With finals in full swing, there’s a limited amount of time to celebrate the holidays on campus. But in between studying nonstop and living entirely off of coffee, take advantage of the time we have to get festive with all our friends on campus.  Whether you’re into smaller, intimate celebrations or bigger, crazier shindigs, here are four tips for throwing the perfect holiday party!

1. Choose a Theme

Even the biggest fan of holiday parties can admit that they tend to get unoriginal.  If you want your party to stand out, put a twist on the ordinary holiday theme with one of these options:

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

A classic and silly way to celebrate the holidays is to host an ugly Christmas sweater party.  Whether you have to take a trip to a local thrift shop or scavenge for crazy vintage pieces in your attic, you can find ridiculous holiday sweaters easily and inexpensively.

“Last year, my friends and I got dressed up in Christmas sweaters, decorated our dorm room and made a huge holiday dinner for ourselves while listening to Christmas music,” says Kelsey Pomeroy, a junior at Ohio State University.

Chistmukkah

Since Hanukah and Christmas fall within a few weeks of each other, you can take a hint from The O.C. and merge the two holidays to create a big Christmukkah bash.  The decorations can include everything from mistletoe to menorahs.  And, of course, it wouldn’t be complete without The O.C.-inspired cute and crafty yamaclauses, or yarmulke Santa hats, which you can easily DIY for all your guests!

Classy Christmas

Who doesn’t love an excuse to dress up? You and your friends can create your own classy event simply by dressing nicely and making more upscale arrangements with food, drinks and decorations.

Boston College graduate Meghan Gibbons has thrown a "Classy Christmas Party" with her friends for the past two years. “With all of us in college, I felt that we can act like grown-ups,” she says. “I had all my friends dress up in cute holiday dresses, and guys looked nice in button-downs. We served fancy appetizers [and] cocktails (or mocktails for those under 21), and it was a great photo opp!”  So if you have a great dress that you’re dying to wear and you appreciate fun and fancy festivities, then this is the party theme for you!

2. Set the Atmosphere

Holiday parties are all about the atmosphere, so you can’t throw a holiday party without decorations and Christmas music!  For a more casual party, red and green cups are a good choice for drinks, and you can buy either solid-colored plates and napkins or ones with Christmas motifs. 

As for decorating the room, Christmas lights, tinsel and wreaths are classic options that will set the Christmas mood and also tend to be relatively inexpensive.  However, there are many DIY decorating options that can keep you from overspending and serve as fun activities to do with your friends to get you even more pumped to party!  You could make paper snowflakes and a popcorn garland.

While any and all of these ideas will come across as Christmas-y, your décor will look even better when you stick to a decorative theme.  For example, you may want to choose colored lights when going for a warm and traditional Christmas look (great for an ugly sweater party), whereas white lights are a must if you want to turn the room into a winter wonderland (great for a classy party or Christmukkah theme!).

As for music, classic, upbeat Christmas songs are perfect for a more casual event. If you want to give your party a more modern feel, you can include modern remixes of traditional Christmas songs by artists such as Justin Bieber and Mariah Carey. A good option for a classy Christmas party is to skip the expected Christmas songs in favor of instrumental performances of traditional carols. For lots of (free!) Christmas music streaming stations, check out YulePlay.

3. Get Festive Food and Drinks

When throwing a holiday party, there are a ton of options for food and refreshments that will help set the mood. Christmas cookies and candy canes are a definite must, and to spice up your beverage selection, you can make Christmas cocktails (or mocktails for those younger than 21). 

If you want your party to include dinner but you don’t have the time to spend in the kitchen or the money to order in for everyone, an excellent option is to have the party be a potluck, where everyone brings a food item to share. “For Christmas, my friends and I have a potluck dinner,” says Emma Chapple, a junior at St. Thomas University. “It's a cheap alternative to going out, and there's always tons of food left over!”

You can even turn unhealthy holiday classics into healthy alternatives so that before your finals diet of coffee and processed food sets in you can enjoy festive food with your friends and save the leftovers as healthy study snacks! 

4. Include Activities

Even though you and your friends are bound to have fun just hanging out together at a holiday party, you can amp up your event with a few holiday-themed activities.  A great idea to get a smaller, more intimate party started right is to have a secret Santa gift exchange at the beginning of the party.  This requires planning, since all the guests will have to meet beforehand to draw names, but you can keep the gift-giving aspect as stress-free as possible by making DIY gifts or sweet treats.  You can also refer to the Her Campus Holiday Gift Guide to choose gifts based on a desired price range. And if you want to wrap your gifts in the cutest way possible, check out our gift-wrapping guide!

Barnard College graduate Christina Madsen recommends using Elftster for your gift exchange. “Its pretty cool because it will randomly assign everyone a person to buy a gift for and you can create wish lists so your Secret Santa knows what to get you,” she says.

Another easy activity option for a bigger group is to cut Christmas cards in half and throw them in a basket for people to select as they walk in. Then, the guests will have to find their match by the end of the party. This is great for a party where everyone may not necessarily know each other, because it creates an excuse to go up to people with an obvious icebreaker.  Other games that everyone can play include card games like spoons or poker using candy canes, or Christmas movie trivia.

With so many different ways to celebrate the holidays, if you have the time, there’s no reason not to throw a party! Whichever way you choose to celebrate the holidays, the important thing is that you’re having fun with your on-campus family, which is what the holiday season is really about.

When you think of high-impact beauty, you think more—more makeup, that is. But in fact, a little mascara or eyeliner can go a long way. Don’t believe us? Keep scrolling for five easy looks that’ll make your eyes pop.

1. Upside-down cat eye

 
Ditch your basic winged liner for an upside-down cat eye. This look makes eyes appear extra wide because it doesn’t enclose them the way lining your top eyelid and waterline would. Oh, and did we mention how easy it is? All you have to do is flip your cat eye!

First, apply an eye shadow primer (we love MAC’s Pro Longwear Paint Pot [$21] in Painterly) below your lower lash line. Using a bent eyeliner brush like Sonia Kashuk’s No. 107 ($5.99) dipped in an eyeliner such as Inglot’s AMC Eyeliner Gel 77, draw a strong line. You’re good to go once you’ve curled and double-coated your lashes!

2. Color mascara

 
Color mascara is the lazy-but-chic girl’s holy grail. Skip eyeliner altogether and give your lashes some edge using a mascara like CK One Color Mascara ($18).

When choosing a shade, keep in mind your eye color and what mascara color would accentuate it best. For girls with green, hazel or brown eyes, use a green, violet or brown shade. If you have blue eyes, opt for an electric blue shade.

Another important tip for pulling off color mascara is to not match it to your eye shadow. To further avoid clashing with the look, wear clothes that have neutral shades. Not ready to commit to color mascara? No biggie—you can wear regular black mascara on your top lashes and color mascara only on your bottom lashes.

3. Ultra-bright eyeliner

 
Here’s the thing about ultra-bright eyeliner: It’s wearable and flattering on every skin tone as long as you keep your face and lips simple. Playful colors like seafoam and emerald on the waterline lend eye-popping allure to any look.

To recreate this simple look, start with Make Up For Ever’s Aqua Eyes Eyeliner ($19) in turquoise or Stila’s Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner ($20) in Mint Julep. If you’re still dubious about trying bright eyeliner hues, create more contrast by making your eyebrows a little bolder than usual.

4. Lustrous inner corners

 
Why are we smitten with this look, you ask? Because of its versatility! You can use any dark color gel or kohl eyeliner, as long as you illuminate the inner corners of your eyes.

Start with MAC’s Technakohl Liner ($16) in Jade Way, a sultry green, or L'Oréal’s Infallible Gel Lacquer Liner ($9.95) in Dark Slate, a gorge taupe color. Now, for the critical step to achieving this eyes-wide-open look: Dab NYX’s Jumbo Eye Pencil ($4.49) in Milk on the inner corners, then swipe Make Up For Ever’s Artist Shadow ($21) in Crystalline White over it.

5. White on the waterline

 
To instantly open your peepers, glide a white eyeliner like MAC Eye Kohl ($16) in Fascinating, which has a matte finish, onto your lower waterline. It’ll banish any redness and cover up any all-nighters you’ve pulled recently. Offset the white by curling and double-coating your lashes, then painting your pout a bold color. Since marsala (an earthy wine red) is the 2015 color of the year, we suggest using Tarte’s LipSurgence Lip Tint ($24) in Deep Berry or Sephora Collection’s Rouge Infusion Lip Stain ($14) in Cherry Nectar.

 
If you haven’t already, don’t be afraid to give these looks a try. The runway vibes they give off may be intimidating, but you can pull them off as long as you follow our tips! Check out this article for even more eye makeup inspiration.

With schedules as busy as yours are, how do you keep your lives organized, collegiettes? With so many different to-do lists, calendars and schedules, it can be hard to keep track of everything at once.

Sometimes, all you need is a pen and paper to get the job done—at least, that’s what Erin Condren, who has a stunning collection of cards, stationery and more, believes. That’s why she’s created a line of cute, practical Life Planners, and we’ve partnered up with her to give away two Sorority Life Planners! This year’s new edition has everything a collegiette could ever need—each planner includes inspirational quotes throughout (to help get you through the semester!), pages for daily notes and activities (where you can track things like your exercise routine), lists to record your goals by week or month, calendars to keep everything from birthdays and deadlines in mind… and the best part? Each one comes with hundreds of adorable stickers so you can customize your planner!

With so many extraordinary features, you’ll wonder how you ever got by without one of these incredible planners. Win one for yourself now—enter below!

With sweater weather comes a slew of holiday parties and gatherings that call for different looks. So how exactly do you tend to your hair and makeup when you have not one, but two events to attend in the same night? Here, we show you five no-fuss ways to transform your beauty look in just one step. Whether you’re going from a Secret Santa party with your girls to romantic date night with your SO or hopping from one soirée to the next, you’ll look the part for every appearance.

Red rouge

Like a slice of pizza or a glass of wine, a good red lipstick never lets us down. Pack Guerlain’s Rouge Automatique Rouge D’Enfer 121 ($36), a strawberry-red lipstick, in your clutch. As you make your way from family gathering to holiday party, simply press the applicator’s quick gliding switch and swipe on! 

Ponytail cuff

Go straight from office party to girls’ night out by adding this fun metallic cuff ($8) to your low ponytail—it'll instantly glam up even the simplest look!

Your nails aren’t looking so fresh but you have no time for a manicure. Enter: NCLA’s ‘Dita Did It’ Nail Wraps ($16 for 26), red and white half-moon nail wraps created by celebrity manicurist Jenna Hipp for the brand’s Nailing Hollywood collection. Add a base coat to your fingernails before sticking on the wraps. Then, file down excess paper around the edges of your nails using the included nail file to get a salon-worthy mani just in time for your second stop of the night. 

Quickie cat-eye

Adding a cat-eye to your existing make up is a quick way to carry you from a casual afternoon with your besties to a fancy night with your SO. And creating a flick on the go is finally possible (and ridiculously easy) thanks to Chantecaille’s Gel Liner Pencil ($33) in Jet, a long-wearing gel eyeliner tucked into a wooden pencil with an angled brush at the tip. Say goodbye to lugging around your gel eyeliner pot and angled brush (and hello to more space in your makeup case).

Hair bling

No matter how you decide to wear your hair, throwing on an embellished hair accessory like this ASOS Stone Headband ($15.16) will take your look to the next level.

Still in a frenzy over your holiday beauty looks? Be sure to check out our roundup of metallic beauty products that will amp up any party look!

Finding something to wear to your upcoming holiday party is stressful enough, but once you've painstakingly found the perfect dress, the struggle is (unfortunately) not over yet: You now have to worry about what to wear under it. What kind of bra should you wear? Should you even wear a bra? To ease your undergarment anxiety, we've scoped out the best types of bras and shapewear to go with every style of dress:

1. For the plunging neckline - UPlunge N2964 Bra ($28, Nordstrom)

If your dress has a deep v-cut or a low, drapey front, this is your best bet. It offers the right amount of coverage without looking like a scary corset-like contraption. Plus, the straps can be criss crossed or even removed, in case the dress is strapless, too.

2. For the low-back dress - Low-Back Straps ($14, Victoria's Secret)

Dresses with low backs can be the best and the worst. We love how they reveal some skin in a sneaky and classy way, but they can be so pesky to deal with when it comes to finding a bra that won't show. With strap extenders, you can make any bra work—add them on to any bra and you are all set! 

3. For the backless dress - Body Sculpting Strapless Bra ($38, Dillards)

With a "barely there" bra like this one, you can wear the most revealing dress without worrying about revealing too much! The silicone material ensures it will stay put. This bra even has "wings" that you can detach for extra support.

4. For the bodycon dress -Grace Low Back Bustless Slip (On sale for $38, Bloomingdale's)

Just because you feel a bit self-conscious in your bodycon dress does not mean you should give up on it! Yummie by Heather Thomson makes super flattering, yet comfortable shapewear that will make you feel fabulous, even after you've hit the buffet table. This super-soft slip will smooth everything out without making you feel like a sausage stuffed into its casing.

5. For the thin-strapped dress -This is Not a Bra Strapless Underwire ($38, Lord & Taylor)

With a skinny-strapped dress, you can't really wear a normal bra, but you don't necessarily have to go as extreme as a stick-on one. Since most strapless bras have to do extra work in the support department, they end up being unbearably uncomfortable. This Warner's bra offers as much support as your average strapless bra, but it has a luxurious satin feel, so don't expect any digging or pinching here!

With crazy-clever undergarment solutions like these, you no longer have to worry about how you're going to pull off that dress—party on this season, collegiettes!

So your boyfriend hails from California and your folks are back in Pennsylvania. As winter break looms ahead, you begin entering panic mode. After all, three to four weeks are a long time—but not to worry, collegiettes! There are ways to keep your romance alive. And while a month apart may seem like forever, it’s not even close. Apply these six tips to your long-distance relationship and you and your man will be back to peanut-butter-and-jelly status come January.

1. Write a handwritten love letter. And send it by mail

And no, not email, ladies. Actual snail mail. Crazy idea, we know. But honestly, think about it—the concept is adorable. Receiving a handwritten love letter in an envelope? Hello, every girl’s dream. Spritz your perfume on his letter, and he won’t forget your smell. Include a few holiday Hershey’s kisses with a little note attached: “P.S. Sorry I can’t kiss you at the moment, but I hope these suffice for the time being. :)”

2. Have Skype or FaceTime dates every Sunday

Both Skype and FaceTime are fantastic tools for couples who live far apart. And while it may not be the same as being together in person, being able to see and hear each other will significantly mend the heartache of being far apart. It’s important to set a schedule beforehand (once a week is reasonable)—it ensures both of your commitment, and it gives you both something to look forward to. Jazz it up by giving each other tours of your festive houses (“Aww, your tree looks so pretty!”).

3. Create a collage

Make your man an early Christmas present before you both leave for break—a photo collage! Bonus: it’s not time-consuming. piZap is a simple and easy tool for creating a collage, and there are tons of cute holiday-themed templates to choose from. Print out your collage and frame it. He’ll be touched by your thoughtful gift, and it’ll remind him of you over vacation!

4. Send him surprise cookies

The key to a man’s heart is through his stomach, collegiettes. He’ll love the tasty treats, and he’ll love you for thinking of him! This Christmas sampler box is cute and totally within your budget. A sweet Christmas cookie surprise will make his week, guaranteed.

5. Talk on the phone

This may sound like a no-brainer, but it seems like our generation has actually forgotten how to talk on the phone (sad, we know!). Texting’s great, but there’s nothing like having a two-hour conversation over the phone about anything and everything, from your mom burning the Christmas cookies to his epic snowman construction. You’ll have plenty of stories for him, and he for you. Spill your guts over the phone; it’s an underrated form of communication (and less maintenance than Skype, because you don’t have to get dolled up). P.S. If things heat up over the phone, great! That’s definitely a way to keep things spicy. And speaking of things heating up…

6. Pose as a sexy Santa/elf.

There’s nothing wrong with a little raciness from time to time. And this is a super fun challenge—dress up as the prettiest Santa he’ll ever see (or elf, if you’re looking to be a little less conventional) and take a photo to send to him via text or Snapchat. Go all out with sparkly hair and glamorous false eyelashes. Give your photo a flirty caption: “I’m your sexy Santa this Christmas. What can I bring you this year? ;)” He’ll be counting down the days to next semester.

Winter break can seem like a long time to be apart from your significant other, but it doesn’t have to be!  Try out one of these tips and the break will fly by.

Sony has pulled the plug on its upcoming movie, The Interview, which was scheduled for worldwide release on Christmas Day. The decision comes after several major theater chains chose not to show the film amidst threats. 

"In light of the decision by the majority of our exhibitors not to show the film The Interview, we have decided not to move forward with the planned December 25 theatrical release. We respect and understand our partners' decision and, of course, completely share their paramount interest in the safety of employees and theater-goers," Sony said in a statement on Wednesday.

Sony has recently been the victim of a massive cyber hack lead by an anonymous group called the Guardians of Peace. The hack resulted in the leak of thousands of emails between top stars and movie executives. Many have concluded that the same people behind the hack are the ones responsible for the threats being made to everyone involved with The Interview.

In regards to who hacked the film company, U.S. officials are pointing the finger at North Korea. North Korean leaders are furious over The Interview, a comedy starring dynamic duo James Franco and Seth Rogen about two TV journalists who are asked to kill North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The scheduled released of the movie prompted threats of a 9/11 style attack.

"Remember the 11th of September 2001. We recommend you to keep yourself distant from the places at that time," the group warned in a message sent on Tuesday. 

The North Korean government has since denied a connection to the attack. 

There are few outfits as important as your New Year’s Eve look—after all, it’s how you’re ringing in 2015! And since a standout pair of shoes can make an outfit, we’re setting you up with the ultimate giveaway: A pair of stunning heels from Dolce Vita!

Whatever your style—edgy, girly, classic—Dolce Vita has a shoe for you. Five winners will get to choose from six gorgeous pairs: the Helena heels (pictured above), a laser-cut lace-up style made for the trendsetter; the Hadlie heels, which are perfect for your more elegant affairs; the Haku booties, a downtown-cool style; the Hexx heels, gold-accented cage pumps that are totally edgy; the Laine pumps, open-toed booties that’ll make you a street style star; and the Leka booties, a luxe, modern take on a classic silhouette. So which pair are you coveting for your New Year’s dress? 

You have one of five chances to win—enter below now (and you’ll get your shoes in time for the big night)! 

It’s no mystery why oils have become a beauty editor favorite—from cleansing oils to hair oils to body oils, the benefits of these natural products are taking the industry by storm. Sure, the word oil can make you a little nervous (especially when you think about applying it to your face!), but they're great for all skin types—even if you're prone to oily skin or your scalp feels greasy quickly. Oil is actually your best bet when it comes to keep your skin's natural oil production at bay, and they're packed with tons of vitamins and antioxidants to nourish and improve your skin. Check out five ways to incorporate them into your beauty routine, below!

Cleansing Oil: boscia MakeUp-BreakUp Cool Cleansing Oil, $28, boscia.com

A good cleansing oil will cut down on your nighttime skin routine by half—skip the makeup remover, because cleansing oils will both remove makeup and clean your skin, all in one step. The best part is, when you're finished, your skin won't feel tight or dried out after washing; instead, you'll be left with a hydrated, supple complexion.

Face Oil: Fresh Seaberry Moisturizing Face Oil, $50, fresh.com

After you’ve done your daily skincare routine, set aside your moisturizer for today and pick up a bottle of facial oil! Basically, it’s a bottle filled with natural oils to help your skin stay silky and smooth. Depending on the formula you use, it plumps the skin, removes deep wrinkles and absorbs right away. Cream moisturizers usually contain a tiny bit of oil, but not enough to fully absorb into your skin and prevent water loss throughout the day. These kinds of oils also prevent skin irritation caused by harsh ingredients you might find in some of your other beauty products.

Hair Oil: Josie Maran 100 Percent Pure Argan Oil, $48, josiemarancosmetics.com

It may seem counter-intuitive to put more oil into your hair when the point of washing it is to clean it of grease. But a good hair oil can serve as a styling cream, frizz tamer, shine spray and leave-in conditioner all in one. A little will go a long way, and avoid getting too much of it onto your scalp... otherwise you might actually need another shower sooner than you think.

Body Oil: The Body Shop Sensual Massage Oil, $18, thebodyshop.com

You’ve probably mostly seen body oils used for massages, but never as daily products for anyone. But think about it—the oils used for massages are used because they sink into the skin so well, leaving you refreshed and rejuvenated. Your skin will thank you after you rub a dollop of this all over your body. No matter what the season is, your skin is constantly asking for hydration, so make it happy with body oils. Bonus points: Body oils have benefits for your mood too! Feeling bummed out because finals are draining you completely? Rub some rosemary-fragranced oil on your skin for alertness before studying or a test, then some jasmine-scented oil later to help you relax.

Bath Oil: Burt’s Bees Lemon & Vitamin E Bath and Body Oil, $8, burtsbees.com

Need some extra R&R? Keep a look out for body oils that can be used in the bath, too. They won't get all sudsy like your traditional bubble bath will, but the oils’ aromas and smooth texture will have you stepping out of the tub with super soft skin.

If you're looking for a new beauty product that can provide your skin with total hydration this winter, take a chance with beauty oils to keep your skin glowing all season long!

They don’t call it “the most wonderful time of year” for nothing—the holiday season is full of fun, friends, family and food. However, it can be difficult to get into the holiday spirit at the end of the semester when you’re finding yourself plagued by piles of homework, stressful group projects and looming final exams!

Luckily, there are plenty of ways to offset the stress of the upcoming weeks. We’ve talked to collegiettes and gathered a list of tips that will help you get into the holiday spirit.

1. Make a holiday playlist

 
Whether you’re tuning into your local radio station, sorting through your family’s old vinyl collection or putting together a playlist online, there’s no easier way to get into the holiday spirit than by rocking out to your favorite holiday tunes.

“I make a Spotify Christmas playlist and listen to it when I'm cooking dinner, in the car and hanging with my roomies,” says Kasia, a senior at Villanova University. “I also make a playlist that includes only the instrumental versions of these songs. I study best when I listen to instrumental music, so it's nice to go through finals and exams and still be in the spirit!”

Not to mention, holiday mix CDs make great last-minute gifts for your friends!

2. Run an ugly sweater race

 
There’s no better time to give back than during the holiday season! If you typically volunteer your time at a food drive or church, try an event like the Ugly Sweater Run, which partners with charities like Save the Children to benefit children in need around the world.

“My roomies and I started doing an ugly Christmas sweater 5K every year,” Kasia says. “It’s super fun, and they are held all over the country. There's a toy drive, and part of the race proceeds go to buying toys for underprivileged kids.”

Not only do the races offer a chance to give back to charity, but they’re a great way to exercise in a fun environment. “During the race, there are these big blowups of snowmen and Santas,” Kasia says. “They even have a snow machine that ‘makes it snow’ as you finish! And of course, ugly Christmas sweaters are a must!”

If you don’t live near one of the cities where the races are being held, there are still plenty of ways to incorporate ugly Christmas sweaters into your holiday celebrations! Try rocking one at your next gift exchange, office party or potluck.

3. Bake cookies

One of the best parts of the holiday season is the plethora of cookies available at every family gathering, ugly sweater party and gift exchange. Although you may cherish your grandma’s secret snickerdoodle recipe, don’t leave all the baking to her this year!

“My favorite way to get into the holiday spirit is baking cookies,” says Caroline, a freshman at Ithaca College. “During Christmas break, my younger sisters and I take a day to scour Pinterest for cute Christmas cookie ideas and bake a few different recipes! Our favorite so far is this recipe for chocolate chip candy cane Nutella cookies.” However, you don’t have to wait until you’re back home to get a head start on baking. “I enjoy working with one of my organizations on campus called Chabad,” says Shira, a senior at Franklin & Marshall College. “We host a kosher cooking club and make all sorts of cookies and treats for Hanukkah and other events. I love getting to make, decorate and eat dreidel cookies!”

4. Watch holiday movies

 
Whether you’re piling onto the couch with your family, snuggling up with your SO or getting your friends together for a girls’ night, watching classic holiday movies is one of the easiest ways to get into the spirit of the season.

“My roomies and I watch those cheesy Hallmark/ABC Family Christmas movies on the regular,” Kasia says. “They're so corny and the acting is mediocre at best, but they're so fun and feel-good. And of course I just love watching the classics like The Grinch, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Home Alone.”

Thanks to ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas countdown, you can catch all of your favorite holiday films on TV! A complete schedule of the countdown can be found here.  

5. Host a secret Santa or white elephant gift exchange

 
Whatever you may call them, gift exchanges are great opportunities to get groups of people together for the holiday season, whether you’re catching up with old high school friends, hanging out with coworkers off the clock or getting your floormates together for a night of fun.

If you decide to host a gift exchange, encourage your friends to keep their gifts between $5 and $10. This gives everyone attending a chance to get creative with gift-giving.

“Handmade presents are priceless,” says Jaya, a senior at Duke University. “They're one of a kind, and they come from the heart. Sitting down and making presents is a great way to get into the holiday spirit. It allows you keep your loved ones in mind, and I love imagining their smiles when they open a unique and special present just for them.”

Not to mention, gift exchanges are the perfect time to incorporate some other favorites from this list. Break out the ugly Christmas sweaters, test out Pinterest cookie recipes and listen to your latest holiday playlists!

6. Try knitting or crafting

 
When you’ve run out of creative gift ideas (or realized that baking just isn’t your thing), try branching out of your comfort zone with a new hobby like knitting or crafting.

“There's just something about the end of the year that makes me want to knit,” Jaya says. “Everything is slowing down, and I always feel like sitting in my room and picking up my knitting needles every time the holiday season comes around. Luckily Christmas isn't too far off, so it's actually the perfect time to indulge my crafting obsession!”

A handmade scarf or beanie is the perfect way to show your love for a friend, SO or relative. If you’re stuck on how to get started, check out this easy online tutorial for how to knit a scarf.

7. Deck the halls

 
Nothing says quality family time quite like setting up the Christmas tree! Sometimes all it takes is hanging up the lights and decorations to get into the spirit of the season.

“My family has multiple trees, so we'll split into teams and each will be in charge of decorating one of the trees,” Jaya says. “We play Christmas music while we decorate, and there's usually cookies or hot chocolate lying around. Having everyone work together to make our house look festive is a great time, and with us singing while we decorate, it's almost impossible to not be in the holiday spirit!”

However, you don’t have to wait until you’re back home on break to celebrate. If you’re looking for ways to spruce up your dorm room, try adding a mini Christmas tree with ornaments or making paper snowflakes with your roomie.

 
While the holiday season may fall at a stressful time in the school year, don’t let final exams keep you from getting festive! Find what you love the most, whether it’s baking, crafting, volunteering or just kicking back with friends, and make the most of these precious few weeks. Best of luck and happy holidays, collegiettes!
 

Everyone has doubts about being pre-med. With four years to prepare yourself for medical school, four years of medical school and even more years of residency, you might be feeling like you want to crawl in a hole (more realistically, your bed with Chinese takeout). But when in doubt, look no further than your extremely realistic, always reliable vision into your own future: Grey's Anatomy.

Slaving through chemistry is hard work...

...and you're not even close to being done with your tough biology classes.

Don't even let us get you started on thinking about those med school applications.

But guess what? Things might look up!

You might look really good in those scrubs.

And you might find that special someone...

...who will eat with you...

...and dance with you...

...and always be on your team.

And after you're done with your grueling shift...

...at least you can unwind with some great local nightlife.

You might just fall in love with a pretty attractive patient.

Now that you mention it, nobody here looks like they haven't slept in 48 hours...

...even though they definitely haven't.

Oh, but we did we mention your coworkers?

You may not be understanding. Your coworkers.

Everyone here looks like their scrubs were made by Marc Jacobs and their hair was done by Kim K's stylist.

And when times are tough, your doctor friends always have a solution.

And, even better, your brain matters more than your hairstyle at work.

So even when your classes and commitments feel impossible and competitive...

...and you feel like you can't go on...

...know that things will get better!

And, if all else fails, you can always have a backup plan.

We're sure you'll love actually being a doctor, too, but these small incentives can't help but make you push a little harder during midterms and finals.

Kendall Jenner has had quite the year. The Keeping Up with the Kardashians veteran is used to the limelight, but she’s done her best to break away from her famous name in 2014 to prove she can be successful on her own (and we are pretty sure she's succeeded). While the rest of us were testing how many days we could wear the same pair of sweatpants in a row, 19-year-old Kendall was stopping the catwalks to gracing the pages of top magazines. 

To finish off the year right, she has announced that she is back working with the man she walked for earlier this year—Marc Jacobs. No pictures of her are out yet, but word has it she’ll be working with some of the modeling world’s elite like Adriana Lima and Karlie Kloss, among many others. Keep your eyes peeled, because the campaign is set to launch in January 2015 and will feature double pages, including full body and close-up shots.

To celebrate Kendall’s last major accomplishment of the year, let’s take a quick walk down memory lane and look at some of her biggest moments of 2014:

1. The Catwalk

If the gym wasn’t enough, Kendall got plenty of exercise strutting down the runways of New York, London and Paris. She’s rocked looks from some of fashion’s biggest names, including...

Chanel

Givenchy

Dolce and Gabbana

DKNY

Tommy Hilfiger

Diane von Furstenberg

2. The Ad Campaigns

If you’ve flipped through a magazine lately, you’ve probably seen Kendall pop up somewhere. In November, she was selected as the new face of Estée Lauder. Often, she was modeling her own products! She designed shoes for Madden Girl and clothes for Pac Sun, both with her sister Kylie.

Givenchy

Madden Girl

PacSun

Estée Lauder

3. The Newsstand

If she wasn’t in an ad in a magazine, she might have been on the cover! Kendall landed the cover of multiple magazines and coveted editorial spreads in many others.

Teen Vogue

Sunday Times Style

W Magazine

Love Magazine

Vogue (a selfie-inspired shoot!)

All this in one year? Kendall is taking the fashion world by storm. We can't wait to see what she does in 2015!

In 1951, 26 women dressed themselves in bikinis and floated down the River Thames on a barge as part of Eric Morley’s attempt to raise both money and spirits in the devastation of World War II. Garnering the attention of the press and the public, the spectacle of beautiful woman was a major success, thus giving birth to the Miss World competition.

The organizers of the annual, iconic Miss World pageant have announced plans to eliminate the swimsuit segment of the competition, citing lack of purpose as the reason. Julia Morley, the chairman of the pageant, first announced the decision to members of the Miss World board of directors during the competition last week in London, reports The Washington Post.

"The organization has decided to take itself out of the swimsuit world because it isn't the path they're trying to take," said Chris Wilmer, the national director of Miss World America/Miss United States organization, in a statement to ABC News. "It's not just a beauty contest, it's beauty with a purpose. There didn't seem to be a purpose to have the swimsuit."

Accordingly, Wilmer is keen that, in the future, the pageant shouldn't just be based on appearance. "Miss World should be a spokesperson who can help a community. She's more of an ambassador, not a beauty queen," Wilmer continued, The Washington Post also reported. "It's more about the outreach and what a woman could do with a title like Miss World."

To promote her values, Julia Morley, wife of the competition’s founder, began Beauty with a Purpose, the service element of Miss World, in 1974. This part of the competition has helped to divert attention away from the more superficial side of the competition and raised over $1 billion for charity.

Also significant to Morley’s cause is the fact that in recent years, the bathing suit competition has been held immediately before the finale, and the women were judged privately by a modesty panel rather than during a live broadcast. During the competition, most women even opt to wear one-piece suits or to wrap scarf around their waist rather than pose in a skimpy bikini. "We don't want to just make them feel like they are walking bodies, you know?" Morley says.

The Miss World team’s decision to remove the swimsuit portion of the competition is certainly significant to current discussions about the objectification of the female body in media and popular fashion shows, like the recent Victoria’s Secret show, which, according to Vogue, receives much heat for its exploitation of female sexuality and promotion of unrealistic body types each year.

While Miss World’s revolutionary move to focus less on a woman’s physical features and more on her mind has already received a great deal of positive response from feminist groups, it is uncertain whether or not other popular beauty competitions will follow suit. Donald Trump’s The Miss Universe pageant, for example, places a strong emphasis on the swimsuit element of the pageant, Elle reports. Further, it does not include an interview or a service element to the competition: it is entirely based upon physical appearance.

Morley speaks for many women when she says she does not miss the days in which the female body was so blatantly put up for display. “I don’t need to see women just walking up and down in bikinis,” she told Elle. “It doesn’t do anything for the woman. And it doesn’t do anything for any of us. … I don’t care if someone has a bottom two inches bigger than someone else’s. We are really not looking at her bottom. We are really listening to her speak.”

What do you think about Miss World’s decision to remove the swimsuit portion of the competition? Do you think other pageants will do the same? Do you think this will help or hurt the popularity of Miss World?

Anybody who says diamonds are a girl's best friend has never watched Netflix. Where else could we spend a whole day streaming an entire season (or seasons) of our favorite TV show or discovering new ones? Although there are some classic titles leaving this month, we still have reason to celebrate. Netflix will ring in the new year with a new batch of movies and shows to stream to your heart's delight. Here are the six that you won't want to miss! 

1. Mean Girls

You read that right, collegiettes! You can enjoy this iconic high school comedy from the comfort of your streaming devices. Even if you have every line memorized, there's nothing like actually watching the Plastics in action.

2. Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

Honestly, if a movie involves Chris Pines, we're in. Pine tacked the titular role of Jack Ryan in this thriller. And you'll get to watch it over and over again!

3. Tinker Tailor Soldier

This sleek thriller featured a cast of well-known British actors and was one of the highest grossing films back in 2011. It racked up a lot of award buzz and earned Gary Oldman an Oscar nod for Best Actor.

4. 101 Dalmatians

The live action version of Disney's 101 Dalmatians starred Glenn Close as the iconic villianess Cruella de Ville. Who can forget that evil laugh?

5. Cast Away

A plane crash, an uninhabiated island and a volleyball named Wilson. These were the ingredients to the 2000 adventure film starring Tom Hanks, and we can't wait to finally be able to watch this at our leisure.

6. Friends: The Complete Season

Yep—all 236 episodes. We hope your winter break schedule is wide open, collegiettes, because you're not going to want to spend your time doing anything else aside from binge-watching the entire series.

Which new addition are you most excited to watch, collegiettes? 

A new year is just around the corner, which means resolutions, resolutions, resolutions. We all say we’re going to work out more, be more understanding or learn how to do that thing we’ve always wanted to do (for real this year!), but how many of us actually keep up with our resolutions?

Resolutions are great but often seem unrealistic with our busy schedules. What better way to keep track of our goals than with an app? We’ve put together a list of five goal-tracking apps you need to download. Set your goals and stick with them, collegiettes!

1. Way of Life

• Price: Free
• Compatible with: Apple devices
• For: Your resolution to get fit or quit smoking

Way of Life is a great app if you want to break bad habits and create better ones. It allows you to keep track of what you’re doing each day (going to the gym, drinking enough water, etc.) so you can see your progress. If you stray from your goal, the app will give you a red bar instead of green. Seeing these colors will help motivate you to quit your bad habits. You can also see trends over monthlong and even yearlong periods, which will help you analyze what you need to work on.

2. The Habit Factor

• Price: $6.99 for Apple devices; $4.99 for Android devices
• Compatible with: Apple and Android devices
• For: Your resolution to run a marathon

The Habit Factor is ideal for someone who has big goals, but wants to start with smaller ones. Do you want to run a marathon, but need to start by going for a jog a few times a week? The Habit Factor allows you to create goals as well as habits (that can coincide with your goals) and keep track of your progress.

The Habit Factor is also a book made by the same company that explains what habits are and reveals the step-by-step process for achieving your goals. The Habit Factor is based on philosophy and is sure to help you not only track your habits, but achieve your dreams.

3. Goal Streaks

• Price: $4.99
• Compatible with: Apple devices
• For: Your resolution to keep a journal

Goal Streaks is an app that focuses on creating long streaks of a behavior, which will ultimately turn into a habit. You can set goals and a regular activity that coincides with each. For example, if you want to keep a journal, your regular activity could be to spend 30 minutes writing each day. You can go at the pace you’d like and set reminders if you’re likely to forget.

This app is perfect for people who are competitive; you’re trying to beat your own streak! Going to the gym daily would be a good goal to track on this app. Reward yourself with some new gear if you beat your streak!

4. Habit List

• Price: $2.99
• Compatible with: Apple devices
• For: Your resolution to meditate

Habit List is an awesome app that combines various methods to help you achieve your goals. The app allows you to create a list of habits you want to complete with different schedules for each: specific days, non-specific days or intervals. The app keeps track of your streaks, shows you your progress for the day (in a percentage) and shows you how many habits you have left to complete for the day. You can also set reminders and view your trends over longer periods of time.

This app will prevent you from getting overwhelmed because it only shows you the habits you need to complete that day, with the first ones appearing at the top of your list. You can mark your habits as skip, miss, or complete so you can accurately and clearly view your progress.

One of these apps is sure to work well with your New Year’s resolution. Figure out which method works best with your schedule and personality, and keep track of your goals accordingly. You’ll be able to stay on top of your resolutions with these awesome apps you can use wherever you are. Happy New Year, and good luck!

In the spirit of the holiday season, we’re bringing you a must-have collection every collegiette will love. We’ve put together this package to pamper you from head to toe, so when you’re back on campus after winter break, you’ll step out in the new year looking and feeling great.

This amazing, Her Campus-approved set includes tons of goodies from three of our favorite beauty brands: Hard Candy, a line sold exclusively at Walmart, where you’ll find an array of boldly pigmented beauty products like colored mascara and pout-perfecting lipsticks; Tree Hut, a collection and bath and body products using only all-natural ingredients like organic, super-moisturizing Shea butter; and Eylure, a brand that’s been around for decades and is the destination for all things lashes (they even have a collaboration with Katy Perry!).

Take a moment to spoil yourself, and enter below for your chance to win the ultimate beauty collection!

In 2014, we were all about that bass. We went 0 to 100 real quick. We wiggled to our favorite tunes. And it's not a bad thingthat our music experience is more customized now more than ever.

Where are we going with this, you ask? We'll spare you the corny song title plug-ins. Check out how your favorite songs ranked in Pandora's 'Top Spun Songs in 2014':

Pandora revealed that on average, we listen to about 20 hours of music a month. (What?!) So, what were we listening to this year...?

At the top, we have “Stay With Me,” “Fancy,” “Turn Down For What,” “Problem” and “Talk Dirty.” Since these were pretty much the anthems of 2014, we don't have anything to disagree with here. Plus, we already knew Iggy, Sam Smith and Ariana Grande were crushing the charts this year. Most of these don't surprise us!

Apparently it was also “Summer” all year long for some people. To be fair, it's a jam—we don't expect anything less from Calvin Harris. No matter what season, we just want to roll the windows down in our cars and let our hair blow in the wind. Timeless.

Meanwhile, we're not saying “Bailando” is a bad song, but would you willingly listen to it? We'd probably hit 'skip' on that one. We love you, Enrique, but we're tired of your song. Keep on dancin', though.

There are some other confusing songs on this list. Anyone ever heard of “Bottoms Up” by Brantley Gilbert? Not us, but evidently, a lot of people out there somewhere. Props, Brantley. Maybe some of these songs really did come at us like a dark horse.

Speaking of which, it's incredibly surprising “Dark Horse” (or any other song by Katy Perry, for that matter) didn't make the list! Or our Grammy-nominated girl T-Swift, with her album 1989 dominating the charts and all. We're also wondering what happened to Beyoncé, stopping the entire universe with her surprise album and all, nbd. And, with the number of times we've heard our friend Mr. 305 (AKA Pitbull) on the radio this year, we're surprised he's not on this list at least five times. We're not complaining, though.

Guess we'll have to see next year!

Feel like jamming to these songs now? Pandora pulled together the top-played songs of 2014 and put them in their Top Spins of 2014 playlist for your listening leisure. Dance away, collegiettes!

Do you agree with the Top 25 most played songs of this year? What songs do you think should—or shouldn't have—made the cut? 

’Tis the season for cute hats... and hat hair? While hats don’t have the best reputation when it comes to taking care of your hair, there are ways to prevent post-hat hair distress. Try these tips to avoid hat hair, every time!

1. Guard against static

So you’ve braved the cold and finally made it to your destination. You remove your hat and BAM—static for days. Static-y hair in the winter means a lack of moisture, a common problem when your hair is forced to battle the elements. Try spraying a bit of smoothing spray inside your hat (or applying serum to your locks) before putting it on to prevent static. We love this Kerastase Elixir Ultime ($56).

2. Revitalize flat hair

Hat hair’s biggest problem has probably the easiest solution. Protect your hair’s body and bounce by simply spraying hair spray at its roots. Stow a travel-size hair spray in your bag to freshen up post-hat! We suggest ALTERNA Caviar Anti-Aging Working Hair Spray which comes in a convenient 1.5 ounce bottle ($8). You can also try your favorite dry shampoo!

3. Put it up—kindly

Sometimes the best solution for hat hair is to just put it up. But before you twist your locks into a knotty, messy bun, try tying your hair back gently, with hair ties like these Sephora Collection Ribbon Hair Ties ($9 for 8 ribbons). They come in fun, bright colors and promise not to leave creases!

4. Embrace the mess

Hats provide an ideal opportunity to try the messy-chic look. Rather than fight the static, just go with it! A salt spray like Bumble and bumble Surf Spray ($26) creates perfectly imperfect tousled tresses—the hat hair will just add to the naturally beautiful look!

With these tips, you'll be able to wear your favorite fedoras, beanies, floppy hats and more all season—while keeping your hair looking fresh and gorgeous!

It’s another night of tossing and turning. After many sleepless nights, you finally realize that telling your brain to shut off doesn’t work so well. It doesn’t help that you’re constantly looking at the clock as your anxiety about getting less and less sleep increases with each minute that passes. You’ve got an important test tomorrow morning, but you just can’t seem to doze off no matter how many sheep you count. So why are you having trouble falling asleep? We talked to Dr. Aneesa Shariff, staff psychologist at the University of British Columbia, about some of the factors that could be keeping you up at night.

1. Studying late at night

When cramming for an exam, you might use every bit of time that you have left in the day, right up until bedtime. But hitting the hay soon after closing those textbooks could be the reason why you’re having trouble falling asleep.

“Sometimes when we’re doing really stimulating activities close to our bedtimes, that can really inhibit our ability to then get into a relaxed state and fall asleep,” says Dr. Shariff. This includes studying late at night, which many collegiettes may be guilty of. Because studying and trying to retain information is mentally stimulating, it could keep you too alert to fall asleep.

Dr. Shariff recommends putting away your homework and class notes at least 30 minutes to an hour before going to bed. Use the rest of the time to set up a consistent bedtime routine to do relaxing things, such as listening to calming music or light reading for pleasure.

Ashley Young, a senior at West Virginia Wesleyan College, understands the importance of a consistent routine. “For me, after I’ve finished all of my work and it’s time for bed, I go brush and whiten my teeth, wash my face, brush my hair... Just the necessary little things that have to be done that don’t take much thought. It not only kills two birds with one stone, but by the time I’m finished, I’m calmed down, relaxed and ready to sleep.”

2. Persistent thoughts (stress and/or anxiety)

Sometimes our thoughts just won’t leave us alone, whether it’s those pesky guy problems or all the errands that you have to run the next day. Anxious thoughts and feelings are common factors of sleeplessness for people, especially college students.

“During times of increased stress or worry or time pressure, so for students during midterms or as they prepare for final exams, a lot of students commonly experience sleep problems during those time periods because of the pressure they may be experiencing and just the increased demands on their time,” says Dr. Shariff.

“When you’re worrying a lot and your thoughts are going off in all different directions before bedtime, that can definitely impede your ability to get into a relaxed state to be in to be able to fall asleep because your brain is still really mentally active and going from one thought to the other.”

Try keeping a notepad by your bed. Dr. Shariff suggests writing down any persistent thoughts that are on your mind, whether it’s a to-do list or the thoughts that are bothering you. Putting your concerns on paper will help relieve your mind. “Instead of holding all of [those thoughts] in your brain, just write it down on a piece of paper and put it aside to be able to come back to the next morning.”

Jessica Schimm, a recent graduate of San Francisco State University, uses a journal to keep her worries at bay. “I fill out a brief diary entry, always focusing on the positive things of my day.”

She also listens to podcasts to keep her mind off of her anxieties. “Before I listened to nightly podcasts, I used to go through my whole day in my head and it would keep me up even later. Now I have a much easier time falling asleep because I’m completely focused on something else, and the things I listen to have made for great conversation starters.”

Another way to wind down and forget about your worries is to consciously take time for yourself. “Before going to sleep I think it’s important to fit in a little ‘me time,’ to essentially do things just for yourself and for your pleasure,” says Avianne Tan, a junior at NYU who likes to read novels and poetry. “It’s nice to have those special moments in doing things I like when life gets so busy around doing things I have to do.”

To fight off stress, Maddy Foley, a recent graduate of Kenyon College, streams rainfall meditation albums on Spotify. “If I’m feeling really stressed, I listen to one or two of those tracks and try to focus on breathing evenly and deeply.”

3. Electronics (laptops, phones, computer) that emit blue light

If you’re a late night texter or like to fall asleep with the TV on, you might have to change your night-time habits because this could be interfering with your sleep. Turning off your phone can also keep you from getting woken up by a text and help you fight the temptation to check your Facebook or Twitter.

“There is some research to suggest that blue light that’s emitted from laptops, TV screens, phones can really inhibit the melatonin production in our brain,” says Dr. Shariff. Melatonin is the chemical in the brain that helps set our internal clock. “The light from that can really send a signal to our brains, mistakenly, that ‘oh, it’s not that late, so it’s not bedtime yet.’” The blue light from these screens can delay our feelings of sleepiness, so turn them off about an hour before going to bed in order to successfully doze off.

“I take half a tab of Melatonin [when I can’t sleep]. It regulates your sleep cycle like a boss and it’s non-addictive,” says Maddy of Kenyon College. Because Melatonin is the hormone that controls sleep cycles, some people take Melatonin supplements. You may be able to find these supplements at health food stores, but it’s best to speak with your doctor about it first.

4. Food (caffeine, sugar)

The most obvious foods and drinks that keep you awake contain caffeine and sugar. Sugar can hype you up and caffeine keeps you alert and energized, which are the opposite of what you want to be when trying to catch some z’s. Although body reactions vary when it comes to sugar and caffeine, Dr. Shariff says that your last cup of coffee, or any type of caffeinated drink, should be six hours before lights out.

If you rely on caffeine to get you through the day, check out our article on how to get energy without caffeine.

5. Exercise

If the only time you can exercise is in the evenings, try leaving at least two hours between your workout and your scheduled bedtime. According to Dr. Shariff, working out too close to bedtime can cause you to feel restless. Set aside two hours of transition time to wind down and relax your body and mind. After a hard workout, why not treat yourself to a nice, relaxing bath? Also, meditation or deep breathing and even tensing and relaxing different muscle groups can get your body in a good state for sleep.

“I find doing square breathing really helpful,” says Katie Naymon, a sophomore at John Hopkins University. “So, for example, I’ll inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4 and repeat like 10 times. [It is] totally relaxing and I find it slows my heart rate and makes me super sleepy.”

6. Taking naps

After a late night of partying and maybe an early morning class the next day, sometimes it’s inevitable that we might fall into the nasty afternoon nap cycle. Although a couple of hours of shut-eye can restore your energy for the day, it can mess up your sleep-cycle by pushing your bedtime back and causing you to nap again the next day.

“I definitely recommend just trying to set aside time to get the sleep that you need at night so that you’re not feeling the urge to nap during the daytime,” says Dr. Shariff. It might be hard to fight off the urge to nap, but the cycle has to end somehow!

7. Environment

Your sleep environment plays a big part in your ability to fall asleep and the quality of sleep that you get. An uncomfortable temperature—too hot or too cold—can prevent you from falling asleep. According to Web MD, the ideal sleeping temperature for most people is 65 to 72 degrees.

Is your night-light too bright? According to the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School, too much light delays our internal clock and keeps us up.

Another environmental factor is noise, which can interfere with your sleep for obvious reasons. In this case, white noise (noise made up of many frequencies at equal intensities) might be helpful, according to Discover Fit & Health. Sometimes it’s impossible to control environmental noise, so the constant static of white noise might actually help sooth you to sleep. There are white noise machines, but if those are too pricey, there are also white noise apps available for download. You could also invest in some earplugs if you’re dealing with a snoring roommate or rowdy hall mates. 

The most important thing is to try to stick with a consistent schedule and bedtime routine. Having an hour or so, before bed, dedicated to relaxing your mind and body should help you get some well-deserved slumber. After all, every collegiette needs her beauty sleep!

It’s no secret that scouring vintage in-store or online is every fashion girl’s go-to way to pick up standout, one-of-a-kind pieces that make any outfit look extra fab—but what about the shopping strategies that help you find those super-cool vintage pieces in the first place? We got the inside scoop from Shareen Mitchell, owner of the NYC and LA vintage boutique Shareen, about the secrets to vintage shopping like a pro.

Look for the classics

When it comes to vintage shopping, it can be difficult to determine which pieces to buy vintage, as opposed to which you should buy new. Should you stick to on-trend items, or go with the classics? What are good vintage investment pieces? Mitchell says it’s all about the classics.

“Anything that would be considered a classic, timeless piece like a blazer, a pea coat, a classic shaped dress—those you can buy vintage and they will look like the very best designs today,” Mitchell says.

There are certain items that never go out of style, and these classic pieces can easily be bought vintage because they translate seamlessly to today—and every girl needs some timeless basics in her closet. Buying classic pieces like an LBD, blazer or coat is also a foolproof way to avoid the “costume” look that some vintage pieces have.

Some eras work better than others

If you do want to buy a trendier item, paying attention to what era an item is from can make a world of difference when it comes to what works today, and what could end up looking costume-y. Mitchell says that certain eras are much more relevant to current trends than others.

“Things that were made from the '50s through the '70s or anything from the '90s translates best to today,” Mitchell explains.

With the exception of the intricately beaded dresses from the 1920’s, it is generally much more difficult to make anything from the 1940’s or earlier look relevant to today. Likewise, Mitchell advises that anything from the 1980’s doesn’t translate well to current trends. What does work? We love mod 1960’s dresses, classic coats and blazers from the 1970’s, and 1990’s grunge-inspired pieces, which are super on-trend right now!

Shopping online? Measure, measure, measure.

Prefer vintage shopping from the comfort of being curled up in bed with your laptop? Mitchell advises that you get familiar with your waist measurements.

“I think fit issues are really the biggest issue in regards to vintage shoppers online,” she says. “It’s really important to learn how to measure your waist; unless it’s jersey or polyester, vintage sizing is related to the waistline.”

It’s a great idea to take a quick second to break out that tape measure, collegiettes! When measuring your waist, measure at the narrowest part of your body, below your ribcage and above your belly button. Once you know your measurements, make sure to ask the seller for measurements before ordering something, so you know exactly what to expect when you pull on your new find for the first time!

DIY is your BFF

When it comes to the dressing room, never rule anything out just because you don’t love it at first sight—small details can easily be changed with a little DIY! Mitchell says that the craftier you are, the better when it comes to vintage shopping—even if it’s something as simple as cutting the dress to shorten it.

“Most vintage dresses are too long; you’re not going to want to wear them past your knee,” Mitchell says. “If you take a sixties dress and cut it short, you’re going to love wearing it with a pair of boots, and it will look modern.”

Other ways you can DIY your vintage finds? Mitchell also suggests cutting the sleeves off a fur jacket to turn it into a vest, since the fur hides edges of the vest if they aren’t sewn.

Keep current trends in mind

It seems counterintuitive, but paying attention to current trends can help you make better purchases when vintage shopping. That way, what you do buy blends seamlessly with the rest of your wardrobe, and you avoid pieces that may look too much like a costume.

“I think the most important thing is to look for something that’s relatable; something that doesn’t make you look like you’re in a movie based in the 1960’s,” Mitchell says. “If you’re more educated about what’s on trend, the better of a vintage shopper you are.”

Next time you head out vintage shopping, try bringing along some of your favorite runway looks. The cool rocker vibe of the S/S 2015 Saint Laurent collection? It’s easy to achieve that look with some 1970’s pieces like a vintage leather jacket or a flowy boho dress!

Vintage shopping is a great way to add unique and one-of-a-kind pieces to your wardrobe, collegiettes! Do you have any favorite vintage finds in your closet?