Trust us, if anyone else saw you dancing around your room in your underwear or lying - unshowered - on the couch for hours, they would probably never speak to you again. Luckily, we all have that one girl who we know won't think differently of us for our most embarrassing moments. Here's our list of 15 shameful things only your roommate would never judge you for.

1. Using dry shampoo instead of washing your hair... three days in a row.

Headbands have a purpose, and that purpose is covering grease.

2. Saying you SWEAR you're going to the gym when you both know you're not moving from the couch.

Walking to the fridge and back is enough exercise for one day, thanks.

3. Pouring one glass of wine and accidentally finishing the bottle.

It's not your fault they don't make bigger glasses.

4. Walking around the room or apartment half-dressed in the middle of the day.

#NoPantsRevolution

5. Asking her to look at that pimple on on your back or the weird scab on your leg. 

Yes, you really HAVE gotten that close. 

6. Crying about that wedding video on YouTube.

(No, you don't know the people. But yes, his face when she walked down the aisle was just !!!!!!!)

7. Having an existential crisis.

Twice a week.

8. Listening to the same Taylor Swift song 12 times in a row.

SAW YOU THERE AND I THOUGHT, OH MY GOD, LOOK AT THAT FACE

9. "Forgetting" to wash your face at night.

A little leftover eyeliner won't kill anyone, right?

10. Drunk texting/calling your ex.

Instead of stopping you, she sits back and laughs.

11. Thinking you're Mariah Carey every time you step into the shower.

...and your lovely voice ends up on her Snapchat Story.

12. Those times you don't move from the couch for five hours straight.

Because the best part about having a roommate is having someone who will encourage your phenomenal procrastination skills.

13. Going out the night before a test.

At least you showed up.

14. Ordering takeout instead of eating the food you already have at home.

Who wants leftover salad when you can order Chinese?

15. Bursting into song in the middle of your sentence.

Of course, she always joins in.

I have never thought of myself as a feminist; I love wearing dresses, I want to be a housewife, I spend more time finding recipes on Pinterest than I do on my calculus homework, I have never voted in an election, I’m pro-life, and I believe that the guy should always make the first move. But I do think I have the right to say no to a guy. And for the past three years I have been denied that right.

When I was 15, I began dating Ben. He was never late to our dates and called me every night. I was convinced I had found “The One.” Well, I was until I met Bobby. Bobby was funny and charming; two characteristics that Ben did not have. Bobby quickly won me over. The week before Halloween, I finally got the courage to leave Ben for Bobby. I assumed Ben would be mad or upset, but never assumed he would hold a grudge against me for three years!

Over the next week I got over 100 text messages and phone calls from Ben asking me to give him a second chance or to try to work things out. Although his messages were annoying, I didn’t pay that much attention to them. I figured if I ignored them long enough, he would go away.

As time went on, Bobby and I started to get what I like to call ‘high school-serious.’ I spent Christmas at his parents’ house, and one day, we put pictures of us together up on Facebook. The next morning when I woke up, our Facebook photos had been erased and I had two text messages: one from Bobby saying that he was breaking up with me, and one from Ben asking if I was okay from the break-up. Strange coincidence that Ben knew so quickly, but I only assumed that he was just quick to find out about the break-up; I never thought he might have caused the break-up. I found out after New Year’s that Bobby had received an anonymous message saying I was still involved with Ben, which had caused him to break up with me.

Over the next two years I had bad luck with all my relationships. Andrew cheated on me with his ex-girlfriend, James drunk-texted me saying how he was secretly into other men, and the list went on. And throughout every relationship, Ben was right there, still texting and calling me. My family even relocated across the country to Boston for my parents’ job, and although I was over 700 miles away from Ben, nothing changed. It would always go like this: I would meet a guy with whom I was happy and everything was going great, and then, suddenly, something would change; he would act weird and never talk to me again. I still had not made the connection between Ben and all my failed relationships. I assumed all high school boys were immature and didn’t know how to have real relationships.

Finally it was time to go to college. I was excited because this meant I would have a whole new pool of guys to choose from. Immediately, I met Marc; he was sweet and kind. The day we posted our official relationship status on Facebook, Marc started getting harassing texts from a number he didn’t recognize claiming that I was still “in love with my ex-boyfriend.” I checked the number, and sure enough, it was Ben!

I was furious. I angrily called Ben and informed him to stay away. I was not going to let him ruin this relationship. Unfortunately, Ben didn’t stop; he continued to text Marc constantly with new ways to break us up; he once even pretended to be another girl and texted me saying Marc was cheating.

Things took a very dramatic turn when I went on a weekend trip to the beach last January, over three years after Ben and I had broken up. I turned off my phone for the weekend, hoping to take a break and enjoy myself. When I came home, I found my relationship with Marc had been blown to shreds. Marc had not only broken up with me, but was convinced that I was a liar. I was devastated; I had no idea what had even happened. I immediately called one of my best friends, Victoria, who offered to find out what had actually happened. After talking to Marc and then Ben, Victoria, being the sexy and exceptionally smart, redhead detective that she is, found out that Ben had been texting Marc all weekend from my number creating a plan to break us up. Ben had planted a virus in my phone and was able to access anything on my phone through his computer. Ben had used technology to completely destroy all of my high school relationships, and then, as his final act, he destroyed my relationship with my college boyfriend.

The next few months were a complete whirlwind. I spent my days talking to detectives and lawyers about what had happened. Finally, I had enough evidence to press charges. Ben was arrested for aggravated stalking in the 3^rd degree—a felony that could cause him to serve two years in prison. He was also charged with planting an illegal spyware device in my iPhone which enabled him to read all my texts, access all my social media accounts and completely control my life. Even today, I am still waiting for the court date which will formally sentence him to years in prison. I have not heard from him since he was arrested, and even when he is released from prison, I’ll feel safe knowing I have a good restraining order in place the protects me and my friends. I am finally relieved knowing that my next relationship can be ex-boyfriend free.

I initially thought I could blame myself for letting all of this happen. I may have been too mean when I broke up with Ben, and I ignored the serious warning signs. But what I’ve realized is that it’s not my fault; I have a right to say no. So while I may never be a true “feminist,” I do support a woman’s right to make relationship decisions. It’s my life, and I want to have control over whom I share it with.

Do you have a story to share? Submit your story to Her Story! 

We all remember the embarrassing things we did or the stupid decisions we made freshman year. Many we can laugh at, while some we'll never mention again. We'd rather today's freshmen feel more prepared than we did tackling our first year of college. That's why we're offering up our sage wisdom with these 20 things we wish we'd known freshman year.

1. Avoid morning classes.

Sitting in an 8 A.M. the morning after binge drinking while watching SNL—or staying up all night to finish a project—will not be enjoyable.

2. Forgo the 3 ½ hour lectures on a Thursday night.

Weekends start on Thursday. While you’re in class texting your friends about outfit decisions, they are trying on outfits with a mixed drink in hand.

3. Don’t purchase textbooks until after your first day of class.

You won’t need half the books your professor wrote in the syllabus anyway.

4. Order your textbooks from Chegg or Amazon.

It will save you (or your parents) some money.

5. Take advantage of your meal plan.

That plastic card with your picture and ID number is crucial. Although we believe the virtual money and meal swipes are magic, your parents did pay for them… so use it!

6. There is a city outside your campus to explore.

Experience wing night, burger night, $3 margarita night and happy hour specials at local restaurants and bars. If you don’t you will always wonder how those two (strong) margaritas got that girl dancing on the table in a sombrero.

7. Go to the gym.

There’s a really good chance you will gain weight, which is completely normal, so look to the gym as your friend to help you stay in shape.

 8. You may have to take a winter or summer course.

If so, do it freshman or sophomore year at a community college where your credits can transfer and classes are cheaper.

9. You’re considered “fresh meat.”

The senior who texts you at 2 A.M. doesn’t actually want to date you.

10. You are allowed to enter college “undecided,” and you don’t need to pick your major right away.

Freshman year is a time to explore your options and take classes you didn’t know existed.

11. Have a balance between social life and studying.

Don’t be that girl who stays in all weekend studying, but don’t be that girl who is getting carried home on a Monday night…and Tuesday night…and Wednesday night. Too much of anything is not good.

12. When your mom cooks for you, appreciate it!

Nothing is better than some homemade meals.

13. People who wear their lanyard around their neck are, by definition, "freshmen."

You're welcome.

14. You aren’t Steven Glansberg if you eat alone.

Eating alone is common, especially for breakfast when not all your friends are awake yet.

15. Save the dress and heels for Saturday night.

Keep the “weeknight-going-out outfits” casual.

16. Pace yourself when day drinking and remember to hydrate.

Water is good for your complexion, and pacing your alcohol consumption will keep you from passing out in your bed before 6 P.M.

17. There’s a difference between a good friend and a good roommate.

You may not be best friends with your roommate but your living styles may be compatible.

18. Use “Rate My Professor” or ask upperclassmen about teachers.

You will start taking classes for the professor instead of the subject.

19. Work on your core.

We’re talking academic credits here. Taking the maximum amount of credits second semester senior year is not good planning; work with your advisor.

20. College flies by…

... so enjoy it!

Ahh, fall. The season of crisp weather, Hocus Pocus and pumpkin-spice everything. Of course, fall isn’t complete without a few candy apples! Since our childhood, candy apples have held a special place in a lot of our hearts, so we couldn’t resist digging up a few ways to liven up the classic treat.  

1. Chocolate-Covered Caramel Apples

But seriously, what girl isn’t a chocolate lover? This works for those nights when you have a seemingly endless chocolate craving and the urge to dip an apple in three layers of sugar (or more).

Recipe from Confections of a Foodie Bride

Ingredients:

• 6 Granny Smith apples
• 6 Popsicle sticks (some caramel brands include them in the bag)
• 2 tablespoons of milk
• 1 14-ounce package of caramels, unwrapped
• Chocolate (white, dark or semisweet)
• Other various toppings of your choice (Oreos, mini M&Ms, nuts, etc.)

Directions:

1. Remove the apple stems. Wash and dry the caramel apples, rubbing the surface well with a dish towel to remove any wax. Insert sticks into the top of the apples and chill for one hour.
2. Microwave milk and caramels for 1 minute in a glass bowl. Stir the caramels and microwave for another minute (watch for boil-overs). Stir well and dip the apples immediately, turning to coat. Using a knife, scrape the caramel from the bottom of the apples (this will prevent the apple from ending up in a pool of caramel). Immediately dip into nuts, mini chocolate chips or other toppings if desired.
3. If dipping in chocolate, put caramel apples on wax paper (buttered parchment works well, too) and stick in the fridge until caramel has set, about 5 minutes.
4. Melt chocolates in microwave with a bit of vegetable oil/shortening and dip the apples, scraping the excess chocolate from the bottom of the apple.
5. Immediately dip into nuts or mini chocolate chips or push larger candies onto the chocolate surface. Let the chocolate set before eating (or dipping into second type of chocolate).

2. Red Hot Candy Apples

Because who would have ever thought to melt actual candy to make a candy apple? This is a genius idea and a great way to spice up a regular apple.

Recipe from MomStart

Ingredients:

• 8 small Granny Smith apples
• Popsicle sticks or skewers
• 3 cups sugar
• ½ cup light corn syrup
• 3 teaspoons red food coloring
• ½ cup Red Hots candies
• 1 cup water

Directions:

1. In a deep saucepan, heat sugar, Red Hots candies, water and light corn syrup over medium heat until boiling.
2. Using a candy thermometer (which can be bought for $10 at Target, without touching the bottom of the pan, continue cooking without stirring until the mixture reaches 290 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Grease a cooking sheet.
4. Insert sticks into the apples.
5. When the sugar is ready, remove the pan from the heat and remove the thermometer.
6. Swirl each apple in the hot cinnamon-candy syrup to coat evenly. Lift out the apples and swirl over the saucepan for a few more seconds to catch the drips.
7. Place the candy apples on a cookie sheet.
8. Cool for at least one hour.

3. Vegan Caramel Apples with Walnuts and Dark Chocolate

There’s no reason that candy apples shouldn’t be fun for everyone! Please your vegan friends with this delicious recipe.

Recipe from The Lunchbox Bunch

Ingredients:

• 1 apple, organic (or regular)
• 4 tablespoons vegan sugar
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 ½ tablespoons coconut cream
• Pinch of sea salt
• ¼ cup walnuts
• 2 tablespoons vegan dark chocolate chips
• 1 wooden stick or thick bamboo skewer

Directions:

1. Wash apple, dry very well and place wooden stick into apple core.
2. Process walnuts and chocolate chips in a food processor until thin and crumbly.
3. Add sugar, vanilla, coconut cream and salt to a sauté pan over high heat. Stir until melted together.
4. Continue stirring as the mixture begins to bubble. Stir bubbling for about 45 seconds.
5. Reduce heat to low. Stir for another minute.
6. Turn heat off and pour mixture into a small dish. Place in the fridge to chill until sticky (about 10 minutes should do it.)
7. Dip dry apple in mixture, then dip in chocolate/walnut coating.

4. Apple Pie Candy Apples

An American classic crossed with another American classic. Who could resist? The name looks a little intimidating at first glance, but it’s actually pretty simple to make—and pretty delicious.

Recipe from The Cooking of Joy

Ingredients:

• 1 apple of your choosing, washed and dried
• 10 pieces of caramel
• 2 ounces white candy melts
• 1 1/2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 3 dashes cinnamon

Directions:

1. Remove the apple stem if necessary and insert a Popsicle stick down the core. Put in the apple in the freezer for at least 5 minutes but no more than 15 minutes to chill.
2. Unwrap the caramels and put them in a small microwave-safe bowl along with 1 teaspoon of water. Melt the caramel in the microwave at 50 percent power for one minute. Remove from microwave and stir. 
3. Dip the apple into the melted caramel, using a spoon if necessary to get the caramel up the sides. Once the apple is covered, place on a greased plate and return to the freezer to chill.
4. In another small, microwave-safe bowl, melt the white candy melts in the microwave using the defrost option. Remove from microwave and stir.
5. On a small plate, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon, making sure to crumble any lumps.
6.  
7. Once the caramel on the apple is not sticky anymore (but before it is frozen!), remove from the freezer. If necessary, try to push any caramel that has pooled to the bottom back onto the apple.
8. Dip in the white candy melts, using a spoon if necessary to get the candy up the sides.
9. Before the white candy sets, roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Place the apple in the refrigerator for a few minutes to allow the white candy to harden.

5. Cotton Candy Apples

Yes, you read that correctly. An apple coated in nothing but sugar that’s hardened to perfection. It kind of makes you forget that, under all of that fluff, there’s actually a piece of fruit in there.

Recipe from Sweetapolita

Ingredients:

• 6 medium Granny Smith apples (or variation of choice); washed, dried and stems removed
• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• ¾ teaspoon cotton-candy candy flavor oil
• 2 tablespoons bright white soft gel food color, plus 2-3 additional colors of your choice
• Cotton candy
• Edible glitter/sprinkles of choice

Directions:

1. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or grease the baking sheet with shortening.
2. Insert the cookie sticks about 3/4 of the way into each apple, but be sure the stick doesn't come out the bottom. Place prepared apples close to the stovetop, as you will need to move quickly once the candy coating is ready to go.
3. In a medium heavy-bottom saucepan, combine the sugar, water and corn syrup. Brush the sides of the saucepan with a damp pastry brush to rid of stray sugar crystals. Turn the heat to medium-high and clip on a candy thermometer (be sure the thermometer doesn't touch the bottom of the saucepan).
4. Let the mixture bubble and cook undisturbed until the thermometer reaches 302 degrees Fahrenheit (hard crack stage). In the meanwhile, get your flavor oil and colors ready to go.
5. When the candy coating has reached 302 degrees Fahrenheit, promptly remove from heat and stir in the flavor oil, followed by the white color, using a heatproof rubber spatula.
6. Once the white is blended completely, quickly add a drop or two of your favorite food gel colors, but this time, do not stir the coating. You can swirl the saucepan once or twice or use a skewer to marble the colors, but be sure not to over-blend or you will end up with a solid color.
7. Holding the handle of the saucepan with one hand, tilt so the coating pools to one side, and dip/swirl each apple until thoroughly coated. Let the excess coating drip back into the saucepan, and set aside on prepared baking sheet.
8. When ready to serve, take one or two small pieces of cotton candy and slide down each stick to sit atop the apples. Adorn with sprinkles or glitter of choice.

Try switching things up a little and enjoy these updates on one of our favorite childhood treats. Happy fall!

Sweatshirt (n.): a cozy yet shapeless top worn by college students in times of immense stress, especially cold weather, and/or everyday laziness. Often these pieces of clothing must be retired by post-collegiettes, unless wearing one of the following 9 options.

1. Tie-waist

This tie-waist sweatshirt from Madewell ($69.50) explores an entirely new silhouette that has us intrigued. We’d even dare say it’s work appropriate.

2. Spotted

Every real world girl needs a little animal print—as seen on this Gap sweatshirt ($49.95)—in her wardrobe.

3. Geometric

This geometric, loose-fit sweatshirt from Romwe ($14.67) adds a pop of color to any outfit.

4. Statement maker

Another Romwe find, this French-inspired top ($17) pairs perfectly with your favorite denim.

5. Sequined

Rarely do we think of sweatshirts as party attire, but this sparkly, sequined and floral option from J. Crew ($78) proves to be the exception.

6. Beyoncé-approved

If Beyoncé wore it, you can, too. Get the very same Kale sweatshirt from Suburban Riot ($64).

7. Sleeveless

For the majority of ladies who've never had a sweatshirt they felt truly sexy in, meet REVOLVE Clothing’s mesh muscle sweatshirt ($76).

8. Textured

How do you take a boring old sweatshirt and up the chic factor? Give it an unexpected chevron texture, like the one on this steal from Forever 21 ($12.99). Voilà!

9. Fiercely femme

Girl power never goes out of style, especially with this Two Songs top ($88).

Would you ever consider wearing sweatshirts in the real world?

This article has been syndicated to Her Campus from Byron, Birkin & Burch by Morgan Baker, a Her Campus Blogger Network member. Read the full post here.

School can be stressful—we always want everything to stay organized and in order so we can make the most of the semester. Whether you're still getting into the daily grind of classes or are already dealing with the impending doom that comes with your first set of midterm exams, here are some tips to keep you relaxed and on top of things while you're in school.

1. Get a planner

I cannot stress this enough. If you have a million things going on at once you will want a calendar where you can put all your activities, meetings and deadlines. Keeping track of all this in one place will make your life SO conveniently organized. There are a million planners out there, but I personally love the ones from ban.do and Erin Condren.

2. Take time to relax

School is stressful! It is very easy to get caught up in what you have to do and when you have to be doing it. If you have a big test coming up, take breaks while studying. This will help you recharge and refocus on what you need to be doing. Take a walk, ride a bike, listen to music, read a book! Anything that will help your mind escape for a moment will help you reset.

3. Write down notes by hand

This seems like a tedious task, but it really will help you in the end. Rather than lugging your computer to class each day, bring a notebook and a pencil. You will be more engaged and less tempted to get on Pinterest (guilty!) during lecture. Not only that, but you are more likely to retain the things you write down and it will help you focus on the subject at hand.

Read the full post on Byron, Birkin & Burch.

Staying flawless on a budget can be hard! That’s why we’ve teamed up with Birchbox to give one lucky collegiette the chance to win a year’s worth of personalized beauty samples. Gone are the days of spending hundreds of dollars on products you only use once – just create a beauty profile and Birchbox does all the hard work for you!

This welcome box is packed with awesome best sellers like (Malin + Gotez) grapefruit face cleanser, Davines This is a Sea Salt Spray, Harvey Prince Eau So Divine, ModelCo Ultra Long-Lasting Lipstick – Stiletto, and PARLOR by Jeff Chastain Moisturizing & Repairing Shampoo. Enter to win your subscription and welcome box now!

Birchbox

You’ve moved into your very first apartment and are finally living on your own. Congratulations! No more roommates, no more mom and dad—this is everything you ever wanted… right? Living alone can be awesome, but there are also some struggles. Here are 12 things you'll want to know before getting your own place.

1. No one tells you what to do (except maybe your landlord)

There's nobody to telling you to wash your dishes, no one telling you to put pants on—in other words, sweet freedom. Just remember to pay your bills on time. They can and WILL turn off your water.

2. Everything is yours… including your mess

There is NOBODY picking up after you, so folding laundry and washing dishes are your responsibilities, and your responsibilities alone.

3. One is the loneliest number

Who’s going to have a Netflix marathon with you? Who’s going to tell you whether or not your outfit is cute? Who’s going to help you cyber-stalk the office hottie? This whole solo thing may take some getting used to.

4.  S.O.S., cooking skills required

You either know how to cook or you don’t. If you fall under the latter, call for help immediately or invest in a cooking class. Trust us.

5. Pants are optional; curtains are mandatory.

If we could go the rest of our lives wearing yoga pants (or no pants) we totally would. Just beware of where you’re walking... #creepyneighboralert

6. Invest in a dead bolt—and maybe a full blown security system

It only takes a couple creaks and squeaks to get you running for the nearest closet. Save yourself the worry—get an alarm system and don't forget to always lock your doors.

7. Food for dayyys

Without anyone to share with, your fridge is like an everyday buffet! Just be responsible with the Ben & Jerry's… there’s also no one to call you out on finishing the whole tub in one sitting.

8. You only have one closet now

Gone are the days of shopping for a “new” outfit in your roommates’ closets. Guess you’ll have buy your own little black skirt. #thestruggle

9. No more daily girl talk/therapy sessions

It was always nice to share your day with roommates, or vent about your current struggles, but now the only person to vent to is yourself.

10. Pets are the answer

They love you, they’ll listen and they’ll never abandon you. Who needs humans anyway?

11. Your friends still exist

Just because you may not see them in the dorms every day doesn’t mean your friends don’t exist. They’re only a phone call away.

12. Keep calm and go call mom

When all else fails, don’t panic… Mom always knows what to do.

Whether or not it's found a home in your phone’s collection of apps, you've probably heard of Tinder and its infamous choosing system (Hint: to the left, to the left!). But dating app Hinge, which connects users with their friends’ friends, has found the most popular opening lines we use on each other to score that date.

Business Insider reports that the dating app’s analysts and copywriters wrote 100 ice-breakers and presented some to users to see what really tickled their fancy for a month-long study. "Every day, the Hinge team is asked if we know the secret to starting a great conversation that will actually lead somewhere," Karen Fein, Hinge's vice president of marketing, told Business Insider. "Frankly, we didn't! Since it's our mission to help users move beyond the swipe, to connect over something interesting and to ultimately meet up — we decided to find out."

Which kind of lines do men and women respond the best to?

The data showed that men are 98% more likely than women to react the best to assertive and invitational lines, while women are 40% more likely to respond to food-related opening lines (a PSL opener, anyone?).

Who is more patient?

Hinge found that not responding back to a guy’s text within 6 hours makes him 25% less likely to respond back to you. Girls seem to have a higher tolerance for late messages, because chances only drop by 5%.

Which lines are favored by which age group?

Young people ages 18-23 are fans of “novelty” lines, such as “Pain reliever personality: Advil, Tylenol, or complaining?” Ages 24-28 prefer a little more maturity in that all-important ice breaker, so asking about their lifestyle and activities is a sure way to their heart. For ages 29-34, just asking something personal is the quickest way to find out about them and is probably more telling than their dating profile. If you’re 35 or older, you are most likely to respond to convos centered around… pop culture!

Which city cares for which opening lines?

As per the map, LA seems to care the most about lines having to do with their favorite celeb, while San Fran responds well to lines that remind them of their childhood. On the east coast, Boston seems to only have patience for lines that get right to the chase, while Washington DC-ers care the most about food, specifically cheese…

And, finally, what are the best lines to get anyone’s attention?

“Hey, what’s up?” definitely doesn’t make the list, as people found “Hi” or “Hey” to be the least-attention grabbing, while the quirky get-to-know-you game “2 Truths and a Lie” was popular among users.

But remember—Flashing an awesome smile along with any line (that isn't too cliché) will gain you extra points in anyone’s book.

Name: Jennifer Kapahi      

Age: 31

Job Title and Description: Co-Founder trèStiQue Beauty

College Name/Major: Skidmore College/Studio Art

Website: www.trestique.com        

Twitter Handle: @trestique

 
What does your current job entail? Is there such a thing as a typical day?

Jennifer Kapahi: There is no such thing as a typical day. My current job entails wearing many hats from brand marketing, social media, product development, package development, digital marketing, PR, HR, retail strategy, trend analysis, forecasting, planning and more!

What is the best part of your job?

JK: The best part of my job is waking up and pursuing my passion in life. I love beauty and love being an entrepreneur. I love the element of constant change and the “unknown." I’m never bored!

What was your first entry-level job in your field and how did you get it? 

JK: My first job was Assistant Manager at Bloomingdales 59^th Street in the cosmetics department after graduating their retail management program. I found the job posting on my college career services site and made it through a series of interviews becoming one of the 15 hires out of over 1500 applicants.

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

JK: The industry is very small; there is no relationship or experience that I had which was too small or unimportant. Everyone and everything always comes back when you least expect it, so it is essential to put your best foot forward no matter what.

Who is one person who changed your professional life for the better? 

JK: My husband! He has been my number one fan, supporter and source of inspiration. As an entrepreneur, he really pushed me to take the leap and has been an endless positive resource on the business end of things.

What is one mistake you made along the way and what did you learn from it? 

JK: In the beauty industry there are a lot of women. I learned very early on to stay out of the gossip and the drama. People respect you most for your work and professionalism.

What has been the most surreal moment of your career thus far?

JK: Reading our launch announcement in WWD. I was like, "Wow! This is really happening!"

What do you look for when considering hiring someone? 

JK: Passion! For beauty, for life and for others. Product, marketing and sales you can learn, but passion is something you cannot teach.

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

JK: Be patient, positive, helpful and gracious. In turn, you will find wonderful mentors who will be inspired by your youth, creativity and passion. Things always work out if you try hard enough; sometimes they just take time.

For most collegiettes, the gym is probably not what you would consider your “happy place” (if it is, more power to you). At the gym, you’re in a perpetual state of being sticky and sweaty, you think everyone is judging you and you may feel the need to compete with the gym rat next to you who is running at lightning speed. You treat exercising there the same way you would homework: You know you should do it, but you dread every moment of the task. If this is your outlook, clearly it’s time to make a change! By following these tips, you’ll be on the road to making the gym your “happy place,” or at least something closer to it!

1. Set up a healthy reward system for yourself

Consistently working out can be tough for many of us to accomplish, so you should definitely celebrate when you meet your workout goal for the week. You don’t want to reward yourself with extra dessert and undo all of your hard work, so give yourself a reward that is just enough to make you feel happy and motivated to keep going.

Reward yourself by getting a mani or buying that cute clothing item you’ve been eyeing for a while. Set up a specific calendar that outlines how often you want to go to the gym and how you’re going to treat yourself.

2. Change up your workout playlist

Listening to the same 12 songs on your gym playlist can be helpful since you can build your workout around it, but eventually the songs will get dull. Every so often, switch up your playlist completely and try new artists. Spotify has tons of playlists you can listen to without a premium membership that cater to every workout —cardio, dancing, lifting, running and more.

You may even want to try listening to something other than music. Download an audiobook or subscribe to your favorite podcasts; that way, you can catch up on the book you haven’t had time to read or even listen to your favorite comedians.

Megan Shuffleton, a junior at Emerson College, says she often listens to audiobooks while exercising. “[Listening to audiobooks] lets me do two productive things at once, making me feel twice as good,” she says. “Plus, focusing on what the author or speaker is saying distracts me from thinking about when my workout will be over.”

3. Track your progress with gym selfies

Consider the gym selfie a newer and lighter spin on the typical mirror pics you see everyone take all the time! Snap a self-portrait each time you go to the gym to document your overall goal. Even if your overall reason for workout is to stay active and fit and not necessarily to lose weight, this option can still work for you.

If you’re feeling energetic and are having a successful workout, snap a pic with your biggest smile. If you’re having an off day, show it by making a frowning face in your selfie. By the time you reach your fitness goal, you can look back on your journey —you’ll be guaranteed a good laugh. If you’re feeling extra goofy, send your gym selfie of the day to your best buddies. Who knows, maybe it’ll become a new running joke between you and them, or maybe they’ll even join in!

4. Compete with your roommates

Use your competitive nature to your and your roomies’ advantage by creating friendly competition you can all partake in each month. Whether you keep logs on who hit the gym the most often per week or who spent the longest time at the gym per outing, set up some sort of prize for the winner. It can be something little, like a free pass from garbage duty for the next few weeks, or an iced coffee on each of your roommates. Just don’t get too out of hand; if you both hit your goals for the week, you can tie and treat each other!

5. Try a fitness app

Everyone knows it’s frowned upon to be chatting away on your phone while at the gym, but that doesn’t mean you have to stash your cell away completely. There are tons of fitness apps out there that will make you eager to hit the gym, like Nike+ Training Club, Moves and Zombies, Run! .

Kasia Jaworski, a senior at Villanova University, says she changes up her workouts by spending some time away from the machines and using Nike+ Training, which allows you to customize your routine and get inspired. “Sometimes I’ll find an open space or empty workout room and use [the app],” she says. “It’s kind of like a personal trainer on your phone.”

The best apps out there will do far more than remind you to exercise or tell you how many sets and reps of crunches you should do. Zombies, Run! is particularly fun because you’re placed in virtual chasing game where you’re running away from a mob of zombies. The interactive features will have your adrenaline pumping and your mind thinking you’re playing a video game!

6. Play a game with friends

Many universities have state-of-the-art recreation centers that have many different spaces you can exercise in, so don’t feel you always have to be glued to an exercise machine! Playing a game with friends is great option to try out if you’re really close with your floormates or if you want to fit in some extra socializing. Also, if you’re the type of person who hates the feeling of working out in a room full of strangers, this is a fun alternative.

Once you’ve gathered a group of friends, reserve a court or another open facility space where you can all work out by playing a group game like dodgeball or capture the flag. These grade-school games will not only bring back some intense nostalgia, but they’ll also whip you into shape —you’ll be surprised by how tired you are afterwards! Most university gyms have a policy detailing the minimum number of people you need and how far in advance you need to make a reservation, so check out your facility’s website. Though the policies vary from school to school, you’ll probably have to make a reservation two days in advance at the very least, so don’t just gather your friends on a whim!

For most of us, going to the gym feels like a big chore that we have to painstakingly do on a regular basis, but that’s probably because we commit ourselves to the same old boring regimens. By using these tips, you may actually end up looking forward to the next free time you can head to the gym!

James Madison University is currently investigating an incident in which a fraternity brother published a “ranking” of the attractiveness of freshmen girls in order to help his fellow brothers get laid. Another case of sexual harassment on a college campus? Shocker! Another case of sexual harassment involving a fraternity? Even more surprising!

Gawker and Barstool Sports have released this letter written by a brother of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity (known as “FIJI”):

“I have written a list of hot girls and their suite/room in [the dorm]. Now this is a little creepy thing to do but necessary so let's keep this low key. You must travel together to all of the suites on this list, and invite these girls to the parties (social schedule will also be attached). You are to introduce yourselves, build rapport (if you don't know what that is look it up you degenerates), invite them (their whole suite) to the party of the respective night, and tell them to come up to your suite around 9pm to pregame. Don't forget to get their phone #'s. Now, I'm praying you guys brought liquor or something that allows you to pregame.”

If you were wondering if you’d read that right, yes, it totally does say this is a necessary thing to do. Allegedly, the list was compiled by a upperclassmen fraternity member with the help of an RA who assisted in compiling girls’ room numbers and other information. The girls are also ranked on a scale of 1-10 of their “hotness” level. Are you seriously creeped out by this? Because if so, you’re definitely not the only one.

Gawker reached out to the president of FIJI, and received the following statement:

“​[Name redacted] acted totally on his own in writing the letter that has sparked this controversy. The letter does not reflect the values that our chapter promotes and our members embrace. Accordingly, [name redacted] has been removed from our chapter. We will continue to cooperate with the University in every way necessary to resolve this matter.”

While we’re glad that this mega-creep is out of the frat, that’s pretty much the standard protocol for dealing with these types of (disturbingly common) incidents—and it’s the least they can do.

Gawker also contacted the director of Greek Life at JMU, and were referred to spokesman Bill Wyatt, who said: “The university is aware of the incident and it is under investigation. However because of federal privacy laws, we cannot comment on the specifics of the incident. Obviously, the university takes seriously any complaints of sexual harassment or misconduct. Pending the outcome of the investigation, the matter will be dealt with in accordance with university policy and procedure.”

His choice of words is interesting, considering the school’s horrendous handling of another sexual assault incident that has since prompted a federal investigation. We’re anxious to see how things will be handled this time around, but at the rate we’re going, we probably shouldn’t get our hopes up.  

By now, you’ve probably realized that college dating—if we can even call it that—can be a total nightmare to navigate. Between trying to figure out what you want and understanding how to get it, your love life is full of traps that are all too easy to fall into. We talked to experts and collegiettes to help you make sense of a bunch of sticky situations—and avoid them in the first place.

1. Leading a nice person on

The situation

When you’ve been single for a while (and possibly watched too many rom coms), it’s totally normal to want a special someone in your life. A problem arises when the person who is directly available is the not the right one for you. So many of us have been there: the nicest person is head over heels for you, and sometimes you wonder if you don’t feel the same way—even though you just like that person as a friend.

“Sometimes I want to slap myself silly because I have such a wonderful opportunity to be in a relationship, but I have NO attraction to this man, Michael*,” says Emily*, a senior at the University of Scranton. After months of trying not to lead Michael on, Emily began to find his presence reassuring. “I'd rely on the attention Michael gave me,” she says. “One year I even made the huge mistake of making out with him on my birthday and on New Year’s Eve.” Emily and Michael have gone out a few times and are great friends, but she doesn’t want anything more—and he doesn’t know it.

Why it happens

We all want attention and reassurance, but we sometimes seek it in the wrong places. “I think there's probably a thrill for some women to be admired, liked and desired, even by guys/gals they are not interested in,” says Neely Steinberg, a dating coach and founder of The Love TREP. “It's an ego boost to be liked. It reminds you that you are desirable. It could also stem from a place of insecurity and low self-esteem.”

How to avoid it

Leading someone on can be way too easy to do, especially if, like Emily, that person is part of your friend group. “The best way to go about dating is to get clear on why [you] are dating in the first place,” says Lesli Doares, Marriage Consultant, Coach and Licensed Marriage Family Therapist. So if you’re seeing someone simply because you’re feeling lonely or you enjoy the attention, you might need to question your motives. Spend more time with your friends instead, or join a new club—fewer feelings will be at stake.

2. Hoping someone is the right person when you know he or she isn’t

The situation

On the other hand, sometimes you actually really like someone, so you overlook his or her flaws in the hopes that you two can build something together.

“I remember this guy my freshman year,” says Nina*, a sophomore at Gettysburg College. “We did nearly everything together, from homework and trips to just hanging out on campus. I was constantly asked if we were dating but never knew quite what to say, as I wasn't sure myself! I'd made it totally obvious that I was into him, but he was sending constant mixed signals.” In the end, Nina couldn’t deal with this guy anymore and met someone who was actually good for her.

Why it happens

Obviously, your dream SO is pretty hard to find, so you convince yourself that the person you’re seeing is good enough, or will change in time. “Some women may really want to believe in a guy/girl who they really like, as in believe in their potential to be a great boyfriend/girlfriend,” Steinberg says. “They may like a lot of things about the person and want to be in a relationship with him/her, so they brush certain red flags (like bad behavior) under the carpet, desperately hoping that nicer qualities will emerge eventually.”

How to avoid it

Truth is, the chances of someone changing drastically are slim to none. “Hoping for a person's potential is a pretty futile endeavor,” Steinberg says. “Unfortunately, potential isn't the basis for a solid relationship in the here and now, and who knows if the ‘potential’ ever comes to fruition. Better to find someone who can give you what you want/need now than to wait around for him/her to eventually get there.” Read: Don’t stay with someone simply because you think you can’t do better. You can do better—trust us.

3. Taking things to mean more than they do

The situation

When it comes to dating in college, we seriously never know what the other person is looking for. Of course hooking up with someone at a party or going out with them for dinner can turn into more—it often does, but it’s not safe to assume it always will.

“I'm guilty of taking dates far more seriously than they need to be taken,” says Amy*, a senior at Messiah College. “I can't just go on a date and relax and have fun, I'm always just thinking about the future and what will happen next, and so I get too caught up in that rather than just being in the present moment.”

Amy is so not alone; we all have a tendency to take things to mean more than they really do, whether it’s a date or sex.

Why it happens

Guess what? Like with so many other everyday issues, the media could be to blame. “Young women might get the wrong messages from movies, TV and pop culture, where sex may be confused for two people being in love,” Steinberg says. Often, a hookup is just a hookup—even if it does feel like more. As for some dates, sometimes they really only amount to a casual “hangout” sesh. So how can you tell if there is a future or not with this person?

How to avoid it

First things first, you should know what you want before trying to figure out what the other person wants. “Don't be afraid to ask for and communicate about what you want in your dating life,” Steinberg says. “Don't be so terrified of telling people what you're looking for. Being vulnerable is the key to making an emotional bond/connection with someone. And communicating and standing up for your needs builds confidence and self-esteem.”

So instead of trying to make things work with someone while wondering if the two of you are on the same page, discuss it! If you know what you’re looking for, make it known. If your hookup or SO feels the same way, great! If not, you will find someone better suited for you when the time is right.

4. Giving into the hookup culture

The situation

Boston University senior Jenna’s* biggest regret as far as her love life goes is “hooking up with guys in frats as a freshman because [she would have] to live with that for three more years.” To be very clear, hooking up can be perfectly enough in itself—just not for everyone. Jenna was conflicted because she didn’t want anything more with these guys in particular, but she “wanted to be respected and treated as more than a hookup, because [she’s] a human too.” Not to mention she didn’t appreciate the word going around about her and said frat boys.

Why it happens

According to Doares, women can often get “sexually intimate early in the hopes that something deeper will develop or out of fear the guy won’t want to be with them. This is often a case of insecurity about who they are and what they have to offer in a relationship.”

The biggest problem with this is that “getting physically intimate or emotionally attached too quickly can end up with seriously hurt feelings,” Doares says. “This can lead to focusing more on the relationship than on why they are in college in the first place. Relationships should add to the experience, not make college more difficult.”

How to avoid it

Once again, it really depends what you’re looking for beyond a hookup. “If a woman wants to be in a relationship, it may behoove her to wait a while and get to know if this guy/girl is on the same page as her and to get to know him/her outside of the bedroom,” Steinberg says. “That builds confidence, self-esteem and trust.”

But even if you don’t want a partner right now, casual hookups may not be the right thing for you. For Steinberg, “thinking anyone can have casual sex” is one of the biggest pitfalls for collegiettes. “We see women on TV and in the movies and pop stars having causal sex, and we think ‘hey, I can do that, too, no problem,’” she says. “Some young women can and more power to them. But it's a raw deal for a lot of women, too. They realize that casual sex isn't for them and isn't as fun and carefree as they thought it would be.”

Whatever you do, you should never feel like you should have sex with someone or that it’s expected of you. If you don’t want to hook up, then you have no reason to do it.

5. Overanalyzing everything

The situation

Let’s face it—we’ve all found ourselves reading our crush’s text 800 times over to make sense of that extra comma or the conspicuous lack of emojis. “ I analyze text messages like crazy,” Amy says. “I'm also guilty of spending an excess amount of time analyzing the text messages that I send guys too, since I feel like I'll be walking on eggshells if I say something stupid that could be misinterpreted.”

And it’s not just texts: if there’s a communication problem somewhere, you can quickly start to question everything—from why your hookup or SO didn’t call you to whether he or she really meant that last compliment.

Why it happens

For Steinberg, the problem may very well lie in the education we receive as women. “Perhaps if girls were raised to simply ask for what they want/need from a guy and taught how to communicate these feelings to guys, they wouldn't need to spend so much time overanalyzing,” Steinberg says. “But perhaps we are raised to not ask for what we want/need, and there is always the fear that if we do, it will scare the guy away. So we end up overanalyzing instead to try to figure things out, which, ultimately drives us nuts and is often counterproductive.” Wow, we’d never thought about it that way!

How to avoid it

The solution is intuitive: “Instead of being subtle and dropping hints with guys, girls would save themselves a lot of angst by asking for what they want/need,” Steinberg says. “Then they won't have to spend so much time wondering if the guy [or girl] is on the same page.”

In the end, you will always benefit from being honest with yourself and with the person you’re seeing. If your openness scares him or her away, then he or she obviously wasn’t right for you anyway. And it will save you a whole lot of anxiety.

Although making mistakes like these ones can allow you to grow, not making them in the first place is always preferable. Hopefully, we saved you from learning the hard way what works and doesn’t work when it comes to college dating. Good luck navigating the shipwreck that is dating these days, collegiettes!

*Names have been changed.

Sometimes, a girl just needs to hang out with her Friends. Just like the show's comforting theme song croons, they'll be there for you when the rain starts to pour... Or pretty much any other time you need them, actually. You know them, you love them, you can recite their lines along with them no matter what episode is playing, and you'd definitely hang out with all of them IRL. But do you know which member of the Friends crew would be your BFF? Take this quiz to find out! 

Sometimes we collegiettes are prone to exaggeration. It’s not that we're overly dramatic (though sometimes we are… #sorrynotsorry), but it's more that the way we speak on a daily basis doesn’t always align perfectly with what we actually mean. It’s not necessarily on purpose, but we all do it. Wondering what we’re talking about? Check out some examples below.

1. "I died."

No, you did not die. You are not dead. You are still alive and standing right here in front of us, you ridiculous human. 

2. "You’re literally the worst."

Really? We are the literal worst thing you've ever encountered in your entire life? We highly doubt that. 

3. "I can’t even."

If you really wanted to, you could. 

4. "I'd kill a man for a taco right now."

Not denying that Mexican food is, indeed, God's greatest gift to the world, but for some reason we don't belive you would murder a person over something as trivial as a taco. But that's just us. 

5. "I’d rather do literally anything else than this homework."

You'd rather jump into a pile of dog crap and roll around in it while "Friday" by Rebecca Black plays on repeat than finish your reading? Didn't think so. 

6. "I haven’t texted him in forever."

You texted him three days ago. That is not "forever" by any stretch of imagination. 

7. "I don't care."

Any time a girl says that she doesn't care, it's pretty safe to assume that she's lying. She cares. Promise. 

8. "I'm fine." 

Nothing about how you just said that makes us believe that you're actually fine, Ms. Passive-Aggressive.  

9. "I hate you/him/them/her/everyone."

You're telling us you hate your grandparents? You're telling us you hate Jennifer Lawrence? Puppies?! Yeah, that's what we thought. 

10. "I’m never drinking again."

You're going to drink tonight. You might even drink before that. 

11. "I'm dreaming, pinch me!"

Stop. Never has that ever meant we actually wanted you to touch our cheeks. 

12. "I’m seriously going to throw myself in front of that bus."

Okay, whatever. 

13. "We should get lunch sometime." 

By sometime, we mean never.

14. "I’m freaking in love with you."

You did me a favor, and I said that I loved you. This doesn't mean I actually love you, want to date you, want you to text me, etc. Don't let it go to your head. 

Maybe we should all learn to tell it like it is. Literally. 

False eyelashes are like the stiletto heels of makeup—they’re cute and add an extra hint of glam to any look, but for many, they can also bring about a bit of anxiety. Whether you plan on using strips or individuals, applying false lashes is not exactly an easy task. So, since we already know that sticking a clump of glue on an eyelash strip and hoping for the best isn’t exactly the best way to go about things, we spoke to Advanced Celebrity Lash Extensionist Alicia Hunter for a bit of advice on how to apply fake eyelashes like a true professional.

The Lashes

Let’s start off by talking about the two different types of false eyelashes: strips and individual extensions. Strip eyelashes are probably the most common type of extension and the easiest for the average person to apply. They’re also extremely affordable and can usually be found in any drugstore, sometimes at prices as low as $2. While strip lashes are rumored to give more of an artificial look, they come in a variety of different styles—with some being a little less thick and dramatic—so you won’t have any difficulty finding a pair that comes close to matching your natural lash line.

Individual lashes, on the other hand, come as tiny clusters of hair that are to be applied one by one. The perks are that they can appear very realistic and blend in better with your natural lashes. They also come in handy when you have a few sparse spots in your lash line and you just want to take a second to fill in the blank spaces. The only downside, though, is that applying them can be a little tedious and difficult, which may require outside help. But luckily for you, there are professional lash artists like Alicia who specialize in applying individual lashes. “Applying any faux lash can be frustrating, but practice definitely makes perfect,” says Alicia. “While strips and clusters can be applied by the individual wearer, the individual extensions must be applied by a highly trained and experienced professional.”

How to Apply

For anyone who has never tried or is intimidated by the thought of applying faux lashes, Alicia recommends checking out a few online tutorials (like this one) or heading to your local mall to get a few tips from the employees at any beauty store.

“I can recommend that for the beginner, it's a great idea to either watch a few YouTube tutorials, which are very helpful, or head into a department store or MAC store and have the makeup artists there apply strips or clusters and ask them to show you how,” she says. “It's a hands-on lesson, easier to get the hang of when you're actually applying them rather than just reading about how-to.”

Once you’re ready to apply them on your own, Alicia’s steps are as follows:

1. Start with a clean, dry eye area and curl your natural lashes with a lash curler. If you have naturally light-colored lashes, apply one coat of mascara on your upper lashes.
2. Take one strip from the package. Hold it up to your lid and make sure it fits your eye. If it's too long, trim from the shorter inner-eye side.
3. Apply a very thin line of strip glue directly onto the lash strip (avoiding the lashes themselves).  
4. Let the glue dry for about 20 seconds—if it's too wet it won't stick; if it's too dry, it won't stick either. The glue should be tacky.
5. Getting as close as possible to your lash line, gently press from the inner corner out to the outer corner of your eye (you can use the end of a thin makeup brush to scoot it closer before the glue sets). The goal is to leave little to no space between the lash strip and your lash line. 
6. Let it dry with that eye closed for about a minute so any excess glue doesn't travel up to your lid. If it does, remove it with a little makeup remover on a Q-tip. (Because this can happen, make sure you never apply eye shadow first, or else you’d have to wipe it all off and reapply!)
7. Repeat this process on the other eye.
8. Let both dry a few minutes, then proceed with liner, shadow (if desired), and one or two coats of mascara.

Just in case you make a mistake, Alicia recommends just removing the eyelash and waiting a minute or two to reset it. You may also want to keep an extra pack (or two) on hand just in case. Of course, we don’t expect you to be a pro at application your first time around but practice makes perfect, and hopefully these tips will help! 

Removal and Cleaning

It wouldn’t be the end of the world if you fell asleep in your lashes after a long night out. But, according to Alicia, you might still want to take the extra time to remove and clean your lashes before you go to bed.

“Although you can sleep in strips and clusters, I don't recommend it,” she says. “I always remove mine before bed and, if I'm being good and frugal, I'll gently wash them with a little baby shampoo and water (to wash off mascara and glue residue) and put them back into their package and let them dry overnight and before I reuse them.”

Removing lashes can also be a little tricky sometimes, especially when lash glue ends up getting stuck to your natural lashes. To remove your lashes properly and painlessly, dab a cotton swab or pad with some non-oil-based makeup remover and gently hold it against your eye for a few moments. The lash should then pull off pretty easily.

Remember: repetition breeds perfection. Follow Alicia’s tips to up your faux lash game and, pretty soon, the entire process will be second nature to you. Good luck!

Pavane Gorrepati is a strong believer in empowering and educating women. And while most people reading this are lucky enough to frequent Chipotle on a regular basis, many young women don’t have that luxury. Pavane knows that closing the gender gap would lead to less malnutrition and hunger worldwide—so she founded a non-profit organization, Feeding Inspiration. Through Feeding Inspiration, she is motivating young girls and working to bring an end to hunger.

Pavane also started a similar organization on campus at Yale University, where she is now a senior. This organization, Feeding the Future, focuses on highlighting issues of food insecurity around the globe in order to educate students about the problem. Pavane’s successful local, national and international education efforts were so incredible that she was recognized by President Barack Obama at the White House! We are so impressed by this collegiette’s outstanding efforts to promote such an important cause not just on her own campus, but around the world.

Name: Pavane Gorrepati
Age: 21
College: Yale University
Major: History of Science, Medicine and Public Health
Graduation Year: 2016
Hometown: Davenport, Iowa
Twitter Handle: @pavanegorrepati
Instagram Handle: @pavanegorrepati

Her Campus: What are you working on right now?

Pavane Gorrepati: Recognizing that persistent gender inequalities in low-income nations is the single most important determinant of food insecurity and that closing the gender gap would equal ~100 million fewer people living in hunger, Feeding Inspiration is currently working to highlight this issue nationally and abroad by creating a dialogue that encourages gender equality in the agriculture sector, especially in low-income nations. We are working with middle and high school students nationally and internationally, currently in India, Tanzania, and soon Peru, to expand our work encouraging girls to play a role in ending hunger and addressing one of the biggest problems of our generation – food insecurity. As part of this initiative, we created an illustrative book entitled Girls Can! Do Anything. to be part of our non-profit work and inspire young girls about the limitless possibilities they have in the world.

HC: Why did you found Feeding Inspiration?

PG: In a world where we live with plenty, millions go to bed hungry each and every night. The simple luxury of having food on a daily basis is something that many, too often, take for granted. I founded Feeding Inspiration because I recognized a substantial lack of knowledge among my generation when it came to issues of food insecurity. A lack of access to food especially at an early age can lead to reduced physical and mental development, affecting school performance and leading to lower income as an adult. A lack of food has profound and long-term devastating effects on the future of an individual and the economic well being of that nation.  

HC: What is something people should know about your cause?

PG: I believe people should know the facts and the reality of the dilemma that I am trying to alleviate: The UN estimates that 60% of the undernourished globally are women or girls and according to the FAO, closing the gender gap in access to agricultural resources could lead to 100 million fewer people living in hunger. Women’s empowerment can be used as a tool against malnutrition and hunger.

HC: What advice do you have for other ambitious collegiettes with a goal/dream?

PG: For anyone out there with a dream, I would say the single most important thing to achieve that dream is hard work – there is absolutely no replacement. All the goals that I have been able to accomplish came from many sleepless nights and an unwavering dedication to achieve my goals.

HC: What is your favorite inspirational quote?

PG:“We do not need magic to change the world. We carry all the power we need inside ourselves already. We have the power to imagine better.” – J.K. Rowling

HC: Where can others learn more about Feeding Inspiration?

PG: Others can learn more about our organization at our website.

Since she started high school, Rachel Conboy has been committed to bettering her community. A natural leader, she never let being a woman keep her from pursuing her goals. Now a senior at the University of Connecticut, Rachel is the first openly gay woman in student government and the first elected female president of the student body in 10 years! She is doing everything in her power to eradicate the prejudice around being a woman leader and a gay leader after seeing how much these labels were emphasized as soon as she stepped into her role as student body president.

In addition to fighting for equal opportunities for all students, Rachel is dedicated to creating a safer environment at UConn. Her goal is to facilitate a healthy dialogue between student government and activist groups—who don’t traditionally work together—on issues of sexual assault in particular. Whatever the issue at hand, this inspiring collegiette has one strategy: always speak up in the face of intolerance and injustice.

Name: Rachel Conboy
Age: 21
College: University of Connecticut
Major(s): Political Science & History
Graduation Year: 2016
Hometown: East Hartford, CT
Twitter Handle: @itsbigbadconboy
Instagram Handle: itsbigbadconboy

Her Campus: What do you consider your greatest achievement to date?

Rachel Conboy: My greatest achievement to date has been getting accepted and attending the University of Connecticut. There was a point in my high school career where I thought that I was not cut out to attend college, let alone a top 20 public university. Despite this, I knew UConn was the place I was meant to be and I fought my way to get there. The UConn campus, my peers, administrators, mentors, professors, and my friends have shaped me to be a person I never could have imagined when I was in high school. I have discovered what my passions are, what I believe in, and the type of person I will strive to be in the future. 

HC: What do you think is the biggest factor that led you to where you are today?

RC: I was lucky enough to be surrounded by many strong educators and even better role models in high school. At East Hartford High school my Spanish teacher, Mrs. White, always took the time to reach out to students that needed a positive influence. Not only did she teach me a language, but also inspired me to take initiative in my life. She pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and create goals for myself; one of these goals was to support and encourage others just as she had done for me. I was lucky to be her student and still look up to her as a valued mentor today.

HC: What are your top goals and priorities post-graduation?

RC: After graduation, my goal isn’t necessarily to find a typical 9-5 job, but rather search for an opportunity where I can apply my best qualities. More than anything else, I intend to get involved in my community. Whether this be volunteering for a non-profit, remaining in a higher education, or going on to grad school, my biggest priority really is to contribute to the community in a positive and tangible way.

HC: What advice do you have for other ambitious collegiettes with a goal/dream?

RC: The best advice I could give is that the only person holding you back is yourself and now is the time to take a goal and run with it. This is a time in your life where making mistakes and finding your own path is encouraged. Embarrassing yourself, failing (more than once), and having a few miscalculations now is only going to help in the future. You will find that you are resilient and once you set your mind on a goal you have, you will most definitely find a way to get there.

HC: How can every collegiette respond to openly sexist comments?

RC: The best response is any respectful response at all. Being a silent bystander will not accomplish anything. This doesn’t mean that we should feed into sexist comments, but respond in a respectful and responsible way. If you don’t feel comfortable addressing the person directly, have a conversation with a superior. However you choose to respond, the important thing is that you take action.

HC: What has been the most difficult challenge for you as an openly gay woman leader? How did you overcome this challenge?

RC: The most difficult thing to overcome is the pre-conceived ideas most people have about the way a “Rachel” should look, act, and lead based on socially constructed ideas. I choose to live my authentic self and it can sometimes be shocking for people when they first meet me because the person they imagined they were talking to on the phone is not the person that stands before them in real life. I sometimes feel as though I have ‘GAY’ tattooed on my forehead and it can make for some pretty awkward situations.

I have overcome this with my self-confidence and not allowing ignorance get in the way of my responsibilities as a leader. I know that I am in my position because I am a great leader and once people get to know me, they begin to realize this as well. I am just as important of a voice in a room as any other person and I am able to be this voice while also being comfortable in my own skin.

When Rachel Davis was just 12 years old, her childhood home burned down. Little did she know at the time how much this event would inspire her in the coming years.

Since the house fire, Rachel has become a nationally certified volunteer fire fighter and EMT. She also decided to continue her work in the field with research on flame retardant plastics in the laboratory. Her family’s tragic experience inspired Rachel to work hard on polymer research, and she developed a new flame retardant biodegradable plastic that is currently under review for a patent.

At MIT, Rachel studies Material Science and Engineering and hopes to work as an engineering consultant or a researcher upon graduation. She has interned at Formlabs Inc. and TMK IPSCO Research and Development Center, and she has done research at the Novartis/MIT Center for Continuous Manufacturing as well as Stony Brook University. After she was named a finalist in the Intel Science Talent Search, Rachel even got to meet President Obama!

Despite the hardships she has been through, Rachel is improving her community with her work as a volunteer fire fighter and EMT, and she is engineering new materials for our future.

Name: Rachel Davis
Age: 21
College: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Majors: Materials Science & Engineering
Graduation Year: 2016
Hometown: Saint James, NY
Twitter Handle: @RchelDavis
Instagram Handle: @RchelDavis

Her Campus: What are you working on right now?

Rachel Davis: Right now, I am working at a 3D printing start-up in Somerville, Massachusetts. The start-up is called Formlabs. I am a part of the materials team, and I love it. My favorite thing to print is 3D-printed plastic cats. As a part of the materials team, I work with photopolymers to create really awesome materials that will make our customers really happy. I also just took a journalism class at Harvard, which will help me get a minor in writing at MIT.

HC: You’ve experienced your fair share of tragedy, yet you keep moving forward. How do you maintain positivity, and how can others follow your lead?

RD: It is really difficult to maintain positivity sometimes. I have definitely gone through dark periods of time. I find that the best way to keep pushing forward and staying positive is to do things that make me happy, and also to constantly do things that help people.

I love plastics. I really like the way you can change them and make them better through simple or complex methods. I like playing with polymers and making them do cool things. It makes me really happy, and I’m so grateful that I’ve found something that makes me feel this way.

I worked really hard in high school, and now in college, because it makes me feel really good to know that I have tried my hardest and done my absolute best and that I am working towards something that I am really passionate about. I really recommend that others do the same, no matter how challenging it may be. Find your passion, and do everything you can to make it a giant part of your life.

HC: What do you consider your greatest achievement to date?

RD: My greatest achievement is getting to meet President Obama after I placed in the Intel Science Talent Search my senior year of high school. Also, getting into MIT was a huge achievement, and I am so proud of myself for accomplishing that.

HC: In your application for the 22 Under 22 Most Inspiring College Women competition, you wrote the phrase “People before problem sets.” What exactly does this mean to you?

RD: “People before problem sets” means that I think it is more important to live your life than to worry endlessly about one silly problem set that you won’t remember in two years. I do not remember problem set number four from differential equations freshman year, but I do remember that I cried over it and missed out on spending time with friends because of it. It is important to put time aside for the people that matter in your life, although it seems difficult at times, and for other people. It’s not worth crying over a problem set.

HC: What advice do you have for other ambitious collegiettes with a goal/dream?

RD: Never give up. Life will throw some pretty terrible things at you, but also some incredibly wonderful things. Keep pushing forward towards what makes you happy.

Rachel Heacock was not entirely fulfilled by her high school experience, so after her sophomore year ended, this 16-year-old took it upon herself to make a change. As an excellent student who wanted to be challenged further, Rachel applied to the Program for the Exceptionally Gifted at Mary Baldwin College—the only Early College program in the country just for women. She was offered admission along with the Presidential Scholarship, the highest merit scholarship at Mary Baldwin. The decision may have been a big one, but Rachel decided to go for it.

At 16, Rachel is thriving in a college environment. She started a chapter of Her Campus at Mary Baldwin before she finished her freshman year, and she now attends the University of Virginia as a second-year transfer. In addition to being among the youngest college students in the world, Rachel is pursuing a career in a crazy competitive industry (especially for women!): she aims to become the first female General Manager of a Major League Baseball club. We say, dream big—clearly, this collegiette can do anything she sets her mind to!

Name: Rachel Heacock
Age: 16
College: University of Virginia
Majors: Undeclared, Interdisciplinary Major in Applied Statistics concentrated in Actuarial Finance
Graduation Year: 2018
Hometown: Centreville, Virginia
Instagram Handle: @rachelheacock

Her Campus: What do you consider your greatest achievement to date?

Rachel Heacock: Although it’s not glamorous, taking my GED exam. The Virginia Department of Education regulates that high school dropouts have to be at least 18 to attempt the GED exam. I left high school after only two years, so having a diploma or the equivalent is something I thought I never would.. I was fortunate enough to be granted permission shortly after my 16th birthday to take the exam, so now I have my GED I didn’t necessarily need it since I’m in school, but it’s wonderful to have at my age and I’m proud of it.

HC: What do you think is the biggest factor that led you to where you are today?

RH: I’m really blessed to have a wonderfully supportive family and friend group. My parents are such an inspiration, and I’m proud to be following in my father’s footsteps as a student at U.Va. I would not have been able to be so successful in my early college endeavors if I was without the encouragement of my friends and family. They know that when I have my heart set on something, I try to go get it. I’m grateful to them for always having my back, no matter what goal or dream I’m chasing after – even if it’s one as big as becoming a Major League GM.

HC: What are your top goals and priorities post-graduation?

RH: World travel is high on my list, because to me a worldly perspective is important in all aspects of life. But, I’d really like to start working in the MLB as soon as I can.  

HC: Where did your passion for baseball come from?

RH: When I was in middle school, my family and I went to a baseball game together since a friend had tickets she couldn’t use. Somehow, I decided to pay attention instead of writing baseball off as boring, which is a common reaction. I learned that baseball players are very intelligent; there is so much thinking and strategy involved in the game below the surface of trying to connect the bat to the ball. From there, I wanted to learn everything I could about baseball. I’ve taken every opportunity to be involved with the sport since then, and every minute I spend around it, I grow more passionate.  

HC: As a woman in a predominately male field, how do you want to make a difference?

RH: While my sole intent is not to break the glass ceiling of Major League Baseball, I do think it’s a shame that more women don’t possess executive positions in the MLB. I think some ball clubs don’t want to take the risk of putting a woman in charge, since no one has done it yet. If I ever get my call to the show, I hope at some point I’ll be able to encourage hires based on skill, experience and promise, regardless of gender.

HC: How has your age affected your goals and achievements while in college?

RH: While my age tends to be something that sets me apart from other students in my academic year, I try not to let it influence anything. My age is unrelated to the goals that I set for myself. It may make those goals harder to achieve, but I don’t let it deter me from going after anything.