Between the questionable fashion choices we made and kitschy slang we used (admit it, you used "boo ya" on a regular basis), the 1990s and early 2000s were ...interesting. Here's a look back on some of the fashions we embraced - or at least tried to!

1. Old-school jeans

Even President Obama rocks this type of jean better than we could or ever will... sigh.

2. Gaucho pants

To the most awkward-looking pants in the universe: you were actually quite comfy.

3. Puka shell necklace

Unfortunately, wearing one of these didn't guarantee you a laid-back California look. Rather, it was more of an I'm-wearing-what-looks-like-teeth look.

4. Ties as belts

On second thought, this menswear-inspired look was hard to pull off all together. Do we even want to go back down this road? (Also, note the pinstriped gaucho pants pairing.)

5. Trucker hats

Backward, forwards? What about the brim: flat or bent? Too many decisions to be made!

6. Large chunky belts

Admit it, you had one! Thankfully, we've seen better fashion days (and so has Rachel).

7. Neon-colored hair clips

Your mother finally caved and bought you one of these as you were on the verge of a fit in Claire's Accessories.

8. Rimless sunglasses

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, making unrealistic fashion (and life) goals for tweens since 1998. 

9. Steve Madden platform sandals

This was actually the most comfortable shoe ever. They were called slides for a reason; your foot simply slid into the beacon of comfort. If only they looked cute.

10. Pointed-toe pumps

Otherwise known as the toe-squashers.

11. Asymmetrical skirts

This stretchy staple was kind of like a sarong that looked like it was going to fall off at any moment. We're sure that sometimes, it did.

Dare you to try pulling these off again!

Are you a smart and savvy pre-collegiette looking for answers to some of your most personal questions about college? You know, the ones about boys, classes, roommates and parties that your school’s guidance office can’t help you with? Jen is here to answer those questions! Whatever your concern, she’ll do her best to help you so you can make sure you don’t just survive college, but rock it!

What extracurricular activities do colleges look for?–Maria

Maria,

I’m glad you asked this question, since extracurricular activities often get pushed aside when people think about what colleges notice. Even though they’re not the main focus, they do make a difference.

When an admissions office receives your college application, they’ll look at all of its components, and your extracurricular activities definitely play a big part. Looking at what you were involved with in high school can give them a better idea of your leadership skills, interests and talents. Unfortunately, my obsession with Pinkberry and my extensive knowledge of all of the different froyo combinations wasn’t an activity I could include in my own college applications!

In terms of what specific activities colleges look for, this really varies depending on the person and the school. Overall, activities that show a commitment to a cause or community service tend to be good choices. Activities related to whatever you want to major in can also be a boost too. If you want to study journalism and you were involved with your school newspaper or television station during your time in high school, the admissions staff will really appreciate your involvement. This often means going to weekly club meetings regularly, assisting club leaders with tasks that benefit the entire club and assisting with events or fundraisers.

Since there isn’t exactly a one-size-fits-all package of which specific extracurriculars colleges look for, I would just say to stick with what your interest and passions are and go from there. Do the activities you enjoy and care about, and that’ll get you further than anything. Something else to keep in mind is that colleges would rather see only a few extracurriculars that you stuck with all throughout high school than a ton of extracurriculars that you only did for a short time (or weren’t very involved in). When you stick with a few activities you care about, it shows your commitment and passion towards the cause, showing the school that you can pour your energy into a few great causes while also earning good grades.

For example, I was involved with my school’s community service club during all four years of high school and had a leadership role during my junior and senior years. With all of the service work I completed, I even earned the President’s Volunteer Service Award, so I could show my future school that I won an honorable award, had leadership skills and cared about my community.

So don’t stress too much about the specific activities a college will look for, since as long as the activities involve something you care about, the college will appreciate your efforts. Best of luck!

Oh, last semester of college... we just aren’t sure how to feel about you.

Actually, yes we are.

Graduation is approaching, and as you reminisce on your college career, you realize that you're showing every sign of being a second-semester senior on the verge of breaking free (or down) in the real world. You'll probably relate to all of these, but don't worry - you're not alone. 

1. You start to feel really old and creepy at house parties.

2. You're on a first-name basis with the bartenders and bouncers at every bar in your college town. 

3. When your friend suggests Chipotle instead of class for the third time this week, you're like:

4. You validate sleeping in until noon because when you have a real job, you’ll have to get up at 6 a.m. everyday. 

5. BSing research papers has turned into finding creative ways to make yourself sound hireable in your cover letters. 

6. You are determined to take advantage of every drink special and bar night, because those weekday nights out can’t (and don't) exist in the adult world.

7. You begin to openly accept that the real reason you have to pull all-nighters is not because you have a lot of homework, but because you put it off due to those weekday nights you spent out. You figure you have the rest of your life to work, so you have to make the most of what's left of your college career. 

8. "I really don’t care" has a whole new meaning. You really don’t care.

9. You spend as little time on campus as possible. Even if you only have 20 minutes between classes, that’s plenty of time to fit in a much-needed nap.

10. All of your classes are in the same building.

11. Cooking is a thing of the past: Jimmy John's has your number and address in their system.

12. You don’t even want to open emails about graduation or think about ordering your cap and gown.

13. You start to feel past your prime. Dancing with friends at clubs has turned from this…

…to this.

14. You pretend not to make eye contact with your roommates when they catch you having a drink in the middle of the day. They don't really care, anyways...

...because 10 minutes later, they join you.

15. Studying has turned into this...

16. You celebrate when you pass a test without even touching the textbook.

17. Every time someone mentions graduation at the bar...

18. You are starting to run out of costumes for theme parties.

19. When the bar begins to overflow with obnoxiously drunk underclassmen and their fake IDs, you're like:

20. Your class schedule does not involve anything before 11 a.m.

21. When midterms and finals roll around, you get extra dramatic about having to say goodbye to your social life.

22. On that note, your social life is sitting on the very fine line between wanting to go the bars every night and locking yourself away from society to watch endless amounts of Netflix. 

23. You feel entitled to a spring break vacation.

24. Your friends literally have to coach you through going to class every single day. 

25. You become emotionally unstable after seeing Facebook status updates about new internships, jobs, engagements, babies and promotions.

26. When people ask if you're excited to finally be graduating, you pretend to act ecstatic to hide your complete sense of panic.

27. When people in your classes talk about the three jobs they have to choose from after graduation, you freak out. You haven't applied anywhere, and you don't even know if you can go back to your hometown supermarket as your backup plan.

28. You start calling your parents panicking about not finding a job right after graduation.

29. You struggle to find the balance among finishing school, applying for jobs, having a social life and staying sane. 

30. When someone asks you about grad school, you're like:

31. Your drink of choice begins to change as graduation nears.

32. You want to punch the "this is the last time" person every time they talk. "You guys, this is the last time we will be college students at this very restaurant on this very day!"

33. But you know they’re right, so you soak up every single moment you have left. 

34.  After four job interviews, you realize that you'll probably have to live with your parents for the next six years due to the fact that every interview was for an internship that pays minimum wage. 

35. You begin to realize this whole second-semester senior year thing is a lot like being hungover.

36. So you learn to comfort yourself, because you are clearly not alone during this fragile time.

Remember, making it through your last semester is long and painful, but you're going to make it out alive. We promise. 

Do you think that Kanye's fashion collaboration with Adidas looks kind of like the love child of pantyhose and thrift store finds? You're not alone. From the head-to-toe hosiery to the long-sleeved jackets, we wonder why Kylie, who's supposed to be the Kardashians' little trendsetter, agreed to work the runway in Ye's latest fashions.

We know the Kardashians love to show off their insane curves in dramatic ways, but does the rest of the world? Apparently, fashion's most edgy trendcasters on the Barneys New York buying team think so, because later this year, Barneys will be carrying Yeezy Season 1's clothes, accessories and shoes in every single branch of the department store.

Our initial reaction? Okay, well maybe these crazy-expensive morphsuits are like the next Spanx, and we can hide them under our leather leggings and bodycon outfits... but something tells us that's not what Yeezus was going for when he designed the collection.

We're gonna leave these styles for Kim K and the rest of the fam... but will you splurge on Kanye's line?

Who says The Big Bang Theory is all about comedy? Although the show is hilarious, Penny, Sheldon and the gang also have some valuable wisdom to share with us… in their own unique way.

1. You can be whomever you choose to be.

2. Because let’s face it—you’re pretty awesome.

3. Always be the life of the party.

4. And do silly things if they make you happy.

5. But know when to politely decline the invitation.

6. Be kind to everyone.

7. Unless they hurt your friend. You won’t stand for that.

8. Sometimes, words just won’t cut it, but friends and wine always have your back.

9. Know when to cut yourself some slack.

10. You deserve to be taken care of.

11. Sometimes, boys are the worst.

12. But there are some good ones out there—we promise.

13. In the meantime, nothing beats time with your friends.

14. The world is what you make it.

15. Sometimes the best advice comes from the most unexpected places. Exhibit A:

There are so many lessons to be learned from The Big Bang Theory that you might as well be watching an educational program. Homework can wait!

Do you love cats? Are you obsessed with pizza? Have you ever wanted a ring that depicts a T-Rex eating a fried chicken leg? If you answered yes to any of the previous questions then we’ve found your new favorite accessories line! We teamed up with VERAMEAT to give away a $100 gift card to shop the jewelry line’s quirky collections, online or in-store!Plus, you’ll score a super cool Gold Brass Feather Ring for free!

Handmade in New York City with materials like 100 percent recycled sterling silver, gold brass and pure 14k gold, VERAMEAT’s pieces are the kind that you’ll buy now and wear forever; especially since you’re likely to find something so perfect for you no matter what your taste. You can declare your love for donuts without any shame, get a Dancing Girls emoji ring for you and your BFF, embrace your status as the cat lady that you are… and this is only a quick look at the crazy-cool finds you’ll discover from this line.

Whether you’re into dinosaurs or dogs, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for at VERAMEAT. Enter below now for your chance to win a $100 gift card plus a free feather ring!

While the first day of spring was only a couple of days ago, our minds are already thinking ahead to that glorious season of tank tops, flip flops, and the best perk of all—no school! With all the free time you'll encounter (aside from your summer internship, campus job, online classes, and general social life of course), concerts are a great way to spend those long warm nights. The acts with outstanding tours this year range from bright newcomers to classic veterans, but they all promise to be amazing! Without further ado, here is our comprehensive list (in order of opening dates).

The Who Hits 50! Tour, kicked off November 30, 2014 

The Who, one of the greatest rock 'n roll bands of all time, an original member of the British invasion, the creators of such hits (and CSI theme songs) as "Who Are You,""Baba O'Riley" and "My Generation" is doing a 50th anniversary tour which will no doubt be legen—wait for it—dary! There are tons of dates listed for the North American leg of the tour which is perfect because we know collegiettes from all over the country will want the chance to see this incredible band live, especially as lead singer Roger Daltrey hinted that it is the start of a "long goodbye" for the veteran group. View the entire schedule here!

Billy Joel Tour, next date April 3, 2015

"Sing us a song, you're the piano man! Sing us a song tonight!" It's BILLY JOEL. Enough said! He's got more classics to his name than just about any other artist out there, and his concerts are known to be extraordinarily great. He's already sold out several Madison Square Garden dates for this year, so be sure to book as soon as possible! And since we're feeling like grooving:

Bryan Adams Reckless 30th Anniversary Tour, kicks off April 11, 2015

Bryan Adams may be a little old school for some of us collegiettes, but he's still a bonafide rock ballad legend, and his songs are the sounds of our childhood. That songs like "Heaven,""Everything I Do (I Do It For You)" and (of course) "Summer Of 69" have lasted 30 years and still get airplay today should be reason enough to take advantage of this tour—plus, this is one that mothers and daughters can bond over! View the schedule here.

Sam Smith Tour, kicks off April 22, 2015

This British pop star burst on to the music scene last year with his Grammy award-winning debut album The Lonely Hour and the accompanying tour here in America is going to be just as successful for this singer/songwriter, whose song "Stay With Me" had us singing in our cars (albeit off key) and clutching our hearts at his soulful sound. This tour has already sold out several shows abroad, so be sure to book quickly!

Taylor Swift 1989 World Tour, kicks off May 5, 2015

There's no doubt in our minds that this may be one of the biggest and hottest tours to see this year. With the enormous success of T. Swift's new album 1989 which boasts hits like "Shake It Off" and "Blank Space," the accompanying tour is sure to be a sold out extravaganza, so if you are planning to go, make sure to book in advance! We would also be lying if we didn't admit that half of our excitement over this tour is due to Taylor's recruitment of Haim, whose debut album last year had us raving over songs like "Forever" and "The Wire." While Haim is only scheduled for select dates, opening act Vance Joy will be there for all concerts of the tour, so this is guaranteed to be time and money well spent! See the entire schedule here.

U2 Innocence + Experience Tour, kicks off May 14, 2015

U2 suffered a slight dip in public appeal after the iTunes fiasco when iPhone users automatically received their new album "Songs of Innocence" in their library regardless of whether they wanted the album or not. The result of frustrated consumers desperately trying to get rid of the album did not benefit either the Irish rock band 5ror the technology giant, but let's be honest—it barely fazed U2, which announced a worldwide tour to promote their new album (as well as all the great hits that we know and love). Even Bono's unfortunate bike accident, which left into question whether he will ever be able to play guitar again, will not be stopping this whopping tour which boasts several North American stops in addition to European dates later this year. You can see upcoming dates and book tickets here!

Foo Fighters Tour, kicks off May 15, 2015

Without a doubt one of the best rock bands of our generation, the Foo Fighters' recent album "Sonic Highways" debuted last year and the accompanying tour is going to be killer—but make sure to book fast because they don't have many dates/locations planned. View the entire schedule here!

Imagine Dragons Smoke + Mirrors Tour, US leg kicks off May 29, 2015

Another band on this list which found fame fairly recently with their breakout single "Radioactive," Imagine Dragons has proven to be musically gifted with their own unique sound, and fans cannot get enough. Their second album Smoke + Mirrors, which features "I Bet My Life" and "Shots," is the foundation for their tour this summer, so be sure to check out the album as well as their tour schedule.

Kelly Clarkson Piece by Piece Tour, kicks off July 11, 2015

Who would have thought that a pop/country superstar and a vocals-only acapella group would make a fabulous combination? That's what's in store for you if you choose to see Kelly Clarkson's new tour this year, featuring the sensational vocal group Pentatonix and Eric Hutchinson. It's sure to be quite an experience, book tickets here!

Motley Crue Final Tour, US leg kicks off July 22, 2015

This may be an odd choice to include on the list, but it just so happens that it's not going to be the "same ol' situation" for Motley Crue—this will be the final tour for '80s hair metal band, who decided to go out with a bang, joining forces with Alice Cooper in what is sure to be one crazy, weird, but unbelievably fun concert (see the schedule here). 

We bet you just can't WAIT for classes to be over now!

As a young woman starting her career, investing isn’t exactly your first priority. At this stage of your life, it’s easy to think, “Why would I put money away that I’ll need in 30 years, when I barely have enough money now to make ends meet?

Becoming a financially savvy, capable investor is a life-long skill that can serve you well, and help ensure that you are fiscally stable and secure, no matter what happens down the road. Simply put, planning for your financial future is something every grounded woman with a drive for success should strive for!

Why you should be investing now

Not wanting to give up her money in the present was exactly what kept Nancy Trejos, reporter for USA Today and author of personal finance book Hot (Broke) Messes: How to Have Your Latte and Drink it Too, from saving in her twenties. But now that Trejos is a decade older and wiser, she knows that investing as early in your career as possible is a wise choice. “I waited years to start investing because I was scared. I wasn’t making much money and I thought I needed all the cash I could get my hands on to survive,” she says. But putting away even a tiny sliver of your income, says Trejos, is something you won’t ever regret later down the line.

Haiyang Zhang, Vice President of Marketing and Relationship Management at Checchi Capital Advisers, echoes the same sentiment. “It’s really never too early to start investing,” he says. “That’s because time is the most important thing. The more time your money has to accrue and compound, the better of an investment you’ve made.”

It’s a bit of a cliché, but women can—and should!—be just as savvy with their money as men. Not just because it’s 2015 and gender stereotypes need to be kicked to the curb, but because biologically and statistically speaking, women are more vulnerable.

“Women tend to live longer than men. We have to make sure we have enough money to survive on our own,” warns Trejos. “We can’t have the ‘Oh, I’ll be married and have a husband to help support me’ attitude. Marriages fail. Spouses pass away. Even if you get married, make sure you are saving your own money. You have to be able to stand up on your own.”

Where (and how) to start investing your money

The easiest, and most straightforward, place to start is with a 401(k) plan. A 401(k) is a tax-exempt savings accounts sponsored by your employer. In many instances, companies will match the amount of the pre-taxed amount you contribute to the fund, up to a certain percent. Usually 401(k) plans are managed by outside companies (such as Fidelity Investments or Vanguard) and the plans invest your money into a variety of mutual funds—stocks, bonds and money market investments.

Even if you’re living paycheck to paycheck, checking your bank account meticulously and scraping pennies together for those boots you really shouldn’t buy (but just can’t live without), you should still consider putting money into a 401(k). If they won’t match any of your contributions, most companies will at least have an outside organization that they’ve partnered with, and who you can call to set up an account. Consider putting in 2 percent of your paycheck, or even $10 a month—sure, that’s two of those expensive lattes you love, but it’s not such a huge financial sacrifice.

Outside of a 401(k), individuals can open brokerage accounts—a designated account with a licensed brokerage firm where an individual can put their money and then place investment orders for those funds. Brokerage accounts can vary between high-fee, intensely assisted services to low-fee, low maintenance accounts.

When you begin to invest, you’ll have options in different types of funds, including index and mutual funds. Index funds are a great choice if you’re looking for something with low fees, but is not actively managed. They work by investing money into a variety of sources. Mutual funds on the other hand, are typically actively managed, but have higher fees. Regardless, both types of funds are designed for diversification, meaning they invest your money into hundreds, if not thousands, of different companies. This portfolio diversification is key, says Zhang. “Buying a single stock and putting all of your money into one company is a risky move,” he explains. In other words, don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

If you invest in a mutual fund or a 401(k), you will have to make a lot of investment decisions. If you’re up for the challenge, keep two things in mind: quantified risk, and diversification.

“The younger you are, the more risk you should take in your portfolio,” advises Trejos. She recommends keeping a majority of your money in stocks, because they are “the best way to grow your wealth in the long-term.” Stocks are ownership shares in an individual company. In other words, when you buy a stock from Yahoo or Amazon, you own a tiny, fractional sliver of those businesses. When those businesses succeed, or fail, your money either inflates (or deflates) with the business, making stocks more of a risky investment.

Bonds are a safer investment because they are a debt security. Think of them as a financial IOU that people make money on. When you purchase a bond, you’re lending money to the issuer. The issuer is whomever you bought the bond from, whether a private corporation or the government. As a thank you for lending that issuer your money, you are given a promise to repay the face value of that investment, plus an interest rate—money that you will make over time for investing your capital into the bond.

Bonds are more stable and add reliability to a portfolio, but because they’re safer, the returns are usually not so great. “Bonds are less volatile, and important to have because you also need some reliability in your portfolio,” adds Trejos.

What to ask as you start investing

Now that you’re an expert on investment types, it’s time to start shopping for one! Whether you’ve gone with a portfolio that lets you have all the control, or have found an index fund that makes all the decisions for you, it’s important to understand the fund you’re choosing. Trejos offers some suggestions about which questions to ask as you look for the right company and person to invest with:

• How does the fund compare to other similar funds?
• What are the fees associated with investing in this fund?
• How has it performed in the past?
• How often do the investments change?

If you decide to go the other way, and simply choose a company to invest in and buy stocks of, there are a lot of important questions to ask yourself. Every company has to file a prospectus with the Securities and Exchange Commission. “The prospectus will contain financial statements, detailed information about directors and officers including their salaries, properties owned, any litigation that the company is involved in, and more,” explains Trejos. “You can see if the company is registered with the SEC through its EDGAR database. And make sure you do confirm that!”

Other questions to ask include:

• Who’s running the company?
• Do I understand what the company does, sells, or makes? (It’s a simple question, but you do really need to know what exactly you are investing in.)
• How has the company performed so far? Has it made money for investors in the past?
• What is the company’s plan for future growth?

Many people choose to offload the investing decisions, or decide to build a partnership with a professional who knows the ins and outs of trading. If you’re working with an investment professional, there are also important questions to ask that individual. The Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER) suggests asking the following:

• How is the person compensated?
• Do they make a commission every time they buy or sell an investment to you?
• Do they charge you a percentage of your assets?
• If so, what’s the percentage? (If it’s more than 1 percent, keep looking.)

Though these questions may seem silly or unnecessary, it’s important to make sure you really understand what you’re getting into when it comes to your money. “Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions and speak with a few advisors before selecting one,” says Kathy Stokes, a Senior Fellow with WISER. “No one will care about your money more than you, so do your homework before trusting someone with this important responsibility.”

Be aware of the fine print

Overall, it’s crucial to keep an eye out for hidden fees, which can run the gamut from personal brokerage commissions to investment portfolio minimums and trading charges.

“Sometimes, a stock will cost $10 but there will be a $9 trading fee,” explains Zhang. “A lot of time people just don’t realize there’s an added, but sometimes unnecessary cost, which can really hurt them.” Zhang says that, in general, anything you can do to keep the ongoing maintenance fees low will help you in the long run.

The future—your 40’s and 50’s that may seem ages away—is what to keep in mind when you’re investing. You’re young and single now, but in how many years do you want to have that dream wedding? Buy a house? Even have kids? Even if those things are a decade away, putting a few dollars away now to accrue interest is something your future self will seriously thank you for.

“You're in this for the long term,” Zhang emphasizes. “The more consistently you can invest and add to your portfolio, the better. But also understand that in this scenario, time is your best friend. You actually don’t want to look at your portfolio every other day or every other week. All you have to do is keep adding to it and let the money sit there.”

In other words, it’s best to skip that monthly trip you make to Target (where you somehow spend $50 on nothing at all). Instead, put that money into your 401(k) or an investment bond. In 10 years, with the right interest rate and a consistent contribution, that $50 can turn into $500, or $5000 to be spent on the future you’re dreaming of. Investing may not be simple, but it’s also not as complicated as you think! By thinking long term, asking the right questions and avoid getting gauged by fees and hidden costs, you can start making money sooner than you realized!

Name: Erica Dhawan
Job Title and Description: Co-Author of Get Big Things Done and CEO of Cotential
College Name: University of Pennsylvania
Website: ericadhawan.com
Twitter Handle: @edhawan

 
What does your current job entail? Is there such a thing as a typical day?

Erica Dhawan: There is not a real typical day—I spend my time right now marketing my new book Get Big Things Done, consulting with clients, writing articles, researching new ideas, connecting with people and solving challenges related to improving connectedness across teams and workforces through my firm Cotential.

What is the best part of your job?

ED: The best part of my job is learning and sharing the stories of amazing innovators who are getting big things done in today’s world. They inspire me and teach me that greatness involves challenge, hard work and persistence. They remind me to focus less on myself and more on sharing with others because the endgame is what’s at stake.

What was your first entry-level job in your field and how did you get it?

ED: My first job was at Lehman Brothers, a top Wall Street firm in 2007. I found the job out of recruiting while in Wharton’s undergraduate program. I joined Lehman Brothers at the peak of the financial boom and worked through the bankruptcy collapse. This experience taught me about the changes needed in these large institutions and why we need more young leaders to spark a revolution in the workplace.

What is one thing you wish you knew about your industry when you first started out that you know now?

ED: I wish I knew how valuable it was to be ok saying no if an opportunity didn’t feel “right” but it was easy. There are a plenty of opportunities that will come along in today’s world and for much of my twenties I thought I had to do it all, but in fact, I only had to do the ones that truly mattered and made a difference. When you ask yourself [if it really matters], it will help you be more mindful about your choices.

Who is one person who changed your professional life for the better?

ED: My co-author Saj-nicole Joni of our new book Get Big Things Done: The Power of Connectional Intelligence is a big inspiration for me. As a renowned business strategist and confidential CEO advisor, she has taught me to continually ask better questions and think more critically about my choices. She has also helped me to better focus on what’s really at stake and how to play big for the endgame.
 
What words of wisdom do you find most valuable?

ED: “If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun.” – Katharine Hepburn

What is one mistake you made along the way and what did you learn from it?

ED: Being a woman in business, I first thought I needed to spend more time in the women’s leadership space to help women in corporate America. In my career, I’ve learned that the opposite is just as important. Spending time speaking in entirely male boardrooms and audiences has completely helped me understand that it is desperately important to engage men in the leadership conversation to truly create change around gender diversity in the workplace.
 
What do you look for when considering hiring someone?

ED: I look for passion and those committed to continuous personal development and leadership.  We always have things we can learn from each other. I hire for attitude first, then skill.

I’ll be hiring a social media intern in the coming months! Reach out to me at erica@ericadhawan.com with your resume in the coming weeks.
 
What advice would you give to a 20-something with similar aspirations?

ED: For much of my twenties, I tried to “do it all.” I lived someone else’s vision of success, not my own. I ignored some of my greatest passions, like writing and dancing, until I burned out.

It was when I took time off that the dots started to connect for me. I began to act on what I cared about rather than focus on what I thought I should say. Within just a few months, I was published on The Huffington Post and Forbes. All of this led me to speaking at Davos and building my business Cotential where I work with clients like Pepsico and Deloitte. In short, I began to own my life rather than letting it own me. I have never had this much fun or felt nearly as creative and productive as I feel now.

Hair trends come and go, but the latest hair fix might be the strangest we’ve seen. Collegiettes have probably heard of hair chalking, or pastel mermaid hair, but you’ve probably never come across Instagram-inspired hair color. That’s right; Wella Professionals just launched a crazy new in-salon hair color line called Instamatic.

Whereas normal semi-permanent dyes or dip-dying is meant to create a vivid splash of color, Instamatic offers up a much more subtle look. The color is fused with Wella’s Color i.d., which allows different strands of hair to be painted without bleeding. The possibilities are virtually endless!

Choose from the line’s five muted shades to give your 'do a soft hint of color without the high maintenance. Jennifer J., color ambassador for Wella, told Refinery 29 that the application will change depending on hair type. “If you use it on dry hair, you’ll get a brighter hue,” she said, adding, “wet hair will yield a more diluted look. Either way, it still has a really, soft pastel feel, and a matte texture.” Instagram vibes IRL sounds too cool to be true. Excuse us while we set up a hair appointment. 

Coffee isn't a drink, it's a lifestyle, and it's one you have chosen to take very seriously. Whether you've got a habit that would shock a Starbucks barista or you simply need a cup or two to get yourself going in the morning, the first step to overcoming addiction is admitting you have a problem. Not that you plan on giving up coffee any time soon. You don't wake up in the morning feeling like P. Diddy without a little help, right? Right?

1. Before you've had the chance to have your first cup, you're like, 

It's not exactly a pretty sight.

2. Your friends and family know to stay away until you have a sufficient amount of caffeine coursing through your veins.

Let's just say you get a little grumpy. 

3. You know exactly how you take your coffee, and you have a hard time straying from your go-to order.

And you have no patience for indecisive customers who take forever to order. 

4. In fact, when asked how you take your coffee, you say, "Seriously. Very seriously."

Because you are seriously dependent on it. 

5. Your morning is ruined when the person in front of you orders a complicated item off of the "secret menu" at Starbucks.

And you feel personally victimized by this person. Why won't she just let you get coffee in peace?

6. Tea? Tea is for wimps. Tea is for the weak. 

Someone always suggests that you switch over from coffee to tea... yeah, right. 

7. You have a deep, emotional attachment to your barista. 

Do you love him because he is beautiful, or is he beautiful because he encourages your bad habits?

8. You separate your year into two seasons: Iced and Hot. 

"Is it too cold for iced coffee?" = The constant struggle. 

9. You spend way too much money at coffee shops.

There's just something really nice about having your coffee made by a professional.

10. Given enough coffee, you could run a small country.

Mostly because you consume enough coffee to fuel a small army.

11. You're constantly lying about the amount of coffee you've had.

Because the looks of judgment are just too much to bear.  

12. Forget it if you missed your morning cup - the caffeine headaches are killer.

Like being hungover, except worse.

13. Which usually has your friends saying things like, "You're going through withdrawals," and, "You need help."

They don't know your life.  

14. Your yawns are like silent screams for coffee. 

"HELP ME." 

15. But you'll never stop, because caffeine has always been there for you. 

You've been hooked since your first cup, and there is no stopping now. It's a vicious cycle. 

Socializing is great, but sometimes food just sounds so much better. Here are 13 signs that you really love food more than people. 

1. You'd choose staying in with Netflix and cookie dough over going out any day.

2. Your Instagram account is 75 percent #foodporn.

3. The same goes for your Pinterest account. ALL THE FOOD PICS!

4. You spend the day dreaming about your next meal.

5. Your idea of a perfect date is you, cheese pizza and a romantic comedy.

6. If there's no food at a party, there's no you, either.

7. You've canceled plans to peruse your refrigerator instead.

8. "Catching up" with friends over brunch is just an excuse to eat delicious breakfast food in the middle of the day.

9. You've considered going on a date just to get a free meal.

10. You don't understand the concept of dieting.

11. You get overly excited when you see the waiter bringing your food to the table.

12. You've joined student organizations just because you knew there would be pizza at the meetings.

13. Your two favorite words in the English language are "free food."

In case you've somehow missed it, Flywheel is the latest indoor cycling class sensation to sweep the nation, with crazy intense classes that take indoor cycling to a whole other level. It's probably the best workout of your life, definitely the most grueling 45 minutes of your life, and oh-so-addictive. As you can probably gather, it's a bit of a love-hate relationship with each and every Flywheel class. Hey, you have to get uncomfortable to see results!

Here are the 66 thoughts you have during the absolutely amazing yet utterly miserable (in the very best way) experience that is Flywheel:

1. Phew, made it here ten minutes early. Ok, time to check in.

2. Which bike do I want? Hmm... I guess I'll pick this one near the back.

3. Do I want to participate in the TorqBoard? Sure, sounds like fun!

4. What should my TorqBoard name be? Just my initials, or something creative? I'll do something creative/punny.

5. Ok, now I need to change into my shoes but I also need to go to the bathroom. Which should I do first? I guess I'll change into my shoes first.

6. Hobbling to the bathroom. WTF are these shoes?! Why am I the only one who can't walk normally in them?

7. Bladder emptied, time to grab a towel and find my bike.

8. I keep turning the nob to try to adjust the bike height but nothing is moving... is everyone else watching me totally failing at this?

9. Ok now a guy who works here is coming over to set up the bike for me- thank god!!

10. How the hell do you get your shoes to clip into the pedals? I cannot get this for the life of me!!!

11. Of course the guy who works here clipped me in in two seconds flat. Ok well at least now I'm good to go.

12. A few minutes until class starts. Just casually pedaling and checking myself out in the mirror. This lighting makes my arms look surprisingly sculpted!

13. The instructor is here. WOW is she jacked!! Is that what I'll look like if I keep coming to this class?

14. Ok the lights are going down, the music is on, it's time to go!

15. TorqBoard is on.

16. Immediately regretting my TorqBoard name.

17. Torq on the left, RPM on the right. I think I got this.

18. Time for the warm-up, this seems ok so far.

19. RPM up to 90??? What??

20. 95???

21. Above 100 on the RPM, is she f***ing kidding me? What happened to the warm-up?

22. Ok, now it's time for a hill. We're getting out of the "saddle".

23. We're climbing, we're climbing. I think I like being out of the saddle!

24. Wow this is getting really hard. My RPMs are slipping. But we're almost there!

25. We're going down the hill! This is the most amazing moment of my life!

26. I wonder if I can see what my neighbor's total power is without being obvious. Going to try to glance over.

27. Holy hell she's good! And she's probably 8 months pregnant! Wow. I hope I look that good when I'm pregnant.

28. Guy on my left is literally 100 points higher than I am. How is that even possible?

29. Ok TorqBoard is up. There's my name! I really wish I had picked a different TorqBoard name.

30. I'm right there second to the bottom, neck and neck with the girl on bike 23. It's on! I WILL stay on that TorqBoard.

31. OMG now the instructor is playing an Ellie Goulding song. This is my jam.

32. Love me like you do, love me love me like you do. Love me like you do, love me love me like you do.

33. We're doing tap-backs, I'm really getting into this! SO feeling this beat!

34. Woah second position there for a minute. So much for feeling coordinated.

35. Ok now back to the saddle. It's time for a sprint race!

36. I'm there on the board, I'm there on the board!

37. 45 seconds left!

38. My eyes are closed, my legs are flying, my ponytail is slapping me in the face over and over again and spraying sweat onto me and probably everyone on a bike anywhere near me but I don't even care.

39. 15 seconds left!

40. I never knew my legs could move this fast.

41. Mental note made to tie hair in a bun next time.

42. TorqBoard is back up. Who is that insane person at the top? Where is bike 15?

43. Scan the room then give up since I have absolutely no idea which bike is which.

44. How are everyone's TorqBoard scores so high? Is everyone here a marathon runner?

45. Apparently about a third of the class actually is training for the marathon.

46. Ok time for arms. I do arm weights at the gym, this is my time to shine!

47. These bars are so light. I'm going to kill this!

48. OMG this is impossible.

49. Putting down the 2 lb. bar.

50. Now switching to just the 2 lb. bar.

51. Never thought I'd be wishing to go back to the spinning part but I am.

52. Only two songs left, thank the lord!

53. Flywheel instructor: "C'mon Tuesday at 7:30. These 45 minutes are all about YOU! YOU decide what kind of day this is going to be!" Heck yeah I do!

54. I'm on top of the world, today is going to be a great day! I can handle whatever comes my way today.

55. But is it the last song yet? This is actually still really hard.

56. One last sprint and we're done!

57. Final TorqBoard is up- I hung on by a thread but there I am near the bottom!

58. Ok now how the hell do I unclip these shoes?

59. Somehow managed to unclip and de-bike (is that a word?), nearly knocked my neighbor over in the process.

60. Time to stretch. Ahhhhhh.

61. Final breathing and sun salutation. I feel so good, so cleansed.

62. Class is done, heading out to the locker area.

63. Wow, I don't think I've ever been this sweaty in my entire life. I think I'm literally wetter than if I had gone swimming.

64. That was the most miserable experience of my life.

65. I feel so amazing. I can do anything. The day is mine.

66. I can't wait to sign up for my next class.

What’s in a color? Though most hues inspire little conscious reaction, anyone in the 21st century would be able to ace a quiz about gendered coloring: Pink is for girls. Blue is for boys. Walk past a bright pink shop and you know without needing any other information that whatever's inside is aimed at a female consumer base. But why is this true? There is nothing inherently feminine or masculine about a color. However, pink has so powerfully become part of our cultural code that it seems difficult to imagine a world in which it was as gender-neutral as green is.

Surprising as it may be, the color pink wasn’t the feminine marker we know today until the aftermath of the Second World War. As the men of America hastily shoved hard-working and capable women out of the workforce and back into the kitchen, it was imperative that a gender divide be redrawn in every conceivable way. Out with the denim overalls and factory jobs, and in with flouncy dresses, crock pots... and pink.

If you were to stumble into a time machine and find yourself in the 1700s, you would discover a culture in which pink was worn by both genders without distinction. A man rocking pink or floral would not have been out of the ordinary. According to Valerie Steele, director of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology (interviewed in the Atlantic), pink once had, if anything, masculine connotations. People associated it with red, which was a “war-like” shade.

According to NPR, one 18th century French writer went so far as to recommended that men paint their bedrooms pink and white, and a 1918 catalogue suggested dressing baby girls in blue, because it was a “much more delicate and dainty tone.” Pink, on the other hand, was more appropriate for baby boys, given that it was a “stronger and more passionate color.” But if anything, pre-WWII color distinctions were aimed at distinguishing between kids and grown-ups rather than between sexes. Pale blues and pinks would be worn by young children, but rarely by adults.

Perhaps in an era in which there was a profound fear about the need to return to “traditional” family dynamics and restrain women from taking their wartime freedom too seriously, a color designation seemed a simple way to remind the sexes of their essential differences. Just as the domestic sphere and jobs as teachers, nurses, and secretaries became inextricably linked to femininity (and subsequently became less valued), pink, too, became something exclusively for women—and not good enough for men.

The question now is, given pink’s socially significant history, what should we do with it? Should women embrace pink as a color of power, or should we work to gradually steer it back to a position of gender neutrality?

What do you think about pink?

We won’t lie. We were more than excited when Netflix finally began streaming every season of Friends earlier this year. Like the rest of the world, we wasted away a few Saturdays (read: every Saturday) binge-watching the show and catching up on our favorite moments. There are so many hilarious things we love about the show (smelly cat, anyone?) but we also managed to learn a thing or two about “how to relationship.” It’s only necessary for us to share a few love lessons that we were able to take away from the entire series.

1. Your friends will find out about it soon enough

Monica and Chandler’s secret relationship had a pretty good run, but that secret pretty much died out once Phoebe and the gang got a glimpse of an act that they would never be able to “unsee.” Cue the cat-and-mouse game when Monica and Chandler continued to try to hide their relationship despite knowing that their friends were well aware of their secret. The lesson here is that you shouldn’t try and keep your relationship a secret, period. Your friends will find out eventually (Important note: you should also invest in some curtains).

2. Timing is everything

Remember in season two when Rachel was finally ready to tell Ross her true feelings but it was too late? It was pretty hard to watch Rachel continue on being heartbroken and jealous of Ross’s relationship with Julie (not that that stopped us from watching... ever), but her experience just served as a love lesson for us all: timing is everything, and it’s important to express your true feelings before it’s too late. You never know when a Julie might come in and sweep your crush off his or her feet (and leave you with flowers in hand and a Band-Aid on your forehead).

3. There’s a difference between “taking a break” and “breaking up”

Ah, the “we were on a break” debate. When Rachel thought she and Ross were just taking a break – and Ross thought the Xerox girl was fair game – everything came crashing down. Needless to say, communication is key. Like, it’s key to know whether what your partner is saying means, “I need some space for the night,” or means, “Go ahead and sleep with other people.” Just a suggestion.

4. Choose whom you marry wisely

Who could forget the episode where Ross said Rachel’s name at the altar? A moment like this could only teach a person how important it is to not settle out of convenience and to make sure that you marry the person that you know you want to spend the rest of your life with (that is, find your Rachel and keep them close). Seems like a duh concept, but clearly not for the Rosses of the world.

5. We all have a lobster

Once upon a time, Phoebe informed Ross that Rachel was his lobster. Because, according to Phoebe, when lobsters mate, they mate for life. That basically meant that even though Ross believed that he didn’t stand a chance with Rachel, she was his soul mate and they were meant to be together. If you haven’t found Mr. or Ms. Right just yet, don’t stress. Everyone has a lobster, it just takes a while for us to find that lobster (and we may have to wade through some frat bros in the process).

6. It takes a while to get it right

Dating takes time. We watched the friends date a countless amount of men and women throughout the entire series. Not everyone will be the perfect match despite how badly we may want them to be. Sometimes finding our lobster takes a little more time than we may expect it to. Or, like in the case of Monica and Chandler, our lobster could be right in front of our face all along – and we could be too distracted by guys with great moustaches to notice.

7. Love is beautiful (and unexpected)

We didn’t expect Monica and Chandler to end up together, just like Rachel never thought that she would suddenly fall in love with Ross. But these things happened (thank you, Hollywood! – or New York!), and two beautiful relationships grew from it. We’re not saying that you’ll drunkenly find your soulmate like Monica and Chandler did, but we are telling you that your true love is out there somewhere – you just have to keep your eyes open.

In the end, Friends taught us that lobsters make better soul mates than people think, that love takes time and that hiding a relationship is easier said than done (TBH, it’s probably the hardest thing ever, and we don’t know how Monica and Chandler could even deal that long). Never deny the valuable life lessons that you can take away from a Saturday Netflix binge!

Ask any former student about what college is like, and he or she is sure to fire off the basics about purchasing textbooks, attending office hours and doing assigned readings. But there are just some things that never really seem to come up—things that go beyond academics. Here are 18 things we wish someone would have told us - because we like to call 'em as we see 'em.

1. The housing selection process will pretty much be equivalent to the Hunger Games

Save yourself and trust NO ONE if you expect to get good housing! May the odds be ever in your favor.

2. Bank on having an 8 a.m. lecture at least once

Your advisor tells you that all slots are filled and you have no choice but to take that open seat in that 8 a.m. lecture.

3. Your first roommates probably won't be your college besties

In fact, don’t be surprised if they start to drive you crazier than the siblings you left back home.

4. College guys are just as complicated as high school boys

They may be older, and perhaps more mature (debatable?), but they still make zero sense.

5. Getting a package in the mail will feel like Christmas! No matter what it is

That instant high you feel when you read that email notification saying you have mail to pick up.

6. More partying happens on a Thursday than on the weekend

It’s as if parties go harder and drinks taste better when you know you have to head to class in the morning. College students are unreasonable creatures, and we can't explain this.

7. The ‘broke’ college student lifestyle is not as poor as real-world poor

Somehow you still manage to have money to go out every weekend despite crying "broke." But good luck trying to do that post-graduation, on top of groceries, rent, utilities and more!

8. You’re likely to do your best work at 2 a.m. or later

Couldn’t come up with anything all week to write for that 10-page paper due tomorrow? Just wait until three hours before deadline hits! Instant inspiration!

9. If you didn’t already, you will develop a coffee dependency

You may have a slight problem if you spend more time in line at Starbucks than you do with your significant other. Consider reevaluating your choices.

10. Maintaining friendships will actually take effort

You’ll say you haven’t caught up with your buds because you’ve been studying, applying for internships and attending meetings, but really…

11. Pre-reqs and intro courses will feel like high school classes all over again, but with more readings and a grade comprised of two exams. #boring

"No, no professor, I wasn’t asleep…"

12. You’ll bring 15 pairs of shoes and end up wearing the same three pairs for nine months

Four years of college later, you probably still don't know how to pack effectively.

13. Study sessions with your friends never work out. Ever.

You guys will definitely get a lot of reading done… It’s just likely to be funny articles and Facebook posts. 

14. You’ll probably need to brush up on your wines

Suddenly everyone becomes wine connoisseurs and is obsessed with drinking it - even if it's a $6 bottle.

15. You will be able to go days without a real, honest-to-goodness meal

Red Bull and Oreos count as dinner, right?

16. You should exercise!

Besides avoiding the Freshman 15, you'll want to enjoy the free gym membership while you can! Because post-graduation…

17. You’ll call home all the time, despite initially claiming you wouldn’t

This weird thing happens where you actually want to call your parents and tell them what exciting things are going on with you.

18. It may seem as if everyone only cares about partying and having a good time, but pretty much EVERYONE is in it to win it

After all, we’re all aiming for success! You know, after we're done raging on Thursdays.

As collegiettes, we put a lot of thought and effort into our appearances. Choosing to reapply some mascara at a stoplight, spending 20 or so painful minutes every week maintaining your eyebrows and searching for the perfect conditioner that doesn’t overly moisturize your roots can be daunting. And despite all our hard work (even though we are all naturally beautiful!), our efforts usually go unnoticed or are taken for granted.

While we know when we’re having a particularly bad hair day, guys may not have a clue! It turns out that they actually don’t pay attention to a lot of the things we collegiettes may obsess over at times. Here are six things guys don’t notice about girls.

1. Your hair

Guys notice that your hair is there… and that’s about it. They love what you do with it, whatever you do with it. They aren’t that picky.

“I would notice if something was really elaborate, but girls can totally get away with rolling out of bed,” says Zach, a sophomore at the University of Missouri. Guys simply appreciate the fact that you are able to maintain the eight to 20 inches of hair they just don’t have.

While we may not be rocking the bedhead look anytime soon, rest easy knowing that even when your hair isn’t falling just right, guys don’t know that.

2. Your mascara and eyeliner

After trying every different brand of mascara, you finally found the perfect one that multiplies your lashes’ volume and adds length. You put some on the next morning before class, and you can’t wait to see if someone notices a difference. And then, no one says anything.

“I notice when [mascara] is there, but I don’t notice when it’s not there,” says Stephen, a freshman at Indiana University. “I just think, ‘Oh, your eyes look pretty.’”

So guys notice that you may look more dazzling than usual, but they can’t quite figure out why. Mascara and eyeliner are seemingly everyday makeup essentials, and guys have been conditioned to accept it as such.

“It’s like, in middle school, if a girl wore eyeliner, we would be blown away,” says Kevin, a sophomore at the University of Missouri. “But now, it’s just normal. I don’t notice it.”

3. Your eyebrows and random facial hair

It’s a Thursday night. You’re running low on time before heading out with your friends, and you can’t decide if you need to do your eyebrows, or if you really even have time to take up such an endeavor at all. However, while it may be obvious to you that you have an obnoxious stray hair growing out the side of your face, that kind of thing flies under the radar of most guys.

Guys often don’t even notice when you need to “do” your eyebrows, and they also don’t really know what “doing your eyebrows” entails. “If her eyebrows are like mine—thick and bushy—I’ll notice,” Kevin says. “Otherwise, I don’t notice.”

So go ahead and let your hairs grow free! The guys don’t seem to mind.

4. Your “cankles”

Ladies, embrace your sturdy ankles. This is one imperfection that is truly only noticed by you! Shocker: most guys don’t even know what a cankle is.

“I couldn’t tell you the last time I looked at a girl’s ankles,” says Sam, a sophomore at Saint Louis University. “Why look at their ankles when you can look at their face?”

So bare your ankles (or lack thereof) with pride instead of hiding them with long pants!

5. Your mild acne

In this stage of our lives, you’d think we’d have this whole acne prevention thing figured out. But, alas, some blemishes always manage to sneak up on us. The good news is that guys don’t pay any attention to these minute imperfections.

Sam says he doesn’t even remember if a girl has acne after meeting her for the first time. “I don’t see acne as affecting a girl’s cumulative appearance,” he says. “It’s something you noticed early on when everybody had it, but I’ve never really noticed in college.”

While you may freak out tomorrow morning to find that you have a new red blotch upon your cheek, fear not. That’s because, one: stress could make your acne worse, and two: guys simply see acne as a part of life.

6. Your skin tone

So your formal is tomorrow night, and you want to get a spray tan to look extra bronzed and toned in your dress. However, guys don’t notice if you’re a little pale. “As long as you don’t look like you’ve been inside for the past three years, you’re fine,” Zach says. “Don’t worry about tanning.”

Working with your natural skin tone and glowing from within are what grab a guy’s attention! But they also notice when you look like an Oompa-Loompa. “We do notice when you look like you’re trying too hard,” Ben says.

When it comes down to it, guys actually notice a lot about a girl: your smile, your body language and your personality are never missed. As long as you show off the real you, you’re sure to get the attention of the perfect guy for you!

It's a little hard to believe, but almost 50 years ago to the day, a film version of a Broadway musical about a nun who comes to nanny for an Austrian family and teaches them to love and sing was released by 20th Century Fox. At the time, nobody had high expectations for the film—Robert Wise had chosen to cast a relatively unknown Broadway actress, Julie Andrews, in the main role (she had already filmed "Mary Poppins" but the movie had not yet been released, nor had she received her Oscar for that role at the time), along with acclaimed stage actor Christopher Plummer. Yet to everyone's surprise, "The Sound of Music" was a tremendous success, going on to become one of the highest-grossing and most well-known musical films of all time.

Many of you probably don't know just how much of a blessing this was—at the time, 20th Century Fox was on the verge of bankruptcy after the commercial flop of the 4-hour Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton epic "Cleopatra" which cost a fortune to make, and "The Sound of Music" quite literally saved the studio. Now 50 years later, the Oscar-winning movie is still shown on TV, still a classic, and everyone still knows its songs by heart. You might also be thrilled to know that Maria and Captain Von Trapp have remained friends for all that time. Recently the two actors reunited at the TCM Film Festival to open the anniversary screening of the film (pictured above), and they were as sharp as ever. To honor them and this spectacular cinematic feat, we decided to pick out ten of our favorite lessons we learned from this seminal film.

1. Believe in yourself!

"I've always longed for adventure, to do the things I've never dared. And here I am facing adventure—then why am I so scared?" sings Maria as she skips around Salzburg on her way to the Von Trapp residence. It's a position we've all been in at some point in our lives—eager to go out into the world, yet terrified of what might happen when we venture out. Maria is someone to look up to because she hammers in a theme that people at our age sometimes have a hard time coming to grips with—that we can do anything we put our minds to as long as we believe in ourselves. With all that threatens our dreams in life (especially with the added hurdle of being a woman), it can be easy to feel sorry for ourselves and wallow in self-doubt. But when Maria lifts up her chin in defiance, she's telling us that all we really need to succeed is confidence. 

2. Running away doesn't solve anything

There are going to be many occassions in life where you'll be tempted to take the easy way out. You might figure that if you ignore all the trials and tribulations, it might somehow make things better off for you. On the contrary however, not facing up to your problems will actually worsen the situation and cause you an extra load of grief in most circumstances. It's better to just face your troubles head on, as Maria learns from Mother Abbess. Just think, if she had never decided to go back to the Von Trapps, what would have become of the family? We'd prefer not to speculate, but we know it would be just awful.

3. Love can wait...

This is a rather important lesson for us collegiettes. In a world of Tinder and casual hookups and people getting married at a young age (come on, admit that you've noticed at least a few of your friends announce engagements on Facebook), it can seem like society is pressuring you to be in a relationship of some sort. For all of us single ladies out there, it can seem like everyone is involved, while we wait out on the sidelines alone. This, however is not the case! Love, real love, is not something you rush into or force along. And there is nothing wrong with waiting a year or two, or five. Because when it does finally come around (and trust us, it will) it will be well worth the wait.

4. ...but when it finally does it happen, it can be in the most unexpected way

Ah, you can practically just feel the love in the air. Certainly if we learned anything from Maria and Georg, it's that opposites (however volatile they may be) most certainly do attract. It may be rocky at first, when two starkly contrasting personalities clash, but after all, hate and love both stem from the same feeling: passion. These two did indeed have quite a bit of passion (though 90 percent of it was kept off screen, of course, considering it was a G-rated film), but what really helped their relationship in the end was the level of honesty they had with each other. Neither one was afraid to speak their mind, to stand up and say what desperately needed to be said. Before long, these two realized that underneath all the headbutting, there was nothing but pure unfiltered love.

5. Family doesn't end with blood

One you may not have been thinking about—how can we forget how Max helped the family escape, despite it going against his own plans and ambititions? Max may have been an "uncle" of sorts to the family, but he was not related, and yet he chose to risk everything (against Nazis nevertheless) to help the Von Trapps to safety. Now that is the true measure of a friend. 

6. What to do when you're afraid

It really does work (to some extent of course). There are plenty of things in life that will scare us: from silly little pests like spiders and thunderstorms, to bigger issues like commitment and mortality. We all have our deep-seated phobias, and while nothing can completely erase them, whenever confronted with something extremely unpleasant in life, one of the easiest ways to get through it is to follow Maria's advice and think of the good things in life, the stuff we live for. Sunny days, funnel cake, Ryan Gosling's abs, whatever makes you happy—it can help take your mind off the negative and bring it back to where it's supposed to be. You can even try singing the song to yourself, because let's face it by now (with all the airtime this tune receives) you know all the lyrics by heart.

7. Don't, under any circumstances, mess with nuns

They may seem meek and timid on the outside, but nuns have proven time and time again to have an enormous wealth of strength underneath those habits. While this ending didn't actually happen in real life (the real Von Trapps just walked a few miles from their house to catch a train out of Austria), the ending proved to be much more entertaining.

8. Follow your heart, as it is always right

Falling in with the "confidence" lesson, this movie also reminds us that we should always strive for the stars even if we have further to fall. Everyone has a dream of their own, something they wish to acheive or become, and so many people in life never get the chance to realize that dream. As young adults on the brink of the real world, we are at a definitive crossroads in our life. We can choose to take the path preconceived for us, or we can make our own path. If you want to be even half as amazing as Maria, we'd suggest the latter.

9. Family is the most important thing

They may annoy you, they may let you down, they might even be detrimental to your own health—but family has been and will always be the most central and definitive element in a person's life. Every family has its quirks, its highs, and its lows. But they're our families, and we'd do, give, say and sing anything for them. A trek through the Alps probably wasn't the easiest hike in the world, but as long as the family was together, they didn't mind the tough road that lay ahead.

10. Julie Andrews is perfect

As if we needed that reaffirmed.

With busy schedules, small bank accounts and a serious lack of desire to use the stove, eating regular meals (let alone at regular times) is pretty much impossible. Here are nine things we eat in college that would never qualify as actual meals in the real world! 

1. Starbucks

Frappuccinos have whipped cream. Pie has whipped cream. Pie is food. Therefore, Frappuccinos are food (right?).

2. Cookie dough

Best eaten right out of the tub with a spoon. 

3. Day-old pizza

Because your roommate ordered it last night and you're too lazy to make yourself breakfast. 

4. Cereal

For some reason, Froot Loops just taste better after 8 p.m.

5. Ramen noodles

There's a reason why "broke college student" is more than just a stereotype. 

6. Wine

Because, why not?

7. Ice cream

We love our girls, but our two best friends will always be Ben and Jerry.

8. Dining-hall waffles

Even better? Ice cream ON your dining-hall waffles. 

9. Kraft mac and cheese

For those times when we want to pretend we're in kindergarten again and eat pasta shaped like Spongebob. 

Hey collegiettes!

We know you love reading HC on your laptops, your smartphones, and your tablets... but now you can truly curl up with HC because our first-ever book hits stores this April! If you pre-order your copy by March 31st, you'll receive exclusive access to a live Google Hangout with Her Campus co-founders Stephanie, Windsor, and Annie where they will answer all of your questions about college life, starting their business, and more. Pre-order your copy to redeem this bonus offer here NOW! 

The Her Campus Guide to College Life: How to Manage Relationships, Stay Safe and Healthy, Handle Stress, and Have the Best Years of Your Life covers everything you need to know to rock college, from how to get along with your roommates to how to avoid the 'freshman 15', deal with tough professors, snag internships, decide whether to study abroad, and much, much more.

Whether you're already an upperclassman or are just getting ready to go off to college next fall, this book has everything you need to survive and thrive on campus when it comes to all aspects of your life. Our book also includes handy resources like a template roommate contract, dorm room grocery list, and more.

The book officially hits stores in April, but you can pre-order your copy NOW to receive an invitation to an exclusive Google Hangout with Her Campus co-founders Stephanie, Windsor and Annie!

Want a sneak preview?  Read an excerpt from our book here!

I can't wait to hear what you think!

HC Love,
Stephanie Kaplan Lewis, Co-founder, CEO & Editor-in-Chief of Her Campus