There’s nothing more exciting than the start of a new romance — after all, they don’t call it “the honeymoon phase” for nothing! Butterflies in your stomach, glowing every time you get a text, getting to know your SO (significant other) over late-night pillow talk, flaunting your new arm candy all over campus... it may not be as blissful as your relationship with Netflix, we know (few things are), but what’s not to like?

Unfortunately, revving up a new relationship can also mean rehashing old ones. At some point, your and your partner need to decide if you’re going to share about exes, old feelings and sexual history, just so you know all the facts. It can be uncomfortable, awkward and just plain hard (“Because I love hearing about my SO’s former flames,” said no one ever). Check out our tips before having the talk to save the situation!

Decide if it’s the right time for “the talk”

Come on, you know you’re curious! It can be super tempting to ask for all the details of his or her past exploits so that there are no surprises down the line. Plus, having that open, honest line of communication is one of the best ways to build up trust in your relationship. Sometimes, though, ignorance is bliss, so you’ll want to be prepared.

So how do you know it’s time to have the talk? If you find yourself wanting to know more about his past, worrying what to share (or what not to share) about your own or deciding that you’re ready to move things further physically with your SO, it’s probably time to chat. Make sure to talk in a quiet, private place and give yourself a large window of time; you don’t want to cut it short because you have to rush off to class!

But what if your partner isn’t as excited about having the conversation? He or she might not want to hear about your history (we get it, jealousy sucks), or might be worried about sharing his or her own (cue embarrassment). Psychotherapist Tristan Coopersmith says that fear is probably to blame. “Whenever there is resistance, there is fear,” she says. “Talk with your partner about their fear of having the talk and use that info to build vulnerability and trust… Which in and of itself may create a safer space to have the talk.”

Dale Lavine, our resident Real Live College Guy, explains that fear played a role in his own hesitation to have the talk with his then-girlfriend. “With my ex, I was pretty reluctant to have the ‘numbers’ talk simply because as far as I knew, she was more experienced than myself,” he says. “That's kind of a weird thing for guys to deal with because—at least for me—it was normal for guys to get around more than girls. So when your number isn't as high as hers, a few things go through your mind.”

Luckily, even though Dale was “shocked and slightly turned off” at first after talking, he appreciated the honesty and got through it just fine.

At the end of the day, you have to decide together whether the two of you want to dig up old exes and sex—touchy stuff—so making sure you’re both on board before launching into all the gory details is key. The last thing you want is to do is sabotage the relationship by making him listen to stories he doesn’t want to hear, and vice versa!

Establish ground rules

When you’re telling your SO how experienced (or not) you are, you’re talking about your ex or you’re even explaining that you were once in love (or once thought you would be together forever), it’s almost impossible to know what’s relevant info and what’s plain old TMI. To avoid hurting each other’s feelings, establish ground rules about how the convo will go. “During sensitive conversations like this one, couples need to feel safe,” Coopersmith says. “Setting up boundaries helps create a safe arena for protected communication.”

Michelle*, a sophomore at NYU, set ground rules: “My ex-boyfriend and I decided after a month of so of dating that it was time to have ‘that conversation,’” she says. “But the rules were this: we'd get it all out now, talk about it all just that once, but then not talk about it again after that. It was awkward, most definitely, but we promised for that one time, we'd be totally honest and answer each other's every question.”

So before you go down the rabbit hole, sit down with your partner and agree on some limits. Take Coopersmith’s suggestions:

• “No sharing of numbers… There is NO good that comes from this!” You can still talk about relationships and sexual history without sharing precise numbers, which automatically lead to comparison.
• “Be kind! Be empathetic. Be who you would want them to be for you… supportive and loving.”
• “Don’t ask questions you aren’t prepared to hear the answers to.”
• “Remember that someone’s past isn’t always an indicator of who/where they are now.”

Obviously, you don’t need to state the rules like you’re laying down the law. To avoid making the talk seem way more dramatic than it needs to be, remind your SO that you just want to get it out of the way so you can go back to having your usual fun!

Be honest...

While it can be hard to open up about your past—or say something you’re worried might make him or her see you differently—you should stick to the Golden Rule and treat your SO the way you’d want to be treated (because the Golden Rule always rules!). Would you want to be lied to? Probably not, which means you shouldn’t lie to your partner, as tempting as it may be to fudge the less-than-flattering details.

Besides, Coopersmith says that lying won’t get you far, anyway. “If the truth doesn’t reveal itself in this conversation, it will eventually, and when it does, it will come with a challenging overlay of why you weren’t honest the first time,” she says. “If you find yourself unwilling to be forthcoming, dig deep to uncover why. Are you not resolved with your past relationship? Do you carry shame? Is there regret?”

Figure out what it is that’s holding you back from telling the truth, and then ask yourself if it’s really worth risking your brand-new, totally exciting, super-hot relationship (We’re going to go out on a limb and guess that it’s not...).

After establishing her honesty-only policy with her man, Michelle learned a lot: some good, some bad. “For me, it was a hard thing to do because he was actually the first person I'd had sex with, but I hadn't told him before we'd had sex. But it turns out he'd had sex with a LOT of women,” she says. “While, yes, it was kind of weird, it was very cathartic and nice to know that there weren't going to be any surprises later in our relationship.”

Like Michelle, you can take the big reveals in stride; you’ll know exactly what you’re getting into when you continue dating him or her, and down the line, you’ll be thrilled that your SO won’t be dropping any big bombshells on you anytime soon.

...But don’t overshare

Once you get started talking about a particularly evil ex or a hilarious hook-up story (remember that one time in the library?), it can be hard to stop. First of all, the guys of your past probably gave you a lot of scintillating stories to tell. Second, it’s tempting to share every detail so you don’t feel like you’re withholding info from your current boyfriend. Still, it’s important to know where to draw the line, for his sake. There are some things your boyfriend should never know.

Dale advises, “I wouldn't suggest lying about [your number], but unless it absolutely has to come up, I don't know that I'd suggest talking about it.” The same rule applies for other past details you would rather not revisit—something that still hurts to talk about, or something you’re worried will make your current partner feel inadequate. A good way to go about this is to answer truthfully if he asks about a touchy subject, but don’t offer up the info yourself if you’re sure it’ll cause tension (and you didn’t think it was relevant enough to share in the first place). If you really don’t want to share something, explain exactly why to your SO, and make sure it’s clear that you’re not trying to hide anything; you’re just not taking the conversation to a painful place.

Coopersmith agrees. “A good rule of thumb is to only share what would be HELPful, which usually eliminates what may be HURTful,” she says. Don’t get carried away with the details, and go back to your ground rules to know how far is too far. For instance, does your SO seem like he or she really hates hearing about you with other people? In that case, maybe don’t go into too much detail about your past sexual encounters (like how your previous lover made you feel, if he or she was good in bed, and of course, never, ever comparing size!) or talk too long about what it was like to be in love. Instead, state the essential facts and move on.

“Also, make sure to never mention faking it with guys [or girls] in the past!” says Erica*, a senior at the University of San Diego. “Then they’ll worry that you’re doing it with them, too.” Even if you think it might make your SO feel a bit better—hey, who doesn’t like to hear that their SO’s ex wasn’t great in the sack?—you should stay away from touchy topics like these, as they can easily lead to comparison.

On the other hand, if your new arm candy understands that it’s hard not to overshare a bit sometimes, feel free to say whatever you need to get off your chest. That’s exactly what happened to Chelsea*, a junior at Vassar College. “My current boyfriend and I started dating after we had both gotten out of five-year relationships with our high school sweethearts,” she says. “Basically, we both grew up with our exes. So it's really hard not to bring them up! The most important thing to remember is to not make the other person feel compared to your ex.”

Decide if you can revisit the conversation

While you probably worked hard to sit down with your SO and get this conversation out of the way, you probably didn’t say everything you needed to say (or hear everything you need to hear). That’s the problem with limited time (thank you, pile of homework waiting on the desk), plus it can be difficult to know in the moment what you’ll later wish you’d asked. So the question remains: can you bring it up again?

Your decision will pretty much depend on your relationship. If the two of you love to share and don’t mind hearing about each other’s pasts too much, you’ll probably want to leave the topic open for conversation.

Coopersmith offers her own suggestion: “Healthy relationships depend on open communication, so this topic is no different than any other. Keep it open.” Still, there’s no perfect way to do this, and every collegiette (and couple) is different! While an open conversation worked for Chelsea and her boyfriend, Michelle and her ex opted to not bring up the convo again after their talk.

As you’re wrapping up your talk, make sure to ask your SO how he or she feels about revisiting it. As long as the two of you are on the same page about it, whatever you decide, you’re in the clear!

Talking about exes can be hard for any collegiette, but it can get even harder when you have to talk about them in front of your awesome new boy toy or lovely lady (whom you would rather be kissing than having a heavy talk like this with, obviously). Establish your rules, be open and honest and then reward yourselves with something fun and out of the ordinary, like indulging in dessert at a local café or snuggling up for a funny movie. At the end of the day, you’ll feel closer than ever.

*Name has been changed.

New York Fashion Week is in full swing, collegiettes! For a lucky few, this means spending long days at the tents at Lincoln Center and late nights out at killer fashion week parties. If you don’t have a coveted ticket to the shows, don’t fret! Keeping up with NYFW through the Instagram accounts of fashion’s top insiders is the next best way to stay up to date with all the action in NYC. Below, check out our favorite editors, models, photographers and It-girls to get the scoop from during NYFW!  

1. Emily Weiss

Weiss, the founder and CEO of Into the Gloss, a fashion-crowd favorite beauty blog, has a feed that is a beauty junkie’s dream.

2. Rebecca Minkoff

Rebecca Minkoff’s bags have a downtown, edgy vibe that has gained a following among NYC’s chicest fashion girls. Her line showed early last week, and you'll find both runway shots and behind the scenes ‘grams galore.

3. Leandra Medine

Leandra Medine, founder of the blog Man Repeller, often pops up in street style shots and is fashion’s favorite goofball. Follow for major fashion week outfit inspo and captions that will have you laughing out loud.

4. Oscar PR Girl

Erika Bearman, better known as Oscar PR Girl, offers her Instagram followers an inside look behind the scenes at one of the most timeless American fashion houses.

5. Eva Chen

When a fashion editor has her own Instagram photo pose named after her, (just check #evachenpose to see what we mean!) you know her Insta game must be strong.

6. Gigi Hadid

Gigi made her NYFW catwalk debut last February, and she has been one of the fashion industry’s favorite fresh faces ever since.

7. Tommy Ton

That ah-mazing street style shot you reblogged on Tumblr last week? Chances are it was taken by street style photographer Tommy Ton. Follow his account for swoon-worthy shots of the chicest editors and models.

8. Danielle Bernstein

Danielle Bernstein of the blog WeWoreWhat already has a to-die-for Instagram feed as it is, and her NYFW posts only make it more amazing. Follow for a healthy dose of '70s-esque outfit inspo and killer front row shots.

9. Derek Blasberg

We love how Blasberg, the editor-at-large of Harper’s Baazar, always has an Insta feed that is equal parts goofy and chic. In an industry that sometimes takes itself too seriously, it's refreshing to see him having fun!

10. Blair Eadie

Blair Eadie of the blog Atlantic Pacific seriously has bright, girly style down to a T. (Bonus: she seems to have the best snowy day style inspiration, perfect to copy for your schlep to class in the slush.)

11. Amy Astley

Who better to get the inside scoop on the biggest trends at NYFW from than the editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue? Get ready for front row and celeb shots galore.

12. Kendall Jenner

No matter how you feel about Kendall Jenner as a new face in the modeling world, it’s impossible to argue that she hasn’t absolutely taken the fashion world by storm lately. Expect gorgeous selfies with other It-models and behind the scenes ‘grams from the biggest shows at NYFW.

How will you be keeping up with NYFW this season, collegiettes?

When you go to college, you think you can expect at least one thing, based on the stories you’ve heard: The guys are going to be jerks, and all they’re going to want from you are drunken hook-ups. You think that the “walk of shame” is soon going to be a reality for yourself and all of your friends, and that your life is going to turn into that movie Friends with Benefits (the part before Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis get together, that is). But is all of that really true?

Here at HC, we think that the stereotype that all college guys are looking for random hook-ups is a giant misconception. To bust that myth, we talked to guys all over the country to find out the exact reasons why they want to be in a relationship (for real!).

1. They want comfort and companionship

Guys aren’t just some heartless robots who only want to hook up all the time — they get lonely, too!

“I didn’t know that I wanted a relationship until all of my roommates were in one,” says Tyler, a sophomore at the University of Florida. “When I’d see them with their girlfriends, I’d always be like, ‘Aw, that’s so nice. I want to spend time with someone like that.’”

Tyler says that it gets really lonely for guys when all they do is hang out with their friends or by themselves. He says that the companionship of a significant other, someone you can spend all the time in the world with, is really important to him.

“I started to find myself wanting to have company all the time,” Tyler says, “and I realized that it’s part of growing up, seeing that you want the company of a romantic partner.”

Guys aren’t that different from girls — they don’t want to be alone all the time. Sometimes, they want someone to snuggle up with and binge-watch Netflix movies– if any guy tells you this isn’t the case, he’s totally lying (or is an actual robot).

2. Being with someone is more emotionally fulfilling

It’s pretty logical to think that guys get lonely just like girls, but can’t they spend time with their friends and get their romance fix from random hook-ups or friends with benefits?

Jake, a junior at the University of New Hampshire, says that this balancing act is only fulfilling to a certain point.

“When it comes down to it, you’re going to sleep alone when it’s a random hook-up,” Jake says. “Even if she spends the night in your room and leaves the next morning or vice versa, you still don’t have that lazy time in bed together or even the comfort of knowing you can text her later and not feel stupid.”

Jake says that it’s a hard emotion to pinpoint, but casually hooking up with someone leaves you feeling much emptier than actually caring for someone. At a certain point, guys want to do the caring.

3. They think relationships just feel natural

You know that guy who always seems to have a girlfriend? And those girlfriends always seem to be long-term? Contrary to what movies and TV would have you believe about college, that’s actually not too uncommon. For some guys, being in a relationship just seems like the only option, the only thing that feels right.

“For me, it’s just a form of respect,” says Timmy, a recent graduate from Vanderbilt University.
“If I’m going to hook up with a girl, I’m going to get her number, talk to her, ask her to dinner. Things like that always seem to lead to relationships for me.”

Chivalry is not dead, collegiettes! A lot of guys understand that it’s a sign of respect to get to know a girl before hooking up with her all the time (to which we have to say: DUH), and a lot of guys realize that if they enjoy talking to her and knowing her, and she feels the same, he should ask her to be his girlfriend.

4. They’d rather be a gentleman than a playboy

Some guys are just raised to be gentlemen (not playboys) and to want this sweet kind of relationship with women.

“It’s really important for me to be a gentleman,” says Timmy. “Being a gentleman means respecting women and knowing that they’re your equal. When I see women, I’m interested [in them] as my equals; I want to be their partner and their boyfriend.”

These are the kinds of guys we hear about in movies, huh? The ones who open the car door for you, pay on the first date and truly embody the chivalrous gentleman. Wouldn’t it be nice if they all just announced themselves, so we didn’t have to weed through the duds to find them?

5. They want physical intimacy

Let’s be honest, here — a lot of guys look forward to the physical aspect of relationships.

“I’m going to be pretty real with you and say that one of the benefits of having my girlfriend is that I know I’ll have sex on the weekends,” says Ryan*. “I love my girlfriend a lot, so don’t think I’m some kind of pig… It’s different with her because I’m hooking up with someone I care about and who I know cares about me.”

You know how we all value chemistry when we go on a date with someone? How we talk to our friends about how we really “clicked” with a person? Guys value relationships for the same reason… except instead of really wanting to click during conversations, they want to click when hooking up, too.

“I think a big reason why we click physically is because we click emotionally,” Ryan says, “so I like having a girlfriend because it makes that physical part of my life better.”

It’s a pretty universal feeling to want to be physical with someone you truly care about and trust — we can’t say we blame them, since we totally feel the same!

6. They want to be taken care of…

It’s something we see a lot, whether we’re doing it ourselves or we see one of our friends doing it — taking care of the boyfriend. We make them lunch, grab him groceries when he’s super swamped and help him out when he’s sick. This is definitely something guys value in their relationships.

“It’s not like I’m barking orders at my girlfriend, like ‘make me a sandwich woman,’ or anything,” Tyler says, “but the things she does for me are nice and appreciated.” He doesn’t actively seek out a girl who will do him favors, but when she does, he says that it’s definitely one of the benefits of being in a relationship with her.

7. …But they also want to take care of you

We all know that in relationships, there is a lot of give and take — guys recognize that, too!

“I always return the favor,” Tyler says. “I try really hard to match her meal for meal, and I help her fix things and stuff.”

All of this may come as a bit of a surprise. Aren’t guys afraid of being called whipped, after all? Tyler says that’s not something that bothers him, when he’s with the right girl.

“I helped jump [my girlfriend’s] car one night, and all of my buddies were saying I was whipped,” he says. “It didn’t bother me because I knew this was something that I wanted to do, and wasn’t being forced to do. I’m happy to take care of her.”

For a lot of guys, even the biggest of playboys, all it takes is one person to change everything.

“I used to be the king of one-night stands,” says Jared*, a junior at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. “I loved hooking up with random girls. And then I met my girlfriend. She and I had a mutual friend, so we hung around a little bit, and then I was done. I didn’t want random hook-ups anymore because I wanted her.”

For a lot of guys, settling down into a relationship doesn’t become an option until they meet someone they want to be with all of the time. It takes someone important to make a guy realize he’s sown all of the wild oats he needs to and see that he wants companionship, intimacy and mutual respect.

Don’t believe everything you’ve heard — not all college guys are only looking to randomly hook up with you. Now the challenge is just spotting the ones who do want a relationship!

*Names have been changed to protect identities.

Whether you want to be single or not, there are just some things you never want to hear from your friends. They mean well, but sometimes their two cents of advice are just not helpful. At all.

1. "Being single is so less stressful anyway."
Then why are you in a relationship right now...?

2. "Why aren't you in a relationship?"
I don't know, I just love my cat too much.

3. "Girl, you are so much better than [your ex's name]."
I know I am, but that doesn't help me find someone new.

4. "The second you stop looking for love, it will find you."
I've stopped a while ago, so... can you explain that?

5. "Please let me set you up, I know the perfect person for you!"
How about no.

6. "Stop being so picky, maybe that's your problem."
A girl's gotta have some standards!

7. "Do you want to come out with us?" (says your friend who's in a relationship)
As appealing as third wheeling for the umpteenth time sounds, I'll pass.

8. "Don't worry, it'll happen."
Yeah, when? In five years?

9. "There are plenty of fish in the sea."
That's nice, but I'm not looking for a fish.

10. "You? You're single?!"
Yep, huge suprise, I know.

11. "Maybe you aren't putting yourself out there enough."
Uh, nope? I'm already pushing the whole "putting yourself out there" thing to the limit.

12. "You just haven't found the right person yet."
You don't say...

13. "Everything happens for a reason."
That is possibly the least helpful, unoriginal advice ever.

14. "Maybe you're just better off single."
Why thank you, that's so comforting.

15. "Take time to work on yourself first."
Is there something wrong with me? I'm pretty sure I'm already fabulous.

Let's be real: There's nothing better than an online shopping binge. Even better? Finding team spirit picks you're obsessed with! If you've been feeling the HC love lately, you can find everything from sticky notes to sweatshirts in the Her Campus Shop, making it your one-stop online shop for the perfect little spree. So what are you waiting for? Here are 11 Her Campus products you absolutely NEED to upgrade your life to a collegiette-chic level. 

1. HCXO Rope Tote, $15

Make like Beyoncé and show off your HC love “like XO.”  Carry your books in style in this durable and adorable canvas rope tote that goes with anything from sweats to your most put-together ensemble. Can you say #TotesAdorbs?

2. #HerCampusXeffYbee Bliss Stack, $116

Adorned with the signature Her Campus crown, these bracelets add the perfect pop of color to any outfit. With Valentine’s Day coming up, these make a great gift for your bestie. Because who ever said I <3 You Day is only for couples lied to you.

3. Just Add Sequins Pullover,  $45

Never let anyone dull your sparkle in this specially designed Bow & Drape sweatshirt! Comfy-chic has never been a more fun and effortless look to pull off.

4. Stuck on You Stickers, starting at $12

Slap these babies on your laptop, car or water bottle to make sure everyone knows you are all about HCXO! With five new designs and packs ranging from 20 to 500 stickers, you can stick your HC love on just about anything - dare you to get creative!

5. Her Campus Spirit Jersey®, $55

We’ve got spirit, how ‘bout you? Ideal for a day at the library, a trip to the gym or snuggling on a cold day, wearing this jersey is a cute and casual way to rep team HC.

6. Campus Cutie Frat Tank, $18

Declare yourself a Campus Cutie in this fratty-fabulous tank this spring. Rock it under a jean jacket, then, come spring break, throw it over your bathing suit for the ultimate beach babe look.

7. Miss Classy Koozie, $4

There’s nothing worse than a warm drink on a hot day (or a cold drink on an even colder day, as far as your poor fingers are concerned). Buy a bunch for your spring break crew so your drinks stay chill in style.

8. All That Glitters Flash Tattoos, $20

This spring break you have the right to bear arms…covered in flash tats, that is. Snag a set of five sheets so you can go wild with these boho-chic temporary body accessories.

9. Sun Times Ahead Sunglasses, $5

Protect your eyes from harsh UV rays in style. Pair with the Campus Cutie Frat Tank for the ULTIMATE frat-tastic look.

10. Have Fun, Stay Young Poster, $8

Doing some spring cleaning? Give your dorm room a necessary HC upgrade with this adorable, and inspirational wall art!

11. HCXO Stickies, $3

Your to-do list has never looked better! These HC approved sticky notes make every to-do seem more fun (trust us, we've tried them). One stack has 50 stickies, so start making your list and checking it twice!

Get ready to shop 'till you drop, collegiettes! 

Ever had a kiss that swept you off your feet—the kind that leaves you light-headed, with your fingers and toes tingling? Turns out those post-pucker-up butterflies aren’t the only benefits of a big smooch; kisses can actually help keep you healthy! As if you needed another reason to lay one on your crush from psych class…

According to Andréa Demirjian, author of Kissing: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About One of Life’s Sweetest Pleasures, kisses can do all kinds of wonders for the body. We asked Demirjian—aka “The Kissing Expert”—for the best health benefits of puckering up.

1. It Lowers Your Blood Pressure

While no two kisses are the same, they all tend to do the same thing: get your heart pumping. That characteristic thump-thump you feel mid-make-out does more than set your spirits soaring; according to Demirjian, kissing “immediately increases your heart rate but lowers your blood pressure.” The combination sends you into a more mellow state; you feel good, even zen, the way you would after a workout. Basically, it’s a feel-good aerobic activity that doesn’t require spandex and running shoes!

It seems counterintuitive, though; why would your blood pressure lower if your heart rate is skyrocketing? Apparently, kissing gives you an adrenaline rush, and adrenaline makes your blood vessels dilate. Once your vessels are dilated, more blood can flow through the body, and your blood pressure stabilizes over time. “If you were going to get your blood pressure taken at the doctor’s, you would probably [have] a perfect, healthy blood pressure level,” Demirjian says. No complaints here!

2. It Relieves Physical Pain

Let’s be honest, though: the last thing we want to think about while kissing is our blood vessels dilating. It’s not exactly a sexy image, and there are so many other sexy things to focus on in the moment instead! Still, that dilation can do wonders when we need it most—specifically when we’re in pain.

“When we’re on our period and we have bad cramps, it’s because our blood vessels are constricted,” Demirjian says. “So I know a lot of times when you’re not feeling too snappy with your period, the last thing you want to do is make out with anyone, but it’s actually the best thing for you because it’s a sort of natural way of taking a few Advil.” It isn’t the only way of dealing with menstrual cramps, but it’s certainly the best way we’ve heard of.

The same pain-relieving principle applies to headaches. Headaches can also caused by constricted blood vessels, and sexual stimulation—like kissing—helps loosen the pressure. So forget popping Midol and Advil—just pucker up!

3. It Releases Happy Chemicals

Whether you call them warm fuzzies or butterflies in your stomach, you know the feeling: that “I’m-the-queen-of-the-world” kind of feeling you get after a top-notch smooch (some of you might even hear “A Whole New World” playing softly somewhere... we aren’t judging).

Well, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it isn’t all in your head; kissing really does improve your mood, thanks to the fact that it triggers so-called “feel-good chemicals.”

“Kissing gets all of the happy serotonin [and] dopamine chemicals in the brain going,” Demirjian says. Serotonin puts you in a positive mood; dopamine helps the brain process pleasure, pain and emotion; and the third feel-good chemical kissing releases, oxytocin, affects feelings of attachment and affection. “And again, it’s like the same thing as a workout,” Demirjian explains. “You know after a workout you have that kind of high, you feel kind of exhilarated, you’re clear-headed and you feel like you’re in a good mood? Kissing activates the same sort of reaction in the pituitary [gland] and [the rest of] the brain.”

Obviously, the effects aren’t exactly the same as if you were to hit the treadmill for a half hour, but combined with the excitement of landing that perfect smooch, the “feel-good chemicals” will send you soaring.

4. It Prevents Cavities

Kissing may not be a one-way ticket to pristine oral hygiene, but it definitely helps. According to Demirjian, kissing can mean fewer cavities!

“When you’re kissing frequently, you’re secreting a lot of saliva, and saliva is what really washes away plaque,” she explains. “So you’re going to have [fewer] cavities, less tartar buildup [and] less gingivitis, so you have a healthier mouth.”

But don’t drop your floss just yet, collegiettes (you’ll probably be hard-pressed to find someone willing to smooch you with bad breath, for one thing). Clearly, kissing alone isn’t enough to dig deep at that plaque in between your teeth—and honestly, if you’re with someone who does possess those excavating kissing abilities, we highly suggest moving on!

5. It Improves Your Complexion

Sick of popping pimples? Try puckering up instead. Apparently, kissing keeps your pituitary gland in check, which can clear up your complexion. And kissing is so much more fun than pricey facials!

“The brain is this insane operating center,” Demirjian explains. “It’s controlling your glands, your pituitary—all of those things that, in our teen and adolescent years (and that can go into college, too), are creating more oil.” If you’re kissing on a more regular basis, the blood dilation in your face basically keeps things from getting clogged up. While kissing itself won’t clear up severe acne, it could prevent breakouts down the line.

Demirjian adds that, similar to how a lot of kissing keeps your lips rosy and plump, a lot of kissing keeps your cheeks rosy and fresh as well. Not to mention the fact that a cuddle-and-kiss sesh can tone down your anxiety come midterms (or anytime, really), and anxiety is known to lead to breakouts.

6. It Tightens Your Facial Muscles

Speaking of faces, it turns out that making out does more for your visage than just clear up your pores. Demirjian says it actually works your muscles, too. Finally, a workout for your face! We don’t need it, of course, but it’s pretty cool that it happens on its own.

“Vigorous kissing and making out basically keep your neck and jaw line in good shape and toned,” Demirjian says. “I tell a lot of women, ‘Don’t be running to the plastic surgeon—just make out a lot. You’ll get the same effect.’”

Fortunately, we collegiettes don’t need to be concerned with sagging skin. Still, it’s nice to know that stretching our necks for a kiss today may keep saggy skin at bay in the faraway future!

7. It Burns Calories

We know, we know: despite all of the amazing benefits of heart-pounding make-outs, kissing just doesn’t have the same effects as hitting the gym (but a collegiette can dream!). Still, kissing does burn some calories, and every bit can count. According to Demirjian, you can burn around 11 calories in a hot-and-heavy, half-hour-long make-out session. Mind you, it has to be vigorous kissing, so don’t use make-outs as an excuse to avoid workouts --at least, not all the time. Just rev up the passion in your free time and get going!

Not everyone has the ability to make out on a whim—most of us aren’t in relationships, and many of us haven’t even been kissed yet. Whatever your status—single, taken or in a serious relationship with Netflix, thanks very much—you can take comfort in the fact that your next kiss will reap some major health benefits. In Demirjian’s words, “A kiss a day keeps the doctor away!”

There’s nothing more relaxing than getting into bed after a long day, but most of the time, we either scroll through Twitter or watch episodes on Netflix until we manage to pass out. While this may seem like no big deal, it’s actually really bad for us! Not only is our sleep being affected, but other parts of our health as well. With the help of a few doctors, we’re here to tell you why it’s time to put down your phone and turn off your laptop before bed.

Why you need to stop

1. Your electronics are convincing you it’s earlier than it really is

Even if the lights are out, cell phones and other forms of technology can actually fool your brain into forgetting it’s nighttime. Dr. Kent Smith, a sleep dentist from Dallas, Texas says that these devices emit a blue light that tells our suprachiasmatic nucleus (basically, your internal clock) that it’s 2:00 in the afternoon, and not 2:00 in the morning. “When our brains are fooled, they do not secrete melatonin, which is what helps us initiate sleep,” Dr. Smith says. As humans, we actually produce melatonin, a hormone, on our own; however, there are certainly things that can prevent this production, like lying with our phones in bed at night.

If you’re looking for another way to keep your phone in bed and still get some sleep, turning the brightness down isn’t solution enough. While it does help, Dr. Daniel Rifkin, the founder of Sleep Medicine Centers of Western New York, says, “Believe it or not, the blue wavelength remains present. This is what we call a ‘dose response,’ where the lower the lux of light has a lesser effect but there is still some effect!”

2. Sleep debt has side effects

Delaying sleep in itself is unhealthy, but other problems are likely to occur as a result.

“Sleep debt has been linked to weight gain, memory loss and mood disorders, just to name a few unsavory situations most [students] would like to avoid,” Dr. Smith says.

Additionally, if you continue to stay up super late as a result of your electronics, you’re more likely to develop onset insomnia and ultimately sleep deprivation. Olivia, a junior at the University of Tennessee, started having problems after one too many restless nights.

“My sophomore year, I would put off my homework up until around 9 p.m.,” Olivia admits. “I would usually get done around midnight, and even though I was tired, I laid in bed scrolling through Tumblr or watching Netflix on my laptop until I passed out.”

Olivia says that she usually fell asleep around 3 or 4 a.m., only to get up just a few hours later for her morning classes. “In the beginning, I was fine,” she says. “I’d just get a huge coffee the next day or something. But after a while, I started staying up all night.” After an entire sleepless few days, Olivia went to her family doctor and was put on pills for insomnia. Not wanting to be on them for the rest of her life, she used them just until she could develop a normal sleeping pattern again. “Now, I don’t bring my laptop to bed with me, and I plug my phone by my dresser across the room,” she says.

3. Even having your phone next to you can be dangerous

Before dozing off, we don’t even think to put our phones somewhere else besides in bed next to us. Not only does their mere presence tempt us to scroll through social media all night, but having it physically close to us is dangerous for our health. “Having your cell phone close to you during sleep has been shown in studies to delay deep sleep and create more headaches,” Dr. Smith says, “so I suggest leaving it as far from you as possible during sleep,” he says.” If you use your phone for an alarm, just turn up the volume so you’ll still hear it, and also be forced to get up when you need to!

How to stop

Although it may sound hard, your body needs time to wind down before it can sleep. Dr. Carl Bazil, the director of the Division of Comprehensive Epilepsy Center and Sleep Center and a clinical neurology professor at Columbia University, recommends 30 minutes to wind down and rid yourself of electronics, although he says that some people will need more. You don’t even have to lie in bed, according to Dr. Rifkin. “I like to tell patients to turn off all electronics… so they can have a ‘facilitation to sleep-onset time,’” he says. The following list consists of just some of the few things you can do before bed to relax!

• Take a warm bath
• Read something non-school or work related
• Do some quick relaxation yoga
• Listen to calming music
• Write in a journal
• Drink warm milk

It may be difficult to prioritize sleep, but for us collegiettes, it is SO important! So, plug in your phone and set it on a table or dresser nearby, turn off your laptop, shut off the TV and get those z’s! 

So many song lyrics are based on love, so what are you supposed to do when there aren’t any songs about the butterflies that fit your identity? Find some, of course! Here are just a couple of songs either made by queer artists or that address the queer community. Get your playlist ready!

1. Hannah and Maggie: “The Land and The Sea”

Hannah and Maggie are an award-winning folk duo who went to Smith College together and are now based in both NYC and Northampton, Massachusetts. Their harmonies are tight and their friendship is absolutely adorable – one of our favorite groups right now!

2. Perfume Genius: “Hood”

Perfume Genius, also known as Mike Hadreas, just released his second album, Too Bright, which is deeply dark and powerful. After listening to one song, we were completely hooked because of his lyrics, gorgeous melodies and blues-y feel.

3. Sam Smith: “Latch”

We’re betting you’ve heard of Sam Smith, the Brit who’s taking the music world by storm and breaking barriers by being open about his relationship (and breakup) with his boyfriend. He recently brought home four Grammys, and we are so excited to see where this artist goes!

4. Austra: “Home”

In an interview with AfterEllen, Katie Stelmanis, the lead singer of Austra, said “All I ever wanted was to be a gay band,” so we thought it was only fair that Austra was included in this roundup. Austra is a Toronto-based electropop group that uses electronics in an incredibly quirky and catchy way – give them a listen and you won’t be let down.

5. Patrick Wolf: “The Magic Position”

Patrick Wolf almost has an ‘80s vibe with his up-tempo, pop songs in conjunction with his deep, vibrato-rich voice. This London-based musician has dark music videos that have a great message about self-acceptance and social justice.

6. Jenny Lewis: “Just One of the Guys”

We’re obsessed with ex-Rilo Kiley lead singer Jenny Lewis’s seductive, slightly gravelly mezzo. She’s becoming more and more well-known, as demonstrated by the fact that she was able to land Anne Hathaway, Brie Larson and Kristen Stewart for her music video! Her beats are catchy and this song has been stuck in our heads for weeks.

7. Making Friendz: “Situation”

Making Friendz is in every way a fusion band. Tami Hart, the lead singer of Making Friendz, says that the band’s song list is full of “lesbian anthems.” Definitely an upbeat group to blast when you’re getting ready to go out or if you just want a soundtrack for your inner ‘90s grunge lesbian – we’re totally getting those vibes!

8. JD Samson, MEN: “Off Our Backs”

MEN calls itself a queer art collective, and with JD Samson, a gender activist and DJ based in New York, headlining their new LP, they’re bound to go places. Their work is heavily dance- and pop-influenced and, again, they’re totally a group to rock out to on a Friday night.

9. Demi Lovato: “Really Don’t Care

We’re positive you’ve heard of Demi Lovato, but the Disney starlet has fully blossomed into an anthemic pop queen who’s a proud advocate of LGBTQ+ rights. She’s got a killer range and voice and a “bite me” attitude that we just can’t get enough of.

10. Mary Lambert: “Secrets”

Mary Lambert took the music world by storm by singing the hook on Macklemore’s “Same Love,” but she’s an artist in her own right who produces beautiful, emotional spoken word poetry and catchy pop tunes. She’s also a proud lesbian and creates anthems for the LGBTQ+ community.

11. Tegan and Sara: “Closer”

Tegan and Sara

To conclude your LGBTQ+ playlist, who else should we look to but the holy grail of lesbian duos, Tegan and Sara? They’re well loved both in the LGBTQ+ and the non-queer pop scene. Really, listen to any Tegan and Sara song and you’ll be set – their pop melodies are unbelievably catchy, and once you start listening, you won’t be able to stop!

Want the full playlist? We’ve put it together for you here!

You can definitely find music that fits both your taste and identity; in this playlist alone, there’s folk, pop, indie, electronic and grunge! These are just some of our personal favorite LGBTQ+-friendly songs, though – let us know what some of your favorites are below!

Last weekend, all the biggest names in comedy came home to the stage that started it all. Saturday Night Live celebrated its 40th anniversary with the help of its numerous cast members and some surprise celebrity guests. The sketch comedy show began in 1975, with the original cast of "Not Ready For Prime Time Players." The show may have evolved over the past 40 years, but we're still laughing just as hard. From Gilda Radner to Kate McKinnon, and Chevy Chase to Bill Hader, SNL has created the biggest comedy talent in the industry. Here are the top moments from the epic reunion!

1. History of SNL rap

Our favorite duo Justin Timberlake and Jimmy Fallon opened the show with the "History of SNL Rap," rattling off famous catchphrase after catchphrase. Of course Justin and Jimmy nailed the cold open with the help of cameos by Debbie Downer (Rachel Dratch) and Mary Catherine Gallagher (Molly Shannon). While it was the perfect tribute to 40 years of famous sketches, we'll admit, their performance could have used a little more cowbell. 

2. Celebrity Jeopardy

We were hoping for a Alex Trebek and Sean Connery reunion, and boy did we get one. This special version of Celebrity Jeopardy featured impressions of Justin Bieber, Matthew McConaughey, Tony Bennett, Burt Reynolds and Christoph Waltz. Connery (Darell Hammond) reprised his role of picking on Trebek's mother and making every category inappropriate, and this time it was "who reads" that become "whore ads."

3. Audition tapes

Ever wonder how the auditions for your favorite SNL stars went? Last night we got a look at how the struggling comics became stars, by introducing their own original characters and impressions for the first time on that historic stage. We got to see auditions from Amy Poehler, Seth Meyers, Jimmy Fallon, Jim Carrey, Stephen Colbert, and many more. 

4. The Californians

Kristen Wiig, Fred Armisen, and Bill Hader returned as our favorite California family. There were special appearances by Laraine Newman, Bradley Cooper, Kerry Washington, Taylor Swift and Betty White. This sketch got laughs from the audience and the performers as they tried their best not to crack up during the Bradley Cooper and Betty White makeout scene. 

5. Weekend Update

It was the first time we've seen three female update co-anchors all together at the desk, and Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Jane Curtain carried that title with honor. Emma Stone nailed Gilda Radner's Rosanne Rosannadanna impression, along with Edward Norton's Stefon, and Melissa McCarthy's Chris Farley tribute.

6. Beyoncé AKA Maya Rudolph

Martin Short and Maya Rudolph, otherwise known as Beyoncé, recognized all the musical characters SNL has featured over the last 40 years. This including, of course, Garth & Kat, Marty & Bobbi Culp covering "Uptown Funk" and "All About That Bass," and the Blues Brothers. Bill Murray stole the segment by surprising us with the lyrics to the Jaws theme song. 

7. Jerry Seinfeld takes questions

Jerry Seinfeld held a hilarious audience Q&A featuring Michael Douglas, James Franco, Tim Meadows, Dakota Johnson, Sarah Palin, John Goodman, and former SNL writer Larry David. The questions poked fun at the writers, hosts, and even the lack of diversity at the show. 

8. In Memoriam

Bill Murray took the stage to present a video montage of the members of the SNL family that we've lost since the show's beginning in 1975. 

9. Wayne's World

Mike Myers and Dana Carvey got huge laughs during their Wayne's World sketch. During this special version of "SNL's Top Ten" the famous duo cracked jokes about Lorne Michaels, and even Kanye, who played along in the audience. In another 40 years we're sure audiences will still be saying "party on, excellent."

10. That's When You Break

Andy Samberg and Adam Sandler teamed up once again for a new digital short all about when the cast breaks character. We all know the audience loves it when the cast breaks character, especially that classic Debbie Downer sketch. The butt of the joke became Jimmy Fallon and Horatio Sanz, who without a doubt would take the SNL title for "Most Likely To Break Character."

Happy anniversary SNL, here's to another 40 years of laughs!

We all know guys aren’t always the timeliest texters. Though we try to keep our cool, the waiting game can make us think some pretty irrational thoughts. Here are just a few of the things that may have crossed your mind while waiting for his text message response to light up your phone.

1. What if he got a girlfriend in the last hour since we’ve texted?

2. I knew the exclamation point was too enthusiastic; he totally thinks I’m in love with him now.

3. Maybe I should post something flirty on another guy’s Facebook wall to make him jealous.

4. Is the service in here bad? Maybe he has bad service?

5. He probably lost his phone last night. Maybe I should check his Facebook to see if he posted a status about losing his phone.

6. What if he saw me wear my PJs to the dining hall yesterday morning and now he doesn’t think I’m cute anymore? 

7. Should I text someone else to make sure my phone is working?

8. Maybe I’ll check and see if he’s tweeted at all since I texted him.

9. He tweeted something about the basketball game on TV and yet still hasn’t texted me back. I bet he just wants to wait until the game is over so he can give our conversation his undivided attention.

10. Did it freak him out that I texted him back right away? Should I have waited at least 20 minutes first?

11. Why did I add a thumbs-up emoji to that last text?! He probably has no idea I was using it ironically and he thinks I’m totally lame now.

12. “Hahaha” was definitely too much. I knew I should have just stopped at “haha.”

13. I bet he just went to bed really early. Plenty of people go to bed at 8 p.m.

14. Maybe he didn’t save me in his contacts.

15. Maybe he saved me in his contacts as something like, “Blonde from party.” Should I tell him who this is?

16. Why did I say “LMAO”? Who even says “LMAO” anymore?!

17. Did he notice that I snorted when I laughed at his joke last night? Is that why he isn’t texting me back?

18. I don’t know why I thought it was a good idea to text him before noon on a Saturday. I probably woke him up and now he hates me.

19. Maybe I’ll casually text his roommate and try and find out what they’re doing tonight through him.

20. He must be with his ex right now. He just doesn’t want her to see him texting me because she’ll get jealous.

21. Oh, no—I just realized I said “who’s” when I meant to say “whose.” I’m sure he thinks I’m illiterate now.

22. I wonder if he’s on a reflective retreat this weekend and isn’t allowed to interact with anyone outside the retreat center until he comes back. 

23. Maybe he doesn’t have unlimited texting. Maybe I’m using up his texts for the month and he’s totally annoyed.

24. What if he hit his head and got knocked unconscious? Should I go to his room and make sure he’s okay?

25. I bet someone told him about the time I got way too drunk at the frat mixer freshman year and now he’s never going to want to hang out with me.

26. Did his friends tell him not to text me back? Do his friends think he can do better than me? 

27. Maybe he decided to do one of those weeklong technology purges.

28. He’s probably having a late lunch right now. Or an early dinner. And he probably just doesn’t want to be rude by answering his phone. Yeah, that must be it.

29. Could his phone have died? Is it possible for a guy to go four hours without charging his phone?

30. What if he went for a jog and got abducted?

31. Maybe his phone got stolen while he was on the bus.

32. Did he drop his phone recently? Maybe the screen is too cracked for him to read my message.

33. Maybe I’ll try sending him an inbox message on Facebook instead. Or tweeting at him. Or slipping a note under his door.

34. Maybe he saw my message and decided he’d text me back in a minute and then he totally forgot to. Should I text him again so he remembers?

35. I just double texted him. Now he thinks I’m obsessed with him and he’s probably going to file a restraining order.

36. Why did I think it was cute to start my text with “yo”? He probably thought I was being serious and that I’m the kind of girl who begins her texts with “yo”!  

37. Was the winky face too much? OMG, the winky face was definitely too much.  

38. I should go to the gym or take a shower to distract myself. I bet I’ll have a text from him by the time I’m done.

39. I spent an extra 10 minutes in the shower shaving my legs and didn’t even look at my phone until after I blow-dried my hair, and he still hasn’t texted me back. I won’t let myself check my phone again until after I do my makeup.

40. What if he was walking down the stairs while he was reading my text and he got distracted and fell and broke his wrist and now he can’t answer me?

41. Wait, he started typing. Now he stopped. He’s starting again. And now he stopped again. Maybe he’s just putting a lot of thought into what he wants to say back to me?

42. Did he just get a new phone recently? Maybe he’s still trying to figure it out.

43. He totally isn’t into me. He isn’t into me, and he thinks avoiding me is the best way to get rid of me.

44. Maybe he committed a horrible crime and he’s on the run and he doesn’t want to text anyone for fear the police will be able to trace his phone.

45. Should I send him a scandalous picture? I’m sure that will get his attention.

46. You know what? Forget him. I’m just going to text my ex instead.

47. I wonder if he’s playing hard to get. When he finally texts me back I’m going to wait twice as long to text him back. 

48. I bet he’s in class. No, wait; it’s a Sunday. I bet he’s at church.

49. If I just keep staring at my phone, I think I can telekinetically will him to return my text message.

50. It’s official: I will never understand guys.

Good luck waiting for that return text, collegiettes. Just try to keep your mind occupied (and keep your sanity!) in the meantime.

For the last several days, designers, editors and bloggers everywhere have flocked to New York City for one of the biggest events in fashion: New York Fashion Week. So, how have the most fashionable people been dressing for the occasion? With some of the most stylish accessories around. Here are seven of the best accessories we've seen so far!

1. Standout shades

We're absolutely loving these blue mirrored, cat-eyed sunnies on Michelle Harper. Nothing says chic like a pair of cat-eyes that are also in this season hottest color: electric blue.

2. Bright & bold

Swedish fashion blogger Carolina Engman knows how to dress to the nines! With this bold Louis Vuitton bag and ruby lapels, Engman is ready to battle any cold weather hitting the Big Apple. 

3. Over-the-knee boots

Known for his unique style, Bryanboy looked absolutely amazing in his thigh-high boots this past Friday. While this boot style has been mostly reserved for women, the trend-setting blogger is giving inspiration to fashionable men everywhere. 

4. Reallyoversized scarves

Nicole Warne, on the steps of the Lincoln Center, is making us fall in love with knitwear all over again. Chunky knit scarves, like this one on Warne, add depth and texture to your outfit that not only keep you warm, but make an outfit more effortlessly chic. 

5. 2-in-1 hat

This Etudes Studio Sesame Hat is perfect for all seasons. The baseball cap-porkpie hat hybrid is perfect when you want a more athletic look. 

6. A million times OUI

We're saying yes, yes and yes to Elisa Nalin's Clare V. Oui Flat Clutch! The graphic bag adds a fun look to her already playful and bold outfit. Did we mention we're also loving her shoes? 

7. Statement-making stole

If there's one person that knows how to accessorize, it's fashion blogger Vanessa Hong. Her pea green fur stole and contrasting orange dress lining absolutely steal the show. If there's one trend we've seen so far, it's matching contrasting colors, and Hong has mastered that look in her latest outfit. 

What accessories have you been falling in love with this NYFW? 

According to The Dartmouth, Dartmouth University's aptly named student newspaper, professors from Dartmouth's Geography and African and African Studies departments will come together to create a new course for students this spring called "10 Weeks, 10 Professors: #BlackLivesMatter."The Dartmouth reports the course will address "race, structural inequality and violence in both a historical and modern context." 

The initial idea to create this class came from a Dartmouth Center for the Advancement of Learning workshop, which suggested that professors address the events that occurred in Ferguson, Missouri in 2014 throughout the duration of their courses. A group of professors decided that maybe the events warranted a class of their own, since so many professors were already incorporating them into their curriculum. 

Dartmouth Geography professor Abigail Neely told the school's paper, "The faculty hope to not only place Ferguson in a temporal context, but also to highlight that it was not an isolated incident in the United States or around the world." English professor Aimee Bahng added, "We hope students will be able to understand that Ferguson is not just an event in 2014, but something that's tethered in time to a long history and still-emerging ideas about race in the U.S. and how policing works in an age of social media and distributed surveillance."

Perhaps now that Dartmouth has created a #BlackLivesMatter course, other prominent universitites will follow suit and choose to dedicate a class to based on the racial climate of our nation, both historically and in the present.

Let’s dive right in! With two new episodes of The Bachelor airing this week, there was bound to be a lot going on. But that doesn’t even begin to describe the multitude of shockers on the agenda. We had Jade revealing her Playboy past, hometown dates, Carly’s mission to take down one of the girls, and the one that left us completely speechless: Britt’s sudden fall from grace. Below, we’re breaking down the stages of her major meltdown.

1. Jealousy

Britt was on top of the world last week after getting the group date rose and a chance to dance on stage at a Big & Rich concert. Fast forward to Sunday night’s episode when Jade was recounting her trip to Chris’s hometown of Arlington, Iowa. Oh man, here come the tears. And in what would become Britt’s next mistake, she and the other ladies decided to take a road trip to Arlington, which proved to be less than what she expected.

2. Disappointment

When Britt imagined Chris’s quaint little town, she wasn’t quite picturing anything this small. But don’t fret, Chris! According to Britt, it only took a sunset to change her mind…and a boatload of reassurance that she was the only one for you!

3. Lying

Shifting from complaints about how hard the week had been for her to declarations of love for Chris’s hometown, we just couldn’t grasp what Britt was actually feeling. And neither could Chris apparently since he fell for her sweet compliments of Arlington—right up until Carly revealed Britt’s hesitations.

4. Cockiness

Britt went into the group date confident she would be getting a hometown date, but she wasn't exactly sure she was ready to invite Chris to meet her family—regardless of whether or not he offered. Are we the only ones who get annoyed when the women seemingly refuse the Bachelor the chance to meet their loved ones? Like they didn’t know that come final four, this would be happening?

5. Insecurity

Later in the evening, Britt’s confidence faltered as Chris gave the rose to Kaitlyn. As if this in some way slandered the quality of her relationship with Chris and refuted his desire to meet her family, Britt broke down in front of Chris, Carly, and Kaitlyn. In the process of disclosing plenty of thoughts that should have been kept private, she finally showed Chris the side of herself that the girls despised.

6. Defeat

In a move we’ll never understand, Britt decided to pack her things and excuse herself from the competition. Well, at least she discussed it with the girls the day before the rose ceremony. Because Britt had just told Chris she wanted to be his wife and the mother of his unborn children, we were baffled by her sudden yearning to dart out right before hometowns—especially since she was practically guaranteed the rose... before her meltdown, that is.

7. Pride

Britt couldn’t stand the thought of Chris not giving her a rose, so she pulled him aside before the ceremony to say her goodbyes. And though Britt thought she was in control of the conversation, Chris put her in her place and left her in well-deserved tears. We couldn't help but notice she was more upset by Carly’s betrayal than Chris sending her home.

Do you think Britt’s reaction was justified or over-the-top, collegiettes?

Any collegiette knows that the best part about second semester is spring break (duh!). By the time March rolls around, a vacation to a fabulous destination with friends you love is well deserved (and oh-so-necessary).

But with school and other stressors in the way leading up to break, it can be hard to make your dream trip come true. Enter must-know spring break hacks, made possible with Microsoft Office Online Suite. Not only is it convenient to use, but it can also be a total lifesaver when you least expect it – making your week of frozen drinks, sunshine and friends that much more relaxing (or wild, depending on your style). Just keep these crucial tips in mind and you’ll be on your way to an unforgettable spring break!

1. Get inspired weeks beforehand

Whether you dream of lying on a pristine sandy beach or are dying to sightsee in a nearby city, record your ideas. Microsoft Office Online Suite has so many handy apps made just for you, so when it comes to sharing ideas with your group, create a OneNote notebook (it’s a digital note-taking app that will save you infinite planning time).

You and your friends should all add destination ideas as you come up with them. If you can’t even think of a destination, but know what types of activities you want to be doing, type them in! The best part is that you and your friends can each add as you go, so if you’re waiting for class to start and come up with an idea, all you have to do is open up the app to get one step closer to spring break bliss.

2. Map out your budget

The price tag alone of a vacation might detract budget-conscious collegiettes from going away from the start, but you shouldn’t let that stop you. There are so many budget-friendly spring break destinations out there, so it’s just a matter of finding the right one.

Figure out specifically how much you want to spend on travel arrangements, lodging, food and other expenses and type in those numbers into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet or into the budget template of your choice. That way, you and your friends can keep track of how the costs will add up, cut out unnecessary expenses and iron out your plans!

3. Research lodging options

Not quite sure where to stay yet? Try another OneNote hack: As you and your group look up hotels or possible rentals for the duration of your trip, drag in photos, text and full web pages into the app to get a better sense of how your options stack up. Once you all have come up with enough ideas in one place, it’ll be easier to narrow down the winner.

4. Create a task tracker

You’re probably not going to create a thorough itinerary for your trip because you plan on mostly taking it day by day (and isn’t step #1 on your spring break plan to just relax, anyway?), but you want to map out important things that need to get done before you go —that includes any payment, flight times, packing plans and other logistics that need to be settled. This tool can be super useful if you’re traveling as a large group because a leader can keep tabs on who still needs to be reimbursed, etc. Basically, it’s an organizer’s best friend. Why let this all take up more time than it needs to, anyway?

5. Up your fitness game

Many cringe at the thought of being seen in a bikini after going months hidden under layers of clothes. We say: Who cares? Do you! But if you feel your best after you’ve whipped yourself into shape (and really want to score a beach body, stat), create a diet and exercise journal. Whether you want to shed pounds and follow a strict fitness regimen or just eat healthier, Microsoft has the various fitness and health journal templates you can use to record your goals, recipes and step-by-step plans.

6. Pack smart

We know how tempting it is to take every single bathing suit you own on your trip, but there’s no possible way you have enough room! A packing list is always useful because it’ll ensure you don’t forget anything crucial (and also force you to pack just what you need – and nothing more). With the OneNote app, you can find a packing list template or create your own. Plus, you can access it on from your phone, so you can keep your list on hand in case you need to pick up an item or two at the store (strappy sandals and Ray-Bans, anyone?).

7. Prepare for the worst (but plan for the best)

We hate to be a Debbie downer, but it’s always smart to take into account any potential misadventures you might have on your oh-so-fabulous spring break. What are you going to do if you find yourself in an emergency and need certain documents you don’t have? What are you going to do if your wallet is snatched, or worse —if you injure yourself and find yourself in a hospital in a foreign country? (We know, we know, we need to stop with the scare tactics already.)

Just promise us you’ll have a lifeline. Before you leave for break, scan documents like your driver’s license, health insurance ID and passport and keep copies in your hotel, in your purse, and even at home with your family. Need a hack to save time and keep things organized? With Office Online, you can store the images under password protection, and should you need them (we hope you don’t!) they’ll be ready for you.

Make the most of these must-know spring break hacks and the tools you need to get them right – your best vacation ever depends on it!

Recently, Upworthy walked around New Orleans asking men whether or not they believed in equal rights for women. Thankfully, all of them said yes. Interestingly, though, when they were asked instead whether they considered themselves to be feminists, only a third of them said yes—two thirds of men who answered that they believed in equal rights for women answered that no, they were not feminists. 

However, once Upworthy gave these guys the dictionary definition of feminism ("the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities," according to Webster), most of them agreed that it was possible they could be feminists, too. 

Feminism is a word that can scare people off, and one that is associated with some rather unpleasant (and extremely outdated) stereotypes. Feminists don't hate men, they don't all burn their bras, and some of them even shave their legs. Feminists just want equality. If you think that women and men should earn the same amount of money for the same quality of work, that they should be offered the same opportunities in the workplace, and that they should generally be treated the same—guess what? You're probably a feminist, too. 

Watch what these guys did when they found out that their beliefs qualified as feminism:

His friends say that he's into you, but why is he so bad at replying to your texts? Sometimes it takes him forever, and other times he gives you the most boring reply known to mankind. Don’t ditch your campus cutie just because he isn’t Shakespeare. Here’s how to deal when he doesn’t have a way with words:

Scenario #1: He seems uninterested

Flirt it up

If your guy doesn’t seem into it when you’re texting, try flirting with him. Playing a game of “20 questions” or “truth or dare” or sending a flirty message will get him interested. Flirting with your guy over text will get him answering, and you’ll both have a lot of fun. If you don’t know how to start, try saying something like, “You looked really cute last night.” Not only will he answer you, but he’ll also want to keep texting you to hear more.

“What you’re doing is you are instigating, inspiring and triggering positive, sexy or sexual emotions within him,” human behavior and relationship expert Patrick Wanis says, “which will make him want to communicate more by a text message.”

Flirting with your guy will make him more interested and might even cause him to reply to you faster. Even a simple, “I can’t wait to see you on Friday” will make him wonder what you’re going to say next. If he’s intrigued by what’s going on, he’ll want to keep the conversation going in order to keep the flirting up.

Tell him what you want

The next time you and your guy are hanging out, let him know that the way he texts bothers you. If you drop a hint (even in a joking way!), he should get the message. Try telling him, “It leaves me hanging when you don’t answer for a while,” or “It seems like you’re not interested when we’re texting.” Odds are that’s just how he texts, so he probably doesn’t even realize it. If he knows it bothers you, it will be fresh in his mind the next time you ask him, “What’s up?”

“I've said things like, ‘I totally get that you're busy, so when you can't text, just let me know and we can talk another time!’ explains Kasia Jaworski, a senior at Villanova University, “or even a text like, ‘Text me when you get a chance!’ It gets the message across that you want them to be better at texting, but you're not nagging them.”

“Be direct with guys,” Wanis says. “If you want to have a strong, healthy, open, honest, real, authentic relationship, always speak your truth.” Try saying something like, “I love it when you text me before you go to sleep,” or “I love it when you send me sexy messages.”

Praise his “good texts”

If your guy makes an effort to be better at texting or sends you a cute message, let him know you noticed. Try saying something like, “Thanks for responding quickly!” or “That text really made me smile.” If he knows it made you happy, he’ll be more likely to keep acting in that way.

“Reward him for doing something right through praise,” Wanis explains. “Reinforce the behavior by rewarding the behavior.”

Scenario #2: He takes hours to respond

Let him text you first

If your guy doesn’t usually answer for a while or seems distracted while you’re texting, you may be trying to talk to him at the wrong times. If he’s busy, you won’t be getting his full attention, which may make it seem like he isn’t into you. 

Wanis mentions that not texting him will make him want to text you more. “Let him chase you. I do believe men are hunters and men like the chase. Men value things, whatever those things are, for which they have to work hard,” he says.

“You don't want your guy to think that you are sitting there staring at the screen and waiting for his text,” says psychiatrist and author Carole Lieberman, M.D., who goes by Dr. Carole. “So it is better to let him text you first. Try to limit your texts to when you really have something to say, like confirming the time for when you're supposed to get together next or wishing him luck on his exam. But, too many, ‘Hey, how u doing?’ texts are just pathetic.”

Kasia mentions that letting a guy text you first will leave you with better responses. “When they're ready/not busy they'll text you, and you'll have their attention versus waiting hours for a response,” she says.

Give him a call

Gasp… An actual phone call?! Don’t worry – he can’t bite you through the phone. But in all seriousness, some guys just don’t look at their phones or aren’t interested in texting to keep up a conversation. Rather than send him a, “Hey, what’s up?” text and waiting eagerly for a reply (which will likely come hours later and read, “Hey” – scintillating, right?), give him a call to see what he’s doing tonight. By actually having you on the phone, he’ll be more engaged in the conversation, and you can easily make plans to meet up.

“A phone call is much better than a text,” explains Dr. Carole. “You want to hear the expression in his voice that's missing from a text. And texts are too often misunderstood because everyone tries to use the least amount of words and there's no tone, so you don't know if he's being serious or sarcastic or what.”

Wanis agrees that if you’re trying to resolve a conflict, texting will not suffice. “It’s very easy to misconstrue the intention and the emotion behind a text message,” he says.

If you try one (or more) of these tips, the conversation should flow more easily and you won’t be stuck waiting for that text! Just remember that not all guys are into texting, and some may never want to have conversations for hours on end. Put your phone down, relax and remember that his texting habits don’t determine whether or not he’s into you – trust us!

Hangovers: They're our bodies' way of punishing us for having a little too much fun (a.k.a. the "fun tax"), and they may actually be the one of the worst forms of punishment known to man. Waking up after a night out with the girls and trying to get your act together can sometimes feel like performing a miracle... or an exorcism. But we all know the classic struggles of being hungover, and we've all thought the same thoughts:

1. Did I get hit by a bus last night?

2. If someone ever took a jackhammer to my head for an indefinite period of time, this is what it would feel like.

3. Why is the sun a thing? Can the sun not be a thing? Sun, you are burning my retinas.

4. Screw it, I’m wearing sunglasses today and looking homeless. Try and stop me.

5. I think I’m gonna throw up… *runs to bathroom* Ugh, false alarm.

6. Maybe I should try to eat so I have something in my belly. Banana? No. Cereal? No. Donut? Duh.

7. This coffee may be the only good thing that happens to me today.

8. I wonder if people can smell the alcohol and regret on me. What does regret even smell like? Vodka and pizza? Because then yeah, they probably can.

9. I don’t want to be a human today. Seriously, can't me getting out of bed be enough of an accomplishment? There’s no way I’m gonna be able to make it through class.

10. I think I saw that girl out last night and we talked about this class. I guess I’ll smile and wave. Oh, no, never mind, I’ve never seen that girl in my life.

11. Is it time for a nap yet? *Checks watch* It’s only 11:15 am?! You’ve got to be kidding me.

It's always a day of pain and suffering, but slowly the effects wear off and we regain some control of our bodies as we swear off alcohol forever... or, you know, until tomorrow night.

We're days into New York Fashion Week... and how do we know that (besides having the entire schedule memorized, wink wink)? 

There are signs you look for. No available cabs in the city. Fashion bloggers wearing next-to-nothing but stylish clothes despite the snow. An unfair amount of models on the streets. Oh, and our Instagram feeds are flooded with videos of catwalk finales, up close shots of enviable heels and gorgeous backstage beauty pictures.

We've rounded up the best Instagrams to follow during fashion week (and fashion month, once the hoard moves onto London, Milan, and Paris). From top beauty editors to famous makeup artists, these are the Instagrams you can't miss out on.

1. Eva Chen, @evachen212

The editor-in-chief of Lucky Magazine is known for her impeccable street style, rotating manicures, and obsession with all things beauty. If you want a front row seat to fashion week shows, she's your ticket. 

2. Phillip Picardi, @pfpicardi

This cutie is the senior beauty editor at Refinery29, so be expecting major beauty coverage from him. Backstage beauty shots? Done. 

3. Ying Chu, @yingchunyc

Try not to be too envious of Glamour's Beauty Director. She just gets to play around with the best of the best products and see beauty transformations backstage—no big deal.

4. Jessica Matlin, @jessicamatlin

Between fashion week beauty Instas, favorite beauty products, and her adorable kitty, Cosmo's deputy beauty editor is not messing around. We're always stalking her pictures to see which products make the cut in her never-ending bag of beauty goodies—and onto the tables of backstage makeup artists.

5. Elaine Welteroth, @elainewelteroth

If her bubbly smile doesn't brighten up your day, Elaine's funny captions will. Teen Vogue's Beauty and Health Director has her camera at the ready backstage—follow her so you don't miss the next big beauty trend.

6. Claire Fontanetta, @claire_fonta

Whether it's behind the scenes or on the catwalk, Marie Claire's beauty assistant Claire is always capturing the best manicures and model shots—and of course, her food pics are on point.

7. Catherine Piercy, @catherinepvogue

Vogue's beauty director is not only on top of the NYFW beauty game, but she is also going to take you abroad to Paris to see gorgeous shows and backstage moments. 

8. Tom Pecheux, @tompecheux

Tom Pecheux brings the best of Parisian glamour and a natural glow with a flick of his magical makeup wand. Besides beauty photos, follow him for peeks at projects he's working on throughout the year.

9. Pat McGrath, @patmcgrathreal

We don't have to tell you twice that Pat McGrath is A. Big. Deal. When Vogue delved into what she carries at fashion week, they discovered 75 bags, 50 assistants, 4 motorcycles, 2 vans, and 1 car. Her makeup masterpieces are the ones that go down in fashion week history. 

10. Jin Soon Choi, @jinsoonchoi

Chances are you've been inspired by one of Jin Soon's designs or reached for a bottle of JINsoon Nail Lacquer. For all the collegiettes out there that love a good mani, get ready to love Jin Soon's Instagram feed.

11. Sandy Hullet, @sandyhullet

She's worked with the legendary Guido Paulu for years, and she's much more active on Instagram than he is. Her magic fingers turn overworked model hair into a work of art. 

12. Charlotte Tilbury, @ctilburymakeup

If you whisper the words "Charlotte's Magic Cream" backstage, you might just cause a model stampede. Resident Brit Charlotte Tilbury is a staple at shows like Tom Ford, creating her signature feline flick and rock-n-roll smoky eyes. Cue beauty panic, now. 

Collegiettes, what Instagram accounts do you stalk during fashion week?

Do you have a tendency to drop F-bombs when you talk? No, not that F-bomb. We mean “feminism”! While the definition of feminism continues to evolve and grow, it’s basically a collection of movements and ideologies that support the idea that women should be allowed the same rights, power and opportunities as men. Feminism can also strive to end discrimination and oppression of people based on gender, sexual orientation, race and class.

Whether you're a vocal feminist activist or just starting to learn the ins and outs of feminism, the college you attend this fall shouldn’t be afraid of confronting women’s and gender issues in mainstream campus culture and should offer a supportive space where you can explore your ideas and beliefs. Check out these seven ways to determine whether or not a college is a good match for your inner (or outer) feminist!

1. Talk to current students

Students who support feminism together, stay together, which is why it’s so important to go directly to the students and get their take on the role that feminism plays in campus culture.

“I guess the advice I'd give to high school students seeking out a college with students actively interested in feminism would be to go visit the college if possible, and try to engage the students they encounter in feminist dialogue,” says Ilana Greenstein, a junior at Barnard College. “Most schools will have at least some amount of students interested in feminism and issues of gender equality.”

It can be as simple as informally stopping by the student center to grab a meal and simply listening to the students around you. Or you might try to work up the courage to ask some students to discuss why they picked that college and what their experiences have been. Feel free to ask your tour guide, too!

“I would surmise that any college that is open-minded and supportive of a diverse group of students would be good for feminists,” says college entrance consultant Abby Siegel.

If there are specific clubs or student organizations that you’re interested in, try to get in contact with respective club leaders or members to get a feel for the interest in feminism among the student body and the feminist views that students have. Don’t forget to ask a lot of questions! It might also be helpful to ask your contacts for other students with whom you can speak with to get more insight. Whether you’re on campus during a visit or back home, you’ll be able to go beyond the academics by talking with students.

“If visiting the college isn't an option,” Ilana says, “try emailing some current students at the college and asking them if feminism seems to be an issue that is frequently discussed at the school. I think that would be the best bet.”

When it comes to campus culture, the students know best. Put yourself out there and join the conversation!

2. Check out the prevalence of feminism in course curriculum

While being a feminist in no way requires you to become a women’s studies or gender studies major (or even take a class in those departments), the number of courses that explore feminism is a good indication of the general interest on campus. After all, supply and demand go hand in hand! This includes not only courses specifically about feminism, but also feminist or gender studies content that may appear in courses in other departments or in interdisciplinary classes, as well.

“Do they offer Africana studies or disability studies?” asks Sara Whitestone, University of Cincinnati junior and founder of Sara Spins, which raises awareness for students with disabilities. “While I’m not a women’s studies or sociology major, for example, these classes have been some of the most interesting I’ve taken while at college!”

Browse the college’s website to see if it has a women’s, gender and sexuality studies major, and take a look at the course catalog to see if there are courses that you would love to take. Don’t be afraid to look up the professors and reach out to them if you have questions.

And if you find that a college you’re looking into doesn’t have a department for gender studies, don’t worry! It most likely doesn’t mean that the school’s against feminism, but more like it doesn’t have the funding or resources to create a department just yet. You can still get a sense for the prevalence of feminism in courses, however, by taking a look at online syllabi and seeing if professors include lessons on feminist topics. Or, you can reach out to the professors and students directly to find out about awareness of feminist issues both in the curriculum and outside the classroom.

Who knows? You might find yourself sitting in class reading bell hooks in just a few short months!

3. Gauge the level of student involvement in extracurricular activities

Recent graduate and feminist activist Erin McKelle knew Ohio University was the school for her because of the student body’s high level of involvement and the massive amount of opportunities to get involved in feminist activism on campus.

“My school has a Women's Center, a Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies program, no less than three active feminist student organizations, a program for survivors of sexual assault and even a Hollaback! chapter,” McKelle says. “So even just from learning all of that I knew that there were a lot of feminists there.”

How does your college measure up? See if there are activist feminist alliances or special programming dedicated to women’s issues that indicate that the student body isn’t afraid to confront feminist issues. What student group would you be interested in joining? Would it be possible to start your own group?

Getting involved is a great way to fight for what you believe in, and you can start now!

4. Search for alumni and faculty involved in the feminist movement

Believe in girl power? Let’s hope your future college does, too!

Chances are you’ve already Googled well-known alumni and faculty at the colleges you’re interested in. After all, there’s nothing quite like having some awesome people to boast about. But did you think to search for alumni who are well known for being vocal in the feminist movement? How about professors who specialize in women empowerment? Or female alums who are breaking down barriers in various industries?

If a school has amazing women who attended or are currently working there, it’s likely that girl power won’t be too far away. Plus, you might be the next in line to keep this streak going!

5. Take a look at college policies

Feel like tackling some hard-hitting issues? Look no further than the college’s policies on everything from opposite-gender roommates to sexual assault. The college’s stand on these issues says a lot about the prevailing views on campus. McKelle specifically suggests looking at the college’s level of tolerance regarding sex positivity.

“A college that institutes a policy [according to which] people of the opposite sex aren't allowed to spend the night indicates they're prudish and probably not that feminist,” she says.

Another dealbreaker might be having support and services available for sexual assault survivors, since one in five young women are raped during college.

“I think a really important thing for any person, feminist or not, to consider when choosing a college or university is how they handle rape cases and sexual assault,” South African feminist Sian Ferguson says. “Are they supportive towards victims? Do they victim-blame? Do they have a history of 'covering up' rape cases? Nowadays people are more willing to talk about sexual assault, so sometimes a quick Google search can show you how the university approaches sexual assault.” 

The way a school treats issues like racism, classism and sexism can also be indicative of a school’s attitudes toward feminism.

“I also really recommend reading up about how the university tackles racism and sexism,” Sian says. “Find out if they have a reputation for silencing people of color, women [or other groups]. Find out if the university is taking practical steps to address these issues.”

Feeling comfortable with college policies and the way the college handles controversial issues is an indication of a good match.

6. Walk around campus

While some people swear by admissions tours and information sessions, something as simple as taking a brisk walk through campus on a visit can tell you a lot about campus culture if you keep your eyes and ears open.

“I think even simple things like how you feel walking around campus; were you catcalled or did you feel intimidated by men while you were there?” McKelle says. “That can be a bad sign.”

Focus on whether you feel comfortable and safe on campus, and listen to your gut.

7. Examine the Greek life on campus

Greek life can definitely make things a bit more complicated, so if you’re looking at a college with sororities and fraternities, gain some insight into the gender dynamics on campus.

Sometimes students will feel the pressure to uphold everything that the Greek system supports, including ideas about how to dress at events and behavior that reinforces gender stereotypes, even if they don’t participate in Greek life. There’s also the party culture that can involve behavior that may go against your feminist beliefs.

If you’re concerned about these issues, try to get a sense for how dominant Greek life is on campus. What percentage of the class goes Greek, and how inclusive is that group of students outside of the Greeks system? How tolerant is Greek life of feminist beliefs? See if Greek life is for you. If not, it might be a good idea to skip the frats.

With all this being said, determining whether or not a college is “feminist” enough is still a gray area. Although these seven rules of thumb are certainly useful, they are just that—rules of thumb.  A school without a WGSS department due to budgeting issues, for example, may have a number of feminist activist clubs.

Nevertheless, the combination of all these insights and knowledge will help lead you in the right direction. Whichever college you end up choosing, it should be one that celebrates your views instead of discounts them. And it also doesn’t hurt to have a few friends who will call out misogynistic or patriarchal behavior with you from time to time. With the right college choice, Rosie the Riveter will have nothing on you!

Sometimes we’ll just get an intense craving for our favorite treats out of nowhere. You know the feeling—all of a sudden you want potato chips, and you can think of literally nothing unless until you get your hands on them.  Luckily, there are healthy ways to beat those cravings! Whenever you’re dreaming of junk food, try swapping out those not-so-healthy snacks with these alternatives.

1. Chocolate

Whoever said diamonds were a girl’s best friend must have momentarily forgot about chocolate. Whether you’re on your period or you just finished dinner and you need something sweet, chocolate cravings can be intense and seemingly impossible to ignore.

Unfortunately, the smooth richness of chocolate packs in a lot of sugar and saturated fat: the typical milk chocolate bar has 235 calories, 13 grams of fat (20 percent of your daily value), 8 grams of saturated fat (40 percent of your daily value) and 23 grams of sugar. With stats like that, a few squares can start to add up—especially when having a square or two turns into polishing off the whole bar (hey, we’ve all been there).

Alternative: Homemade hot cocoa

Instead of reaching for the nearest chocolate bar or fudge brownie, satisfy your craving for chocolate with a mug of homemade hot cocoa. It’ll take just two minutes to make, and better yet, it only has 40 calories, 3 grams of fat, and zero grams of sugar (before adding the whipped cream).

Pour a cup of unsweetened almond milk into a mug and stir in one tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder and one packet of no-calorie sweetener, like Splenda or stevia. Pop it in the microwave for about two minutes, until it’s hot. Top with one to two squirts of whipped cream (or none at all!) and enjoy!

2. Pizza

It’s no secret that college students love pizza. There are probably a ton of pizza shops in your college town, and they’re all waiting for you to call them in the wee hours of the night while you’re up late studying for exams. But just one slice of a 12-inch cheese pizza contains about 10 grams of fat, 462 milligrams of sodium and 26 grams of carbs.

Alternative: Make-your-own pizza

It’s all too easy to grab a slice when you’re walking around campus or get a box delivered right to your door, but with a few ingredient swaps, you can actually make your own healthy pizza without much more effort. Elina Tarkazikis, a senior at Ramapo College, says when she and her roommates crave pizza, they usually substitute the heavy pizza dough with a tortilla. “We take a carb-smart wheat tortilla and put some light sauce on half of it and sprinkle on 2 percent shredded cheese over the sauce, then fold it up,” she says. “You can cook it on the skillet or in the oven.” You can also add veggies to your pizza to fill you up and add more nutrients.

You could also use a whole-wheat pita pocket or a Portobello mushroom cap as your pizza base. Or, check out this awesome recipe that Elina and her friends have tried for a cauliflower pizza base. 

3. Pasta

College students are notorious for eating ramen and Easy Mac, and who could blame us? Pasta is cheap, easy to make and undeniably delicious. But whether it’s a giant bowl of gourmet spaghetti and meatballs from your favorite Italian restaurant near campus or a microwavable Cup Noodles that you’re craving, pasta isn’t the healthiest choice out there. It’s a refined carbohydrate, which means it packs in calories but not many other valuable nutrients, so it’s not doing you too many favors in the health department.

Alternative: Spaghetti squash

Regular pasta is stripped of its vitamins, nutrients and fiber in the refining process. Luckily, there’s a way to get noodles that have all the good stuff. Spaghetti squash is a type of squash that, when cooked, gives way to strands that look just like spaghetti. Squash is high in vitamins and fiber and contains nowhere near the amount of calories as regular pasta, as one cup of cooked spaghetti has about 220 calories while one serving of spaghetti squash strands has only about 30 calories. The other good news? You can still top it with your favorite pasta sauce! Read this Collegiette Eats post on how to cook spaghetti squash so the next time a pasta craving strikes, you’ll know just what to make.

4. Fruit-flavored yogurt

If you’re guilty of skipping a nutritious breakfast when you’re in a hurry, you may reach for pseudo-healthy, on-the-go breakfast foods such as fruity yogurt. However, fruit-flavored yogurt rarely contains actual fresh fruit. That “fruit” at the bottom is actually doused in thick syrups and preservatives and usually contains more sugar than it does protein and nutrients.

Alternative: Greek yogurt with fresh fruit

Switching to Greek yogurt will give you twice the amount of protein per serving than regular yogurt. One serving of Greek yogurt can contain anywhere between 15-20 grams of protein compared to the 9 grams that you would get from flavored yogurt. Adding your own fresh fruit to the yogurt will help you to avoid eating all the sugar that flavored yogurt contains.

Phyu-Sin, a junior at Mount Holyoke College, recently became a vegetarian and says yogurt is her power breakfast. “Plain Greek yogurt with fruit and a few spoons of ground flaxseeds give the yogurt a sweet and tangy flavor and it helps me from getting too hungry throughout the day,” she says.

5. Potato Chips

As delicious and convenient as they are to have on hand, it’s no secret that potato chips are an unhealthy snack. One serving of Lay’s Classic Potato Chips (15 chips) contains 160 calories, but you don’t get much for your calories. The average bag of potato chips is also packed with a ton of sodium—hence why it’s hard to just stop at one chip—and unhealthy saturated fat, but the chips are totally devoid of any healthy nutrients. 

Alternative: Kale chips

Kale chips are an easy snack that can either be store-bought or homemade. Kale is a very nutrient-dense vegetable—one chopped cup delivers more than 100 percent of your recommended daily value of Vitamin A and Vitamin C for only 33 calories.

To make kale chips, wash and dry the kale leaves and tear them into bite-sized pieces. Drizzle them with olive oil and season with a little bit of salt and pepper and any additional seasonings you desire. Bake on a baking sheet in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes, until the edges are brown. Keep your eye on them in the last few minutes, because they can burn fast!

6. Candy

Our parents and elementary school teachers warned us how unhealthy candy can be, and sadly, they were right. From gummies and sour straws to peanut butter cups and caramel creams, there is no shortage of candy options out there, and they tend to be in the most tempting places, like right at the checkout line. Fun-sized candy may sound harmless, but you’re getting nothing but sugar and empty calories out of it.

Alternative: Frozen fruit

Fruit, or “nature’s candy,” can remedy a sweet tooth thanks to its natural sugars. While fresh fruit works too, frozen fruit will give you more of a dessert-y satisfaction.

“My mum used to put grapes in the freezer and say that they were sweets,” says Florence, a junior at Exeter University. “It works, and it’s an absolutely delicious treat!” In addition to grapes, try frozen mango chunks or frozen berries (like strawberries or blueberries) for a similar candy-like treat. 

Another great frozen-fruit gem? Bananas! Blending a frozen banana is a healthy but still super-yummy alternative to ice cream. Freeze a whole banana and blend it to satisfy an ice-cream craving, or freeze slices of bananas to beat your candy cravings. 

As college students, we don’t always pay too much attention to what we put in our bodies, which makes it difficult to fight cravings. However, if you pay closer attention to the nutritional value of what you eat, you can fuel your body the right way and feel your best. Eating well is easier said than done, but swapping out your not-so-healthy favorites with a few healthier alternatives will definitely pay off in the end.