:

As my 25th birthday present from the media, I’d like for you to stop accusing all my friends of dating me. #thirsty

—Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13)

Taylor has been rumored to be dating everyone from Karlie Kloss to Lorde lately, but she is officially shutting the rumor mill down. As far as we’re concerned, Taylor’s friendships are ones that we dream of having! So to celebrate her birthday request, we’re counting down our top 8 Taylor faves.

8. Jessica Szohr

Taylor and Jessica go way back to when the blond beauty was feeling “22”—when the former Gossip Girl actress appeared in the music video for the catchy tune. She also tags along with Taylor on her many cross-country adventures.

Why we love this duo: Their friendship has stood the test of time.

7. Hailee Steinfeld

From trips to Paris and Rhode Island to red carpet premieres, these pals always keep each other laughing. While there’s quite an age gap, Taylor has obviously taken the young starlet under her wing.

Why we love this duo: Hailee is like Tay’s mini-me.

6. Lena Dunham

Swift credits Lena with helping her understand her stance on feminism, and the Girls creator and star attributes Taylor’s music with helping her get through some tough times. The two can be seen hugging it out at award shows and being adorable in group bestie shots on Instagram.

Why we love this duo: Friends who thoughtfully teach us new things are hard to come by.

5. Emma Stone

Emma and Taylor hadn't been seen in public together for a while until Tay showed up to see the actress perform in Cabaret, as evidenced by the cutest Instagram shots. Emma was also among the many guests at Taylor’s Fourth of July blowout at her Rhode Island home.

Why we love this duo: Emma and Taylor are our dream BFFs, so it’s just perfect that they are friends with each other.

4. Jaime King

These two haven’t known each other very long—only since January!—but they’re already practically inseparable. The Hart of Dixie star and the “Blank Space” singer attended various award shows, looking stunning and posing for the flashbulbs, and even participated in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge together.

Why we love this duo: While their glam style makes them gorgeous, it’s their ability to form a fast and lasting friendship that makes them admirable.

3. Selena Gomez

There may have been rumors of a rift in the past few months, but Tay and Selena are stronger than ever. Most recently, they showed their support for each other at the AMAs to glorious and awe-inducing results!

Why we love this duo: While they’ve both been through their fair share of breakups, their friendship is built on sticking by each other through anything.

2. Lorde

Lorde and Taylor were also spotted at the AMAs, but what’s truly astounding is Lorde’s recent criticism of a radio host who claimed the two were in a relationship. She quickly jumped to defend her bestie and didn’t back down when he tried to laugh it off.

Why we love this duo: They’re not afraid to defend each other to the media.

1. Karlie Kloss

Where do we even begin? From their hand holding performance at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show to their giggle-filled photos from the AMAs, these two are unstoppably adorable. We're actually convinced that they're secretly twins... anyone else see it?

Why we love this duo: They make friendship look like photogenic fun!

Happy birthday, Taylor! Here's to hoping we're the next to be inducted into her clique...

It’s the most wonderful time of the year to spend time with the three Fs: friends, family and, of course, food. Don’t sacrifice any hard work at the gym for decadent holiday treats; opt for healthy alternatives instead. After you’ve decorated the tree and perfected your wish list, relax with a favorite holiday movie and one of these healthy Christmas snacks.

1. Grinch Fruit Kabob

Not only is this a cute and simple snack, it’s also good for you! Fruits are full of nutrients that are under-consumed, such as potassium, fiber and vitamin C.

Recipe from MOMables

Ingredients:

• Mini marshmallows
• Strawberries, tops sliced off
• Banana, peeled and sliced
• Green grapes
• Toothpicks

Instructions:

1. Wash and cut your fruit.
2. On each toothpick, assemble your kabob as following: one mini marshmallow, one strawberry, one banana slice and one green grape.

2. Cinnamon Apple Chips

With no added sugar, these cinnamon apple chips combine our favorite fruit with a little sprinkle of holiday flavor. An apple a day, as they say!

Recipe from Trial and Eater

Ingredients:

• Two apples
• Cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Thinly slice the apples, removing any seeds.
3. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
4. Bake for one hour. Flip the apples. Bake for another hour.
5. Let apple chips cool, and eat!

3. Pita Trees

A festive take on a classic snack, these guacamole pita trees are sure to be a popular appetizer at any holiday party. Not only that, the avocado in guacamole is rich in vitamin K, an essential vitamin for blood clotting.

Recipe from Charlotte Parent magazine

Ingredients:

• Whole-wheat pita pockets cut in triangles
• Guacamole
• Diced tomatoes
• Pretzel sticks

Instructions:

1. Spread guacamole on pita triangles.
2. Sprinkle diced tomatoes on top.
3. Stick pretzel sticks into pitas.

4. Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

Though chocolate and peanut butter may not sound healthy, these peanut butter balls replace a primarily sugar-and-butter-filled recipe with a more natural one! It keeps the healthy fats and protein found in peanut butter while replacing refined sugar with dates.

Recipe fromDAMY Health

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of dry roasted peanuts
• 1 cup of pitted dates
• 3 scoops of protein powder (optional)
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup unsweetened coconut (optional)
• ¼ cup ground flax
• 3 tablespoon peanut butter
• ¼ cup water
• 2-3 70-percent dark chocolate bars
• Bamboo skewers (optional)
• Crushed candy canes (optional)
• Unsweetened shredded coconut (optional)

Instructions:

1. Place dark chocolate in a double boiler and let melt until completely smooth.
2. Add dry roasted peanuts to your food processor and blend until it is peanut flour.
3. Add protein powder and pulse until blended.
4. Add unsweetened coconut and ground flax and pulse until blended.
5. Add the vanilla extract, almond butter, dates and water. Blend until it reaches a cookie dough texture.
6. Remove the dough from the food processor and place in a bowl. Begin rolling protein balls into 1-inch balls.
7. Place balls on a plate.
8. Using bamboo skewers (or two spoons), cover balls with melted chocolate individually.
9. Place chocolate-covered balls spaced out on a waxed-paper-covered plate (or tray for easy removal) and sprinkle with your topping of choice.
10. Place in the freezer for a few hours or overnight.
11. Serve straight from the freezer.

5. Maple Gingerbread Popcorn

Who doesn’t love sitting next to a fire with a nice, big bowl of popcorn? Since popcorn is low in calories and coconut oil has healthy fats, this recipe is the perfect healthy snack to accompany your favorite holiday movies. It’s also naturally vegan and gluten-free!

Recipe from Real Food Real Deals

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup organic popcorn kernels (generates 15 cups popped)
• 3 tablespoons coconut oil
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup
• 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Pop the popcorn.
3. Place the solid coconut oil in a large roasting pan or on a cookie sheet that has sides. Put the pan in the oven until the oil melts.
4. Remove the pan from the oven and add the maple syrup and spices. Stir to combine.
5. Add the popped popcorn to the pan and stir so that the popcorn is evenly coated.
6. Bake for 6-8 minutes, stirring every couple minutes. Once it starts to brown a little, it's done.
7. Remove and cool on a wire rack.

6. Low-Fat Gingerbread Cookies

Get a low-fat substitute for classic holiday dessert with these gingerbread cookies! By replacing most of the butter with applesauce, you get some fiber and vitamin C without the added fat.

Recipe fromSkinnytaste

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup dark molasses
• 3 cups all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 1/2 tablespoon egg whites
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• Pinch of cream of tartar

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, sugar and applesauce until smooth.
3. Add the egg and molasses and mix well.
4. In another large bowl, combine flour, baking soda and spices.
5. Add to sugar and molasses mixture, stirring well.
6. Divide the dough into two flat balls; cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least two hours.
7. Generously dust the surface of your working area with flour before rolling out the dough. Work with one ball of dough at a time; keep the other refrigerated while you do so.
8. Roll the dough out to ¼- or 1/8-inch thickness; sprinkle a little flour on top of the dough if it's a little sticky. Cut the gingerbread with a cookie cutter shape of your choice.
9. Place cookies 1 or 2 inches apart on a Silpat-lined baking sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes.
10. Mix the egg whites with lemon juice.
11. Combine with powdered sugar, mixing well. If the icing is too thin, add more powdered sugar; if it's too thick, add a drop of lemon juice.
12. Add to a piping bag to decorate cookies when cookies are cooled.

7. Dark Chocolate Peppermint Truffles

This four-ingredient recipe tastes like a decadent truffle but doesn’t use one drop of heavy cream or melted chocolate! At 27 calories each, this dairy-free treat can also be made vegan by replacing the honey with light corn syrup or agave.

Recipe from Amy’s Healthy Baking

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 3 tablespoons honey (or agave)
• 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract

Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl, stir together all four ingredients.
2. Chill for at least 30 minutes, or up to three days.
3. Working with a heaping tablespoon at a time, roll the chocolate mixture into a ball, and place on wax paper or in individual mini muffin paper liners.
4. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

If you’re watching your health this holiday season, don’t worry! The holidays no longer have to be a source of temptation with these seven snacks. 

If your Christmas break will involve a little more sand and a little less snow (in which case, lucky you!), last weekend's Art Basel in Miami is the perfect place to draw your vacation-ready style from. We put together some of the best street style snaps, plus tips on how you can get the look, so you'll turn heads when you hit the beach this winter break! Take a cue from these Art Basel ladies... and stay away from the silver wigs and nipple pasties.

1. Classic black

Every girl should own at least one jumpsuit. They’re easy, comfortable and effortlessly fashion-forward. This halter jumpsuit in classic black will remain a timeless staple in your closet—get the look with the Solid Halter Jumpsuit ($34.97) from New York & Company. Pair it with neutral accessories and gold jewelry for a vacation-ready vibe.

2. Exotic prints

We LOVE the pairing of the snakeskin and leopard patterns in this classy button-down and shorts combo. Topped off with a crisp white top, the outfit has just enough print to entertain the eye. Easily replicable with the Snakeskin Elastic Cotton bag shorts ($30.99) from That's Point and the Georgie flats ($59.95) from DV by Dolce Vita, you’ll be wearing this outfit for years to come.

3. Fun colors

This fun dress speaks for itself and the simple accessories compliment it perfectly. Clean white sneakers paired with a classy black fedora lets the dress be the center of attention while adding elements of cool. Plus, with such sensible shoes, you'll be able to do touristy things with your family on vacay while looking cute. Try this look with the Petal to the Metal Backless Floral Print Silk dress ($47) from Lulu's, the "Cotuga" sneaker ($48.71) by Superga and the Atlas Rancher ($49.50) from Anthropologie.

4. Bright white

A crisp white romper, like the Bandeau Romper ($28.43) from ASOS, perfectly compliments sun kissed skin. Pair with bright sunnies—we're partial to these Round Sunglasses ($18) from Urban Outfitters—and a vibrant bag to add a pop of color. Pink pout optional, but encouraged.

5. Elegant and flowy

A maxi dress is a wardrobe staple that's both comfortable and stylish—it's basically like wearing a sweeping gown, but one that you can wear anywhere. Can we say perfection? Get the look with the Crochet-Topped Maxi Dress ($17.49) from Charlotte Russe!

Whatever sunny beach you're headed to during winter break this year, each one of these chic looks will win you major vacation style points... and if you'll be somewhere a little more snowy? Use this as an opportunity to dream of warmer weather—and keep these looks in mind for when that weather finally arrives!

With the worst of winter brewing, your motivation for working out is on a slippery, icy slope. As tempting as it is to stay snuggled up in your bed and hit snooze on that alarm clock this time of year, you don’t have to let your fitness routine hibernate. The next few months don’t have to be spent on the couch with comfort food nearby. By mixing up your workout calendar and maintaining a positive attitude, you’ll be beating the winter slump in no time. Check out these festive ways to burn extra calories and say goodbye to boredom all season long.

1. Train for a holiday race

What could make working out more fun than running with all the bells and whistles? Signing up for a holiday 5K race or marathon is a cheerful option to get you in the winter exercise spirit. These races spice up the regular racing routine by encouraging runners to dress in a festive costume. For the Arthritis Foundation's series of Jingle Bell Run/Walk events, runners wear holiday-themed outfits and tie jingle bells to their shoelaces. The Las Vegas Great Santa Run gives every participant a Santa suit to wear during the race. There are tons of other holiday-themed races out there, so check out Active.com to find one in your area.

2. Take a new exercise class

We all know that when winter weather sets in, going to the gym can fall to the bottom of our to-do lists. But there are plenty of out-of-the-box workout classes to get you excited about the gym! Bypass the boring treadmill and sign up for something completely new to make burning fat fun. Nothing will thaw your winter laziness like hot yoga or piloxing, which is a blend of Pilates and kickboxing.

“This is a good time of year to take a class indoors,” says Megan Fink, a senior from The University of Southern Mississippi. “I'm in Kung Fu, and it's definitely a workout.”

Mandaline Dunne, a recent graduate of Loyola University Chicago, says she looks for discounts at studios during winter since she would rather work out inside. “I found a couple local yoga studios that offers first-month discounts, so I plan on joining a couple of those during the cold-weather months,” she says.

Signing up for a class can also motivate you to go the gym because you have a specific day and time in place, not just the “I might workout sometime today” mentality.

Check your local gym or campus recreation center’s exercise schedule and perk up your routine! 

3. Find a winter workout partner

Exercising is easier when the sun is shining and just looking outside doesn’t make you shiver. That’s why when winter rolls around you need an extra jolt of motivation from a fitness-minded friend. Find a workout partner to be your ray of sunshine when things get snowy and miserable outside. It’s harder to let someone else down than it is to let yourself down, and that’s even truer in the winter. Make plans to meet a group or another fitness-minded collegiette to exercise. This way, when you’re feeling lazy and tempted to skip out on your workout, you’ll be less likely to cancel on them since you know they’ll be counting on you.

Caitlin McCoy, a recent grad of Miami University, says teaming up with a pal is a perfect way to make going to the gym more desirable. “I usually end up working out longer when I’m with a friend because [I’m] not focused on how much time is passing,” says McCoy. “It’s also a fun way to catch up with friends you haven’t seen in a while. It doesn’t even feel like you’re working out.”

So next time you need inspiration to hit the gym, text a friend to join in!

4.Get creative at home

Getting to the gym can be more of a hassle when it is cold outside, but don’t let that be an excuse to not exercise at all! A great alternative is working out at home, where's it's cozy and warm. Whether you pop in an exercise DVD, buy an exercise app or invest in a few free weights, staying at home is a convenient and fun way to stay in shape.

Try the free Nike Training Club app on iTunes. It includes more than 100 custom-built workouts. You could also check out workout tape series, such as Insanity, Pure Barre DVDs or other exercise videos on demand on your TV. You can even do a few exercises while you study orin your dorm room.

When heading out the door seems like a no-go, try a few of these options to still get your workout in. After all, home really is where the (healthy) heart is!

5. Try an extreme winter sport

Let’s get adventurous, collegiettes! If you’ve always wanted to try skiing or snowboarding, now is the perfect time to hit the slopes.

One option that will definitely whip you into shape is cross-country skiing. Instead of zooming downhill, you must propel yourself across flat surfaces and up slopes—and then you occasionally get a downhill break. Cross-country skiing is not only an NCAA and Olympic sport, but it’s the perfect winter sport to challenge your endurance and strength. And you’ll tone your arms, legs and butt while enjoying the winter snow. You may not reach gold medal status in one winter, but give this sport a try for a fresh take on working out!

6. Play in the snow

Forget that college status for second and embrace the kid in you. Whether it’s building a snowman, sledding, having a snowball fight or building an igloo, these classic options are great for getting exercise in a sneaky way.

Annie Blanks, a senior English major at Sewanee, says she always plays in the snow to celebrate the winter weather. “My friends and I have snowman-building contests on the quad during the winter,” she says. Annie adds that it’s a surprisingly killer workout. “Running around rolling those big heavy snowballs doesn't even seem like a workout until afterwards when we crash,” she says.

If you get especially stir-crazy this winter, go back to basics for a superb workout! If you’re more of a fan of ice than snow, get a group of friends together to go ice-skating. 

7. Bundle up and bear it 

As much as the bitter temperatures make you want to avoid the outdoors, sometimes taking on the outside is the best option. Running outside in the fresh, cool weather can actually be a refreshing twist to staying indoors.

“The coldest weather I've run in is 16 degrees. It sounds freezing, but it's actually doable if you wear a couple pairs of leggings, Under Armour and gloves and a hat,” Mandaline says. “The brisk winter air is really invigorating.”   

Just throw on some layers and get going. You’ll warm up as you go! And you can always go shopping for cute warm workout gear to keep you motivated!

Whether you’re trying a new class or simply making the best of a cold day, there’s no reason to get out of shape during the winter season. So throw off the covers and lace up your running shoes. It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and that includes being active! 

Still mourning the end of the Harry Potter series? As it turns out, J.K. Rowling can't get enough of the Boy Who Lived, either—in the best holiday surprise we've ever received, Rowling released the first installment of her 12-part series yesterday, and we'll be getting new stories every day leading up to Christmas Eve. This almost makes up for those Hogwarts acceptances that clearly got lost in the mail all those years ago.

This first piece gives us insight into Severus Snape's past, and though it's not extensive (it's just three paragraphs long), it does give us some more details about Cokeworth, where it's confirmed both Snape and Lily Potter grew up. What does this tell us? That their friendship likely goes back even further than we originally thought—and Snape's life-long love of Lily is that much more heartbreaking.

In case you've forgotten, Cokeworth has been mentioned a few times over the course of the seven-book series: In the first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Uncle Vernon takes Harry and his family to Cokeworth after their home is inundated with letters from Hogwarts, as he feels that "Cokeworth is so distinctly unmagical, the letters will not follow them there" (he was wrong). Then at the start of the sixth book, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, Snape visits his parents' old home with Bellatrix and Narcissa.

Rowling will be releasing new content at 8 a.m. EST every day leading up to Christmas Eve—and to access the stories on Pottermore.com, you'll need to answer a riddle. The first one?

"In a house on Spinner's End, a meeting takes place, a mother begs help for her son, tears on her face. Agreeing to help, though he doesn't know how. Which potions master performs an unbreakable vow?"

The answer is—spoiler alert!—Professor Snape. 

Since now is the time to get your holiday shopping started, we've taken the time to put together some of the best beauty gifts you'll find this weekend. The best part? They're all on sale—meaning you'll pick up these luxe products at a total steal. We're pretty sure that leaves enough for both the presents you'll be giving to others... and the ones you'll be gifting yourself. 

Smashbox Rock a Legendary Lip, $25 (originally $39), sephora.com

This Smashbox set is packed with every fabulous lip color you could imagine! A combination of lip glosses, lipsticks and long-wearing lip lacquers in various shades of red, pink and nude, this set was practically made for the holidays.

Deborah Lippman ‘I’ve Gotta Be Me’ 15th Anniversary Set, $34 (originally $49), sephora.com

Perfect for your manicure-obsessed friend, this anniversary set from Deborah Lippmann is filled with 6 shades, ranging from delicate pastels to sultry jewel-toned colors. You'll want to jump on this deal ASAP, because it's a limited edition set and these adorable mini-sized polishes won't last long on shelves!

Stila New Year's Eve Glam Set, $49 (originally $60), beauty.com

Gift this set at Christmas, and your BFF will be thanking you all the way through the new year! Packed with goodies that'll create the perfect New Year's party look (including a glamorously edgy cuff from Baublebar!), this set—which comes in a cute metallic pouch—is a one-size-fits-all gift for the trendy girl in your life.

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Eye Set, $48 (originally $62), shop.nordstrom.com

Have a friend who believes in all things classic? This is the perfect gift set for her—it includes all the basic necessities any collegiette could ever use: a sleek gel eyeliner, lash-extending mascara, two neutral-colored, shimmery eye sticks and makeup remover to take it all off at the end of the night.

Nest Fragrances Moss & Mint Body & Soul, $24 (originally $48), neimanmarcus.com

A gorgeous blend of garden mint, apple blossom and muguet with a touch of oakmoss and vetiver, this fresh, lovely fragrance is a great option for the most elegant women you know—might we suggest gifting this one to your mom? Nest Fragrances is one of the most luxe fragrance brands around, so when you have the opportunity to snag it at this great of a deal, you don't say no.

So... which ones of these will you be gifting, and which ones will you be keeping? (Don't worry, we won't tell if you spoil yourself this season.)
 

So you’ve decided to go to grad school – but as the semester comes to a close and you head into your final semester of college, you’re starting to feel a little bit burned out on school. Maybe you’d like a little time to experience the “real world” before heading back to school, or perhaps you want the opportunity to explore your interests outside of your major. Sound familiar? If so, taking a gap year before heading off to grad school might be a great option for you!

Usually the term “gap year” refers to high school students taking a year off before entering college. However, taking a gap year in between finishing college and heading off to grad school can also be a great way to refresh before heading back to higher education! Taking a break doesn’t have to mean sitting around on the couch with Netflix all day either; there are plenty of productive and even life-changing ways you can spend your gap year. Read on for five productive things to do during your year off.

1. Go abroad

Maybe you didn’t have the time to study abroad during college while trying to get all those credits out of the way, or maybe you just have a lot of wanderlust to get out of your system. Either way, going abroad during your gap year is a great way to expand your horizons and experience the rest of the world before coming back to focus on grad school.

If you do decide to use your gap year to go abroad, you can use an official gap year program or design your adventure abroad. If you’d like more structure to your year abroad or you want to work, study or volunteer while there, doing it through an organization may be best for you.

Projects Abroad offers a variety of programs in over 10 countries worldwide, such as Ghana, India, Costa Rica and Peru. Projects Abroad also offers the opportunity to volunteer and intern in a combination of countries over your gap year, and even allows you to design your own combination of countries and locations. Prices at Projects Abroad vary depending on your choice of country and activity, but the multitude of options allows you to design a plan with your financial needs in mind.

Even if you don’t use a specific program, make sure you do plenty of planning and research ahead of time!

“I would recommend that students sit down with a career counselor to work out some possibilities, goals and strategies for planning out a gap year,” says Caryanne Keenan, assistant director for career development at Ithaca College. “The process may involve creating an international resume, networking, interviewing and applying for working permits, depending on what kind of experience you're looking for.”

2. Volunteer  

Spending your gap year helping others can really change your perspective, especially if you didn’t get a lot of time to do volunteer projects in college. There are plenty of volunteer programs available for college students and young adults, many of which are even available within the United States!

Montana Buss, a junior at the University of Pennsylvania, took a year off between her freshman and sophomore years of college to work for City Year, an organization that allows volunteers to work for 11 months at a school with a small group of students to increase their educational opportunities.

“It was an amazing opportunity to work with kids in a school and feel like I was making an impact on them,” Montana says. “I worked with ninth graders as a tutor and mentor in high school classrooms.”

City Year is also a great option if you’re worried about the financial implications of taking a gap year, as it offers the option to apply to work in a specific city. With programs in 25 cities, it’s likely that there might be a program close to or even in your hometown! The program also offers a small stipend, and some volunteers even become eligible for an education award for up to $5,645 to put towards any further education, making it perfect for gap year collegiettes planning to attend grad school afterward.

3. Explore possible careers with an internship

You’re going to be spending two or more of the next few years of your life hitting the books, so why not try getting a little work experience before heading back to school? Interning can be a great way to try out a career you might not necessarily have the option to explore or study in college or grad school. It can pave the way to new opportunities that you might not have expected!

Websites like Intern Queen and Internships.com are great for finding internships in a variety of industries.  Even if you get an internship in the exact industry you’re going to grad school for, it can help reaffirm your reasons for studying hard when you go back to school a year later.

4. Learn something new

Sure, you’ve been learning like crazy in college – but what about that foreign language you’ve always been dying to learn, or that cooking class you’ve always wanted to take? Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn how to code! Whatever your interests might be, taking a year off before grad school can give you time to learn new things and develop new passions you haven’t had time for before. The best part? No grades or forced credit hours to stress you out, meaning this learning experience can be way more stress-free than your regular classes.

Look for classes in your area at community centers or even a local community college. Strapped for cash or can’t find your passion anywhere near where you live? The Internet also has tons of great options for online classes in everything imaginable. For language learners, Duolingo is a free online language-learning service. It has a “streak count” that encourages you to keep learning by telling you how many days in a row you’ve spent learning the language. It’s also available as an app for iPhone, Android devices and Windows Phone, so you can take your language on the go!

If you’re interested in learning to code, Codecademy is a free online computer-coding course with a sleek, user-friendly design that makes learning simple.

“It's important to be able to articulate to employers and graduate school representatives what you learned and how you developed during your gap year,” Keenan says. “This shows the value of the experience and prevents it from being misperceived as a ‘vacation year.’”

Because it’s so important to be able to show employers and grad school representatives what you’ve done during your gap year, gaining a new skill is a great way to show that you haven’t just been taking the year off.

5. Pursue your passion

Maybe you’ve been interested in creating a band with some friends or you’ve always had the idea of starting a fashion blog in the back of your head, but you haven’t had time to do it with your classes, extracurriculars and grad school applications. Whatever you’re passionate about doing, your gap year is a great time to do it!

If you plan to spend your gap year this way, stay focused by structuring your project. If you want to start a blog, stick to a schedule of writing, editing and creating posts to keep yourself on track. This ensures that you’ll stay productive throughout your whole gap year.

Whatever your passion, your gap year is a great time to pursue it.  Who knows, maybe if your blog or band takes off, you can earn some extra cash for grad school – a major plus!

Taking a gap year between college and grad school can be a great way to refresh, recharge and even have an experience that changes your outlook on life.

“A gap year is not for everyone, and sometimes it's simply not feasible, but for those who have a strong desire to travel, explore, learn and grow more before jumping into their first ‘real-world job,’ a gap year can be a life-changing experience—and what better time in your life is there to do it?” Keenan says.

Ask yourself what you want out of your year off, and go for it. Ultimately, your gap year will be what you make of it. Before you know it, you’ll be refreshed and ready to tackle the next adventure: grad school.