"You're attending Emerson College? That's a fantastic school," my interviewer said.

I couldn't tell you which interview this was, or at which company. Not because I didn't keep a detailed record of my applications, but because it happened so often that it was almost automatic.

The first few times it happened, I swelled with pride. I was still a senior at a state university, on the cusp of graduation, and looking for my first post-grad opportunity. My plan all along had been to attend a state school for undergrad and then a private graduate school. I'd had Emerson in mind from the beginning; I knew its reputation in media and the arts. The fact that interviewers were essentially complimenting my decision made me feel validated. 

Until it didn't. "And where did you attend undergrad? Where is Westfield State University?" That was a common follow up question.

I almost couldn't blame interviewers for asking. I grew up just north of Boston, Mass. and I was accustomed to hearing about all the Boston-area schools, assuming I'd someday attend one of them. In the end, as a senior in high school, I applied to Simmons, Lesley, Emerson and Harvard, plus a few state schools scattered throughout Massachusetts. 

When I was making my college decision, I was encouraged to choose a state college for undergrad to save money. I come from a family with a Northeastern University legacy as well as a history of state college education. Many of my family members have graduate degrees. Everyone knew that, from the beginning, I also wanted to earn both a bachelor's and a master's. 

With the rising cost of education, my dad suggested I go to state school to begin with. Doing well at a state college, he said, would also help me get into a private graduate program with more grants and scholarships.

He wasn't wrong. After four years at a state university, I was accepted into my first choice graduate program at Emerson with a selective fellowship.

Almost immediately, the praise started rolling in. It wasn't the praise that bothered me. Almost all of my friends went to state colleges, and all of my cousins are currently at state schools. They were truly proud that I'd graduated from college and was continuing my education. 

The problem was the elitism that I began to notice. 

Westfield State started out as a cheaper, second choice option for my undergrad. I was excited to go, but not nearly as excited as I'd been the year before, imagining myself in the middle of Boston at Emerson. But as I grew into Westfield and took advantage of opportunities, it became so much more than just an option. It became a crucial launching pad for the rest of my life.

It wasn't until I left Westfield, and the university's strong belief in providing students with an in-depth, hands-on education, that the elitism sank in. Nobody had heard of WSU. Nobody was impressed by it. I didn't expect much, because I know that employers are more concerned with technical capabilities, soft skills and previous experience—all three of which I'd gotten plenty of exposure to while in college. But I also didn't expect that while employers largely ignored my state university education, they were swooning over my private school one.

There are plenty of potential reasons for this discrepancy, and I consider them all when I'm judging people for judging my education history. Emerson has a strong reputation specifically in Boston. Through the alumni network, known as The Emerson Mafia, it seems as though it has a strong national and international reputation as well, but I have no personal experience with that. All the jobs I've applied to have been in the Greater Boston area, so it makes sense that Emerson is well-known and that there's a fair number of alumni working locally. And my Emerson degree is a graduate one, so it's possible that some people are impressed by my continued studies instead of by the name of the school. 

Even ignoring all that, there are the occasional instances where someone looks at my LinkedIn or my resume too quickly and assumes Emerson was my undergrad degree. And they're insanely impressed. A few seconds later, when I clarify that I actually went to a state university, they no longer are. A few interviewers have directly asked me why I attended Westfield. This is usually after they applaud me for my professional experience, as if they're saying, "But you're so talented. Why did you go to a public university?"

Elitism against public universities has the same insidious effect on our workplace culture as the lack of diversity in media industries. Public university undergrads aren't afforded the same internship opportunities. When we graduate, we aren't given the same chance at (many) jobs. Experts say that networking is key to the job market today, and state university students aren't afforded the same network, because all the so-called "best" in their industries graduated from private schools. So the cycle continues. 

There are many legitimate reasons people attend state universities. Economic reasons are fairly common. Most of my classmates were middle class, but we weren't upper middle class. State university is an excellent financial option for lower income families, especially if students can commute from home and save money. I tutored on campus for two years, and I met a lot of students who worked full-time in retail or customer service to pay for school, or who had transferred in from community colleges to save money. 

State universities are also an excellent option for marginalized groups. At Westfield, we have robust TRiO and Urban Education programs designed to allow low income, disabled and first generation college students an opportunity to attend college. We have an incredible disability services program, which was a prime reason why several of my disabled friends chose the school as their top choice. 

This isn't to say that Emerson—and other private colleges—don't have these opportunities. They absolutely do. The problem isn't with private colleges; it's with people's perception of state colleges.

By knocking state colleges, you're essentially turning away all those people: a talented, diverse student body who may be capable of changing the world. By saying no in favor of a private college graduate, you're not affording the state college graduates the same opportunity to rise to the challenge. One of my friends, a current senior at Westfield, launched his own mental health website that is changing lives already. His work is now being featured in an MTV music video, he's attending a national mental health conference and he receives submissions from all around the world. I asked him, about a week ago, if he regretted his decision to go to a state college.

"No way," he said. "I have no idea if Dear Hope [his website] would have started or anything, if I didn't come here."

I'm only one person, and my experience is only with one (incredible) state college and one (equally incredible) private college. But I know that the compliments about my Emerson education would be nonexistent had Westfield State not set me up for that success. At Westfield, I had access to hands-on internships and co-ops, in-depth independent study projects, an excellent honors program, scholarships, departmental awards and research conferences. By the time I left Westfield, I no longer considered it my second choice, my could-have-been-Emerson. I considered it my alma mater, and I was proud.

A few weeks ago, two important things happened. One afternoon, I was on Emerson's campus, if you can call it one, when I saw undergrads moving out. They hastily pushed bins filled with stuff toward their parents' cars. For a few seconds, I felt a twinge of sadness; that feeling that, "This could have been me." A few days later, I returned to Westfield as a distinguished alumni to give a speech to current students and faculty. In the middle of my speech, my eyes started to water until I finally ended the speech with tears running down my face, looking out into a crowd of similarly red-eyed professors and students. I couldn't help but tear up thinking about my undergrad experience, because I'm proud to be a Westfield State University alumni, and I love that school with everything that I have.

Last month, I was at an interview when one of my interviewers asked about my undergrad. "Westfield State," I said, trying to rush through the moment. Nobody has heard of Westfield, and they're usually more impressed by what I did while I was there than they are by the college itself. 

To my absolute shock, he said, "Me too!" We launched into a discussion of our favorite professors that left me fondly remembering my days of journalism class. 

State college elitism doesn't have to persist. There are many ways that state colleges are offering just as high quality of an education. The important thing becomes, as alumni, that we continue to make a difference. That we try to keep a strong alumni network, the way schools like Emerson are known for. That we, as alumni, kick ass and then attribute part of our success to where it all started. That we offer to talk to current students, like I did last week at a career prep class, to give them suggestions for how to kick-start a fulfilling career. That we represent our state college background not as something to skip over and ignore, but as a symbol of pride, as something that will never leave us. 

"It won't matter where you went to undergrad," my family used to tell me, when I was worried that it would have a negative impact on my career. But I want it to matter. I need it to matter. Because where I went to undergrad is a huge part of the reason that I'm where I am today, and nothing will ever change that.

Whether you are set to move out of your dorm room soon or are preparing to move into a new set of digs for the summer, moving will no longer be a challenge with these life-changing hacks. 

1. Slide clothes onto hangers and into garbage bags for easy transportation

This simple hack will allow you to easily move clothes from your old closet to a new one. The garbage bag acts as a protective cover to keep clothes clean, and you can pack a lot less into boxes and luggage. 

2. Pack a first night box

Moving can be exhausting, and you probably won't get around to unpacking everything the first night. Your first night box should contain face wash, a toothbursh, toothpaste, toiletries and a hair dryer—basically anything you will need in the first 24 hours after your move.

3. Store jewelry in egg cartons

It is so easy to lose things while moving, especially small items such as earrings or rings. Egg cartons are sturdy and will keep all your tiny pieces of jewelry together.

4. Use clean socks as extra padding

Socks also tend to get lost during moving. Make them useful by wrapping up picture frames or even glassware in them. This way, your socks will stay together and prevent things from breaking during the moving process.

5. Keep cotton balls in powder cosmetics to prevent them from breaking

The worst feeling is seeing your favorite powder cosmetic shattered into a million tiny pieces. Cotton balls will prevent shattering while your makeup is on the move.

6. Use plastic wrap to create a spill protector on toiletries

Leaks occur more often than not during a move. This super easy hack uses just plastic wrap to keep your liquids from spilling all over your boxes.

7. Pack clothes into drawers and keep them from moving with Press'n Seal wrap

You will save so much time not having to unpack clothes from boxes and put them into your drawers. This hack keeps everything organized in a drawer. Then, you can just move the dresser or drawer on its own. 

8. Use rolling suitcases instead of lifting heavy boxes

No one wants to risk breaking their back lifting heavy boxes. So use rolling suitcases instead. There is no need for heavy lifting, just a little light pulling. 

Let’s face it: everyone loves chocolate. It’s just a fact of life. Unfortunately, it’s easy to let a little chocolate craving turn into scarfing down a few candy bars or an entire pint of Ben & Jerry’s. But in moderation, chocolate can actually be good for you! Studies have found that chocolate improves blood flow to the brain and heart, and it’s also rich in antioxidants. Try out these healthy recipes with a chocolate twist to satisfy your craving without going overboard.

1. Coconut bars with chocolate drizzle

Recipe from Real Food Real Deals

Coconuts are not only high in fiber and excellent at boosting the immune system, but they’re also tropically delicious. Try these healthy coconut bars with a little bit of chocolate drizzle. One bite and your sweet tooth will be satisfied all day long.

Ingredients for bars

• 3 eggs
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup flour
• 2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut

Ingredients for chocolate drizzle

• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 ounce unsweetened chocolate

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix the wet ingredients for the bars together in a large bowl.
3. Add the flour and shredded coconut to wet ingredients and mix to combine.
4. Pour the mixture into a 9-by-13 inch baking dish. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until set and top begins to brown.  Cool completely on a wire rack.
5. Chop the unsweetened chocolate.
6. Heat all three chocolate drizzle ingredients in a double boiler until melted. Stir them until well combined.
7. With a spoon, drizzle onto bars.

2. Chocolate-covered fruit with walnuts

Fruit is an important part of a balanced diet, but sometimes it’s hard to eat it regularly. Everything tastes better with a little bit of chocolate, though! For bonus points, add a few nuts for fiber, protein and healthy fats.

Ingredients

• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 2 cups fruit (e.g. sliced apples, strawberries, etc.)

Directions

1. Melt the chocolate in the microwave at 30-second intervals, stirring occasionally, until liquefied.
2. Dip fruit in chocolate and place on tray with parchment paper or wax paper.
3. Before chocolate solidifies, sprinkle chopped walnuts on top.

3. Chocolate, peanut butter and kale smoothie

Recipe from Nap Time is My Time

Having a hard time eating your veggies? Don’t worry; you’re not the only one. The best way to change that is to mask the taste with chocolate. Yes, it sounds a little bizarre, but with the taste of chocolate and peanut butter in this delicious smoothie, you’ll get all the benefits of leafy greens without the flavor of them.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 2 scoops chocolate protein powder
• 1 tablespoon peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon chocolate peanut butter (Try Dark Chocolate Dreams from Peanut Butter & Co)
• 1 handful chopped kale
• Ice cubes

Directions

• Mix all ingredients together in a blender and blend until smooth.

4. Whole wheat chocolate pancakes

Recipe from Alida’s Kitchen

Who doesn’t love pancakes in the morning? Luckily, whole wheat pancakes are actually not too unhealthy as an occasional treat. So why not add a little something extra to make the whole wheat pancakes* extra delicious?

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons low-fat buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons brewed coffee
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• Strawberries (optional, for topping)

Directions

1. In a large bowl, sift flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, sugar and salt. Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together egg, buttermilk, coffee, vanilla and butter.
3. Add buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture and mix until blended. Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
4. Preheat nonstick skillet over medium heat and spray with cooking spray. Pour batter in skillet by the ¼ cupful and cook until bubbles appear (about 3 minutes). Flip and cook on the other side until done (about 2 to 3 minutes). Repeat with remaining batter. Serve with fresh berries, as desired.

*Don’t have as much time to cook? Use a whole wheat pancake mix from a brand like Aunt Jemima or Hodgson Mill and follow the box instructions, adding the vanilla extract, brewed coffee and cocoa powder.

5. Peanut butter chocolate dip

Recipe from Meal Makeover Moms

There’s more than one way to make fruit even tastier—you can also try a yogurt-based chocolate fruit dip! High in protein and low in sugar, this dip will only taste like you’re spoiling yourself.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup
• 2 tablespoons low-fat plain or vanilla yogurt

Directions

• Combine ingredients in a bowl and mix until well blended.

6. Chocolate almond soldiers

Recipe from The Earth Diet

Almonds are a delicious way to improve heart health and prevent weight gain. So why not make them just a little bit tastier by adding chocolate? These chocolate-almond snacks are perfect to bring on the go to fill you up and satisfy your sweet tooth.

Ingredients

• 1 cup finely ground almonds
• 3/4 cup cacao powder
• 3 tablespoons raw honey or maple syrup

Directions

1. Mix the ground almonds, cacao powder and honey in a bowl.
2. Roll the mixture into balls.
3. Keep in refrigerator until ready to eat.

7. Chocolate avocado mousse

Recipe from The Daily Hiit

We know what you’re thinking: avocado and chocolate? Sounds gross. But the first time you try this dish, you won’t believe that it’s anything more than a delicious chocolate treat. It’s a great recipe to make you feel like you treating yourself while consuming natural ingredients with healthy fats rather than processed ones with additional sugar.

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup honey
• 2 avocados
• 4 ounces dark chocolate pieces
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 3 tablespoons coconut oil

Directions

1. Melt chocolate pieces, coconut oil and honey either in the microwave or on the stove.
2. Combine melted mixture with avocados and cocoa powder in food processor or blender. Blend until smooth.
3. Place in fridge and chill overnight.

8. Nutella pie with strawberries

Recipe from (never)homemaker

Usually “Nutella,” “pie” and “healthy” aren’t found in the same sentence unless the word “not” is somewhere in there. But this pie has a secret, subtle ingredient: tofu. This relatively flavorless ingredient gives the pie a thick, silken texture without the extra sugar or calories.

Ingredients

• Pie crust (or make your own using this recipe)
• 1 block silken tofu
• 1 cup Nutella
• 3 ounces milk chocolate
• 2 tablespoons agave nectar
• 5 large strawberries, sliced

Directions

1. Put all ingredients besides strawberries in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth.
2. Spread filling inside crust with spatula.
3. Top pie with sliced strawberries. Put in refrigerator to set for 1 hour.

9. Cocoa popcorn

Recipe from Yummly

Plain popcorn is a healthy, low-calorie treat that’s easy to make at home. But you can add a little chocolate flavor to make this easy snack a sweet treat. You’ll turn this classic into an explosion of sweetness!

Ingredients

• 10 cups popcorn (plain, unsalted, popped)
• 2 tablespoons sweetener (like Splenda or stevia)
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder (unsweetened)
• 1 tablespoon melted butter

Directions

1. Drizzle melted butter on popcorn.
2. Add cocoa powder and sugar. Stir until well distributed.

Indulge in chocolate without letting your sweet tooth get the best of you! These tasty recipes allow you to eat chocolate as part of a nutritious, balanced diet. The next time you feel a craving coming on, go for one of these healthy treats.

The past couple of days have been hectic for Meghan Trainor and her fans. On Monday, a music video was released for Trainor's song “Me Too,” the second single off her album Thank You, set to release this Friday. But shortly after it went live, the video was suddenly wiped from the internet.

With fans confused as to why the video had disappeared, Trainor went to Snapchat to explain she had not approved the video to be released and she did not give permission to Photoshop her body. "They Photoshopped the crap outta me," Trainor said. "My waist is not that teeny, I had a bomb waist that night, I don't know why they didn't like my waist. But I didn't approve that video, and it went out for the world, so I'm embarrassed." 

On Monday night, Trainor appeared on Bravo's Watch What Happens Live!and elaborated on the whole ordeal. "I was so upset because I thought the fans were doing it online and then I was like, 'Oh my god, it's my video.' So I called the Gods of Vevo and they took it down." She went on to promise that a new video that she approved would be released the next day.

Sure enough, yesterday, Trainor released the un-Photoshopped version of the "Me Too" video. To announce the release, she posted a side-by-side comparison on Instagram to show the drastic difference between the Photoshopped and un-Photoshopped videos.

And now all is right with the world again. Thanks for standing up for yourself and your bod, Meghan!

Back in January, Selena Gomez set the record straight when a Rolling Stone interviewer asked her what was going on between her and Justin Bieber: “I am so beyond done with talking about that, and him.”

She made it clear that she has no desire to talk about her past relationship, or any relationship for that matter, but that hasn’t stopped media outlets from consistently publishing stories still linking her to Justin Bieber, in addition to other men she has been rumored to date (Niall Horan and Orlando Bloom, for example).

In a recent interview with Marie Claire, Gomez opens up about what it's like doing press for her Revival Tour and constantly being asked about her dating life rather than her career.

"I would try to promote something that I loved, and the entire interview would be about my personal life,” Gomez said. “I would leave a room feeling defeated, feeling embarrassed, but I would always make sure to put that smile on my face because I wasn't going to let them get to me."

For the record, Gomez has been dating, but is single as of now. "I've been having the best time. But I don't trust anybody, so dating can only be fun if I know I'm going to have fun."

It's discouraging to see a woman who has accomplished so much in her career at a young age being defined not by her achievements, but by the men in her life—whether in her past or present, or even with men she is hypothetically dating. Not to mention being constantly reminded of her ex—who she has requested to no longer speak about—must be frustrating.

Her Revival Tour started this week, and she’s playing concerts around the world for the remainder of the year. As if that wasn’t enough, Gomez is also executive-producing three television series: a novel adaptation on Netflix, a Latina Empire-type show on Freeform, and a TV drama on Lifetime based on her own life story. When speaking about all these new projects she’s taking on, she said, “I finally just wanted to go for it. I wanted to do things that I knew were going to be me. I don't want people to look at me as someone who is just this celebrity person."

Clearly, she’s busy with touring and executive-producing, and she doesn't have time to answer worn-out questions about her personal life. It's time to start asking Gomez, and all female artists for that matter, about the work they are doing rather than who they are dating. We’re glad Gomez spoke out about this and that she wants to be known for all the incredible work she's doing instead of being defined by her relationships.

The lovely Cyndi Lauper joined James Corden as a guest on The Late Late Show earlier this week to present a new and improved rendition of her song “Girls Just Want To Have Fun.” Let’s just say that this is not the '80s classic we’re used to—since it’s advocating for equal pay in the workplace. Lauper transformed the lyrics of her hit song into “Girls Just Want Equal Funds” as a plea to end the gender wage gap.

"I come home in the morning light / My mother says 'Why don't you make the same as a guy?' / Oh mama, dear, we're not the fortunate ones / 'Cause girls, they want equal funds," she sang in all her pink-haired glory.

When you think it can’t better, James Corden runs out (also in pink-haired glory) singing, “Guys, if she's mad / It's not PMS / It's 'cause you do the same job but she's makin' less / Don't need no Midol, just need more income / 'Cause girls, they want equal funds.”

The duo proceeded to prance around on stage like two beautiful, feminist angels, criticizing the ridiculous heels that women wear in movies and begging for comfy shoes. This hilarious segment is super accurate and a great comedic reminder that it’s FUN when women are given their fundamental rights. 

The Kardashians have been known to get a lot of heat for what they post on social media. This time, Khloe Kardashian is coming clean about an Instagram post she shared in February. You may remember Khloe was criticized because the picture appeared to be digitally altered.

In the photo in question, Khloe's thigh appears slightly retouched. But what really caught the eye of most haters was the door frame behind Khloe, which looks distorted. The changes to the original image, which she took down and later reposted, are so minor, but Kardashian experienced flack and eventually clapped back.

Now, she is attempting to explain the snap once more.

Khloe has always been one of the realest Kardashians. So her Photoshop confession does not exactly come as a surprise. In an effort to clear things up once and for all, she took to her app, revealing that a car accident she was involved in at the age of 16 made the multiple leg surgeries she has had since necessary. "Whenever I post a picture of my legs on Instagram, everyone comments on how fucked up my knees look. It's because I've had reconstructive surgery, you assholes!"

According to Khloe, her right leg is actually 1.5 inches thinner than her left leg, as a result of the surgeries. "Yes, I did Photoshop it, but I was trying to make my thinner leg look bigger to match my other leg!!! All I want are big, thick thighs and I hate how skinny my legs are."

We don't know about you, but we really appreciate Khloe coming clean. This incident serves as a good reminder that no one is perfect—not even the Kardashians.

Kristen Stewart has been a huge role model for those who are still exploring their sexuality, and in an interview with Variety, she opens up about her own personal journey.

Since the Twilight star basically had her life invaded by the public for years, she is taking the time to really reinvent herself and her career based on who she wants to be. Stewart has been seeking out countless character roles, while also taking the time to fully immerse herself in her own sexuality and work as a pioneer for the LGBT community.

“There’s acceptance that’s become really rampant and cool. You don’t have to immediately know how to define yourself,” she says, reflecting on the casual millennial attitude toward dating that she deeply appreciates. “Me not defining myself right now is the whole basis of what I’m about.”

As an advocate for the LGBT community, she wants to present an honest picture to young people of what it looks like to struggle with sexuality, since it was a difficult journey even for her. “I didn’t want to f—k with other people. I didn’t want to be this example: It’s so easy. I don’t want it to seem like it was stupid for them to have a hard time,” she explains.

For Kristen, things have changed in a “wonderful way,” since she has finally come to a place of feeling comfortable with herself. This means that she’s not hiding from the public and will openly appear in pictures with her reported girlfriend SoKo.

“As much as I want to protect myself, it’s not about hiding. As soon as you start throwing up so many walls, you cannot see over them yourself, so you just start isolating in a way that’s not honest. I definitely found where I’m comfortable. I don’t take credit for that.”

Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump prevailed in West Virginia’s primaries on Tuesday, proving that voters are still "feeling the Bern" and embracing Trump's blunt and unorthodox campaign strategy.

Sanders won the majority vote in the Democratic primary by more than 15 percent against opponent Hillary Clinton, who won over West Virginia’s Democrats in the 2008 primaries.

Clinton’s loss is not a surprise to many. Reporter Tal Kopan of CNN Politics reports that Sanders’s win can be attributed the working class.

Kopan said, “He fared strongly among the many voters concerned with the economy and won big margins in coal industry households.”

Donald Trump won over West Virginia’s Republican population by a landslide, with 77 percent of the votes, reports the The New York Times—Unsurprising, as he's the only Republican candidate left in the race.

In Nebraska, the primary results were almost identical. Sanders scored a win there back in March, when the Democratic primary was held. And on Tuesday, Trump easily won all the delegates, the Times reports. Sanders’s triumphs over Hillary in a few key states serve as a reminder that he does not plan on dropping out of the race anytime soon.

Meanwhile, the candidates' competitive and, at times, catty campaign strategies against one another tend to put them in a bad light. Fortune reported that Trump poked and prodded more at former President Bill Clinton’s sex scandal, showing how he's playing dirty to make Clinton look bad, while reminding voters about a part of Clinton's past in the White House.

As July gets closer, bringing the Democratic National Convention to Philadelphia, the question of who will be competing against Trump in the presidential election needs to be answered.

Now, it is up to voters to decide if they want that answer to Clinton or Sanders.

In an interview with Woman's Day Australia, Margot Robbie reveals that she hopes to play more than just the “pretty face” and wants to take on more character-driven roles in her future projects. Further, she also hopes to deviate from just playing the love interest of male characters. Robbie has had a reputation for playing the clichéd love interest since her breakout role as the wife of Leonardo DiCaprio’s character in The Wolf of Wall Street. While the character she plays in the film has her own personality and part in the plot, she is still in the shadows of her husband, and it’s not clear whether she would still exist without him in the movie.

In the interview, she reveals, “I want to keep looking for roles where the main interest will be in the character and her importance in driving a story forward, rather than her relationship with a main character.”

She has two upcoming films set to be released this summer including the much-talked-about Suicide Squad and a live-action version of Tarzan—in which she will star as Jane Porter alongside Alexander Skarsgård's Tarzan.

It’s possible that these films will mark Robbie's transition to playing the types of characters she is looking for. No matter what, we know she has the acting chops to portray females who have enough strength and personality to do their own thing without the support of a male character.

To Bachelorette viewers, season 10 couple Andi Dorfman and Josh Murray were perfect for each other. Dorfman thought so, too. “I was 100 percent sure I’d spend my life with him.”

After their season of the ABC hit ended, the couple was engaged for nine months, before splitting in January 2015. 

In a new interview with Us Weekly, Dorfman says that things took a turn after they left the limelight of reality TV cameras. She even claims that Murray was verbally abusive throughout their relationship, often calling her a "bitch" or a "whore" during particularly intense arguments.

Dorfman also shared an excerpt of her upcoming book, It's Not Ok, in which she describes the relationship as "the most volatile and fucked up relationship of my life.”

Murray responded to Dorfman's allegations in his own statement to the mag, denying her claims against him. “It saddens me and is very unfortunate that Andi has chosen to characterize me in such a negative way. I pray she finds peace.” 

For those of you looking to hear more of Dorfman's side of the story, It's Not Ok drops later this month. 

An investigation into a controversial photo taken of black female cadets at West Point finds that the women were showing support as a team, not of any specific political movement, The Washington Post reports.

An inquiry of the women in the photo, as well as the photographer, found that the image was taken in the moment as a way to "showcase the awesome black women in our class,"USA Today reports one cadet said.

The photo, which went viral (particularly among the military community), features 16 black female cadets posing with their fists raised—a symbol many concluded was meant to make a political statement, such as showing solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, that should not have been done while in uniform. While most of us may be used to protest and dissent among the student body at our universities, that's not how things work in the military.

After an investigation into the photo, the academy reported that the image was one of several different photos taken as part of an "Old Corps" photo shoot, a tradition for graduating seniors in which cadets take photos in serious poses similar to those seen in 19th century photographs, USA Today reports.

While the women will not face any disciplinary action, the academy found that the incident did constitute a teachable moment.

“As members of the Profession of Arms, we are held to a high standard, where our actions are constantly observed and scrutinized in the public domain,” the Washington Post reports West Point superintendent Lt. Gen. Robert L. Caslen, Jr. wrote in a letter. “We all must understand that a symbol or gesture that one group of people may find harmless may offend others. As Army officers, we are not afforded the luxury of a lack of awareness of how we are perceived.”

Meanwhile, the women did receive support for the photo from several female West Point graduates.

“Look, they are 16 African-American women graduating in a class of close to 1,000 cadets; they’ve worked hard, accomplished a lot, and I thought that the pride, unity, and determination that picture expressed was not only earned, but in keeping with the best of West Point traditions and values,” Sue Fulton, a West Point graduate, told The Washington Post.

A former Facebook employee has said that 'curators' at the social network routinely tried to keep conservative content or news that didn’t fit their personal biases out of the site’s “trending” tool, Gizmodo reports. Facebook continues to deny the claims.

Facebook's Vice President of Search, Tom Stocky, responded to the claims, saying: "We take these reports extremely seriously, and have found no evidence that the anonymous allegations are true."

The allegations, which were made by an anonymous source who worked as a contractor for the site, claim that workers or "curators" for Facebook's trending tool frequently "injected" headlines into the trending tool for items that weren't actually trending among Facebook's users. Meanwhile, headlines for conservative topics that were trending were often ignored, Gizmodo reports.

“Depending on who was on shift, things would be blacklisted or trending,” the source told Gizmodo. This is a big issue for publishers and the public alike—especially during an election season.

"As the No. 1 driver of audience to news sites, Facebook has become the biggest force in the marketplace of ideas. With that influence comes a significant responsibility,"CNN Money reports Poynter ethicist Kelly McBride wrote in a blog post.

In one prominent example of manipulating the tool, the source claimed that workers were told to artificially “inject” #BlackLivesMatter into the trending bar. This would be especially significant given how important social media was to the rise of the movement. According to Stocky, however, "We looked into that charge and found that it is untrue. We do not insert stories artificially into trending topics, and do not instruct our reviewers to do so."

In a long list of other things workers were apparently asked to do, including avoiding publishing Facebook itself as a topic in the trending bar, employees were chastised if Facebook’s trending tool didn’t include things that were trending on Twitter, and were told to "inject" breaking news into the tool, such as the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 and the Charlie Hebdo attacks. This was apparently to make it seem as though Facebook could compete with Twitter as a source for the latest news.

The news of these allegations is raising ethical questions of Facebook's responsibility to the public. Gizmodo argued that while editing the tool to reflect certain topics of interest "is by no means a bad thing" (stating this is how a newsroom typically operates), it does go against the idea that Facebook's trending topics are examples of what real Facebook users are discussing in real time. And it doesn't do much to separate Facebook from all the other media that already exists. While all of Gizmodo's sources were anonymous, Facebook hasn't provided a totally transparent explanation of how their processes work—so it's hard to know what to believe.

Fans of the Harry Potter series have known for years which of the four Hogwarts houses they belong in, but now they may have something new to debate. 

Updates on J.K. Rowling's upcoming film, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, have been posted on Rowling's Pottermore website lately, and one lucky fan thinks he may have discovered the names of the American version of the Hogwarts houses deep within the site. 

Software engineer Ian Cervantez claims that he was simply exploring the site when he came across an unpublished quiz that asked which house fans belonged in. Cervantez posted his findings, including the title of the quiz—"Where do you belong, Horned Serpent, Wampus, Thunderbird, or Pukwudgie?"—on Reddit. 

Despite the fact that the "reveal" remains to be confirmed by Rowling, fan-run website The Leaky Cauldron confirms that all of the house names correspond to creatures in the Harry Potter universe. 

It is unknown whether or not this information will play a role in the latest film in Rowling's beloved series. As for now, Potterheads have already begun speculating which house they belong in. 

Even if you haven’t been to Coachella before, you probably know what it is. And if you know what it is then you probably also know that this celeb-infested, desert-located, Instagram-worthy festival is over for the year. However, there is no need to develop post-festival FOMO because there are plenty more summer music festivals where you can rock the flower crown and choker combo that you have been dying to show off.

And while you totally want to get as much festival exposure as possible this summer (for musical enrichment purposes, of course), it isn’t really realistic to go and spend almost $200 on a manicure for said festival. That’s why we have five tips that will help you rule the festival for a whole lot less!

1. Choose festivals wisely

So many music festivals, so little money. Every festival has something different to offer from the line-up to the overall vibe. It can be tempting to want to go to any and every festival within a 50 mile radius, but that is definitely not the way to do festival season (unless you are the Jenner sisters). It is important to determine which aspects of festival life are the most important to you and narrow down your choices from there. If you are into major headliners, Governors Ball might be for you. For the smaller festival lovers, Firefly Music Festival in Dover, Delaware, would be a great investment. It is possible to attend any festival on a budget, but it’s definitely harder to budget for some than others. While it might be fun to go to multiple festivals, come fall a three-day ticket to Bonnaroo probably won’t sound as good as being able to pay your rent. 

"As a lover of music, there are so many concerts I want to go to this summer but unfortunately, due to my excessive amount of parking tickets and credit card bills, that won’t be possible," says Tara Kerrigan, a senior at Harper College. "Therefore, I chose Lollapalooza and spent $275 on a three-day ticket. Yes, going to other festivals would be fun but it isn’t worth putting myself into a deep hole of debt."

2. Create your look for less

While it would be cool to show up to your music festival of choice dressed like Taylor Swift, she more than likely has an extra million dollars, or two, lying around that the rest of us just don’t. Realistically, you probably have enough cute and comfortable clothes to last you a weekend so buying new ones isn’t completely necessary. That being said, there are ways to get a festival chic look on a budget. Stores that you know and love like H&M and Forever 21 have clothing lines specifically tailored to festival attendees. And the best part about them is that the prices are fabulous! Never let outfit issues prevent you from attending your favorite fest.

Related: 12 DIYs That Will Take Your Festival Wardrobe to the Next Level

3. Carpool and co-camp

While it is important to attend the festival with your squad for Snapchat purposes, it is also one of the best ways to reduce the overall cost. The average general admission ticket for a music festival is anywhere from $200-400 and that does not even begin to cover the various other expenses. Many festivals charge for parking, but with one or two cars, the cost is much more manageable because you can split it among your friends. An added bonus is that you won’t have to play “Where’s Waldo” with your friends in the parking lot because you will all be together.

"Part of the fun is the adventure of getting there," says Paige Carpenter, a sophomore at the University of Arizona. "My favorite way is by road trip. Load up your car, all of your best friends and blast music all the way to Indio. It’s cheap and you get to see part of the country along the way." 

As far as accommodations go, whether you are camping, glamping or renting a house, it is helpful to get as many friends together to cut down on costs. And who wouldn’t want a weekend long sleepover with their besties?

4. Volunteer

It might sound strange to volunteer at an event that you are trying to attend for fun, but hear us out because it is possibly one of the easiest ways to earn your way into the festival. Usually, larger festivals need all the extra hands they can get. If you check out the official website for your festival a few months before the date, there are usually requests for volunteers. Volunteers typically get pretty sweet rewards like free tickets or at the very least, an awesome discount.

Hangout, a festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama, that runs from May 20-22, is one of many festivals still looking for volunteers for this year!

5. Find cheaper tickets

If your budgeting skills are on point and you managed to recoup the money you lost over spring break and save for a summer festival, then kudos! However, most of us probably don’t fall into that category. No worries, there is still a way to get an affordable ticket without destroying your bank account—and that is eBay! Weeks and even days before a festival, there are people who are desperately trying to sell their tickets for whatever reason. Buying on eBay can allow you to get previously sold out tickets or even find cheaper ones. eBay is also a super safe option because it uses PayPal to ensure buyer protection. While this is more of a last minute approach, you can end up with a great deal.

And if you don’t get to go this year, it is always beneficial to keep your eyes open for any great giveaways for festivals coming up in the next year.

The memories that you create with your friends at a festival are invaluable, but not valuable enough to blow all of the money in your back account over the course of a weekend. Keep these tips in mind and you can be the reigning festival queen for years to come.

“Really? That’s weird.” Those were the exact words that came out of my now boyfriend’s mouth when I told him that I had never been in a relationship. Those were also the exact words that came out of my now boyfriend’s mouth approximately three minutes before I decided to start dating him exclusively.

You might be asking yourself why I would choose to date someone who called me weird, or my life experiences weird. But was he really wrong? According to The Atlantic, the average age an American loses his or her virginity is seventeen. It can be inferred that the average age of a first relationship happens in the years surrounding seventeen. Most people I know had their first relationship in high school or even middle school. So you can see how never having had a boyfriend, as a senior in college, would be considered to be rather out of the ordinary.

As a teenager, I felt like an oddball around my friends. When it came to relationships, dating and romance, I could only live vicariously through others. You should know this was not by choice; in fact my lack of love life was not for lack of trying. As far back as I can remember I have been interested in boys. To accepting a marriage proposal from a boy in Kindergarten to flirting with boys during recess in middle school–boys caught my attention at an early age. In fact, if you ask my mother, I had my first crush at age two who was a character on Barney (naturally).

It would only make sense, as the emotional and oftentimes insecure teenage girl I was, that I decided that the reason I did not have a boyfriend could only be explained by one thing: There was something wrong with me. I wasn’t enough of something. Pretty enough. Funny enough. Sexy enough. Outgoing enough. It was like I hadn’t been allowed access into a club that not only my friends had gained access to, but also the whole world. I mean try turning on the television and not seeing the storylines revolve around relationships. Try going to a teen movie and have it not end with the girl finally getting with the guy in the end. Seriously, try.

According to Hollywood, teenage drama is centered on teenage girls and teenage girls’ lives revolve around boys. This idea was manifested so perfectly in one of my favorite not-so-guilty-pleasure movies, John Tucker Must Die.

“You're either obsessed with destroying him... or obsessed with dating him. Either way, it's always all about him…”

Bravo cheesy teen rom-com, you hit the nail on that one. So maybe I wasn’t trying to take down a popular jock like Kate, but the same idea applied to my life and my group of friends. They were either obsessed with getting a guy or obsessed with having one. And in my case, well, I was just obsessed with not having one. Unrequited “love” was something I knew all too well and I was convinced that what I was missing in my life was a boyfriend.

It’s funny how wrong a person can be. It wasn’t until college that I embraced my singleness and stopped looking for my “other half,” which is good because now, four years later, I don’t believe such a person exists. I am not looking to be made whole because I stopped considering myself incomplete. This change in thinking gave me plenty of room and time to get to know myself better. At the end of the day, the only guaranteed lifelong relationship we have is with ourselves, so why not learn to love myself?

The time I would have spent investing in a romantic relationship, I instead invested in friendships, school and furthering my creativity. I maintained close friendships with my high school best friends, and made lasting friendships with the incredible women I met in college. I didn’t do away with boys all together, because what fun would that be? Instead I took the pressure off and didn’t set out to meet a “soul mate.” I just had fun. And then I had some more fun.

I realized that all my teenage insecurities were unfounded. I was enough. Guys were interested in me. And slowly, as time went on, I stopped being shocked by that fact and became more confident. I was finally content as a single person. It had only taken me twenty-one years to realize that my worth did not depend on someone else’s ability to see it.

Now when I think about my boyfriend, I don’t wish I had met him sooner, because I’m not sure if that girl would have been ready for him. And I’m also not sure if he would have wanted to be with that girl. I’ve always believed that everything happens for a reason and maybe the reason for my non-existent love live during my teenage years was to teach me how to be happy on my own. Maybe I wouldn’t be as independent, resilient or strong if I had been hopping from one relationship to the next during my formative years. Maybe I had to go through all that self-doubt and lovesickness to become the person I am today. Maybe I had to long for the wrong guy before I met the right one.

You know that really annoying quote that says, “When you stop looking for someone, that person will find you?” Well as much as I hate to admit it–for me, that quote was true.  

One of the biggest upsides of being in a relationship is having someone you are comfortable around. But one of the silent killers of relationships is getting too comfortable. There comes a point where your significant other may get used to being in a relationship, so they no longer do all the things they did for you before the relationship began. Instead of growing together in the relationship, they begin taking your love and what you have to offer for granted. Here are five telltale signs you’re being taken for granted that you should talk to your partner about immediately.

1. You’re not a priority

Your significant other should want to spend time with you fairly often. Of course, they’ll probably have other priorities, but it can become problematic when you’re not high up on their priority list. If it’s been days and they’ve hung out with every friend they’ve ever had since third grade and not you, that should be a warning sign. Alaina*, a sophomore at Azusa Pacific University, says that her boyfriend prioritizing his friends over her led to problems. “If I asked if we could hang out, it was always brushed off to the side,” she says. “Every weekend, he would party with his friends, so being busy wasn’t an excuse. Even when I suggested things for us to do, he would rarely commit to anything. Hanging out was always centered around when it was convenient for him.”

Relationships don’t run on convenience. Neither of you committed to being in a relationship just to talk or be around each other when you’re bored. Even with hectic schedules, your partner should be making it known through actions and words that you are important to them.

2. They put no effort into date night

There’s probably not a soul on Earth who can’t find at least a little joy in Netflix. “Netflix and chill” can be a legitimate date, but if that’s all they’re willing to do, they probably have gotten too comfortable. Stephanie*, a junior at Stetson University, felt as if her boyfriend began taking her time for granted when he no longer put any effort into how they spent their time together. “Towards the beginning of our relationship, we would always go exploring—different museums, coffee shops, cafes, hiking trails, day trips and more,” she says. “Several months into the relationship, I found that all we did was lay in bed and watch TV and movies. It’s not like I didn’t enjoy his presence, but there’s a better way our time could’ve been spent.”

There may be people who will argue that their money is tight, so that’s the only thing to resort to. At this age, your significant other most likely isn’t expecting a date at a five star restaurant (although we wouldn’t complain if you’re toying with the idea). Honestly, it doesn’t take much to make someone’s day. A simple walk in the park, making dinner together or a stop by the Humane Society to play with some pups are inexpensive ways to connect with each other. A partner who isn’t even bothering to try to venture out of the realm of “Netflix and chill” is someone who is taking your time for granted.

Related: 4 Signs You Should Break Up After Graduation

3. They’re not appreciative

Doing things for someone can feel so rewarding when you know how much they appreciate what you’ve done. However, when you put forth effort for someone and all you’re met with is disinterest, it can be really damaging.

May*, a freshman at Reinhardt University, tried surprising her boyfriend after many hours put in at work. “Things seemed pretty flat in our relationship for a while, so I surprised my boyfriend with NBA tickets and dinner reservations,” she says. “His response didn’t even measure up to how hard I worked to try to make him happy. It really opened my eyes.”

Relationships involve sacrifice, whether that be with time, money or in other departments. If your partner isn’t taking into account all the hours you had to work to get them a little gift or the money you spent on them that could’ve been used on more groceries for the week, it’s time to step back and reevaluate. You shouldn’t have to beg or prod them for a genuine “thank you.” They should recognize your efforts and sacrifices on their own. It’s also time to think about if things are becoming one-sided. Don’t drain yourself trying to making someone else happy. There should be equal effort from both sides.

4. They don’t check up on you

Part of being in a relationship is having someone who cares about your mental wellbeing, what goes on in your life and your overall safety. However, for Maria*, a sophomore at University of South Carolina, her relationship of three years went sour when her boyfriend acted like he simply didn’t care enough to see how she was.

"I remember watching him as he waited for me to get inside safely each night," she says. "I thought he was so caring. Fast forward three years and it’s like he didn’t even care what was going in my life. I was accomplishing all of these great things at school and he couldn’t even ask ‘How are you?’ or ‘How has your day been?’"

Your significant other should be someone who is interested in what’s going on in your life, through your lows and highs. When they ask how you are, it gives you the opportunity to update them on your day and how life is treating you. If they all of the sudden have stopped asking, they’re taking your wellbeing for granted. Shouldn’t they at least want to know if you are safe and sound?

5. The romantic gestures disappear

Before you guys actually started dating, there was probably a lot of romantic effort put in from both sides to keep each other’s interest. Your significant other may stop doing what they did when they were “chasing” you because they finally have you. There comes a point when “I love you” isn’t spoken as frequently, compliments are nearly nonexistent and the romance simply disappears. Remember that this is not normal. No matter how long you guys have been together, keeping the spark alive in a relationship is what keeps it going.

Glenn*, a sophomore at Valdosta State University, admits to taking his girlfriend for granted. “You just develop a mindset that you’ve already got them and don’t have to keep trying as hard as you once did,” he says.

Being romantic shouldn’t be a burden on anyone. Understandably, not everyone is a diehard romantic, but they should not be so unromantic that you question if they still love and care about you.

If you realize that you might be taken for granted, speak up. Nobody is perfect, but let your significant other know how you’re feeling. Their reaction might tell you a lot about where you need to head in the relationship next. Ideally, they will listen to what you are saying and take action to fix their end of the relationship. Never let them belittle, invalidate or argue with you about your feelings. You are a gem so you should be treated like one every day.

*names have been changed

Graduation brings about a variety of different feelings. Some good, some bad -- some being straight up grateful. Seriously, graduation can't come soon enough. 

1. You're tired of being broke af.

2. You start to lose the motivation to complete assignments.

3. And you procrastinate for even longer periods of time.

4. To the point at which you start turning things in past the deadline.

5. And even making some of your assignments optional.

6. You're SO over the crazy fees your school always seems to find a way to charge you.

7. Like for books.

8. And the raise in tuition every year.

9. And to breathe.

10. You realize you'll never have to write a paper again.

11. Or pull an all-nighter.

12. Drinking is no longer fun for you.

13. It's actually a necessity in some cases.

14. But your body is somehow becoming less tolerant of your drinking habits.

15. You roll your eyes every time you see a group of prospective freshmen being given a campus tour.

16. The mere thought of graduation has you feeling like.

17. And you're finally ready to use all four (or more) years worth of your education in the real world.

If you’re tired of dorm life and are considering moving into an apartment, it is easy to get carried away by the prospect of finally having your own place. Although living out your Pinterest-inspired DIY decorating fantasies and moving in with your best friends sounds like a dream come true, there are important details that are easy to miss when you’re finding the best accommodations for yourself. That’s why Her Campus talked to Richie Gill, a real estate broker and owner of Longhorn Leasing, to simplify the often intimidating move from on-campus to off-campus housing. Keep the following tips in mind as you embark on your apartment hunt!  

1. Location

One of the biggest mistakes students make is only looking at the most well-known complexes. Don’t exclude complexes just because they aren’t heavily advertised or directly in the campus area! “I would suggest students do their research and understand the options out there,” Gill says. “Don’t just look at the larger complexes. Oftentimes the smaller complexes, such as condos and town homes, [are] the better deal.”

Although living a larger complex that’s closer to campus is convenient, you’ll probably spend a ton of money for that convenience. If you have a car, consider commuting! Waking up 30 minutes earlier in order to pay half as much rent will be worth it in the long run when you have extra spending money in your pocket. No car? Check out local bus routes.  If you are willing to give up being within walking distance from campus, this is a great way to save TONS of money and avoid jacked-up rates.

Another item to consider is the neighborhood. Scope out the surrounding area at nighttime and on the weekend to see how lively and safe the area is. Be sure to check out the demographic of the apartment complex as well—will you be surrounded by families and young professionals, or will your neighbors mostly be other college students? While it’s nice to be in party central, it’ll bite you in the butt when you have to wake up early to take three exams in the morning and there’s still a rave going on in your neighbor’s apartment.

2. What’s included in the monthly rent

Garbage, water, electricity, Internet, gas, phone and television fees can add up if they each have to be paid separately. Know whether they’re covered in the rent or if they need to be paid through a third party. This will vary from apartment to apartment, but Gill says that most large apartment complexes will include water in the monthly rent, while electricity and cable/internet are usually paid through the city and/or private companies.

The leasing agent at the apartment complex can also give you an estimate of how much utilities usually cost for tenants on top of the monthly rent, and whether or not they can be paid through the apartment complex. “The estimate can really help you make your choice!” says Ashley McDonald, a sophomore at Central Michigan University.

Unfortunately, most apartment complexes will not split up the utility bill for the unit. If you are moving in with multiple roommates, websites such as SimpleBills are useful resources that can be used to bill each roommate separately and ensure that everyone pays his or her own share!

3. Extra fees

Most complexes charge extra for parking and pets. If you plan to have a pet, make sure you understand the apartment’s pet policy. Often apartment complexes will charge more for you to have a pet. If you’re leasing within walking distance of campus, consider not bringing your car to save on monthly parking fees.

While those fees are usually difficult to contest, keep an eye out for red flags in contracts that entail extra costs that seem unjustified. “Realtors are known for ripping students off with late fees, subleasing fees and admin fees,” Gill says. “Look out for what fees they’re charging. The fees are negotiable… a lot of times students make the mistake of thinking they’re set in stone.”

4. The condition of the appliances

If you get to see the unit before you move in, make sure everything in the apartment works! Check for everything: stains on the carpet, broken tiles, holes in the wall, functioning faucets and toilets, the shower pressure and the A/C and heater. Make a checklist and take pictures of anything that you could be up-charged for, and give them to your landlord along with the evaluation form of the complex as soon as possible after moving in.

 “When filling out the unit evaluation form for the apartment, write down every single thing, even if it’s a small hole in the wall!” says Elizabeth Chavez, a senior at the University of Texas at Austin. “I kid you not, I saved $200 because they tried charging me for a stain that was there before I moved in. Details count!”

If you are unable to see the unit before you actually move in, the best way to protect yourself from low-quality appliances is to state exactly what you want in the lease, such as, “I want to make sure all appliances were built and installed after 2012 and are stainless steel.” Gill suggests bringing this up before you sign the lease and submit the application.  

5. Outlets

If you get to see the unit beforehand, when you’re walking through the apartment, make a mental note of where all the outlets are. Sometimes outlets can be in hard-to-reach places, and those locations should be considered if you already have furniture in mind that you want to move into the unit. You don’t want to show up on move-in day with a brand-new leather sofa only to realize that the only place it fits in the living room covers up the main two power outlets. If you know ahead of time that you will need more sockets, invest in a power strip; these allow you to connect extra devices and can make up for lost space! 

6. The details of the lease

Realtors are really good at oversimplifying the professional jargon in contracts and getting you to sign as fast as possible. Make sure you take the leasing agreement home with you and read it over thoroughly before signing anything. If you’re going to have roommates, make sure that individual contracts are issued so that you’re not held liable for anyone else’s monthly rent. This ensures that you only have to pay your share each month, and you won’t be held responsible or charged extra if your roommate forgets to pay his or her rent.

Also ask about the guidelines for subleasing, what the fees are for breaking the contract and whether or not you need a guarantor. If you plan to study abroad for a semester or go back home for the summer, subleasing your apartment is a great way to save money. Rather than continuing to pay rent while you are out of town, you can lease your apartment out to someone and charge him or her for your rent.  Guarantors, usually your parent or guardian, are simply in charge of picking up the slack if the student on the lease stops paying the rent; often apartments will require students to have a guarantor if they have below a certain level of income.

7. How to renew your lease

Imagine this: Things are going fine and dandy, and then all of a sudden you get a notice that you will be moved into a different unit for the upcoming leasing term. Not cool! Always know how long the renting agreement is. Most leases range from six months to a year and can then be renewed. However, some rare complexes require monthly renewal. Also, if you’re living in a complex, make sure that you’re able to stay in the unit you are currently living in after renewing your lease—you don’t want to go through the hassle of moving every time your lease runs out!  

When renting an apartment for the first time, the more you know and the more you do your research, the better off you will be. However, the real-estate world is not an easy place to jump into. Understanding the basic terms of a contract, such as when it starts and ends, what the rental term is and what your rights as a tenant are, will put you in a good place to negotiate with the leasing agent. Happy hunting! 

When it comes to love, nothing is ever really black and white. You might be considering an open relationship, whether that means opening up an existing one or starting out a brand new one. It could work out amazingly for you—or it could be less than ideal. Here are four signs that an open relationship is right for you.

1. You’re both 100% down

If you’re thinking about opening up your relationship, make sure your partner is comfortable with it! And if your partner is the one who brought it up to you, make sure to be honest with them. Don’t feel pressured for any reason to do it if you don’t want to, and don’t pressure anyone else into doing it. “In order to be successful, both partners must have healthy self-esteem and mutual desire to open up the relationship,” says Shirani Pathak, a licensed psychotherapist. “Otherwise, feelings of poor self-esteem, anger, and resentment escalate and lead to breakdown in the relationship.” Talk to your significant other about what an open relationship would entail for both of you, and give yourself time to think about it if you need to.

2. You’re great at communication

The thing about open relationships is that there aren’t any set guidelines for how to make one work. What works in someone else’s relationship could be catastrophic in yours, and vice-versa. For instance, you might want your partner to tell you every time they have sex with someone else, or maybe just for them to be honest with you if you ask. For some people, it’s a way to spice up a relationship (though there are certainly other ways to do that if you feel like it’s a bit extreme).

Regardless, an open relationship—or any relationship, for that matter—isn’t going to work without open, honest communication. Have a conversation about what the “rules” of your relationship will be, since every single one is different. “The most important point needs to be that both partners are 100 percent on board with the idea," says psychologist Dr. Nikki Martinez. "They are both comfortable with it, want it, and know they are comfortable. They set boundaries and guidelines they respect, and they also respect the sanctity of the relationship they have with each other.” Check in with each other, and be sure to always have an open ear. Make sure you both agree on those rules, but at the same time, remember that your relationship is dynamic, and things could change. If you want them to, tell your partner! Communication is an ongoing necessity, and it’s definitely worth it. It takes more than just one conversation to make sure everything is just as great is it should be.

3. You’re ready to leave certain norms behind

Monogamous relationships are usually considered “normal.” But what does normal actually mean? Even within those monogamous relationships, things can vary a lot between different ones. Entering an open relationship means defying certain cultural norms, but it’s not like you’re declaring complete anarchy, even though some people might make you feel that way. Not defining what a monogamous relationship means “often leads to dissatisfaction, both emotional and sexual, with various forms of cheating as an upshot,” says Patricia Johnson, co-author of Designer Relationships. It’s definitely a little different than what most people are used to, but open relationships aren’t as out-there as some people think they are. Do what you’re comfortable with!

Related: How to Stay Independent While in a Relationship

4. You’ve laid down the rules about sharing

When you enter into an open relationship, you have to be ready for other people to try sticking their noses into your relationship and trying to tell you how to live your life. Keep in mind that your relationship is only yours and your partner's business, and you don’t have to tell anyone anything that you don’t feel comfortable sharing. If your partner isn’t comfortable with you sharing certain details of both of your sex lives, don’t breach their trust. Make sure you’re both aware of what is and isn’t okay to tell other people. Additionally, it could be a fun exercise for the two of you to practice what telling your friends is going to be like. Mentally preparing for the kinds of questions—however invasive they might be—you might get about your relationship will help you in the long run.

Ultimately, whether you should be in an open relationship or not is a highly personal decision that will differ between different people and different relationships. Nobody knows your relationship better than you and your partner, so start by having a conversation, and if you both think it’s right for the two of you, go for it.