Resumes are hard to format—you have to make sure that you include your education, appropriate work experience, skills (ranging from editorial to software-related), coursework and oh, yeah, you only have one page to fit this all in! The question then becomes, what really needs to be included in your resume?

With the sheer number of resumes most employers are looking over, they likely won’t have time to give your resume more than a quick scan; so it is essential to include the most important information and leave out the rest, as painful as that may be. So is volunteer work something you definitely need to include? Does it show a potential employer that you have more skills, or does it simply take up extra space? Here’s what the experts had to say.

If you have volunteer experience…

It displays interests beyond academics

If your goal is to find an internship or full-time job in the non-profit world, including volunteer work on your resume is a great move. According to Jane Finkle, a career consultant and founder of Career Visions, “Volunteer experience demonstrates your interest in building community and the likelihood that you will be a good citizen in the workplace,” she says. Volunteer experience can also help you land jobs in the business sector, as employers recognize that it helps students build various skills and organizational experience outside of what they’d learn in school.

It can lead to a job offer

Your volunteer work is important not just for the resume boost. Sometimes, volunteering actually leads to direct job opportunities! Megan Rooney, the cooperative education coordinator at Drexel University, says, “I have had students convert their volunteer work into co-op jobs. [I worked] with a student who stayed as a volunteer with an organization after her co-op ended. That student has received an offer of employment with the organization upon her graduation.” Rooney says that employers are looking to hire someone who goes above and beyond the call of duty, and having volunteer experience on your resume is a surefire sign of that.

It is invaluable to the corporate world

According to Rooney, your volunteering work ranks as just as important as job experience when it comes to applying for certain positions, especially in the corporate world. “Every big corporate organization has a department dedicated solely to philanthropic work,” she explains. “Having volunteering work on your resume shows the employer that you care about the same causes as the organization.” Furthermore, Rooney gave examples of companies like Comcast and financial services firms like JP Morgan Chase & Co. that value philanthropic endeavors. If you’re looking to enter the corporate world, having volunteering work on your resume can instantly tell the employers that you value giving back to the community just as much as your potential employers do.

It will showcase your dedication to an employer

Maura O’Connor, also a cooperative education coordinator at Drexel, says, “Volunteer experience is an opportunity for a student to showcase passion and commitment to an employer, due to the fact that it is optional in nature.” It showcases a student’s commitment and loyalty to an organization, because working as a volunteer is completely, well, completely voluntary. These, according to O’Connor, are the qualities that can help your resume stand out from the rest.

It will help you present your best self

According to Patricia Corrigan, a career counselor at Boston College, your resume is oftentimes the first contact a prospective employer will have with you and therefore presenting your best self is key to landing an interview. “[Volunteer experience] demonstrates leadership, it shows compassion, and every volunteer experience will allow for growth and development of new skills,” she says. More importantly, Corrigan says that volunteering can show a potential employer that you are devoted to something, which is a trait that employers value.

It will help you market your hard and soft skills

Volunteer experience not only makes you stand out, but also it also helps you gain transferrable skills. According to O’Connor, “Volunteerism can equip a student with ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ skills including technical, communication, teamwork, problem-solving and leadership, to name a few. Most people who volunteer are devoted to a cause and can easily convey their enthusiasm via a natural narrative.” These qualities that you’ve gained from volunteering—communication, teamwork, problem-solving, leadership and enthusiasm—are superb skills to have listed on your resume, cover letter, and other applications materials.

Make room for volunteer work on your resume

Rooney says that almost every industry values volunteer work, so it’s important to make sure that you include it in your resume if you have it! Whether you are actively affiliated with an organization or dedicate a few hours to a local animal shelter every month, including this experience on your resume instantly gives you an edge over other applicants for a position. Rooney says that if your resume is already packed with information, get rid of extraneous stuff like “relevant coursework” to include volunteering work. 

2. If you don’t have volunteer experience…

Corrigan says that not having volunteer positions on your resume isn’t a deal breaker for employers. In that case, she says that it’s even more important for students to have interned or worked throughout college to ensure that they have a history of relevant experience.

Corrigan suggests that if you do find yourself with some extra hours a week, find a volunteer site and commit yourself to a cause that is meaningful to you. You can visit your college’s career center to learn about such opportunities, join student organizations that are devoted to social causes, or even look for volunteering opportunities on websites such as Volunteer Match, Hands on Network and Idealist, which can help pair you with an organization seeking volunteers with similar interests. 

The path to success can be paved through constant hard work and dedication, and one of the ways you can indicate that on your resume is by showing you have volunteer experience. But beyond the resume, attaching yourself to a meaningful cause can give you a sense of satisfaction and a feeling of accomplishment. So, if you do find yourself with a bit of extra time each week, don’t hesitate to devote them to a cause that you care deeply about!

Drop everything, collegiettes—we have a hilarious mashup of Barack Obama singing The Weeknd's "I Can't Feel My Face." If you're having a bad day, we strongly advise watching this.

Now that Obama's time in office is coming to a close, we have a pretty good idea as to what he should do next... are you with us?

Whether you knew it or not, you've already seen Lottie Tomlinson's work everywhere. Yes—the guys in One Direction have a makeup artist, whom 17-year-old Lottie has been assisting for some time now. But now, the little sister of Louis is branching out on her own with her own YouTube beauty tutorials.

Her very first post walks us through how to achieve glitter lips, a look she proves would actually work in real life (no, really):

She also gives us a how-to on rocking bold blue eyeshadow, which we all know can be a tough look to pull off.

So basically, she's teaching us how to be a mermaid. We're already looking forward to what else we can expect from her new endeavor!

Waking up to a mushy good-morning text from your SO and spending hours on end together are special, but sometimes these relationship perks don’t stand a chance against the ones that come with flying solo. Here are nine times when you’re actually really happy to not have an SO.

1. When there’s a cutie in your class.

Ready, set, mingle.

2. When you have a really specific craving for Chinese food for dinner.

You don’t need to make sure your SO would be down for General Tso’s chicken—no one’s taste buds matter but yours.

3. When you don’t feel like shaving for a few days (or weeks).

Letting your hair grow everywhere is the definition of happiness.

4. When you unleash your PMS monster.

Sorry not sorry.

5. When you want to break out your collection of chick flicks.

And embrace your ugly-cry face until the wee hours of the morning.

6. When you don’t have to worry about bad breath.

A make-out sesh is nowhere in your near future, but eating a cheeseburger with onions definitely is.

7. When your girls’ night goes way past curfew.

Phone off; dancing pants on.

8. When you go on an eight-hour shopping spree and no man is there complaining.

It’s all in a day’s work.

9. When you don’t have to share the pizza you ordered with anyone.

Plus the pint of ice cream you plan to devour afterwards.

It's the end of "summer break" and the start of a new school year. As the college kids prepare for life back on campus and the never-ending party that is college, you continue being a "real person." Your life consists of early morning wake-ups, work, chores, bills and all the other stuff that comes with adulthood. Meanwhile in college, students all over get to experience the excitement of theme parties, all-nighters, free food, football games and more. Although being an alumna is fun and all, you wish you could snap your fingers and go back to your freshman year of college. Here are 12 feelings all post grads have about not going back to school.

1. First you feel nostalgic. 

"I love this time of the year -- it reminds me of football games, tailgating, syllabus week and reuniting with my besties."

2. Then you're in denial.

"Just because I graduated doesn't mean I can't do it all over again. Right?"

3. Your friends' younger siblings move into your freshman dorm and suddenly you feel so old. 

"Why do we have to grow up?"

4. You remember how stressful packing for college was and are glad you don't have to do that again. 

"I definitely don't miss craming everything into a 10x10 space."

5. But then you realize that you don't live with your BFFs anymore. 

"In college, we saw each other every day. Now we only see each other a couple times a year."

6. You see pictures of welcome week festivities and have a major FOMO.

"What do you mean there are no frat parties in the real world?" 

7. You realize your social life is no where near what it was in college. 

"My idea of a night out is picking up a carryout."

8. Thirsty Thursdays were so much easier when you could sleep in all day on Fridays. 

"You mean I can't wait till after noon to schedule anything?"

9. Suddenly the shock sets in. 

"How did college go by so quickly?" 

10. You feel super jealous of the college kids.

"Enjoy this magical time in your life. The real world is hard."

11. You consider quitting your job and going back to college.

"What do you mean I can't be a super super super senior?"

12. Eventually you accept that you're a big girl living in the real world. 

"College will always hold a special place in my heart." 

If you're in Greek life, have friends in Greek life or are hoping to join this year, then you know what time of year it is: sorority rush! Hoards of girls all over the country will line up in front of chapter houses with the hopes of finding new sisters and a place to call home. This week can be exciting, stressful and everything in between, so here are the feelings you're likely to experience if you're going through recruitment this year.

1. Excitement

You've likely been waiting years for this, and the time has finally come!

2. Panic (as you decide what to wear)

Does this look cute? Promise? Promise????

3. Nervousness

You're likely going to start freaking out a little as you walk up to your first house. Don't worry, everyone is feeling the same way!

4. Wonder

As you go from house to house, you'll start thinking about which girls you liked and which houses probably aren't the best fit.

5. Exhaustion

At the end of each day (or round), you'll be so tired from girl flirting that you'll just want to collapse on your bed until you have to get up and start again.

6. Forced Happiness

At a certain point, you're going to have to get your best fake smile ready. All you'll want to do is go home and lay in bed, but the extra hours will be worth it in a few days!

7. Disappointment 

You're likely to get cut from a few houses that you were sure were your top choice, but this happens to everyone. Relax, go with it and try to trust the process!

8. Relief

At the same time, houses are going to invite you back that you did not expect at all!

9. ~All the feels~

On the last night of recruitment (usually called preference night), the sororities will share with you what they value and love most about their sisterhood, and it's bound to get emotional.

10. PURE JOY

At the end of a long week of rush, there's no better feeling than running home to your new sisters on bid day!

Recruitment is definitely an emotional time, but it's worth it to find a community of love and friendship on campus! Stay strong during this hectic week, collegiettes!

When it comes to applying for college, it seems like everyone who has ever attended college thinks that they're experts on everything pertaining to the matter. They want to give you advice on everything from where you should apply to how you can write the perfect essay.

While we appreciate our parents’ glowing testimonies about our value as potential students, we can’t really write an entire essay with them. Depending on the number of colleges that you are applying to, it is very likely that at least one of your choices will use the Common App. Here are five tips that will make for a spectacular essay and a stress-free collegiette.

1. Pick a prompt that speaks to you

If you have to write an essay, you might as well pick the one that you will feel the least inclined to fall asleep while writing. Of the five prompts, there is sure to be one that you can make your own. Here are the 2015 Common App essay prompts:

• Some students have a background, identity, interest or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
• The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
•  Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
• Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma-anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
•  Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

Out of the entire application, the essay portion is the best place to showcase your uniqueness and let your personality speak for itself. It is important that the prompt that you choose to write on is the best reflection of who you are as opposed to who you think you should be to impress the college. “Students should approach the Common App essay with the knowledge that it’s the one chance that the students are going to have to get themselves noticed and differentiate themselves from their competition,” says Dan Lipford, an Educational Consultant at Score at the Top Learning Centers & Schools. What might seem ordinary or unimpressive to you might just be the thing that sets you apart from the thousands of other applicants and give you a beneficial edge.

2. Take risks with your opening  

From writing stories in elementary school to writing essays in high school, we have always been taught that the first few lines are the most important in grabbing the attention of the reader. When writing your Common App essay, the importance of having a riveting introduction is magnified. Judi Robinovitz, the founder and co-owner of Score at the Top Educational Centers & Schools, emphasizes the importance of starting off strong. “Zing ‘em with the opening," she says. "Forget the topic sentence – put it further down in the essay. Avoid at all cost a bland opening statement.” An exciting opening not only ensures that the reader will be interested, but that they will read your essay in its entirety.

“The typical admissions officer who's going to tasked with reading a given student's app is also going to be tasked with reading hundreds, if not thousands, of other students' apps, and if that officer's attention isn't caught almost immediately with the essay's opening, he or she's not going to read it with any enthusiasm and might not finish reading it at all,” says Lipford. Be the essay that the admissions officer looks forward to reading until the end.

3. Show don’t tell                   

The “resume” portion of the Common App already showcases your academic achievements, community service and extracurricular activities. Therefore, try to give the reader new material. As important as your AP classes and 10 years of ballet are, it is also important to hone in on what you are passionate about.

In the essay portion, you are free to be as creative as you would like to be in answering the prompt and relaying your story. “Sensory details make an essay come to life and bring out your keen eye and other personality traits," says Robinovitz. Descriptive, colorful essays are memorable and it is better to “share through vivid imagery and show, rather than tell, a story," according to Andrea Nadler, the Associate Dean of Admission at Hofstra University. Be imaginative in the way that you communicate your life outside of the classroom.

4. Focus on the how, not the what

As previously noted by Judi Robinovitz, it is perfectly fine to put a topic sentence further down in an essay if it means making the opening sentence powerful. However that means that following your opening, you must elaborate and explain the significance of what you have written about. In the Common App essay, it is more beneficial to focus on the how instead of the what. “Don’t concentrate as much on what happened, but rather on the impact on your thinking, outlook, feelings, spirit, etc.,” says Robinovitz. The details will reveal your enthusiasm and passion for the topic even if you don’t come right out and state it.

5. Answer in full   

This one seems like a no-brainer, but sometimes we get so wrapped up in talking about one part of the prompt that we completely forget that there is a second part to it. While a couple of the prompts just ask you to describe a specific accomplishment or personal event, most of them have multiple questions involved that you need to answer. “Be sure to answer the whole question,” says Nadler, in order to avoid an incomplete response. Once you have finished your essay, it doesn’t hurt to re-read the prompt and your essay to make sure that you have answered it in full. Don’t detract from a stellar essay just because a piece of the prompt wasn’t accounted for.

Good luck with you essays, collegiettes!

It’s every girl’s worst nightmare: You’re sitting in your hairdresser’s chair, and suddenly, you no longer recognize yourself in the mirror. You glance at the picture of Jennifer Lawrence you brought, and you don’t look like her, either. As the stylist continues to trim and primp your hair, you’re dumbfounded, unsure what to say. You did not ask for this. Or you did ask for this, but now you realize your mistake. Too short, too boyish, too mom-ish, too ugly. You walk out of the salon feeling awful. Talk about a hairy situation.

But it doesn’t have to be that way! There ARE things you can do to salvage the situation—both while you’re still in the salon and after you get home. We talked to Benjamin Manista, assistant manager and art designer at Dino Palmieri Salon in Cleveland, Ohio, about what to do when you hate your haircut.

1. Stop the stylist

We know it can be scary, especially if you explained what you wanted and brought photos. But the number one way to prevent a bad haircut is to stop the stylist as soon as you’re not comfortable with what he or she is doing.

“Forget about the fact [that] you might hurt the stylist’s opinion,” Manista says. “Say, ‘I don't like what you did. Can you do something different?’”

Being as direct and as simple as possible will ensure your stylist gets the point. But remember to be sensitive! Hairdressers and stylists are artists, and they take pride in their work. They want to be creative, but more so, they want to please you.

“I would want you to stop me,” Manista says. “I was cutting someone's hair and she point-blank said to me, ‘I don’t want you to do anything else.’ I was shocked, but I appreciated the fact that she was willing to say she wasn’t satisfied.”

After your stylists stops cutting, reevaluate with him or her. State what you’re not digging, and see if there’s something he or she can do then and there to fix the problem.

2. Go back to the salon

 Sometimes it’s hard to tell what your new hair is going to look like when it’s still wet or in the process of being cut or blow-dried. By the time you get home, though, or the day after (once you’ve washed your hair and tried to style it yourself), you may be really unhappy. The best thing to do? Go back to the salon.

“Let’s say you didn’t have a bad experience, but when you got home, it’s just not right,” Manista says. “Please call the salon and get it fixed! You might not be able to get in that day, but certainly give the artist the opportunity to correct the issue.”

Hairstylists want to make you as happy as they can! It’s absolutely no big deal to go back in the next day, or even several days later. Stylists won’t be able to magically grow your hair longer, but if you hate your layers or new highlights, he or she can probably fix it.

“We want you to trust us,” Manista says. “We want you to tell us you didn’t like it. I want you to tell me the bangs were too long!”

You should never have to pay for going back in, but Manista says you should go as soon as you’re unhappy. He recommends a two-week maximum on going back—otherwise, your hair will have grown, and by then it’s really a new haircut rather than a change to what was already done.

3. Wait it out

Easier said than done, we know, but unfortunately, waiting may be the only thing you can do to fix your haircut once you’re home from the salon and the cut is over, especially if you think it’s too short.

“Nature has to do its thing,” Manista says. “Hair grows from between a fourth to a half an inch a month, but it depends on the person.”

Manista recommends trying to forget about it—chances are you don’t actually look like Peter Pan with the pixie cut! You may learn to live with your new style, or you may forever hate it, but in any case, you’ll see length in about a month to six weeks.

4. Use a scalp-stimulating shampoo

Totally regret getting those inches cut? You’ll probably have to wait it out, but Manista recommends using a scalp-cleansing shampoo like Nioxin in the meantime.

“[Nioxin] cleanses the scalp [of toxins] that may block and stunt hair growth,” Manista says. “It draws blood to the surface, which will then help to produce hair growth.”

You can also try these tips for growing long, healthy hair. Healthy, undamaged hair is likely to look better and grow faster, too, so check out these tips for restoring unhealthy hair. This will help you move on from an unwanted hairstyle more quickly!

5. Embrace something completely different

Maybe you thought you wanted side bangs, but now that you’ve washed your hair and have tried to style it, you realize you hate the new look. Your stylist can’t magically grow your bangs out, but she may be able to suggest something different that you’ll like better.

Maybe side bangs look ridiculous—but perhaps full bangs will satisfy you, so try those during a follow-up visit. Think the short hair looks dumb? Go shorter—maybe a pixie cut will make you feel more Miley Cyrus than soccer mom. You might not end up with what you had wanted originally, but it may be easier to live with.

Ask your stylist for his or her creative opinion. Trust Manista when he says that stylists love to give their opinion! If there’s simply nothing else the stylist can do (or nothing else you’ll let him or her do), ask him or her how to style it to make the most out of what you have.

In the end, though, going back to your original hair will take time. Remember to never feel bad about telling your stylist you don’t like your haircut. It’s a customer-service relationship, which means stylists want to give you something you’ll love! However, keep in mind that your hair will always grow back, so your discomfort is temporary. You may even discover a chic new look in the process!

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.

Drop everything, collegiettes—we have a hilarious mashup of Barack Obama singing The Weeknd's "I Can't Feel My Face." If you're having a bad day, we strongly advise watching this.

Now that Obama's time in office is coming to a close, we have a pretty good idea as to what he should do next... are you with us?

Whether you knew it or not, you've already seen Lottie Tomlinson's work everywhere. Yes—the guys in One Direction have a makeup artist, whom 17-year-old Lottie has been assisting for some time now. But now, the little sister of Louis is branching out on her own with her own YouTube beauty tutorials.

Her very first post walks us through how to achieve glitter lips, a look she proves would actually work in real life (no, really):

She also gives us a how-to on rocking bold blue eyeshadow, which we all know can be a tough look to pull off.

So basically, she's teaching us how to be a mermaid. We're already looking forward to what else we can expect from her new endeavor!

If you're in Greek life, have friends in Greek life or are hoping to join this year, then you know what time of year it is: sorority rush! Hoards of girls all over the country will line up in front of chapter houses with the hopes of finding new sisters and a place to call home. This week can be exciting, stressful and everything in between, so here are the feelings you're likely to experience if you're going through recruitment this year.

1. Excitement

You've likely been waiting years for this, and the time has finally come!

2. Panic (as you decide what to wear)

Does this look cute? Promise? Promise????

3. Nervousness

You're likely going to start freaking out a little as you walk up to your first house. Don't worry, everyone is feeling the same way!

4. Wonder

As you go from house to house, you'll start thinking about which girls you liked and which houses probably aren't the best fit.

5. Exhaustion

At the end of each day (or round), you'll be so tired from girl flirting that you'll just want to collapse on your bed until you have to get up and start again.

6. Forced Happiness

At a certain point, you're going to have to get your best fake smile ready. All you'll want to do is go home and lay in bed, but the extra hours will be worth it in a few days!

7. Disappointment 

You're likely to get cut from a few houses that you were sure were your top choice, but this happens to everyone. Relax, go with it and try to trust the process!

8. Relief

At the same time, houses are going to invite you back that you did not expect at all!

9. ~All the feels~

On the last night of recruitment (usually called preference night), the sororities will share with you what they value and love most about their sisterhood, and it's bound to get emotional.

10. PURE JOY

At the end of a long week of rush, there's no better feeling than running home to your new sisters on bid day!

Recruitment is definitely an emotional time, but it's worth it to find a community of love and friendship on campus! Stay strong during this hectic week, collegiettes!

As hundreds of fans screamed in excitement when Nick Jonas came out on stage this weekend at Made in America, we couldn’t help but feel a bit nostalgic.

Rewind about seven years—with the fans still screaming, but at the time, for the Jonas Brothers.

Since the band's break-up, Nick has both grown up and evolved as an artist. This isn't to say, of course, that he doesn’t still have the same charm he had in his curly-haired days.

As Nick walked across the stage, fans continued cheering, and the roar only got louder when he opened with his hit song, “Chains.”

Wearing a leather jacket and skinny jeans, he hasn’t strayed too far from his early fashion staples. However, as he danced around with ease and confidence, it’s easy to see how much he’s changed. Though his voice has obviously gotten deeper since he started with the Jonas Brothers at 15, Nick hasn’t lost the ability to belt out song after song while still sounding amazing.

He had the entire park’s attention when he performed his more popular songs, like “Good Thing” and “Levels,” but what really had the crowd going were his cover songs. Nick started with Outkast’s “Roses,” saying that the song was “a tasteful way of saying, ‘F*ck you,’ to someone you don’t like.” He really showed how much his voice has progressed as he hit every high note with ease.

Throughout the rest of his set, he also covered The Weeknd’s “I Can’t Feel My Face” and Bel Biv DeVoe’s “Poison.” 

As the audience became more engaged, Nick asked if they were ready to dance and then sang two tracks from his 2014 self-titled album. Of course, he couldn’t leave without singing one slower song. “Santa Barbara,” had every one in the crowd swooning and wishing they were the original inspiration for the love ballad.

His final performance was the super popular “Jealous.” Nick paused throughout the song to hold out his microphone so the audience could take over – but everyone was singing so loud and passionately that it wasn’t even needed. Nick even posted a video of the scene on his Instagram.

As the still-giddy crowd cleared out, the nostalgia returned and the only thing we were asking this now-solo Jonas brother is, “What’s next?” 

In the past five seasons it's been on the air, "Downton Abbey" has gone from a Masterpiece Theatre staple to a worldwide cultural phenomenon. The television show, which chronicles the saga of the wealthy Crawley family in 20th century England, has garnered an enormous and dedicated fan following. Viewers tune in to catch the scandal, the drama, the love affairs and of course the ever delightful performances of veteran actress Maggie Smith.

The show has won three Golden Globes already and shows no signs of slowing down—but after a bit of criticism from a powerful fan, the writers might be checking their facts twice. Word has it that a certain head of the British royal family is a major fan of the BBC drama. That's right; Queen Elizabeth herself not only watches the show, but is quick to point out certain incongruencies and errors which they make in their portrayal of the British aristocracy. For example, as Queen Elizabeth biographer Brian Hoey comments, "the Queen did notice on one episode that there was a young so-called British officer wearing medals which had not been awarded when he was supposed to be alive. He was fighting in the First World War and the medals on his chest did not come in until the Second World War." Looks like the writers might need to be extra careful as they pen the script for season 6!

Of course, Her Royal Highness isn't the only monarch with a hankering for Crawley family shenanigans—word has it Will and Kate are also fans. Yet with the Queen's 63 years of reign, we think she's probably the best authority out there on British history and customs. We applaud Her Majesty for keeping the "Downton Abbey" crew on their toes and hope her royal influence will only serve to make season 6 (which, by the way, premieres September 20th on ITV and in 2016 for America on PBS) the best one yet.

Parents’ Weekend is the perfect opportunity to show off your campus—without all the added stress of moving in. You’ll be all settled into your dorm and ready to spend quality time with your family, as well as enjoy some delicious (non-dining hall) food. Of course, Parents’ Weekend can also come with a lot of pressure. As a new student, you’re still navigating college life. Your family will have a lot of questions and more than a few expectations. If you’re nervous about Parents’ Weekend and you want to handle it like a pro, then listen up. Her Campus is here to help: We’ve outlined 7 situations that are likely to occur during Parents’ Weekend, and broken down how to deal.

1. Dealing with awkward or messy roommates

In a perfect world, your freshman year roommate is the sister you’ve never had. The two of you have tons in common, she’s clean (but not too clean!) and you coexist harmoniously. In reality, though, you and your roommate are bound to have a few disagreements. Worst-case scenario, she’s totally awful and you’re worried about inviting your family into your shared space.

Talk to your roommate and ask if her family is coming to visit for Parents’ Weekend. If not, it might be a hard time for her, so be considerate. Definitely show off your room, but after a tour, you and the fam can spend some time off campus and give her a bit of space. If her family is coming too, discuss your plans beforehand! Do your best to coordinate schedules so that each of you is able to have personal time with your family. Plus, you can only fit so many people in your dorm room!

If you feel it’s necessary, give your family members a heads up about your roommate’s habits. You can’t clean up her mess or even make her talk to you, but you can (politely) let your family know that the two of you don’t exactly see eye to eye. Most likely you’ll be out and about enjoying family activities or chilling in their hotel room, so it shouldn’t even be too big of an issue.

2. Balancing the visit and your weekend social life

Parents’ Weekend is early in the semester, and you may be anxious to spend time with your new friends or go to that party after a long day with your parents. Remember that this visit is special, and you may not see your family again for a while. While it can be tempting to make other plans, your fellow students will understand if you choose to put your family first.

If there’s an event you absolutely cannot miss, don’t try to make up excuses to push your parents out. Tell them that you would love to spend the afternoon and evening together, but after dinner you would really like to attend said event. Chances are they’ll be exhausted and won’t mind turning in early. They just don’t want to feel neglected when they made the effort to come out and see you.

You may have to make some difficult choices regarding your social calendar, but remember that for these few days your family is your priority. It’s one weekend out of many and there will always be another party—trust us.

3. Fielding personal questions

Prepare yourself for a ton of questions from your parents. They’ll want to know everything: have you met any cute guys or girls, who are your friends, how’s the food, do you like your classes, are you doing your homework… and on and on. Be patient with them; they’re only asking because they care about you, and they are genuinely interested. Hopefully you’ve called to update them every once in a while, so they already have a good idea of what’s going on. If not, answer their questions as best you can. Introduce them to your friends, take them to the dining hall and show them around campus. They’ll feel a sense of relief knowing what you’re up to.

Natalie, a sophomore at Adrian College, got support from a friend during her Parents’ Weekend freshman year. “My best friend and I (from the same home town) arranged to get dinner with our families together, so as to ease the flow of personal questions. That way we had each other there for moral support,” says Natalie. “Our families are already friends, since we went to high school together, which made it easier to arrange, but you could even go so far as to plan on being at the same restaurant at the same time, and then catch sight of each other (coincidentally, of course) and say, ‘Mom, Dad, this is my best friend and her parents, let's all eat together!’”

Sometimes, you don’t need to be 100 percent honest. If you’re involved with someone but the relationship is in its early stages, you don’t have to meet their parents (and vice versa). You don’t need to tell your parents that you tried a beer or slept through your 8 AM once. Part of college is having your own life, separate from your parents. If you’re super close and want to share everything, that’s great! But don’t feel pressured to give them every detail of your college experience thus far. Obviously be open with your family and tell them if there’s something to be concerned about. Just remember that you’re establishing your independence and are totally allowed to set boundaries. You can always say, “Hey, I’d rather not talk about that right now,” and hopefully they won’t push it.

4. Planning activities (and downtime!)

Obviously you want to keep your family engaged and have a good time with them while they’re visiting. In order to ensure the best possible experience, you need think about what you want to do in advance—say a week or two before Parents’ Weekend. You may have to order tickets or make reservations (especially since your college town will be full of families), so you definitely don’t want to wait until the last minute.

Malone, a junior at John Carroll University, emphasizes the importance of planning ahead. “Before Parents’ Weekend, see what your school has to offer. While most schools will have fun family activities during the day, many will also offer shuttle services to nearby touristy or fun parts of a city; discounted tickets for a baseball game or even just a list of attractions or restaurants for you all to try out when campus is a little slow,” says Malone. “Taking advantage of opportunities like these will keep Parents’ Weekend fun-filled and will give you lasting memories.”

Whether you’re planning on spending the majority of your time on campus, doing touristy activities or showing your family the lesser-known parts of the surrounding town, be sure to factor in some downtime. Parents’ Weekend gets hectic, so you’ll want to rest in your dorm or at the hotel at some point. While it’s important to have fun, you don’t have to be doing something exciting every minute. It’s all about spending time with your family and catching up with them—so don’t forget to relax.

5. Getting dinner reservations

Eating meals out is arguably the most exciting part of Parents’ Weekend. By now, you’re probably already sick of on-campus food and your parents may be inclined to splurge on dinner while you’re all together. After living on a college budget for weeks, you’ll feel spoiled. It doesn’t matter if you want to show your family your favorite restaurant or if you’d rather try out somewhere new—you need to make a reservation. Parents’ Weekend means that all the local places will be booked in advance, so be sure to call a few days ahead.

“I would definitely recommend getting dinner reservations beforehand,” says Rachel Petty, a junior at James Madison University. “Parents’ Weekend can make restaurants really busy and hectic, so it's nice to know you won’t have to wait or drive around just to find somewhere to eat dinner!”

You don’t have to have every detail figured out, but the more you do, the less you’ll have to stress about. When it comes to Parents’ Weekend, it’s important to be proactive. Plan ahead and communicate with your family before they arrive on campus, but also remember that plans can change. Being flexible will ensure that the weekend goes as smoothly as possible.

6. Sharing time with siblings

If your sibling or siblings are joining you and your parents for the weekend, things can get even more complicated. There may be more arguments over what to do or you might feel like your parents aren’t paying you an equal amount of attention. Try your best to remain calm and remember that you’re only together for a couple of days.

Even more problematic is if you have a sister or brother at a different school and your parents are splitting their time between the two of you. As with the rest of Parents’ Weekend, planning ahead and communicating with your family should ease any tension.

7. Having to say goodbye

Hopefully you use this guide and your weekend goes off without a hitch. Even if there are problems (and when are there not during family gatherings?) you’re sure to get through them and laugh about it later.

Unfortunately, seeing your family again for such a short time can bring up feelings of homesickness. You may not want to say goodbye and you might have trouble readjusting after they leave. Whatever you do, don’t isolate yourself. Talk to your friends at school and focus on your schoolwork. The great thing about college is that there’s always something going on if you need a distraction.

Call your family on the phone, Skype or FaceTime them and look forward to the next time you’ll see them in person. Remember that this goodbye is only temporary. You’ll be back to your normal, college-loving self in no time!

Your freshman Parents’ Weekend only happens once, so be patient with your family and enjoy your time together. Above all, be sure to have fun!

Stuck in the A.M. work crowd or waiting on a train that's 20 minutes late? We've been there. With your earbuds in and music turned up loud, you brave the commute to and from work on public transportation. It may be a rite of passage in the real world, but that doesn't mean it's easy. Here are 10 thoughts all college grads have during a grueling morning commute.

1. You get up extra early to avoid the morning rush, but apparently everyone else had the same idea.

2. To top it off, the trains are late and you realize that Google Maps was lying to you.

3. You put in your earbuds and stare at your phone, but that one chatty man wants to tell you his life story.

4. Someone decides that your shoulder makes a great pillow.

5. You accidentally get off several blocks away from your office and you're already late.

6. On your way home, it starts to rain—of course, on the one day you don't have your umbrella.

7. You're stuck in evening traffic... and your favorite show comes on in an hour.

8. You desperately want to finish off your leftovers from lunch, but everybody around you is throwing you dirty looks.

9. Of course, the subway station where you have to get off to transfer is a stop where you don't get cell service, meaning you can't even text your friends.

10. After realizing this commute will be a daily occurrence, you start to question why you ever decided to become a real adult.

Your daily commute is (literally) full of twists and turns when you're taking public transportation. From avoiding eye contact with all strangers to making it to your job in the nick of time, you've become quite the public transportation pro. It's hard, but somebody's got to do it... until you get a car that is. 

It’s tailgating season! Between library sessions and all of your other extracurriculars, going to a tailgate for your school’s football game is one of the best things about the fall! But,  tailgating doesn’t always come with the best food options—and it’s SO easy to mindlessly eat while you wait for the game to start. With the help of nutritionist Kim Galeaz, RDN, CD, we created this game day strategy. Defend against overeating and excess calorie consumption without fumbling on great taste.

1. Tackle the Traditional Chip and Dip

Don’t stand on the sidelines by the chip and dip bowl, without paying attention to what you’re eating.  Have a strategy!  Take a time-out when you’ve had enough. Focus on your nutrition just as much as you focus on whether your favorite team wins or loses! We love the following snacks—they’re actually nutritious and filling while still being tasty:

• Popcorn: Not only is it light and airy, it’s naturally 100% whole grain.
• Tortilla chips and salsa: Choose a chunky salsa that includes lots of tomatoes and vegetables.
• Hummus with cut-up vegetables: The chickpeas in hummus make this  a nutritious dip.

2. Punt for Lean Protein

Don’t be blind-sided by foods that don’t fit your balanced lifestyle. Balance fried chicken and wings with some of these lean proteins:

• Grilled pork tenderloin or loin chops
• BBQ pulled pork
• Turkey or 90% lean ground beef burgers
• Grilled fish, chicken and lean beef steaks like sirloin and tenderloin
• Lighter, reduced-fat versions of smoked sausages and hot dogs

3. Field Goal for Fruits and Vegetables

Don’t leave fruits and vegetables on the bench. These nutritious MVPs can easily fit into your game plan! These all work great for a tailgate:

• Slice apples for extra crunch and nutrition on lean deli meat sandwiches. They’re even good on top of pizza, like BBQ chicken pizza.
• Grab a bunch of red and green grapes to snack on while watching your favorite team.
• Make a  “No-Recipe-Needed Fast Fruit Salad” by combining a can of mandarin oranges (drained), a can of pineapple chunks, some frozen strawberries and several sliced bananas in a large bowl. Or, personalize with a combo of your favorite fresh, frozen and canned fruits.
• Stir together a jar of your favorite tomato-based salsa with a can of rinsed and drained pinto, black or red beans. Or stir in canned or frozen sweet corn kernels.

4. Forward Pass for Your Favorite Beverages

Stay in the game by paying attention to all the calories you consume--from both foods and beverages. You don’t need to sideline your favorite players, like lemonade, iced tea, soda or flavored water. Simply serve up smaller portions.

• Use smaller cups at your tailgate to encourage portion control.
• Make it easy to enjoy  your favorite sodas by taking advantage of smaller portion sizes, like the Coca-Cola mini cans. Each 7.5oz can is 90 calories.

5. Huddle for Whole Grains

Aiming to eat more whole grains every day? Don’t ditch that goal on game day! Whole grains can be part of nearly every traditional tailgate treat:

• Enjoy hotdogs and hamburgers with whole-wheat buns.
• Try sandwiches with whole-wheat bread, pita pockets and thin sandwich rounds.
• Pasta salad packs a punch when your noodles are whole-wheat.

Keeping calories in check and enjoying a tailgate can totally go hand-in-hand—it’s all about portion control! Now, who’s ready for game day?

Tailgating tips created by Kim Galeaz, RDN CD. Kim is a registered dietitian nutritionist, recipe creator and culinary consultant to the agriculture, food and beverage industry, including The Coca-Cola Company.

This post is sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company.

From Grandma’s recipe for the ultimate DIY facemask to your mom’s advice for acne-free skin, beauty tips are every collegiette’s secrets to perfecting their skin, hair and body. But it’s no fun keeping all that beauty knowledge to yourself! We’ve assembled the best beauty tips from readers like you.

Tehariah, a sophomore at the Savannah College of Art and Design: Avocado Skin Mask

“It’s so good for your skin and it smells amazing. Just mush up avacado with a squirt of lemon juice—and apply.”

Ashlee, a senior at Columbus State University: Baking Soda Mask

“I use a mix of baking soda with a little water on my face to keep it clear from acne. Mix it so it makes a paste and then apply it to your face. It’s good to whiten your teeth, too.”

Luisa, a senior at Armstrong University: Lip Balm before Bed

“My mom always used to tell me to apply lip balm before going to bed and I didn’t believe her until I did it. I rub Vaseline on my lips and in the morning they are nice and soft.”

Amber, a sophomore at Georgia Tech: Baby Powder on Lashes

“I thought to myself, there’s no way that works. But it does. It’s amazing. I apply the powder with a Q-tip, and bam!”

Jazmine, a freshman at Olgethorpe University: Lipstick on Dark Circles

“This is going to sound crazy but it works. I put red lipstick under my eyes before applying foundation and it helps cover up those dark circles. I saw it on YouTube, I tried it and now, I'm a believer.”

You’re 97.4 percent sure that you’re totally ready for this “career” thing. You’ve got the business cards, the stylish-yet-appropriate work wardrobe, the networking know-how, the internship experience and the perfect LinkedIn profile. Even Boy Scouts aren’t as prepared as you are.

But do you have a mentor? If not, get on that, girl! Mentors are the last piece of the professional puzzle. The basic definition of a mentor is someone with more experience than you who will give you advice about your career—but mentors do so much more than that. They’ll help you kick butt and take names up and down the boardroom, inspire you, connect you with other professionals, help you navigate tough issues, teach you and support you.

You may want to pin this article, because here are the top five reasons you need a mentor for your work life—even if you’re still in college.

(Also, check out our tips for actually finding a mentor in the first place!)

1. You can follow in his or her footsteps

Say you’ve always dreamed of managing your own PR firm—but you’re a little fuzzy on the details of how you’ll get there. Obviously, every career path is different, but having a mentor with your dream job is a great way to figure out what your next step (or four) should be. Maybe your mentor got a degree in marketing, then moved to New York to work at a PR agency. Then she spent a couple of years building up a huge network of contacts in the industry before branching out on her own. Look at that, your list of goals went from, “Graduate college, become owner of PR agency,” to, “Get marketing/advertising degree, find employment at firm in big city, go to networking events and make lots of connections, build credibility and reputation.”

“If you don’t really don’t know what to do, look at someone who’s in the same professional field and say, ‘What are the steps that she took?’” says Tiffany Dufu, chief leadership officer at Levo League, a community for professional women. “Then you know, ‘That’s one way to go, and if I do that, it might work for me.’ But keep in mind your path might be different, so don’t feel pressure to follow her exactly.”

You can also copy your mentor in less obvious ways. Is he or she an avid user of social media? Take note of how often she tweets, what she says and her tone, and then adopt those techniques. Or, if you currently work with your mentor, ask to sit in on a meeting or phone call and pay attention to how your mentor interacts with others. Whoever said imitation was the sincerest form of flattery had it right.

The nice thing about a mentor is that you don’t have to be super close with him or her to benefit from his or her experiences. If you don’t live in the same city, or if you only talk once a month over phone or even if you only communicate via email—that’s okay!

Basically, you’re playing Simon Says, but for your career.

2. He or she can connect you to other professionals

Unlike in your social life, it’s totally expected—even kosher!—for your mentor to introduce you to as many people who could help your career as he or she can. And thanks to age and experience, your mentor will inevitably know way more people in the field than you.

Why is this so important? Almost 80 percent of jobs are filled by word of mouth, not through job postings. Your mentor can help you land an interview for a position you didn’t even know was open.

So don’t be afraid to tell your mentor you’re on the job or internship hunt. He or she will start dropping your name… and maybe your business cards.

Your mentor’s connections also can also help you build your own network. It’s like your industry is a huge frat party, and you’re the collegiette in the corner who knows almost no one.

Then, your mentor swoops in and starts showing you around.

“If you have a mentor who’s taking you around and introducing you to people, the value in that is that the mentor is saying, ‘Hey, this is a person who I believe in,’” Dufu says. “And now those people assume [good things] about you, because your mentor endorsed you.”

Even if you only talk to five people at the “party,” you now have five more people to ask for insight, opportunities and assistance. (Also, we think it goes without saying that you shouldn’t take the frat analogy literally, so don’t even think about showing up to an informational interview in your sequined bandage skirt.)

3. You can draw on his or her wisdom

Problem at work? Take a yoga breath, collegiettes. We promise that no matter how weird and unique your career-related problem is, you’re not the first person to ever deal with it. And guess who’s the perfect person to help you find a solution? Right—your mentor. Unlike your mom, your friends, your SO or your cat, your mentor knows the context of your professional dilemma. Either he or she has handled something similar or knows someone who did. Plus, your success is your mentor’s goal, which means you know you’re getting objective feedback.

“The basic definition of a mentor is someone who helps you achieve clarity through guidance and his or her own experience,” Dufu says. “You should absolutely ask them for advice!”

If you have multiple mentors—lucky you!—Dufu recommends asking them all the same question and then seeing what all of the answers have in common.

So if you’re unsure whether to go to grad school, volunteer abroad or get a job after graduation, you can ask your mentor for advice. If you’re super into your campus’s chapter of Engineers Without Borders but you know joining means your GPA will inevitably suffer, ask your mentor what’s more important to hiring managers in the field: relevant experience or super-high grades. You can even ask which specific classes to take or what skills you can learn now that will be huge assets to you later.

4. You can learn specific skills

Speaking of skills, maybe you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, but when we say, “due diligence,” you say “due what?” Your mentor can teach you what due diligence is (for the next Arianna Huffingtons, it’s when you carefully research the potential consequences, rewards and risks of a business decision) and how to do it. Or maybe you’re into graphic design, but some of Adobe Photoshop’s more advanced features are completely beyond you. Ask your mentor to show you the virtual ropes!

“I worked with a reporter at my last internship who gave me advice on my on-camera personality and appearance,” says Rachel Cisto, a senior at Hartford University. “I’ve taken the advice he gave me and [have] begun using it in my work at the Student Television Network.”

And even though Dufu is well into her career, she still uses this benefit of mentorship.

“I’m not a coder, but I have access to people who can help me with that skill, whether it’s General Assembly or some other type of programming,” she says.

If you haven’t entered the workplace yet, this is a great way to get ahead of the game so that you’re well prepared for your first job. And if you’re already cozily installed in a cubicle, learning from your mentor supplements the on-the-job education that you’re already getting. Either way, it’s a total win—so pick out a couple of things you want or need to learn and then ask your career mentor for help.

5. Your mentor can give you a confidence boost

We all have those days where it feels like we’re playing hide and seek with our confidence. Meaning, it’s MIA. However, it doesn’t matter if your mentor has the job you want or a completely different one—he or she can be a great cheerleader, pumping you up when you’re feeling deflated, inspiring you to keep trying or reassuring you that you didn’t just flub up that interview.

As a result, you won’t feel like you’re totally alone trying to navigate in the career world. Because feeling as lost as Hannah from Girls? It makes for good TV, but it’s not so fun in real life.

“I started making appointments with my current career coach, Heather, at the end of junior year,” says Kathryn Williams, a senior English major at Vanderbilt University. “What I’ve really enjoyed from the experience is the peace of mind. Every few weeks I check in with Heather and we make sure that I'm on the right track and that I don't have any pressing doubts about what I want to do post-graduation. Heather has really helped me manage my stress and has encouraged me every step of the way.”

It can also be incredibly difficult to keep things in perspective when you’re working at your first couple of internships or jobs; after all, you don’t have any experiences to compare them to. You may think it’s a huge deal that you spilled coffee all over your manager’s sparkling white button-up, but she tells you everyone has those moments—and then the protocol on buying your boss a new shirt.

Plus, your mentor can push you to take on projects or apply for jobs that you don’t think you’re qualified for. A couple of people in the department you’re interning for are starting a massive rebranding project, and you think you have some valuable insights—but you’re scared of speaking up. One call to your mentor, and he or she can give you the confidence you need to volunteer your help. Huh—is that the sound of a future job offer we hear?

We hope that if you don’t already have a mentor, you just added “find one” to your goals list—because clearly they’re one of the best ways to upgrade your career, your confidence and your connections. And if you do already have one, take this article as a sign to send him or her some gratitude!

“Separation of church and state” is a phrase we usually read about in history and government textbooks--but it’s as relevant now as ever. Ever since the Hobby Lobby ruling last year, which allowed the religious owners of a secular business to refuse insurance coverage of contraception to employees based on moral beliefs, it seems like access to women’s healthcare is becoming harder and harder to come by. Since Hobby Lobby, many similar cases looking to deny birth control coverage to women have been filed.

Last week, a ruling was made in a case brought forth by the March For Life Education and Defense Fund, a secular, anti-abortion nonprofit, against the provision of the Affordable Care Act that requires employers’ insurance plans to cover birth control. Religious institutions have always been exempt from this provision, but the new ruling suggests that secular institutions whose owners hold certain moral beliefs should be exempt as well. The opinion written by federal Judge Richard J. Leon says that this must be the case because religious institutions cannot be treated differently from secular ones.

According to Judge Leon’s ruling, employers can refuse contraception coverage based on any beliefs, even if they have nothing to do with religion. His reasoning is convoluted, and contradictory to a previous ruling made by the Supreme Court that states, in black and white: when the government “acts with the proper purpose of lifting a regulation that burdens the exercise of religion…. [there is] no reason to require that the exemption come packaged with benefits to secular entities.” Once again, the anti-contraception advocates are making their point---and, once again, they’ve got to totally defy logic in order to do so.