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5 Clingy Habits That Are Ruining Your Love Life

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Clinginess is good—when it comes to your favorite pair of skinny jeans. When it comes to relationships? Not so much. Even though our clingy ways only manifest “because we care,” they’re still not healthy, and when we take them too far, we run the risk of alienating our SOs. It’s kind of like killing a plant by overwatering it.

But don’t freak out, because we’ve talked to experts to identify the top clingy things you do and how to stop. Your little love fern (name that movie!) will have a long, healthy life.

1. You need to be in constant contact

You and your boyfriend just had a super-fun hiking date, and now he’s dropping you off at your apartment so you can take a shower and relax a bit before grabbing dinner together. You kiss him goodbye, skip inside… and then send him a text telling him how much fun you had.

After you get out of the shower, you notice your puppy doing something adorable, so you send him a quick Snapchat. Then, while browsing through Facebook, you see a funny article you know he’ll love, so you tag him in a comment.

Does this scenario sound familiar? With all of our different communication options, it’s easy to stay in touch with your SO 24/7. But this gets annoying, fast — and can make your girlfriend or boyfriend feel totally smothered.

“It feels like an invasion of privacy,” explains Dr. Ish Major, a certified psychiatrist and relationship expert. “‘She already texted me today; why is she hitting me up on Facebook? I talked to her last night; why are we Snapchatting, why are we Instagramming?’ At some point, it starts to feel like she’s checking up on you.”

How to stop it

To gauge how much interaction is too much, hang back for a couple of days and see how often your SO texts, calls, Snaps, etc. Maybe you talk just as much as you always have, in which case, awesome; you’re not being stifling! But if you go from having a “goodnight phone convo” every night to once a week, that’s a clear sign that the Noah to your Allie (or the Allie to your Allie) wants to communicate a little less often.

“If he [or she] is texting, text back. Take his [or her] lead on that — don’t exceed it,” Dr. Major says. “Two to three texts per day is plenty. And keep social media check-ins to a minimum. Let [your SO] have that, since you’ve got the phone calls and you’ve got the texts.”

2. You shut out your SO’s friends

It’s really common to think your GF or BF’s group is a bad influence or just that they spend too much time together. Or maybe you don’t know why you don’t like his or her friends — you just do!

Your lack of enthusiasm for your SO’s squad can manifest itself in a lot of ways (unless you have J-Law-level acting skills). You probably encourage your boyfriend or girlfriend not to hang out with them, or you make comments like, “Carly is kind of annoying” or you refuse to engage with them when they’re around.

Unfortunately, Dr. Major says this can be a huge deal-breaker.

“Guys and girls hate when their partners start doubting the friends — when the partners think they’re the only good role models,” he says.

To some extent, your SO’s posse is a package deal. When you started dating him or her, you also signed up for his or her group. On the other hand, you’re definitely not obligated to put up with super-sketchy behavior all in the name of love.

How to stop it

If you have a legit reason to dislike one of your partner’s friends — like she’s always encouraging your partner to break up with you — then you should definitely have an honest discussion about the issue.

“Be open and tell your partner what’s worrying you,” says Jay Hurt, relationship coach and author of The 9 Tenets of a Successful Relationship. “You can work through it together. Don’t just say, ‘I don’t like that person’ and leave it at that.”

However, if it’s a trust or insecurity problem on your end, you’ll have to take a different approach.

According to Dr. Major, you have to put faith in your SO.

“You’ve got to trust him to know he’s with you, and he’s not going to do anything that would hurt the relationship — regardless of his friends,” Dr. Major says. But he says ultimatums don’t work. “You’re trying to change behavior or friends he’s had for years,” Dr. Major says. “Nine times out of 10, you’ll be the one left in the cold.”

And if you don’t trust your SO to respect you, that probably means you shouldn’t be together.

3. You seek positive affirmation 24/7

Not knowing the answer might be fun when you’re playing Clue, but when your heart’s at stake? You definitely want to know the deal. Unfortunately, this can lead you to constantly ask your boyfriend or girlfriend how he or she feels about you.

“Some women ask a thousand and one questions,” Dr. Major says. “Why are we together, what do you like about me, etc. In the honeymoon stage, it’s great because we want to profess our love — we want to shout it from the rooftops! But over time, it gets very old.”

If you’re always forcing your SO to compliment you or verbally show that he or she cares, your SO will start resenting you and will be even less likely to tell you sweet stuff.

How to stop it

Ironically, you should use your words.

“The idea in your partner’s mind is, ‘Hey, I’m here with you, we’re in contact, we’re seeing each other, that’s should be enough to let you know I’m into you,’” Dr. Major says. “We forget to say it — but our SOs need to hear it.”

So instead of constantly pestering your boyfriend or girlfriend with questions like, “Are you still into me?” or, “Where do we stand?”, give him or her a reminder that you need positive affirmation.

“Say, ‘I appreciate everything you do. You show it to me. But it sure would be nice to hear it every now and then,’” Dr. Major says. “Just a reminder — that’s all it takes.”

He also says we should cut our SOs a little slack and recognize they’re showing their affection through their actions. For example, it might not be your boyfriend’s style to go all Romeo and compare you to the sun or your hand to a shrine or whatev, but if he’s bringing you Starbucks at work, hello — he cares. (Did Romeo ever bring Juliet a Chestnut Praline Latte? We think not.)

4. You do everything together

Pop quiz: When was the last time you two spent some time apart? Was it when one of you visited the bathroom? If yes, then Houston, we have a problem.

“It’s kind of a cliché, but absence really does make the heart grow fonder,” Hurt says. “You need a little distance to appreciate what you have.”

But walking the line between enough time together and too much can be kind of tricky. Just what is “too much,” anyway?

“I’d say two or three times a week is a lot. If it’s more than that, that’s a clue you’re spending a lot of time together,” Dr. Major says. “You don’t need to spend five out of the seven days together. Not even four.”

There’s another way to tell if you’re being clingy.

“If you’re not developing relationships with other people, if you’re isolating yourself with your SO, then you’re spending too much time together,” Hurt says. While it may feel like you and your SO are the only people in the world, there will definitely come a time when you need connections with your friends, family and so on. Don’t neglect them now, or you’ll regret it later.

How to stop it

Dr. Major suggests relying on your own group more. For example, if your partner wants to go to a concert with friends, call up your friends and see if they want to grab some dinner. That way you’ll remain independent — and still enjoy your night!

Plus, when you’re in a relationship, it’s good to have your own interests. You feel more fulfilled, and you don’t have to rely on your SO for entertainment.

“Everyone wants to feel good about who we’re dating,” Dr. Major says. “We want to feel we’re dating an independent woman who’s got her own life that doesn’t revolve around us. That makes the time we do spend together even better.”

5. You drop all your other obligations for your SO

The last time your girlfriend asked you to hang out when you already had plans, what did you say? Did you tell her you couldn’t, so you guys should do something a different day? Did you invite her along to whatever you had planned? Did you cancel your first obligation so you and your GF could be together?

While wanting to be available for your girlfriend or boyfriend all.the.time sounds romantic in theory, it implies that you consider everything in your life to be less valuable than your SO. We highly doubt that nothing — college, your best friends, your family, your hobbies — all come second to your SO all of the time.

And while it seems counterintuitive, your boyfriend or girlfriend doesn’t want you to be available 24/7, either. The more available something is, the less attractive it may seem (Thank you, “supply and demand” chapter of our Econ 101 textbooks!).

How to stop it

You definitely shouldn’t lie to your partner and tell him or her you’re busy when you’re not. But don’t stop making other plans, whether they’re things you do by yourself (like reading at a coffee shop, going for a run or practicing your photo skills) or with other people. And if your SO asks what you have going on, don’t cancel those plans so you can be with him or her.

This will probably be a little hard at first, like only watching one episode of Gilmore Girls at a time when you really want to binge-watch the whole day away. However, by making your relationship last longer, you’ll actually have more opportunities to be with your boo.

If you’re exhibiting any of these four behaviors, then just remember, the road to clinginess is paved with good intentions. However, by recognizing what makes you come across as needy, you can change your ways. Confidence, independence and healthy relationship, here you come!


Hacker Leaks Harry Styles & Kendall Jenner's Private Photos

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A couple months ago, Harry Styles and Kendall Jenner took a trip to St. Bart’s with their families for New Year’s Eve weekend. The couple managed to keep a low profile during their vacation, with only a handful of paparazzi pictures surfacing online. But that changed this weekend when an overzealous fan hacked into an iCloud account belonging to Styles' mother and proceeded to leak the personal photos she found of Styles and Jenner.

Twitter user @haarrystyles somehow gained access into Anne Cox's iCloud account, which contained numerous photos of the boy bander with friends and family. The hacker then took to Twitter to leak two dozen intimate shots of Styles with Jenner during their vacation. Some images were of the couple getting cozy in their swimsuits and others were of them dining at a restaurant—all captured by Styles' mom.

This, of course, caused a media frenzy. “Anne’s iCloud” became a trending topic on Twitter, and the pictures quickly flooded the Internet. Some Directioners went crazy over the leaked photos. After all, it’s not very often they get a glance into the 1D member’s personal life. But many agreed that it was a gross invasion of privacy. Though the photos of Styles and Jenner are adorable, they were private moments captured by Styles' mom. Fans should respect her privacy, as well as the privacy of Styles and Jenner.

The hacker’s account has since been suspended, and Twitter is deleting the leaked photos as they are alerted.

Reese Witherspoon Celebrated Her Birthday With a Little Help From Taylor Swift

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Reese Witherspoon isn't turning 40 until Tuesday, but on Saturday, she held an early birthday celebration with all her closest celebrity friends. From the pictures and videos we've seen, it seems Witherspoon really knows how to throw a party! 

According to People, the star-studded guest list included Jennifer Aniston and her husband, Justin Theroux, Courteney Cox, Matthew McConaughey, Robert Downey Jr., Jason Bateman, and Keith Urban and his wife, Nicole Kidman. Kate Hudson also attended the party and judging from her Instagram collage, the shindig was a hit.


Taylor Swift was not only a guest, but she also took to the stage to sing her hit song "Shake It Off."


Later in the night, Witherspoon got on stage herself and performed a cover of "Sweet Home Alabama" with the help of Urban. Her friend, Derek Blasberg, shared the sweet moment on Instagram.


Looks like it was an incredible night. Happy birthday, Reese! And next year, maybe invite us, okay?

Pope Francis Has an Instagram Account

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In case you missed it, Pope Francis has taken his extensive knowledge of social media to Instagram.


The account, named Franciscus, was created on Saturday and has already gained 1.6 million followers. Pope Francis posted a message about his decision to join Instagram on his Twitter page, which has 26 million followers. 


Mark Zuckerberg also posted a message about the Pope to his Facebook page, welcoming the Pope to Instagram.

"Welcome to Instagram, Pope Francis," he wrote. "No matter what faith you practice, we can all be inspired by Pope Francis's humility and compassion. I'm looking forward to following the pope-and watching him continue sharing his message of mercy, equality and justice with the world."

According to an interview with the Vatican Radio, the Pope claims to have created an Instagram account because of his belief that "images can reveal many things." The first post, captioned "Pray for me" in nine different languages, is a picture of the Pope praying. Monsignor Dario Vigano, the Prefect Secretariat for Communications, also claimed in the interview that all images posted to the account "will emphasize the qualities of closeness and inclusion that Pope Francis lives out in his daily life."

Last month, the Pope met with Kevin Systrom, the founder of Instagram. According to TIME, Systrom showed Pope Francis 10 curated Instagram photos to show "the power of images to unite people across different cultures and languages," as he later wrote on Instagram. Guess the meeting paid off—the Pope's already posted six times in just the three days he's had the account!

Obama Meets With President Castro During Historic Visit to Cuba

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On Sunday afternoon, the Obama family made history when they landed in Cuba after decades of tension between the Caribbean nation and the United States.

Joined by many U.S. lawmakers and officials, President Obama is the first sitting president to visit Cuba since Calvin Coolidge in 1928. His three-day stay in the country comes after his recent attempts to ease the tension between the two nations, having announced his plans to restore relations in late December of last year.  

Once Air Force One landed in Havana, Obama took to Twitter to let civilians know of his arrival.


Many greeted the president with the utmost respect, shouting things like "U.S.A." and "Welcome to Cuba! We like you!" as he and his entourage made their way through the city, according to The New York Times.

"It's a historic opportunity to engage directly with the Cuban people and to forge new agreements and commercial deals," he said during his stop at the United States Embassy after his arrival, according to the Times. "and build new ties between our two peoples, and for me to lay out my vision for a future that's brighter than our past."

Though the Cuban government made clear of its plans to respect the president during his stay, many members of the Ladies in White group were arrested during an anti-regime protest just hours before the American president made his descent into the capital. Obama is scheduled to meet with some of these women, BuzzFeed News reports.

President Obama met with Cuban President Raul Castro to discuss trade and political reform. After the meeting, they answered questions from reporters. Obama said the Cuban embargo would end and that the two countries would work together on human rights, according to CNN.

"We have decades of profound differences," Obama said. "I told President Castro that we are moving forward and not looking backwards."

UC Merced Stabbing Attacker Was Inspired by ISIS

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A UC Merced student who went on a violent rampage in November that ended in him stabbing four people before being shot down by authorities is now said to have been inspired by ISIS. 

Faisal Mohammad, 18, was apparently motivated by his viewing of terrorist propaganda before he attacked on Nov. 4, CNN reports. Police originally believed that his actions were simply a product of being an angry, upset college student, but have since determined otherwise after discovering that he had recently visited websites for ISIS and other terrorist organizations before the incident.

Though the FBI did find pro-ISIS propaganda, an ISIS flag, and a detailed, hand-written manifesto describing his plan to take students hostage in Mohammad's backpack, they still believe that this was a solo attack, claiming to have no reason to believe the student had ties to anyone else or was in contact with any terrorists. They believe he "self-radicalized," meaning no members of ISIS had a direct role in turning him toward extremism.

"Every indication is that Mohammad acted on his own; however, it may never be possible to definitively determine why he chose to attack people on the UC Merced campus," a spokesperson for the FBI said.

According to the FBI, it was determined that Mohammad planned the attack a least one week in advance after visiting terrorist websites quite frequently for several weeks.

None of the four victims were killed in the attack. 

Slow Internet Speed Could Be Raising Your Stress Levels

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Does connecting to the WiFi on your college campus ever make you want to toss your computer out the window? Well the good news is: 1. You're not alone, and 2. You probably have a good reason to actually follow through with that now. 

That's because a report published by Ericsson, a mobile broadband company, is claming that slow internet speeds can actually stress you out, and that delays while loading content on your phone can increase your heart rate by about 38 percent. As Mic points out, Ericsson being in the business of mobile broadband means they have a financial stake in making your want faster internet.

These results came after the company monitored the heart rates of several participants as they watched a YouTube video. According to the study, waiting for a video to rebuffer for six seconds causes your stress levels to rise 15 percentage points. Even a delay as small as two seconds causes some peoples' rate to go up three percentage points. 

It gets better though. Apparently these increases in stress levels are comparable to the stress we experience while watching horror movies. So, basically, staying calm while connecting to wifi is like trying to survive a horror film—it just doesn't happen for everyone. 

The study never actually gets into why we get so riled up when we're trying to connect, but it does seem to point at the fact that many of us smartphone users always have extremely quick access to information at the press of a button. In other words, we've been conditioned to rely on instant gratification from computers so heavily that we freak out any time we have to wait even one second for the tiniest bit of information. So next time your Facebook video won't load, maybe try taking a few deep breaths—all that stress can't be good for you.

Starbucks Announced a New Spring Drink & You Won't Believe How Good it Sounds

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Everybody stop what you’re doing right now, perk up your ears and listen, because Starbucks just announced a new seasonal drink. The spring-themed beverage is a Caramelized Honey Latte, which might be the best idea Starbs has had yet. Polish your mugs and get them ready to be filled with caffeinated gold.

The Caramelized Honey Latte will be Starbucks’s second spring-themed drink just this month alone, coming right after a temporary run of the yummy Cherry Blossom Frappuccino. Take careful note of the word temporary folks, because yes, this drink is only available for a limited time. Make sure to get em’ while they’re hot—or cold!

This latte combines the usual espresso and steamed milk to further our caffeine addiction, but the real kicker is the slow-cooked caramel honey sauce. Those words just rolled off our tongues in a waterfall of honey-laden drool. Think about it: Caramel and honey being slowly kettle-cooked together and poured into hot espresso? It sounds like the stuff of dreams. It’s also crazy dynamic because it can be served hot, iced or blended, making it perfect for sunny spring days or rainy showers.  

This seasonal cup of goodness arrives in stores March 22, so be prepared to wake up first thing in the morning and treat yourself to a taste of springtime. We’ll see you in line!


Pretty Soon Your Boss Could Be Helping Pay Off Your Student Loan Debt

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For us college women, the phrase “student loan debt” is enough to make us hide in bed for a week with the covers pulled over our heads. It’s terrifying to think about what'll happen when we get out of college and have to start paying off loans, worrying about taxes and dealing with growing interest rates. We may have some good news for you though! Get this—There are two bills currently floating around in Congress that might give your boss an incentive to help you with student loan debt.

According to Refinery29, the bills are looking to change the tax code so that when your boss gives you money for your loans, that money counts as nontaxable income. 

Right now, when workers are given money for their student loan debt, its considered taxable for both the employers and employees, and employers are not about that because it basically just means a lot of extra spending for them—Nobody likes paying more in taxes. However, if these bills pass and the tax code is expanded, employees struggling with student debt could get up to $5,250 a year of nontaxable money to go towards their student loans.

Our current graduating classes seem to have more debt than ever, and it is scary for us. Any amount of extra money helps, especially if we're able to pay off some debt while also saving for retirement.

The bill probably won’t pass during an election year, but backers are still optimistic that this can one day be a reality, according to Refinery29. For now, we're happy to imagine a world without a $30,000 monster clinging to our backs for the rest of our lives. 

This Internship Will Pay You to Drink Beer and Instagram About It

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The World of Beer restaurant chain has just posted a position that promises to be the beer-loving college woman's dream internship. The position combines some of the best things on the planet: Traveling on someone else's dime, consuming great beer and food, and, of course, making everybody else jealous by posting about the experience all over the internet.

There are three openings for the position with World of Beer, which pays $12,000 for sampling beers around the world, and is looking for social media-savvy students. You must be at least 21 years old to apply, but other than that the qualifications are pretty open ended—The company's description of the position welcomes "adventure seekers and storytellers, beer experts or novices, brewery nerds and foodie fans."

It sounds too good to be true, but it’s not—except for the fact that now everyone you know will be applying. Apply now by posting a 60 second video to World of Beer’s website, proving that you’re the best person for the job.

This seems to be part of a new trend of brands paying hip young people to be world-roving ambassadors, getting the company's message out through the cool-kid social network, Instagram. Remember when Netflix was hiring for a similar position a few weeks ago? Not that we're complaining—Get out there and apply for these incredible opportunities!

Hulk Hogan Wins $115 Million in Sex Tape Lawsuit

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Retired wrestler Hulk Hogan was recently awarded $115 million after winning a lawsuit against Gawker, according to BuzzFeed News. Hogan had sued the website for publication of a sex tape of Hogan and his best friend's wife back in 2012.

Originally, he asked for $100 million in the lawsuit. He was suing on the basis of publishing the tape without his consent and for causing him "severe emotional distress." According to Hogan, the release of the clip has "turned his world upside down" and he and his family are "torn." He additionally claims that he was unaware that the act was being filmed at the time of the encounter.

Despite the upset that Hogan has expressed about the release of the tape and his denial of knowledge of the encounter being filmed, Gawker's lawyer continue to show disbelief towards his ignorance and regret of the event. Michael Sullivan, the lawyer, questioned whether this whole thing was "just another antic between best friends," implying that Hogan was well aware that the he was being filmed.

While $115 million would break the bank for most of us, Gawker founder Nick Denton claims that they are "generally rather relaxed and confident about [their] financial position." Hogan's lawyers stated in court that Gawker posted the sex tape solely for reasons of "power and profit" and to "virally market their website." While it was super slimy of them to do, it wasn't a bad marketing strategy for Gawker, and it fit right in with the anything-goes mentality the site had at the time. 

As stated in the The New York Times, Hogan's lawyers have claimed the publication to be a "gratuitous invasion of privacy." However, in Gawker claims that it was within their Constitutional rights to publish the clip and that Hogan had given up his right to privacy by "talking often about in public about his sex life."

The trial is not yet officially concluded and it is entirely possible that Hogan's compensation may rise even higher before the trial comes to a close. Additionally, Samantha Barbas, a law professor at the University of Buffalo, told the Times that the verdict "could have a profound impact on privacy rights and also free press rights in the United States." Basically, the court's deciding what's newsworthy and what's private—and that could have a big effect on what just about anyone publishing stuff on the internet is allowed to do in the future.

6 Last-Minute Tips to Improve Your Grades This Semester

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For many college students, as the midway point in the semester approaches, things may begin to slip—your motivation, your diet and your grades. Do you find yourself dreaming of summer instead of studying for a big exam? Do you feel hopeless AF about your extremely challenging economics class? Are you stressed about your grades in general and in need of some help? Look no further, collegiettes. We’ve consulted with Jennifer Carroll, an academic advisor in the Center for Academic Advising & Professional Development at Temple University, in order to get some last-minute tips for saving your grades this semester.

1. Reach out to your professor

First and foremost, when you are struggling with your grade in a class, you should always reach out to the professor. Even if you believe there is little they can do to help, in most cases, just the fact that you made the effort to reach out to them will show them that you care.

"Meeting with an instructor will give the student a real sense of how they are doing in the course and if there will be opportunities for them to bring their grade up before the end of the semester," Jennifer says. "Also, going to see a professor during office hours signals to a professor that the student cares and is really invested in doing well. When they see an investment on the part of the student, there may be more of a willingness to provide additional support that may help the student improve their grade." Jennifer strongly encourages communicating with your professor. 

For Rachel Petty, a junior at James Madison University, reaching out to the instructor is a necessary first step in improving your grades. “I would always recommend talking to the professor,” she says. “Oftentimes, they’ll offer you an extra credit opportunity or award you points for participation. It doesn’t hurt!” 

2. Communicate with your classmates

Whether you want to form a study group, find an in-class partner or create a great connection with one of your peers, getting in touch with your classmates is always a good idea—especially when you are struggling in a class. Most of the time, if one student is having difficulty, so are several others. So, don’t be afraid to vocalize your issues and seek help from your fellow students.

In the technological age, communicating with your classmates is easier than ever before. For Sydnee Lyons, a grad student at Florida Atlantic University, the Internet is a great way to interact with (and learn from) her peers. “Posting and replying to posts by others on the class Wiki or discussion board is often a good way to boost your participation grade,” she says. “It’s something that you can really do at any point in the semester––even just posting online resources you think would be helpful for others.” According to Sydnee, this comes with an added bonus: professors will usually factor in your online participation into your overall participation grade.

If your class doesn't have an online option for connecting with other students, Jennifer recommends going the old-fashioned route and putting together a study group. 

3. Cut down on your other responsibilites

The difficulty of balancing all of life's responsibilities—work, internships, extracurriculars and more—with a full course load is an understandable struggle for many collegiettes. According to Jennifer, responsibilities outside of school often add additional stress to a student and may impact his or her ability to focus on academics and grades. While it is important to support yourself through college, Jennifer recommends being realistic about how much you can handle and having an honest conversation with your supervisor or boss (depending on the situation). 

She also notes that it is important to have a game-plan before you request a conversation. "They need to be clear about what it is that they are asking for," she says. "If it’s time off or less hours, how long will they need this allowance? The plan needs to be realistic and one that they will be able to manage. If additional adjustments need to be made, they need to communicate that to their supervisor before they enter crisis mode." You should always try to handle the situation before it gets unmanageable!

Related: What to Do If You’re Failing a Class

4. Utilize your on-campus resources

This is one option that many students fail to take advantage of. Almost all college campuses have a multitude of resource centers that have workers specifically hired to help you—the student!

An advising office is a great resource for a struggling college student. If you have reached out to your professor about your grades but have had difficulty getting the response you were hoping for, you should always seek out the help of an academic adviser on campus. "Advising offices have relationships with departments and can provide the student with additional supports should the situation need to go to a department chair or grievance officer," Jennifer says.

Additionally, if you find that you are having anxieties or negative feelings associated with a certain class, you should address the issue as soon as possible. "If a student has a sense that they will struggle with a course, they should seek help early in the semester," Jennifer says. "If they have an anxiety about a course even after seeking academic supports, they may want to consider seeking additional support through the counseling center on their campus." 

If you find yourself struggling as the semester progresses, we highly recommend doing some research on the resources built around you (literally). Trust us, both your grades and your stress levels will thank you!

5. Consider withdrawing from the class

Withdrawing from a class is a pretty cringe-worthy idea, we know, but it is an important option to consider if you are in a really bad situation.

"If a student is still struggling after pursuing [the other options mentioned], I will often encourage the student to withdraw from the course if the withdraw deadline has not already passed," Jennifer says. But, what if the deadline has already passed? "If the withdraw deadline has passed, the student should consult with an academic advisor about other options that may be available to them on their campus," she adds.

If you are pretty much positive that you are going to fail one (or more) of your classes this semester, planning for academic recovery in future semesters is a vital next step. "If a student fails a course or multiple courses, it’s important that they see an academic advisor to discuss the best approach for academic recovery," Jennifer says. "They should also see a financial aid advisor to determine how repeating a course would impact their eligibility for financial aid in future semesters." It is crucial to set smart and realistic semester plans going forward.

6. Designate time to de-stress

Stress has never yielded positive results, so don’t let it make a bad situation feel even worse. While it is important to work hard and go after your goals, it is equally as important to designate some time to do the things you love. The happier you are, the more motivated you will become! Look at things in a positive light—hey, summer is almost here after all—and power through the last half of the semester. Your mind, body, soul AND grades will thank you for it.

Related: 25 Signs You're So Over This Semester

When it comes to your grades at this point in the semester, if you are feeling hopeless, rest assured that it is not too late to turn things around. Focus on balancing happiness with hard work and reach out to your professors and peers. Your grades—and your life—will improve drastically!

Serena Williams Slams Tennis CEO For Incredibly Sexist Comments

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On Sunday, Indian Wells Tennis Garden CEO Raymond Moore made a big mistake. Indian Wells hosts the BNP Paribas Open, a tennis tournament. When asked a question about the Women's Tennis Association, Moore chose to throw out some incredibly sexist remarks instead of praising the accomplishments made by the badass female tennis players in the U.S. 

According to CBS Sports, when asked about the WTA, Moore responded by saying "I think the WTA—you know, in my next life when I come back I want to be someone in the WTA, because they ride on the coattails of the men. They don't make any decisions and they are lucky. They are very, very lucky." He then goes on to say that "if [he] were a lady player, [he'd] go down every night on [his] knees and thank God that Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal were born, because they have carried this sport." 

I guess the CEO forgot about the fact that Serena Williams, a female tennis player, has won 21 grand slams, while Federer has won only 17 and Nadal only 14.

When approached about the remarks made by Moore, Williams held nothing back. "I think there are a lot of women out there who are more—are very exciting to watch. I think there are a lot of men who are exciting to watch. I think it definitely goes both ways. I think those remarks are very much mistaken and very, very, very inaccurate" Williams said, after playing in the finals of the BNP Paribas Open.

She was then asked if she was surprised that sexist comments like these were still being made in 2016, to which she responded perfectly. "Yeah I'm still surprised, especially with me and Venus and all the other women on the tour that's done well. Last year the women's final at the U.S. Open sold out well before the men. I'm sorry, did Roger play in that final, or Rafa or any man play in that final that was sold out before the men's final? I think not."

William's response was impeccable, stating the facts to debunk Moore's unnecessarily sexist comments. Moore later appologized for his "poor taste," but does that really make up for his heinously sexist comments?

Unfortunately, it didn't end there. According to BuzzFeed News, Novak Djokovic, a Serbian tennis player, told reporters that "respects female tennis players," but still believes that male players deserve higher pay because more people watch men's tennis. But don't worry, he totally knows how tough it is for women, because of "the hormones, and different stuff" we have to deal with. Are you kidding me? We all need to realize that sexism is never okay, and the only person I'm going down on my knees to thank God for is Serena Williams and her stance against Moore's sexist comments.

Amy Schumer Leaves a $1,000 Tip for the 'Hamilton' Bar Staff

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Thinking about leaving a $15 tip on a $77 bill? We would, too, but Amy Schumer had another number in mind when she last tipped her bartender.

The Trainwreck star recently left a $1,000 tip on a $77 tab while at the Broadway show, Hamilton. Schumer was with her boyfriend, Ben Hanisch, and friends at the time.

All the bartenders who work in the theatre are aspiring actors, so perhaps Schumer knows how they feel. Whether she identified with the group or was just trying to do something nice, this move only further proves how cool Amy is. 

According to the New York Daily News, this was the biggest tip the Hamilton bar staff has ever received. Not too shabby, Amy.

The Definitive Ranking of All 'One Tree Hill' Couples

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Throughout the nine seasons of OTH, Tree Hill saw some pretty cute (& pretty crazy) couples. To keep things in line, we decided to give a definitive ranking of all the One Tree Hill duos.

1. Nathan and Haley

Naley was meant to be from the beginning. Although they had some ups and downs, the two always found their way back to one another.

2. Brooke and Julian

Brooke went through A LOT of frogs before before finding her prince, but it was all worth it when she found her true love.

3. Lucas and Peyton

Lucas and Peyton were destined for each other even though it took a while for them to be together. It was all worth it in the end!

4. Quinn and Clay

These two went through a lot together and their love proved worth it in the end. Look how cute they are!

5. Karen and Keith

Everyone knows Karen was way better off with Keith than Dan. These two could have accomplished anything together!

6. Peyton and Jake

Even though Jake and Peyton didn't work out, their relationship was adorable.

7. Mouth and Millie

Mouth and Millie got along for the most part. We knew they'd end up together in the end!

8. Karen and Andy

Although their relationship was taboo at first, these two made an awesome duo in the end.

9. Skills and Bevin

Skills and Bevin were a fun-loving couple. They were always down to have a good time!

10. Chase and Mia

Even though Chase and Mia didn't work out, they were still a cute couple!

11. Lucas and Brooke

Lucas and Brooke had some good times together before they parted ways. We're glad they could stay good friends!

12. Lucas and Lindsey

Lucas and Lindsey were a strong couple, but we knew Lucas and Peyton would end up together.

13. Chase and Alex

Chase and Alex did look good together, but we were rooting for Mia.

14. Brooke and Felix

Brooke and Felix proved that "friends with benefits" is harder than it may seem.

15. Nathan and Peyton

We all knew Nathan and Peyton were together for the title. They both found someone better for them!

16. Dan and Deb

Let's be honest...we don't like Dan with anyone...

17. Dan and Rachel

...especially Rachel.

Who's your favorite OTH couple, collegiettes?


Do College Women Feel Safe on Campus?

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College can be the happiest place on earth – but it can also be pretty scary. Being on your own for the first time can make you susceptible to things that can make you feel really unsafe.

Do collegiettes feel safe on campus? We asked 9 women if they feel safe – and if not, how they could feel safer.

“I actually feel really safe on campus, even walking around at like 11 at night. I think a lot of can be attributed to how there are usually always people walking around, and that if anything were to happen, I have safety defenses like pepper spray and my keys. But mostly, it's the fact that I always have campus security on speed dial, and there are always blue lights and welcoming buildings near by to help if there was a problem!”

-Chelsea, Bowling Green State University Class of 2019

“I feel pretty safe on my campus. CNU PD consists of trained officers that can handle practically any situation. I work at the coffee shop on campus, and we close at 1 a.m.. I feel so safe walking back to my dorm on the edge of campus that it always takes me a few seconds to understand why people ask me if I'm okay with walking around that late, and then I remember not everyone is blessed enough to live on a campus as safe as mine. We also consistently enforce our honor code; I can leave my things at my table in the library while I run to the bathroom and know that everything will still be there when I get back.”

-Royall, Christopher Newport University Class of 2018

RELATED: I’m Not a Slut Because I Was Sexually Assaulted

“Overall, I do feel pretty safe on campus because GSU police are all over but at the same time, I live in the city so it's important that I take the steps needed to keep myself safe. I'm personally afraid of becoming a victim to sexual violence because there's a major issue with that on college campuses. Being a woman it's important that I don't put myself in situations where another person can take advantage of me. There were a few instances where some students were robbed on campus throughout the semester so that makes me feel a little on edge when I'm out and about. Fortunately, they've increased security in certain locations so that helps. It's important that the school takes precautions to keep students safe but students also need to be aware of their surroundings and to understand you can't trust everyone that is nice to you.”

-Ashley, Georgia State University Class of 2017

“For the most part, I do feel safe. However, I wish that the names of students with records of sexual assault were made known so that I could keep an eye out.”

-Shailagh, Gustavus Adolphus College Class of 2018

“I feel extremely safe on my campus. I don't think that it's necessarily due to the presence of campus security, but rather the fact that my college fosters a very friendly, open atmosphere. People are unfailingly polite, so I never fear being assaulted or feeling uncomfortable. I don't love making a long walk to my car at night, but there's also so much lighting in our parking lots, that I definitely feel safe, and if not I always have my cellphone and there are call boxes that I could use all over campus.”

-Katt, Molloy College Class of 2016

RELATED: 25 Freshman Year Regrets We All Wish We Could Forget

“Personally, I don't feel safe on campus. Our campus is completely open for anyone to walk around on it, and there are constantly homeless people walking around the grounds. Since our campus is so open, we get crime alerts every few weeks, and recently, we had an armed person on campus, and they had to shut it down temporarily. This stuff happens all the time, and it's really frightening because there's no knowing who or what people are going to do. Our college could do more to have more security roaming the campus at all times. We also have an escort service to walk people home at night, but that takes about 25-30 minutes for them to respond, so they could definitely improve upon that.”

-Janice, San Diego State University Class of 2018

“Our campus is very urban and our buildings don't really have the best security in them and outside of them. I don't see a lot of campus security around outside, and most buildings are open to walk right into.”

-Lexie, Point Park University Class of 2016

“Most of the time I feel safe on campus but there are times when I feel scared and anxious to simply walk around, especially alone. Those times are almost exclusively at night and are generally around Frat Row. The reasons are kind of obvious and universal: frat boys. There have been a few reports of women being harassed after walking home from parties, and those always scare me and always make me think ‘what if that was me?’”

-Lulu, UMass Amherst Class of 2019

RELATED: 7 College Women Explain Why We Need Feminism

“I feel safe during the day. I know that there are constantly people around and if I had an issue I could most likely get help. I am mostly afraid of sexual assault, especially at night. I think there should be more lights around at night and more security. It would also be beneficial for there to be more education for the women on self-defense.”

-Marissa, University of Utah Class of 2018

 

15 Signs You are Still Obsessed with Gossip Girl After All This Time

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Though Gossip Girl's finale happened back in 2012, the fashion, drama and friendships are enough to last a lifetime. You're clearly still obsessed (& we don't blame you!) if you can relate to any of the following:

1. You still refer to Blake Lively as "Serena." 

2. You refuse to believe there is anyone hotter than Chace Crawford. 

3. You still root for this relationship. 

BLAIR AND CHUCK FOREVER!!!

4. You don't understand how Blake Lively and Leighteon Meester are already moms...

5. THIS was the wedding of the century. 

Sorry, Will and Kate.

6. You're still searching for your very own Chuck Bass. 

He's bad in the best way.

7. Wondering what happened to Nelly Yuki keeps you up at night. 

8. You will never forget the important lessons Blair taught you. 

9. You have vowed to never go near anyone who sounds or looks like Georgina. 

Because she's crazy.

10. You are eager to know what Blair and Chuck's son looks like now. 

It's been four years!

11. You still think Cyrus is the sweetest stepdad ever. 

12. You will never forget the best line of the show. 

13. You hope to one day have a housekeeper (or a BFF) like Dorota.

14. Jenny will forever be up to no good.

15. The show's opening is the best. 

Ahhhh!

XOXO, Collegiettes!

No Ring Before Spring: Why It’s Okay to Be Single Your Senior Year

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From Greek to Sydney White, and from Gossip Girl to Pitch Perfect, TV and movies had you believing that college would just be one big whirlwind romance. If all went according to plan, you were going to find the perfect SO, take adorable couple grad pics and, depending on where you go to school and your ideas on marriage, maybe even get engaged. Instead, you find yourself as a second-semester senior snuggling with Scream Queens and pinot on a Friday night, dwelling on what could have been. Chin up, collegiettes! Being single when you graduate could be the ~single~ best thing to happen to you—honest. And we’re not just saying that: here’s proof.

Simply put, you’re awesome

To reiterate, you’re in college and you’re graduating. You’ve put in so much work to get to where you are, and for that alone, you should be so proud—not to mention all the things you've achieved outside of the classroom and all the memories you’ve made.

“To any woman who is concerned about not being engaged, or in a committed relationship, for that matter, by the time she graduates I say: focus on what's in the present—YOU JUST GRADUATED!” says Erin Hopkins, a professional life coach. “That is no small feat! The world needs more educated women to contribute their unique voices and talents to the world. And the truth is, your relationship status doesn't define you any more than the major you chose freshman year in college.” Puh-reach.

Related: 9 Times When Being Single Is the Best

This is your time

As great as relationships are, you can’t put a price on having time for yourself—especially fresh out of college. “One of the best things about being single before graduation is that you get to figure out who you are and what you like,” Hopkins says. “This may sound rudimentary, but I think women especially are taught to focus on the other person in the relationship and what makes the other person happy. By taking the time to enjoy being single, you get to find out what your likes and dislikes are, which helps you establish your own identity independent of someone else.” Yup, your journey to self-discovery isn’t over just because you flipped that tassel to the left.

Again, this is not just something people tell you because they feel bad that you’re not in a relationship. In fact, being a single is a privilege that you should enjoy right now for all the opportunities to grow that it will bring you. “I broke up with my college boyfriend two months before my graduation,” says Sydnee, a recent graduate from Florida International University. “It was probably one of the most difficult periods of my college career, but being unattached inspired me to pursue a number of different, exciting internship, job and travel opportunities in the gap year I took immediately after. I made more friends that year than I had in my entire college career. And I saw more of the city that I was living in than I ever had.”

You might take a lot of the things you can do as a single gal for granted, but these experiences are invaluable. “I do like the independence I have being single,” says Jen Morgan, a senior at Messiah College. “I studied off campus for an entire year and didn't have to worry about missing a guy while I was away. I also cook all the foods I like, wear whatever I want, and have extra money and free time to spend with my friends instead of on an SO.” If you want a relationship, you will find one when the time is right, but for right now? Girl, you’re doing just fine.

You don’t need a relationship to be happy

Despite what Hollywood would have you think, a relationship won’t solve all your problems. The truth is, if you’re happy alone, you’ll be more likely to be happy with someone else, too. “It has been very difficult to accept that I'm still single,” Jen says. “Some days are harder than others, but overall it's just a general ‘ugh’ feeling. I finally feel like I'm in a place where I could be happy with a boyfriend while still taking care of myself, and it's frustrating when the guys around me are just not in a place where they want to commit.”

And for yet another reason why we need feminist empowerment, “women grow up with this notion that we can only be happy when we're making someone else happy,” Hopkins says. “But the good news is, you deserve to be happy ALL THE TIME regardless of whether you're single, married, dating, gay, straight, transgender, bi, asexual or just figuring stuff out without labels. And really, until you're happy with you, you're not going to find someone to make you happy.”

All this is great, but what if all your friends are in committed relationships and/or getting engaged? “Since I go to a Christian college, ‘ring by spring’ is a huge deal,” Jen says. “I know so many people who are engaged, and to think that I don't even have a boyfriend at this point makes me feel like I'm falling behind, which affects my confidence.”

Many collegiettes feel the same way as Jen, but you don’t have to let your singleness bring you down. In fact, you should embrace it—yes, really! “Yes, you probably have friends who are getting engaged or married, or even having kids, and the impulse to compare yourself to them is strong,” Hopkins says. “But the thing to measure yourself and other people on is not relationship status, it's on how genuinely happy someone is and how grateful someone is for what they have. If you find that you're not happy, start doing things that do make you happy, and go from there.”

If you do a little introspection, you’ll probably—ahem, definitely—find that what you’re missing isn’t an SO; it’s a hobby, more time with your friends or more time for yourself. And the even better news is: these are all things you can control.

Related: New Study Reveals Being Single Doesn’t Equal Being Unhappy

The haters don’t know what they’re talking about

Are your peers or relatives bugging you about the whole being single thing? Seriously, what gives them the right to make life decisions for you, anyway? “Even in this day and age, there are still going to be people who feel that a woman of a certain age should be following certain social trends, regardless of how outdated and sexist those trends may be,” Hopkins says. “The first step to dealing with these people, especially if they're loved ones, is to remember that they just learned how to live and think about relationships and marriage a certain way. The second step is to remember they're entitled to their opinions, but that's all they are: opinions.”

When faced with this type of criticism, it’s easy to get stuck for words. “The best way to respond is to respond genuinely,” Hopkins advises. “If you don't care that you're single, tell them that. If you're a little heartbroken, or need a break from relationships, explain that. If you feel you haven't found the right person, say so! You can't control other people's opinions, but you can control who you are being when responding to them, so just be you and say whatever is right for you.” Like with any difficult conversation, you can’t expect a certain outcome on the other person’s side, but you can express yourself unapologetically.

Let’s be real for a sec—you don’t need us to tell you how friggin’ fabulous you are. You know it just as well as we do. So why linger on the fact that you’re single? The world is quite literally your oyster (well no, not literally). You’re already killing life by yourself, so just imagine what you could do with someone else. Until then (or not, TBH), keep on being an inspiration, to us and to everyone around you. *bows down and exits*

Lies & Truths Pop Culture Told You About Your Twenties

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When you were a young and carefree teen watching Friends or Gossip Girl, you probably thought that your life would turn out just like that of the characters on the screen. Fast-forward ten years (give or take), and you're a twentysomething with a bone to pick with pop culture's depiction of your most recent decade. Sure, some things were spot on, like the reality of working your way up the ladder before getting your dream job.” (The Devil Wears Prada), but much of pop culture straight up lied to us. Here are seven times pop culture lied (and told the truth!) about life in your twenties.

1. Truth: Your twenties are going to be full of change

Glee got it right when they said your twenties would be full of life-altering events. When Rachel makes a big move to New York to attend New York Academy of Dramatic Arts, we are let in on her period of adjustment to the bright lights and big city. Luckily, her good friend Kurt ends up there too! It's moments like these that perfectly mimic the drama that is our twenties.

Lie: You will move into a cozy and cute apartment in New York City

Rachel and Kurt’s apartment was a far cry from reality. Moving to a big city like New York is very expensive. In real life, their nice digs would be replaced with more humble beginnings. 

2. Truth: You may feel bad when your high school reunion comes around because you’ll feel like you haven’t accomplished anything

Jane was nervous to attend her high school reunion because she felt that she had nothing to show for the past few years of her life, and you too may feel that way when the big day comes around. Never fear however, for just like Jane's mother, Xiomara, assures her, you too have some great things to be proud of. By this time you’ve graduated college and that’s a big deal!

Lie: Your high school enemy will apologize to you at the high school reunion

At their high school reunion, Jane’s worst enemy apologizes for her mean girl antics. If you’re thinking that everyone who stepped on your toes will recognize the error of their ways, think again. Just have a good time and celebrate how far you have come since graduating.

3. Truth: Your bank account may leave much to be desired in your twenties

If there is one thing that the 2 Broke Girls gang gets right about our coming of age decade, it's that money is hard to come by. Max and Caroline manage to survive while working toward their dream of running their own cupcake business. They make do. In reality, the struggle is real whether you are living with your parents or on your own.

Lie: You can make fun of your boss and get away with it

Yes, Max and Caroline regularly roast their boss Han. In real life, that probably won't fly if you want to keep your job. So no matter how tempting it is to crack a joke on your boss, keep your snide remarks to yourself.

4. Truth: You will have to work your way up to your dream job.

Whatever your age is, you won't become Miranda Priestley overnight. It wasn't until Andrea worked hard and paid her dues in the fashion industry that was she able to get her dream job working for a newspaper. So buckle up and work hard because it will pay off in the end.

Lie: You’ll get the job, even if you don't dress the part in the interview

Andy was lucky. She scored a major position with one of the top magazines in the country, even though her interview attire was a far cry from fine. The real world is not so forgiving. Dust off  that business attire manual from Career Services you have stashed in your closet and prepare for your interview the right way.

5. Truth: Falling in love is not a fairy tale

500 Days of Summer keeps it real about relationships in our twenties. You meet someone and go on a few dates. Maybe it evolves into something and maybe it doesn't. Heartbreak  may be a part of that deal but, like it does for Tom, time will heal all.

Lie: You'll never be truly happy until you find your soulmate

In the beginning of 500 Days of Summer, Tom really wants to find love and believes that he needs it in order to be happy. In your twenties, you may start receiving invites to weddings or seeing everyone coupled up on Facebook. But don't fall into the pit of believing that you NEED to be with someone. Enjoy your singlehood and seek your own happiness.

6. Truth: You might have to have roommates in your twenties

Your days of checking in with your roommate before bringing guest over may not be over. Just like Jess, you might have to revert back to your college dorm days and share a space. Don’t worry. You’ve gotten through it once, and you’ll make it through again. Who knows? Your post-college roommates could end up being your new besties.

Lie: You won’t have to talk about budgeting or being broke

Is it just us or do the characters of New Girl always seem to be going on trips and buying new clothes? They rarely talk about a budget or the realities of adult life (like having less “turn-up” money because you have to pay your loans). If only life were that easy…

7. Truth: Your love life may seem like a Blair and Chuck scene

Don’t count on your dating-life being as dramatic but with all of the things going on in your life, (work, family, friends, following your dreams) you may find dating a bit difficult. Don’t fret. True love (and like) always prevails.

Lie: Your wardrobe will look like Blair or Serena’s

Blair and Serena’s friendship was solidified by their impeccable fashion sense. Decked in the latest trends, the duo made us want to rock their chic look in New York City. However, things didn’t exactly go that way; Forever 21 might be our version of Bergdorfs. But hey, you can still rock the Blair and Serena look on a budget!

While some things depicted on our TV screens were totally relatable, you can't take everything from pop culture to heart. This marvelous journey called our twenties may not include fairy tale love or awesome musical numbers but you can count it being a wonderful adventure; one that will be better than any episode of Glee could ever be.

Kendall Jenner Insists She Did Not Punch Photographer

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Remember that time it looked like Kendall Jenner punched a paparazzo during Paris Fashion Week?

Well, Kendall is setting the record straight. The model wrote and published a letter on her app detailing the situation. Apparently, it was a misunderstanding.

"All I ask for is just a bubble of space to breathe, and he disrespected that," she wrote. "So, I grabbed his camera and pushed it away across my body, sort of trying to push and pull it out of his hand at the same time. Of course, that side motion with my arm is why all of the pictures look like punches were flying. They totally weren't! I just wanted him and his camera out of my face!"

The photos were deleted, but Kendall is still annoyed that the photographer was taking photos "right below her face."

What do you think, collegiettes? Is Kendall telling the truth?

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