After graduation, we all want to be settled into top-notch jobs, well on our way to becoming the company’s next CEO. In an ideal life, this grown-up life involves disposable income, paid vacation days and a career-building job that we love. However, even though that’s possible, the reality is that the path to our dream jobs isn’t always so smooth, and you may end up in a contract position instead of a permanent position. Contract work can be a great way to boost your resume and get the hands-on experience you need to break into your industry. Read on to learn more about it!

What is contract work?

Contract work is a category of work that includes a variety of different positions ranging from temp jobs to freelance positions. Typically, it’s a job that is available for a set period of time—for example, some companies may seek contract workers to get extra help on a big project for a few months, or they may need someone to fill in for an employee on maternity leave or vacation. These jobs can last anywhere from a few weeks to months and even years, according to Rick Gillis, author of Job! Learn How to Find Your Next Job In 1 Day.

As a contractor and not an employee of the company, you are often paid hourly (though salaries are not unusual, especially for longer-term positions) and do not receive benefits. Depending on the position, you may be expected to work 9 to 5, five days a week, like any other employee of the company—and aside from the differences in your contract, you may be treated like an employee of the company and be expected to represent the company as one of its employees. In other cases, you may come in just a few days a week or even work remotely. These terms will be set out for you at the time you sign your contract, and if there’s anything that’s unclear, ask the hiring manager!

Temp jobs are similar to contract work but are generally less formal and last for a shorter period of time. Most of the time, a temp job can last anywhere from a single day to a few weeks, but Gillis says they can go up to a few years. These positions are usually secured through a temp agency or though a headhunter who works with companies directly to provide them with temp workers. These are often jobs that don’t require a lot of training before you head into the office (such as a receptionist or a secretary), and you’ll often be called in the day of if somebody called in sick that morning, for example. Gillis explains that temp workers are essentially employees of the temp agency (that’s whom you’ll get your paycheck from) who work off-site at other companies.

Freelancing also falls under contract work, and it has many faces. There are the freelancers who are self-employed, in a sense: They make their own hours, work from home, offer their services to whomever they choose and are free to accept or deny any jobs. In some instances, they may have contracts to contribute to a company on a regular basis—for example, a freelance writer may be committed to writing a column once a month for a magazine. They’re usually paid for each individual project.

“Freelance can be anything,” Gillis says. “From album art to a book cover, it’s usually just one piece of work, and then you’re done.”

But then there’s the “permalancer”—made prevalent by the media and publishing industry, these freelancers may work part time or usually full time like a regular staff member, but they aren’t there under a contract—meaning they can leave at any time, but can also be let go at any time. They may be paid on a salary, but hourly pay is most common, and benefits like paid time off or health insurance aren’t included.

Who should do it?

Maybe you didn’t have the luck of landing a job right after graduation. Or perhaps in your field, it’s the exception, and not the rule, to have a full-time staff position as your first job after you leave college.

That’s why many recent grads turn to contract work before they find a full-time job. After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill this past May, Courtney Lindstrand took a freelance job in web production for a magazine in New York City.

“I was just so grateful to have some sort of job,” she says. She was, like many other contract workers, originally hired just to help out with a special project. She started out working just three days a week, and after a few weeks was asked to continue coming in five days a week—though she was still considered a freelancer.

For Courtney, the job was great because helped her get her foot in the door. It can also be a great option if you’re still undecided about the career path you ultimately want to take, because these positions allow you to explore various fields for short periods of time, in many cases without too much commitment.

“I would advise a recent graduate to take on any of [the types of contract work] because you get to go and taste it,” Gillis says. “You get to check out the flavor of the company and the personality and see if you like them or not.”

In addition to giving you the opportunity to explore your field hands-on, contract work can also be great for graduettes who love flexibility. Depending on the job you were hired for, you might just be working a few days a week, which is ideal if you need the time to work on personal projects or if you’re going to school part time. It’s also an option you should consider if you don’t want to settle down in one place immediately after graduation and want to be able to take time off for long travels, like a European tour or a backpacking trip.

Gillis also notes that statistically, most recent graduates only stay at their first job for two to three years, so the limited period of time you spend as a contract worker isn’t an unusually short amount of time to be spending at your first job after graduation anyway.

Lastly, contract work can be something you do on the side even if you do have a full-time job—for example, working as a self-employed freelancer can be a way to continue expressing your passion for photography even when you spend 9 to 5 in an office. Or, if you’re looking for some extra cash, you can check in with local temp agencies to see if they have weekend or evening positions available.

Who shouldn’t do it?

The reality is that there isn’t a lot of job security when it comes to contract work, and although the pay really depends on your level of work and the field you’re in, it can often be as low as minimum wage. It can be stressful not to know where your next paycheck is coming from or to wonder if the paycheck you’re getting the next week will be enough for you to make rent that month.

Gillis says that especially with contract work, recent graduates need to be able to take good care of their money.

“More and more people are [doing contract work], and it’s a scary place to be,” he says.

This lack of financial security and the possibility of being unemployed any day was the reason why Courtney decided freelancing ultimately wasn’t for her. “The worst part about freelancing for me, as someone who is all about having a super-planned budget, was the uncertainty and lack of job security,” she says.

The inconsistency also meant that planning for the future was difficult for her. “I never really knew exactly how much I would be pulling in for any given week, so it was hard for me to create a budget and make moves on things that were important to me, like upgrading my living situation,” Courtney says.

Ultimately, whether or not you seek or accept contract work depends on your personal preferences (do you prioritize a flexible schedule or job security?) as well as the field you’re going into. If it’s unavoidable but you do need a more consistent income, you may need to work part-time, such as in retail or at a restaurant, or temp after hours.

What happens when the contract ends?

Although you shouldn’t go into contract work expecting it to turn into a full-time job, it’s definitely a possibility—for example, the project you’re working on could get extended, the team you’ve been working with could realize your contributions have been invaluable or a new position could open up that you’ve proven to be a good fit for.

Whether you choose to leave a freelance position or your contract is over and your work is no longer required at the company, you should still treat your departure the same way you would if you were a full-time employee. Regardless of how you were classified on payroll, a contract position is still a real job that you should take seriously. Contract positions within your field of interest are a great addition to your resume, and if you have done a lot of freelance work across different categories within your industry, they can prove that you have a lot of well-rounded experience.

Be sure to stay in touch with your coworkers and supervisors. Even if you are temping for a few days, don’t be afraid to make connections; as a contract worker, you have the benefit of being exposed to more people than you might if you worked a full-time position at a single company, so take the opportunity to do some networking.

Freelancing might just be a foot in the door at your dream company, like it was for Courtney, who’s now working full-time at a magazine—and although she’s glad to know she’s getting a regular paycheck, she wouldn’t recommend that any recent graduates take the option of contract work off the table. Ultimately, any job will likely look better than a blank space on your resume, but at the end of the day, only you can determine if contract work is the right personal and career choice for you!
 

Sometimes we get stuck in beauty ruts—we apply our makeup the same way every day, repeat the same hairstyles, and gravitate towards the same polish color each time we get a manicure at the local nail salon. To change up our routines, we look to Pinterest as a source of beauty inspiration. However, copying a hairstyle or makeup look from the Internet is not as easy as it may seem; and for some, failure is epic. Below are some of the worst Pinterest beauty fails as girls across the globe attempt to copy hair, makeup, and nails seen on the web.

1. Cartoon nails

The cartoon nails look is absolutely adorable. But when it looks like a Sharpie was used to color in your cuticles... not quite the look we want.

2. Sock bun

Sock buns seem effortlessly chic, and while it looks like this girl tried her best, we'd say you should leave the sock in your drawer!

3. Leopard eyes

Leopard eyeshadow is hard enough to pull off as it is. This failure takes the makeup from haute couture to NOT couture.

4. Patriotic nails

We're all about American pride, but sticking to a red and white striped shirt with navy shorts may have been the better option!

5. All-natural face mask

Being eco-friendly and organic is totally in right now, but messing around with your skin is no joke. Next time, just purchase a mask from the store.

6. Fancy up-do

You have to be a hair expert to get this style right, so we don't blame this girl for looking like she stuck her head in a fan...

7. Tie-dyed manicure

We're just going to be blunt and say this girl looks like she was in an episode of The Walking Dead.

8. Ombre lipstick

This woman has got the color scheme down! It's the execution that worries us a little.

9. British invasion nails

It's the effort that counts, but we're going to have to say, "Cheerio!" to this manicure.

What was your biggest beauty fail, collegiettes?

We all love a quick fix for life's everyday problems, but when do quick fixes stop being convenient and start becoming dangerous? We've compiled a list of life hacks from this AskReddit thread that are either completely ridiculous or perhaps just crazy enough to work. 

(Do not try these at home.)

1. Save money on expensive binoculars by just standing closer to the object you want to look at.

Why didn't we think of that?

2. When you're downloading a file, flip your screen sideways so gravity helps the download.

You could also try repeatedly screaming at your computer, "WHY DON'T YOU DO WHAT I SAY?" It has the same effect. 

3. When your carton of milk starts getting old, leave it in the sun to spruce it up.

This will also turn your milk from liquid to solid for easy drinking—erm, eating? 

4. Assert dominance in an interview by opening with an interpretive song-and-dance routine. Choreograph all moves to the song "Takin' Care Of Business."

Depending on the job you're interviewing for... this might just work.

5. If your plugs keep bending, try straightening out the outlet with a fork. This also works better if the fork is wet so it can slide in easier.

Sounds legit.

6. When standing on the subway or in line for food, hold hands with the person closest to you. It's the best way to make new friends.

Your true love awaits! Just think of the missed opportunities!

7. You can ensure that your computer will never get a virus by always wearing latex gloves before touching it.

Hey, safety first, am I right?

8. Add a touch of magic to your cold by putting glitter in your mouth before you sneeze.

To be fair, this one might actually be fun... is that what Tinkerbell feels like? 

9. Delete everything off your laptop if it's getting too heavy.

Your bag will be so much lighter... because you'll throw your laptop out of the window upon realizing what you've done. 

10. Instead of carpeting your house, glue two carpet squares to your feet. Voila! Carpet all the time for a fraction of the price.

I know, your mind is blown. Ours, too. 

11. Microwave your phone so it will charge faster. The microwave will shake the molecules in the phone and spark a charge.

It'll spark something, alright.

Really, please don't try these at home. If you do, you've got no one to blame but yourself... you've been warned. 
 

If you were the type of tween who eagerly checked your mailbox around the same time each month for the latest dELiA*s catalog, you probably were the type who ugly-cried when your mom refused to order the five or more spaghetti strap tops, punny graphic tees and hair tchotchkes you longed for. So it was probably with a heavy heart that you learned the once-massively popular retailer had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy back in December. But guess what, gal pals (they totally sold a glittery tee with this slang printed on it at some point)—Delia's is making a comeback... online!

Earlier this month, the retailer announced its return on Instagram with a #DeliasForever hashtag and a snapshot of a back-to-school photoshoot, since it'll be making its online debut in August. According to Refinery29, the retailer was acquired by Steve Russo of Fab/Starpoint, a licensing and manufacturing company that specializes in back-to-school wear, youth accessories and handbags.

Though it would probably be hard for the former mall staple store to return to its '90s glory, we can't wait to see how the online revamp turns out at the end of the summer!

We’re having serious Bachelor Nation withdrawals. With Chris dancing his soules off and the new season of The Bachelorette still filming, we don’t know what to do with ourselves. We may or may not have been seen buying dozens of red roses at the supermarket lately. And even though season 2 of Bachelor in Paradise doesn’t premiere until August 2, rumors are rampant about which rejects will be taking a chance on love and jellyfish stings in Paradise. So, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to assemble our dream cast below.

1. Ashley I. (Chris’s season)

We have to admit we’ve been missing our resident Kardashian. But can her beauty routine handle the humidity in Paradise? Only time will tell.

2. Arie (Emily’s season)

Just look at that face. We’ve heard that behind the scenes, Arie is quite the troublemaker, and this show is known for its multitude of hidden cameras. Maybe we'll get the chance to find out if he’s as bad as the gossip blogs like to say he is.

3. Nikki (Juan Pablo’s season)

Nikki has been known to scrutinize the show, but fresh off of her nasty breakup from JP she needs to let loose and have some fun.

4. Brian (Andi’s season)

Brian was the cute and innocent guy you probably forgot about, but Paradise is (supposedly) all about finding love. He’s got the right intentions and could meet his soulmate on the show. We’ve got a certain someone in mind…

5. Sarah (Sean’s season)

She had her shot in Paradise last season but realized her relationship with Robert wasn’t meant to last. She's another completely sweet participant who wants to find love... Sarah, meet Brian.

6. Robert (Desiree’s season)

It wouldn’t be Paradise without a few major shake-ups. And bringing Robert back into Sarah’s life while she tries to connect with a new guy would be just that.

7. Juelia (Chris’s season)

Juelia was a favorite last season, and she got sent home way too early. We’d love to get to know her better and see if she has a shot at finding someone in Paradise.

8. Tenley (Jake’s season)

Adorable Tenley met her ex, Kiptyn, on Bachelor Pad, so we know she believes in the reality TV formula. Her bubbly and fun personality would also add a much needed cheer to the drama.

9. Carly (Chris’s season)

We need somebody who’s going to tell it like it is, and we know from past experience that someone is Carly. Or have you forgotten that she was willing to use her hand as a puppet to mimic the emotionally unstable Britt?

10. Lesley (Sean’s season)

Lesley will act as the ultimate BFF of the house. We see her as the go-between for those ladies who will surely be in a constant state of feuding.

11. Graham (Deanna’s season)

It just wouldn’t be a Bachelor spinoff without Graham. He was unlucky in love with the super-possessive Ashley on the first season of Paradise, so why not give him another shot?

12. Michelle (Brad’s season)

And why not let his one true love, Michelle, tag along? We’ve shipped these two ever since Bachelor Pad, and we’re not giving up until an epic on-television reunion occurs!

13. Brad (former Bachelor)

Brad had not one, but two, shots to find love as the Bachelor. Needless to say, both attempts were less than successful. We’d love to see him at the ripe old age of 42 living it up in Paradise. And we swear if he messes it up this time he’s really not getting another chance. Really.

14. Josh (Andi’s season)

Since splitting from Andi (sniff), Josh has been spotted out on the town with Ashley I. Yes, you read that right. And we want that nonsense to stop. If it takes another reality show to bring him and Andi back together, we'll take it. And on that note...

15. Andi (former Bachelorette)

Either they'll love it... or they'll hate it. We're hoping for the former.

16. Onion Girl... aka Ashley S. (Chris’s season)

We're planning on holding an official protest if Ashley S. isn’t on the show this season!

17. Mystery guy(s)

Many of the male contestants will likely be Britt/Kaitlyn castoffs whose faces—and shirtless chests—we haven’t even seen yet. Oh, the joy of the unknown!

Who do you want to see on Bachelor in Paradise, collegiettes?

It looks like the cast of Disney’s live action Beauty and the Beast is having a blast on set! Yesterday, Josh Gad (who will be playing Le Fou in the adaptation) shared a silly cast photo on Instagram, along with the caption, “Can’t wait for you to be out guest,” hinting at the Disney movie’s classic song. Aside from a very enthusiastic Gad, the photo also includes Dan Stevens (Beast), Luke Evans (Gaston), Kevin Kline (Belle’s father, Maurice) and everyone’s fave, Emma Watson (Belle).

Absent from the photo were fellow cast members Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Plumette, the Feather Duster), Emma Thompson (Mrs. Potts), Audra McDonald (Garderobe, the Wardrobe) and Ian McKellen (Cogsworth, the Clock). However, we have a feeling that we’ll be seeing some more fun cast photos in the very near future. Personally, we would love to be their guests!

Be sure to check out Beauty and the Beast on March 17, 2015! We know, it’s an excruciatingly long wait.

As graduation grows nearer, seniors can be a little on edge. And by "a little on edge," we mean that they're frantically scrambling to maintain their GPAs while also desperately trying to land a job. If you're one of these soon-to-be-graduates, chances are that even if you have loved everyone in your major for the past four years, you're secretly praying that they won't get whatever job you're all applying for and that you'll beat them to it. Trying to find a job after graduation is basically The Hunger Games.

Every job posting you see online, you're just like...

But once you start filling out your hundredth application or so, you start to forget how to make these people want to hire you. Are you even doing it right?

And tailoring your cover letter for each position is such a daunting task. You want to stand out from the other applicants!

You sign the bottom of your cover letter, trying not to sound too desperate, and pray that you'll hear from the hiring manager. 

And until you do, you're a mess.

But you try to stay positive!

When you finally get the interview, you're ready to show them why you're perfect for the job. 

But when you get to the interview and see all of the other professional, brilliant-looking applicants in the room waiting to be interviewed, you feel like...

You stare them down, silently praying that you'll beat them all, as the receptionist calls you each in one by one. 

When she calls your name, you take a deep breath and fight your hardest for the position. 

Grab your bow and arrow - it's about to get real. May the odds be ever in your favor!

Pulling an all-nighter is basically a right of passage for most college students. Because, really, when it comes down to it, you've got to balance your social life with your academics, or even a job, plus you need to watch a few hours of Netflix to keep yourself sane. It happens to the best of us. The work piles up while we're worrying about, well, anything but doing work, so we have to pull an all-nighter. 

1. I'm going to need a lot of caffeine if I'm going to make it out of this alive. 

I wonder if I know how to make latte art? Oh, I'm going to look up latte art. 

2. I can't work under these conditions. I need to clean my room. And do laundry. And take out the trash. 

What? It's not wasting time if I'm doing something productive, right?

3. I need to make a playlist worthy of Queen Bey.

I have just as many hours in my day as Beyoncé, and I'm using all of them.

4. I've never been so hungry in my entire life. 

And, of course, I have nothing to eat. 

5. I'll just have to go to Sonic; I need brain fuel.

Some people eat peanut butter and celery; I need cheese fries.

6. Okay, let me get started.

I can do this.

7. I can't do this. 

Why is this assignment so hard? 

8. Alright, I'm going to write for 15 minutes straight, and then I can take a study break.

Perfect. 

9. Halfway done... I deserve a nap.

Warning: A five-minute nap is never really just five minutes.

10. Okay, I need to finish this paper. It's already 4 a.m.

Enough distractions, I can do this. 

11. Facebook is the bane of my existance. 

I wish I knew how to quit you.

12. This is the worst thing I have ever written. 

But also maybe... the best?

13. Who cares? Print.

My grades never bothered me, anyway. 
 

We're all addicted to our phones, but are you so addicted to your phone that you text in the middle of your Econ lecture—or even in the middle of hooking up? A recent Penn State study found that college students text in all sorts of inappropriate situations, whether they're in class, in the shower or even during sex. 

In the survey, college students even admitted to texting at funerals or while using the bathroom. Penn State researchers say that college students aren't necessarily trying to create new norms as far as texting behavior goes, but breaking the current norms is just too tempting most of the time. They added that "when [college students] receive texts, the tempation to check their texts and send messages back is much greater than the urge to pay attention to their present situation." 

In the survey, most participants said that they thought texting while in the shower was inappropriate, but 34 percent chose to text from the shower anyway. Most also agreed that texting during the Pledge of Allegiance was wrong, but 22 percent admitted having done it. And though nearly all participants could agree that texting during sex was inappropriate, 7 percent said they'd done it.

Marissa Harrison, an associate professor of psychology at Penn State Harrisburg, said, "We are all programmed to notice movement and change, so maybe those buzzes and bells of texting, just like certain sounds that used to indicate the charging of a predator, for example, reinforce the need to find out what is going on."

Can you control the compulsion to check your phone every time it buzzes?

You’ve probably been to some career fairs or networking functions at school. You put on your best button-down and blazer, printed out a million copies of your resume and plastered on a big smile as you shook hands with and pitched yourself torecruiter after recruiter. But by the time you reach your senior year, these events can become pretty tedious. Plus, there are so many students there that it may seem like your chances of landing a job or internship through one of these events seem pretty slim.

When you think of networking, you probably think of expanding your network by meeting new professionals. But have you ever thought about building on the network you already have? There are plenty of resources that have been right under your nose, but you may never have considered them as professional contacts. We’ve found some more unique ways for you to expand your network and land the job of your dreams.

1. Your extended family

Your family is probably the easiest networking source in your arsenal. You may be surrounded by family members who have had interesting experiences and made connections along the way—use them!

Lesley Mitler, founder of Priority Candidates, Inc., a career coaching service for college students, says that “these are often people who know you in a social context and can speak about your personality and interpersonal skills.” Your family members already know you on some level; even if you aren’t close, they can probably attest that you’re an overall good and employable person.

Mitler says that students can sometimes find reaching out to family uncomfortable and scary, so she says to “ask them for advice and see if that conversation leads to a discussion about possible networking introductions.”

Start with the family member you’re closest to; give him or her a call or send an email. Be careful not to jump right into career talk; be polite, ask how she is and make her feel appreciated. If she works in a field that interests you, ask her how she got there and what advice she has for breaking into the industry. If none of your close family works in an industry you’re interested in, ask a family member if he knows anyone he would feel comfortable putting you in touch with.

Casey, a junior at Saint Joseph’s University, is a marketing major, and her uncle works as a PR representative, so she reached out to him about his job. “He was able to give me a lot of insight into the different aspects of the industry, especially the business world overall,” Casey says.

Take advantage of the connections you were born with! Maybe your aunt’s college roommate has your dream job, or your dad’s former colleague started his own business and is willing to talk to you about it. Reach out to your family members, tell them about your interests and ask them if they know anyone in your industry. You never know what you might find!

2. Your professors

You see great networking sources in class every day! If you’re studying something you want to pursue professionally, make connections with your professors now. Mitler says professors are “a great networking resource and credible introducers” because they already have successful, established careers in your field, and they probably know plenty of people in the industry who they could introduce you to down the line.

Go to a professor’s office hours to talk about your class. Tell him or her how much you enjoy it and discuss the topic further. Let your professor know you’re passionate about this field and want to know how to best break into it after graduation.

Be sure to keep your relationship up after graduation! Send your professors occasional email updates on your career and ask how they are. If you stay in touch, they’ll be a great resource for college and beyond!

3. Guest speakers

If your school ever hosts events with guest speakers in your industry or if your professors bring in interesting speakers to class, make sure you get to talk to them one-on-one! If it’s a small class, this will be much easier than meeting at a career event.

Find a way to make yourself stand out from the crowd. Research the speaker and his or her company beforehand so you can impress him or her with your knowledge. Ask questions during the lecture to show your interest. Carry business cards with you to give them to the speaker afterwards; this will make you look prepared, professional and passionate.

If you really want to stand out, take a cue from Alex, a senior at Tufts University, who landed an internship through Twitter!

“I was taking a PR and marketing course at my school, and throughout the course our professor had speakers who were thought leaders in the industry come in and talk to us,” she says. “Before one of these speakers came in, I tweeted at him saying I was excited to hear from him in my class.”

That one tweet ended up scoring Alex an internship. The speaker recognized her from her Twitter picture and spoke to her after his lecture. She interned with him for seven months!

4. Alumni

The easiest way to get in touch with alumni from your school? LinkedIn! It may seem obvious, but Mitler says that “many students are not aware that LinkedIn has a terrific resource.” You may be in alumni or sorority groups and connected to every person you’ve ever met, but have you checked out your new secret weapon,LinkedIn Alumni?

This amazing resource “aggregates all the [alumni] on LinkedIn from your school and allows you to apply numerous filters,” says Mitler. “I have had recent grads reach out to alum[s] they identified and got meetings or phone conversations with because of the alumni connection.”

Your school is a perfect resource for networking. Use this function to search for alumni from our school who work at companies or in fields you think you might be interested in. See what connections you have in common or just reach out on your own!

If you’re messaging an alumna you don’t know, remember to keep it professional. Just because she once went to your school doesn’t mean you can speak to them like she still does! Introduce yourself, your major and your year of graduation. Say something like, “I saw you work at Her Campus, and I would love to hear about it! I’m interested in pursuing a career in writing and it would be great to hear about your experience, especially since you’re a Harvard alumna and I’m a current student there.”

Ask to talk over email or, if she’s located near you, meet her for coffee. Most alumni love hearing from students. If she doesn’t respond in a week or so, send a follow-up message, but if you still don’t hear back, don’t push it. She may just be busy, but if she doesn’t respond to two messages than you should move on to another resource.

5. Your dentist, your dry cleaner… everyone you meet!

Potential networking connections are all around you. Everyone you know has the potential to be a great resource—you just have to get out there and talk to them!

 “I always advise my clients to think about people they know that have a lot of clients—dentists, doctors, lawyers, salespeople, members of social clubs, store owners and even your dry cleaner,” Mitler says. “Anyone with lots of clients can be a potential source of referrals.”

Reach out to people you know, and be sure to “let them know who you are interested in connecting with, what you are interested in doing and why you are qualified,” says Mitler. Talk to anyone and everyone and get yourself out there! 

Sarah, a junior at Gonzaga University, had an interesting encounter in a cab recently. Apparently her cab driver had given the intern director from Microsoft a ride the day before. “She had told him that if he ever drove any college students looking for internships, he should send them her way!” she says. The cab driver told her about all the interesting people he had driven around and gave her some ideas of places to look for internships.

Anyone you talk to has the potential to be a resource. Don’t be afraid to push yourself out of your comfort zone a little and just start talking to someone. Business cards can be a huge help; carry them in your bag and give them out to people you meet. It will make it easy to stay in touch and follow up later when you’re looking for work. It may feel aggressive, but just getting the ball rolling could lead to landing your dream job!

Networking isn’t just for career fairs. Many people you meet will have the potential to boost your career and provide you with great resources. Take a chance and just talk to people about your career! You never know when an opportunity will present itself.

Admit it—how many days in a row have you gone without removing your makeup, because you've pulled too many all-nighters in the stacks? Unfortunately, lack of sleep calls for an even greater need to take care of your skin. So here are five products you absolutely need to rely on during finals week to keep your skin healthy and your sanity in check!

1. Makeup wipes

Getting home from the library late and feeling too tired to properly remove your makeup? These wipes will be your new best friend. Wipe off makeup and any impurities your skin has amassed during the day, with minimal effort! We recommend Philosophy’s one-step facial cleansing cloths ($15)—they won't leave any oily residue and your face will feel just as fresh as it would if you had washed it.

2. Under-eye serum

To keep eyes from being puffy from hours of studying and stress, we love Clinique’s All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage ($29). The oil-free formula is easy to roll on to soothe puffy eyes and help with dark circles. Bonus: it's also small enough to throw into your bag as an on-the-go treatment!

3. Under-eye concealer

Late nights mean one thing for the eyes: dark circles. To appear more well-rested, we use Urban Decay’s Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer ($28). It gives great coverage without looking cake-y under your eyes.

4. Face cleanser

With stress comes acne—which means you are just going to have to take the (precious) time out of your day to properly wash your face once in a while! We suggest the Soy Face Cleanser by Fresh ($15). It leaves your skin feeling and looking soft, glowing and radiant. Use it once in the morning and once before bed to keep your skin feeling great.

5. Moisturizer

Keeping your skin hydrated is key to maintaining a healthy glow. This means drinking a lot of water—and applying moisturizer when you start your day, and when you go to bed. We love BareMineral’s Purely Nourishing Moisturizer ($28), which is super lightweight!

Good luck during finals week—and stay gorgeous!
 

The chemistry classroom isn’t the only place where college girls are experimenting. It's not uncommon for girls to hit the sheets with another girl, even when they've considered themselves heterosexual all their lives. So what's a queer girl to do when a straight-identifying girl approaches her wanting to hook up? Here's a list of some dos and don'ts to keep in mind before you hook up with a bi-curious girl.

DO set boundaries

You don't want to accidentally make her uncomfortable! Find out ahead of time what she is and isn’t comfortable doing so you can be sure not to overstep any boundaries. If she tells you she wants to stay above the waist or she doesn't feel comfortable with certain positions, respect that. It's always a good idea to ask about boundaries early on in a calm and casual manner to avoid making her nervous, because if she's too nervous, she may not be honest, and the last thing you want to do is make her uncomfortable without even meaning to.

DO be patient

Patience is a virtue, and it's absolutely vital when hooking up with a girl who's used to only being intimate with men. Girls may pull back due feeling vulnerable, but this doesn't necessarily mean they want to stop. She might just be nervous, so don't give up or freak out on her! Just slow down and ask if she wants to continue. Remember, consent and open communication are always important.

DO educate her

Teach her the ways of same-sex relationships and queer-girl etiquette. Show her the ropes so that if she does in fact turn out to like girls, she'll have a good introduction to the LGBTQ+ community. This can be an opportunity to enrich her with your queer-girl perspective and discuss what she hopes to get out of experimenting with you. If she's trying to find a category to label her sexuality, inform her about sexual fluidity and the wide array of different sexual orientations.

DON’T get your hopes up that she'll magically turn bisexual

Experimenting is just that: an experiment. There's a good chance she may come out of the experience realizing she's only attracted to men, so don't expect hooking up to turn into anything more serious. Don't get her hopes up either, for that matter. If all you're looking for is a hook-up, don't lead her to believe you're going to pursue a relationship with her.

Abbie Garcia, a queer collegiette from Florida State University, can attest to the dangers of getting your hopes up too high.

"My experience was a little rough, because I get attached very easily,” she says. “Becoming attached to someone who wasn't fully comfortable with herself isn't fun. It was like a huge game of hide-and-seek, and in the end, I just ended up with nothing but pain.”

DO keep safety in mind

If she's experimenting, there's a chance she's not just experimenting with one person. Just be safe and openly communicate about current and previous partners. The last thing you want is an STI!

Gay-dating coach Mary G. Malia recommends talking about STIs before you hook up. "If she's having sex with men and with you, then that becomes really important,” she says.

DON’T out her

If a girl trusts you enough to experiment with you, don't break her trust by going around blabbing about it. If she figures out she’s interested in girls, she'll come out on her own terms when she's ready. Outing her is not only disrespectful, it could also be dangerous for her. It’s a violation of her privacy, and it could even result in her being alienated from disapproving friends and family and open her up to bullying and opposition she isn’t prepared to face.

As with any hook-up, do what feels right and keep your communication open. Be sure to have fun, but keep these dos and don’ts in mind!
 

Finals week—the week we dread most all semester—is upon us. All that non-stop cramming has your brain in overdrive, and the lack of sleep definitely isn't helping. The last thing you want to spend time doing is deciding what to wear... so we're helping you take some of the pressure off with style ideas from some of our favorite celebs!

1. Emma Watson

A knit sweater, pleated skirt and leather brogues like Emma's are a subtle nod to collegiate fashion.

Get the Look: Millionaire Leather Brogues, $63, asos.com

2. Miranda Kerr

Miranda's denim jacket and maxi dress combo is ideal for days when you don't want to think too much about your outfit, but you still want to look cute.

Get the Look: Striped Maxi Cami Dress, $12.90, forever21.com

3. Lupita Nyong'o

To feel extra academic, sport a scholarly blazer like Lupita's with black pants and a bright bag.

Get the Look: Jersey Blazer, $68, asos.com

4. Kate Bosworth

Get excited for summer in a breezy sundress and leather booties like Bosworth's. Add a chunky cardigan to keep warm in the air conditioned stacks.

Get the Look: Daisy Cap-Sleeved Dress, $17.90, forever21.com

5. Olivia Wilde

Wilde's fringed scarf and leather jacket are relaxed, but totally sophisticated.

Get the Look: Scarf with Lace, $14.95, hm.com

6. Cameron Diaz

Cameron rocks the monotone trend in grey skinnies and an oversized sweater.

Get the Look: Tunic Sweater, $54, asos.com

7. Cara Delevingne

Queen of Cool Cara wears a beanie, sneakers and sweatpants that are perfect for marathon study sessions.

Get the Look: Sweatpants, $19.95, hm.com

Will you try out any of these looks for finals?

Whether it’s the first class you’ve ever taken or you’re one semester away from graduating, talking one-on-one to your professor or even asking a question in the middle of class can be intimidating. Especially in large lecture classes, where it’s difficult to get to know your professor on a personal level, it can be tricky to predict how he or she will respond to what you say.

Whether you’re saying them in front of your class or during office hours, there are some things that will flat-out annoy your professor to hear. Take a look at some of these questions professors would prefer not to hear.

1. “I did badly on this exam. Can I retake it?”

Don’t expect to be treated differently from other students, advises Erica Flapan, a mathematics professor at Pomona College. While professors do want their students to succeed, they’re required to treat all students the same. “So if the professor gave you a retest, he/she would have to give the entire class a retest,” Flapan says.

If you’re seriously concerned about your grade, try seeing if there are extra-credit opportunities, or ask your professor in his or her office hours how you can improve your study tactics for next time.

2.  “Is this going to be on the test?”

Professors put in a lot of time and effort into preparing lectures and determining what students should be gaining from their classes. “Such a question implies that you are only interested in material that will be tested,” Flapan says.

Instead, she suggests you ask, “How does this material fit together with X,” where “X” is something that you had previously learned.  “This shows that you have been following and are interested in getting the big picture,” she explains.

3. “When will I ever need to know this information?”

While you probably won’t need to whip out the quadratic formula during lunch, each course you take is designed to teach you specific information for a particular reason. Your professor wouldn’t be teaching you how to factor equations or the history of the rise and fall of Rome if you didn’t need to know it to fully understand the course subject matter.

“The faculty is the faculty because they are experts in their field,” says Scott Sandage, an associate professor of history at Carnegie Mellon University. “As a whole, they know what it is that one needs to learn to be educated in the specific [subject] that is at hand.”

4. “Why is this course required?”

While some of those gen-ed courses might seem unnecessary to your particular major, there’s a reason why they are included in your schedule. But, assuming the course is required for your major, Sandage says the bottom line is that professors think, “In my expert opinion, it will improve your education to take this course or to have this distribution requirement.” Also, it can be plain offensive to question why a teacher’s course is relevant!

5. “Last semester when I took a course in your department with Professor X, he/she taught it this other way.”

No two professors will teach the same material the same way. “Each professor has [his or her] own style and philosophy of teaching, and does not want to be told to be like someone else,” Flapan says.

Just because one professor let you hand in homework late or allowed you to redo assignments does not mean that every professor will be that way. If you truly do not like a professor’s style, Flapan recommends that “you can drop the class or plan to take it with someone else.” 

6. “I can’t do the homework. Please tell me how to do it.”

According to Flapan, professors assign homework with the expectation that it will be challenging.  If you have actually worked on an assignment and still can’t figure it out, Flapan suggests you “go to the professor’s office hours and explain the approach you took to solve a particular problem and where you got stuck. This shows the professor that you have made an effort, and also allows the professor to see what you do and do not understand.  The professor can then help you with the problem as well as with your overall understanding of the material.”

7. “You gave my friend more points for doing the same thing.”

Your professor teaches tons of students and grades just as many papers. Chances are he or she doesn’t remember how your friend’s paper was graded or whether or not it was actually the same. If you want to bring this to your professor’s attention, Flapan suggests, “You should bring your friend’s paper with you so that the professor can see that the papers really are the same. Of course, doing so could result in the professor taking points away from you friend, though in general, this will not happen.”

8. “I missed class because I was sick. Can I turn in the assignment late?”

Unless you are gravely ill, most professors will not accept an excuse after the fact, Flapan says. If you are unable to complete an assignment or take an exam, she says, “You should contact the professor before the exam or assignment and ask if it’s possible to make it up or have an extension.  Some professors may ask for a doctor’s note or a note from the dean of students to verify that you were actually too sick to complete the assignment or take the exam.” Your best bet is to do this before an assignment is due—don’t wait until you’re all better to contact your professor.

9. “I forgot my pencil. Do you have any extras?”

Coming to an exam and announcing your lack of pencil, calculator or any other materials that are clearly needed for an exam can be irritating to professors, Flapan says. Along with forgetting your homework, a professor presumes their students will come to class prepared. “The professor expects you to be an adult and take responsibility for whatever you need to bring to class,” Flapan says.

Remember that your professors are people, just like you, and they want to be treated as though you appreciate the work they put into teaching. Make sure you’re being considerate when you talk to them!
 

It's been five seasons full of murders, creepy text messages, stalkers, breakups, makeups and multiple "A" reveAls (if you can even actually call it that). When you sat down to watch the premiere of Pretty Little Liars five years ago on ABC Family you probably had no idea what you were getting yourself into. Sure, you may have read the books, but it's not the same. Now you're in too deep, and there is no end in sight. Every time we find out who "A" is, it seems to be yet another lie. Face it, you're glued. Here are the struggles every PLL fan faces:

1. Wondering if we'll ever find out who "A" is

Everyone in the cast has been accused of being "A" at some point or another, even the girls themselves. It seems with each season's reveAl, twe get further from finding out "A's" true identity.

2. Crushing hard on Ezra Fitz

Why can't all English professors be this attractive? Although, maybe it's a good thing because who could actually pay attention in class with Fitz as the teacher?

3. Deciding to quit the show... unsuccessfully

You're lying if you say you haven't claimed to stop watching PLL at some point by now. Maybe it was after Ezra was "A," or after Ari killed Shauna, or maybe when you found out Mona was still alive. You may be frustrated and fed up at the end of each season, but we all know you'll be back.

4. Getting frustrated with every dumb mistake the girls make... which happens a lot

You've probably yelled "Spencer, no, don't go in there!!!" at your TV at least once by now. There's no doubt the girls are in a sticky situation, but you can't help but blame them for some of their problems. Just a suggestion, maybe don't go chasing after your stalker all by yourself. 

5. Getting really creeped out by all the masks...

This show is seriously creepy. With all the masks, hoods, blood and stalkers, there have been plenty of scenes worthy of watching from behind a pillow.

6. Loosing track of character storylines

Who's related to whom again? And why does everyone's family disappear so often? What happened to Holden? Now there is Charles? Who IS Charles?"

7. You have serious trust issues

If you have developed trust issues over the past five years, you can thank Pretty Little Liars for that. Everyone in the show has a secret agenda, and at this point, it's almost better not to know everyone's secrets. Otherwise, you'll just keep getting tricked and betrayed by the characters you once loved. Thanks a lot, PLL.