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7 Ways to Make College Visits More Fun

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We know you have college visits lined up left and right from now until May. While touring each campus and checking out the available dorm rooms are extremely important, it can be difficult to stay interested when you’ve seen one too many PowerPoint presentations and all the tour guides are always convinced that their particular college’s dining hall has the best food around. So how do you absorb all of the information you need while still having a good time? Here are a few tricks to keep you entertained when learning about potential schools.

1. Count the number of times your tour guide says “diversity.”

A popular selling point for most colleges, the word “diversity” is bound to come up during the information session at least once, if not more. Since you probably just finished writing the admissions essay on diversity, we’re sure you’re well versed in the topic and tired of hearing about it! By now, you know you’re not really going to see how diverse the college is from a two-second glance at various buildings, so keep busy by counting the number of times your tour guide stresses the point. Make an estimate before the information session starts and see how close you come to your guess. Also, which different synonyms does the tour guide use to describe the diversity of the campus? Unique? Distinct? One of a kind? You might even be surprised at how often the topic comes up!

2. Go on a scavenger hunt.

Make a list of stereotypical things you’ve seen on past college tours and see how many you find at the next school you go to. It can be as long or as short as you’d like, but be sure to add a football player, a person going to class in sweatpants, a dry erase board on the door of a suite (bonus points if there’s a quote on the board), a fraternity house blasting loud music during the day and a sorority girl selling baked goods to the list. What says “college” better than snacks and sweatpants?

3. See how much free stuff you can collect.

Who doesn’t love a free T-shirt? Although you may be waiting on these colleges to accept you, remember that during the campus visit, the college wants you to accept it. Try to grab as much free school memorabilia as you can, like pens, water bottles or fridge magnets from the local bookstores, libraries and maybe even some enthusiastic tour guides. To make it a bit more challenging, try having a competition between you and your parents to see who can snag the most swag!

4. Take a picture with every statue you pass by.

Many colleges pride themselves on the beauty of their campuses, and sure enough, you’ll most likely pass by a few pieces of art during the tour. Take a photo with each statue and recreate its pose. Ever wonder what those statues are thinking? For even more fun, try to duplicate the facial expression of the statues as well. Say cheese—or, if you visit the University of California, Davis (above), say, “egghead!”

5. Visit a filming location from your favorite college movies.

Did you know that some of Hollywood’s greatest movies about college were actually filmed on real college campuses? If you’re headed to the University of Southern California, stop at the Bovard Administration Building to see where Reese Witherspoon’s character pretends to have dated David, the nerd in Legally Blonde, and channel your inner Elle. At Louisiana State University, check out the empty pool where Beca attends her first riff-off with the Bellas in Pitch Perfect at the Huey P. Long Natatorium. You can also see where Jesse Eisenberg’s character in The Social Network runs across the Keyser and Wyman quads on the Homewood campus at Johns Hopkins University.

6. Ask each student about his or her favorite class.

Most college tour guides will fill you in on all the positives, but where can you really get the 411 on your new school? The best part about talking to current collegiettes is the fact that they’ll give you brutally honest answers. Ask every current student you meet on the tour what he or she thinks is the best class he or she has taken and why. You’ll receive a different answer each time, and you’ll get an idea of what the courses are like from a collegiette’s perspective. This way you can hear about some great personal experiences and maybe even meet a campus cutie while also learning what kinds of courses are offered.

7. Attend an event afterwards.

When colleges offer tours, they usually stick to the same routine—dining hall, library, dorm rooms… yeah, we get it! Stick around after the tour is over and go to an on-campus event. This can be as rowdy as a basketball game or as simple as a sorority fundraiser. You’ll get to talk to a lot of students and get a feel for the campus outside of class. After all, class is only part of your college experience!

 

On your next college visit, try out some of these tips to keep from zoning out. Chances are you’ll find interesting places or things you normally wouldn’t have, which could either make or break your top college choices!


8 Smartphone Apps That Save You Money

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For many of us, it’s now hard to imagine life without a smartphone. From Google Maps to Candy Crush and all other apps in between, the smartphone embodies both entertainment and usefulness, helping us keep track of many aspects of our lives.

That includes helping us save money. As we, collegiettes, strive to save every dollar that we can during our college years, it doesn’t hurt to use everything at our disposal to keep our finances in check. While hundreds of apps are out there to help, here are eight smartphone apps that will help you save money during your college years!

1. Mint

Living on a college student budget is already very tricky, but keeping track of your finances is even harder, what with all those hidden expenses that add up bit by bit. The solution? Download a finance management app like Mint! With a few simple taps, you can sync all your bank accounts and investments to Mint and constantly check how much money you have.  Out shopping and don’t remember how much you have left in your budget for the month?  Pull it up on your phone with Mint before you go for that new pencil skirt.

2. GasBuddy

Any collegiette with a car at her disposal knows just how much gas prices can take out of your budget. To avoid paying more than you need to at the pump, download GasBuddy to your phone, register, and shop around for the lowest gas prices in your vicinity. Just enter your zip code and a page will pop up that not only gives you the locations of gas stations in a 50 mile radius, but also shows you their gas prices for comparison so you can just head right on over.

3. Coupon Sherpa

Coupon apps are all the rage, and Coupon Sherpa is one example of an easy-to-use app that will over time save you lots on your purchases! Next time you head out to do some shopping, whether it’s to satisfy your retail needs or to buy groceries, fire up Coupon Sherpa and find the store you’re currently in. From free drinks on your birthday to 15% off of your purchases, all you need to do is present your mobile coupon at the counter to claim the deal, making it a perfect smartphone app for the coupon-crazy shopper.

4. RedLaser

Hunting for the best deals can be time consuming and frustrating, so price comparison apps, like RedLaser, are becoming more and more popular. By clicking on the scan setting and holding a product barcode still under your phone’s camera, RedLaser will pick up on the exact item and not only give you a bunch of online price comparisons, but also a list of stores near your area that sell the product.

5. I Love Free Things

Whether it’s free food, free t-shirts, or free anything, really, we love nothing more than getting free stuff. But how can you know about every free sample that could be in your vicinity? I Love Free Things not only gathers all the day’s free deals for you on one screen, its smartphone-app form also lets you figure out what free things can be nearby when you’re out and about. So if you’re looking for a free coffee to replace your daily four dollar Starbucks latte or even a free magazine subscription, check out I Love Free Things for a user-friendly free thing finder!

6. BillTracker

Most of us will, at some point during our college career, suffer the financial penalty that comes with paying bills late. To avoid paying more for overdue bills, download BillTracker and you’ll never forget to pay your bills again! The app sends your phone a reminder of when your bills are due, making sure that you’re immediately aware of when you need to pay, no matter where you are.

7. Grocery Gadget

Studies have shown that creating a list saves you from over-spending at the grocery store, and Grocery Gadget lets you do just that and more. Besides letting you create your own grocery shopping list that you can bring along, Grocery Gadget also tracks your spending habits, showing you what you can cut down on as you’re scanning the aisles deciding on what food to buy.

8. CardStar

Have you ever walked into your favorite store only to find that you forgot your membership card? With CardStar, you’ll never leave another rewards card at home again! Store all your membership cards on the app and take them wherever you go, getting your discounts all the while.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt Talks About Being a Feminist

8 Ways to Save Money for Spring Break

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

1. Cut out unnecessary spending

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

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

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

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

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

2. Get a part-time job

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

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

3. Keep your money out of sight

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

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

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

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

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

4. Stick to your budget

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

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

5. Download apps to help you stay on track

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

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

6. Cook your own meals

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

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

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

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

7. Take advantage of your student ID

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

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

8. Use your friends as motivation

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

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

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

 

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

Collegiette Eats: Big Salad

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Sick of eating cereal and ramen for lunch and dinner? Want to spend less money eating out and finally start cooking for yourself? Put down that frozen pizza, because HC’s Health Editor, Sammie Levin, is here to share her daily eats so you can get ideas for healthy, satisfying meals that are easy enough for any time-strapped collegiette to make. After you read Collegiette Eats, your taste buds, wallet and waistline will thank you.

Breakfast

I wanted to make pancakes yesterday morning for breakfast on my day off from classes, but I ended up having an appointment in the morning and didn't have time thanks to pressing snooze one too many times. So instead, I had a piece of toast topped with banana, almond butter, cinnamon and honey. This is by far my favorite on-the-go breakfast; it never fails to satisfy. 

Lunch 

For lunch, I had leftover spaghetti squash from the other night. Blessed be leftovers. Just one squash made two heaping bowls of "spaghetti"(and it's okay to go big; one cup of spaghetti squash only has about 30 calories, compared to about 220 per cup for regular spaghetti), so I got two hearty meals out of just one squash. I prepraed it the same way as last time, but used kale instead of spinach. 

Dinner 

For dinner, I got a big chopped salad from a cafe on campus. I find a lot of salads to be kind of boring and unsatisfying, but when I get a big salad full of a bunch of my favorite foods, it's heaven. In this salad, I got avocado, roasted butternut squash, cherry tomatoes, edamame, garbanzo beans and chopped hard-boiled egg with an herb vinaigrette. So good, and I was full for the rest of the night. 

Now it's back to classes and reality-always the rudest awakening after a four-day weekend. At least there are only three more days until it's the weekend again? 

How to Turn a Casual Fling Into the Real Thing

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It’s Monday and you have a coffee date with Steve. Tuesday arrives, and it’s time to have lunch with Paul. On Wednesday, you’re hooking up with Ryan. Thursday rolls around and you’re having a “sleepover” with Alex. Friday comes and you meet a new guy at the bar. You're texting him all weekend long.

You’ve got yourself a handful of mini dates, hook-ups whenever you want them, and attention all around, but you’re missing out on the whole boyfriend/girlfriend thing. It can be hard to juggle multiple guys at once and even harder to say “bye bye” to all but one guy and turn the chosen one into the real deal (especially in college when long-term relationships are almost nonexistent).

Her Campus is here to help you pick and choose which guy is boyfriend material and learn how to replace your one-too-many casual flings with the one real thing. We’ve even talked to the guys themselves to learn what this oh-so-mysterious species thinks (you’re welcome!).

First things first, distinguish between a casual fling and the real thing.

couple cute kissing

Weigh the good and bad.
There are pros and cons to both: the go-with-the-flow feeling of a casual fling, and the date nights/meet-the-parents moment of the real thing. Flirting and texting is not the same as dating. And neither is drunkenly hooking up on the weekends.

Figure out where you stand.
You can generally figure out where the relationship is heading (or ending) by the way you treat each other. More clearly put, does he only text you late at night? Have you still not met his friends? Then it’s most likely not the real thing.

“Usually I decide whether or not I want to take the next step when we start having heart to hearts and we begin to confide in each other like a real couple. With casual flings, it's just purely a flirtation-ship, we usually don't have deep conversations, and I try to keep our relationship as light and unconnected as possible,” says Nicole, a sophomore at the University of California Riverside.

"Getting a feel for the other person, and how that person treats you is important. If you don't know, just ask!” says Adam, a recent graduate of Illinois State University.

Decide if the “real thing” is truly what you want.
Do you have a super busy schedule? Did you just go through a messy breakup? If so, you might not be ready for the real thing. If you can barely make time to meet a guy for drinks, how do you expect to commit to a serious relationship? Give some time for the initial “can’t get enough of you” feeling to wear off and see if you’re still crushing on the guy. If you can imagine yourself bringing him to family functions and are ready to do fun couple-y things with him (like staying in on a Saturday night and ordering take-out), go get it girl!

Whatever you do, do not act like you’re dating on day one of your casual fling. 
This will freak the guy out and jeopardize the future of your relationship. If you’re texting him 24/7 and always wanting to know what he’s up to from the very beginning, he’s going to feel smothered and you’re not going to get the boyfriend you want. “Go into it without expectations. You can't put pressure on it. If it's supposed to turn into the real thing, it will. Just have fun and see what happens!” says Lauren, a senior at the University of Michigan.

Next you have to define “boyfriend” and figure out which guy fits the description. 
Some casual flings are meant to be that and only that, but others have the potential to be more. “If he's really social and easygoing, you know he'd be good boyfriend material. If he's really stand-offish and negative, you may want to rethink trying to make him into your next boyfriend,” says Laura, a junior at Virginia Tech. Remember that your idea of a “boyfriend” may be entirely different from your best friend’s. If he’s great in bed but doesn’t have much else to offer, he’s probably not your best bet for the real deal. But if he gets along with your friends and acts interested in you (and not just your body), he may be a potential suitor.

 

But keep in mind, not all single guys are looking for the real thing.
“Just because he’s single doesn’t mean he’s available. For example, a second semester senior, or someone who’s going to be going abroad in the near future might not be interested in a real relationship, no matter who you are, just because of their circumstances,” says Yussef, a senior at the University of Michigan. 

You could try a direct approach and say, “I want to take our relationship to the next level.”
This is a good tactic to use if you’re a bold girl who wants quick results. “I think the best thing to do is say, ‘I think we should stop seeing each other. You're awesome, but I'm looking for something a bit more serious right now,’” says Michelle, a junior at Emerson College. If the guy isn’t on the same page as you, walk away.

If you’re more of a show by doing girl, start acting like a girlfriend and not a casual fling and things just might fall into place without having “the talk”.
"Actually care about the guy. Text him and ask how his day is. Be there for him and show him that you are interested. A fling is usually initiated by a guy, but getting more serious I feel like is initiated by the girl,” says Mark, a senior at the University of Michigan. Don’t just sit around and play mind games wondering when he’s going to ask you to be his girlfriend. You have to take action if you want to turn your casual fling into the real thing. Some easy strategies: don’t be available at his convenience, don’t take him for granted, and don’t hook up with other guys.

“If you can be their friend and the person they have a casual fling with, making the transitions to being exclusive and having a real relationship can go pretty smoothly. To this extent, try getting a coffee or two, study with them, or ask for something simple like a ride or a trip to the grocers,” Yussef says.

Do not hook up with him on day one of your casual fling if you want any chance of turning him into the real thing. 
I’m sure you’ve all heard this a million times and I know how hard it is from personal experience, but really – just don’t do it. Waiting is way better than the instant gratification of a hook-up if a relationship is what you want. “You have to make the guy work for it and respect you as an individual before turning the relationship into something more serious,” says Audrey, a graduate of the University of Michigan.

Don’t think that the sex will suddenly disappear in a serious relationship because, chances are, it won’t.
Just don’t give it up too soon. “Yeah, hooking up is great and all, but it doesn’t necessarily build the relationship you’re looking for. You have to find ways to involve a person in your life, and to become involved in theirs,” Yussef says.

Tell the casual flings that didn’t quite make the cut that you are done being their playthings, arm candy, booty calls, entertainment, etc.
“I let casual flings down by slipping into the conversation the name of the guy I see as the real deal. When you start talking about another guy with one of your flings he'll usually get the clue that you guys are simply flirting and that nothing is going to happen between you two,” Nicole says. As far as what mode of communication to use, you have to look at it on a case-by-case basis.

“Like if it's just a booty call that texts you every weekend after 2 am, a simple text will suffice,” Laura says. Try not to lead on your casual flings and suddenly disappear without any explanations. You wouldn’t feel great in this situation and neither will he. If you’re ready to be in a more serious relationship and can’t picture him as your future boyfriend, tell him how you feel before fleeing.

 

It all comes down to you—who YOU want to date, how YOU want to be treated, what YOU want in the real deal. Follow our tips and avoid that awkward moment when Steve sees you out with Paul. We hope this guide helps you collegiettes transform your casual flings into the real thing. Share your own strategies in the comments!

10 Valentine's Day Someecards Single Girls Need to See

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Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, collegiettes, and you’re probably getting pretty excited—if you have a date, that is. But for you single collegiettes out there, here are a few hilarious e-cards from Someecards.com that probably express how you’re feeling about February 14 better than your standard Valentine's day card would.

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10.

Have You Found ‘The One’? The Truth About Soul Mates

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Hopeless romantics and cynics alike, gather ‘round: let’s pretend for a second that everything we know about soul mates we’ve learned from television.

Lesson number one: They undoubtedly exist. There was never any doubt that Rachel would get off the plane for Ross or that Sabrina would ride off on the back of Harvey’s motorcycle. And of course, Cory and Topanga lasted long enough to spawn two children and a spin-off. Every show has its golden couple, and no matter what plot twist comes their way, they’ll be rightfully together by that series finale because they were always endgame.

Wouldn’t that be nice?

Translate that concept into real life, and suddenly things get complicated. Some of us would love to believe that if our lives were TV shows, there would be someone out there we were meant to be with. But do real relationships actually work that way? Sometimes it’s hard to believe that “the one” could be waiting for you in your boring econ class or at the next frat party. So whether you believe soul mates are inevitable or an urban legend, Her Campus has everything you need to know about them. Swoon or scoff—it’s your choice! 

To Believe or Not to Believe in Soul Mates

Spoiler alert: Ultimately, everything about the soul mate debate is up to you. Only you can decide whether they exist, how to define them or whether to call that person your soul mate, “the one” or even your lobster (sick of our Friends references yet?).

But just in case you’re still on the fence, check out these compelling opinions from fellow collegiettes that you might just be tempted to adopt.

“I totally believe in soul mates!” says Heather Baldock, a junior at the University of Oregon. “I think first you just have to love yourself and where you are in life… once you stop looking for guys and worrying about being single and instead focus on loving yourself, then you'll find the perfect person for you.”

Northwestern University senior Iris*, on the other hand, doesn’t believe relationships are the package deal that famous TV and movie couples would have us believe.

“I think ‘soul mate’ is a concept perpetuated by the marketplace; an attractive ideal that keeps the masses attending chick flicks and paying for prime exposure on dating sites,” she says. “And frankly, I'd rather fall in love on my own terms than on the terms Hollywood scripts for me.”

For those of you who don’t feel like picking a side, don’t worry: middle ground is always possible, especially when it comes to something like soul mates.

“I'm not sure I believe in soul mates exactly,” says Samantha Galasso, a senior at Villanova University. “I think certain people are more compatible than others, but I think every relationship you have—past, present and future—all bring something to the table, and just because they're not the person you spend the rest of your life with doesn't mean the time you spent with them is any less valuable.”

What Does a Soul Mate Look Like in Real Life?

Putting the existential debate of soul mates on hold for a sec, what does a soul mate look like outside of a Hallmark card, anyway? We might not have all the answers, but we do have our love expert, our Real Live College Guy and a few lucky collegiettes to tell you their versions of the story.

Certified dating coach Marla Martenson, who wrote Excuse Me, Your Soul Mate Is Waiting and several other books on dating and romance, has a sweet and simple go-to definition. “My definition of a soul mate is someone that makes life sweeter and fun to go through with,” she says. “A soul mate can often challenge us to a higher standard, teach us patience and lead us to unconditional love.”

And of course, no discussion of soul mates is complete without the standard similes.

“I think that people are like puzzle pieces, and that some people are better fits for each other than others,” says Shira Kipnees, a junior at Franklin & Marshall. “My grandmother has a saying that every pot has a lid, and I think that is true as well. Everyone has someone out there who can make them even better or make them even happier.”

Sometimes, signs that your significant other is “the one” might come at times when you’re thinking about anything but your relationship.

“I knew I found that special someone when I had a major family crisis during my freshman year of college after only a little over a year of [us] dating, and [he] made sure everything would be okay,” Shira says. “Considering the fact that most guys would probably be unable to tolerate crying or even a lot of emotions, or offer to let me call at any time if I felt sad, I knew I had a keeper.”

Other times, unlike on television, “the one” might not even be just one person at all.

“I very firmly believe in finding someone to love wholly and completely for a long time—preferably a lifetime—but I also understand that one's wants and needs change as time progresses,” says HC’s Real Live College Guy, Dale. “I think it's entirely possible to have more than one soul mate in a lifetime, depending on where you stand at any given point in life.”

Have You Found “The One”? Know the Signs

While there are definitely facets of soul mates that are indefinable, how about some concrete tips for telling that he or she might be “the one”? There might be a million ways unique to your relationship, but Martenson has five good places to start:

  1. “He uses the word ‘we’ in conversation, and is planning on including you in his future.”
  2. “He ‘gets’ you and loves getting to know you and loves you for you.”
  3. “His values align with yours.”
  4. “He makes you want to be a better person and vice versa.”
  5. “You can be yourself with him. There’s a comfort level like coming home with him.”

The Problem With Soul Mates

Stop right there! Is all of the above a bit too sweet for your taste? No worries… we know that the concept of soul mates has its dark side, too. “Our perception of a soul mate is often based on movies, television, books and fairy tales,” Martenson says. “The problem often arises because romantic love often falls short of that ideal.”

Even if you’re not sitting around waiting for your Prince Charming, committing to the idea that there is only one person out there for you can potentially lead to trouble.

Or, according to Iris, at least some extreme pickiness.

“I'll never love anyone the same way I loved my boyfriend when I was 15… and then I went on to love other guys and have more mature relationships,” she says. “And if I had been holding out for my perfect man—who is somewhere between Adam Brody and Neil Patrick Harris, so hey to all the guys out there—I probably never would have dated any of them.”

Our advice to not letting your belief in soul mates lead to your romantic downfall: If you’re into “the one,” don’t give up on it—just avoid coming up with a SparkNotes version of your perfect partner, because having too high of standards may mean you never take the time to crack open the right book. 

Remember, You Come First

Think of it this way: if you want to think of soul mates as two pieces of a puzzle, know that you won’t be able to fit with anyone until you have defined the shape of your own piece. Or, if you’re tired of metaphors: concentrate on your own life and self-fulfillment, and things will fall into place.

“I would advise college women to first work on themselves before searching for a soul mate,” Martenson says. “Getting in touch with who they really are and loving themselves first will out them into a position to make better choices in dating and selecting a partner.”

And who knows? Maybe your soul mate will arrive in a completely different package than you expected. Maybe he’ll be a Chandler instead of a Ross. Or maybe you’ll follow the words of wisdom of Sex and the City’s Charlotte, who suggested to her friends, "Maybe we could be each other's soul mates, and then we can let men be just these great, nice guys to have fun with." Maybe you’ll find three soul mates, or maybe you’ll discover you don’t want to find one at all.

Sure, that’s a lot of maybes, but like we said, our lives don’t have a series finale that dictates our endgames—that’s all up to you.  

*Name has been changed.


A Collegiette's Guide to the Summer Internship Search

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Don’t let the chilly weather fool you: Summer is just around the corner. While some of you may be looking forward to a couple academic-free months and a stellar tan, others are getting ready for an amazing summer internship (hopefully!). And it’s time to get going on your applications! There’s so much to do, but where to get started?  As always, collegiettes, we’re here to help. Follow this step-by-step guide and you’ll be on your way to internship application success in no time!

STEP 1: Create a List of Possible Internships 

Searching for an internship is essentially impossible without knowing what you’re looking for. Start off this process by creating a list of companies you’d love to work for. Make sure to apply to a lot of different internship programs since most are extremely competitive. Casting a wide net—within desired industries, of course—will better your chances for snagging the one that’s perfect for you. Are some of you intern rookies totally lost when it comes to even finding an internship you’d like to apply for? We would never leave you hanging. Tracking down some dream internships is only a click away:
internships.com

  • Internships.com: Welcome to the internship mecca, collegiettes! Not only does this website help you find internships that are perfect for your major, but they also help you be the best applicant you can be. A little clichéd? Well it’s true! When you upload your resume to the website, your new BFFs at Internships.com rate your resume based on content and format.
  • Ed2010: Magazine fanatics be warned: this website is addictive. Ed2010 is all about listing magazine internships for budding journalists. But what if an editorial career isn’t in your future? You can still check out the website!  Ed2010 has a bunch of articles about networking and how to score that sweet internship.
  • Intern Queen: When Lauren Berger, CEO of Intern Queen, was a collegiette at University of Central Florida, she had fifteen internships. Fifteen internships in four years? That’s beyond impressive. Thankfully, she didn’t let her internship experience go to waste. Instead, Lauren created Intern Queen, the one-stop site for finding fabulous internships. With an array of listed cities and industries, don’t be surprised if you find your dream internship here. Also, Lauren blogs about tips, tricks, and firsthand experience for your entertainment.  There’s only one thing to say to that: all hail the Queen!
  • CollegeRecruiter.com: Imagine a website that’s totally committed to finding college students internships. Well, you are no longer dreaming: CollegeRecruiter is your favorite new website. All you need to do is fill out your desired job title and the city you’d like to intern in, and CollegeRecruiter does the rest. Make sure to bookmark CollegeRecruiter because this website can help you find entry-level jobs once you graduate!
  • HC’s Careerette Section: Head over to our very own job and internship listing section on HC, where we post opportunities from all sorts of companies looking for stellar collegiettes like you to join their teams.

What if you’re looking for internship opportunities at a specific company? Most businesses have a Career page on their website. Who knew that surfing the web could be so productive? 

Interns wanted

STEP 2: Research, Research, Research!

Now that your dream internship list is created, it’s time to research!  But what are you supposed to look for? Here are a couple of things to get the ball rolling:

  • Location
  • Housing accommodations (if necessary)
  • Paid versus unpaid
  • Application due dates
  • If the internship will give you college credit
  • Eligibility
  • Contact Information
  • Any other pre-requisites (GPA or major requirement, recommendations, etc.)

Just remember that every internship has different requirements. To prevent a serious mix-up, keep all of this information organized. Create a spreadsheet or Google Doc with all your research.  We promise that researching a ton and being organized will make this process less stressful.

STEP 3: Talk to a Campus Career Counselor

Although you’ve done all the research, you might be more confused than you were before. Can you apply to an internship for college credit? How should you cut down your resume? Lucky for you, your Campus Career Center has all the answers: it’s their job to help you snag sweet jobs and internships. “We are the ones with experience, connections, and relevant information to help students perform a successful search,” says Kelly Forde, a Career Service Coordinator at Boston University. “We spend so much of our day working with employers so we know specifically what they are looking for and what strategies will work with them.”  With all of their knowledge, they’ll definitely be able to help you out. Plus, your career advisor may have more internship suggestions! So call your Career Service Center and set up a meeting: a scheduled meeting will ensure a lot of one on one time. Don’t forget to bring your resume, cover letter drafts, and your research. The more your career counselor knows about your internship search, the more she will be able to help! 

job hire

STEP 4: Perfect (Or Create) Your Resume

Hopefully, you already have a working draft of your resume saved on your laptop. If that’s the case, then all you need to do is update your resume with your latest internships and extracurriculars. After a couple of quick edits, your resume will be ready for submission. Usually, a resume is only a page so nix your high school activities and focus on all of your collegiette accomplishments. Okay, so you now know what to put on a resume, but how do you format it? There are so many websites, like Instant Resume Templates, that help you build an awesome resume. For the future, update your resume every few months: that way, you won’t have to stress about it later.

STEP 5: Ask for Recommendations 

Now that you’ve taken a good look at your resume, it’s time to ask people for recommendations. Start writing a list of your former bosses who you know will say that you’re hardworking, brilliant, passionate, awesome… you get the picture, right? As for those bosses who cut back your work hours and fired you: cross them off your list immediately. Send your potential references a polite email about your summer internship search and ask if you can use them as a reference. If they’re as cool as you think they are, they’re bound to say yes. But what if you’ve never had a job before? Your college professors are a great alternative. Stop by your desired professors’ office hours and talk to them about your potential summer plans. Just make sure you participate in these professors’ classes: they can’t give you the raving review that you want if you’re just one of the two hundred people in a lecture hall! Last—but not least—don’t forget to collect all of their contact information, including phone numbers.

STEP 6: Master the Cover Letter

While your cover letter should be personalized, making a basic outline wouldn’t hurt. Remember to do your research: the more you know about a company, the more interested you’ll seem. Also, don’t be so humble in your cover letter. While modesty is a great quality, you really need to show your potential employers that you’rethe best person for this internship. Just make sure to keep your cover letter professional. Oh, and don’t forget to proofread: nothing says “don’t hire me” like an awkward typo!

STEP 7: Intern-Proof Your Facebook and Twitter
Former boy toys and catty high school frenemies aren’t the only ones who love to Facebook and Twitter stalk you: employers do too! Let’s be honest: nobody’s going to hire you if your latest scandals are on multiple social media sites. Bite the bullet and censor your Facebook and Twitter before you submit your application. You never know how employers narrow down their intern applicants. So take down those pictures of you doing keg stands and delete your tweets about your latest boy drama. Let your Facebook and Twitter reflect how you want your employers to see you: driven, professional, fun and smart.

STEP 8: Cross Your Fingers and Submit Your Applications

Okay, collegiettes: it’s the moment that you’ve been waiting for.  After all of this hard work, you’re finally submitting your application. While some internship programs require you to fill out a formal application online, others require a simple email with your awesome resume and cover letter attached. If you’re filling out an application: Make sure to read through each step carefully; you don’t want a silly mistake to ruin your chances of snagging your dream internship. But what are you supposed to do if you’re just sending an email? Just keep it short and sweet, like the following example:

shaking hands

To Whom It May Concern:
My name is (Your Name) and I’m interested in (Specific Company and Department)’s summer internship program. Please find my resume and cover letter attached to this email. Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
(Your Name)

After this step, the worst is officially over!

STEP 9: To Follow Up or to Not Follow Up?
Once you’ve submitted your applications, you’re just supposed to sit in your dorm room and hope for the best, right? Wrong! If you haven’t heard back after a while (at least a few weeks, assuming the application deadline has passed), following up is a good way to reaffirm your interest in the internship. How are you supposed to contact them? To not sound creepy, make this follow up clear and concise. Here’s a great example:

Dear (Insert Name of Employer),
I submitted my resume and cover letter for (Insert Name of Company)’s summer internship program on (Date you submitted) and wanted to confirm that you received my application.  Please let me know if you would like any additional information.  I am very excited about the possibility of internships at (Company) and I look forward to hearing from you.
Best,
(Your Name)

How many times should you send this? Remember, you want to show off your dedication, not come off like a stalker. To not seem desperate, keep it professional and check up sporadically: you definitely don’t want your potential employees issuing a restraining order. But beware, collegiettes: some companies will send confirmation letters that stress they will contact you if they’re interested in having you as an intern. If not, follow up away!

STEP 10: Prepping for the Interview

After you’ve impressed your potential employers with your professionalism and experience, it’s time to wow them with your interviewing skills. Don’t take this lightly: very few applicants usually are interviewed. Translation? You’re that much closer to getting your dream internship! With that in mind, you may start to get a little bit nervous. What if you have terrible answers? What if you freeze up? Don’t stress over it, collegiettes:  give yourself a pat on the back because you’ve gotten this far. Your prospective employers are interviewing you because they think you have the skills and experience to be a fabulous intern.  Asking questions is the perfect way to show employers that you’re really interested in the internship, but what are you supposed to ask? The company’s work environment or your possible tasks, for example, are great questions to ask. But what if you don’t have the luxury to have a face-to-face interview? No need to freak out! As long as you’re organized and find a quiet place to chat, you’ll rock a virtual interview. Last but not least, don’t forget to take a look at our 5 Tips for Acing an Internship Interview: those tips and tricks will have you go from mere interviewee to a front-runner for the position.

Congratulations: You’re officially done with the internship application process! The next step is to sit and wait to hear back from your potential employers. Though the world of internships is extremely unpredictable, don’t be at all surprised if you snag an awesome internship after following this step-by-step guide.  Good luck!

Confused Baby Meets Her Father's Twin Brother for the First Time

HC’s Complete College Guide: Duke University

6 Winter Health Woes & How to Solve Them

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From wearing all of your favorite boots and scarves to playing in the snow, there are so many reasons to love winter. Unfortunately, the chilly weather and dry air during the winter months can also cause a plethora of health issues and worsen preexisting ones.

Common winter ailments can range from minor problems, such as dry skin, to more major issues, like vitamin deficiencies and asthma attacks. Here are some common health problems you might be facing this winter and how to solve them!

1. Vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D is known as the “sunshine vitamin” because most people get it naturally from the sun. Unfortunately, spending more time indoors during the winter may mean you’re not getting this vitamin naturally like you do during warmer months.

Deborah Cochran, a registered nurse at The Good News Clinics in Gainesville, Georgia, says that vitamin D deficiency is extremely common in the winter. “We’re always indoors, and there’s fluorescent lights, so we don’t have the natural light needed for our bodies to produce vitamin D,” Cochran says.

Vitamin D helps with a bunch of different functions of your body, but mainly it helps bones absorb calcium. Being severely deficient in this vitamin could mean your bones may become brittle and misshapen, which could lead to osteoporosis or stress fractures.

It’s recommended that adults get 600 IU (international units) of vitamin D a day. Your body needs about 20 minutes outside without sunscreen a day in order to produce sufficient amounts of this vitamin, Cochran says. You can also get vitamin D from food; a typical low-fat yogurt contains about 20 percent of your daily needs, and a glass of fortified nonfat milk contains about 25 percent of this daily value

If you’ve been feeling symptoms such as fatigue and lack of energy and think you may be deficient in vitamin D, talk to your doctor. He or she may recommend taking a vitamin supplement or increasing your consumption of foods that are rich in vitamin D.

2. Eczema and dry skin

When the weather turns cold and dry, your skin can turn dry along with it. Cochran recommends moisturizing by using natural substances such as almond oil, coconut oil or vitamin E in an oil form. Using oils that your body can absorb naturally will help keep skin moisturized throughout the winter, she says.

Dry, irritated skin is common in the winter, but there could be another underlying cause. If your skin seems flaky, red or more irritated than normal, you may have eczema. Eczema consists of red, dry, itchy patches that can show up anywhere on your skin. The exact cause of eczema isn’t known, but it’s thought to be your body’s immune system reacting to an irritant, resulting in the dry patches.

Eczema may look unattractive, but it isn’t contagious. If you think you have eczema, visit your doctor and he or she can prescribe a topical cream or medication to help clear the rash up.

Cochran says hydration is key to keeping dry skin and eczema at bay. “If you drink enough fluids, then you usually don’t have that dry, cracked skin,” she says.

Whether you’re suffering from a condition like eczema or simply have dry skin, there are a few easy things you can do to help alleviate the problem. Avoid irritants, like scented lotions, detergents and soaps, and consider switching to products made for sensitive skin, like Cetaphil products.

3. SAD (seasonal affective disorder)

It’s normal to feel sad every now and then, but if you’re feeling more than the “winter blues,” you may have SAD, or seasonal affective disorder. So what’s the difference between being sad and having SAD?

The American Psychological Association defines SAD as symptoms of depression that arise seasonally, usually during the colder months of fall and winter. The symptoms are similar to that of depression: feeling anxious, moody or withdrawn, and experiencing severe changes in behavior. SAD is thought to be linked to a chemical imbalance in the brain caused by the drop in sunlight that occurs during the shorter days of winter.

If you’re having any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek help immediately. Many schools offer counseling as part of their student health services, so don’t be afraid to take advantage of this and call your school’s health services to set up an appointment.

4. Asthma

Finding motivation to exercise in the winter is difficult enough, but worrying about asthma can make this even tougher. While cold weather doesn’t cause asthma, cold, dry air can exacerbate asthmatic symptoms such as wheezing, coughing or chest pain.

“I was hospitalized once from an asthma attack I got while walking to class in the winter,” says Alexa Phillips, a University of Delaware senior. “It gets a lot worse in the cold, and it was so bad by the time I got to class that an ambulance had to be called.”

If you have exercise-induced asthma, try to avoid vigorous exercise outside during chilly temperatures. Serious asthma attacks can be potentially life-threatening, so carry your inhaler with you at all times if you have asthma, and immediately stop exercising if you begin feeling the symptoms of an asthma attack.

5. Circulation problems

If you’ve ever forgotten to wear gloves on your walk to class or gone for a run when it’s just a little too chilly out, you may have noticed your fingers and toes turning a little white from the cold.

While white fingertips and tingling can arise from simply spending too long in the cold, Raynaud’s disease can also cause these problems. Raynaud’s disease is extremely poor circulation caused by the narrowing of small arteries. Sufferers of this disease may notice their fingers, toes or other extremities turning white and tingling in cold temperatures or when they’re stressed.

Women are more likely to have this disease, and genetics likely play a factor as well, so if your mom or another close relative has it, you may too. In most cases, Raynaud’s isn’t serious and is more of a minor annoyance. If you think you may have this, check with your doctor.

However, there is a simple solution for protecting yourself against the cold in winter months. “Just layering is important; making sure you have enough layers on when you go outside,” Cochran says.

6. Constant sickness

Every collegiette knows that when cold weather hits, you can expect there to be a lot more sniffling and sneezing around the dorm and in class.  It seems like in the winter, it’s almost impossible to avoid getting sick, but you can take a few preventative measures to lessen your chances of getting illnesses like the common cold.

“Contact is how things are spread, so the basic thing is always hand-washing,” Cochran says. “Just plain soap and water; nothing fancy.”

Cold weather also means flu season, so make sure you get your flu shot! Many schools offer it at the student health center, and pharmacies such as Walgreens and CVS also offer the flu shot, often with no appointment needed. The flu can get serious pretty quickly, so it’s important to get immunized if you haven’t done so already.

To avoid falling ill with a cold or another virus, you can take the basic preventative steps: wash your hands, make sure you’re eating right and exercising and try not to spend too much time around people who might be sick.

 

Whether you’re suffering from a serious health condition or a minor annoyance, winter weather can be frustrating to deal with. Make sure you take care of yourself to avoid falling ill, and if you’re experiencing any unusual symptoms, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor or your school’s health center!

Bring SELF to Your Campus With Workout on the Quad!

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For 21 years, SELF Magazine has hosted Workout in the Park, a day full of fitness, freebies and celebrity guests, in major cities around the US. This year, SELF will bring their fitness exhibition to New York City, Seattle and one college campus. The college campus they select is up to you!

SELF is offering colleges around the US the opportunity to compete online in their Workout in the Park social game on Facebook for points. The college team with the most points at the end of the competition will have Workout on the Quad come to their college campus, complete with fitness classes, food, beauty treatments and free stuff! The entire event will be free, so you’re definitely not going to want to miss this!

Last year, American University* won the first Workout on the Quad competition and was given a day full of CrossFit, yoga and dance classes as well as healthy snack and drink samples and fitness product freebies.

The competition has just begun!  Here’s how to enter:

  1. Go to SELF’s Workout in the Park Facebook page
  2. Find your college’s team, join and start playing!
  3. Encourage your friends, faculty, staff and alumni to join your team and help you gain points towards the grand prize.
  4. For bonus points, tweet the name of your school with #WorkoutOnTheQuad and encourage your friends to as well!

The competition closes February 14, 2014, so start gathering teammates, playing online and tweeting for bonus points. The team with the most points will get Workout on the Quad on their college campus!

A day with the industry’s leading professionals will give you an exclusive sneak peek at the newest fitness brands and crazes to elevate your healthy lifestyle. Start earning points today for your chance to get a jump-start on that bikini body you’re wanting and to meet more fitness-conscious collegiettes on your campus!

 

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. To enter and for full rules, click here. American University is not eligible to win in 2014.

Starts at 12:01 a.m. ET 01/13/14 and ends at 11:59 p.m. ET 02/14/14. Open to nominators and nominees who are legal residents of the 50 United States/D.C. 18 or older, except employees of Sponsor, their immediate families and those living in the same household. Void outside the 50 United States/D.C. and where prohibited. The prize has no retail value. Sponsor: Condé Nast.

Collegiettes' Craziest, Funniest Walk of Shame Stories

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You wake up in an unknown bed wearing last night’s clothes—or worse, wearing nothing at all. You turn to your side and see the body of a guy you might have just met the night before (sadly, he’s not as cute as he looked via your drunk goggles). Your mouth is dry, your eyes are burning, and your head is pounding—you’d do anything for a tall glass of water, a pair of comfy pjs, and a ride home. But chances are, the dreaded walk of shame stands between you and all those things. You’re not alone, we’ve all been there. Read on to hear about other collegiettes’ crazy, funny, or just plain weird walks of shame.
 
walk of shame embarassed

From sequin minis to clown costumes, we always seem to be wearing outfits that were not intended for wearing in broad daylight.
 
“My best walk of shame was after an 80's party. I had to walk halfway across campus in the morning in zebra print leggings and a pink tube top, carrying my heels. It was snowing and I walked by three tours.” - Sarah, Michigan State University
 
"So this didn’t happen to me, but I witnessed it. Freshman year my room had the perfect view of all the other freshman dorms. One Sunday around lunchtime, I happened to glance out the window. It was pouring outside, like bad New England style with puddles everywhere. Then I noticed this girl walking to the dorm directly in front of mine. She had a black mini skirt on, one heel (the other was in her hand), and a glittery tank-top. Her hair had probably been in a clean stylish up-do the night before, but it looked like she hadn't brushed her hair in 3 days. She had a purse in the other hand and I'm pretty sure her skirt was twisted sideways. The poor girl was trampling home in the rain, midday. The humiliation! I guarantee I was not the only person watching.” - Marion, Boston College

“I went to a Halloween party dressed like a sexy clown, partied a little too hard, and slept over my boyfriend at the time's dorm room. Needless to say, I had to do the walk of shame with a smeared red nose, striped socks, a super short polka dot dress and heels in hand. Not my proudest moment!” - Claire, Penn State University

”During my freshman year (obviously, my most shameful year in terms of hook-ups), for some reason I would only ever have to do the walk-of-shame when it was either raining or after a themed costume party. This being said, my worst walk-of-shame ever was the ever-feared November 1st: the morning after Halloween. I had gone out as a not-so-innocent Alice in Wonderland, and regretfully made the decision to stay the night at my current hook-up's dorm. The next morning, not only was it freezing outside, but it was also pouring down rain, thus leaving me no choice. Yes, I borrowed my hook-up's rain-coat which, as you can imagine, was longer than my costume, forcing me to traipse across campus seemingly naked to onlookers.” - Chloe, New York University

“It was the weekend before my birthday and my friends and I were out celebrating at a club. I ended up going home with a guy and begged him for a ride home in the morning when I realized how far away his place was from mine. He said no so I began my birthday walk of shame with a tiara in hand. Halfway back to my place, I ran into a girl who was wearing an oversized men’s tee and carrying her high heels. I laughed, smiled, and said “good, you too.” We instantly bonded. I was happy to hear she didn’t even think I was on a walk of shame. This poor girl was so embarrassed and ashamed but I think I helped ease her nerves by chatting about our nights, our majors, and life in general. Lucky for her she only had to walk about a block, I on the other hand, had to walk all the way across campus. I almost wore my birthday tiara from the night before just to spice things up a bit. Imagine the stares I would have gotten!” - Megan, University of Southern California

Humiliation Saving Tip #1: Bring a change of clothes if you think you’re going to spend the night out. 
If you don’t plan these things (most of us don’t), ask the guy if you can borrow a pair of sweats. At the very least, wash the smeared makeup off your face and tame the wild post-hook-up hair.

walk of shame hooking up sex

Things get real awkward when we run into our professors, ex-boyfriends, siblings, former hook-ups or innocent church-goers on our infamous walks home.

“Walking to my car from my hook-up's room, I ran into my professor walking his dog on campus the day after Halloween. I was still in a miniskirt... it was snowing. He said, ‘you're a little bit underdressed.’” - Michelle, Central Michigan University

“I was coming back from my boyfriend's apartment at 7:45 one morning so I could shower and change before class. I looked like a complete mess (unbrushed hair, smudged makeup, heels, the whole nine yards), so I hoped I wouldn't see anyone I knew on the way back. I swiped into my building and took the elevator up to my floor, thankful I hadn't seen anyone I knew, when the elevator doors opened and a former hook-up walked in! We had ended on very, very bad terms - he lied to me, I lost my virginity to him, he stopped talking to me entirely, and I had a false alarm pregnancy scare... and did I mention he lives across the hall from me? - and he definitely knew why I was coming back to the dorm so early. Talk about awkward!” - Lauren, Arizona State University

“I was visiting my friends at a nearby college when my best friend informed me the guy I had a huge crush on (who went to my college) was also visiting his friends at the other college. While we were out partying, we decided to go to the house he was staying at, but unfortunately he was still at the bar. The guys veered me in the direction of another guy and before I knew it I was in bed with the new guy. The next morning, I woke up and walked downstairs to find the guy I was supposed to hook up with sitting on the couch eating cereal. We both knew each other existed but had never been formally introduced before. I said, ‘nice jersey’ and quickly walked out of the house followed by the guy who I had hooked up with the night before. Luckily he drove me back to my friend’s apartment. I’m still mad at myself for missing out on hooking up with my crush.” - Christina, Western Michigan University

walk of shame college hooking up

“The summer after freshman year, I developed a crush on a really close guy friend. I told him how I felt, but apparently I was too late... he said he had previously had feelings for me, but was currently dating my friend's horrible roommate who absolutely hated me. Needless to say, it got messy (I'm not sure who lets me have a cell phone when I drink... but that's another story). After all that drama, I ran into another guy at a party that I had seen out before and thought was adorable. We started talking, hung out all night, and I ended up going home with him. I woke up super early so that I could walk back to my apartment without having to endure any awkward encounters with people on their way to class, but man I wish I would have waited. I walked out the door (in my dress and heels, tights in hand, and morning-after makeup and hair) and came face-to-face with my freshman year crush. I mumbled "Hey," and ran by, but man, was that awkward! I was not expecting to see anyone, let alone him. He didn't even live in that apartment complex! Needless to say, after that we really never talked again. He was really conservative, and since it was pretty obvious where I was coming from, that turned him off completely. Whoops! I still laugh about it every time I think about it.” - Kaille, Purdue University

“Nothing like walking out of the guy's room you hooked up with last night, just to see a guy you used to hook up with sitting on the couch staring you down. It’s a small world after all.” - Rachel, University of Michigan

Humiliation Saving Tip #2: If you have any idea that you might run into a certain someone you’d rather not see post-booty, take an alternative route home.
If you do happen to run into them, smile and act casual. Do not, under any circumstances, show that you are embarrassed or ashamed.

It’s easy for our dirty little secrets and nightly escapades to be broadcast to the entire campus.

walk of shame morning after hooking up college

“So last Wednesday (no judgment) my friends and I went to this pretty exclusive club, and we all got a little wild and I ended up going home with this really cute Colombian guy from my school. Things get hot and heavy and clothes came off and I ended up staying the night. The next morning I go to look for my dress and bra and I can only find my tights, fur coat, and high heels. The guy and I searched for almost 20 minutes and couldn't find either- and I had my first business class that I couldn't miss. So I was forced to walk of shame in tights, fur coat and high heels, (fake eyelashes still on) all the way back to my building. It was humiliating, but not as humiliating as it was when he announced across our English classroom a couple mornings later that he found my dress in the drawer he keeps his condoms in. Needless to say- I must have made quite the first impression in class.” - Mackenzie, Suffolk University

“My sophomore year I was hooking up with this guy who went to Boston College. I went back to his place with him one Thursday night but I had class early Friday morning.  It was my first time sleeping at his place and I had no idea where I was in relation to anything.  I left at 7am and in a haze he gave me directions to a busier street to find a cab, but I'm completely directionally challenged and was barely listening to him.  By the time I got outside, I realized I was wearing my barely there mini skirt, and 5 inch heels from last night.  On top of all that, I was also wearing one of his t-shirts that just hit my knees. I kept trying to tie his t-shirt up so it didn't look as long, but I think that only made matters worse. I looked like a hot mess, but I figured it was 7:30 in the morning and that, in a college town, there was NO way I was going to run into anyone on a Friday morning.  Well, I was wrong.  Not only did the Boston College girls’ lacrosse team run by me during their practice (pointing and laughing) but I was apparently also the morning entertainment for EVERY truck in the city.  Seeing as I have no sense of direction, I ended up at a nearby hospital where, for some reason, there were at least 30 people… of course all staring.  I was on the phone sobbing to my best friend while I desperately looked for a cab.  When I finally found a cab, the driver couldn't help but laugh at me and lecture me on pre-marital sex.  To say I was mortified would be an understatement.  BUT of course, that wasn't the end.  When I rushed out of the cab in front of my apartment (praying that I wouldn't see anyone), a girl in my sorority was walking out and pointed out to me that I wasn't wearing any underwear.  I ended up skipping class and sleeping off the embarrassment.  Who knew so much could happen before 10 am?” - Nicole, Boston University

“I spent the night at a frat and woke up the next morning to start my walk home. I thought I looked funny wearing my party clothes from the night before, but then I got on the bus and came face-to-face with one of my guy friends. He had purple and green marker all over his face. I instantly started cracking up and soon realized he had no clue what could be so funny. Come to find out, he had no idea there was anything on his face. His frat brothers had drawn all over his face after he fell asleep. The bus driver admitted that she noticed the colorful designs on his face but didn’t have the nerve to tell him. It was hilarious but I did feel a little bad for him!” - Christina, Loyola University Chicago

Humiliation Saving Tip #3: Keep your stories hush, hush and avoid highly populated locales such as buses, trains, and the center of campus.

 

Walks of Shame happen to the best of us so hold your heads up high and strut your stuff home. Who cares if you get a few funny stares or disapproving glares? It’s all part of the college fun (just make sure to be safe). We’d love to hear your best/worst/funniest/most embarrassing morning after or walk of shame stories, so share away!

11 Valentine's Day Cards Hallmark Should Make

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Forget the conventional “Heart U 2” V-day cards. Relationships are never that simple, so it’s about time someone made cards to fit our unique romantic and platonic situations. These cards aren't the most tactful, but they'd certainly get the point across. You can say goodbye to mixed signals once Hallmark makes these 11 brutally honest Valentine's Day cards.

1. For guys who can’t take a hint

“Roses are red, violets are blue, I’m sorry to say I’m not into you.”

2. For guys in the friend zone

“I value you our FRIENDship so much. You are like a brother to me because I care so much about you and I would never kiss you. Happy Valentine’s Day, FRIEND!”

3. For your friend with benefits

“Let’s not make it weird. Today is like any other day of the year. P.S. You’re sexy!”

4. For a boyfriend

"I like you, but I don’t love you… yet. Unless you love me. In that case, I’d have to think about it. I’m glad we agreed on no gifts so early in the relationship, though... crap, you bought me a gift?!"

5. For your long-term boyfriend

“For Valentine’s Day, I would like a ________________. Please help me out and just tell me what you want. I’m running out of ideas! Thanks babe, love ya!”

6. For a complicated relationship

“Happy Valentine’s Day, or sad Valentine’s Day, depending on how we're doing. I love/hate you!”

7. For the guy friend you want to date

"Have a happy Valentine’s Day and make a move on me already—or just the first thing I said, if the second thing weirded you out. Can we still be friends (or more)?"

8. For your ex

"Remember when you planned that super romantic date for me last year? I don't either. Have a mediocre every day."

9. For your best girl friends who are taken

“</3 Your boyfriend is alright... as long as he realizes you’re actually mine.”

10. For your best girl friends who are single

“Can we be crazy cat ladies together? <3, your purrrfect match”

11. For your single self

"Happy Singles Awareness Day, you strong, independent woman! Take the money you aren't spending on a significant other and buy yourself something chocolatey or sparkly. You're welcome."


Purdue Shooting Suspect Due In Court Today

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A gunman who shot and killed a teaching assistant at Purdue University will face court time today following the latest in a series of school shootings.

Cody Cousins, 23, shot Andrew Boldt, 21, in an incident that that Purdue University police chief described as an isolated attack with one target in mind. Cousins left the university’s electrical engineering building immediately after the shooting and was arrested by an officer.

The shooter was a student at the university, though no relationship has been established between Cousins and his victim.

Classes were suspended at the university on Wednesday and counseling was being offered to students traumatized by the attack.

Cousins faces a preliminary murder charge leading into his Thursday hearing.

The Best Makeup Looks from the 2014 SAG Awards

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As award season continues, we get to see more and more beauty looks from our favorite celebrities. On the SAG Awards Red Carpet we spotted some amazing makeup looks. If you missed it, we have a list of a few of our favorites!

1. Jennifer Lawrence

Everyone's favorite star kept her makeup pretty simple. J-Law paired her cute pixie cut with a bold smokey eye and pink-toned nude lip. Her look was fresh and effortless paired with her bold drop earrings and sparkly dress.

2. Amy Adams

This American Hustle beauty has been looking incredible on every Red Carpet and the SAG Awards were not an exception. It seems as though she was inspired by her recent role, rocking a retro do'. She paired her classic hairstyle with a simple eye look and bold coral lip. 

3. Isla Fisher

The actress went for the bombshell look with big waves and a deep side part. Her bold lashes paired with a deep berry lip made for a sexy look that we're obsessed with. Her beautiful drop earrings finished off the look, making her look even more glamorous. 

4. Sophie McShera

The Downton Abbey star went for a fun and flirty look. Her deep side part and long bob looked amazing. She had flawless skin with full brows and kept her eyes simple with neutral, brown shadows. The best part of her look was her coral lips that added a bright pop of color.

5. Kerry Washington

The beauiful (and pregnant!) Scandal star looked incredible. She played up the eyes with shimmery shadow and thick, bold lashes. Her peach toned blush complimented her skin tone and perfectly defined her cheekbones. Her look was completed with pink lips that complimented her dress perfectly.

Students Get the Couture Treatment from Dior

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Ever dreamed of attending a fashion show, collegiettes? How about a fashion show organized especially for you?

For this year’s Dior Couture Spring 2014 Fashion Show, creative director Raf Simons invited some special guests—the best fashion students from around the world, as well as employees from its own ateliers, to watch an exclusive show. Students from sixteen schools were invited to participate, including the Royal College of Arts in London, Bunka Fashion College in Tokyo and Parsons School of Design in New York.

The real treat was when Dior allowed the guests an exclusive preview of the collection, where no one else had access. Though several of the students had attended fashion shows in the past, many had never attended a haute couture show, and no one could claim getting such an elite sneak peak at the collection!

“It’s wonderful to connect with students and the atelier people, who don’t normally get to see the show,” Simons said. “I think as a student you shouldn’t think about the system, but just what you really, really believe in, and in the beginning reach out to other people who believe in it, rather than those who are in control.”

We can’t wait to drool over the Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring 2014 collection ourselves! 

7 Things Sorority Girls Won’t Tell You About Being in a Sorority

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During the weeklong process of sorority recruitment, a Potential New Member (PNM) can talk to around five sisters per house. Conversation topics range anywhere from clichéd banter, such as social events or summer plans, to interesting chatter, like a cool vacation you took or unique hobbies. But regardless of where the discussion goes, there are some things a sorority girl will just never spill to a PNM.

On the outside looking in, the customs of Greek life may seem transparent: socials every week, frat tanks for days and throwing up your sorority’s sign whenever possible. However, there are many aspects you’d only get to know once you join. Check out some of the things sorority girls will never tell you about being in a sorority!

1. Being in a Sorority is a Huge Time Commitment

You probably realize you’ll need to participate in events to be an active member, but most sisters won’t reveal just how much time you’ll actually be devoting to the chapter. Most chapters require sisters to acquire a certain amount of points to maintain status as an active member. These points can come from attending socials and mixers, participating in philanthropic activities, going to assigned tailgates for football games or anything that a chapter sees fit. This can add up to hours and hours of activities per week!

“There are weekly chapter meetings, which are mandatory and are two hours on Sunday nights. New Member meetings were Sundays for usually an hour. We attended those for eight weeks until initiation,” says Melanie Foligno, a freshman at Florida State University and a Phi Mu sister. “During social season we had about one [social] a week, but those weren't mandatory. Anything that is a good representation of the chapter is required, like participating in other chapters' philanthropies or attending intermural games.”

Melanie says that participating in these events is deemed very important. “There is an unspoken obligation and expectation to be involved,” she says. “A lot of the girls didn't realize how much goes into it, but my chapter makes it very easy for you to be as involved or not as you want to be.”

2. The House Might Have Problems

An awesome perk of being in a sorority is always having a place to call home. Whether you live in the house or not, that’s typically the place where meals are served and sisters come to hang out, study, relax and gossip. But these enormous homes are not always as fairy-tale-like as they may seem.

Ashley*, a Cornell sorority alumna, reveals, “Our house had extremely loud pipes when the heat was on. Girls would ask about it, and we would have to make up lies during rush. Also you’d never tell a rushee something like we have to pay for laundry or that we don’t have snacks out constantly like other houses.”

While these white lies might seem unfair, a sister would never want you to base your views of a chapter and its members on the house!

3.You Won’t Always Be So Involved

The new member period of joining a sorority is also referred to as the honeymoon period. Everyone you meet is wonderful, every event is the most fun you’ve ever had, you bond with your new sisters during meals and everything about your chapter just couldn’t be more perfect. Not to say any of this isn’t true, but this obsession probably won’t last forever. Between freshman and senior year, you’ll likely tend to start going to fewer and fewer events every semester.

“The majority of the girls aren’t very involved and just go to eat food,” says Emma Sullivan, a junior and sister of Alpha Chi Omega at Florida State University. “People stop going as often when they get older because they live off campus, so it takes more time and effort. Girls stay active members but won’t participate in socials or date functions because they don’t have the participation points to attend.”

4.There Are Strict Rules (and Fines That Come With Them)

There’s a lot more to sorority life than just mixers and retreats. Most sororities are governed by the National Panhellenic Conference, which has strict guidelines all members have to follow. Sororities get fined for every Panhellenic rule that is broken, such as sisters contacting PNMs during the week of recruitment.

For example, Ashley dishes, “You would never tell a rushee that everyone will be fined if the lists of girls who were are inviting back for the next round for rush are late to Panhel.”

The rules are there to give sorority life some structure, even if they seem unnecessary. However, this may leave PNMs with a bitter taste in their mouths about the National Panhellenic Conference, so sisters tend to avoid the subject at all costs.

5.You Won’t Be Best Friends With Everyone in Your Chapter

Although it seems like it on Facebook, not all girls in the chapter are soul mates. Unless you have an incredibly small pledge class and chapter, there’s a good chance you won’t be best friends with everyone.

“Out of 200 girls, only about 10 are your true friends for life,” Emma says.

Throughout your time, you’ll hopefully find a tight-knit group of girls whom you’ll become close with. As for the other girls, they’re great lunchtime companions and study partners, but you probably won’t be asking them to be your bridesmaids.

“I’m close friends with about six girls in my chapter; the rest are just acquaintances,” says Amanda Rogers, a freshman at Michigan State University and sister of Alpha Xi Delta. “There are 150 girls in total, and it’s impossible to know everyone personally.”

6. Girls Drop All the Time

While some girls are obsessed with their sororities from day one, others don’t always feel that draw. Throughout the four years, girls tend to drop out, whether it’s because of money issues, loss of interest or personal reasons. Regardless, your pledge class is bound to get smaller each year.

 “Girls drop because it can get too expensive, their school work gets too difficult or they just feel like they haven’t made any great friends,” Emma says.

Amanda also says that the expenses of joining a sorority play a huge role in girls’ decisions to drop. “[Dropping] is rare in most sororities here because most girls who join know what they’re getting into,” she says. “If they do it’s because of the money or it just isn’t their thing.”

7.The Food Isn’t Always Great

Unless you go toone of these schools, your college’s dining hall food probably isn’t top notch. A perk of sorority life is having a chef cook for you and your sisters, which means that the food can be more tailored to your tastes. However, the food can tend to get cyclical since it can be challenging to feed such a sizable group of girls. 

“The food is cooked in mass quantities and has lots of butter,” Emma says. “We eat a lot of pasta and chicken and vegetables. I got sick of the food at the end of the semester after eating everything at least five times.”

 

Although these are some things sorority girls wouldn’t spill, there are so many more aspects that can make your sorority a great community within your school. Sometimes the secrets of a sorority can even be the best part. Whether the secrets are exciting, funny, interesting or discouraging, they all help to make each chapter unique.

*Names have been changed.

The 10 Most Memorable Awards Show Moments

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1. Kanye’s Infamous Interrupt2009 MTV Video Music Awards

It's our fifth favorite season of the year... awards show season! In the spirit of the season, we're naming the top 10 most memorable moments in awards show history. From Britney's comeback fail to Jodie Foster's coming-out speech, we have it all! 

1. Kanye's Infamous Interruption
2009 MTV Video Music Awards

It was the interruption heard ‘round the world: “Yo, Taylor, I’m really happy for you; imma let you finish, but…”

We already know that Beyoncé runs the world, but Kanye wanted to make sure we didn’t forget it. He hopped up on stage and stole Taylor’s spotlight after her win for Best Music Video to remind the world that it was Beyoncé who had “one of the best videos of all time.” People everywhere watched what looked like a baby bunny getting its heart torn out and stomped on as Kanye interrupted Taylor’s acceptance speech. Jesus, Yeezus.

2. Britney’s Comeback Fail
2007 MTV Video Music Awards

We were all rooting for Britney’s comeback, but watching her performance of “Gimme More” at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards was almost painful, and trust us, we didn’t want to see any more. We couldn’t tell if she forgot to hit the wardrobe room before she got onstage, or if that was really supposed to be her outfit. Either way, definitely not Brit’s best moment.

3. Jennifer Lawrence’s Fall
2013 Academy Awards

This girl even makes falling on live TV look good. As if we didn’t already love her enough, JLaw’s spill of pure excitement after winning Best Actress for her performance in Silver Linings Playbook made us love her even more. What’s even better is that she started her acceptance speech with, “You guys are just standing up because you feel bad that I fell, and that's really embarrassing, but thank you.” This only made her more relatable and more adorable.

4. Miley Cyrus’s Stripper Pole Show
2009 Teen Choice Awards

It may not be a shocker seeing Miley on a stripper pole today, but in 2009 it was a Hannah Montana train wreck gone wrong. Millions of little girls watched their idol slide up and down a stripper pole in leather boots and booty shorts. If only we could go back in time and say, “You think this is bad? Wait until 2013.”

5. Jennifer Hudson Steps Back Into the Spotlight
2009 Grammy Awards

In perhaps one of the most touching moments from an awards show, Jennifer Hudson made her debut back in the spotlight after her mother, brother and nephew were murdered in the fall of 2008.  Jennifer did a powerful, flawless performance of “You Pulled Me Through” on stage in her first appearance since the horrifying incident. The singer, whose performance was also serenaded by a choir, broke down in tears as she finished the song. This moving moment made awards show history.

6. Jacqueline Bisset Makes the Worst Speech Ever
2014 Golden Globe Awards

Although she was nominated as a “most promising newcomer” in 1969 and had five career nominations, Jacqueline Bisset never managed to snag an actual win until this year. The British actress finally won an award for Best Supporting Actress for her drama Dancing on the Edge at the 2014 Golden Globes, and a mess of an acceptance speech ensued. Her speech was compiled of bizarre rambled sentences and a few swear words thrown in here and there. The 69-year-old claimed that it wasn’t the open bar or even drugs that got to her, but it was just her nerves that had her "on a magic carpet" as she "floated down the aisle." She also claimed that she couldn’t remember anything she said during her speech. Those must’ve been some pretty intense “nerves”…

7. Jodi Foster's Coming-Out Speech
2013 Golden Globe Awards

While accepting her Cecil B. Demille award at the 2013 Golden Globes, Jodi Foster ended years of media speculation when she came out of the closet as a lesbian. At 50, it was heartwarming how coy Foster was about the whole affair. She started her speech by saying, "While I’m here being all confessional... I just have the sudden urge to say something I’ve never really been able to air in public. A declaration that I’m a little nervous about.” The actress was so well-mannered about addressing her personal life that it reminded us why she is so highly respected in Hollywood.

8. Angelina Jolie's Brotherly Love
2000 Academy Awards

Angelina has always been a little on the crazy side, but her super candid and weird act of love with her brother at the 2000 Academy Awards left us feeling like she may occasionally dip her toes in the incest pool. When her big win for her role in Girl, Interrupted was announced, Angie accepted her award on stage and gushed about how in love she was with her brother, James Haven. We should probably mention that she made out with him on the red carpet before the awards show. Alright, Angie; that’s not edgy, that’s just weird.

9. Miguel’s Crotch-in-the-Face Performance 
2013 Billboard Music Awards

Miguel tried to make an epic performance that would go down in history at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards, and he did, but not in the way he was hoping. Apparently his aerobic skills aren’t as boundless as his singing skills. In his performance, he jumped in the air, giving us a set of ill-formed splits as he soared over the crowd and landed crotch-first on the face of a young female fan. Miguel surely gave a “balls to the wall” performance.

10. Melissa Etheridge Shows off Her Fight Against Cancer
2005 Grammy Awards

After being diagnosed with breast cancer and beginning her treatments, Melissa Etheridge made her first appearance with her new bald head at the 2005 Grammy Awards. The singer had a powerful and moving performance with Joss Stone, singing Janis Joplin’s “Piece of My Heart.” There wasn’t a dry eye in the nation watching this moment as Melissa showcased her battle for everyone to see. 

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