At a time where sexual assault has reached a fiery peak on college campuses, many are left wondering how and if the ever-present issue will ever be solved. In recent times, universities have implemented stricter rules on fraternities involved with these types of incidents, introduced new safety initiatives and even brought up the idea of removing their Greek systems altogether. But the newest idea comes from some Greek members themselves: Allowing sororities to host parties that involve alcohol in their own houses. 

Currently, most sororities are forbidden from having alcohol in their houses. The reasoning behind allowing sororities to have alcohol and thus, parties in their own houses, stems from the notion that the women will be in control of the party dynamic. They'll have the ability to keep areas of the space off limits, oversee exactly what alcohol is served and how. 

It may seem like a fine idea to some, but there are definitely some other arguments to be had. For practicality's sake, sororities cut prices for members by outlawing alcohol. Cindy Stellhorn, an insurance broker who oversees policies for 19 sororities, told the New York Times that it costs a sorority member $25 to $50 each year to be covered, while fraternity members pay around $160. The price for sorority members doesn't seem bad, but if you tally up all of the fees, total dues can be pretty hefty as we've already have seen.

But what may be the biggest controversy is that this idea would introduce even more alcohol into the scene. A Kappa Kappa Gamma member told the Times that allowing more alcohol shouldn't be the solution to sexual assault. "As women, have friends around you, and don't drink too much ... be surrounded by people who know and care about you," she said. 

Also, one could argue that just because a sorority rules an area of the house as off limits, doesn't necessarily prevent anything from happening. A Delta Gamma member from the University of Southern Mississippi told the Times that an assault could still happen: "When people are under the influence, they’re going to do what they want to do. It can happen anywhere, even in a sorority.”

What are your thoughts on the idea of sororities hosting parties? Would it solve any of the problems? Let us know what you think!

Project:Theatre, a student-run theatre group at Mount Holyoke College, the first of the Seven Sisters, has decided for the first time in ten years not to put on The Vagina Monologues. In an email defending the decision, Project:Theatre explained that, “at its core, the show offers an extremely narrow perspective on what it means to be a woman.”

The Vagina Monologues is a series of vignettes that centers on women embracing their vaginas in a society where even the word “vagina” prompts a twinge of discomfort. Eve Ensler wrote the play in order to remove the stigma of talking about vaginas and to empower those who possess them. Ensler states that the production “always has been a play about what it means to have a vagina. In the play, I never defined a woman as a person with a vagina.”

Ensler argues that, while intending to include those of varying gender identities and to impress that gender cannot be reduced to anatomy, cutting The Vagina Monologues from the Mount Holyoke season will only serve to further silence conversation about vaginas. Ensler also says that the message in The Vagina Monologues is still relevant today because many women "do not feel comfortable, familiar, free, or endowed with agency over" their vaginas.

The Vagina Monologues has been modified yearly in order to strive for inclusivity. In fact, in 2004, Ensler wrote a monologue from the perspective of a transgender woman called They Beat the Girl Out of My Boy at the request of a group of transgender women who put on The Vagina Monologues. 

It turns out, not all Mount Holyoke students are on board with this decision. While Project:Theatre may not be producing The Vagina Monologues this year, some students plan on hosting auditions this upcoming weekend to put on The Vagina Monologues on a smaller scale.

Mount Holyoke has recently opened its gates to transgender women and is actively working to make its community welcoming to these women, and all women with varying experiences and backgrounds. While extremely well-intentioned, there is wide speculation about why a student group at an all-women’s college would cancel a production that is meant to empower women.

Was Project:Theatre right in canceling this year's production of The Vagina Monologues due to the play's "narrow perspective," or is this move really a step back for the women of Mount Holyoke?

Imagine this: You meet a cute guy. After talking to him and getting to know him, you realize how much you really like him. How do you make him aware of your feelings without coming out and saying, “I like you”? Dropping hints could be the best way of showing how you feel before you consider asking him out.

You want to set yourself apart from the rest of his girl friends and make sure you don’t fall quickly into the friend zone when hanging out. Show him how you feel with these easy ideas!

1.Send a “good luck” text

We all know how stressful a huge exam can be and how sweet it is to have someone wish you good luck. A good way to get you on his mind early on is shooting him a “Good luck today!” text before a test. It’s a small but effective way of showing you care about him.

“The easiest way I can let a guy know I’m thinking about him is showing that I care about the small stuff,” says Christina Lin, a junior at Providence College. “Even if we don’t text throughout the day, letting him know he’s on my mind in such a subtle way is always a good idea.”

A bonus to texting him is that it sets up opportunity later on for him to text you about how the exam went. It may seem like a small step, but it’s significant enough to slowly get you closer to him.

2. Deliver his favorite coffee order to the library

If at some point in a conversation he told you he’s posting up in the library and getting to work, take advantage of this opportunity to further show you care.

In your conversation, text him and ask if he needs some fuel for studying. Take a pit stop at the coffee place on campus and grab both of you something to drink. Drop by the library and tell him you wanted to drop it off before he got to studying all day so you could see him and say, “Hi!”

3. Invite him on a double date

If you’re too nervous to ask him on a one-on-one date yet, use your roommate and her boyfriend as a good excuse to go out. Tell him they want to see that new movie that just came out and they invited you along. You didn’t want to go alone and thought he’d be perfect company to ease the third-wheel pain.

Something casual like an on-campus date or movie is the perfect time to show him you like him. While your roomie and her BF are snuggling in the theater, it gives you two time to be alone without the pressure or nerves of a one-on-one date.

4. Show him your favorite show

Show him your favorite things so you can get to know each other better. Invite him over to watch the first episode of your favorite series with you.

Let him know that because he liked The Walking Dead so much, he’d probably like American Horror Story, too. Combining your interests helps you two bond over something new you two can talk about.

5. Send him a Spotify playlist

There was nothing cuter than making mix CDs for the guy you liked back in high school. Considering not many people do that anymore, a Spotify playlist of songs you think he’d like is the mix CD of 2015!

“I had a major crush on this music buff guy, and we always talked about [what music] we were loving at the moment,” says Shannon Mooney, a junior at the University of New Hampshire. “I told him to listen to my new favorite band and made him a playlist of their album and some other songs like it.”

Assuming you have known him for a while now, you’ve probably talked about your favorite music before. Not only that, but Spotify lets you see what your friends are listening to, so it’ll give you an even better reason to let him know the playlist is something you think he’d be interested in.

It might be hard to figure out if he’s flirting with you, so making a move to show him you’re into him is the way to go. Use these little ways to show that special guy you like him without putting too much pressure on yourself!

While we spend our semesters learning about politics, nutritional, literature or, God forbid, economics, what about the classes that would really help us? If every college offered these classes, we’d actually be excited to come back from break.

1. Getting to Class in 10 Minutes When You Just Woke Up

Sleeping through your alarm is a constant battle when you’re pulling all-nighters studying. Getting ready before 9 a.m. is essentially impossible. Someone get a wizard to teach this class, because the only way we see it happening is apparition.

2. Finding a Husband-Worthy Man Among Frat Jerks

We’ve always heard about married couples meeting in college, yet you can’t seem to get past one game of flip cup before a guy in a polo and cargo shorts is expecting a makeout sesh (at the least). Could someone please direct us to the fraternity of manners?

3. Getting More Likes on Your Facebook Profile Picture

No matter how cute you look in your latest upload, you just can’t compete with the girl on your floor with 231 likes. Teach us your ways, sensei.

4. Staying Warm Yet Looking Hot

Whether it’s runs in your tights or losing your parka at the campus bar, dressing warm and going out never go hand-in-hand. Winter weather, why won’t you let us look cute?

5. Getting Along With a Roommate You Secretly Despise

Who let you sign that lease last year? Terrible mistake. But now you’ve got to endure another many months with your current roomie. SOS.

6. Losing 15 Pounds Without Exercising

The freshman 15 seems to have snuck its way into your life, but the fitness center just isn’t your jam. You don’t even own running shoes! Whoops. Where’s an easy out when you need it?

7. How to Successfully Avoid Your Class Readings

While avoiding class readings can be done consciously, why can’t we pass the class without the strenuous 100-page-per-night assignments? We need a class that teaches us how—hopefully one without textbooks.

8. Doing Laundry Without Getting Lazy

You need fresh undies, but the trek to and from the machines is practically a nightmare. Not to mention the horrible machines provided by campus housing and old apartment complexes. Life was so much simpler when we had our parents to do it for us.

9. Watching a 50-Minute TV Episode in 20 Minutes

Breaks between classes are only so long. Try as we may to skip the annoying theme songs and the side-character storylines, Netflix episodes just never finish in time.

If someone could forward this to the dean, we’d really appreciate a curriculum update.

The best cure for the midwinter blues is looking forward to the next fun thing on the horizon, and one of the greatest parts of college is planning for spring break! Although it’s only a month into the semester and your days of fun in the sun may seem far away, that glorious week off will come sooner than you expect. If you’re planning on traveling during spring break this year, it’s a good idea to plan ahead so that you have extra spending money. Check out our list of ways that you can cut your spending this winter so that you have plenty of cash come March.

1. Cut out unnecessary spending

The key to saving money is to not waste money on things that you don’t really need!

“It’s important to understand what your true needs are, and that what you want isn’t necessarily what you need,” says Jeffrey Goodman, first vice president of investments for the financial services company Raymond James & Associates. While your twice-weekly (or even daily) Starbucks drinks can feel like a necessity, they really aren’t. Try to limit your coffee runs to once a week, or even better, switch to making your own coffee at home before you run to class.

Let’s say that you get your Starbucks fix twice a week. At approximately $4 per drink, you’d save $8 a week, which adds up to $48 saved by March!

Another unnecessary expense that could get in the way of your saving is that inevitable trip to the campus café for a quick bite to eat between classes. Instead of falling into that snack trap, plan ahead and bring something with you to snack on, like nuts, a granola bar or fruit.

You could also consider investing in a bobble, a filtered water bottle that you can refill over and over, instead of constantly shelling out money for bottled water.  bobbles are great for the environment, too; using one bobble for two months equates to using 300 single-use water bottles!

2. Get a part-time job

Getting a job isn’t just good for bulking up your resume; it can also help you put some extra money in your pocket during the semester. Do some research to find out if your university is offering any on-campus, part-time student jobs, like in the student union, in the library or at the campus bookstore, and check out the restaurants around campus as well.

Odd jobs here and there such as babysitting can also be a good option. “I asked my sorority sisters for any babysitting families they wanted to ditch for a night or two,” says Kirsten Ballard, a recent graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill. If you work a part-time job that pays $10 an hour for 10 hours a week, you could earn an extra $600 by March!

3. Keep your money out of sight

You’re being careful with your money and watching what you spend, when all of a sudden you come across a pair of heels that you just can’t resist—and your credit card is within your reach. We know it can be incredibly hard to make good financial decisions when it’s so easy to whip out a card to pay for a meal or online shop. We suggest keeping your card out of sight so that you won’t be tempted and only withdrawing enough cash for what you need for the week or month.

“I took my credit cards out of my wallet and just get cash out once a week for gas and necessities,” Kirsten says.

If you do have extra cash on hand, make sure to keep it in a safe or somewhere it can’t easily be found.  

Beverly Harzog, author of Confessions of a Credit Junkie: Everything You Need to Know to Avoid the Mistakes I Made, says it’s important to keep track of anything you buy with your card and limit how much you charge to it.

“…If you have credit cards, be sure you don't charge more than you can pay off when the bill comes in the next month,” she says. “This is where having a budget and tracking your spending can help you stay out of credit card debt. Be very diligent about this, because you don't want to graduate from school with both student loan debt and credit card debt.”

4. Stick to your budget

When you have a specific event to save up for, it’s important to create a realistic budget and stick to it. While this isn’t the easiest thing to do in the expensive world of college, Goodman says “it’s important to have discipline and self-control when it comes to your budget.” Plan your week in advance and think about how much money you’ll need for the necessities, like snacks, groceries and gas (while allotting some of your funds for the fun stuff).

Learning to effectively budget now is a skill that will be beneficial for the rest of your life. The sooner you know how to handle money, the better! For more budgeting tips, check out our article on how to make your college budget.

5. Download apps to help you stay on track

Harzog suggests “downloading one of the budgeting apps so that you can keep track of your spending via your smartphone.” For example, the free Mint app can help you stay on top of your expenses by connecting directly to your bank account and tracking your transactions. The app even lets you set goals for yourself! All you have to do is set a date for your spring break trip and enter how much money you’ll need by that time, and Mint will do the rest.

“There are several similar budgeting apps on the market, so do a little research and find the one that you’re comfortable with,” Harzog says.

6. Cook your own meals

Cooking for yourself means improving your culinary skills, eating healthier and, of course, saving money. Eating out can be extremely expensive, especially if you go to college in a big city, and those weekly dinners out can quickly add up.

One of the easiest ways to save money is to make meals yourself in your dorm or apartment kitchen. “My roommates and I would sometimes cook together instead of going out to eat,” says Becky McColl, a recent graduate of the University of Delaware. “It's a lot cheaper than going out, so it's a great way to save money, and cooking together is a lot of fun!”

If you live with roommates, you could have one day a week where one person makes a meal for everyone else, or have fun dinner themes, like Mexican night! 

If you do go out, try to limit yourself to only eating out every other week, and be sure to check out websites like LivingSocial and Groupon first for coupons. Kirsten suggests ordering water instead of soda, which will also help you stick to your budget. Since restaurant portions are often hefty, save and bring home half of your food so that you have a free meal the next day.

7. Take advantage of your student ID

Make the most of your student ID and use it at local businesses that offer student discounts or for free admission to museums and local events.

“When you do go off campus for entertainment, take advantage of your student discount whenever possible,” Harzog says. “And don't be afraid to ask the manager of a restaurant or a store if they'd consider giving you a student discount.”

8. Use your friends as motivation

There’s power in numbers, which means that you’ll have an easier time motivating yourself to restrict your spending when the people around you are doing the same thing! If you and a group of friends are planning a spring break trip together, you can motivate each other to make decisions that will result in more money in your wallet (and less post-spending regret).

“The environment you’re in can make a difference,” Goodman says. “Spending time with people who have common interests and goals will help you stay on track.”

Tape photos of beaches and palm trees all over your dorm room, create a “Spring Break Fund” jar that you and your friends can put extra change into over the course of the semester or even print out a Ryan Gosling “Hey Girl, Save Your Money” meme for extra motivation—whatever it takes! When you do go out with friends, plan ahead and make sure that you both can afford it so that you don’t end up footing the bill for a friend and going over your budget.

Saving money can be easy as long as you commit and make a conscious effort to do so every day. By creating a budget, limiting extra spending and looking for ways to have fun for free, you’ll be on your way to growing your spring break fund in no time!

We’ve all seen Bruce Jenner’s name in the news a lot recently with magazines and tabloids poking fun at the former-athlete-turned-reality-star’s face. There have been many rumors circulating about Bruce's desire to become a woman due to his long hair and multiple plastic surgeries. InTouch magazine took the rumor too far and photoshopped a picture of Bruce wearing makeup on its cover. 

Actor Russell Brand decided to fire back in defense of Jenner, dedicating an episode of his web series The Trews to share his opinion about the lack of sensitivity to the transgender community. Brand explained, “What this does is it sanctions people being judgmental and cruel toward transgender folks. Because that’s the mainstream media, and the mainstream media is the established form of communication and judgment.”

Honestly, it’s time for the media to leave Bruce Jenner alone. It’s inspiring to see someone such as Russell Brand standing up for the transgender community and calling out the gossip media platforms for “encouraging a climate of bullying, and judgment, and cruelty.” Check out Russell’s full video below!

Pop quiz: What’s the downside of every curling iron? If your answer is waiting for it to heat up, you’re wrong (although that can be annoying too, especially if you’re late to class). The answer, of course, is the damage it does to our precious strands. But a life without curling irons would be a life without Kim Kardashian-West-inspired waves. So what’s a collegiette to do? Enter: Forstyler’s Hair Twister ($39.99), a hair dryer-attachable styler that simultaneously dries and curls hair. 

After my shower, I dried my roots and left the rest of my wet hair untouched as the pictorial on the back of the box advised. I attached the blue barrel to my hair dryer and after that, I will admit I was a tad clueless. Initially, I thought I had to manually wrap sections of hair around the twister (what looks like a squiggly black stick) then insert it into the barrel for it to dry/curl my hair. Much to my delight, I was terribly mistaken—all I needed to do was take a section of my hair and fit it into the opening of the barrel then turn my dryer on. And so I did.

I watched in awe as the air from the dryer forced my wet hair to cling to the twister. I left my dryer on for about a minute and a half then removed that section of hair from the barrel to see it had been transformed into a soft, tight curl. You’re probably thinking: Well what if I want loose, beachy waves, the key to which requires curling your hair in alternating directions? Located on the barrel is a switch that lets you control the direction of air that flows from your dryer. I proceeded to dry-curl the rest of my hair with the Twister, alternating this valve as I went along. 

It took me exactly sixteen minutes to finish dry-curling my entire head of medium-length hair. I ran my fingers through the curls from roots to ends. The curls didn’t appear as polished as they do when I use a curling iron, but I attribute this to my hair being naturally wavy and frizzy, which the intense heat of a curling iron does a good job at taming. But with major heat comes major damage to my hair—the reason I'll be using the Twister a lot more (yay for softer hair!). Afterwards, I ran Nioxin’s Definition Creme with Lightplex ($15.00) through the curls to flatten flyaways and banish frizz, and below is the result.

If every collegiette could ask a beauty genie for one thing, I’m pretty sure it would be the Twister. Its ability to curl and add body to hair much like a curling iron sans added heat damage is remarkable. But the number one reason this product is a must-have in my book is its simplicity. Unlike with a curling iron, you don’t have to wait ten minutes for it to cool down before packing it in your bag. Best of all—you will never burn yourself again.

Would you ditch your curling iron and give the Twister a go?

When it's cold out, it's easy to want to grab the nearest comfort food, like greasy French fries, pasta and corn bread. But eating these often carb- and fat-heavy foods comes at a price, especially in a season when it's harder to stay fit.

These recipes help you get the best of both worlds! With health-conscious substitutions and twists on old classics, stay cozy in the winter without forgoing comfort food.

1. Vegan Buffalo Chickpea Mac and Cheese

This vegan recipe is a great, meat-free way to stay healthy with a favorite cheesy treat. Chickpeas are a great source of amino acids, and along with yogurt, non-dairy milk and nuts, are a powerful source of protein. To make this recipe even better for your body, use vegetable or whole-wheat pasta!

Recipe fromVegan Yack Attack

Ingredients

Roasted chickpeas

• 15-ounce can of cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1/4 cup of buffalo sauce plus a few tablespoons

Ranch sauce

• 3 tablespoons vegan mayo
• 2 tablespoons plain vegan yogurt
• 2 tablespoons raw cashews, soaked for more than 30 minutes
• 1 tablespoon non-dairy milk
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 tablespoon onion powder
• 1/2 tablespoon garlic salt
• 1/4 tablespoon dried parsley
• Pinch dried dill
• Pinch black pepper

Pasta

• 2 and 1/2 cups dry pasta and boiling water
• 1 tube cheddar vegan cheese
• 3/4 cup non-dairy milk

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to about 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Mix the chickpeas with the buffalo sauce so that it is evenly spread.
3. Take parchment paper to line your pan and pour your chickpeas in it.
4. Bake the chickpeas for 12 minutes.
5. Turn them over occasionally until they’re all crispy, and then bake for another 12-15 minutes.

For the ranch sauce

1. Blend all your ingredients until they're smooth.
2. Add more non-dairy milk until you've reached your desired texture.
3. Pour your sauce into a cup and set aside.

For the pasta

1. Cook the pasta until done.
2. Set your noodles back into the pot, setting the stove to a low-medium heat.
3. Add the cheddar cheese, non-dairy milk and salt into your pot; stir until it has an even consistency.
4. Pour everything into a bowl and enjoy!

2. Super Simple Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Greek Yogurt

Sweet potatoes have high amounts of vitamins A, C and D, and they help maintain healthy skin.

Recipe fromFood & Wine

Ingredients

• 2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt

Instructions

1. Put the sweet potatoes in a pot filled with water, completely covering the potatoes.
2. Bring the water to a boil, then lower the heat, allowing the potatoes to simmer for a little more than 10 minutes.  
3. Use a colander to drain the sweet potatoes, and then place them in a large bowl.
4. Add the brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon and Greek yogurt.
5. Mash until the potatoes are the desired consistency and serve warm.

3. Super Easy Fry-Free French Fries

The recipe allows you to enjoy French fries without all the fryer oil! Baking the potatoes as opposed to frying them allows you to get more of the nutrients within the potatoes themselves, as well as avoid damage to your arteries.

Recipe from Food Network

Ingredients

• 2 large baking potatoes cut into ¼-inch pieces (think matchsticks)
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• Salt
• Cooking spray

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a bowl, turn the potatoes in the oil and add salt.
3. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray, then spread the potatoes so they form a single layer.
4. Bake your potatoes until crisp, about 35 minutes.
5. Remove the fries and season with salt.

4. Healthy Garden Lasagna

If you're craving pasta and cheese but you don't want excessive carbs and fat, try out this garden lasagna. By using low-fat dairy products, you can help reduce risk your of heart disease.

Recipe from Health.com

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat oil in a nonstick pan on high heat. Sauté the zucchini, onion and carrot until they're lightly cooked. Once you're done, mix in the corn, basil, salt and pepper.
2. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup. Even out the flour with a knife. Add in milk and stir it with a whisk. Cook the flour and milk until they come to a boil and continue to stir.  Once they're hot, stir in the salt, Parmesan, nutmeg, pepper and cottage cheese.
3. Spread 1/2 cup of the white sauce in bottom of a baking dish. Place three noodles over the sauce, top them with half of your vegetable mixture and layer some of your white sauce on top. Then, place another three noodles over the white sauce and cover them with your remaining vegetable mixture. Add more white sauce and lay three more noodles on top. Drizzle your remaining white sauce over the noodles.
4. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
5. Uncover, sprinkle with mozzarella and bake until your lasagna is golden brown.

5. Healthy Cornbread

Using whole-wheat flour and whole-grain cornmeal allows you to keep this classic treat healthy.

Recipe from Eating Well

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups yellow cornmeal, preferably whole grain
• 3/4 cup white whole-wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen, thawed
• 1 large egg
• 3/4 cup low-fat milk
• 3 tablespoons canola oil
• 3 tablespoons honey or sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Coat an 8-inch square baking pan with cooking spray.
2. Mix your cornmeal, flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl.
3. Blend the corn and egg in a food processor until you have a smooth mixture.
4. Add milk, oil and honey, mixing them they're until combined.
5. Stir the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients and pour the batter into the pan.
6. Bake the cornbread for 25-30 minutes. After letting the cornbread cool for 10 minutes, it's ready to be enjoyed!

 6. Vanilla-Lemon Berry Parfait

This dessert has only 176 calories and one gram of saturated fat per serving. Low-fat yogurt and fat-free vanilla pudding are low in harmful fats, so you can eat this dessert guilt-free!

Recipe from Health.com

Ingredients

• 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt
• 2 3.5-ounce containers fat-free vanilla pudding
• 2 tablespoons bottled lemon curd (such as Dickinson's)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons honey
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 3 cups mixed berries (such as blueberries, strawberries and raspberries)
• Fresh mint leaf

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, mix your yogurt, lemon curd and vanilla extract; set aside.
2. In another bowl, mix the honey, lemon zest and lemon juice until they're thoroughly mixed. Use a spatula to stir in your mixed berries.
3. Layer your berries and yogurt how you’d like and top with the mint leaf.

7. Easy and Healthy Chocolate Cake

This chocolate cake is low-calorie and easy to make, and it uses whole-wheat pastry flour.

Recipe from Eating Well

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons whole-wheat pastry flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup nonfat buttermilk
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup hot strong black coffee
• Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Instruction

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line your pan with wax paper.
2. Mix flour, granulated sugar, cocoa and salt with whisk.
3. Add buttermilk, brown sugar, egg, oil and vanilla.
4. Use an electric mixer for 2 minutes and add hot coffee.
5. Bake the cake for 30 to 35 minutes and let cool for 10 minutes. Before serving, dust your cake with confectioner's sugar.

Staying health-conscious in the winter doesn't have to be miserable. Enjoy these delicious comfort foods with a healthy twist!

How are you spending Valentine’s Day? Whether you’re doing a night in watching chick flicks with all your single girl friends or you’ve scored a romantic date, the big day is coming up sooner than you think—which means now is the time to prepare.

Luckily for you, we’re giving you a hand with that! We’ve partnered up with Victoria's Secret PINK to set you up with a $100 gift card to shop pretty underpinnings for that date and cozy loungewear essentials for girl’s night. Our top pick: the brand new Date Bra, which is comfy enough to wear every day, and cute enough for any date! Lined in lace (and with versatile convertible straps), the super sweet balconet bra comes in tons of fun colors and four different styles—the Date Push-Up, the Date Lightly Lined, the Date Strapless and the Date T-Back Push-Up—so no matter which LBD or PJ set you’re planning on wearing this Valentine’s day, there’s a bra to suit your needs.

Whatever your Valentine’s Day plans, you’re going to want to stock up on essentials from Victoria’s Secret PINK—so enter now below for your chance to win a $100 gift card!

The most romantic day of the year is fast upon us. Whether you’re having a girl’s night out or a dinner date this February 14, a you want to be festive! And what better way to do that than dressed in heart-printed clothes and accessories? Here are a few original and adorable ways to wear hearts this Valentine's Day!

1. Heart-Shape Sunglasses, $5.90, Forever 21

These retro shades are the perfect way to add a subtle but festive touch to your look, whether it's lunch with your SO or ice cream with the girls.

2. Betsey Johnson Embroidered Heart Pajamas, $55, Nordstrom

Not big on Valentine’s Day? Not a problem. With these heart-themed pajamas, you can spend the entire night curled up with your SO (or better yet, with your Netflix account) and still look fab for the special day.

3. Hearts and Arrows Earrings Set, $5.90, Forever 21

A pair of heart-shaped studs is the easiest way to dress up for Valentine's Day! Mix and match all ten earrings for a unique look. Plus, you can totally wear these accessories long after V-Day ends.

4. Heart Detail Black Seam Tights, $48, Nordstrom

While the best part of February is Valentine's Day (though some might argue that's up for debate!), the worst part by far is the horrible weather. But an easy way to combat the nasty cold is by wearing tights! And, we’re absolutely head over heels in love with these heart-printed tights. Try pairing them with a red dress and black pumps for a stylish and sexy look!

5. Heart On My Sleeves Sweater, $54, Tobi

Show some love and wear your heart on your sleeve (literally) with this cute sweater from Tobi. Style it over a denim shirt and combat boots for a casual-chic vibe.

6. ASOS Love Heart Foldover Clutch Bag, $47.38, ASOS

With this oversized clutch, you’ll never have a problem packing all your essentials this Valentine’s Day. Plus, the deep red color will add an edgy look to any outfit. Try wearing this bag with a leather jacket and ballet flats for a rocker-chic look.

How will you be dressing up this Valentine's Day, collegiettes?

They’re comforting and transformative, and they're always there when you need them (literally). Books are more or less the best friends that you could have, and if you’re anything like us, you might be taking your love of reading a little too far… like, to-the-point-of-antisocial-behavior too far. Here are 17 telltale (pun intended) signs that you like books more than people.

1. You avoid awkward social interactions by digging your nose further into whatever you’re reading.

2. You tell your roommates you can’t go out tonight because you have “reading” to do.

3. Sometimes you catch yourself actually believing that you live in the world of whichever book you’re reading.

4. You only hang out with people based on your mutual love of Harry Potter fan fiction.

4.5. You write Harry Potter fan fiction.

5. You ask Katniss questions out loud, and then follow the advice you imagine her giving.

6. You’ve been known to make really obscure references to novels that nobody else understands… and you get irrationally angry when they don’t.

7. Instead of pictures of your family on your bedside table, you have a stack of novels so tall that you can’t see your roommate in the bed on the other side.

8. You have legitimate crushes on fictional characters.

9. The bookshelves in your house are so packed with books that you're running out of space for all of them…

10. ...and when you realize that you've kept every textbook you've ever bought just in case they come in handy sometime in the distant future, you begin to admit that you might have a problem. 

11. You tell people that Twilight was really dumb… but in reality you’ve read the entire trilogy four times (Team Jacob HOLLA at us).

12. It’s really annoying to you when people claim that they “love” a movie even though they’ve never read the book it came from. 

13. You refuse to engage in social activities because you only have 100 pages left and you HAVE to finish them IMMEDIATELY.

14. You wish your favorite characters were real because they would understand you so much better than the humans you interact with do.

15. It’s really hard for you to trust people who have never read The Great Gatsby.

16. You prefer to eat lunch by yourself if it means you get to read for 30 whole minutes in the middle of the day.

17. You have Googled “jobs where you can get paid to read books” or something similar.

My mother has always said that my red lips, dark hair and pale skin remind her of Snow White. I love being compared to a princess and all, but pale skin hasn't been popular since Coco Chanel got accidentally sunburnt while vacationing on the French Riviera. Because of my perceived misfortune, my teenage years were full of unhealthy and unfortunate attempts to get that warm, glowing skin I so desired. However, the damaging effects of sun tanning (and my aversion to spray tanning in fear of looking like a carrot) has lead me to finally accept and embrace my porcelain skin. So for all those fair-skinned ladies, here's a few products and tips to keep you away from looking ghostly and enhance your pale complexions instead!

FACE

1. Whether SPF is in your foundation or you choose to apply sunblock beforehand, make sure your skin is protected from the sun. Neutrogena's Clear-Face Sunblock ($10.99) has a formula that will keep you break-out free and features a weightless, matte finish that's perfect for using under makeup. (Trust me, your skin will thank you when you're older.)

2. Finding the correct foundation shade for those of us with extremely pale skin can be difficult. While high-end makeup is considerably more expensive than drugstore brands, the ability to try the various shades in-store may be worth the extra money. However, if you'd rather opt for the cheaper price, choose a drugstore product that has a wide range of shades. 

• Clinique Even Better Makeup SPF 15 in Linen ($27)
• Revlon Colorstay in Ivory ($10.39)
• Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Siberia ($45)
• L'Oréal True Match in Alabaster ($11.49)

3. If you feel the need to use a face powder, be sure to match your shade perfectly, or take extra precautions and use translucent powder. The incorrect powder color can easily cause pale-faced ladies to look extremely cakey.

• Maybelline Fit Me Powder in Ivory ($5.94)
• Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Powder ($37)

4. Blush is a pale girl's friend, but be careful about using too much otherwise you'll move into clown territory. Go for a light blush that complements your skin tone, and apply it lightly. NARS Powder Blush ($30) has a huge array of shades that make it easy to find the perfect blush for every skin tone.

5. To slightly darken your complexion without looking orange, use a lighter, matte bronzer like Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil in Light/Medium ($30). Put it under your cheekbones and at your temple to define your bone structure.

EYES

6. When using eyeliner go for a grey or brown color instead to create a less harsh contrast. If you want to use black, use it carefully and don't overdo it.

• Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencils in Whiskey and Smoke ($20)
• stila Stay All Day Liquid Eyeliner in Dark Brown and Alloy ($20)

7. For those with pale skin, it can be quite difficult when choosing eyeshadows—dark or bright colors are too harsh, pinks and reds can make you look tired or sick, and lighter nude shades just blend right into the skin. The best bet for those with fair skin is to use natural colors like taupes, browns and peaches. So what palette is the best? Urban Decay's Naked2 ($54)—it even has a charcoal shadow that you can use for a dramatic smoky eye when you're headed out for girl's night!

8. Be sure to use mascara on your lashes, especially for those of you fair-skinned ladies who have light hair as well. As long as your mascara isn't super clumpy or thick, it will help your eyes pop rather than overpower your face. If the contrast does feel too harsh though, try a brown mascara like Maybelline Colossal Volume in Glam Brown ($6.19).

LIPS

9. You may have heard that dark or bright lipstick colors stand out too much against pale skin, but celebs like Lily Collins and Dita Von Teese are proof that the opposite is true! Choose a bright fire engine red or a vampy plum for special occassions.

• Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Bang ($22)
• Maybelline Super Stay 14 Hour Lipstick in Wine and Forever ($8.99)

10. Creating the perfect nude lip is often hard—too light and you're washed out, too dark and it's no longer nude. The search for the perfect nude lipstick is difficult, but it might help to find a color that has hints of pink or peach in it. Alexa Chung told Into the Gloss that Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte ($35) has great nude lipstick shades, such as their brand's Nude Beige. Or, for a cheaper alternative, try Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Color in Blushing Beige ($7.49).

It's time to throw out those spray tanners, put on some SPF and make our pale sisters proud. If Emma, Lily and Dita can embrace it, so can we, collegiettes!

You’ve been with your college SO for a while now, possibly since you eyed each other on move-in day. It’s been a good run, but as graduation sneaks up on you (depressing, we know), you may start wondering if your relationship will last after graduation. We talked to Rhonda Ricardo, author of Cherries Over Quicksand, and Scot McKay, dating coach and founder of dating company X & Y Communications, to point out the signs that you should end your college relationship after graduation.

1. You’re in different places in your lives

If your SO won’t give up on frat parties and drinking until he or she pukes, it may be time to end it. The last thing you want is a significant other who’s stuck in college while you’re trying to set foot in the real world.

“If you’re in different years of college (one graduated and other is still there), that’s going to be a long road,” McKay says. “When people graduate from college they move on and have different mindsets.”

There’s no use in postponing your life for someone who isn’t ready to grow up. If your SO is still looking to live off ramen noodles and blow off responsibilities, there won’t be room for your relationship to grow. Find someone who’s in the same mental place as you.

2. It doesn’t feel right

Relationships can sometimes feel off, and this may be a sign that the two of you aren’t meant to be.

“The only way to truly know that something is off or it’s time to move on is to bring up the conversation with your SO,” Ricardo says. “If you or your SO states that they want to break up and pursue brand new career options before committing to a lifetime romance, then you know.”

McKay says that graduating from college can make a relationship feel different. “College relationships are a very specific social situation; you are on campus together,” he says. “Once you get out of the social scenario and get into the real world, the situation is different. You are the same people, but you’re in a different situation, and that can bring awkwardness to the relationship.”

3. You want different things

If you and your SO have different ideas of what life after college will be like, it may be best to move on. It’s not going to work out if your goals aren’t in line.

McKay says that relationships are built around prioritization. “Let’s say both of you are graduating, and one of you is moving to California and one to London,” he says. “You both aren’t prioritizing your relationship. You should admit to each other that your relationship isn’t as important as you think.”

If you truly mean a lot to each other, you can work out the logistics, but finding out what’s best for yourself is the only way to truly tell if you and your SO are meant to be.

4. You don’t see the relationship lasting long-term

If you can’t see yourself spending the rest of your life with this person, it’s time to end it. After graduation, people start to settle down, so you want to make sure you’re with the right person.

“We should be sure that we do not settle because our family wants us to be married or because we just don’t want to be alone when all of our friends are getting engaged in college,” Ricardo says.

McKay says you must have a vision of a future together if you’re going to be in a relationship after college. “If you’re going to be dating someone after college, you’ve got to be thinking about marrying them, and you have to make sure that’s what you want,” he says. Why put in all the effort if he or she isn’t the one?

Sometimes it simply isn’t meant to be. Life after college is much different than life in college, so your relationships could be different, too. Good luck, collegiettes!

The start of a new semester always brings lots of possibilities and expectations. Spring semester is great because you’re just getting back from a monthlong break of eating your mom’s cooking, sleeping in well past noon and catching up with old friends from high school. So when it’s finally time to go back, you don’t even care you’ll be in class five days a week again because you’re pumped to return to the promised land of college. But as new classes start and you nurse all too many hangovers, you definitely have these thoughts.

1. I’m going to be a star student this semester!

2. Okay, what possessed me to sign up for an 8 a.m.?

3. The syllabus says attendance is not mandatory... lol, bye!

4. When did I sign up for a 400-level class on Buddhism… and why?

5. I already miss having my mom do my laundry. Like, who carries around this many quarters all the time?

6. Go out, they said. It’ll be fun, they said…

7. Is that the professor or a foreign-exchange student who models on the side?

8. I feel like the rest of the students in this class are a bunch of geniuses and I’m just like, "Hi, I’m new."

9. Who needs a gym membership when you spend half your day just walking to class?

10. When is spring break again? I feel like I've been here forever already!

11.I think I got with that guy freshman year.  Sh*t, we just made eye contact.

12.Is this girl going to bring corn nuts to class every day? Because I'll go crazy if I have to listen to her chewing all semester.

13.Is there a class on Netflix and Nutella that I can take?

14.I wonder if the rest of the class thinks I'm homeless or hungover. Maybe I should've showered today.

15.This week may have been a struggle, but this semester is going to be amazing!

It's always a mix of emotions with the start of a new semester, new classes and the chaos of syllabus week. But college is the best four years of our lives, and you'll be back into the swing of things in no time, so enjoy it!

Ever since Lizzie McGuire hopped onto the back of Paolo’s Vespa, we’ve all thought about how great it would be to travel abroad, romance a handsome stranger who has an adorable accent and spend a few weeks exploring another country with our dreamy, foreign fling. Studying abroad is all about exploring new places, trying new things and being spontaneous, so this could be the perfect time to have a casual fling with a hottie who can show you the ropes to this new, foreign lifestyle of yours.

If you’re studying abroad, the prospect of finding love can sound more appealing than ever. The only problem is, you may not know where to look for it. Whether you’re looking for a nonchalant fling or even a serious boyfriend while you’re studying abroad, here’s a little advice for how to make it happen!

Looking for a casual fling?

Whether you’re planning on studying abroad for a few weeks or a few months, it’s inevitable that you’re going to have to go home eventually. That’s why sometimes it’s better to keep your study-abroad romance more on the casual side. This guy won’t be the kind of guy who’s going to introduce you to his parents, but you’ll definitely want to take lots of pictures with him to show off to your friends back home!

“I was studying abroad in Florence, Italy, this past semester and ended up hanging out with this one guy I met at a bar almost the entire time I was there,” says Katie*, a collegiette at the University of San Diego. “I told him upfront that I was only going to be there for a few months, so we decided to keep it super casual and I ended up having a really great time with him! I knew there were no strings attached and I would be leaving soon anyways, so I didn’t feel any pressure to make it work or impress him.”

Hanging out at local bars and clubs is a great way to meet cute local guys. Just make sure he’s not a skeezy local before you decide to make a move and put your flirting skills to the test.

“I would say that most of the locals know where the American college students like to hang out, so they’ll go there to pick up girls,” Katie says. “They know what they’re doing! They’ve done it before. You just have to be okay with the fact that you might not be their first American fling.”

Studying abroad is all about exploring new things and being a little bold, so don’t shy away if a dreamy Italian man asks you to dance or the hot guy from Madrid offers to buy you a drink. One of the most important things about studying abroad is seizing every opportunity that’s thrown your way, and we definitely consider a good-looking guy with a cute accent a worthy opportunity! Just make sure you’re being safe; if a guy is really giving you the creeps, don’t ignore your instincts, and don’t accept a drink you didn’t see the bartender make.

Don’t be afraid to approach a guy and start a conversation or invite someone to dance with you either. Men in other countries are often much more forward when it comes to romancing a pretty lady. While not every suave foreigner you meet will be looking for a lifelong romance, don’t let that stop you. When you keep things casual, you won’t have to deal with painful goodbyes or lingering feelings once you’re back in America. You get a few weeks of carefree fun before it’s time to head back home. No strings attached!

Looking for real romance?

Whether you’re under the Eiffel Tower, admiring the coasts of Greece or salsa dancing in Spain, you can’t help but let the beauty of your surroundings make you feel all lovey-dovey inside. And while the nightlife is one of the best parts about studying abroad, you’ll have a much better chance at a lasting romance if you meet a guy in a more casual setting. Maybe you’ll meet your dream guy at the café around the corner, or maybe he’s waiting for you at the local museum. Exploring the city around you may just lead to you running into someone who could be your next great love.

Taylor, a student at the University of San Diego, may not have found the love she was looking for while studying abroad in Italy, but her best friend sure did!

“My best friend Lindsay* and I were studying abroad in Italy, and the first week we were there, she met this guy while we were exploring Venice,” she says. “We were sitting in a little café reading and he came up and asked her about the book she was holding. I felt like we were in a movie. I was surprised they hit it off so fast, but even more surprised when she told me she was in love with him after the third week of knowing him! I thought she was crazy and that it would fade once we got back home, but it’s been over a year now and they’re still dating!”

There’s no one place you should go when looking for a real romance. The guy of your dreams could be anywhere; you just have to keep an open mind! He could be a street artist in Paris or a waiter at the restaurant you and your friends go to, or you could meet him right after you throw that lucky penny into the Trevi Fountain. When you truly immerse yourself in the culture and make an effort to talk to the people around you, you’re bound to meet at least one worthy love connection.

Learning a little bit of the native language may help you in your endeavors to find your foreign fairy tale as well. If you can converse with the natives in their language, they’ll appreciate it. A language barrier can really hinder a budding romance, so make an effort to learn at least a few words and phrases before you embark on your study-abroad adventure. This could be the perfect excuse to put those years of high school Spanish, French or Italian to the test. Make sure you at least know the word amore!

While finding your one true love in another country sounds super romantic, it’s also important to remember that long-distance relationships can be hard. Before you commit to your super cute Italian/Spanish/Australian/Irish boyfriend, make sure you’ll be willing to put in the effort to make it work once you get back home.

Don’t overlook the cute American!

While you may be stuck in the mindset that your study-abroad fling is going to speak a different language and show you around his city, it’s important to remember that there will be tons of other college guys studying abroad with you, too. The best part is, they’ll get to go back to the States with you when your semester comes to an end!

“I think when you’re studying abroad with other guys from your school, it’s not as big of a deal if you hook up,” Katie says. “Since you’re in another country, you’re a little more carefree and you kind of feel like the rules don’t apply. What happened in Italy stayed in Italy!”

Whether he goes to your school or not, nothing will make you guys bond like attempting to read foreign maps, trying new foods or getting lost in the city. Plus, you won’t have to worry about any language barriers with this guy.

Another plus to dating an American in a foreign country is that they’ll be just as stoked as you are to see all the sites. Your American fling will be just as excited as you are to put a lock on the love bridge in Paris or take pictures pretending to hold up the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

“I was on a tour in Rome while I was studying abroad and met this really cute guy in my tour group,” says Natalie, a collegiette from Seattle University. “We really hit it off and I found out that he goes to University of Washington, which is really close to my school! I think everyone hopes to go to another country and meet some hot foreign guy—I know I did—but I never expected to fall for an American while I was in Rome. I guess it’s kind of ironic that I had to go to another country to meet him!”

Don’t be shy if you meet a cute American who you’d like to get to know better. The fact that you’re both immersed in a new culture is the perfect excuse to bond and a great opportunity to invite him to explore the city with you. Invite him to try the cute pizza joint around the corner that everyone has been raving about or to check out a local art gallery with you.

Moral of the story: if you can’t find the Paolo to your Lizzie McGuire, then you can always go searching for Gordo!

Whether you’re looking for a lasting romance or a short-lived fling, a study-abroad romance could be the perfect addition to your foreign adventure. He may be the guy of your dreams or he could just be just a fun story to tell your friends about later––either way, we hope you find a little amour wherever you study abroad!

*Names have been changed.

As busy collegiettes, our lives are in constant motion. Tests, internships, part-time jobs, sororities, clubs; the list is never-ending. Anything that can streamline our routines and make life easier is a necessity. Spending hours on our hair and makeup is not an option, so we need products that are efficient, affordable and multifunctional. Here's a list of our must-have products that do double duty to make our beauty routines quick and easy!

1. NARS The Multiple ($39)

This creamy makeup stick works on eyes, cheeks, lips and body. Use a sheer color to highlight, or a bronze or mauve to contour, sculpt and color. Applying with your fingers warms the stick and perfecty blends the color, no matter where you put it!

2. OCC Cosmetic Colour Pencils ($16)

Need long-wearing makeup for your endless days on campus? This pencil from Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics can be used on your eyes, lips and body, and comes in every color from neutrals to bolds. Even better... it's 100 percent vegan and cruelty-free.

3. John Frieda Full Repair Root Lift Foam ($17.81)

Add volume to flat hair and create amazing body with this foaming hair product form John Frieda. It's full of Inca Inchi oil to protect your hair from heat styling as well!

4. Benefit Cosmetics Benetint ($30)

This rose-tinted cheek and lip stain is kiss-proof, smudge-proof, and keeps your skin glowing. Just draw three small strokes across the apples of your cheeks and blend quickly with fingertips, or apply evenly on your lips.

5. Korres 3-in-1 Cleansing Emulsion ($24.49)

Korres, you have won our hearts! This do-all cleanser, toner and eye makeup remover is perfect for those collegiettes that are still taking ten steps and 30 minutes to get ready for bed. Clean your face and remove makeup without drying out your skin!

What are your favorite multi-functional beauty products, collegiettes?

The only thing better than regular shopping is shopping in the comfort of your own PJs—aka online shopping. Not only are there websites that sell items for insanely cheap prices, there are special websites just for coupons or discounts on your favorite items. What could be better than that?

These websites have deals and discounts on everything from dorm décor to cute shoes.  Try some of the sites below for serious savings!

1. Best for clothing: Zulily

Zulily is a wholesale site with huge discounts on clothing, home décor and more. Each item is handpicked from the staff at Zulily and is only available for 24 to 72 hours. Zulily carries over 100 different brands, including Kenneth Cole, Betsey Johnson and French Connection, and there are new brands added all the time. This site is great for anything from boots to dresses and everything else in between!

To access all the discounts that Zulily offers, you need to create an account using your email address and password. Once your account is created, you can pick what emails you would like to receive and scout for deals using both the tailored emails and the website itself.

2. Best for décor: One Kings Lane

One Kings Lane is the best place to get dorm and apartment décor as well as lasting, quality furniture for up to 70 percent off. For the best deals of the already super savings site, check out the Downstairs clearance section.

“I used One Kings Lane for my whole apartment, and I was able to give it a theme while not spending a ton of money,” says Lisa Heston, a sophomore at Villanova University.

To see all the deals on One Kings Lane, you need to create an account. It only takes a few seconds, and once you are registered in the system, you can pick and save all the items you want using the Favorites option.

3. Best for adventures: LivingSocial

LivingSocial is a site that gives you big discounts on adventures, clothing, outings and more. When you sign up, the website asks for your location and finds deals in your area. The Escapessection has amazing deals on travel options that are perfect for spring break!

4. Best for food: Restaurant.com

Resturant.com has over 50,000 deals on restaurant discounts and gift cards. The deals can be found by searching what you are in the mood for, like Chinese food or pizza, and your location. The next time you’re heading to dinner with your BFFs, check out the deals on this website first!

5. Best for travel: HotelCoupons.com

Whether you are planning a friends’ weekend at the beach or a trip to visit family, HotelCoupons.com can help you find affordable deals on open hotel rooms across the country. By entering the zip code of your destination, HotelCoupons.com will show you all the available rooms in the area, and you can filter your results depending on the price range and brand name of the hotel you are looking for.

The site provides you with coupons for rooms that are either being sold at a flat discounted rate or a percentage off of the original price. Either way, it’ll be a good deal for you!

6. Best for everything: Overstock

Overstock has over 1 million products for sale. This site has everything you could possibly want for home, clothing, books, décor and more.  They even have a fresh produce section!

“Usually when I shop online, I will shop for art because I love how a painting or a photo each [has] its own story,” says Alexa Carmona, a junior at Rutgers University. “Some of the best stuff I find is on Overstock.com.”

7. Best for coupons: RetailMeNot

While Overstock has discounts on specific items, RetailMeNot has coupons that you can use on a variety of items in a certain store. This site has coupons from 50,000 stores and covers everything from clothes and home décor to restaurants.

After making an account, you can use the coupons by clicking the advertisement to receive a promotional code and copying it. Then, when ordering off of the retailer’s website, paste the code in the designated box and instantly get your savings. RetailMeNot also displays storewide sales that don’t require a code at all, so you’ll always know which stores are giving away the best deals!

With all of these discount and coupon websites, your dream vacation or wardrobe just got a lot more affordable. Have fun shopping!

Some days, you just need to let your outfit do the talking… literally. Whether you’re dragging yourself to your 8 a.m. lecture and just can’t or are declaring your status as the ultimate boss-lady, there’s no better way to express yourself than through the adorably sassy and personalized jewelry from Ryan Porter.

Photo from @nhmediaprgirl 

Started in 2013, the brand has been a favorite of bloggers and street style stars like Bryan Boy and Leandra Medine of the Man Repeller. And now, we’ve scored you a $75 gift card to create your very own Ryan Porter jewelry! Customize bracelets, necklaces, earrings and rings with your initials, an important date, your favorite expression (might we suggest “OMG” or “As If”?)—anything that speaks to you. You can also choose between tons of design options like 14k gold, colored chains and bright cords so each one-of-a-kind piece is made just for you.

Let your accessories actually express who you are—enter below now for your chance to win!

Arizona, as a border-state, has first-hand experience with the issue of immigration. The state's policies have been a subject of national debate. Its S.B. 1070, for instance, has ignited concerns over racial profiling, xenophobia, constitutional legitimacy and the separation between state and federal government (as immigration, a derivative of foreign policy, has traditionally remained a responsibility of the national government).

But Arizona has seemingly passed a relatively uncontroversial education law that explicitly requires high school students to pass the same exam as those applying for U.S. citizenship. The American Civics Act, according to the Arizona Republic, necessitates "students to pass 60 of the 100 questions on the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization civics test."

While the stakes for receiving a high school degree and being deported are certainly different, the new law represents both a step towards consistency between immigration and education policy, as well as supporting American civics education. (Arizona, surprising, is the only state in the U.S. that will mandate its students understand "the history and workings of American government.")

According to the Wall Street Journal, "two-thirds of students tested below proficient on the civics portion of the National Assessment of Educational Progress in both 2006 and 2010."

Thus, seemingly, civics education should be an important and vital part of the American education curriculum, especially considering its nationalization through the Common Core. The relationship between education and democracy has been celebrated for centuries, appearing even in the early writing's of Thomas Jefferson.

But still, civics education faces barriers. Political scientist Amy Guttman, and current president of the University of Pennsylvania wrote in her book, Democratic Education:

"The first issue is whether civic education that is publicly mandated must be minimal so that parental choice can be maximal. The second issue concerns the way in which publicly subsidized schools should respond to the increasingly multicultural character of societies. The third issue is whether democratic education should try to cultivate cosmopolitan or patriotic sentiments among students."

And even those who support citizenship education agree that there is a problem of developing standards. According to Kathleen Hall Jamieson, tasks forces must be "drafting, and agreeing on, the actual standards, identifying assessment instruments for use with the standards; and developing resources to help teachers use the standards and assessments effectively."

Because courses that discuss governance often lead to both debate and disagreement, many are also concerned that civics curriculum could encourage political bias within the classroom.

Ultimately, while Arizona's new requirement faces logistical issues, it is certainly a clear step towards accountability in relation to federal immigration policy, as well as an initial step towards creating a more well-informed and active electorate of America's youth.

Applying early decision to your dream school may have felt like a good decision back in November, but now you’re feeling the pressure roll in. Early decision is a binding process in which you apply to a school that you know you want to attend come fall. If the school accepts you, you’re obligated to attend and you must also retract any other regular-decision applications you may have submitted.

Though most early-decision applicants are confident in their choice, early decision can put a lot of pressure on you. Perhaps you’ve realized the school doesn’t seem like the right one for you after all. Maybe you discovered another college that seems to be the perfect fit, or maybe you want to wait and see if any other acceptance letters roll in.

Unfortunately, while early decision is not legally binding, there aren’t many options aside from attending the school you chose. If the school you’ve been admitted to ED hears that you haven’t retracted your other applications and you’ve been looking at other options, you’ll likely be blacklisted. This means the school will contact your high school guidance office and other colleges that have admitted you to notify them of your breaking the agreement. These other colleges will probably withdraw your admission application, and you’ll run the risk of being left with no choices for the fall.

“We try to make it very clear in all communications that this is a BIG commitment,” says a representative from the College of the Holy Cross’s admissions department. “…Only those students who know 100 percent that they'd like to attend Holy Cross above all other schools should be applying ED. “

But what if you’re afraid you made the wrong commitment? Though your options are unfortunately limited, there are some steps you can take to change your situation or at least make you feel a little more at ease. If you’re feeling nervous about being admitted early decision, here are some tips for what to do!

Call the admissions office

If you’re having doubts, the first step is to reach out to the college’s admissions officers. As an early-admitted student, the school’s admissions officers view you as a great addition to the college’s community, so they will be more than willing to answer your questions and help clear up any confusion. Explain to the admissions officer why you’re having doubts—whether it has to do with the student body size, the campus feel, the classes, etc.—and there will be a good chance that an admissions officer can help you figure things out or at least explain your options.

Look over your financial aid package

What happens if your dream school’s tuition is way out of your league? Students who regret their decision to apply ED are usually unhappy because of the financial aid package they receive. Early-decision students usually know what they’re in for when they apply, but your financial aid package is one thing that you can’t predict. The college bill can take anyone by surprise.

If there’s really no way you can manage the cost of that school with the financial aid package you were offered, contact the financial aid office. Schools will often consider inadequate financial aid a valid reason to break your contract and let you attend another college. In some cases, schools may even be a little more generous and attempt to help you meet your financial needs. If your financial aid package isn’t even close to what you expected, make sure you contact the school’s financial aid office as soon as you can and explain the situation so they can help you explore your options.

See if you can take a gap year

Never mind not knowing if you want to attend this particular school—maybe you realized you have no idea where you want to go at all or if you even want to go to college yet. Taking a gap year between high school and college allows you a long period to reevaluate your decisions and think about what you want for your future.

Contact the admissions office at the school and explain that you’re considering taking a gap year. If you explain that you’d like to take time off to work, travel or figure out what you want, the admissions officers may understand and let you go without consequences; it really depends on the school. Again, make sure to call the admissions office to learn their policy on gap years (and whether you’d return to the ED school next year or reapply to more colleges).

Try to make the most of it

You clearly applied to this school for a reason. Try to remember those reasons and make the most of them! You may have changed your mind about the college since applying, but trying to get in touch with the reasons why you originally applied may bring back some of the school’s value.

For example, if you applied because you loved the extracurricular programs that the college offers, make sure to get involved in all sorts of clubs and activities when you get there. You’ll get out of college what you put into it, so put your best foot forward and try to make the most of your experience. Take advantage of what the school has to offer and you may find that you really did make the right decision!

Remember that you’ll have the option to transfer

Still regretting your decision? There’s always an option to transfer. A lot of students are put off by the idea of transferring because it means going through the application process again. But in reality, transferring is a great way to see what you like and dislike in a college, and this time you’ll already be used to the application process.

If you’re considering transferring to a different college, keep a few things in mind. For one, think about what you like and dislike about the school you’re at. Love the small campus feel? Not a fan of your academic department? Keep these in mind when looking for a new school. Transferring allows you to reapply to school with a different, more experienced mindset.

If you’re absolutely positive that the college you applied to ED isn’t a good fit for you and you don’t want to attend it, alert an admissions officer as soon as possible. If the school allows it, this will clear room for another applicant. Not all colleges will let you go easily, but the sooner you let an officer know, the more likely you’ll have a chance to make changes.

If you want to avoid the risks, just be careful and be smart! If nothing can be done and you are indeed bound to your ED school, do your best to make the most of the experience. Keep in mind that there really are more options than you may think (like gap years and transferring), and that while college is a big deal, this isn’t the most important decision of your life. Stay calm and enjoy school!