Surprise, surprise ladies! Men aren’t the only ones who fear commitment. You, too, may harbor an intense fear of getting involved in a serious relationship and not even realize it. However, there are definitely signs that you’re someone who’s chronically afraid of commitment. Does the thought of marriage have you running for the hills, screaming? Or saying the word “love” make you want to throw up in your mouth? Exactly. You probably wouldn’t even be reading this article if you weren’t a little bit curious to find out that maybe you really are afraid of commitment. Check out our five tell-tale signs below for some good old self-diagnosis.

1. You have chronic issues committing yourself to just one person

Nowadays it’s not uncommon for millennials to think, “Pssssh, monogamy.” That doesn’t mean we aren’t open to it, but it’s more accepted to spend our 20s uncommitted with multiple partners before eventually settling down. However, there is a difference between being a free spirit and actually having trouble dedicating yourself to one person.

“Pretty often my relationships are really short,” says Arianna Delira, a junior at Georgia State University. “It can be for a variety of reasons, but I think I have a hard time wanting to be with one person forever—and sometimes even six months feels like forever. I’m not like cheating when I am in a relationship, but I don’t date someone for more than a few months. I do admit I have a fear of commitment, specifically because I’m scared being with someone for too long will make us both bored or cause the relationship to end badly instead of casually.”

Your commitment issues aren’t something you have to worry about now, because it’s fine to play the field while still taking the time to develop yourself. You don’t need to be getting married tomorrow. Still, your commitment should be self-monitored so that you’re able to anticipate your detest for long-term monogamous relationships in the future, and deal with them accordingly when you meet someone worthy of your commitment.

Related: [How to Deal with a Relationship You Know Isn’t Going to Last]

2. You feel as though relationships hold you back

If it means missing the opportunity to hang out with friends or even sacrifice a career advancement, relationships may seem utterly oppressing to you because they’re restrictive. You’re the type of person who enjoys having their options open, and a relationship is much too limiting for you. It makes more sense to orient your future and schedule your time between work, friends and family. Love is a demanding priority, so you avoid it at all costs.

“The future is really daunting, and there’s a lot of other things that seem more important like graduation and figuring out what you want to do with your life,” explains Briana Ruba, a sophomore at Marquette University. “Even if someone is amazing and I’m madly in love with them, I’m worried that I’ll have to make life sacrifices for them and compromise my own goals for them.”

Consistently ending your relationships because you’re worried about missing out on something better is a sure sign that you really are afraid of commitment. Realize that it’s time to let go of this fear, and understand it’s possible to have the best of both worlds. Committing yourself to a partner is an opportunity in and of itself to take on the welcome twists and turns of life alongside someone who adores you. Spending time with couples who have complicated careers and social lives but are still able to maintain successful relationships might be of some encouragement to you.

3. You still feel emotionally scarred from previous relationships

Sometimes the past can inhibit you from moving forward with healthy relationships. It’s totally reasonable to still feel the emotional effects of someone who hurt you, but it becomes problematic when you prevent yourself from committing to another person who’s not the jerk who hurt you. Let’s be real, we’ve all got trust issues, but it’s time to pack those gremlins away and let love happen.

“I know it’s not fair to have trust issues with my boyfriend, because he’s not the one who cheated on me, my ex did,” says Katie McNierney, a junior at Barnard College. “Part of me thinks that maybe I won’t be able to let myself be happy or ever commit to someone again, because I’ve had someone hurtfully break their commitment to me. It’s a vicious cycle where my relationship escalates and I have a meltdown thinking I’m going to get hurt again so I run away.”

It sucks to have to be guarded with your partner and never fully give yourself over to them out of fear. Our encouragement is to just go for it! Don’t close yourself off from being with a potentially amazing person just because of your past! This is definitely a situation where you will need to take risks to get over your fear of commitment.

4. Even your best relationships end for the smallest reasons

It’s a sure sign that you have commitment issues if you can’t help but sabotage your own relationships—sometimes even on purpose. Think about the last time you broke up with someone. What caused you to leave them? Was it the annoying way they ate their food or that they only did laundry once a month? Whatever it was, it probably wasn’t a good enough reason to end your relationship.

It’s reasonable to break up with someone for unmatched ideologies, excessive fighting and differing life goals among other legitimate problems. However, ending a relationship over small annoyances that you tell yourself are “big things” prove that you don’t want to be committed to that person.

“I notoriously stop dating people for stupid reasons to the point that it’s a joke among my friends,” says Morgan Mozzacco, a junior at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. “I’ve ended relationships because of hygiene habits, movie preferences and even the way someone dresses. It’s awful and I know it. My friends have psychoanalyzed me to the point that we all collectively agree it’s because I have commitment issues and actually can’t handle being with someone.”

Our best advice is to just stick it out. You will learn to love your partner’s weird quirks over time, you just need to give them a chance first. If you actively stop sabotaging your relationships, it will definitely pay off.

Related: [Why We Ended It to Save Our Relationship]

5. You’re more interested in sex than an emotional connection

Sex is easy. A relationship oriented around sex means that your partner never has to meet your parents. There isn’t any ooey-gooey love talk or serious dates where you have to eloquently discuss your feelings. You’re relieved from thinking about the future or moving in together because sex is focused on the here and now. Basically, an emotionally connected relationship is much, much harder.

“I’m really good at sex, not so good at the whole love thing,” says Hunter Laningham, a senior at the University of Tennessee. “I know that if I took the time to stay with one person my relationship would be super cool, but I’m scared of getting hurt by someone I finally commit myself too. That’s why brief, physical relationships are working for me right now until I’m stronger.”

Years of casual dating may have taught you just how emotionally present you need to be for the relationship to survive, but overall, you don’t give much of yourself to it. It’s time to change this mindset girlfriend. Yes, sex is delightful—but it’s certainly not everything. Plus, having sex with a partner that you’re emotionally connected to might just feel 100,000 times better than some anonymous person from Tinder. Give it a try!

So how did that trip of self-diagnosis go? In all honesty, it’s fine if you’re a person that’s deathly afraid of commitment. We only hope that one day you can let go of this fear and enjoy happy, healthy relationships that last. You’ll get there—we promise.

Summer is underway which only means one thing: you better step up your Instagram game. From beaches to barbeques, it’s the perfect time of year to capture your fun in the sun because basically everything is ‘gram worthy. Here are the 11 Instagrams you know we’ll be posting this summer. 

1. Your legs on the beach

Captioned with “Hot dogs or legs??” of course.

2. Ice cream cone

We all scream for ice cream… especially when it gets us over 50 likes.

3. A sunset

#nofilter because Mother Nature never needs one.

4. Doing something sporty outside

Who cares if you could only hold that yoga pose for just long enough to snap the pic?

5. At a concert

Concert attire will always be perfect for #OOTD

6. Fruity drink by the pool

Make everyone jealous of your vacation swag.

7. Baseball game

You may not know the difference between foul balls and fly ones, but man, can you rock a baseball hat.

8. Airplane window

Nothing says “world traveler” like a quick aerial pic of a European country.

9. BBQ food

A big, juicy burger is just begging for a #foodporn

10. Selfie in sunglasses

Complete with duck face.

11. #MERICA for the Fourth of July

If you don’t Insta on the fourth, are you even American?

Get your witty captions ready and make sure your filter game is on point, because it’s #summer. 

Melissa McCarthy is a woman who plays by nobody's rules but her own. For that, though, sometimes she can be the target of a lot of misguided hate.

According to a recent interview with the Guardian, the actress and comedian came under fire for her new, all-female remake of the classic film Ghostbusters.

"All those comments—'You're ruining my childhood!'" she quoted, adding, "Four women doing any movie on earth will ruin your childhood?"

But McCarthy is forgiving of the trolls—to a degree. "I have a visual of those people not having a Ben, not having friends, so they're just sitting there and spewing hate into the this fake world of the internet. I just hope they find a friend." 

We hope that the haters do find friends, and leave McCarthy to be her fierce, beautiful, hilarious self! 

You haven't been able to sleep for days, and your heart beats a little faster every time you think about it. No, not that cute guy you met a few weeks ago—college orientation, of course!

Freshman orientation is like an initiation into college. You get to meet new people, pick your classes and learn the ropes of college life. It's exciting and nerve-wracking all at the same time. Luckily, Her Campus is here to help you get the most out of orientation. Here are nine things you might not know about college orientation that will help you navigate this experience!

1. You can choose an orientation program that's right for you

Who says college orientation has to be a run-of-the-mill event? Every school does orientation a little differently, so it's useful to check out your orientation packet and familiarize yourself with the activities beforehand. Princeton University, Washington University in St. Louis, Williams College and others offer pre-orientation programs ranging from arts-centered events to multi-day outdoor excursions. If you have a choice of different orientations, pick the one you think you'll gain the most from.

"College is about trying new things and having new experiences, so you want to try something a little outside your comfort zone but not so much that you'll be miserable," says Alexis Savery, a sophomore at Williams College. "Remember that you don't have to choose a certain orientation option just because the majority of your school does."

2. Everyone is desperate to make friends

If you've got this small, nagging fear that you won't be able to make any friends in college, you're not alone! Trust us, everyone at orientation is as desperate as you are to get a head start on making friends. This is definitely a good thing. Smile and be confident, and you'll be meeting people in no time.

"See if you can spot a person with your sense of humor," says educational consultant Peggy Baker. "You will be surprised how quickly a friendship can begin based on that single trait."

Because everyone is still so new to campus at orientation, take this opportunity to talk to as many people as you can. "It is more important than ever to be open-minded to people that may be different than you," Baker says. You might be surprised by how many people you'll click with!

You might also be wondering how you're going to keep in touch with all of these wonderful people you'll be meeting. This is the perfect time to friend them on Facebook or ask for their cell phone numbers. You don't want to end up not being able to get in touch with someone you really connected with at orientation.

And even if you don't find anyone you fit in with at orientation, no worries. This is just the very beginning of your search for long-lasting friends, and there's a lot more time to meet people once school actually starts. "Don’t worry if some students seem to be making friends sooner than you are," Baker says. "Everyone has her own pace." So keep an open mind, and don't worry too much about finding your BFFL just yet!

3. Everyone is nervous and a little overwhelmed

Feel those butterflies in your stomach? You're far from being the only one with those. What a relief, right?

Remember that freshman orientation is a new experience for everyone, so there's no need to pretend that it's not actually the most overwhelming thing ever. It's okay to be unsure of what to expect and to not know people. Everyone's going through the same thing. "Keep in mind that every student feels overwhelmed," Baker says. "By October, you will be adjusted."

No questions are off-limits during orientation, so don't be afraid to ask any you have, because at least 10 other people are guaranteed to be wondering the same thing. Don't be afraid to joke around with others and laugh about your mutual confusion. In fact, a great way to meet someone is to offer to find a building together if you're both lost. Don't know what's going on? See if the people next to you do (probably not). Don't know which event to go to next? Find out which ones your new friends are going to. They'll definitely be grateful that you’re making an effort to talk to them! By putting yourself out there and interacting with others, those butterflies will disappear before you even know it.

4. You should take placement exams before you get to orientation

It's typical protocol for incoming freshmen to take a few exams that test current knowledge so they can be placed into the appropriate math, science and language courses in college. The results from these exams will very likely affect students’ course requests. What you may not know is that you might not be able to sign up for certain classes if you haven't taken your placement exams yet. So if you can, get those placement exams out of the way before you arrive at orientation so you can sign up for your classes without a hitch.

Not all placement tests need to be taken by every student, and requirements will usually be listed on the college website. Some schools require students to take them online before they arrive on campus, so make sure to check for a deadline and instructions on the school's websites. Other colleges give placement exams in a proctored setting during orientation sessions before you sign up for classes, so check your orientation schedule for times and places. You'll also be making your life easier later when you don't have to fight for that last spot in the class you need! And if you're having trouble taking the exams, don't hesitate to contact the registrar's office or the testing center with questions.

5. Scheduling your fall classes might not go as planned

In high school, it was easy to take class scheduling for granted. In college, not so much. You may go to orientation with your class schedule perfectly planned out for next semester and walk away with a completely different one because classes filled up, you changed your mind or some other unforeseen occurrence happened. And that’s okay! Your world won't come tumbling down, we promise.

"It is important to have a general idea of what classes you need to take to fulfill your major and when you'll fulfill those requirements, but if you think about it, college is the time you can explore a variety of areas," says Miharu Sugie, a sophomore at Northeastern University. "You might think taking a certain course will be a waste of time since it's not required, but it's not. There's so much more to a class than just fulfilling major requirements!"

Even if your schedule doesn't come out as you had hoped, don't panic. Just make sure to check in with your adviser and even reach out to professors who are teaching the courses to get their input. Also, keep in mind that you do have the option to switch classes during the drop/add period at the beginning of the semester.

Scheduling classes can be grueling, so it's important to stay positive and flexible and to realize that sometimes change can bring about the most pleasant surprises.

6. You should limit contact with people from back home

You know that girl who always has her nose in her phone? Yeah, the one who isn't experiencing orientation at all? There's a right and wrong time for everything, and orientation is definitely the wrong time to be stuck in your digital world when the real world has so much to offer! 

Using social media or texting to keep in touch with friends and family back home shouldn't be your priority at orientation, no matter how much you want to tell them about all the exciting things that are happening. "Limit correspondence with old friends from home during the first few weeks," Baker says. "It is tempting to email and text with familiar people, but force yourself to participate in most events." You'll never know what you missed if you always have your eyes glued to your phone screen!

7. It's the perfect time to explore clubs

It's never too early to start thinking about which clubs you want to join on campus. Luckily, at most colleges, orientation is the time whenclubs will be frantically trying to recruit incoming freshmen. Don't be hesitant to check out the clubs or to talk to students in charge of the organizations. It's a good idea to get involved on campus early on in college; joining clubs is a great way to meet people who have the same interests as you!

Miharu encourages incoming freshmen to put themselves out there during orientation and sign up for any clubs that interest them. "Even if you're not sure you'll commit to a club, sign up to their email lists!" Miharu says. "After freshman year, I noticed that orientation is the one opportunity where you can explore student life, and it's the one time all the clubs will come to you. Take advantage of that!"

8. Joining in on the festivities is crucial

No matter how corny some of the presentations might get or how long some of the activities might last, you've got to hang in there! Try to be engaged and have fun, because, why not? This is the time to meet people, so take advantage of these events that people took the time to plan just for you, even the ones that are optional.

"If a freshman seminar is offered, take it, even it is not required," Baker says. "You will meet other students. Students who meet during the first few weeks tend to bond for the next few years."

In addition, these presentations are created specifically to give freshmen the information they need to navigate college. College is the place to learn as much as you can, and the learning can already start at orientation if you want it to! Whether they’re about picking classes, housing information or career counseling, events during orientation will arm you with the knowledge you'll need to jump right into college life.

9. The weather might not be great

You definitely don't want it to rain on your parade during orientation, so make sure to bring an umbrella! A lot of the time orientations take place during the summer, when it's really hard to gauge whether you're going to get rain or shine on a given day. To avoid drenched notebooks and soggy shoes, it's nice to have an umbrella just in case. A little fall of rain can hardly hurt you now!

Get excited about orientation and the beginning of a new chapter in your life, pre-collegiettes! This is your chance at a fresh start. With a little help from these tips, you'll be able to get the most out of your orientation experience. So take it all in and get pumped about college life!

Have you ever just looked at someone with perfect skin and wondered how she did it? “Maybe she masks every day.” “Maybe she was just born with beautiful, glowing skin.” Or maybe she just follows a kick-ass regimen that helps her follow the right steps to properly take care of her skin. If you find yourself questioning how you can make your skin ~glow~, let us help you out by providing you with a few tips on what you should be eating and drinking to rejuvenate your skin. 

1. Water

So this one is a no-brainer. Those diagrams that encourage us to drink more water by showing us all of its beautiful benefits really don’t lie. Water hydrates your pores and eliminates the chances of acne bumps and blackheads forming in your pores. Not to mention that a simple glass of water can also hydrate your skin, which makes your complexion look a lot clearer in the long run. The eight-glass-a-day rule about water may sound a bit ridiculous and over the top, but there really are benefits to it.

2. Leafy greens

Didn’t your parents ever tell you to eat your vegetables? Greens such as spinach and kale are the perfect veggies to throw into green smoothies to nourish and detoxify your skin. If eating a salad is totally boring to you or if it’s just not your thing, throw everything in a blender with an apple or a banana to add some sweetness to the overall taste. According to Tracy from Incredible Smoothies, drinking green smoothies helps to clear up your skin.

"Smoothies are high in fiber and allow your skin to eliminate toxins the right way instead of through your skin," she writes. 

Regularly drinking green smoothies will leave your skin with a healthy glow that you’ll definitely be proud of.

3. Oranges 

Yes, oranges are a great source of vitamin C and that vitamin C can ultimately help your skin fight wrinkles and fend off skin diseases. Just make sure that you don’t run off and chug a glass of orange juice that has been processed and pumped full of sugar. A fresh orange can help your skin stimulate collagen, preventing dry skin.

4. Caffeine

We bet you were surprised to see this one here. Caffeine also helps to plump up and hydrate the skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Surprisingly enough, caffeine is sometimes used in anti-aging products because of the way that it fights off free radicals that cause wrinkles. You may automatically assume that this gives you the freedom to drink two cups of coffee a day, but remember that caffeinated beverages are not only limited to coffee. You can also drink green tea, which provides the skin with antioxidants and helps prevent aging.

5. Berries

Not only are berries delicious, but it's also been proven that they're great for your skin. Blackberries, blueberries, and strawberries are like powerhouses when it comes to antioxidants that help fight off free radicals. On top of being a great way to satisfy cravings, they're also packed with vitamins that will help clear and brighten up damaged skin. 

Believe us when we say that achieving flawless skin is not as impossible as it may seem. Remember to pay close attention to your diet if you’re looking for better ways to glow-up.

On Thursday, Facebook rolled out some shiny new emojis. But these aren’t just any emojis.

On Facebook’s Messenger app, the new icons add more skin tone and gender options, according to Time. Facebook now even has a redheaded option, along with allowing users to pick their emoji’s skin tone, like on the iPhone. Facebook wants to diversify their emojis in order to better reflect the real world, BBC reports. That's why these new icons will include professional women, such as police officers. In the future, we might even see some women in IT, business and other industries represented in emojis, if Unicode Consortium approves them. 

Unicode Consortium is the non-profit that determines the standardized emoji keyboard that software makers use. On their website, Unicode says “The Unicode Standard does not require a particular appearance for characters that depict people or body parts.” So while Unicode is not opposed to diverse emojis, but they do take a while to be created.

TL;DR- diversity is coming to Messenger, but it will take time to be fully implemented. 

Chuck Bass may be Gossip Girl's resident bad boy, but he's also the perfect boyfriend. And let's just say, there aren't many guys out there like him.

1. He's impeccably well dressed. 

No athletic shorts and old tees for this guy.

2.  He's sensitive. 

Chuck isn't afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve.

3.  He's confident. 

That's right, Chuck. Tickets are for peasants.

4.  He cares about other people's feelings. 

How mature for such a young man!

5.  He's not afraid to tell the truth. 

"This could be us, but you playin'"

6.  He knows how to apologize. 

Chuck makes mistakes, but he owns up to them.

7.  He's romantic AND classy. 

Let him just call his limo driver real quick.

8.  He knows the difference between love and lust. 

Awwww.

9.  He's not afraid to give compliments. 

Chuck is a straight-shooter.  He's not about that aloof behavior.

10.  He's always well-groomed. 

No messy hair and scraggly beards for Chuck Bass.

11.  He's future dad material. 

Chuck is great with kids.

12.  He's a hopeless romantic. 

Chuck enjoys cuddling.

13.  He cares about family…

…even when they let him down.

14.  He's smooth. 

Check out that wink!

15.  And he's overall gorgeous. 

XOXO, 

Chuck Bass

Plenty of shows from our childhood were actually teaching us life lessons along the way, but we were too focused on the disguises, one-liners and all around anarchy to realize it! Hannah Montana is the perfect example of a show that was so funny and chaotic, but actually helpful as we grew up. Below are the top 22 life lessons Hannah Montana taught us!

1. It explained being a teenager in a few short words.

We've all done impulsive things at least once, right?

2. Sometimes telling a "white" lie can be beneficial.

3. Going out with your friends can be fun, but it's important to know who's really there for us at the end of the day. 

As we get older, we realize our bed is one of our favorite people.

4. Never go to extremes to meet celebrities. 

Even if it was to meet the Jonas Brothers!

5. Dating should be pretty simple.

6. Even if that means longingly staring at that hottie with the swimmer's body until he notices you. 

*Cue the napkin eating* 

7. Nobody's perfect. 

You live and learn!

8. Don't get ahead of yourself.

Sometimes things happen in life that can make you think you're cooler than you are. You may be the president of a sorority, cheerleading captain or Hannah Montana, but at the end of the day, never forget your true self. 

9. Lily taught us the real reason we couldn't figure out guys. 

That pretty much summed it up!

10. Guys can say smart things, or at least Lucas Till can.

11. People will let you down. 

But it's how you deal with it that counts!

12. Change is inevitable. 

We can't hide behind our blonde wigs forever. 

13. Real friends have your back.

Especially when mean girls make fun of you for things like your clothes or inability to climb the rope in gym class. 

14. Sometimes your friends will tell you things you don't want to hear, but it's for your own good. 

15. You'll always look bad in your license photo.

"We promise we aren't this ugly in real life, officer!" 

16. Food is the answer to everything. 

We feel you, Jackson. 

17. Guys and girls can really be just friends!

If only we could all have our own Smokin' Oakin's. 

18. Siblings can be mean. 

19. And annoy us to no end. 

20. But they're family, and they'll always love and support you. 

21. And speaking of family, Hannah taught us to always show our parents some recognition. 

22. And to always be yourself. 

It may be cool to be Hannah Montana, but never forget the Miley Stewart in you!

For once, a selfie saved someone's life. [Betches Love This]

The tricks stores use so you buy more. [Vice]

Is social media driving you to drink? [Vocativ]

Taylor Swift surprised a couple on their wedding day. [People]

Would you like $2,500 a month? (No questions asked). [Quartz]

Michelle Obama talks about the American dream. [The Huffington Post]

Are these movies better than the book? [BuzzFeed]

An alarm that's good for something. [Newser]

Why do mosquito bites itch? [The New York Times]

How income share agreements stack up against college loans. [NerdWallet]

By Maxine Diehl

Apparently, everyone is devastated by Taylor Swift and Calvin Harris's breakup. The couple of the year, who seemed so in sync just a few weeks ago, has broken up. And they aren’t even the only ones; Demi and Wilmer and Gigi and Zayn went their separate ways in this past week as well. As a Taylor Swift fan myself, I have to admit I felt some sadness for two people I didn’t even really know. But then another emotion set in—a feeling of happiness. It was odd. Was I really that cruel a person, that someone else's failed relationship gave me joy? Was there some truth to the notion that single people are jealous of other people’s relationships?

A reason why Taylor has become so popular (even my mother is now a fan after I made her drive to a concert with me) is because she is so relatable. She can be clumsy, say too much and doesn't always do the "cool" thing. However she is still Taylor Swift, one of the most influential figures in today’s music industry. She has a fantastic career, amazing friends, an enviable house, an adorable family, good looks, humor, talent… she is the definition of the full package. And yet, she is now 26 and has only had one serious long-term relationship. And that again, is so wonderfully relatable to any girl who like myself, is in college and single despite her parents questioning why I “have to be so picky.”

Love is, above all, dependent on luck. You can be dating and extroverted and still fail to find someone who you feel is great enough to commit to. Just because you’ve reached a certain age, doesn’t mean you have to be in a relationship and Taylor is a great example of that. Even though many her age and younger are in serious relationships or married, she tends to be the odd one out, now again single. Since settling isn’t an option for any self-respecting woman, such as Taylor, we end up searching and getting frustrated along the way, but we never lose hope to find love. That’s what made me smile after hearing about the Tayvin breakup. Even a couple so enviably perfect, the sheer definition of “couple goals,” didn’t last. And suddenly my single status didn’t seem so odd. If even they couldn't last, I should really give myself more credit for my dating history and all the chaos that has come with it. Being single doesn’t mean that you aren’t worthy of someone else or that you’re unwanted, it means you just haven’t been lucky yet. More so than that, Taylor has proven that the search for love itself is something exciting and emotional and worthy of respect—that sometimes, that search can be just as rewarding as the final result itself.

I realized that yes, I can be jealous of others' relationships, especially if they seem as great as the one Taylor and Calvin had—but the emphasis is on the word seem. When I look at the couples in my friend groups who are cheating, bickering and controlling one another, it seems a lot more fun to be searching for love than committed to something that isn’t working. The Tayvin breakup is a reminder to all of us that perfect vacation photos don't mean a perfect relationship. Despite what haters say, she is very likely not the problem—just like I'm not the problem when it comes to my relationships, or lack thereof. My happiness didn’t stem from feeling smug that Taylor is once again single, but rather from a feeling of unification. And yes; I'm sure she'll write great songs about her experience, and something to celebrate. She's making it normal and okay for women to be honest and open about their emotions, and ultimately, those emotions will be ones we can probably all relate to. Of course, there will always be the haters who won't have good things to say about her. And all the reactions towards her latest breakup has made me realize just how much pressure people are putting on young women to commit. Taylor just defied that pressure and reminded me being single is awesome, and whether or not you're in a relationship doesn’t define your worth.

You’ve taken your last college class, finished your internship and finally walked across the stage to accept your diploma. Now you can celebrate with all your closest friends and family, because you are officially a college graduate!

Although the journey to graduation herds seniors along a similar path, post-graduation plans aren’t always set in stone. While some lucky seniors are boasting about multiple job offers or are heading off to grad school, many graduates find themselves in an “oh crap” moment of realizing that they still have no idea what they’re doing with their lives (which is totally okay). And thanks to abundant family phone calls and dinners celebrating your graduation, the same old questions pop up over and over again, haunting you for answers you don’t have. Ignore the disapproving looks from Aunt Jane and take advantage of these tactful answers to the six most annoying questions posed about your post-graduation life!

1. “What’s your plan?”

What you should say:

“I’m going to enjoy my summer and use this time to figure out which direction I want to take my career in.”

Good news: You’re not alone in your post-graduation joblessness. Bad news: You still don’t have a job. “It’s a nosy question that assumes you should have it all figured out in your early 20s,” says college alumna Kayla.

These are your last moments as a young adult without any life-changing obligations or important career choices. Live it up! Travel with your friends, volunteer abroad, take an internship or just chill, and then designate a time during the day that you’ll devote to the job hunt.

2. “When are you two getting married?”

What you should say:

“We’re only 22 years old and are just enjoying being together and living in the present,” suggests University of Iowa alumna Colie Lumbreras.

Getting married is a huge decision, and if you’re not ready for it, don’t let your family pressure you. People love an excuse to dress up, drink champagne and eat cake. Plus, the grandparents want little grandchildren to bake cookies and knit sweaters for. Remind them that when it happens, it’ll happen, and you will definitely send a wedding invitation their way when it does.

3. “Are you thinking about grad school?”

What you should say:

“Grad school is not currently in my plan. I’m focusing on finding a job, but I would still consider furthering my education.”

You would think that after spending a gazillion dollars on a college degree, people would commend the option to start making money instead of spending it on more school. If you’re not thinking of going back to the books just yet (or ever), acknowledge that grad school is a realistic option, but also emphasize that you are working on standing on your own two feet before going for a higher degree.

4. “Why are you working there? Is that what you went to school for?”

What you should say:

“I’m working toward where I want to be, even though circumstances don’t allow me to take the traditional route,” suggests Kenyatta Giddings, an alumna from the University of Texas at Austin.

So you’re working as a barista instead of at your dream company. Good for you to have a job to begin with! Even if your current job title doesn’t reflect it, tell the people who ask what kind of career you hope to have. You never know where it will lead!

Although she hated it, Bustle writer Erin Mayer says she’s glad that she worked in retail after graduating because it taught her that nothing lasts forever, including having not-so-great jobs. “If I hadn't spent those months biding my time in a retail position, I wouldn't have come across the internship that allowed me to pursue my passion for a living,” she says.

It may suck, but it’s steady money, there’s room for growth and the customer service skills you acquire will help your resume and serve you well in the future!

5. “Why are you moving back home?”

What you should say:  

“I’m moving back in to save up money for an eventual move and get secure within my job industry before taking the next step on my own.”

So what if you move back home? Yeah, you might have to deal with pesky siblings, nosy parents and little privacy, but it saves you a ton of money and helps you get a solid footing before moving out on your own. Plus, you still get mom’s good ole home cooking, family vacations and free laundry. Emphasize these perks and explain that being around the people you love is the best environment to foster your making the next big decision in your life.

6. “Are you ready for the real world?”

What you should say:

“I can’t wait to see what the next chapter in my life has to offer!”

It’s impossible to be 100 percent ready for life after college. Suddenly your closet consists of blazers, button-downs and slacks instead of cute tank tops and jean shorts; you go out to eat at fancy restaurants instead of eating cereal for dinner and you stay home on Thursday nights cause you’re too tired from a full day at work. Growing up happens! You may not feel totally ready, but you can still take on the next step with excitement.

Remember to take every question thrown at you as an opportunity to challenge yourself and prove that what you learned in your four years at college was worth it. Answer with pride and respect (and maybe throw in a little hair flip, too). 

Me Before You, a film based on Jojo Moyes’ novel of the same title, just premiered June 3. It stars Hunger Games actor Sam Claflin as quadriplegic William Traynor and Game of Thrones actress Emilia Clarke as his caretaker Louisa Clark. Though the two experience tension at first, they learn to open up to one another and eventually develop a romantic relationship. That is, until—spoiler alert—Will ends his life via assisted suicide.

While some people believe the tragic ending conveys the inner struggle quadriplegics and people with other disabilities experience, others are speaking out against the film for perpetuating the idea that dying is better than living with a disability.

Ellen Clifford, a disabled activist with the group Not Dead Yet, calls the film’s message “dreadful.” She told Buzzfeed News, “The message of the film is that disability is tragedy and disabled people are better off dead. It comes from a dominant narrative carried by society and the mainstream media that says it is a terrible thing to be disabled.”

Clifford also brings attention to the irony that the film is being advertised through the hashtag “Live Boldly,” but it is the disabled character pushing the able-bodied character to live boldly—advice that is not reciprocated. “What about him? The message is that you can’t [live boldly] as a disabled person,” she points out.

Some may argue: “But, there are disabled people who actually feel that way, so who are you to criticize?” Well, as Kim Sauders elaborates, it is one thing to listen to the stories of people who live with disabilities and to understand their perspective on life. It is another thing to watch a film based on a fictional story, written by an able-bodied person, that presents only one perspective as representative of an entire community.

"This kind of media is harmful in ways that giving genuine legitimacy to the voices of disabled people isn’t because if you listen to actual disabled people rather than using them as hypotheticals to defend stories like this, you get nuance. Even if they want to die, you hear about why. You might also hear from people who love their lives," Sauders explains. "However, while the existence of people 'who really do feel like Will Traynor' are held up as red herrings, far too much of the media representation of those feelings is fictional but people seem to accept is as real."

In response, Moyes insists that critics are missing the point she was trying to convey in her novel. "Although it discusses the right to die, what it also does in much greater depth—I hope—is lay bare the way we treat disabled people as different, when actually they are not. They're just the same as us, but with different physical limitations."

Sure, many people have never heard of your school before, and it may be in the middle of no where, but you're about to go on the intellectual journey of a lifetime. Stand out among the sea of hipsters with this LAC-approved gift guide! 

UNDER $25

File Folders, $9.80, available at Vera Bradley

Surviving college is all about staying super organized. Make it easier with these super colorful file folders!

Personalized Journal, $22, available at Etsy

Write down all your big ideas in this personalized journal.

Crowned Leaf Mug, $12, available at Anthropologie

Drink your daily latte in one of these whimsical coffee mugs and let your productivity level soar.

The Art Of Creative Thinking: 89 Ways To See Things Differently, $16, available at Urban Outfitters

Whether you're a budding poet or an aspiring musician, this book will help everyone in creative fields think better.

UNDER $50

Laptop Sleeve in Impressionista, $26.60, available at Vera Bradley

Protect your most precious possession with this lively laptop sleeve. Lightweight foam keeps it extra-protected, and it’s designed to accommodate up to 13” laptops.

Bern It Down Tee, $28, available at Urban Outfitters

You know you love him.

Chemex® 6-Cup Pour-Over Glass Coffee Maker, $41.95, available at Williams Sonoma

Make the best damn coffee of your life (and look hipster AF while doing it) with this classic Chemex.

Colby College Campus Map Art, $49, available at City Prints Map Art

Your new home may be small and in the middle of no where, but you love it all the same.

OVER $50

Keds x Birchbox Champrion Shoes Printed, $60, available at Birchbox

We love these brightly-colored kicks, which feature the same print as the May Birchbox. For the beauty obsessed, you can also gift a Birchbox subscription ($30/3 months, $60/6 months, $110/1 year)--because all college students love receiving mail.

Park Row City Cruiser, $499, available at Sole Bicycles

Cruise around campus in this uber-cool bicycle.

Streeter Eyeglasses, $95, Warby Parker

Serious studying warrants serious (and stylish) glasses--and these are our fave.

It's the age-old dilemma: You're curled up on the couch with some friends for a fun girls night in. With popcorn in hand and blankets galore, there's only one issue- What movie do you watch? We guarantee you that you won't face this problem again once you check out this list of the 30 best chick flicks. Enjoy!

1. The Notebook (2004)

How can you not love this heartwarming, sappy tearjerker? The Notebook is a classic love story that's bound to make you laugh, cry, and wish you had a Noah of your own.

2. Clueless (1995)

Clueless is a classic 90s chick flick. As if we didn't love the 90s enough, Alicia Silverstone is hilarious in this movie. Clueless is a perfect go-to movie for your next girls night in.

3. Mean Girls (2004)

This movie put an entirely new meaning to what it means to be from Africa. Girls quote this movie on the daily. How could you not? The plot is irresistible to make fun of and laugh about.

4. Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (1997)

As if Lisa Kudrow isn't funny enough as Pheobe in Friends, Romy and Michele's High School Reunion is a hilarious tale of the shenanigans that go on when two high school best friends attend their reunion. It's definitely a must-see and a great way to laugh about your future and what your high school reunion might be like!

5. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

This movie puts a whole new spin on Shakespeare. Set in a modern day high school, this twisted love story is too irresistible to ignore.

6. Miss Congeniality (2000)

Miss Congeniality brought a whole new meaning to kicking butt. How many women do you know who can go undercover as an FBI agent at a pageant? Exactly.

7. Sweet Home Alabama (2002)

As a southerner, this writer can't help but adore the charm in this movie. Plus, it's fun hearing Reese Witherspoon with a thick accent. What's not to love?

8. The Lucky One (2012)

Zac Efron is all grown up in this romantic chick flick and fate brings him to the woman who kept him going during his time in the war. This movie is romantic and absolutely irresistible. The plot is an interesting twist on a love story, making it different than most romantic movies.

9. The Holiday (2006)

With an awesome cast, The Holiday never fails to disappoint. Two women on opposite sides of the world switch lives (houses and all!) for a few weeks and the swap results in awesome adventures and even better love interests.

10. Valentine's Day (2010)

Talk about good timing! With Valentine's Day coming up in a few months, this is the perfect chick flick for you to convince your man to watch. Valentine's Day follows several awesomely adorable love stories. It's a great movie that's guaranteed to make you swoon.

11. No Strings Attached (2011)

No Strings Attached is a classic tale about what happens when friends with benefits turn into something more. Plus, how can you resist Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman? Talk about a dynamic duo!

12. Friends with Benefits (2011)

Like No Strings Attached, Friends With Benefits is a pretty self-explanatory title. That said, the plot is anything but average. Several adorable scenes make Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake a hilarious romantic comedy team!

13. The Parent Trap (1998)

This might be a twist, but how many guys do you know who love The Parent Trap? Before Lindsay Lohan went a bit downhill, she was an adorable redhead. This movie is a classic and fun for any night in.

14. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)

A magazine lover, I have always loved this movie. Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey are rock stars in this movie. I can quote it from beginning to end, and I’m still not sick of it.

15. Sex and the City (2008)

Sex and the City is a classic chick flick, especially for Big Apple lovers and city-goers like myself. Carrie Bradshaw has been my role model for as long as I can remember and this movie is way too fun to not see.

16. 27 Dresses (2008)

First of all, we all wish we had 27 dresses in our closet. That said, this movie gives the word “bridesmaid” a whole new hilariously horrendous meaning.

17. Gone With the Wind (1939)

"You should be kissed, and often, and by someone who knows how."Swoon.

18. A Walk to Remember (2002)

I bawled like a baby the first time I saw this... and the second time. A Walk to Remember is one of the most romantic movies I have ever seen. This is a must-see.

19. Crazy, Stupid Love (2011)

Crazy, Stupid Love is crazy awesome. First of all, Ryan Gosling is irresistible. With Ryan’s looks and Steve Carell’s humor, this movie is a perfect chick flick for a night in with the girls.

20. He’s Just Not that Into You (2009)

Most of us have either heard this line or have had to say it to a friend. Either way, this movie is a classic and it’s so fun to follow all of the stories from the beginning of relationships to a marriage.

21. When Harry Met Sally (1989)

When Harry Met Sally is a classic friendship-turned-relationship story. It is a must-see flick for everyone.

22. The Ugly Truth (2009)

Gerard Butler and Katherine Heigl are hilarious together in this movie about the realities of men’s thoughts on relationships.

23. Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)

Audrey Hepburn is a goddess. If you haven't seen it, this classic chick flick must be on your bucket list.

24. Sixteen Candles (1984)

This movie has all of the flair of a classic love story with a great sense of humor. It’s a perfect chick flick and a great rendition of those awkward teenage years.

25. Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

How could you go wrong with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks? This romantic comedy has everything you could possibly ask for.

26. Dirty Dancing (1987)

Patrick Swayze is incredible... and so is the music. Dirty Dancing always guarantees a fun night.

27. Bridesmaids (2011) 

This modern comedy will have you rolling on the floor laughing. Every scene is hilarious and this movie is a definite go-to movie for a girls night in.

28. Pretty Woman (1990)

Julia Roberts’ interesting career makes this movie hilarious and romantic. It’s a must-see for every girl. Plus, who doesn’t love a good 90s movie?

29. Titanic (1997)

Titanic is possibly one of the saddest and most romantic movies of all time. Curl up with a blanket and a snack to this one, but don’t forget your Kleenex. It’s bound to make you cry.

30. Legally Blonde (2001)

The epitome of a wonderful chick flick. From Elle Woods' sorority house scene to the video that got her into Harvard, Legally Blonde definitely deserves its spot on this list.

Name: Krysti Murphy
Age: 31
Job Title and Description: Lead Exterior Color Designer for Global General Motors Design
College Name/Major: Cleveland Institute of Art / B.F.A. in Industrial Design

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

Krysti Murphy: Here at GM, with color and trim, we have quite a bit of responsibilities. With the interior side of things, we do a lot of materials with leathers, woods, metals, carbon fibers, and all sorts of different finishes and things. Also, color palettes for every vehicle. Then, we work extremely close with a lot of our actual designers on the interior and exterior studios. We also try to work with creating exterior colors, which is actually what I do. Then, also creating some exterior finishes. Color and trim is a pretty wide range of a lot of stuff from exterior to interior. Pretty much anything you touch is what we do. There really isn’t a typical day that I have. Monday is so different from Tuesday, but that’s one of the things I really enjoy about my job. It includes a lot of trend research, brand strategy, working with a lot of the studios and artisans in our shops—we like to call them our artisans. They’re our go-to people. I do a lot of collaboration with our paint suppliers and also our global team members. I work pretty closely with a lot of people from other regions from Korea to India to Germany, so it’s kind of hard to explain sometimes what my typical day is. It’s a very research-based job.

What is the best part of your job?

KM: There’s a lot of things I like about being an exterior color designer. Really one of the top things for me is when I develop a color and it hits the public roads and auto shows. It’s so rewarding to actually see some of the work that I do because with all of the research and creating color and stuff, we work three to five years out so it’s really cool to see the final color on the road. It’s pretty amazing to see it when it all comes to life.

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

KM: Everybody makes mistakes. When we do exterior color, it can get polarizing sometimes. A lot of people have opinions on color, but as a designer you’re always trying to sell your ideas. One mistake that I actually made was pretty early in my career because I had a very strong opinion on a specific color and I was kind of arguing that it needed to be here but I wasn’t able to back it up. So if you can’t back up what you’re fighting for, it gets tough. My director just kind of looked at me and was like, "No, you’re not going to get this because you’re not giving me a valid reason." So, I learned pretty quickly you need to have a valid reason as to why you’re disagreeing with someone as well as why you want to agree with someone. That was pretty eye-opening.

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

KM: There are two things that are pretty significant for me. I’ve been here at GM for about six years. One of the first things I got to work on—I actually worked on the interior side a couple years before I moved to exterior paint—and I worked on the Cadillac XT5 when I first started. It’s so cool right now that it’s here right now on the road. You can see it. It was a really rewarding experience for me to actually see it at the auto shows when it debuted and now you can actually buy it. It was cool to be like, "I created that interior color scheme!"

Now being on the exterior side of things, working on the new Buick Avista, with that beautiful sapphire jewel blue that we created—it’s so cool to see how the public saw it and just standing there and watching people look at it was so magical for me. It’s hard to explain! It was so cool. It took a long time to develop this beautiful blue. That’s the fun part of exterior paint; you get to create something that’s so new.  

What is one thing about the industry that you wish you knew beforehand?

KM: For me, when I was a student back in college, I really wish I actually knew about color and trim. Where I went to school, there wasn’t an actual place that said, "Oh, you can work in color and trim and this is what you’ll do." That would have influenced my decisions and what I wanted to do. I really wanted to know what this place was, that there was an actual job for color. I’ve enjoyed color my whole life, from when I was a young kid to going to an art school. It was so cool to find when I graduated, but it’s something I wish I would’ve known earlier.

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

KM: Love what you do. Find out what you really want to do and find your passion. If you’re really passionate about something, pursue it as a career. Select a school very carefully. For me, it was the Cleveland Institute of Art. You can find out more about the field you want to go into. For design, it’s very good to go to a design school and just really adapt an attitude of continuous learning—always learning, always looking at stuff and keeping your eyes open. Never keep them closed. Really for color and trim, you really want to be fresh with trends and resources. The internet’s a huge resource. Always keep learning and always grow. For me, it’s great to stand outside and take pictures and look at nature. Really it comes down to being passionate. If you’re passionate about what you’re going to do, you’re going to love it. 

To side-hustle or not to side-hustle, that is the question. Whether you're someone who’s already started a side hustle, someone who's thinking about it, or someone who's just getting introduced to this concept, we can all agree that the decision to run a small business or side project of your own, whilst keeping your day job, needs a lot of thought, consideration and planning. In addition, the small business owner needs to have passion, a strong will and honestly, a dream.

We asked these side-hustlers a small set of questions, from what their income is annually to what their experience has been, and lastly, what advice they'd give other young adults who already run a business of their own or are thinking about doing so. 

1. Karlota Rodríguez, 2011 Graduate – Photographer and Film Maker

Karlota Rodríguez works full time as a Benefits Specialist and runs a photography and film business on the side. She started out as a freelance photographer five years ago and has been filming for the last three years. Her income, she explains, varies from year to year, depending on how much time she has to dedicate to side projects. “In 2015 I made close to $10,000. Annual income varies from year to year depending on the amount of time you can dedicate to your side hustle," she says.

Karlota adds that running a small business “takes lots of time, networking and investment,” but that she’s had a great experience. Her first piece of advice is to set achievable goals because “sometimes we are overwhelmed by all the competition around us and that can lead to a frustrated state of mind. The important thing is to acknowledge your strengths and that special something which sets you apart from all the rest.”

She also emphasizes the importance of standing by your product and to “not bite [off] more than you can chew in order to please customers.”

Related: 5 Things to Do If You Find Yourself in Debt in Your 20s

2. Aura Torres, 2016 Graduate – Editorial Assistant

Aura Torres’ daytime job is at Express Men, but she’s been taking on a side job as an Editorial Assistant for her family’s small editing company in Puerto Rico for around 7 to 8 years. “I make around $2,000 to $4,000, depending on the work load of the year,” she says of the extra income. She describes this experience as the most important one in her life because it shaped her into the person she is today.

The number one advice Aura would give other young adults thinking about taking on a side hustle of their own comes in the form of balance. “As someone that works a regular job, studies and has a side hustle, I’ve had times where I was against the clock and a day wouldn’t be enough to get everything done,” she explains.

She finishes by adding that, “If you're doing something to build for your future or just because you like it, you'll enjoy every second of it and you'll learn more things than you could ever imagine.”

3.Yarelis Maldonado, 2015 Graduate – Baker

Yarelis Maldonado is one of the wonderful cases where what started out as a side hustle has turned into a full-time job. She used to work as an Account Executive and Social Media Supervisor at a digital marketing agency, while also working as a wedding assistant for an event planning company. Her side hustle—yes, those were her two daytime jobs—was baking cupcakes, something she’s been doing for more than 4 years.

“When I first started my side hustle, I was studying and working part time jobs with almost no free time for me to enjoy college life, but when you have a dream so big that pretty much doesn't leave your head all day every day, you need to make those sacrifices to start making your dreams a reality,”she shares.

Before deciding to turn her side project into a full-time job—which she says involved a lot of consideration and strong support from her loved ones—Yarelis made between $3,000 to $5,000 annually.

As for advice, she tells young entrepreneurs to “Never let anyone decide what you can or cannot do, the only person you need to listen is yourself. Nothing worth having comes easily in life; there will be many, many obstacles to overcome but if you want it that badly, and feel strongly passionate about it, then get to work and make it happen!”

4. Angélica Jiménez, 2016 Graduate – Handmade Products

While working as an assistant preschool teacher, Angélica Jiménez makes and sells handmade soaps, candles, and creams—something she has enjoyed doing for nearly two years. She states that annual income can vary: “Every year is different and there are times when it goes pretty well on the job and others where it simply doesn’t go well at all.”

More than financial investment, however, Angélica focuses her advice on the importance of keeping your own desire alive. “We normally get tired as the time passes,” she says, “but if we like something and decide to take the risk of making it true, we have to be a hundred percent sure we will do our best and keep the light in our hearts on.”

5. Charmaris Darias, 2016 Graduate – Baker, Makeup Artist, Crafter

Charmaris Darias is what we like to call a multi-side-hustler. Even though she says that selling baked goods—from brownies to all sorts of cupcakes—is her main project, she’s also a makeup artist and makes paper mâché masks; all while working in a retail store.

“Baking brownies, I can make up to $2,000 [annually],” she says, before adding that the reason she enjoys running her own business is because she likes “being able to generate my own money… Although I have a main job, I know I can always bake something if the paycheck ends up being too small.”

For Charmaris, it’s vital to have a good state of mind and to be fair with others while running your own business, something we wholeheartedly agree with. “There is always going to be competition but focusing on you doesn’t let it get to you,” she says. “Make sure your success is based on your greatness, not on diminishing others.”

6. Carlos Montañez, 2015 Graduate - Accounting Services

Carlos Montañez shows that you don’t have to sell sweet things or be involved with the arts in order to have a side-hustle—it’s only a matter of doing what you’re good at and doing something you genuinely enjoy. He works at a CPA firm and offers Accounting Services on the side, as well as tax services, for 3 or 4 different companies. What started as a way to gain experience in his field turned into a small business that earns him between $3,000 to $5,000 yearly.

The UPR-RP graduate, however, is no stranger to that wonderful feeling of being your own boss. He opened his own restaurant with his brother and father several years back, giving him a proper taste of what he calls “the best feeling in the world [being your own boss].”

When asked what advice he’d give other young entrepreneurs, he suggests they “Aspire to be more.”

7. Andrés Torres, 2016 Graduate - Sales Director, Ambrosia Foods

Legal Assistant Andrés Torres, has a very delicious and creative small business that he runs with a couple of partners. They distribute a fusion of Puerto Rican and Asian cuisine that made them a net income of around $15,000 in 2015—and they’re looking to double that number.

“It has been challenging to grow in a collapsing economy, but it's up to us young entrepreneurs to push forward and bring new ideas and ways to make Puerto Rico a little more stable,” he says, referencing the financial crisis of the island. Despite this however, he adds, “We've had tons of gratifying experiences scouring the island for opportunities and ways to help people look to Puerto Rico's future with a bright mindset.”

When asked for advice, Andrés highlights the importance of pursuing your goals without leaving room for others’ negative opinions in your mind. “Some people will find excuses for you to quit, but pay no mind to them, if you put your mind to it and think strategically, you can find a way around anything,” he says. 

The experiences and advice of these young side-hustlers prove that despite the sweat and difficult times that come with running your own business, it is ultimately and absolutely worth it. If it’s something you’re passionate about and brings you immense happiness and pride at the end of the day, you should go for it! Remember to set achievable goals but still reach for the sky, balance things out, keep your desire alive regardless of how tough things may get, build yourself up without tearing other people down, ignore anyone who tries to tell you it’s impossible, and most importantly, never stop dreaming. 

Model Ashley Graham was the backstage host for the Miss USA pageant where it was her duty to get the candid words of the contestants as they went on and off of the big stage. However, the "Toothbrush" star used her spotlight to petition for plus-sized women. 

As the final 15 contestants were walking off of the stage from the swimsuit portion of the competition, Graham spoke about the common fear that showing yourself off in a swimsuit can bring. But, what made us give major props to the model was a statement she made as she prepared for an interview. 

"Pageants now, I'm hoping are going to start putting curvy and plus-size women in front of the camera," said Graham. 

This isn't the first time Graham has spoken up for her fellow plus-sized women. 

In an interview with People earlier this year, Graham discussed how she refused to lose weight despite her agency's demands. 

Graham said, "I was peaking at a size 18 and in the plus size fashion industry, models go from a size 8 to a size 16/18. So if you're on the smaller size or the bigger size, you're not going to work as much in the middle." 

As body positivity continues to take over, we're sending major snaps to ladies like Ashley Graham who continue to show society that every body is beautiful. 

Last night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Deshauna Barber was crowned Miss USA at this year's pageant. However, for the millions of people that tuned in to the show, Deshauna's win marked a historical event. In fact, Deshauna's win proves that pageants hold far more meaning than tiaras and glamorous dresses. The 26-year-old's crowning is a groundbreaking victory for several important reasons. 

Throughout the night, the D.C. native showed viewers exactly why she was the perfect choice for the title this year. For starters, Deshauna's status as a retired Army master sergeant is commendable, showing that women are equally as capable as men when in comes to serving our country. Given her role in the Army, we're not surprised that Deshauna flawlessly responded to a related question during the question-and-answer section of the show. 

When asked her thoughts on the U.S. military's policy that allows females to serve in all divisions of the armed forces, Deshauna said, "As a woman in the United States Army, I think it was an amazing job by our government to allow women to integrate into every branch of the military. We are just as tough as men." We couldn't agree more with her! Deshauna is certainly setting a great example for young girls, who might feel deterred from pursuing seemingly male-dominated careers.

During the second question-and-answer segment, Deshauna further showed that she embodies both brains and beauty. During the Q&A, Deshauna, Miss Georgia and Miss Hawaii were all asked how they would personally define the phrase "confidently beautiful." Deshauna's response will make you adore her even more:

Deshauna's win is also significant for women of color, especially since there have only been a few occasions when a minority woman was given the title. In 2012, Nana Meriwether was crowned Miss USA and in 2014, Nadia Sanchez took the title. We think that this year's pageant was a notable one, and Deshauna now joins the ranks of other admirable women in our country. 

Bisexual women are the most susceptible group to sexual assault in college, according to a new study from Violence and Gender. The study found that almost two out of every five college-aged women who identifies as bisexual reported being sexually assaulted during their four years away at school.

These numbers differ from the approximately “one in four gay and bisexual men, similar to the rate of heterosexual women, and one in eight heterosexual men” who experience sexual assault, says Refinery29, who first reported on the emergence of the study.

Refinery29 spoke to expert and co-founder of the Bisexual Resource Center, Kate Estrop, who said, “bi folks are seen as greedy, sex-driven, unable to form committed relationships, and prone at any moment to change their minds about their attractions.” These unfortunate misconceptions result in a toxic, victim-blaming culture for bisexual people, especially women. As a consequence, their experiences like sexual assault and rape can be minimized or simply ignored.

The study also found that involvement in Greek life at college, as well as increased participation in “college hookup culture” were positively correlated with instances of sexual assault. According to Violence and Gender editor-in-chief Dr. Mary Ellen O’Toole in a statement on the significance of the study, “To really understand the breadth and depth of this problem, it is critical to understand the victimology of sexual assault, and that it includes all students, not just heterosexual females.”

Through catcalling, slut-shaming and the virgin/whore dichotomy, women are often unfairly portrayed as “asking for it” and therefore deserving of any and all consequences. However, sexual assault and rape are not consequences - they are crimes.

This study and its repercussions are yet another indication that our society’s rape and victim-blaming culture need to be put to an end. This means not only that perpetrators must be held accountable, but also that we need to drastically change the way our world views women and their worth, regardless of how they identify.

What's better than your favorite food? Two of your favorite foods mashed together, obviously.

We love these fancy food hybrids, although you won't catch us calling a cookie-brownie a "brookie." You probably will catch us eating those cookie-brownies by the fistful, though. We know what we're about. 

Get creative with your mashups, but don't try anything gross like peanut butter and cheese (ew). 

1. Muffadoodles

A snickerdoodle muffin—get your head out of the gutter. 

2. Deep Dish Pizza Cupcakes

Look at how cute those little baby pepperonis are. We would make these and freeze them; then you could heat them up when you're ready to eat, like DIY pizza bites. 

3. Oatmeal Latte

Two things that do a great job warming up your belly: lattes and oatmeal. Why not combine the two with a deliciously nutty and filling caffeine kick? 

4. Guacamole Fries

These guacamole fries better be just as good as mozzerella sticks because those are queen of the world. 

5. Peanut Butter and Jelly Crumble Muffins

Obviously the PB&J is our go-to meal. This portable, snack-sized muffin takes our fave sammie to a whole new level. 

6. Frittaffle

Meet the frittata waffle: your newest brunch bestie. You just dump your frittata into the waffle maker. Easy peasy and fancy schmancy. 

7. S'mores Nachos

Spend a night camping in and make this bowl full of s'mores nachos. Gimme dis. 

8. Peach Pie Donuts

Look at the glaze on these donuts. Just the glaze is a straight-up work of art. 

9. Vanilla Cinnamon Sugar Churro Waffle Donuts 

How pretty are these? You can't go wrong with churros, doughnuts or waffles, so these are basically like seven minutes in heaven. 

10. Sushi Burrito

Meet the latest food trend: the sushi burrito. Chipotle ain't got nothing on this delicious roll. 

11. Lemon Oreo Cheesecake

So lemon Oreos are a thing? What will they come up with next? This cheesecake has a graham cracker crust and crushed Oreos on top. That sounds like the jam. 

12. Fruity Breakfast Pizza

Granola crust. Yogurt sauce (sub Greek yogurt for bonus protein). Top with picturesque fruits. 

13. Cheesecakeadillas

These could not be easier to make, or more delicious! Top with whatever yumminess you want—Nutella and strawberries, blueberries, or this scrumptious strawberry sauce. 

14. Pecan Pie Brownies

Pecan pie and brownies are both so moist and gooey, so why not get double the deliciousness with these pecan pie brownies? P.S. these only work for those who appreciate nuts in their baked goods. 

15. Layered Brownies

Cookie, Oreo and brownie layers. Yas queen, amirite? 

Which food hybrid will you be cooking up first? And are there any we forgot that the world needs to know about?