This year's Super Bowl will feature the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos, and we can't wait to watch these two teams face off while enjoying yummy treats and hanging out with our friends. This year, however, it's not just collegiettes who are eagerly anticipating Super Bowl Sunday (and Bruno Mars's halftime show!). Check out these furry friends who may just be more excited than we are for February 2! 

1. Blue 42! These Seahawk fans are adorable and ready to jump in on the Seattle offensive line.

2. Callie the Collie has been waiting to watch the Broncos win the NFL championship title since she was born (and she looks pretty darn cute in her Denver jersey). 

3. This lil’ guy is ALL IN for Seattle. Can we get a Woof WOOF?

4. Looks like someone’s hit a halftime coma. Better wake up before Bruno comes out to perform...

5. Seahawk fans take football super seriously. Don't interrupt this Seattle fanatic while he's watching the big game!

6. Even the cold can’t keep this Denver fan from cheering on the Broncos (also, where can we find human versions of these?)!

7. Shake your tail if you’re ready to see the Seahawks win!

8. Sporting his team’s colors in the most fashionable manner possible, this Broncos fan can’t wait for the big day!

9. Some of us just weren't cut out for the sports life... and all we want are some nachos and a nap. 

My summer boyfriend and I broke up in August because we decided not to do long distance, and it took us a while to start talking again. Mid-semester, I started getting messages from him about random things, like the fact he was going to Jerry Springer and comments on how he missed me. We would talk, but I didn't really seek it out. 

But come Thanksgiving break, he asked to see me again and ended up taking me out to dinner and refusing to let me pay, and during winter break he did the same thing. He has too good of manners to just ask to hook up, but we did hook up after the most recent date. He also asked to see me again later in the week. I'm not sure if I want a relationship, but I can't tell if this is him wanting to hook up again or if he is looking to casually date or if he just wants a way to pass time at home. – Confused and Conflicted at Conn Coll

Confused,

It sounds to me like he wants to start dating again, but he isn’t sure how to deal with the distance. I think it’s safe to say that he misses being with you.

Breaking up can obviously put a strain on a platonic relationship. You go from dating someone to barely talking, and things get weird. “Do I talk to him?” you might ask yourself. Meanwhile, he’s wondering how he’s going to move on. Someone eventually gets the desire to check up on an ex, either through Facebook stalking or actual conversation. This can happen for a multitude of reasons: sometimes we’re genuinely interested in how our ex is doing, sometimes we want to see if she’s moved on (or moved up to something better) and sometimes we just miss that level of contact.

Whatever the reason may be, having post-breakup conversations can be either very limiting (especially if they takes the form of an argument) or extremely eye-opening. After taking some time to take care of yourself and find out what you’re really looking for (if anything), it can be cathartic to talk things out with an ex.

Why? It gives you a chance to find out what exactly went wrong. In your case, it was distance. The two of you decided not to do distance, and that’s fine––but what happens when one of you realizes that distance doesn’t matter? What happens when one of you decides to power through the distance because you actually want to be with the other person?

This is what I think is going on with your ex. I think he’s coming to terms with the fact that, even with the distance, he still likes you and wants to continue your relationship. To me, I think he’s feeling things out to see if he’s going to get shot down. I can’t say I blame him; no guy wants to hit that wall of rejection.

You said it yourself: he’s too nice of a guy to flat out ask for a hook-up, so I believe he’s testing the waters by watching your reactions. The thing is, by hooking up with him you’re kind of leading him on…especially if you’re still not sure if you want a relationship.

Where do you go from here? Talk to him. Not on Facebook, and not over text. Next time you see him in person, I think you need to sit him down and find out what the next steps should be––but I think you should do that only if you take some time to figure out what you want for yourself. I’m not saying that what he wants isn’t important, but you can’t jump back into a relationship just because he misses you. That’s not fair to him, and it isn’t fair to you.

Before studying abroad, most collegiettes spend a lot of time getting ready for the trip and expect to experience culture shock when they get to a new country, but not many people prepare for reverse culture shock when they get back home. After you’ve spent time in a different country and gotten used to a different culture, readjusting to life back home can sometimes be just as hard as it was adjusting to life abroad in the first place. We have some tips that will make it easier!

Get Your Sleep Schedule Back on Track

When you get back from another country, your sleep schedule is probably going to be all kinds of messed up. This can cause fatigue and make it hard to get back to normal life. As difficult as it may be, try to wait until a reasonable hour in the evening to go to sleep when you get back. Set an alarm for a reasonable hour to wake up. Creating a normal sleep schedule will help you body get used to the time change. In the daytime, try to get outside in the sunlight whenever possible because sunlight is a natural stimulant that can regulate your biological clock.

Tenisha Carrington, a junior at Kennesaw State University, advises collegiettes to resist the urge to sleep as much as possible. Instead, she says, “Since you were probably feeling homesick, take time to meet up with friends, binge on the foods you missed and tell everyone what an amazing time you had until you can find an appropriate time to fall asleep. Then just try and fall asleep at that same time every day.”

Accept That You Have Changed

You’ve been abroad and experienced a whole new part of the world. You lived differently, and you have probably changed in several ways because of it.

After studying abroad in Leysin, Switzerland, Sarah Dunne, a senior at Florida State University, hated to drive once she came back home. “There was so much public transportation in Europe that when I came back to the States, I realized how much I hated driving and how everything in [my hometown] is so spread out that walking to do your daily errands is basically impossible,” she says.  

Simple things that you never realized were different can change your outlook on life. After studying abroad in London and staying in a dorm the size of a small kitchen, Tenisha’s definition of “essential” changed. “Studying abroad will make you realize that you can live without that one item of clothing or the five beauty products you use in your hair,” she says.

Once returning home, Tenisha learned to embrace simplicity. Instead of attempting to go back completely to the life you used to have, try to incorporate some of the lifestyle changes you made abroad into your life at home.

Keep in Contact with the Friends You Met Abroad

Just because you’re home doesn’t mean you have to forget the culture you left behind! Keep in contact with the friends you met abroad.  “When [the friends I made and I] first came back to the States, we were constantly setting up group meet-ups,” Tenisha says.

Spending time with people who also studied abroad with you will help you to still feel connected to the culture and everything you experienced there. You can reminisce together and look back at all the cliché and wonderful pictures you took together. 

Jan Morian, a study abroad adviser at Kennesaw State University, says that “it's helpful for students to continue to connect with the country they visited, either through some type of volunteer work here in the U.S., or whatever may interest them. I encourage students to also give back at school by speaking to others about study abroad.” Sharing your experience with others is a good way to stay connected to it, and incorporating your study abroad country’s culture into your life can help ease your transition back into American culture.  

Enjoy Time Alone

When you were abroad, you probably spent a lot of time with the other people in your program, so it’s good to come back and have time to yourself. “When you come back after being with so many people, it can be good to have some alone time and reflect on your experiences and how it's changed you,” Sarah says.

Take some time to reacquaint yourself with your school. Go to your favorite spot on campus and spend some time reading or catching up on social media for some quality solo time.

“I had a few days to myself, which help me get back into the swing of things,” Tenisha says.

Get Ready to Focus on School

Although you took classes while abroad, it didn’t compare to a normal semester. Once you get back to your school, you have to take on a full course load, and it may seem like an overload. You aren’t taking classes and jet-setting to new countries anymore; you’re just a normal student. To adjust, try to refocus your attention back to school in order to make the most of your year.

You can also participate in on-campus study abroad events as a way to get back into a campus-minded routine. “A lot of students… volunteer at information sessions [and] the study abroad fair and do classroom recruiting visits,” Morian says. “It often leads them to good networking experiences as a result.”

Go Out With Old Friends

After spending so much time exploring a new place, you may find your home to be a bit boring. “Obviously there is a lot less to do here in Georgia than there was in London, so I was a bit at a loss for what I should do,” Chelsie says.

What better way to readjust to your home life than to go out and live it? Call up your friends whom you haven’t seen since being abroad and go do the activities and eat all the food you missed while you were gone. See a movie, grab lunch, go shopping or hit up your favorite bar. Do anything that makes you feel at home. Tell your friends all about your experiences and hear about what their lives were like while you were gone. Soon it’ll feel like no time passed!

Take it Day by Day

While you were abroad, you changed the way in which you live your life, and you’re not necessarily going to be back to your old routine overnight. It’s going to take some time, so take it day by day. Don’t feel like you need to be reacquainted to your old life immediately. It’s a process that will happen over time, so don’t stress about it too much. You’ll be back in the swing of things soon!

For many of us collegiettes, waking up for those dreaded 8 a.m. classes is a struggle we will not miss when the semester ends.  There are, however, a growing number of collegiettes who take waking up early, hitting the gym, and balancing classes to a whole new level.  They are the nation’s future military leaders: the women in ROTC programs, senior military colleges, and military service academies.  The concept behind these programs is simple: get a fully or partially funded college education and a guaranteed job after graduation in exchange for military service.  

ROTC, which stands for Reserve Officer Training Corps, is an option at more than 1,000 colleges and universities across the country, and supplements a typical college setting with military training and a military curriculum.  Senior military colleges, including Virginia Military Institute and The Citadel, also offer both a rigorous college education and a rigorous military experience.  

Finally, there are four military service academies, including the United States Military Academy, also known as West Point, in West Point, N.Y.  These schools are highly selective, highly prestigious institutions that offer students a free college education (valued at more than $225,000!) in a demanding military environment.

A West Point Woman

Olivia is a first-year cadet at the U.S. Military Academy.  She is not called a freshman or a first-year, but rather a “plebe.”  She starts her days at 0600—6 a.m. to the civilians out there—to get dressed and ready to go in the required uniform of the day.  She makes sure that every part of her uniform is perfect, all the way down to her shined shoes, and heads to mandatory breakfast with the rest of the cadets by 0700.  

Her classes may end at 4 p.m., but Olivia’s day is far from over then.  After class, there are two hours set aside for all of the cadets at West Point to participate in athletic activities.  Each cadet is required to participate in a sport at some level, and Olivia is on the Army rifle team.  Finally, she has dinner in the Hogwarts-esque mess hall that is large enough to seat all 4,000 cadets at once for meals.  After dinner, it is back to the barracks for homework and personal time until lights-out, or “taps,” at 11 p.m.  

There are no frat parties or sorority mixers for Olivia and her fellow cadets. On the weekends, Olivia is required to stay at West Point, unless she applies for a weekend pass and is granted leave time.  As a plebe, however, that time is limited for now, but she will have more opportunities to take these passes as she gets older.   

Olivia has volunteered for a serious commitment beyond the rigid lifestyle she will maintain throughout her four years at the academy.  When she graduates, like every cadet who graduates from West Point, she will be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and she will be required to serve a minimum of five years on active duty and three years in the Army Reserve.  

Olivia says she isn’t sure if she’ll stay in the Army after her requirement is fulfilled because she wants to be able to settle down and have a family, which is obviously difficult for a woman in the military.  “That’s a consideration women have to account for that our male counterparts do not,” she says.

Not surprisingly, those male counterparts at West Point vastly outnumber Olivia and her fellow female cadets.  The West Point Class of 2016 consists of 1,002 cadets, and Olivia is just one of the only 191 women in that class.  

Men and women are considered equals and treated as such throughout the various military college programs—we would expect nothing less from the red, white, and blue!  However, there are different standards for males and females within the physical fitness requirements.  Also, female cadets at West Point take a self-defense class during their first year, while male cadets take wrestling and boxing.  

Olivia assures us that the gender divide isn’t even that noticeable on a daily basis. “There are some different expectations,” she says, “but I think they are of equal rigor and fairness, and I don’t think it’s particularly harder for either gender here.”

By attending West Point, Olivia has made a decision that few of her fellow collegiettes would ever even consider.  “I chose to come to West Point because I had been looking at some of the senior military colleges in the U.S., but thought that if I was to pursue a career in the military, I might as well get the best training possible,” she says. “And I am certainly happy with my choice.”

Campus Cadets

The rigorous military academy lifestyle isn’t for everyone.  But, if a collegiette doesn’t want to go to a military academy, that doesn’t mean she can’t still serve her country… and save some big bucks on a college education!  

In fact, the life of a military woman in college may not be as drastically different from yours as you might think!  Carol and Hadriane are members of Detachment 590 in the U.S. Air Force ROTC program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  They each have the typical schedule of a UNC student, but they add to it with Air Force classes, a leadership workshop, and up to three hours of physical training (PT) each week.

Not even waking up at 5:30 a.m. twice a week for PT can dull the ROTC atmosphere for these two girls.  “Everyone is really motivated,” Hadriane says.  “There’s a good sense of spirit.”

Similarly, Carol appreciates the camaraderie.  “Even though there’s a bunch of people looking to do different things, we’re all here for one cause,” she says.   

That cause represents the backbone of the ROTC program.  Like the cadets and midshipmen at the military service academies and senior military colleges, Carol and Hadriane will serve in the military when they graduate.  

Like Olivia, Carol and Hadriane are a minority among the cadets in their program.  The Air Force ROTC detachment at UNC currently includes 30 male cadets and 16 female cadets, says Capt. Steven Duckers, the Recruiting Flight Commander of Detachment 590.  

But, also like Olivia, Carol and Hadriane are happy with the decision they’ve made and the environment they are in.  “I was thinking I was going to go in being the only girl, but there’s actually a significant amount of us,” Carol says.  “The only difference between us is physical fitness, which is nice.”

Hadriane says the male-dominated atmosphere can even be “refreshing,” especially at a university with a high female-to-male ratio like UNC.

Carol plans to use her military service to help finance her goal of going to med school, while Hadriane thinks the military will offer her great experience to complement her global studies and linguistics majors.

“My dad was in the Army,” Hadriane says, “and it makes sense with my major, too.”

“Job security is always a plus,” she adds with a laugh.

The stories of these remarkable women are certainly a testament to girl power everywhere.  As Olivia says, “A lot of people have the misconception that females are weak, and we are often stereotyped as such next to our big, macho friends, but in the end, we hold our own and prove that we can handle what the Army throws at us.”  You go, girl!

Your Marching Orders

So do you think you’ve got what it takes?  If you’re interested in pursuing a career in the military, or even just getting a little financial help with your college education, one of these programs might be for you!

Each of the military academies and senior military colleges has its own application, but the admissions process is quite rigorous, and these institutions are among the most selective in the country.  The West Point Class of 2016 includes 100 high school valedictorians, and 72 percent of the class ranked in the top fifth of their high school class.  Each of the academies, with the exception of the Coast Guard Academy, requires a nomination from a U.S. congressman for acceptance.  

If the military college setting isn’t for you, you may be interested in an ROTC program.  High school students can apply for the ROTC Scholarship Program between May 1 of their junior year and December 1 of their senior year, according to Capt. Duckers.  

“It’s a pretty competitive program to get a scholarship, but it can be very rewarding considering it could potentially pay all the costs for your entire undergrad years,” he says.

But you don’t have to be a high school student to join ROTC!  College students can sign up for an ROTC class or talk to a recruiter to get involved, and they can still apply for the scholarship once they are in the program.

Raise your hand if you have a Pinterest board (secret or not) devoted to your future wedding. Don’t worry; you’re in good company! If you’re guilty of spending a little too much time dreaming of the big day, then you know that Pinterest is a treasure trove of beyond adorable DIY ideas that can make even the biggest wedding-phobe swoon over white gowns and color schemes. Regardless of your current relationship status, these totally unique finds will have you planning your dream wedding, stat. 

1. String a canopy of lights over your guests to create an intimate, cozy atmosphere. 

2. Start the big day off right with a colorful bridesmaids' brunch.

3. DIY name cards are more fun and personal!

4. Ombré is a modern take on the traditional wedding cake. 

5. Give each guest his or her own photo op with a Polaroid guest book! 

6. Print the program on the outside of a paper bag and then fill it with confetti or glitter for guests to throw at the bride and groom.

7. How adorable is this DIY vintage mailbox?

8. Macarons are possibly the cutest wedding favors ever.

9. Instead of a boring old layer cake, create a cupcake tower masterpiece!

10. Painted Mason jars are an easy yet elegant way to display flowers.

11. “Save the Date” postcards are affordable, unique and easily customizable.

12. With a wedding party Instagram hashtag, your guests can contribute to making the day even more memorable! 

13. Mini Coke bottle wedding favors are a super cute vintage touch.

14. A truck that sells donuts and apple cider. Enough said. 

15. For a truly fairytale-worthy wedding, make an aisle runner out of colorful flower petals.

16. A photo collage gives everyone in the wedding party a chance to showcase their personalities! 

17. For ultimate class, gold-sugar-rimmed champagne glasses are a must.

18. Who says the bride has to wear white?

19. Winter wedding = hot chocolate bar.

20. We love the idea of taking hilarious bridesmaid "mug shots." 

21. To celebrate true love, name each table after a different famous literary couple, like Romeo and Juliet or Gatsby and Daisy! 

If you need a little extra money to get yourself through college, a work-study job is a great way to do so. The Federal Work-Study programhelps students earn some extra cash towards their tuition, textbooks and more through working at their school part time. In a world where unpaid internships have become the norm, it can sometimes feel like your job at the library is holding you back from your career—but it doesn’t have to! We talked to career experts about the best ways make the most of your work-study job.

1. Appreciate the Positives

Even if your work-study job isn’t necessarily your dream job, think about the fact that someone has hired you and is investing money in you. Your work may not be super exciting, but someone is willing to pay you for it, and that’s not something many interns can say. Don’t take for granted the fact that someone is giving you money so you can gain work experience!

Another huge benefit of a work-study job is that it’s usually way easier to fit into your busy schedule than an internship. “Most students who work on campus can fit hours in between classes and do not need to have a large block of time to fit in 10 hours [for an internship] during the week,” says Won Kang, the senior associate director for career development at Barnard College. “It can be more difficult with internships depending on where the internships are located.”

Since your work-study job is most likely on or near campus, it will be way easier for you to schedule shifts between classes, and you don’t have to worry about the time and money that you would lose commuting to an internship.

2. Develop Your Skills

If you think your responsibilities at your work-study job are meaningless and won’t get you anywhere, think again. Reyna Gobel, a student loan and career expert and author of CliffsNotes Graduation Debt: How to Manage Student Loans and Live Your Life, says that students with work-study jobs benefit because employers “want to give them tasks that are worth paying them to complete.” People aren’t just handing you money for doing a useless job—whatever you’re doing is worth the money you earn. Your experiences there are valuable!

Kang says “the main objective should be to get the most out of the opportunity that you have been given. Once assigned tasks are completed, make sure to request more work and figure out how best to serve the department.” Take advantage of this chance to learn about the workplace and prove yourself as a valuable employee, no matter what job you have. Through your work-study job, you can learn important workplace skills, such as organization and people skills, that will help you in the real world.

3. Make it Work for Future Job Applications

Even if your work-study job is totally irrelevant to what you really want to do after graduation, you can always make it workwhen you apply for the job of your dreams. There’s always a way to make your previous experiences applicable to the job you want.

“Always base resumes on the individual job you’re applying for,” Gobel says. “Look at the job description and then see which skills match what’s needed.” Maybe you worked out a new filing system while working in your school’s admissions office. That kind of innovation and organization will be desirable to tons of employers!

Kang says, “It is important to highlight the skills developed at your work with detailed information with statistics and accomplishments.” You should be customizing your resumefor different jobs anyway, so take a look at your work-study experience from different perspectives to figure out how what you did can apply to different jobs. Don’t be afraid to show off your accomplishments from your work-study job; just find the best way to make them relevant to what you’re applying for.

4. Make it Relevant

Your work-study job can be just as applicable to your desired career as an internship. “Traditionally, [a] work-study is tied to specific coursework or major requirements,” Gobel says. This gives you a huge advantage over having an unpaid internship, because while unpaid interns may be working their way along their career path, they aren’t getting paid for it.

If you have a work-study job all throughout college that’s relevant to your major, you can work your way to a job you might really want after graduation. You may not have a ton of options when it comes to where you work, but talk to your career center about how to get a work-study job most suited to your future career goals.

If you can’t get a completely relevant work-study job, don’t be discouraged. Any job is another great addition to your resume; it will demonstrate your work ethic and skills and help fill in gaps between other jobs and internships. Whatever kind of job you have, highlight all of your most relevant duties in your resume so potential employers can see that you’ve been working towards a job in that field.

5. Don’t Waste Your Time

Unfortunately, some work-study jobs just require that you sit behind a desk for hours at a time. However, that doesn’t mean that the time you spend at work should be completely wasted!

Emily, a senior at Barnard College, had a work-study job at her school’s library help desk. “Most of my job involved sitting behind a desk waiting to answer questions or give directions, so I would bring my books along,” she says.

Bringing your homework will help you boost your productivity and make your time at work pass by faster. Just be sure you don’t completely ignore your job; check with your boss to see if there’s anything you can help with before settling into a nice, long study session!

6. Make Connections

A work-study job doesn’t just boost your resume; it expands your network, too.

“Getting a job after college is about both connections and experience,” Gobel says. Who you know can be just as important as your skills and knowledge when it comes to a job hunt. You’ll be able to ask your manager for a reference, and you never know who your coworkers will know or what they may do with their own careers one day.

So how do you make strong connections at your work-study job? Gobel says to really get to know the people you work with. Everyone from your boss to other students can be great career connections to have in the future. Be sure to connect with all your coworkers on LinkedIn so you can stay in touch. Make close connections now and you’ll have them long into the future!

7. Snag a Job Post-Graduation

If you’re graduating soon and starting to panic about your post-grad plans, talk to your boss at your work-study job.

“Always ask about open positions a couple of months before graduation,” Gobel says.

If your work-study job is at a nonprofit or even on campus, there may be room for you to move up after graduation. You have experience doing whatever your work-study job is, so you’re more qualified to continue working for the organization. Even if it isn’t the job you’ve always dreamed of, staying on after you graduate will show future employers that you’re dedicated to your work, and it will give you a little more time to figure things out.

No matter what you’re doing, your work-study job can be a valuable experience to boost your career in the right direction. Take advantage of it, collegiettes! If you’ve had a work-study job, tell us how you made the most of it in the comments!

Disney princesses have always captured the hearts of young girls but you have to admit - there’s something pretty awesome about the villains too.

Japanese designer Ruby Spark saw a vision in the mysteriousness of these characters and has created a line of beautifully crafted perfume bottles– shaped exactly like our favorite Disney villains!

Spark designed bottles from 19 different Disney movies. The bottles portray villains from over 80 years of Disney movies, from Snow White’s Evil Queen to Mother Gotheil from Tangled.

Unfortunately, these bottles are just designs – but we sure hope that they are produced sometime soon!

Why‘Bring it On’ is the best movie ever. [BuzzFeed]

It’s worth banishingmen once in a while. [The Cut]

The best TV shows for fashioninspiration. [Thought Catalog]

Timeflies’ new video! [YouTube]

5 ways to guarantee relationship success. [YourTango]

Your guide to a better night’s sleep. [Life by DailyBurn]

Makeup tutorial for when you come face-to-face with your ex. [YouTube]

The best breakup songs. [Tres Sugar]

Arizona State expels fraternity for racist MLK Day party. [Jezebel]

Ranking the states of the union. [Politico]

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. 

It can be easy to find yourself in a lunch rut, making the same turkey sandwich or buying the same salad every day when you're on the go in between classes. It can also be easy to inadvertently overeat at lunchtime if you find yourself at a quick-serve restaurant where all the sandwiches have at least 700 calories. But lunch doesn't have to be that way! Try out some of these options for healthy alternatives on your favorite lunch classics. They all have fewer than 300 calories, and better yet, they all only have four ingredients or fewer, so you can whip them up quickly without much fuss. 

1. Portobello Mushroom Pizza

Calories: ~130

This is quite possibly the greatest creation ever to hit the Internet: a crustless pizza that still tastes like pizza. Granted, it’s nowhere near as good as the real deal, but for using a mushroom as the crust (that's right), it is pretty amazing. Next time you’re craving the ‘za, whip up this version that is lower in calories and higher in nutrients. You could have two to three for a reasonably sized lunch, or enjoy one to two with a salad or something else on the side.

Ingredients

• 1 big portobello mushroom cap
• ¼ cup shredded low-fat cheese
• ¼ cup pizza sauce

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Remove stem of mushroom.
3. Place mushroom on baking sheet; bake for five minutes.
4. Remove from oven and fill cup of cap with sauce and cheese.
5. Bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until cheese is melted.
6. Dig in!

2. Berry Smoothie

Calories: ~250

Smoothies are a quick, refreshing lunch that are hard to get bored of since there are endless possibilities for flavor combinations. Experiment with your favorite yogurt flavors and fruit and see what you like best!

Ingredients

• 1 6-oz container plain Greek yogurt
• 1 cup frozen mixed berries
• ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds

Directions

1. Blend all ingredients except chia seeds.
2. Once smooth, pour into glass and stir in chia seeds.
3. Let sit in fridge for at least 20-30 minutes so chia seeds start to absorb liquid.
4. Enjoy!

3. Lentil, Butternut Squash and Kale Sauté

Calories: ~250

This light dish will fill you up thanks to the protein in the lentils, and it’ll warm you up too, so it’s a perfect lunch for an especially cold day. 

Ingredients

• ½ cup ready-to eat-steamed lentils (can buy at Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s) 
• 1 cup cooked butternut squash cubes (can buy frozen or fresh; cook according to package directions)
• 1 cup kale 
• ½ tablespoon olive oil

Directions

1. Prepare lentils according to package directions.
2. Sautee kale and cooked butternut squash cubes in olive oil for five minutes (can add some minced garlic and lemon juice if desired).
3. Mix together ingredients in bowl and chow down!

4. Light Tuna Salad

Calories: ~170

By using Greek yogurt instead of mayo, you get rid of a lot of the calories and fat and add in protein to your tuna salad without losing any creaminess. Make a big batch and store it in the fridge so you have it as an option throughout the week.  

Ingredients

• 1 can tuna
• ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
• Chopped celery and green onion (as much as you want!)
• 1 tablespoon mustard

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients in bowl.
2. Add to a salad, a sandwich, on top of crackers or eat plain!

5. Fried Egg and Veggies

Calories: ~245

Want breakfast for lunch? Make this bowl of yolky, veggie goodness for a simple but tasty meal.

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 1 cup kale
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• ½ avocado

Directions

1. Sauté kale in a little bit of olive oil for five minutes.
2. Fry egg.
3. While kale and egg are cooking, chop up tomatoes and avocado.
4. Mix all ingredients in bowl.
5. Cut egg so yolk drips over all ingredients like a dressing.

6. Spaghetti Squash

Calories: ~210

Just like the mushroom pizza, this dish finds a way to make a healthier version of what’s usually considered to be a less healthy option. The squash strands function as spaghetti, making for a "pasta" dish that’s lower in calories and carbs but higher in vitamins. Mix it up by trying different mix-ins and sauces.  

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked spaghetti squash (read how to cook it here)  
• ½ cup garbanzo beans
• 1 cup spinach
• ¼ cup pasta sauce  

Directions

1. Heat up cooked squash strands in microwave for one minute.
2. If desired, sauté spinach in a little bit of olive oil for five minutes.
3. Add garbanzo beans and spinach to strands, top with pasta sauce and microwave for another 30 seconds to one minute.

Want more easy, healthy recipe ideas? Check out these five healthy meals you can make using only a microwave and these 10 snacks with fewer than 300 calories! Now you can finally get out of that lunch rut for good. 

This week, what began as a series of peaceful protests have become violent in Ukraine, leading the country’s president to consider dissolving his government with some caveats. Meanwhile in Texas, the case of Marlise Munoz is almost nearing its end as a Texas judge ordered that the clinically dead patient be taken off life support, even though the hospital had been keeping her alive to preserve a still-developing fetus in her body.

Welcome back to NEWSFLASH, giving you the week’s biggest stories!

Ukraine President Meets With Opposition Leaders After Protests Turn Violent

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych met with opposition leaders Saturday to discuss the possible dissolution of his government following a weak of violent protests and equally destructive crackdowns.

Yanukovych put forth the possibility of dissolving his government if former Foreign Minister Arseni Yatsenyuk accepts a position as prime minister under Yanukovych. The proposal has already been criticized with protestors declaring that they would only be satisfied with Yanukovych’s complete removal from government.

The protests in Kiev and other Ukrainian cities began in November when Yanukovych’s administration shelved a trade deal with the E.U. in favor of closer relations with Russia. However, the rallies remained non-violent until the past week when protestors stormed key buildings in Kiev and government officials issued a crackdown.

Two protestors died after police moved in to dismantle a protest camp on Wednesday. While no more casualties have been reported since then, violent clashes have continued throughout Kiev and other cities around the country.

Texas Woman Taken Off Life Support After Fierce Legal Battle

A legal battle that began in November for Marlise Munoz’s family is now presumably drawing to a close after a Texas judge ordered that the clinically brain-dead and pregnant Munoz be taken off of life support machines.

Munoz, 33, fell to the ground unconscious on November 26 from a blood clot and was later declared clinically dead after two days in a hospital. Doctors in Fort Worth, however, kept her on life support as she was 14 weeks pregnant at the time, citing a Texas law that mandates the use of life-sustaining procedures for a pregnant patient.

The decision infuriated Munoz’s family, who stated that Munoz had told them long before that she wished to be cut from life support if she was ever declared brain-dead. The furor was fueled by proof that the still-developing fetus in Munoz’s body was “no longer viable” given her state.

The hospital now has until 5 p.m. on Monday to cut off Munoz from life support, according to the Texas judge who made the ruling. 

You loved reading the secrets in 7 Things Sorority Girls Won’t Tell You About Being in a Sorority.

You justified being a little anti-social with 25 Reasons It's Okay to Stay In Tonight.

You laughed at 10 Valentine's Day Someecards Single Girls Need to See.

With V-Day around the corner, you were curious about The Truth About Soul Mates.

You got a kick out of knocking boots, hanky panky and The Many Ways to Say Sex.

You’ve spent weeks perfecting the written application for a job at your dream company. Your résumé makes others’ pale in comparison and your cover letter was a perfect mix of professionalism and self-expression. The next thing you know, you are waiting in the lobby on the day of your much-anticipated interview. You feel confident, prepared, and excited to put your best foot forward and show your interviewer why you would be perfect for the job—that is, until the interviewer asks what seems like an innocently easy question: “Why should we hire you?” Your palms start to sweat, your heart rate accelerates, and all that you manage to say is a long line of “errr, ummmmmm, and uhhhhh.”

Donna Goldfeder, the Director of Career Services at Lehigh University, is here to help break down this unnecessarily scary question and help you form the most amazing response your interviewer will ever hear.

Why do employers LOVE this question?

When employers ask this question, they are expecting to get to know the applicant on a deeper level. While an applicant might look great on paper, the way in which they handle answering this daunting question could indicate otherwise. The question seems like it should have an easy, straightforward answer, yet some applicants may not prepare, and this lack of preparation is usually apparent to the interviewer.

Unprepared applicants typically respond with answers like, “Because I love the company,” or “I majored in business.” While these responses might be true, they don’t allow the applicant to show their critical thinking skills or their passion. Taking just ten minutes to think over this question before an interview may be what sets you apart from your competition and allows you to avoid any embarrassment.

This question also helps employers find qualified candidates who are a good match for their company. “Employers can look at hundreds of résumés just to find candidates with the right skills, but in the interview, they’re looking for the right attitude,” Goldfeder explains. “They want to know that the candidate understands what the industry, the company and the job are all about. They want to know if you see the position as a good fit.” Overall, it is a question that employers use to gauge interest, attitude, and future fit within the company.

It presents an opportunity for the applicant to really sell themselves to their interviewer. It might help to think of yourself as a product that you are trying to sell to a very specific customer, the customer being whatever company you are applying for. This question is really asking, “Why should the customer choose you as opposed to another brand or another applicant?”

How to best prepare

Goldfeder suggests a variety of ways to ensure that you won’t be caught off guard. To start, do your research on the specific industry, company, and job. Goldfeder explains, “There is no way a candidate can discuss their interest and fit for a job without knowing the specifics. Hit the corporate website, talk to alums who have a similar job, and hit up your college’s career services office.”

Once you have done your research, Goldfeder suggests reflecting on your own skillset and matching that to what you learned in your research. For example, if the company is all about working together and collaboration, then pick out your own skills surrounding teamwork to bring up during the interview. Goldfeder says, “Tell the company what you bring to the table that will help them solve their problems.” Companies want to hire those individuals who will help make the company the best it can be, so it is important to mention specifically how you will add value to the group.

Some examples of how to effectively express the value you will add to the company are as follows:

“From our conversation, it sounds as if you’re looking for someone who is a leader, works well with others, and is able to meet tight deadlines. With my two years of experience as an intern at (insert company name), I have developed skills that allow me to work well with others while maintaining a drive to get things done and done well. I’m confident my skillset would be a great addition to your team.”

“I am excited for the chance to use my skills to help bring your organization to even greater heights. My passion, drive, and hardworking personality combined with my ability to work well as a team player are sure to mesh well with the culture and demands of (insert company name). My previous experience in the industry as an intern at (insert company name) has allowed me to hone my abilities and I am confident I would become an integral part of the team.”

Goldfeder recommends relating any of your previous experiences to best answer the question. She explains, “Sometimes you have to be the one that points out how, for example, sales relates to fundraising. Even if the company knows, it’s nice to show them that you do as well.” While some answers might seem too obvious, it is always better to say too much than to not say enough.

Formatting and length of your response

Rambling on for 15 minutes about why you are the best fit for a company probably won’t leave a great impression. On the other hand, giving a two-sentence answer might seem like you aren’t as invested in the company as you should be. So how do you find the perfect medium?

Goldfeder explains, “It’s generally accepted that three minutes is about the maximum length any answer to an interview question should be. However, after those first three minutes, your interviewer may ask you to go into more detail. Then all bets are off. If your interviewer is interested… keep talking!” Stick to that three-minute time limit unless you feel like the interviewer wants to hear more. It is all about reading the situation and making the best decision for the moment.

If you are someone who likes more structure, then there is a general format that you can follow. Goldfeder explains, “If the candidate tells the interviewer, ‘My skills match this position’s requirements,’ then the candidate should be ready to talk about her skills, and give examples how and where she has used those skills in the past.”

When giving examples, Goldfeder recommends using the STAR model: Situation, Task, Action and Results. Interviewers want to hear a recent challenge and situation in which you found yourself. They want to know the task you had to achieve, as well as the actions you took to achieve that task. Finally, they want to know the results and final outcome of the process. Using the STAR model helps a candidate to “construct an organized, specific, thoughtful and concise response,” according to Goldfeder.

So you flubbed the question. Now what?

Interviews can be stressful situations and no one’s perfect. While it isn’t ideal to screw up the “why should we hire you” question, mistakes are bound to occur. That doesn’t mean it is the end of the world! If you leave the interview feeling less than thrilled with your answer, there is something you can do about it.

Goldfeder suggests addressing how you felt about your performance in your thank you letter. She recalls, “I knew a student who blew a question. In her thank you, she indicated that she had done some follow-up research and had a new way to answer the question. She was hired showing that you CAN talk about the elephant in the room.” Acknowledging your performance and how you felt about your interview experience shows a certain degree of professionalism and confidence that employers love to see.

To avoid a potentially unpleasant interview situation, all you need to do is spend some time preparing, researching, and reflecting on your own abilities. Preparation will only give you a greater feeling of confidence and help you to avoid the uncomfortable situation that involves freezing up during what should be an easy interview question to answer.

Good luck, collegiettes!

We’ve all had our awkward stages that we’d rather pretend never happened (shout out to those middle school dance pics), and famous people are no different. Check out our favorite celeb transformations that made us thankful for puberty!

1. Matthew Lewis

Well done, Neville; well done. 50 points to Gryffindor!

2. Josh Peck

Sorry Drake, but after Josh grew up (and slimmed down), he successfully stole the title of "Most Attractive Sibling."

3. Zac Efron

Troy Bolton was cute and all, but we fell for Zac Efron again after he ditched the long hair and basketball uniforms and turned totally swoon-worthy.  

4. Taylor Lautner 

Sharkboy made the transition from spiky-haired kid to buff, permanently shirtless werewolf seamlessly.

5. Josh Hutcherson

He may still be short in stature, but with that adorable face and sweet demeanor, we’re Team Peeta all the way.

6. Shia LaBeouf

Let’s all say a big collective “thank you” to puberty for transforming the former Even Stevens star from adolescent geek to rugged heartthrob. 

7. Joseph Gordon-Levitt

We loved precocious, young JGL, but now that he’s all grown up, Joseph is as suave and classy as they come. The man knows how to dress! 

8. Leonardo DiCaprio

Let’s be real; there really wasn’t ever a time when Leo wasn’t gorgeous. But we all enjoyed his evolution from baby-faced teen to leading man. 

9. Justin Timberlake 

The world became a more beautiful place the day JT exchanged his frosted tips and boy-band persona for a “suit and tie,” stubble and seriously sexy dance moves. 

When I left for my freshman year at a state university, bullying was the last thing on my mind. Like many others, I thought bullying was something that happened in K-12. When I thought about bullying, scenarios like Mean Girls and stereotypical middle school drama would come to mind. Besides the passing snide remark from other girls, I’d never had much experience with bullying. I was never the “victim” type.

Until I got to college, that is.

As a college freshman, I was driven, self-confident and an active student. I’m quiet, but I’ve never had problems making friends. I got good grades and joined campus organizations to help me achieve my ultimate goal of becoming an elementary school teacher.

I started school and moved into the dorms with the random roommate I was placed with, Stephanie*. We had talked over the Internet and met at orientation. We were both in the same teacher preparation program that required its students to live in the same dorm freshman year and take specific classes together throughout college. After the first weekend of crazy welcome activities and forced socialization, Stephanie and I became best friends. Throughout the whole school year, we were always together. Everyone knew us as a pair. 


Looking back on that time, there were some warning signs. Stephanie always had to be in control. She loved to be in a position of power. Her personality was big, and she was very outspoken. She struggled in classes, but she would never ask for or accept help from me. She had continuous boy problems, but she said I wouldn’t understand because I was in a serious relationship from high school. On top of all that, she seemed to always walk ahead of people, making sure to strut. Occasionally, she would even get mad or upset when I got my period first that month, because to her it meant she wasn’t the “alpha.”

Since I am quiet and soft-spoken, I kind of enjoyed how different Stephanie’s personality was from mine. As a friend, I always tried to be there for her and offer her support when she needed it. She never accepted it.

Then, towards the end of spring semester, things started to change. Stephanie started acting cold towards me. When I asked her what was wrong, she told me I wouldn’t understand. She said every time she talked to me she felt she was being judged because I did things so differently. She was insecure, and she told me, “You have all your ducks in a row, and I like to move mine around more.” I didn’t understand why that would affect our friendship.

By the end of the semester, she was isolating me—hanging out with our friends without me, saying bad things about me to them and barely talking to me at all. My other friends began isolating me as well. I felt like I had to recruit people so they wouldn’t listen to the badmouthing. As I lost more friendships, I would hear them all together in the next room over while I sat in my room alone. All of “our” friends had become “her” friends. I was upset, but I also knew she could be dramatic. I let her have her time, and I figured she would come back around.

Summer passed, and I still hadn’t heard much from Stephanie. We had planned on living together prior to the spring semester, but now I was moving back into the dorm and she was moving in with one of her friends. We sent maybe five texts back and forth that summer—cordial, “how’s it going” type of greetings. Returning to school that fall, I was nervous. I didn’t know how things were going to be between me and Stephanie and the friends she had claimed as hers.

The first day of classes, I walked into a class everyone in the program had together, smiled and sat down next to them. Immediately they turned their bodies away from me and started talking to each other. That was when I knew they weren’t my friends. I went home and cried, but I had no idea how bad it was going to get. 


Over the next two semesters, the situation just got worse. The change happened so quickly; I couldn’t begin to understand what I had done or what had brought on the hostility. In our classes together, my former friends and I ended up sitting on opposite sides of the room, but I could still feel their eyes on me. I knew them well enough to know they were making fun of me and talking about me behind my back. I became reluctant to talk in class because of the whispers from that side of the room that would follow. I started noticing that other friends and acquaintances from the program had stopped talking to me. Stephanie had completely isolated me from all of my friends. She started showing up to mutual classes wearing my clothes that had gone missing in the dorms, looking pointedly at me when she did. The whispering, the clothes—everything was all a big mind game she was playing in order to be in control.

During that time, I began feeling helpless. The isolation and lack of friendship were affecting my mental health. The girls who were once my best friends were turning on me in the worst way. I gained about 40 pounds during this time from the deepening depression. My once mellow, happy attitude was gone, and now I was crying almost every day about anything and everything. I went to classes, came home and just lay in bed. I felt like I couldn’t do anything about it besides keep going. I thought if I told anyone, they would just shrug it off as silly girl problems. I still didn’t realize I was being bullied. I thought bullying only happens to kids. 


My depression hit its lowest point when I didn’t feel anything anymore. I cried, but I was numb. I didn’t care about anything. At this point, I went on antidepressants. This was also around the start of spring semester of my sophomore year. That semester, things still got worse. But I also found a friend.

Emma* was similar to me. She was smart, motivated and successful. She was also in the program for future teachers, and she only knew a little bit about what was going on. We had a class together, and one day, she came in and said to me, “Stephanie is doing the same thing to me.”

We talked over the next couple of days about Stephanie and how she was using her isolation of us for power. Emma told me about how Stephanie was telling anyone and everyone not to talk to me. She had even made a list on the front door of her apartment of people who were never allowed in. Of course, I was number one. I began feeling support from Emma, and we found refuge and understanding in each other. I was starting to feel better.

Emma agreed that there was nothing we could really do about the situation. We could tell the directors of our program, but even then we didn’t have any hard evidence, and they could still shrug it off as girls being girls. But then, Emma received a text from Stephanie that said, “We saw you talking to the sworn enemy.”

We hit our breaking point. Emma went and told the program directors about what was happening. The next day, I told them my story. They were sympathetic and apologized for what had been happening to us. They promised to talk to Stephanie and take action as needed. I felt like a weight had been lifted off of my shoulders.

What I didn’t realize was that nothing would be done.

The program directors talked to Stephanie, and she played it off as nothing, saying the text was a joke. They believed her. Emma and I were told to just ignore her and move on, and there would be no consequences for her. We were very hurt and mad. We felt as if they were doing exactly what we were afraid of. We had been ignoring her, and it was still happening. We asked for Stephanie to be removed from the program. Nothing happened.

Eventually, Stephanie removed herself from the program, citing a “lack of support.” She didn’t receive the grades to continue on in the education program, but she still attends the university. I see her around occasionally, and it’s always awkward. We haven’t spoken in more than a year, but it still stings a bit when I think about the whole situation.

I have reconnected with some of the girls in my program and tried to mend some of those relationships. Once I started speaking out, some of the girls in the program supported me. In some ways, I’ve become closer with some of the girls. With others, I know it will never be the same. I have learned who is positive in my life and how to shed the negativity.

I have found comfort in the people like Emma whom I surround myself with. I am disappointed in the program for the lack of support and action they took, but ultimately, I found what I needed. I’m still struggling with depression, but I know dealing with it will be a longer process. Finding and trusting friends is harder for me now, but I am also stronger and more motivated. I know this whole experience has changed me deeply, but hopefully it has been for the better.

I don’t think my story is that uncommon. That’s why I want to raise awareness for bullying at all levels. As a future educator, I know the importance of bullying awareness. But I also know the myths attached to it, such as the “victim” type, the age limit and the way bullying happens. I think the best way to dispel these myths is to share my story and encourage others to share theirs. I hope more teachers and school programs will see the need for bullying awareness training and learn how to handle similar situations. I hope that with raised awareness, no student will have to sit idly by as long as I did.

*Names have been changed.

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