Name: Tiffany Pham

Age: 28

Job Title and Description: Founder & CEO, MOGUL

College Name(s): Yale University, Harvard Business School

Website: www.onmogul.com

Twitter Handle: @tifftpham

What does your current job at MOGUL entail? Though I’m sure your days are far from typical, what sorts of tasks are you doing on a regular basis as founder and CEO?

Tiffany Pham: At MOGUL, we have built a technology platform for women worldwide connecting users to trending content, including stories, jobs and products that are personalized to their interests. We are ultimately democratizing information for women by enabling users to connect, exchange this information and access knowledge.

As founder and CEO, I therefore lead our team forward in ways that remain fully aligned with this mission. I guide our content and community team as they onboard new users, creating a vibrant and dynamic community. I communicate with our technology and product team to ensure our platform is providing a positive and empowering environment for sharing. I support our marketing team as they create initiatives and partnerships to bolster our presence among women and extend our reach. And I work with our operations and growth team to strengthen our internal processes and infrastructure, which further fuels our external growth. In addition, I manage our relationships with our legal [counsel], accounting [team], advisors, think tank, and tnvestors.

What is the best part of your job?

TP: The best part of launching MOGUL has been developing a product that has the potential to create a lasting impact on women worldwide with our talented team. Each member of our team represents a different perspective, bringing with them years of experiences and insights that make each day unique and interesting as we encounter new opportunities. This includes the ongoing guidance and support of our advisors, including:

• Ann Sarnoff, President of BBC Worldwide North America; Board of Directors at HSN, Inc.
• Cathie Black, Former Chairman & President of Hearst Magazines
• Michael Wolfson, Co-Founder of TheKnot.com; Former Chief Creative Officer at AOL
• Will Bunker, Co-Founder of Match.com
• James Benedict, Chief Learning Officer of Cavendish Global
• Kevin O’Donohue, Managing Partner at BC Partners

Through our combined efforts as a team, MOGUL has experienced tremendous momentum. We were the Recipient of the IVY Innovator Award presented by Cadillac, named one of the Top NYC Startups to Watch by Entrepreneur, and have been honored and recognized by Forbes, Business Insider& Harvard Business School.

But it is the countless letters that we receive from women around the world that I most look forward to every day. Women write to us, letting us know that MOGUL has changed their lives. For example, one young woman from South Asia wrote to us saying that there, a girl’s life is all about marriage. But MOGUL pointed out ideas to her, helping her prove to herself and to others that she could be more than what they say.

Another example involved a woman who uploaded her invention to Kickstarter and received little traction during that time. When she then posted her product onto MOGUL, it became the number one trending item that day, and she subsequently received unending support and backing. She wrote to us saying she was in awe – that MOGUL was democratizing PR and giving women their voice.

Between being one of the youngest executives at CBS, sitting on several boards, working as a film producer, and doing a whole lot more, you’ve been busy the last few years! Could you talk about how you got your start in media and how you acquired the skills to make MOGUL the powerhouse it is today?

​TP: I knew early on I would become a founder. Yet I concurrently became a film producer, investor, arts philanthropist and book author in order to learn as much as possible prior to the launch of MOGUL.

After graduating from Yale University and Harvard Business School, I became Director of Business Development for CBS, handling strategic initiatives for 150 digital properties. I additionally helped found the Beijing International Screenwriting Competition with the Beijing government, and I served as a co-producer on different award-winning independent films, such as Girlfriend (Toronto ’10) and Funny Bunny (SXSW ’15). I also served on the Board of Directors for a number of arts organizations, such as No Limits Media and Provincetown Film Society. For these efforts, I was named one of Forbes'“30 Under 30,"Business Insider's "30 Under 30," and next Elle magazine's "30 Under 30." But most importantly, I learned key lessons along the way for running my own company in media-technology.

Soon after, I co-authored the book From Business Strategy to Information Technology Roadmap, published by CRC Press. This inspired me to teach myself how to code Ruby on Rails, and I subsequently coded the first iteration of the MOGUL platform myself. MOGUL has since achieved a global reach of 16.2 million users per week across channels.

Speaking of age, what are some advantages and disadvantages of being the youngest person in the room? What advice do you have for college women who are finding themselves in the same spot?

​TP: The advantage of being the youngest in the room is that you are largely uninhibited by prior ways of thinking and awareness of obstacles. Your ideas and recommendations may therefore be naturally more innovative and needed within your organization.

The disadvantage is that others may automatically assume you are not experienced, and therefore your insights are not as valuable.

However, through hard work and continued collaboration, you can prove others wrong. If ever you find yourself being underestimated, continue forward with your work and deliver outstanding results, in order to demonstrate your worth. You will show that you are fully capable of spearheading initiatives or meetings and thus sharing your insights.

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

​TP: The media industry is constantly evolving, and it is important to examine the landscape to see where you might be able to add the most value for yourself and for an organization. Consider which form of media you are most passionate about – whether it is print, music or digital media. Is it undergoing disruption? Find ways in which you would be able to add to the innovation, and adopt the skill sets to do so through college projects or internships.

Since MOGUL is all about women empowerment and mentorship, what advice do you have for college women who are looking for mentors and also might find themselves in a mentor role?

Be kind. Be authentic. Be generous. In the years leading up to MOGUL, I built friendships with countless women and men by initiating projects together and finding ways to collaborate whereby I could exercise my strengths, but also learn more from their expertise. The years I spent creatively collaborating with such mentors ultimately led to some of the strongest friendships I have to date, and these people are the ones who came to rally around MOGUL upon its launch and joined our team.

For those seeking mentorship, I would recommend doing the same. For those who might find themselves in a mentor role, I would recommend accepting collaborative help from those hungry to learn from you and dedicating the time to teach through such collaborations.

What do you look for when considering hiring someone?

​TP: I look for someone who is a hustler – someone who will roll up their sleeves and get things done. Everyone on our team has that mentality built into her or his DNA, and that is something of which we are collectively very proud.

What advice would you give to a 20-something with similar aspirations?

Think about what you want to do five years from now. Then, figure out what you know and what you do not know in order to make that vision come true. Of the things you do not know, obtain opportunities wherein you would be able to learn as much as possible by offering your help, even if only for free while still a student. With each opportunity, remember that you are bringing yourself to new heights – and that much closer to your ultimate goal.

Where do you see MOGUL (and your career!) in the future?

We aim to continue developing a more diverse and inclusive future for women. We will therefore continue to expand MOGUL in ways that lend to the overall empowerment and education of women worldwide.

This is just the beginning.

Whether you’re a pumpkin spice latte addict or totally obsessed with fruit and veggie smoothies, everyone in college has their “drink.” Your preference actually says a lot about your personality—let us guess what you’re like both in and out of the classroom according to your drink choice!

Blackberry Peach Smoothie

If you gravitate toward a berry smoothie, you’re carefree, super sweet and totally outgoing. You’re probably the president of your sorority or on student government. People are drawn to you—you always have fresh ideas and are full of charm and sass. You’re a natural leader who likes her beverages fruity, icy and fresh. Up the ante on your beverage choice by adding Born Sweet ® Zing™ Zero Calorie Stevia Sweetener —it’s made from the sweetness extracted from Mother Nature’s stevia plant. All of your beverages should be a sweet as your personality—with zero calories! Try it for yourself with a free trial! 

Black Coffee

Unlike your Blackberry Peach friends, you’re a no-nonsense student. You’re a bit of a coffee snob—you love trying out new roasts and never like to dilute coffee with milk or cream! You’re probably going to go on to be a successful politician or famous writer. Your heroes include Hillary Clinton and Rory Gilmore, and you can usually be found in the library studying for your journalism class or penning the Next Great American Novel.

Papaya Peach Mango Iced Tea

You’re a Southern gal at heart, aren’t you? You know there’s nothing better than sweet iced tea – especially when it’s amped up with the fruity taste of papaya and mango. Like your favorite beverage, you’re fun but still totally classy. You’re probably on the campus dance or cheerleading team and you love school spirit. You can be found planning a tailgate or in your room making crafts for your Big and Little. Make your favorite beverage sweet without the calories with Zing™ Zero Calorie Stevia Sweetener —just sprinkle it in for a refreshingly sweet and fruity iced tea!

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Some people call you basic, but you like what you like no matter what the haters say, thank you very much. Fall is your favorite season (no surprise there!) and you love nothing more than getting cozy in bed with your childhood stuffed animal with a PSL and a good movie. You’re a firm believer that leggings can indeed be pants and you’re often found in your bestie’s dorm room, talking about the latest gossip between study sessions.

Carrot Mango Smoothie

If you’re into carrot mango smoothies, kale smoothies or anything blended with veggies, you’re a healthy collegiette with an interest in the Earth. You’re probably studying biology or geology, and you’re in charge of your school’s sustainability efforts. You’re also very health-conscious, which means you only like putting natural things in your body. No smoothie is complete without Zing™ Zero Calorie Stevia Sweetener – a sweetener made with real ingredients to add to that post-workout smoothie without added calories.

Flavored Seltzer Water

Your personality is as effervescent as your favorite drink. Lime, berry and grapefruit—you like them all as long as your drink is bubbly and light. You’re always impeccably dressed even on your way to your 9 a.m. lecture. Your friends look up to you as a role model and in your spare time, you’re usually doodling in your sketchpad or working ahead in your art history class.

Iced Coffee

If you drink iced coffee, you’re ALWAYS on the go. You put a lot of pressure on yourself to be the best you can be. You’re a little Type A, but also just as energetic as your favorite beverage. You love sporting events, group projects (as long as you’re the leader!) and road trips. You can usually be found in a cubicle in the library jugging your triple major. 

So which drink are you, collegiettes? Remember that you can sweeten all of your fave beverages with Zing™ Zero Calorie Stevia Sweetener—it’s seriously our favorite way to add a taste of perfect sweetness without adding calories. 

We’ve all been there: waking up one morning to a pesky zit that just won’t go away. Breakouts will happen to all of us, no matter how much we complain about them. While there are countless creams and lotions you can use to treat a breakout, eating the right foods might actually prevent you from breaking out in the first place. From avocados to dark chocolate (yes, we said chocolate), you can eat your way to clear skin in no time! 

1. Dark chocolate

As if we need an excuse to eat more chocolate, having a small amount of dark chocolate a day can actually improve your skin. Packed with high amounts of flavonols, a type of antioxidant, dark chocolate can help protect your skin from UV rays and free radicals. It also helps nourish your skin to heal breakouts.

2. Tomatoes

Tomatoes contain vitamin C, which can help brighten your skin tone and reduce inflammation. They’re also loaded with the antioxidant lycopene; good for evening out skin texture and protecting against UV rays.

3. Garlic

From helping your heart and healing cold sores, garlic is great for your health in general. Specifically for your skin, the allicin found in garlic helps kill off the bacteria that directly cause acne! Can’t stand having bad breath? Simply rubbing a clove of garlic on your pimple can reduce the redness and inflammation.

4. Berries

Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, oh my! No matter what kind of berry you prefer, all have antioxidants and beta-Carotene that fight off free radicals. Berries can also help improve collagen production, which can improve your skin’s overall texture and tone.

5. Avocados

Guac lovers, rejoice! Chock full of vitamin E (great to reverse skin cell damage) and vitamin C (to reduce skin’s redness), avocados leave your skin looking healthy and glowing. So next time you’re at Chipotle, splurge and get some guac. Your skin—and taste buds—will thank you.

6. Water

We’ve heard it a million times: drink eight ounces of water a day. Well, there’s a reason why hydration is important. Water naturally flushes your body out and gets rid of all those yucky toxins that can cause breakouts. Add a slice of lemon for some extra taste and defense against bacteria.

7. Salmon

Known for its omega-3 fatty acids, salmon can significantly improve your complexion by helping decrease your clogged pores and inflammation. Plus it naturally moisturizes your skin and protects it from damage.

8. Sweet Potatoes

If you enjoy sweet potato fries, you’re in luck! Sweet potatoes are a good source of vitamin C, which helps produce collagen, heal zits and reduce stress (which may be causing your breakouts!). They also contain beta-Carotene, an antioxidant to protect against skin damage.

9. Watermelon

Not only is watermelon delicious, it also helps hydrate and moisturize your skin. Beyond that, it can also help reduce excess oil, one of the main sources of acne.

These skin-improving super foods are guaranteed to beat zits before they even pop up. Get healthy, clear skin from the inside, out!

You’ve just finished up at the gym (way to go for being motivated!) and you decide to treat yourself to post-workout smoothie. While you’re content with your classic strawberry-banana drink, you can’t help but notice that the smoothie store offers all sorts of “boosts,” from green tea caffeine to whey protein powder. What are they anyways? Are they worth the extra money? Do you really need them?

Whether you’ve seen them a the gym or smoothie shops, you’ve probably heard of nutritional boosts at least once, although you might be not be sure what they are or what they do. Plus there are a lot of misconceptions about if they’re healthy for you or not! Her Campus checked in with the experts for the truth about nutritional boosts, including what they are and what you should consider before adding them to your diet.

What are nutritional boosts?

Nutritional boosts are basically any artificial nutrients you add to your food or drink. “They include any nutrient supplement [such as] vitamins, minerals or protein,” says Joanne Larsen, a licensed dietitian.“They can also be a combination of nutrients or herbal concoctions.”

Smoothie shops often advertise boosting your smoothies with things like green tea caffeine, whey or soy protein or extra antioxidants. You’re also probably familiar with Muscle Milk or protein supplements, which can be added to any drink to increase protein intake.

“People prefer [nutritional boosts] in smoothies [and drinks] because they are a convenient way to get extra nutrients or replace a meal,” says Jennifer Calo, clinical dietitian and nutritionist at Compass Nutrition. “They can boost your immune system, help bowel regularity, decrease risk of chronic diseases and provide added energy.”

Smoothie shops advertise different boosts for different situations. For example, they may suggest green caffeine if you’re feeling sluggish and zinc supplement if you’re feeling under the weather. Even though they sound great, should you really spend the extra money on them? It’s important to know exactly what these boosts are, what they do and if you really need them before adding artificial nutrients to your diet.

Myth 1: You need them for a balanced diet

One of the reasons people may turn to turn to nutritional boosts is because they believe their current diet is lacking something. However, it’s possible to reach your Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of vitamins and minerals without adding anything extra to your diet.

“The practice of supplementing one’s intake is based on what a person ‘thinks’ they need to be adding to their diet,” Larsen says. “If a person eats at least 2,000 calories a day, you’re probably hitting your RDA for vitamins and minerals. Even if you don’t eat a variety of foods, just eating enough food ensures that you get the nutrients you need.”

You can also get “natural” boosts from consuming foods high in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. “True nutritional boosts [can be found in] berries, leafy greens, avocado, chia seeds and flaxseed,” Calo says. “They are just as effective [as supplemental boosts].”

As long as you’re eating three meals a day that hit all the food groups, you’re probably already getting your all the vitamins and minerals that you need. Nutritional boosts aren’t necessary.

Myth 2: They maximize your workout

It’s common to see serious weight lifters or athletes add protein powder to their water bottles at the gym, creating the perception that nutritional boosts somehow improve your workout. But if you’re not a competitive athlete looking to build muscle, supplemental nutrients aren’t really making much of a difference for you.

“Competitive athletes need to eat more foods that have more nutrients,” Larsen says. “But periodically adding nutrients won’t have the long term effect that healthy foods will do. Nutritional boosts before a workout will not improve performance of an active person.”

Post-workout, you do need to replenish nutrients, however eating carbohydrates and protein is sufficient. You don’t need anything extra in the form of a supplemental boost. “Eat some wheat toast with peanut butter or one yogurt with a banana,” Calo suggests. “You don’t need to consume nutritional boosts in a smoothie or shake post-workout if you normally eat a varied diet.”

While you might feel like you’re improving your workout by having a little extra something in your pre and post-workout smoothie, trust that your normal diet and nutrient intake will give you the strength and energy you need. Adding extra supplements after your workout won’t hurt you, but they’re not helping you much, either. The only time they can be beneficial is when you don’t have a healthy post-workout snack. In that case, a protein shake will replenish some of the nutrients you need.

Myth 3: They’re worth the extra money

Usually if you’re adding something extra to your smoothie, it costs more. And since they’re not necessary to a healthy diet, they’re not really worth the extra money.

“Whether you want to spend the extra money on a nutritional boost is a primary consideration unless you are a competitive athlete,” Larsen says. “[If you’re in training] you may need to have increased nutrient needs.” If you play on a club sports team or work out every day, you don’t really need artificial supplements.

Additionally, if you’re someone who already has a balanced diet, there’s no need to spend additional money on extra nutrients.

“If someone eats three meals and two snacks a day rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber, nutritional boosts may be a waste of money,” Calo says. “I believe nutritional boosts are effective for people who are short on time, eat on the go and don’t necessarily have the time to prepare balanced meals.”

The only time nutritional boosts might be necessary for your diet is if you don’t have time to eat three balanced meals throughout the day. If you find yourself rushing from class to the library to a meeting with no time to eat, a protein shake will ensure you’re getting the nutrients you need to get through the day. However, just remember that a meal replacement should have has at least 200 calories and 10 grams of protein. Otherwise your body isn’t getting the nutrients it needs, which can be detrimental to your health. And never replace more than one meal a day!

Many people think that nutritional boosts are needed to balance out a diet or improve a workout, so they spend the extra money on them. While these supplemental nutrients are harmless, you don’t necessarily need them. The only times artificial nutrients could be beneficial are when you’re not able to eat three balanced meals in a day or you’re a competitive athlete looking to build muscle. Otherwise, focus on a balanced diet to get the vitamins and minerals you need! 

Back-to-school and the passage of Labor Day usually mean summer is winding down. But that doesn’t mean our wardrobe has to give in to the shift in season just yet. Below, we’ve got 8 pieces of clothing that will help you savor the final days of summer. We’re talking pineapples, anchors and beach prints—obviously.

1. We heart mermaids

Mermaids are everything, and though we can’t be sure, we think they probably hibernate in the winter. Thus, we’ll be sporting this The Laundry Room tank ($62) in the hopes of getting them to stick around as long as possible.

2. Flowers in her hair

There’s no way boring ‘ole fall leaves would look as cute in your hair as these daisy hair ties from Nasty Gal ($12.60) do!

3. Es-ca-pay

Are we the only ones who’ve been saving up for this Forestbound tote from Urban Outfitters ($100), like, all summer? Imagine the adventures you could take with such an inspiring bag at your side—even if you’re just going home for the weekend.

4. Beach, please

From afar, this Aerie wide leg jumpsuit ($39.99) looks pretty simple. It’s the subtle beach print that’s got us daydreaming.

5. Camp frock

S’mores, bonfires, more s’mores. Have we given you enough reasons why we’d rather be camping than stuck in a stuffy classroom? If not, this Wildfox Couture tee ($57.40) should do the trick.

6. Set sail

Our summer wardrobes could subsist on nautical pieces alone. These LC Lauren Conrad anchor stud earrings from Kohl’s ($8.40) add a little hint of that whimsy to any outfit.

7. Country club chic

Pineapples and rompers—it’s the perfect summer mix. If you’re looking for a major deal, snag this Maison Jules coral get-up from Macy’s ($23.99) while you still can.

8. A timeless reminder

It doesn't necessarily have to be summer for you to head out on an amazing vacay. And this Ily Couture sweatshirt ($62) is definitely a travel essential.

How is your wardrobe helping you enjoy the last days of summer, collegiettes?

Whether it’s foundation, eyeliner or lipstick, we all have our favorite beauty brands. Once we find one that we like, it’s hard to switch to anything else! But sometimes it’s difficult to find certain beauty brands at your local drugstore, so we turn to specialty makeup stores. We've all heard of Sephora—but here are 8 other places to find your favorite beauty brands, no matter what they are.

1. C.O. Bigelow

C.O. Bigelow is one of the oldest apothecaries in the United States. It’s a great place to find smaller makeup brands and has its own line of hair, skin and fragrance products. Beyond that, you can also buy brushes and styling tools, as well as candles and home goods. The only location is in New York City, but you can order online any time.

2. Beautyhabit 

Beautyhabit is a great online resource for more specific beauty brands. You can shop by category (like hair, fragrance or bath & body) and then by brand. There’s also an entire section devoted to natural and organic products if you’re specifically seeking good-for-you products. Generally, Beautyhabit tends to carry more luxury and high-end products from around the world, so you might have to splurge a little for the brand you love. Fortunately, it occasionally has “Outlet Sales,” so check back often to find great deals!

3. Soko Glam 

This website is great for discovering Korean beauty. Traditionally, Korean skincare is extremely high in quality, with innovative uses of natural ingredients. The founder Charlotte Cho personally curates all the brands on the site, so you know you’re getting the best of the best. Visit Soko Glam to find your favorite Korean beauty products or try something new!

4. FeelUnique.com 

Struggling to find a specific brand? Look no further! Feelunique.com offers hundreds of brands and thousands of products. You can search the brands alphabetically or by category. The only two locations are in the UK, but if you’re ordering online, you get free shipping over $20. Plus, they give you free beauty samples at check out! And then once you’re done shopping, check out the beauty how-to videos to ensure you look ***flawless.

5. SkinStore.com

This website also breaks down products by brand and indicates which ones are natural with a little green leaf. There are no Skin Store locations so you have to order online, however the site provides a live-chat option to talk to a specialist any time! You can also check the “Specials” section to receive free gifts when you buy certain products.

6. Bluemercury

Blue Mercury has a wide variety of beauty products with everything from tinted moisturizers to bath salts. You can shop by category or by brand, although your best bet is to look at the “Products We Love” and “Best Sellers” sections. With locations in the Northeast, Midwest and on the west coast, you can shop in store or online.

7. Harmon Face Values

Who doesn’t love awesome beauty products and a good deal? Harmon Face Values offers a ton of popular products, all at reduced prices. It’s a great place to find popular brands you love, as well as the ones that are harder to find. The only locations are in the tri-state area, but you can always visit the site to order online. You get free shipping on orders $50 and more, plus you can sign up for special offers and discounts.

Where do you shop your favorite beauty brands, collegiettes? 

The month of September kicks off with Labor Day, and while you've spent plenty of time preparing your BBQ outfit, you may not have thought too much about your hangover beauty routine.

Chances are, the late-night bonding you had with your friends and a celebratory beer (or two) have left you with dark circles, puffy skin and more—and since we've already got you covered with ways to feel better during a hangover, we're now here with tips on how to freshen up your daytime look after a long night out. Check out our top five favorite tricks to hide your Labor Day hangover!

Use concealer to hide dark circles

Stayed up too late the night before, only to discover unsightly dark circles under your eyes the next morning? To fix this problem, pick up an under-eye concealer with yellow undertones so it looks more natural on your skin, which will help to counteract dark circles or bags and any redness you might have.

We love the Corrector Concealer in Yellow ($6) from Maybelline as a budget-friendly pick, or the Erase Paste Concealer ($26) from Benefit if you're looking for a higher end product. Apply the concealer like a triangle, with the base underneath your eye and the point at your cheek, for the most flattering results. Unlike simply swiping concealer in a horizontal line underneath your eyelid, this method will help give the illusion that your face is lifted and firm.

Apply white or nude eyeliner to reduce redness

While you may be used to applying dark shades of eyeliner, pick out a neutral shade this time to help nix any redness around your eyes. This will help your eyes to look fresher, healthier and wider.

We recommend this eyeliner ($6) from Sephora in "Pure White" to line the inner rims of your eyes. Then, blend into your inner and outer corners as a highlighter, which will brighten up your look.

Mix illuminator into your foundation

For a natural-looking glow, try mixing an illuminator into your foundation rather than reaching for your favorite bronzer. Even though a bronzer can give your skin an extra glow, using an illuminator will give you more natural-looking results. It's also easier to blend and will make your skin look extra radiant and dewy.

Search for a product that is fairly sheer so it doesn't alter your foundation shade. Try the Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator ($7.50) from NYX Cosmetics to achieve the luminous glow you desire.

Choose your colors wisely (think bright lips and neutral eyes)

Sticking with neutral colors on your eyes doesn't only work to conceal redness, but a natural eye (unlike something like a smoky eye or bright shadows) also won't draw attention to the area. If you do want to add some color or interest to your look, opt for a bright shade of lipstick.

The bold color will pull attention away from tired eyes, and right to your pretty smile! You can rock a timeless red, a summer-inspired coral or a deep berry shade perfect for the season. 

Take aspirin to reduce inflammation and puffiness

This trick provides two benefits: First, the aspirin will help to cure your post-drinking headache, and it will also reduce inflammation, which will decrease puffiness (and work wonders for your complexion!). In addition to taking the aspirin, make sure you're drinking plenty of water throughout the day to rehydrate your body and skin.

How do you rejuvenate your look after a night out, collegiettes?

The campus dating scene is simultaneously amusing as it is confusing. In between all of the demanding classes and other commitments we have to worry about as busy collegiettes, our dating lives shouldn’t have to be complicated.

You might be used to hearing about dating apps exclusively, but there are still dating websites out there you might not be familiar with. To save you the hassle, we’ve explored a few options you might want to consider checking out, and a couple you should definitely avoid.

1. Date My School

Best For: Collegiettes looking to meet other students to go on casual dates.

If you want to connect with campus cuties without any awkward small talk, Date My School comes in clutch as a top pick. The site requires you to register with a university email address, which helps to automatically ward off any creeps pretending to be in college. In addition, alumni are welcome to register with the site as well, rather than just current students.

With Date My School, you’re able to filter your results by colleges, departments and even individuals to get the best results. You might be totally done with all of the guys on your own campus, so this is an easy way to interact with guys at other campuses that are geographically close to yours.

Another common issue you might have is that there are very few or even zero guys in your academic department, so if you want to still stick to your own campus, you can check out other potential matches in other departments. With all of this in mind, the site allows you to customize your privacy settings accordingly to make sure you feel totally safe while you have fun.

2. Zoosk

Best For: Collegiettes looking for partners to be with exclusively.

Although it’s nice to have the same Chipotle order (brown rice bowl, anyone?) in common with your crush, sometimes you really want to be able to connect with someone on a deeper level. This way, you two can talk about all of those topics while you’re splitting an order of chips and guacamole.

Zoosk is a dating site that uses a specialty behavioral matchmaking technology, which is a program designed by the site to make sure your matches are catered to your specific needs and desires. In return, you won’t have to worry about scrolling through a bunch of matches that might live near you, but don’t share the same behavior traits and preferences as you do.

This makes for more productive dating, because ain’t nobody got time to sift through a bunch of matches that you know won’t be right for you.

3. OkCupid

Best For: Collegiettes on a tight budget looking to meet a worthwhile match.

Since OkCupid markets itself as “the best free dating site on Earth,” it certainly has a reputation to live up to. Thankfully, with over one million users installing their app every week and the number of users currently on the site constantly growing, it definitely seems to walk the walk.

The site uses a love of math to form their own algorithms and formulas designed to help users connect with worthwhile matches faster and easier. You’ll be able to sort through matches through questionnaires, as well as quizzes that won’t require flashcards or an ounce of studying.

It’s totally easy to take OkCupid on-the-go with you via their app, plus it’s free to download and use. Your wallet and your heart will thank you.

Avoid these:

1. University Love Connection

With a sketchy background photo and no legitimate claims and guidelines for online safety, University Love Connection is a website you should stay far away from. It claims to have “no gimmicks” and that your information is “safe” since they “don’t sell email addresses,” but based on their actual website, we’re a bit suspicious.

Another red flag is the lack of testimonials from student users, and the disturbing tags of results that are visible once you search your college state on the home page.

To top it all off, the grammar and spelling mistakes are plentiful, so this easily lets us know how ridiculous the website is. The next time you’re really bored, we bet you could search through the website and pick out handfuls of punctuation mistakes.

2. Match

Even though Match is a reputable site with adorable testimonies from happy couples, we wouldn’t recommend using the site as a collegiette. A large portion of Match.com users are over 30, meaning the odds of finding a cutie that knows the ups and downs of campus life are slim.  

Although you may be looking to permanently settle down with someone, many collegiettes are just looking to date or have a casual boyfriend without any immediate expectations of marriage. Since many of the Match.com users are over 30, starting a family may be a very real expectation, and you won’t want to lead anyone on if you’re just looking for someone to watch OITNB with on a Saturday night. 

With this in mind, we recommend enjoying your college years to the fullest, rather than concentrating on whether or not you have a boyfriend or girlfriend. Go on a few dates, have fun and love will find you when it’s time. Once you’re really ready to settle down with someone, Match will still be around for your convenience!

Since we love being able to make college life easier for you, we hope these dating website suggestions will give you the boost you need to conquer online dating with confidence!

We don’t think we’ve ever been so blindsided. And that’s really saying something given the drama we’ve seen over the course of a long and less-than-illustrious Bachelor history.

We thought Kirk and Carly were as solid as they come. After all, Kirk showed no signs of worry at last night’s rose ceremony. It wasn’t until the next morning—when only the “serious” couples remained in Paradise—that Kirk made his doubts known and decided to end his five-week blissfest with Carly.

Carly’s reaction was intense, to put it mildly. And this was so unlike any other breakup from this franchise that we were left pretty rattled. The excruciating exchange between the once-couple was hard to watch, and we felt like we were intruding on a very private moment. Kirk was kind of breaking up with all of us because our hearts were breaking right along with Carly’s. We eventually went full-on Ashley I.

But here’s what fans and Carly—and Jade and Tenley—are so upset about. This was completely out-of-the-blue. Earlier in the episode, Carly was telling Kirk he was her person and that she could see herself having his kids. We know that sounds a bit bizarre when you’re talking to someone you’ve only been dating for a little over a month, but this is Paradise. Kirk had every opportunity to step in and tell her things were moving too fast, but he let Carly believe in their future, which he admitted he’d been questioning for the past week.

It’s not cool to lead someone on period—no offense, Jared—but we think Kirkley could’ve made it work outside Paradise if he’d had the guts to slow her down a bit. What we don’t want for this to become is another hate-filled attack toward a guy that told the truth, no matter how late in the game he did so.

We have a combination of excitement and dread for tonight’s After Paradise when the bitter exes are supposed to come face-to-face again for what we’re sure will be a Chris Harrison-prompted showdown. But in the mean time, how about we rejoice in the gloriousness that is Carly’s breakup ballad for Kirk?

And so help us if Janner doesn’t get engaged before this is all over, we are going to be pissed.

Okay, so the jig is up! Us girls aren’t so perfect after all. In fact, we’ve got plenty to hide. We planned on taking our secrets to the grave (in true Pretty Little Liars fashion, of course!), but it’s about time we let the truth set us free! We’re still amazing little creatures, but there are a few secrets we collegiettes have filed away. Maybe we’re coming off of a truth serum high or we’re just plain crazy, but we’re revealing 14 secrets nearly every college women has (sorry for letting the cat, or shall we say cats, out the bag!) 

1. We already have our wedding with you planned out!

Isn’t that what Pinterest boards were made for?

2. And we’ve picked out the first and middle names for our three future kids

There’s nothing wrong being prepared!

3. We watch porn...a lot

Okay, maybe not as much as guys!

4. No shave November? We’ve been there, done that!

And we actually kind of like our extra fur during those cold months!

5. We still stalk our ex on social media

And his sister…and our ex BFF from ninth grade…and our current crush from chem lab.

6. It’s highly unlikely that we’re on our period

Sometimes we just really don’t want to sleep with you. #SorryNotSorry!

7.We’ve worn the same yoga pants three times this week

Ugh, we're the president of that club, Lizzie!

8. We probably slept in last night’s makeup!

#REALLYwokeuplikethis!

9. We can down a bottle of wine in less than an hour

What we do in our spare time is none of your business. K thanks, bye!

10. We practice our dance moves in the mirror when no one’s around

Miley isn’t the only member of the twerk team!

11. We sometimes have penis envy

Being able to stand and pee anywhere...one could only dream!

12. We got dressed and put on makeup just to reply to our crush on Snapchat!

There’s no way we’re snapping with bed head!

13. We can’t help but practice our picture poses and pouty lips in a mirror before going out

You didn’t think we perfected that skinny arm overnight, did you?

14. And we CAN grow mustaches!

But we will bleach, shave and pluck that fury member away if it’s the last thing we do! 

It’s been a long first week of classes, so why not take a study break with UPB? Head over to Grafton for a $3 movie! This week “Insurgent” will be playing Wednesday - Saturday from 7:00 - 9:00 PM. 

If you haven’t heard of Hippo Campus yet, you need to take a listen to one (or more) of their songs. We sat down with the four Minnesotans before their performance at Made in America over the weekend. 

Before Jake Luppen (guitarist and vocalist), Nathan Stocker (guitarist), Zach Sutton (bassist) and Whistler Allen (drummer) came together, they were just classmates at the same performing arts school. The foursome originally started as two different bands—but fortunately for us, decided to come together as one. 

After their breakout performance at SXSW, the group went on to perform at Conan just a week later. Since then, they’ve gone on tour with bands like Modest Mouse and Walk the Moon.

Oh, and did we mention that they were named “Best Newcomers” by Rolling Stone?

With all of this happening in a matter of months, Hippo Campus agreed that they haven’t really had the time to take it all in. 

After reflecting, we discussed the origin of the band's name. “It came to me in a dream,” Nathan joked. Don’t interpret that as a pretentious attempt to sound interesting, because that’s not how he meant it.

Why do we know this? It's because of the group's humble demeanor throughout the interview. They were some of the funniest and most down-to-earth people we’ve ever met.

Jake sums it up perfectly: “We’re really cool fun guys”—and he’s right.

In an industry that thrives on trying to be something that you’re not in order to gain a fan base, Hippo Campus is a breath of fresh air.

It doesn’t hurt that their music is absolutely fantastic, either. From their upbeat tracks like “Suicide Saturdays” (yes – this song is upbeat) to cool, mellow ones like “The Halocine,” these guys incorporate a sense of variety while maintaining their unique sound.

During the band's set at Made in America, the only time the fans took a break from singing along was when they were yelling, “I love you!”

All four band members were actively participting throughout the show, whether it was through singing, dancing or just engaging with the audience.

With the title of performing at Jay Z’s concert series under their belt, Hippo Campus is only going to continue rising. For right now, they’re doing a run of their own shows throughout the Midwest. In October, the boys will be touring with JR JR and releasing a new EP (on the 2nd).

Until then, do yourself a favor and check them out on iTunes. We already know they're going to be HUGE, so now is the time to get on board!   

Photos by Priscilla Andalia of Best Trends For Life. 

We all know that college dorms are really a giant petri dish, so you're probably upping your germ-fighting game because you know that the moment someone on your floor gets sick, everyone else is next. Maybe you’re washing your hands more often or purposely avoiding those who might be getting sick, but do you know about the disturbing number of germs that lurk in some of your most simple habits?

We spoke with Dr. Darria Long Gillespie, executive vice president of the health and wellness platform Sharecare, about the icky topic, and she doled out some seriously useful advice to help you steer clear of bacteria while not having to go sterilization crazy. If you’re wondering just how easy it is to spread germs, check out these habits that you probably do every day!

1. Talking on your cellphone

At some point or another, you've probably heard a news report that suggests your cellphone is dirtier than a toilet. Given how attached we are to our mobile devices, it's not surprising that these reports have some truth to them.

Aside from sparking breakouts, germs that come in contact with your face can cause much more harm. Cellphones can be home to bacteria like E.coli and MRSA.

Dr. Gillespie, who is also an emergency physician at Emory University Hospital, advises wiping your cellphone down regularly with an alcohol or Lysol towelette. "Cell phones can get really gross," she says. "Think of all the places you set your phone down –the restaurant table, a taxi cab seat– and then think of how often you put it up to your face and mouth!”

So next time you’re in a public space, you might want to think twice about putting your phone down on any old surface!

2. Using public pens

When you pay for a meal at a restaurant, signing your name on the receipt is almost second nature. The moment the piece of paper and pen are placed in front of you, you know what to do, which is probably why the cleanliness factor never crosses your mind.

If 50 people before you had used the pen, it's almost as if you've shaken hands with every one of them. Dr. Gillespie suggests carrying your own pen around with you and making a habit of using it at stores, restaurants and banks.

Though a public pen is not home to one specific germ, using it is a surefire way of increasing your risk of catching the common cold. Who knows if the people before you were wiping their noses with their hands or coughing into them?

3. Doing the dishes

You would think that the kitchen sink is free of germs since, after all, it's where cleaning takes place, right? Wrong. Surprisingly, the kitchen harbors more germs than any other room in the home, and it's your trusty sponge that remains one of the biggest culprits. After much repeated use, sponges become clogged with bacteria like E.coli and salmonella.

So when you think you're cleaning your favorite mug, you could really be spreading germs that may have belonged to any of your roommates, or worse, germs that stem from contact with raw meat or eggs. The next time you go to do the dishes, think back to the last time you replaced it. If your sponge is more than a few weeks old or looks like it's falling apart, toss it.

Dr. Gillespie also advises keeping two sponges for different purposes. "Sinks themselves can get really dirty, so don't wash your dishes with the same sponge you wiped the sink down with," she says. "Keep one for food-carrying products and another for cleaning the actual sink."

For further defense against bacteria, Dr. Gillespie says that popping your sponge in the microwave works as well. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, nuking a wet sponge for just 60 seconds can decrease bacteria by 100 percent.

4. Handling credit cards and cash

While you can bring your own pen to the store to avoid sharing the same one with tons of shoppers, there's really no good way to get out of touching questionably dirty money and swiping your credit cards through PIN pad machines. Dr. Gillespie says the best thing you can do is to use hand sanitizer right afterwards so you don't forget and end up touching your face or eating with dirty hands.

Although washing your hands is preferable, realistically you're not going to run to the bathroom every time you touch something that's potentially filthy. Of course, not everyone is going to get into the habit of Purelling after every transaction, so just be mindful of what your hands last touched until they’re clean.

5. Serving yourself food at the dining hall

If you see food servers at your dining hall wearing gloves and washing their hands often, you would think you're in the clear from germs, right? Not necessarily, it turns out, especially if your dining hall is buffet style.

If you just finished your plate of food and want to go back for more, it's smartest to get a new plate. By returning to the salad bar and accidentally touching the serving utensil to the plate you've already eaten off of, you are spreading your germs to anyone else who will later use that utensil. For the benefit of others, grab a new plate if you go back for seconds.

Dr. Gillespie says that during flu season, she will grab a napkin and use it to hold the serving utensils. "It may seem neurotic, but it's kept me from getting sick [when everyone else is]," she says.

As another precaution, Dr. Gillespie says that whenever food is being served in a shared environment, it's best to get in the habit of either washing your hands or using hand sanitizer before eating.

6. Using gym equipment

Because of all the sweating that goes on, the gym can be considered a pretty gross place to begin with even before you factor in the germs. But if you think of all the nasty sicknesses you can catch from gym equipment, like the stomach flu or MRSA (which causes tough-to-treat infections), you may start to consider it just downright scary.

As a germ-fighting tactic, many gyms have placed hand sanitizer and wipe dispensers around their facilities. Some even hang signs on the walls asking gym-goers to wipe down machines after they're done using them, but there's really no way of knowing if your equipment was cleaned before you hop on.

Dr. Gillespie recommends wiping down your equipment before using it because not everyone remembers to clean their machines, even if they had intended to. "Be sure to let [your] equipment air-dry, as that gets rid of the germs best," she says.

While you don't want drive yourself crazy and start being that person who sprays Lysol on everything in sight, it's good to be aware of where germs hide and how easily they spread. These germ-infested habits can be worrisome, but there’s no need to lose sleep over them. As long as you keep Dr. Gillespie’s tips in mind, you should have nothing to fear when it comes to these pesky germs!

Bachelor in Paradise came to a close this week, of course with a few major shockers in store. The two most recently formed pairs—Justin and Cassandra, Samantha and Nick—decided to try life together outside of Paradise while one of the more stable duos—Tenley and Joshua—called it quits.

But all was right with the world when Tanner dropped to one knee and proposed to Jade. We don’t know about you, but we had all the feels in that moment. It’s pretty clear now that Janner was basically the Marcus and Lacy of this season, and here’s the proof.

1. Once they were together, that was it for them.

Just like Marcus and Lacy, Jade and Tanner stopped caring about who else was coming to Paradise the second they committed to one another. There was never any threat of wandering eyes from these pairs. It was locked down early on, and no one was going to come between them.

2. They were dullsville in the best way possible.

Boring couples don’t really make for good TV. But they do make for long-term relationships. Marcus and Lacy tended to annoy the majority of their season’s castmates by ignoring everyone but each other. Tanner and Jade’s snarky yet wise commentary about their fellow Paradisers helped us remember they were around, but otherwise they were often canoodling away from the cameras.

3. They were the couple everyone else wanted to be like.

All the singles that came to Paradise idolized these lovey-dovey partnerships. We can’t even begin to count the number of times we heard, “I want what Jade and Tanner have.” As we know, it’s special and rare when couples can connect like they did in this situation. And when they’re successful instant BiP royalty status can be claimed. Let’s just hope Tanner and Jade aren’t forced to go back to Mexico for their on-air wedding/next season’s premiere.

4. Time meant nothing to them.

Keep in mind these people have literally known each other six weeks. You certainly wouldn’t realize it just by glancing at them. We appreciate couples that are willing to go all-in when they feel it’s right. And while we’ll admit we thought Marcus was cuckoo for proposing to Lacy last season, it worked for them. That explains why we were dying for Tanner to pop the question to Jade and had absolutely zero reservations about the timeline. When it’s meant to be…

Do you see the similarities between these two BiP couples, collegiettes? 

These days, everyone seems to have mixed opinions on Pinterest. Some collegiettes would never want to live without it (guilty), while others would rather spend their quality procrastination time elsewhere (ahem, Netflix). Regardless of your stance on the site, we can all agree that Pinterest beauty fails are nothing short of hilarious. Check out our favorite Pinterest hairstyle fails and get ready to feel a little better about your own locks. 

1. Twisted Hair Heart 

A bit questionable, but it's the thought that counts right? 

2. Hair Bow

If we were given one dollar for every failed attempt at recreating this top-pinned hair bow, we wouldn't owe Sallie Mae a penny.

3. Sock Bun

We've decided to keep our socks on our feet and not in our hair.

4. All-Natural Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Straightener

We've never appreciated our trustworthy CHI flat iron so much. 

5. No Heat Curls: Part One

Does anyone have any John Frieda Frizz-Ease up in here?!

6. No Heat Curls: Part Two 

We've come to the conclusion that Pinterest-worthy curls do, in fact, require heat.

7. Low-Rolled Updo

It's okay girl, we can sympathize. Work that low 'do!

Have you ever successfully mastered a Pinterest hairdo? 

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

We all know the number one queer-girl dating rule: Don’t fall for a straight girl. It’s a huge no-no. You can save yourself a lot of heartbreak if you just comply with this one simple rule. But… sometimes you can’t help yourself. Here are all of the things that might run through your head during this heart-wrenching mess.

When you kind of already know there’s a 75 percent chance you’re going to be heartbroken…

And you know your friends are going to get upset with you and try to talk you out of it…

But you can’t help but like her, because, well, she’s SUUUPER cute!

The way her baby-soft hair flows in the wind…

The way her nose crinkles when she laughs…

Is this knot in your stomach the result of butterflies, or impending doom?

Whatever. You decide you’re going for it. You’ll never know if she’s interested until you ask, right?

Maybe she’s just super femme…

So you try to sit next to her to start a conversation.

…Only to watch her have eye sex with the guy behind her.

But she does tell you that if she was gay, you would ~*totally be her type*~

So you go to a house party to make your moves on her…

And now, she’s FINALLY flirting back!

Or maybe it was the two cups of jungle juice she just chugged...

But who cares, you’re dancing! You’re having a great time and it’s going well!

But then she introduces the annoying quarterback as her new boyfriend…

And in that moment you swear you’re going to be single for the rest of your life…

But you know…maybe you’re better off.

After all, you might have just saved yourself a whole lot of heartbreak.

So it looks like Alex Vause was probably right in this situation.

We don’t have to tell you that campus life is expensive. Between steep tuitions and meal plans, you’re probably wondering how you’ll have any extra pocket money to have fun. It is possible to save money during the school year without sacrificing the things you love. Here are our top tips for making the most of your budget during the school year!

1. Invest in a Keurig Brewer

Let’s do the math for a second. If you’re like us, you probably buy coffee a few times a week. With your average coffee drink coming in at around $4, you could easily be spending hundreds of bucks supporting your caffeine addiction. Enter Keurig, probably the best thing to ever happen to coffee and your wallet. The new Keurig® 2.0 K250 brewing system is compact in size to easily fit in your dorm room, and is available in seven unique colors (like Violet, Turquoise, Sandy Pearl and Orange Zest) to perfectly match your decorating theme. It can also brew over 500 beverages from over 75 brands that you already know and love—like Starbucks® and Green Mountain Coffee®, for instance.  The best news is the brewer is only $119 (less than a month’s worth of your favorite Starbucks® Latte), and K-Cup® pods only run about 75 cents a cup! Now you don’t even have to wait until fall for your beloved Pumpkin Spice Latte and no more rushing to the coffee shop before class – you can just make it in the comfort of your dorm! 

2. Use a money-tracking app

Budgeting isn’t exactly fun, and you’re probably not balancing a checkbook by hand like your parents do. There are a ton of excellent money-tracking apps out there, like Mint, where you can link all of your credit and debit accounts so you can see a full picture of what your spending habits are. You can even set it up so the app will alert you when you’re approaching the edge of your budget for the month!

3. Take advantage of your campus

By now you’ve probably figured out that your college tuition goes toward a lot more than classes. Your school offers TONS of free activities both during the week and weekend, like festivals, concerts, speaker series and more. Not that you shouldn’t spend money on a movie ticket to the hot release — but if the majority of your time is spent on campus, you’ll save a lot of money by taking advantage of what you’ve already paid for. Your parents will thank you.

4. Make dinner with friends

If you’re not on a meal plan, it can be hard to know how much to spend on food. Bulk food is often cheaper, but can go to waste if you’re the only one eating it. Make a weekly dinner with friends to save money and also schedule some much-needed catch-up time during busy weeks!

5. Shop where there are student discounts

Luckily, we have access to a LOT of discounts as college students. From clothing to transportation to food, there’s probably a discount out there you can use to save a bit of money. If you’re going to be spending money on these things anyway, you should shop smart!

6. Reuse school supplies

A half-used notebook should never be thrown out. Reuse all of your school supplies from the semester before. We know it’s fun to get cute new supplies every year, but it adds up really fast — and by the time you graduate, you’ll end up throwing out most of it anyway. Unless there’s a gorgeous planner you’ve been saving up for, your money will probably be better spent elsewhere!

7. Host a clothing swap

Let’s be real — you’re only going to wear that sorority formal dress once. Instead of constantly buying new clothes for every event, swap with your friends! You could have an “open closet policy” where you and your friends shop each others’ closets, or you could do a formal swap with your besties, your sorority sisters or your floormates. Chances are, they’ll have something you’ll love and your old clothes can find new homes!

We promise you don’t have to break the bank this semester! By using what you already have and making investments (like buying a Keurig!) so you can save BIG later, you’ll have money to spare so you can have a stress-free semester. 

With Made in America 2015 officially being over, music fans are counting down the days until the next big festival. While words cannot describe how amazing it is to see our favorite artists perform live, it can be extremely costly—especially on a collegiette’s budget. However, you shouldn’t let that hold you back. We’re here to help you survive any music festival on a tight budget!

1. Bring friends

You’re probably not going to attend something like SXSW solo, but you should definitely consider bringing a couple of friends. This will allow you to split everything a few ways, which will save you a lot of money when it comes to booking a hotel or taking an Uber.

Kailee, a senior at Rutgers University, traveled to Made in America with five of her friends—and they all stayed in one hotel room. “[Our room] is super cramped but we didn’t want to pay more when we would be spending almost all of our time at the concert,” Kailee explains. While getting ready with five other girls isn’t ideal, Kailee’s got the right idea, especially since hotels are even more expensive when concerts come into town.

2. Search social media for Uber & Lyft codes

Unless you drive to your destination, you’re going to need to get around throughout your trip, so take advantage of companies like Uber, Lyft, or the lesser known Tripda. These services are usually cheaper than taxis, and much faster than public transportation. While these options are relatively inexpensive, you can save even more money by searching things like “Uber code” or “Lyft code” on Twitter.

People who use these methods of transportation every day frequently tweet out their assigned code so that both they and the person who uses it gets a discount, or even a free ride. Once you use one of these services, you get your own code—so from there, you can share it with your friends and continue getting discounted and free rides between all of you.

3. Consider all your travel options

It’s tempting to just book a flight without looking into any other options because doing so would require research, but trust us—it’s definitely worth your time. Some of the alternatives include taking a bus (like a Greyhound) or a train. Whether or not these options are available depends on your location, but they’re much cheaper, so try your best to utilize them!

If you’re not close to a bus or train station, you could consider flying to a nearby location and then hopping on a different mode of transportation there. You might save on airfare by cutting down on the length of the flight.

4. Apply to work or volunteer at the festival

So, you've got your travel plans and your stay budgeted out... now for the ticket. The cost of attendance alone can make or great a collegiette's budget—so what now? Signing up to volunteer will usually get you into a festival for free! While this isn’t ideal, you’ll still get the opportunity to be in the environment and hear all of the music! It’s also likely that you wouldn’t be working or volunteering throughout the entire day, so you could stick around afterwards and have just as much fun.

Callie, a recent graduate from UPenn, did this at Made in America. She worked at one of the drink stands right in front of the main stage, and got to see a variety of artists like Beyoncé, Modest Mouse and more. “I was usually super busy serving water or beer, but I could hear and see everything the entire time. Plus, I was getting paid,” she says. Getting paid to see Queen Bey? We’ll take that for sure.

5. Pack accordingly

What you bring will help determine how much money you spend. One of the most important things to pack is a “hydration pack.” This is a backpack that has a system built into it that allows you to fill a reservoir with water and then drink out of it with a hose-like straw. One pack will probably last you throughout the day, but even if you end up needing to fill it up, you're sure to find a free water source at a hydration station. Venues up the price of water because they know people will have to buy it, so bringing your own will save you TONS of money!

Another item to consider packing… money! We're sure you thinking, “Well, duh,” but there’s more to it than that. You should bring a set amount of cash. You can determine how much to bring by planning out what you want to spend on food, drinks, merchandise and more. Having a specific amount on you will help you set a budget and stick to it!

It’s not fair to miss out on a fun experience just because you’re not made of money. Collegiettes can still find ways to make the most out of music festivals without breaking the bank!

If you’re a Her Campus reader, we know you’re an ambitious woman. Whether you’re a sorority president, captain of the field hockey team, Dean’s List student or just super involved on your campus, you’ve got goals that you’re looking to reach.  Let us introduce you to this HUGE movement that is seriously the coolest, most inspiring thing ever. And get this—you could win $10,000 and be featured in Cosmopolitan if you win this essay contest!

What is it? 

#ActuallySheCan℠ is an innovative movement that encourages female empowerment by inspiring young women to achieve their professional, personal, health, wellness and societal goals. The movement’s got a huge social media presence—women our age are posting #ActuallySheCan statements all over Twitter and Instagram, including celebs like Lea Michele, Lo Bosworth and iJustine! We think it’s seriously inspirational. Any movement that aims to inspire and motivate young women to achieve their goals gets an A+ in our book. 

How does #ActuallySheCan apply to me? 

Want to start your own business after college? Training for an upcoming marathon? Organizing a new club on campus? Trying to ace that next physics exam? If you’re like us, you’re a busy, super-social, assertive yet kind collegiette—and while you’ve got ambition, sometimes you hear that little voice in your head telling you that your dreams are too big. #ActuallySheCan is all about knowing that yes, you can achieve ALL of those goals—and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Basically, #ActuallySheCan is a moment or experience when someone or something in society thought you couldn't accomplish something that you did—such as wanting to enter a male-dominated career. It could also be a goal you’re working toward, like starting a club on campus. Or, it could be a salute to someone who has inspired you, like your entrepreneur mom or a professor-turned-mentor. Whatever your #ActuallySheCan moment may be, big or small, it’s all about working towards goals and inspiring others.

Okay, cool—how can I get involved? 

There are several ways! Register on the website for future communications to make sure you are always up to date on all of their activities!

Be sure to follow the movement on social media. Check out @ActuallySheCan on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to feel inspired whenever you see #ActuallySheCan in your newsfeed.    

The movement is all about sharing YOUR most inspiring moment and your goals—your #ActuallySheCan message. If you are eligible*, enter the Actually 500 Words Can℠ Writing Contestand share your #ActuallySheCan experience! The entrant who submits the most original, articulate and inspiring story will receive a $10,000 cash prize and a two-week residential mentorship program with Allergan, a global pharmaceutical company, and will be featured in one of our favorite magazines, Cosmopolitan! Seriously—think of how awesome that $10,000 would be! And let’s be real—500 words is nothing. Go on—think of it as a productive break from homework! 

What should I write about? 

You can write about your biggest dreams, facing your most challenging obstacles and any events (big or small!) in your life that you thought you would never achieve or get past! Please check out the full contest terms and conditions. The submission deadline is October 15!

What is YOUR #ActuallySheCan moment, collegiettes?

*Eligibility requirements and restrictions apply. Please see complete contest terms and conditions at Actuallyshecan.com/contest.