Hey collegiettes!

We know you love reading HC on your laptops, your smartphones, and your tablets... but now you can truly curl up with HC because our first-ever book, The Her Campus Guide to College Life, just hit stores!

Order your copy online here or head to your local Barnes & Noble! And be sure to check out our upcoming schedule of book signing events and see if we're coming to your area!

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

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

Want a sneak preview? Read an excerpt from our book here then order your copy!

I can't wait to hear what you think!

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

You don't have to be a shrewd observer to notice that diversity in Hollywood films is seriously lacking, but evidence from a USC study shows that the overrepresentation of white, straight men in movies is much worse than we thought.

Let's talk about women. Of the 100 top movies in 2014, only 21 featured female leads or co-leads. To put things in perspective, that's a smaller percentage than women in Congress as of 2014 (they represented 24.2% of seats). And things are just as glum behind the camera. For those same 100 films, 18.9% of producers and 11.2% of writers were female, while only 1.9% of directors were women.

And when women are represented on-screen, things aren't pretty—but the actresses themselves are. A mere 28.1% of speaking characters in those 100 movies were women. So what do female characters do if they don't have lines? As it turns out, not much else than look good for the men in the movie. In 2014, 27.9% of these female protagonists wore "sexualized attire" (compared to 8% of men), 26.4% showed some amount of nudity (compared to 9.1% of men) and 12.6% were referenced as attractive by other characters (compared to 3.1% of men). And worse yet, the study found that "13 to 20 year old females are just as likely as 21 to 39 year olds to be shown in sexy attire and some nudity."

Unsurprisingly, racial diversity failed the test, too. Almost three quarters of actors in the top 100 movies of 2014 were white, while black actors made up 12.5% of the casts, and Asian, Hispanic and all other ethnicities combined only represented 15% of actors on set.

You've probably sensed a pattern by now—minorities are underrepresented in Hollywood, and there has been no significant progress since 2007. Unfortunately, LGBTQ+ characters are no exception, despite the rise in queer visibility in recent months. The numbers speak for themselves: of the 4,610 speaking characters in the 100 top films of 2014, ten were gay men, four were gay women, five were bi and ZERO were trans. That's just wonderful. But all sarcasm aside, such unfair representation is bound to hurt viewers who can't identify with the mostly young, white, straight and male characters they see on screen. Essentially, Hollywood movies teach women that they exist to please men, while sending queer and nonwhite folks the message that they barely exist at all.

How does the lack of diversity in Hollywood affect you, collegiettes?

As the amount of emojis continues to grow and the way they are used continues to expand, including being able to order food from your favorite restaurant, there are now emojis that will save your life!

Seventeen reports that a Google engineer is calling for emojis that showcase what type of ingredients are in food, ingredients that could be hazardous for customers with food allergies, such as peanuts or sesame seeds. The proposal was submitted to the Unicode Consortium, a company in charge of software development.

As the proposal is still in its early stages, it is unknown as to when it will make its premiere, but it only makes our anticipation greater for the taco emoji, along with others, which was accepted in accordance with Unicode 8.0 back in June, according to The Next Web News.

So you drag yourself out of bed and into your workout clothes, and you even manage to trudge outside and actually begin running. You’re pretty proud of yourself for going on this morning run—until you realize that your endurance just isn’t going to get you through that last mile.

If you’re sick of not finishing your runs on a strong note, it’s time to to do something about it! Building your endurance starts with the right workout, and we've got just the one you need. With this pyramid running workout, you’ll train your body to go from running hard to running easy at different intervals. Alternating speeds will help you get faster and leaner, and will help you finish your next run with flying colors!  

We've all probably tried Tinder and realized that there's a pretty rare chance that swiping left or right will actually help us find true love. That's why three friends from Boston who clearly just get us came together to create an app that'll connect us to the real bae: food. 

Designed mainly for millennials interested in eating out less and cooking more, Tender takes food porn to a whole new level by replacing potential dates with potential recipes. 

"As a twenty-something, we are all constantly combating the impulse to just eat-out or pick something up," co-creator Jordan Homan told Boston.com. "But Tender gets you psyched about the prospect of making food, and it makes it easy to do so."

Tender will show you some of tens of thousands of recipes and give you the option to swipe right to keep a recipe and swipe left to throw one away. You can also filter out your search by narrowing down your interests to desserts, chicken, beef, vegan food and more. Eventually, the app will pick up on your preferences via all of the recipes that are now saved in your "Cookbook," and will share recipes that are more similar to your liking.

According to its creators, Tender also plans to add an undo button (at no extra charge) for those who accidentally swipe left on a recipe as well as filters for breakfast, lunch and dinner recipes. The app is free and available for download on iPhone and Android. 

Starting college is a daunting experience, and your first day can often be the most daunting. But it doesn’t need to be! While many people think that the first day is the most stressful, we’ve come up with some tips to make sure that your first day is as fun and as easy a transition into college life as possible.

1. Leave your dorm room door open.

An open door policy is the quickest way to get people to introduce themselves. Open door = friendly resident who wants to chat. If you’re looking to make friends quickly, then be sure you pack a door stop to wedge your door open! People will drop in and say “hi” as they move in, and this also lets you know when your dormmates have moved in.

And if you need help with your unpacking, you’re likely to get helpful dormmates asking if they can help with anything!

2. Unpack your things as soon as you can.

There’s one sure way to make yourself feel homesick, and that’s to not move into your dorm room properly. If you've ever tried living out of a suitcase for a few weeks, then you know that it can be a complete nightmare. The best thing that you can do is to get rid of all your boxes and give the empty suitcases back to your parents. Set your room up the way that you want it, and make sure you have all your homely touches displayed where you can see them; this way, your dorm room feels like a little piece of home and not the empty shell that it was!

3. Explore your campus!

Once you’ve unpacked and made yourself feel a little more at home, go and explore your new surroundings! Whether you head straight to figure out where your classes will be or you’re more interested in seeing the recreational facilities, try to orient yourself and see a bit more of the campus. You’ll be feeling at home in no time!

4. Don’t spend your first night alone.

And no, before you get the wrong idea, we are definitely not suggesting that you hook up with someone on your first day! Whether people on your halls are going to a party or they’re all staying in with a chick flick and some popcorn, be sure that you’re not in your room alone the first night. Even if you’re really tired, go and meet some new people before saying you’re super tired and need some sleep.

5. Meet as many people as possible…

Be prepared to meet as many people as you can in your first day. Everyone is going to be smiling and keen to make new friends, so be sure to take advantage of this! Don’t judge anyone yet, and don’t automatically decide who your friends are going to be—just take it easy and play it by ear.

Just be sure that you introduce yourself to as many people as you can! Whether you go around your hall knocking on doors, or are just hanging out with people who knocked on your door, be sure that you spend time with other people who have just moved in.

6. …but if you don’t make any good friends, know that it’s okay!

So you don’t think you’ve met anyone who is going to be your new BFF? Don’t panic! It’s just the first day. Honestly, most college students change friendship groups a few times before they settle into one that suits them. The people you meet on your first day don’t have to be your new friends; in fact, it’s highly possible that they won’t be.

You have four years to make new friends, so don’t be disheartened that you’ve not settled in on your first day. Many collegiettes continue making friends until the end of their senior year. Just keep reminding yourself: it’s only day one!

7. Let your mom fuss over you.

Your mom is going to want to fuss over you. A lot. When she asks to help you unpack, or to vacuum your room, just let her. Remember that this is stressful for her as well—she’s just packed you up to live on your own for the first time! Your parents might even want to take you out for lunch or dinner. While we just said that you should meet as many new people as possible on your first day, you might also want to make the most of your family time. You can spare an hour or so for a meal with your family—and just think how happy it will make your parents feel!

8. Know that everyone is as nervous as you are.

The other college students you meet might be beaming, but that doesn't mean they're not panicking on the inside. This is an entirely new experience for everyone, so don’t think that you’re the only one who is either homesick or worried about not making friends. It would take a very strong person to move into a new setting and have no worries at all.

The other thing is, everyone is just as eager to make new friends—so don’t worry about knocking on someone’s door and saying hi. They’re likely to appreciate that you made the effort.

9.  Pack snacks—everyone loves cookies!

It’s great to have a box of cookies or chocolates in your dorm to offer to your dormmates when you first move in. If you do go around your halls knocking on doors, it’s nice to have something to offer people. Your food of choice doesn’t have to be anything fancy; even just M&Ms will be very well received, especially after lifting all those heavy boxes!

10. Make sure you have a noise-canceling device.

It’s possible that your halls will be noisy and that you're not used to this, so it might be a bit more difficult to get to sleep. The worst thing to be during Welcome Week is exhausted: it’s a long week, so don’t make it harder by not sleeping properly.

Earplugs might be enough for you, but if they aren’t, there are a few things you can try. If you like listening to music at night, invest in some noise-canceling headphones. If you don’t want to sleep with headphones on or earbuds in, then you might want to pack a white noise machine. Clara Beyer from Brown University says that “it’s like having a little fan next to your ears. At first you notice the noise, but then you’re quickly able to tune this out. It made it so much easier for me to sleep in my first week at university!”

11. Wear something you’re comfortable in!

So you’re freaking out about what to wear? Wear something that you’re comfortable in, but also something you feel you look good in. If you feel confident, it's likely to come across in your body language and your gestures. Remember when you’re choosing your outfit that you’re going to be moving boxes for most of the day and unpacking, so make sure you’re wearing something practical. We would recommend putting the high heels away for now, collegiettes!

12. If it isn’t the best day, don’t worry! You have four more years!

If you haven’t had the best first day, don’t worry about it! There are many people who don’t love their first day of college but still go on to have a great four years at college, so don’t put too much pressure on these 24 hours. Just think, you’ll meet even more people tomorrow, and one of those people could be your new best friend! Tomorrow is another day, collegiettes, and it could be a much better day!

Your first day, and in fact the entire Welcome Week, is a very stressful experience—and many people don’t have the best time. But it's okay! You’ll settle in soon, especially once you’re in the routine of classes and have met people with similar interests in your classes and through the extracurriculars that you choose to join. Try and make the most of your first day with these tips, but don’t panic if it isn’t perfect!

Ending up in Paradise, by nature, means that you’re a little bit nutty, right? At least that’s what we’ve gathered from the two short weeks we’ve had to get to know and fall in love with this zany cast. And while last season we put our trust in the Paradisers to follow their hearts, below we’ve got 9 reasons why these goofs definitely should not be allowed to make their own decisions.

1. Lauren reveals she’s (not exactly) a mistress

Amidst more tears and heartache than we’ve mustered in our entire lives, the Iaconetti sisters battle it out over Lauren’s desperate desire to leave Paradise. And it isn’t just because she has yet to find a love connection. In fact, Lauren’s got a boyfriend waiting for her back home. Except he’s already got a girlfriend. And Lauren’s his mistress. But her boyfriend’s not married. Whew, who can keep up in a twisted situation like that? As if we didn’t already question her judgment, Lauren then proceeds to roll her suitcase through the sands of Mexico’s most mediocre beach as she departs.

2. Clare finds out raccoons are the only mammals interested in her

He’s baaaack! The nameless raccoon that Clare bonded with last season is still here for the right reasons, but Clare obviously thinks she’s too good for him. Now, we’re not saying she should settle, but this guy is clearly invested in his relationship with the three-time Bachelor Nation victim. And he likes wine.

3. Juelia is a terrible judge of character

Who else was super pumped when they saw Joe would be arriving in Paradise this week? Well, lower your hand in shame because Joe is a straight-up villain. Sweet single mom Juelia buys into Joe’s flattery, and after a steamy kiss that takes place near a slightly aggressive waterfall, she’s sold. But then we find out Joe is playing Juelia, so he can get her rose—that’s not a euphemism (silver lining!). Our once seemingly sincere country boy is actually waiting for Samantha from Chris Soules’ season of The Bachelor to show up. *Pause for those attempting to remember who this person even is*

4. Tenley likes Joshua; Joshua likes drugs

Remember that guy who got half his head shaved by former Bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristowe? Turns out he was so chill about it because he was high when it happened. Okay, so we don’t know that for sure. But he’s definitely done Molly (if not more) before, and he’s totally into it, which he brags about to everyone except Tenley, who’s already seriously crushing on Joshua after a so-so date that she’s completely blown out of proportion in her mind.

5. Mikey still doesn’t know Clare’s just not that into him

Might we add that his best pal/Ashley S.’s toothy soulmate Dan and even Clare herself have admitted this to Mikey’s face? But you can’t help but love him despite his slow comprehension.

6. Jared proves his ultimate failure at playing Bachelor

For everyone who thought Jared should be the next Bachelor, now we know how much of a disaster that would’ve been. Jared gets a date card and, without missing a beat, asks Clare to accompany him. Cue hurt feelings from the (somehow) blindsided Ashley I. and Mikey. Oh, we almost forgot how Jared blew off Clare après date because he really didn’t feel a connection… and she’s eight years older than him, a fact he knew long before he asked her out. Not so classy now, are you Jared?

7. Joe manipulates literally everyone

We have to hand it to him; Joe knows how to play the game. That doesn’t mean we can forgive and forget, though. Convincing Mikey and Jonathan—two potentially rose-less guys who let their suspicions of Joe fly freely in Juelia’s direction—to see things his way isn’t enough for him. Joe continues to insult them both off camera and eventually causes Jonathan to become so distraught over his actions that he locks himself in the bathroom. We screamed at our TVs, but for some reason they just couldn’t hear our warnings.

8. Clare loves speeches and giving them

No one is here for love. Last season people were here for love but certainly not now. That’s the gist of Clare’s completely random and out-of-touch speech to her fellow Paradisers. Tanner, official voice of the people, explains that Clare is upset because no one is pining after her. But Tanner apparently hasn’t heard about Clare’s raccoon.

9. Roses are pointless

Roses serve no purpose here if the people giving them out don't even know what they want. Forget the totally predictable pairings and the passing of roses we saw coming from a mile away. It’s people like Tenley—and we’re sure Juelia, too, next week—who make rose ceremonies so tough for us. Because Tenley, of course, chooses to keep drug-happy Joshua around. Can’t she see JJ is her Paradise lobster? We’re speaking purely objectively, of course.

Do you think the Bachelor in Paradise cast should be allowed to make their own decisions, collegiettes?

This year, we’ve decided that everything is changing.

1. We’re going to sit in the front row of every class and take notes that everyone’s going to want to borrow.

2. We’re never going to sleep through a class…

…because we’re going to be just so excited to learn!

3. We’ll stop procrastinating on all our assignments...

...and we won’t save that 10-page paper for the night before it’s due.

4. We’ll support our team at every sports game…

5. …and we’ll be careful not to tailgate too hard beforehand.

6. In fact, this is the year we’re finally going to cut back on our drinking.

Who’s going to be the drunkest girl at the party? Not us, that’s for sure!

7. We’ll finally decide it’s time we stop hooking up with that guy we know is bad for us…

8. …and we’ll open ourselves to guys we would have never considered before. 

9. We’re finally going to get up the nerve to talk to that guy we’ve been crushing on since freshman year, too. 

10. We’re going to be totally fun and thoughtful roommates…

…and we’re going to be so neat that our friends will start to wish we were a little, well… less neat.

11. This year, we’ll always go to bed at a reasonable hour,

12. put ourselves together nicely every morning,

13. and hit the gym every day.

14. We're even going to stop eating fried food at 2 a.m. every weekend.

15. We’ll join new clubs, and we’ll meet a bunch of new friends that we may have never met otherwise.

16. We’ll start to figure out the skill sets we have (or don't have) to put on our resumes…

17. …and we might even start applying to some internships.

18. We tell ourselves that this year is going to be our best year yet!

(Even though we’ll probably be back to our old ways in a week.)

With all the television shows coming and going, it’s easy to forgot about all of the wonderful romances that made us sigh and wish for something like it. Allow us to revive that feeling with a list of couples no longer broadcasting on our television screens.

1. Melanie & Derwin – The Game

These two were the definition of ride or die. She supports him, and he uplifts her. Even through the mistakes they both made, they find their way back to each other. Their story is nothing short of messy, but that’s what makes their relationship relatable.

2. Scott & Allison - Teen Wolf

Everyone knows a forbidden love is irresistible, and that’s what it was from the start. They were each other’s first love, and we love them because they recognize each other as equals.

Dear MTV,

For the love that is everything, PLEASE BRING ALISON BACK TO LIFE.

#ByeKira

3. Chuck & Sarah - Chuck

As soon as Sarah walked into his Best Buy-like workplace, Nerd Herd technician Chuck Bartowski was mesmorized. From there, it became a tantalizing friendship that eventually turned into a reciprocated love. In the end, the nerd gets the girl. However, their not quite happy ending will forever be a crime. #MakeSarahRemember

4. Uncle Jesse & Aunt Becky - Full House

Throughout the series, we followed the couple through their entire evolution of meeting to marriage and kids. Through all of their dramatic conflicts, Jesse and Becky stayed strong. Keep your ears open for news on Fuller House, coming to Netflix soon!

5. Whitley & Dwayne - A Different World

Even though the two are complete opposites at the beginning of the series, they end up looking past their differences and finding a love in one another. Together, the pair experience highs and lows and the regular everyday struggles of post-secondary education. Dwayne was the underdog who got the girl and who doesn’t love an underdog?

6. Rory & Jess - Gilmore Girls

Rory is an intellectual and the fact that Jess challenges her is attractive beyond belief. They complement each other. Jess pushed her outside of her comfort zone and in turn, Rory took the time to get to know the real Jess. Jess isn’t the safe choice, but he’s the right choice. 

7. Haley & Nathan – One Tree Hill

They were your classic good girl and popular guy duo. Their sweet, young love and Nathan’s attractiveness had us “awwing” and sighing all over the place. #alwaysandforever

Go back and relive the romances! Any beautiful couples we missed? 

For many of us, a good third of our lives have been spent wondering who A is. For half a decade, we reserved our Tuesday nights exclusively for the Liars, and became so invested that we felt personally affronted every time Tanner followed the wrong lead, were heartbroken whenever Haleb hit a rough patch and felt that A might be coming for us any moment. So when tonight's #FAceToFace finale turned out the way it did, we were like:

Needless to say, we were pretty disappointed with the finale (here's to hoping #5YearsLater ends up better than the previews make it seem), and thankfully, we're not alone. Here are nine tweets about the PLL finale that are better than the finale itself.

1. The sad truth

2. An alternate ending

3. Give the people what they want

4. But really where are they

5. How we all really feel after five years of this

6. The only thing that could make us feel better

7. Forgive and forget?

8. At least now we have something to binge watch

9. Five years later, we're not any wiser

What did you think of the finale, collegiettes?

It’s late on a Saturday night and you just hit the winning shot of your final game of beer pong. You look up and, as Andy Samberg so aptly put it, “lock eyes from across the room” with none other than your latest crush. You two chat for a while, he ends up walking you home, and you thank your lucky stars that the room is empty when you get there. You pull him inside, and only come back out to stick a scrunchie on the doorknob, officially sexiling your roomie for the night.

Whether you’re the perpetrator or the victim of sexiling, it’s an aspect of many collegiettes’ lives. But that doesn’t mean that there isn’t proper etiquette that goes along with it. Check out these rules and expectations of being both the sexiler and the sexilee to avoid any unnecessary tension between you and your roommate this year.

The etiquette of sexiling

Discuss it

The most important part of having the freedom to sexile your roommate is discussing it with her beforehand. Whether you have a boyfriend and know that it will be a somewhat frequent occurrence or you’re expecting to have a few one-night stands or a semi-frequent hook-up buddy, it’s necessary to talk about what both of your expectations are.

Make sure to discuss how often your roommate will allow this, how you’ll communicate to her that it’s happening (it can be a text, the classic aforementioned scrunchie, a winky face drawn on your white board, etc.), how late your guest can stay in the morning if it’s a sleepover, what happens if you both want the room and whatever else you two think is essential to know.

“You and your roommate should set limits,” says Sara, a collegiette at Kenyon College. “As in, like you absolutely don't want to be sexiled two nights out of one weekend.”

It may seem awkward to start this conversation, but your roommate probably wants to know your opinions on the topic as much as you want to know hers. Make sure you get it out of the way at the beginning of the year so that nothing happens that one of you really isn’t okay with before you get a chance to have the discussion.

Give notice (when possible)

Clearly this isn’t always possible, but whenever you know for sure that you’re going to be having someone over for a hook-up sesh, give your roommate some time to plan ahead. It will be much easier for her to find someplace else to hang out if she knows you want the room for a few hours before your desired alone time.

This is definitely necessary if you have a long-distance boyfriend who is going to visit you for entire weekends. Make sure your roommate knows about these visits as soon as you do so that she can find someplace to sleep. It’s unfair to expect her to not be in the room for three days with just a few hours notice.

Even if you’re hooking up with someone at a party and decide spur of the moment to bring him back to your room, text your roomie to give her a heads up.

Coordinate

Figure out what each other’s daily schedules are and if possible, plan accordingly. Have your boy over when you know your roommate is going to be at class or home for the weekend. Again, this will only work if you have a pre-planned guest, but it will make it so your roommate isn’t awkwardly waiting somewhere for you to be done.

Also, if you have a dorm that is more than one room, use it to your advantage.

“If you are worried about it, get the apartment-style dorm with locks on the bedrooms and the sexiled roommate can chill in the main room. That's what was nice about my freshman dorm,” says Andy Bensch from San Francisco State University.

That way, your roommate at least has someplace of her own she can hang out while she waits to get back into the bedroom.

Reciprocate

If you’re prepared to sexile your roommate, then you definitely also have to gracefully accept being sexiled in return. This means that if you’ve ousted your roommate from the room the past two weekends and she brings home a guy, you better be ready to get out of there.

“In my case I've had the same boyfriend freshman to senior year and luckily my friends liked him and didn't mind if he was around a lot,” says Sarah. “So when they had someone they wanted privacy with, I was more than happy to return the favor.”

Being roommates means making these types of compromises to ensure that everyone stays happy and tense situations are avoided.

Be respectful

Last, but certainly not least, demonstrating basic human courtesy is always important. When you have someone over, keep your activities to your side of the room. Don’t go anywhere near her bed. In fact, you should probably steer clear of all of her stuff. Finally, before she comes back, clean up all the evidence. No one wants to deal with the remnants of someone else’s sexcapades, no matter how close you two are as roomies.

The etiquette of being sexiled

Have a plan

If your roommate is someone who either has a boyfriend or frequently enjoys bringing home her flings, it’s essential that you establish a reliable place that you can crash for the night. Whether it’s with one of your friends or your own boy-toy, having a back-up place to sleep is necessary in college.

There’s nothing more uncomfortable than having to sleep someplace like the study lounge. Or even worse, insisting on staying in your room and trying to fall asleep to the hook-up noises emanating from a bed that is literally only five feet away from you.

“It’s always the most awkward if you haven’t been sufficiently warned,” says Dawn from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “I’d always prefer being told rather than laying in my bed while my roommate pretends to just be sleeping, restlessly.”

So make sure to find that extra bed, futon or at least floor space you can spend the night when your roommate is busy getting busy. If all else fails, get creative!

“Improvise,” says Nicole from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “My roommate once moved her mattress out to the living room of our dorm when my boyfriend was in town.”

If this won’t work with the way your dorm is set up, try making a deal with a friend who is not your roomie to always let each other crash in the other’s room if one of you is sexiled.

Check in the next morning

You wake up the morning after being sexiled and want go back to your room. But wait! First, you’re going to want to check in with your roommate to make sure her guest is gone. Shoot her a text or give her a call before heading back because you accidentally walking in on some morning-after fun will be unpleasant for everyone involved.

If you text and she doesn’t reply, try giving her a little more time if you’re in no rush. But if you really have to get back into your room, feel free to go knock on the door.

Don’t be selfish

Being a good roommate means being cooperative. If your roommate is sexiling you night after night, you have a legitimate reason to be upset and you should talk to her about it. But if it’s only every once in a while, you should be reasonable. Sexiling is a typical aspect of dorm life and as long she’s not abusing her privileges, try to be easygoing about it. And of course, you’ll want her to return the favor.

However, if it ends up being a repetitive issue, try talking to your RA about it.

“My freshman year roommate sexiled me several times,” says Alexa from James Madison University. “Her boyfriend from back home decided to surprise her at school for what originally was a weekend but ended up being the entire week. At the end of the seventh day I confronted her and said he had to go or I was going to get the RA involved.”

There you have it! By following these etiquette rules for sexiling and being sexiled, you’ll be able to have a good time without starting World War III with your roomie. Get out there, have fun and be safe, collegiettes!

Well, this should get us through the week—news broke yesterday that Zac Efron will play a leading role in Paramount's Baywatch movie. Efron's co-star, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, announced this wise casting decision via Twitter.

Killing two birds with one stone, The Rock used the movie's R-rating to up our excitement even more. He later reiterated his anticipation with this—ahem—inspirational ode to friendship:

And Efron had the most perfect response:

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Johnson will play a V serious lifeguard who teams up with a young and unruly guard (played by Efron) to save their beach from an ill-intentioned oil tycoon. Yeah, we're stoked too. Unfortunately, it will be a while until this movie adaptation of the classic TV show is released, as production is set to begin in early 2016. That being said, we have a feeling it will look a little something like this:

Bae watch indeed.

You’re really proud of yourself; you’ve been eating healthy and working hard in the gym all week. Naturally, you expect to see results, so you hop on the scale. Rather than feeling a rush of excitement because your weight has gone down, you’re crushed to see that it actually stayed the same, or even increased. While it might be easy to feel discouraged and like you want to give up, you shouldn’t. Your scale is should not dictate your life, and here’s why.

1. Muscle is more dense than fat

It’s a common misconception that muscle weighs more than fat. A pound of muscle weighs the same as a pound of fat. Muscle just takes up less space because it’s denser.  According to Matt Paley, co-founder and CEO of Share It Fitness, a person with higher ratio of muscle to fat is going to appear heavier than expected. “To really drive [this] point home, compare a 140-pound body with 10 percent body fat versus a 150 pound body with 30 percent body fat,” he says. “The difference is night and day.” Basically, your body weight derived from muscle isn’t the issue ­– the body weight that's derived from fat is what should be avoided.

Kelsea, a sophomore at Indiana University, learned about this difference throughout her weight-loss journey. Once she started eating clean and exercising regularly, she naturally began to lose weight. “I got to the point where I was happy with the pounds I had lost, but I wanted to become more toned so I started lifting,” she says. “I eventually ended up gaining ten pounds, but my arms had definition and abs were starting to form.” Despite Kelsea’s gain, she had lowered her body fat percentage and developed the muscle she wanted, proving that the scale is irrelevant.

2. Weight fluctuates a lot

Pinpointing your actual weight can be especially difficult due to natural fluctuations. “In the case where an individual loses 10+ pounds a week, a large proportion of this is likely water weight,” Paley says.  “[It] can easily be put back on.” Otherwise, Paley says that a normal daily weight fluctuation is one to three pounds.

If you find your weight going back and forth, Paley suggests switching to a more steady approach. For example, try to aim for losing a pound or two per week. To do so, you’ll want to burn 3,500 calories (the amount in one pound of body fat) more than you take in each week. This can be done in a variety of ways, but your best bet is to eat clean (more fruits and vegetables, less processed and sugary foods) and try to exercise at least five or six times throughout the week. If you’re looking to gain muscle, Paley says that taking on two to four pounds a month is a pretty good progress to aim for. Any progress is good, though!

3. Chasing a certain weight can be unhealthy

As long you’re only focused on a smaller number, you’re never going to be satisfied. Eating healthy and exercising is great; however, when it turns into an unhealthy obsession, you’re only going to end up doing more harm then good. Amy*, a junior at the University of Central Florida, dealt with this type of obsession. “I started watching what I was eating and working out every other day when I was 16,” Amy says. “I absolutely loved seeing my weight go down every time I stepped on the scale, so I started working even harder. At one point, I was working out twice a day, every day, and eating an extremely small amount of calories. It took me a while to realize that I was running a race I’d never win.” Not only did she go back to a healthy lifestyle, but she also stopped weighing herself entirely and focused more on how she felt. 

With plenty of us going through exactly what Amy described, it’s important to remember that we need to take care of our bodies. Brooke Schantz, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and CEO and Founder of Bitchin’ Nutrition says it best:“Your body is the only thing you have in your possession for your whole life, so nourish it first and foremost with foods that help to protect it. In turn, your body will get to the weight that is best for you.”

4. Just because you weigh less, doesn’t mean you’re healthy

Measuring your health solely by your weight is not the best thing to do.  "Weighing less" in reality, means nothing – better determinants of your health include body composition and muscle-to-fat ratio. If you are hesitant to give up your scale, Paley recommends measuring your waist, resting heart rate, cardiovascular endurance or blood pressure instead to get a better idea of where your body is at. “The scale weight is absolutely meaningless when comparing two individuals,” he says.

Ali, a junior at Montana State University, learned this after comparing her body to her friends’ for years. “I’ve always been more muscular than my friends, and I hated it for the longest time, especially because I couldn’t share clothes with them,” she says. “It wasn’t until I got into powerlifting that I realized I liked my muscles. They definitely weren’t anything to be ashamed of because I worked hard to earn them.” We’re all built differently, and it’s about time we start accepting that!

5. It’s more important how you feel

If all stepping on the scale does is make you feel bad about yourself, there’s absolutely no reason to keep it around! Not only are there other methods to determine your health, but how you feel should take priority over a number. It's all about being confident about your body and feeling healthy, not what the scale says. 

At this point, you should be marching to your bathroom, picking up that scale and throwing it OUT!  It’s useless for a variety of reasons, but mostly because it only ends up ruining your progress because you feel discouraged after working hard. It’s important to remember that your body is going through changes, and the scale doesn’t accurately show them. Throw it out, burn it, run over it – whatever. Just get rid of it!  

Whether you spent the summer living at home with your parents or in an apartment near your internship, chances are that you’ve packed up your things and are getting ready to move back to campus! Worried about how you’ll make your dorm feel like home? Don’t be—we’ve got you covered with this adorable giveaway!

We partnered with a few Etsy shops to give away just the items that you’ll need to turn your dorm into a cozy, adorable place you’ll want to spend all of your time! Three lucky winners will win an Etsy bundle including one $30 gift card to DecalLab’s Etsy shop (to spruce up your walls with a decal that’s so totally you), one “Dorm Sweet Dorm” throw pillow in gold from Festive Home Décor’s Etsy shop (to glam up your bed) and one Pint Pouch, which is literally a cozy for your pint of Ben & Jerry’s (so your hands will never get wet and cold while you’re eating your Cherry Garcia again!).

Ready to stock up your dorm with this cute (and practical) Etsy bundle? Enter to win now!

Etsy Giveaway

When it comes to cooking for friends and family, our aspirations often surpass our actual culinary abilities. We’ve all experienced those kitchen disasters and Pinterest recipe fails that made us want to hang up our aprons for good, but impressing your guests with your culinary skills (or lack there of) has never been easier thanks to a few basic recipes. Whether you’re inviting a small group of friends over for a tasty brunch, or you simply wish to wow your significant other, these are the recipes that can make your culinary dreams come true!

1. Banana Berry French Crepes

This French-inspired dish is super simple to make and best of all, delicious! Top these crepes with whatever you are in the mood for: Nutella, fruit, whipped cream and more! Make them sweet or savory for a tasty morning treat. With just a few simple ingredients, you have a brunch dish that's ready to impress. 

Recipe courtesy of blogilates.com

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. of cinnamon
• 1 banana
• 1/3 cup of oatmeal
• 1/4 cup of milk (can substitute with almond or soy)
• Handful of berries of your choice

Directions

• Mix all dry ingredients together in a blender until they become a fine powder.
• Add half a ripe banana and an egg along with the milk. Blend all ingredients together.
• Pour a thin layer of batter into a pan on medium low heat.
• When you see bubbles forming in the batter, flip the crepes.
• Once the crepes are fully cooked on both sides, you are all set and ready to add toppings!

2. Farmers Market Egg Bake Casserole

A breakfast upgrade from your basic omelet, all you need is a casserole dish, eggs and add-ins such as onion, mushrooms, potatoes, tomatoes and basil. Pair this meal with a delicious smoothie and you have yourself the perfect breakfast!

Recipe courtesy of twohealthykitchens.com

Ingredients

• 1 pound sweet Italian turkey sausage
• 1 ½ cups diced sweet onion
• 8 ounces fresh sliced mushrooms
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups frozen shredded hash brown potatoes
• 2 cups shredded reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup diced green pepper
• 2-3 plum diced tomatoes
• 12 eggs
• 1 ¾ cup of non-fat milk
• 1 ½ teaspoons dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Directions

• Cook sausage, onions, mushrooms and garlic in large non-stick skillet over medium heat for about 10 minutes.
• In a 9 x 13 pan coated with cooking spray, layer potatoes, sausage mixture, cheese, onions, peppers, and tomatoes.
• In a medium bowl, combine eggs, milk, parsley, salt, basil and pepper. Whisk thoroughly to combine, then pour egg mixture evenly over other ingredients in baking pan.
• Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate over night.
• In the morning, preheat oven to 375°F.
• Bake casserole, uncovered, for 60 to 70 minutes.
• Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes before cutting and serving.

3. Chopped Avocado Shrimp Salad

Time to upgrade your simple lettuce and dressing dish to a colorful chopped salad your guests will rave about. Feel free to add whatever you want with your chopped salad. Top it off with some homemade dressing and you are ready to serve your guests.

Recipe courtesy of eatingwell.com

Ingredients

• 1 pound raw shrimp peeled 
• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoons finely grated lime zest
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon freshly group pepper
• 2 ears corn, husked
• 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
• ¾ cup finely chopped red cabbage
• ¾ cup diced red pepper
• ½ cup diced red onion
• ½ cup assorted cherry tomatoes, chopped
• ½ fennel bulb, halved again, thinly sliced
• 1 avocado, diced
• 2 slices crispy cooked bacon, diced

Directions

• Preheat grill to medium heat.
• Toss shrimp with 2 teaspoons oil, lime zest, salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
• Grill corn, turning occasionally for 6 to 10 minutes.
• Grill shrimp, turning occasionally for 3 to 5 minutes.
• Cut shrimp into small pieces and cut kernels off cob.
• Combine lettuce, cabbage, bell pepper, onion, tomatoes, fennel, avocado and bacon in large bowl. Add shrimp, corn and a dressing; toss to coat.

4. Roasted Chicken Noodle Soup

With fall and colder weather quickly approaching, nothing sounds more appealing than homemade soup. A roasted chicken noodle soup is an easy upgrade from a can of Campbell’s and will be sure to impress your guests.  

Recipe courtesy of myrecipes.com

Ingredients 

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 1 cup sliced celery
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
• ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
• ¼ poultry seasoning
• 6 cups low-salt chicken broth
• 4 cups diced peeled baking potato
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups diced leftover roasted chicken
• 1 cup evaporated skim milk
• 2 cups uncooked wide egg noodles

Directions

• Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat.
• Add chopped onion, carrots, celery and garlic clove; Sauté 5 minutes.
• Sprinkle flour, oregano, time and poultry seasoning over vegetables.
• Cook for 1 minute.
• Stir in broth, potato, and salt.
• Bring to boil; reduce heat, and simmer for 25 minutes.
• Add roasted chicken, milk, and noodles and cook for 10 minutes.
• Garnish with fresh thyme, if desired.

5. Lemon Chicken Piccata

Take your cooking skills to the next level by making this tasty chicken dish for your guests. Even with minimal ingredients and easy steps, they’ll definitely be getting up for seconds.  

Recipe courtesy of foodnetwork.com

Ingredients

• 2 split boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 extra-large egg
• ½ tablespoon water
• ¾ cup seasoned dry bread crumbs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ½ cup dry white wine
• Sliced lemon and chopped parsley leaves for serving 

Directions

• Preheat oven to 400°F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
• Place each chicken breast between 2 sheets of paper and pound out ¼ inch thick.
• Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.
• Mix flour, salt and pepper in a shallow plate.
• In a second plate, beat egg and water together.
• Place bread crumbs on third plate and dip each chicken breast first in flour, then dip in the egg and bread crumb mixtures.
• Heat olive oil in large sauté pan over medium heat.
• Add chicken breasts and cook for 2 minutes on each side, until browned.
• Place them on the sheet pan and allow them to bake for 5 to 10 minutes.

Sauce

• Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter and add lemon juice, wine, extra lemon halves, salt, pepper.
• Boil over high heat for 2 minutes.
• Off heat, add remaining butter and swirl to combine.
• Spoon sauce and serve with a slice of lemon and parsley.

6. Lasagna Roll Ups

This meal is perfect for anyone who loves lasagna but doesn't want to deal with the hassle of making too much. Your guests will love this simple twist on a traditional recipe, and you’ll love how much easier it is to make!

Recipe courtesy of mrfood.com

Ingredients 

• 1 (28-ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
• 1 (2-pound) container ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese
• 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 3 eggs
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 12-14 lasagna noodles 

Directions

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Pour half spaghetti sauce over the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
• In large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, eggs, parsley and salt until well blended.
• Spoon cheese mixture over lasagna noodle and roll up tightly.
• Place roll-ups seam-side down in dish; top with remaining sauce.
• Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese.
• Bake 35 to 40 minutes.

7. Grilled Flank Steak and Balsamic Vegetables

Grilling has never been easier. Wow your dinner guests with this easy steak recipe that's paired perfectly with balsamic vegetables; great for anyone who is new to the grill, but still wants to amaze.  

Recipe courtesy of realsimple.com

Ingredients 

• 1 pound flank steak
• Kosher salt and pepper
• 1 medium eggplant, cut into ½ inch rounds
• 2 bell peppers quartered
• 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• ½ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped

Directions

• Heat grill to medium-high heat.
• Season steak with ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Grill to desired doneness and transfer to a cutting board.
• Brush both sides of eggplant and peppers with 3 tablespoons of the oil.
• Season with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Grill until tender.
• In small bowl, combine remaining oil, vinegar, garlic, and parsley.
• Divide the steak and vegetables among individual plates.
• Spoon sauce over the vegetables and serve.

8. Vegetable Stir Fry

Rather than ordering Chinese take-out, try making your own vegetable rice stir-fry. Use this recipe as a staple to add whatever you have stored in the fridge such as chicken, pork, tofu or ramen!

Recipe courtesy of chinese.food.com

Ingredients

• 3 cups cold leftover rice
• ½-1 cup oleo
• 1 medium onion chopped
• 2 stalks celery chopped
• 2 carrots diced
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 3 eggs beaten
• ¼-½ cup soy sauce
• Pepper

Directions

• Melt oleo in large non-stick skillet.
• Add onion, celery, carrots.
• Sauté for about 5 minutes.
• Add peas and cook 1 minute more until peas thaw.
• Push veggies to one side of skillet.
• Scramble eggs in empty side of skillet.
• Mix eggs into veggies and season with pepper.
• Add soy sauce.
• Slowly mix rice until all ingredients are well blended and serve.

9. Rich Chocolate Mousse

This rich, decadent dessert is easy and requires no baking!  Serve as is, or incorporate it into chocolate mousse trifle. Add layers of cake, cookies, or other sweet treats in between the mousse for a unique twist on a fabulous dessert.  

Recipe courtesy of cookiesandcups.com

Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 2½ cups cold heavy whipping cream, divided
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate

Directions

• Beat eggs and granulated sugar with your mixer for 3 minutes.
• Heat 1 cup heavy whipping cream in small saucepan until just hot, not boiling.
• Pour hot cream into egg mixture slowly until combined.
• Add egg/cream mixture back into saucepan and over low heat, stir for 5 minutes constantly until thickened. Do not boil.
• Remove from heat and stir in chocolate until melted. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours, until chilled, stirring occasionally.
• When mixture is chilled and firm, use whisk attachment on stand mixer to whip the remaining heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
• Remove chocolate from fridge and using a spoon, fold/stir the whipped cream into the chocolate until smooth.
• Serve immediately as-is, or refrigerate until ready to use.

10. Fresh Strawberry Shortcake

Whip up this easy dessert for a treat that’s both sweet and refreshing.  Top it off with ice cream or learn how to make your own whipped cream to really wow.  

Recipe courtesy of foodnetwork.com

Ingredients

• 1 ½ pound strawberries, steamed and quartered
• 5 tablespoons sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoons baking soda
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• 1½ cups heavy cream

Directions

• Mix strawberries with 3 tablespoons sugar and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, 2 tablespoons sugar, and salt in a medium bowl.
• Add heavy cream and mix until just combined.
• Place mixture in an un greased 8-inch square pan and bake 18 to 20 minutes.
• Remove shortcake from pan and place on rack to cool.
• Spoon strawberries on each shortcake and serve.

With these easy gourmet recipes, you will be sure to impress whomever you are cooking for. Your kitchen disasters are a thing of the past, and now you are practically a professional chef! (Well, let's not get too carried away.) Gather your ingredients and begin cooking these fabulous meals for your lucky guests—they'll be begging for your recipes in no time. 

We already knew that Laverne Cox is one of the fiercest ladies in Hollywood, but you absolutely need to watch this new video from Nylon magazine, where the 31-year-old actress flaunts her best dance moves. In the video, Laverne is asked to act out three dances based on 3 different scenarios. While her interpretations of "High School Dance" and "Picking Up Someone at the Club" are super accurate, her best dance moves are showcased during the final challenge—"Her Best Beyoncé." From the hair flips to the hip shakes, Laverne's moves are completely on point. 

Owning up to her love for Queen Bey, Laverne tweeted, "This might make me look like a bit of a @Beyonce stan. I accept that characterization #cakebythepound"

Keep on slaying, Laverne.

In the midst of campaign season, we're all more than eager to hear what each candidate has to offer. And as collegiettes, what's more relevant to our generation than proposals concerning our greatest foe, college debt?

Apparently, Hillary Clinton is working to integrate a college financing plan into the forefront of her campaign. But what exactly is Clinton proposing, and who is it targeted toward?

We're here to answer all of your burning questions with a run-down on everything you need to know, from the basics to the financial impact such a proposal would have on both us and the government at-large. Because if there's one thing we're sure of, it's that student loans are a serious matter.

What is Hillary's plan, anyway?

The New College Compact aims to eliminate the burden of loans from a public university education. In short, the financial situation of each student attending an in-state public university would be analyzed to determine a personalized, affordable tuition cost that prevents the need to take out loans.

Further, the plan would accommodate recent grads by permitting a refinancing of existing loans, with the intention of reducing interest rates. And, according to Cosmopolitan.com, refinanced monthly loan payments would be capped at 10 percent of an individual's income. Even better, if loan debt still exists past a 20-year mark, the remainder of the loan would be pardoned.

How will this affect us?

Clinton's goal is to make an in-state, public university education accessible to everyone. Students attending state school would be granted a debt-free education by means of a more reasonable tuition cost. The only condition? According to NPR, the students would be required to provide a monetary contribution by filling financial aid employment requirements—sounds reasonable to us.

Clinton's proposal would also hold special weight for particular segments of the broader college landscape. In line with President Obama's own proposal, Clinton's plan would make two-year community college completely free. According to Hillary's campaign, historically Black Colleges and Universities and Hispanic-Serving Institutions would gain special attention, students doubling as parents would be given extra support and veterans would have access to an improved and strengthened G.I. Bill.  

What are the national financial implications?

Unsurprisingly, implementation of such a program would add hefty expenses to our nation's financial load. Clinton's solution? To minimize tax reductions for wealthy Americans.

Additionally, participating institutions would be monitored closely to ensure that all funds supporting the program would be used for academic purposes only. They'd also be encouraged to develop innovative money-saving solutions to reduce campus costs altogether.

So what are competitors saying?

As with any political campaign, there is firm opposition to Hillary's proposal, and leading the ranks is Republican candidate Jeb Bush. Indulge in the following (hilariously childish) Twitter brawl between Clinton and Bush to gage the opposition's main points. 

Good to know that our candidates are fully immersed in the latest Twitter trends—Twitter shade, we're looking at you.

While the proposal may be imperfect (some argue that feasibility is low, and students attending private institutions would remain subject to loans) we can't help but appreciate the effort being taken to address our needs as collegiettes. We're thoroughly interested to see the direction that this plan takes, and hopefully, we'll soon see a future free of college debt.

What's your take on The New College Compact, collegiettes?

The Pretty Little Liars season finale aired last night, and every question fans have had since day one was answered—well, kind of. As a fandom we've been lied to, betrayed, and strung along for 5 years. This season's tagline, "The Summer of Answers," seemed promising, but in the end many fans feel it was a huge let down. Sure, we know who A is, but it wasn't as big of a shock as viewers expected. After all the clues, the holes in the plot, and hints from the cast, it seemed something didn't add up. A lot happened last night in just a short amount of time, so we don't blame you if you're still emotionally processing it all. Here are the biggest reactions we all had during last night's reveAl. 

1. When Cece turned around to reveal herself as "A"

Really? Not even a major character whom we have an emotional attachement to? 

2. When Cece explained that she was actually Charlotte, who was actually Charles

We're all for transgender representation on the show, but in this case it didn't even make sense with the plot. How did Charles transition so quickly in Radley?

3. When we found out Sara Harvey was Red Coat AND Black Widow

Talk about random—we just met Sara! How has she been helping Cece all along? Who the heck is Sara Harvey?

4. When Cece admitted she had dated her brother Jason

This seems like yet another plot hole that was answered in a sloppy fashion. Are we really supposed to go along with this incest story?

5. When Mona realized she was the one who killed Bethany

Mona didn't think it was strange when she picked Ali up later that night and helped her skip town? 

6. When we found out Bethany pushed Toby's mom off a building

In season 4, there is a scene showing Toby as a teenager with his mom in Radley... which couldn't have happened if a 12-year old Bethany had killed her.

7. When the girls forgave A in a matter of minutes for basically no reason at all, despite the fact that she tortured them for years

But in the words of Cece/Charlotte/Charles, "No one died, did they?!"

8. When the Liars FINALLY look happy after the five year time jump... but then we find out they're still running from someone 

Let's face it, they'll never have normal lives. But at least Spencer got bangs and they look GOOD. 

9. When we found out Ali became a teacher at Rosewood High

So the character who missed two years of high school now works at that same high school...? Makes sense.

10. When we think about how Marlene King and the writers came up with this storyline

Maybe they submitted the wrong script?!

11. When we realized that we are going to be waiting the rest of our lives to get all the answers we want

Two can't keep a secret if Marlene King keeps them all to herself. 

After a long, tiring day of class and homework, we bet the last thing on your mind is exercise, and the last place on Earth you want to be at is your college’s gym. It may seem like more of a hassle than a reward to get yourself there, but trust us: it will pay off in the long run. Even if you think you’d rather exercise in the comfort of your own home, there are definitely perks to hitting up the school’s facilities. Can’t make yourself go? Check out these strategies to get yourself to the gym today!

1. Upgrade your workout gear

Your old, beat-up Nikes are collecting dust, along with the two-sizes-too-small sports bra that you wore in high school. Just like buying new clothes makes you excited to dress up for class, revamping your workout style works the same way! Once you find exercise clothes that are comfortable and cute for you, there’s no better time to wear them than during your next gym session—it’s okay to show off a little. Amidst a sea of baggy sweatpants and old tees, your new outfit will be sure to stand out. Target is a great place to start for stylish yet affordable workout gear. If you’re looking to spoil yourself, lululemon is another popular choice.

2. Make the perfect playlist

When you’re tired of running and just about ready to call it quits, that surprisingly catchy Iggy Azalea jam comes on. After two or three songs, you barely notice your aching knees or the sweat dripping in your eyes.

Ask any avid fitness buff, and they’ll attest—music is a must-have when going to the gym! We recommend creating a workout playlist to keep yourself entertained and focused on your workout. You’ll have the chance to listen to your favorite tracks while also getting great exercise. Create your playlist beforehand so that you can exercise without the annoyance of having to switch songs. It can be filled with whatever you’d like (yes, even One Direction), as long as the songs are motivating!

In her HC vlog Connie Chan, a recent graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, recommends creating a playlist for the entire length of your workout. “Create a playlist, and don’t stop working out until that playlist is over,” she says. This will help prevent you from throwing in the towel too soon!

3. Bring a friend

As the semester picks up, it becomes that much harder to meet with friends between classes, extracurriculars, part-time jobs and homework. If you know you’ll want to start exercising this semester but are too anxious to hit the gym alone, why not bring a friend (or two) along? Instead of a quick coffee date with the girls, heading to the gym together is an easy way to stay healthy and catch up at the same time. This is also perfect for collegiettes who are worried about slipping up on their routines and who want someone to hold them accountable, or those collegiettes who are just too nervous to enter the weight room alone (do you even lift, bro?).

Madeline Lacey, a senior at the University of Michigan, says she feels more comfortable with friends at the gym. “Having a friend there helps you ease into the (sometimes) intense gym atmosphere, especially the weight room with all the macho boys,” she says. “It’s definitely more fun!” Your friends are there to make sure you stick with the workout until finished, and you will be there to motivate them, too!

4. Sign up for a fitness class

It can be hard (really hard) to plan and finish a workout on your own, so that’s what group fitness classes are for! With other girls and an enthusiastic teacher by your side, you’ll become more motivated to complete each exercise and keep up with the rest of the class. Most college gyms will offer a variety of options, ranging from karate and kickboxing to yoga and barre classes, so there is something for everyone. Instead of exercising on a whim, having a fitness class in your schedule will encourage you to visit the gym more regularly. You can always invite a friend and turn it into weekly bonding activity!

5. Think of the cuties

The gym weight room is like something out of a fairy tale: all of campus’s cutest athletes gathered in one place (did you see that guy with Ryan Gosling’s face and Taylor Lautner’s abs?!). At first, it can be intimidating to work out with the boys, but what better motivation to hit the college gym than seeing those hot bods with chiseled arms every day?

And you can even get to know them (wink, wink) by going to the gym! We don’t recommend striking up a conversation while he’s mid-lift or mid-squat, but if he’s taking a break, there’s nothing wrong with getting your flirt on (can I have yo numba?). Raquel Sulaiman, a senior at the University of Michigan, says she loves getting attention from guys at UMich’s gym. “My favorite pick up line was, ‘Excuse me, I have a question. How do you get so cute?’ It just threw me completely off guard!”

The gym is the perfect place to meet some of campus’s finest, but beware of Mr. I Think I’m All That And A Bag Of Chips (you can find him flexing and grinning in front of a mirror).

6. Create a schedule

Gina Patrico, a senior at Oakland University, says that creating a workout schedule is an easy way to stay motivated to exercise even when things get hectic with classes and extracurriculars. “I have set days for certain muscle groups, so I can stay organized and fit in workouts around both school and work,” she says.

Try creating your own schedule and sticking to it. It’s as easy as picking two or three days out of the week and dedicating up to an hour of free time to get to the gym. Once you have the time allocated, you can plan ahead for homework, meals and other commitments. It’s super helpful to hang your exercise calendar in your room in order to keep track of progress and future workouts.

7. Reward yourself

If you’re the type of person that’s motivated by rewards (aren’t we all?), there’s nothing wrong with treating yourself after successful visits to the gym. Although a great workout is a reward in and of itself, you should decide what’s extra motivating for you and set a goal before you reward yourself with it. For example: if you work out at the gym 10 times this month, you could reward yourself with a mani/pedi. This is a great way to celebrate your hard work and pamper yourself at the same time! It’s important to make the reward something special so you’ll be that much more excited to hit the gym—and ultimately reach your fitness goal.

Whether its lifting weights, running on the treadmill or hitting up a punching bag, there is something for every type of workout at the college gym. If you’re looking to get your bod back into shape, there’s no better time than now! By taking the effort to get to the gym, you’ll be that much more likely to finish your workout, which is the first step in making progress. With these tips, we hope you’ll feel more motivated to visit the gym.

Have your own suggestions about how to get yourself to the gym? Leave a comment below.

It has been a great summer away, but you are definitely ready to go back to college. You didn't realize how much you would miss it, and now you long to be back on campus (not like you started a countdown or anything...) Check our top reasons why you can't wait to go back to college:

1. You desperately crave freedom

If you are living with your parents during summer break, it has probably left you feeling a little confined. College allows you to do what you want, when you want and make your own decisions - without justifying every single one to your parents.

2. Your parents are (slightly) overbearing

Of course they only do it out of love, but it can be a huge adjustment from college to being back with parents. 

3. Campus life is always buzzing

There is always something to do, an event to go to, free food to be eaten and friends to meet. 

4. Campus in general

Leaving campus reminds you how gorgeous and underappreciated it really is. Also, you are ready for a much-needed change of scenery.

5. Having friends less than five minutes away

Having your entire friend circle split across the state (or even the country) makes you miss having them just a phone call or walk away.

6. Sports and tailgates

Football season is a favorite, and you are so ready for the barbecues and game day attire.

7. You have a brand new wardrobe that you’re ready to rock

You have accumulated an impressive back-to-school wardrobe that is just waiting to be worn all over campus.

8. You miss big school events

Whether it is a guest lecture, concerts or homecoming events, you miss the fun (and free) events.

9. You can't avoid running into people from high school

Even though you have drastically improved since high school, the past is just that and running into old acquaintances isn't exactly your favorite thing.

10. You miss the steady social life

Whether it be parties, happy hour or going out to dinner, your social life at school is fab - at home, it is checking social media. 

11. Skype just isn't cutting it anymore

You want your best friend, and you want her now. Skype and Facetime are better than nothing at all, but you can't wait until she is back by your side. 

12. Being able to eat what you want, when you want

If you are staying with your parents, they might give you trouble about what you are eating. While they might be right about eating better, a milkshake or large fries once in a while never hurt anybody.

13. Constant coffee runs

Whether you run on Dunkin' or Starbucks, you miss the constant supply of caffeine. Coffee trips, like the coffee itself, are abundant and plentiful throughout the semester.

14. You feel like you're 15 again

Sure, you love having your parents to help with laundry and cook (edible) meals. But, it also leaves you with the feeling of being back in high school, and wanting to do things on your own again (okay, except laundry).

15. Having the option of the dining halls

Okay, so you don't actually miss the food at the dining hall, but you miss it as an easy way out of cooking. It might be a bit overpriced compared to off-campus options, but you don't have to change out of your pajamas and it is open until the late hours of the night, so it is clearly well worth it. 

16. Scoping out campus cuties in your classes

You might not have enjoyed the class subject, but the cute boy that you scoped out at the beginning of the semester made the class a bit more bearable.

17. You even miss classes in general

Now is the time when you are finished with introduction classes and start the core classes for your major, which you are (not so) secretly really excited about.

18. You miss trying new things

Being at home for the summer limits you to be one person, but being away at school gives you the freedom to experiment. Whether you want to try going vegetarian or revamp your personal style, it is the perfect place to try new things.

19. You miss the growth and discovery

You grow more in four years in college than you could even fathom before. Sure, you continue to grow at home, but the real growth and discovery of yourself usually happens away from home.

20. Always meeting new people

Between classes, extracurricular activities and social events, you are always meeting new people at school. 

21. Opportunities to get involved

There are hundreds of different ways to get involved on your campus, which could sometimes lead to you discovering your true passion!

22. Late night pizza deliveries

Because your parents would totally judge you for ordering a large, extra cheese pizza at 3 a.m. 

23. Pulling all nighters

Yes, they are brutal and leave you feeling awful the next day. But usually, they result in a great exam grade or lasting memories with friends, which is something that you will only experience in college.

24. Exploring and going on adventures

You might finally try that local coffee shop that everyone has been raving about, or go on a spontaneous long weekend trip with friends. It is a time to explore and find new places that are both local and destination.

25. All of the school spirit 

You miss everybody bleeding your school colors and always throwing up your symbol. It is the norm, and you do not have to compete with other schools like you do with friends from home. 

26. It has become your second home

You have started referring to both where you are from and your college town as home, because they both are. You love both equally, and they will always be home to you. But your college campus holds a special place in your heart, and you can't wait to go back.