Kerry Washington is best known for her lady-boss character on the hit ABC drama Scandal. On the show, written and produced by Shonda Rhimes, Washington plays high-powered political crisis manager Olivia Pope.

But before landing her leading role on Scandal, Washington says she was dismissed from and recast in two pilots that later went on to become series. The reason? She explains in an upcoming episode of Variety’s Actors on Actors that she was fired because she didn’t sound “hood” or “urban” enough.

Her co-host in the episode, Master of None creator and actor Aziz Ansari echoes her sentiments. He says that almost every non-white, non-hetero actor in Hollywood has likely had the experience of being asked by a casting director, “'Hey, can you speak a little bit more like how I think people that look like you speak?'”  

The problem, he says, is that “you end up with other people’s perception of what certain people are like,” and the result is an on-screen production that not only lacks authenticity but is also insulting to the actors and actresses involved.

Both Washington and Ansari are known for speaking up about the absence of diversity in Hollywood, which is not at all limited to ethnicity. Washington mentions that friends of hers in the business often complain about “gayface.” “It’s the gay version of blackface,” she says. They’re told to “come in and be more effeminate.”

Washington says that, with her new role, things are changing. She explains, “I definitely feel like I’m at that point where it's nice to not have to sit at home and wait to be invited to the party but to be creating work for yourself.” Ansari adds, inspiringly: “You can’t wait for anyone to open doors for you.” You just have to go out and grab your opportunity, like these two have. 

There’s been more than one weekend where we’ve all decided to indulge ourselves with some wine, popcorn and a good dose of our favorite TV show. After studying the most frequently watched shows and viewership patterns, Netflix released an infographic called “The Binge Scale.”

This spectrum has determined the types of shows that users will watch for hours on end, relative to viewers that prefer to consume content at a leisurely pace. Binge-watching, in this case, is being defined as when a viewer spends at least two hours each day watching a show. Shows that are heavily binged-watched are placed in the “Devour” category and typically are characterized by their action-packed nature (like, unsurprisingly, Orange is the New Black and The Walking Dead).

For shows that had elaborate storylines (such as Scandal), Netflix found that audiences derived pleasure from steadily watching over a longer period of time. Other TV genres that were placed in ths “Savor” category included historical dramas and irreverent comedies. Clearly, the study shows that we all have a penchant for binge-watching once in awhile, and that Netflix is a legitimate weekend plan. 

Ben Higgins and Lauren Bushnell's whirlwind romance seemed like something out of a fairytale. The couple, who fell in love during the last season of The Bachelor, are now engaged and even have a new goddaughter. And while all is well within the relationship, many fans of the show have begun to criticize Lauren's appearance. 

Instagram haters have taken to commenting on Lauren's photos, berating her for being too thin and asking invasive questions about the reason for her petite frame.

Matters only got worse when Ben did what any good fiancé would do and tried to defend his partner, posting a picture of her flexing her arms. Unfortunately, his sweet attempt completely backfired and only invited more trolls to comment on Lauren's small frame.

According to US Weekly, Lauren was quick to comment on her soon-to-be hubby's post, correctly predicting that the photo would garner even more unwanted comments. “@higgins.ben babe you are literally asking for trolls to comment on my weight. Also not actually flexing duh Get a better pic when I’m straight out of the gym n swoll n stuff," she said. 

Sadly, she was right. The comments critiquing her weight poured in (calling her things like "whore with an eating disorder") and even prompted Lauren to post a second comment aimed directly at her haters. 

“THIS IS THE EXACT SAME WEIGHT I WAS WHEN I STARTED THE BACHELOR THEN I DRANK WINE EVERY DAY WITH @amanda_stantonn AND THEN AFTER THE SHOW I DIDNT DRINK WINE EVERY DAY GET OFF MY SH*T THIS IS HOW GOD MADE ME BYE," she wrote.

Photos on social media are not an invitation to comment on a woman's weight—ever. So can we just... not?

Starting a new job or internship can make even the most confident individual nervous. After all, you don’t know anyone, you don’t know the office space and you don’t know the procedures that your new company runs itself on. You are embarking on a new chapter in your life, and that is scary for anyone.

So what can you do to help fight off these jitters? We spoke with Jenn DeWall, a career and life coach to millennial women, as well as current collegiettes, to find out. Read on below for eight tips to help calm your new job nerves.   

1. Be confident

Leading up to your new job, you may be thinking to yourself, “I want to be confident, but these nerves are just getting in the way!” Don’t worry, collegiettes ––this is totally normal. However, it is important to remember that this company hired you for a reason.

Alaina Leary, a graduate student at Emerson College and social content curator at Connelly Partners, fought off late-night nerves the night before she began her new job by telling herself that the company wanted her because they saw her potential. “I had to remind myself that they chose me for a reason, and my skills and my attitude were that reason,” Alaina says. “I kept that attitude in mind, the one that they liked. I could do anything and would be up to any challenge. I came in ready to kick ass and left my first day feeling fantastic!” 

DeWall reiterates this point. "If we believe we'll do well, we will do well––and the opposite is the same," DeWall says. "Set a positive affirmation and focus on that during your first day. It will give you confidence that you can measure." Confidence is key, collegiettes.

2. Know the logistics

So, you got the job. What now? One great way to get ready for your first day is to do your research. Learn all about the people, facilities and procedures involved with your new company! Not only will this make you a better employee, but by default it will calm your nerves because you will feel more prepared when you walk in the door.

Don’t be afraid to reach out to your new supervisor to find out when you should arrive, how long your workday will be, what your weekly hours are and any items you should bring with you. “Will you need your own laptop?” Alaina says. “If so, don’t forget your charger! Also, always bring your phone charger––even if you don't use your phone on the job.” Have these back-up items ready in case of an emergency.

It’s normal to be a little bit apprehensive to bombard your supervisor with a million questions before you even start, but he or she will probably appreciate you for it. There are so many things to learn when you start with a new company. "One of the best things you can do early on in your career is ask questions," DeWall says. "By being assertive and asking questions, it shows that you're proactive, engaged in the role and want to be successful." Asking questions just shows you are a dedicated employee! 

Until you get your bearings with your new company, you should try to stay within its normal expectations and knowing the logistics allows you to do so. "Company culture is the key to our success," DeWall says. "If you know that at the company they work from 8 to 5 every day, work 8 to 5. By understanding company and cultural norms, you can better make decisions that will align with your success."

Even something as minor as lunch is important to get information about. Should you pack your own? Is it provided? Is there a cafe on-site? Is there a microwave in the office kitchen? Find out. The more you know before you start, the less nervous you will be when you start.

3. Dress up on your first day

We’ve all been through this one––what are you supposed to wear on the first day?! While it typically varies from place to place, if you are unsure, we recommend going in a little bit overdressed on the first day. Trust us, until you get a feel of the atmosphere (which may be casual), you will make a much better impression looking a little too nice than a little too laid back.

Savanna Tavakoli, a junior at Boston University, reiterates to collegiettes not to overthink things. “I remember when I interned for Cosmopolitan, I showed up on the first day in a dress and heeled booties after spending all morning freaking out about my outfit,” she says. “I imagined this huge office with marble floors and employees dressed in the newest Chanel collection, but it was actually the complete opposite––I was actually overdressed! I had let my anxiety convince me it would be a Devil Wears Prada situation, when really it was just like any normal office.”

Alaina agrees that you shouldn’t put too much pressure on yourself. “On the first day, dress up for the job unless you’ve been told directly that you should dress casually,” Alaina says. “It’s okay to look more formal than everyone else on your first day because on that day, you can take note of what other employees wear and get a good feel for what is acceptable.” It is also important that you find out the level of strictness your company has toward piercings and tattoos.

Keep in mind that your attire is tied to the perception that your coworkers will have of you. "Be conservative, dress business casual or business professional," DeWall says. "Make sure you come in dressing to impress in professional attire until you know it's acceptable to dress otherwise." It is always better to be overdressed rather than underdressed!

Related: 7 Ways to Improve Your Focus at Work

4. Reach out to someone with an established career

Whether it is a family member, mentor, friend or anyone else who is already in the workforce, reach out to someone who has been in his or her career for more than two years. Why? It's simple—at one point they were in your shoes! 

DeWall believes this is a great starting point. "Ask them the attitude, energy and characteristics that make someone successful early on in their careers," she says. Even if this person's career is not in your field, they will be able to let you know some general workplace expectations and calm your anxieties. 

Always remember that everyone starts at the bottom. Prior to your new job, speaking with someone who has been there could be the comfort you need! 

5. Write out your anxieties

If you find that you are being plagued by anxious thoughts in the days leading up to your first day on the job, try tackling these thoughts by writing them out. 

"Write down the thought that's making you anxious and ask yourself, 'How true is this thought?'" DeWall says. "If that doesn't work, take a walk and remove yourself from the situation that is causing you stress. Taking a break will give you the opportunity to re-ground yourself and better approach the next task." Anxiety is the worst, but there are ways you can fight it off. 

DeWall recommends another beneficial writing exercise to ease your mind. "Ground yourself by writing down specific answers to questions such as: How do I want the first day to go? What do I want to learn? What type of worker or leader do I want to be?" she says. "The answers will calm the anxiety and give you direction." Afterward, you will be better able to focus on your tasks for that day!

6. Get to know your coworkers

Definitely reach out to your peers at the start of your new job. However, keep in mind that you should keep it professional in the beginning. "This is not a time to be overly personal or share inappropriate stories," DeWall says. "Your peers are just getting to know you, so you want to make the best impression." As time progresses, you will naturally begin to open up to each other on a more personal level.

Since your coworkers are employeed at the same company as you (duh!), they will be able to provide you with tips and tricks that can help you be successful. If you are intimidated, remember that they were also the "new guys" at one point. Unlike what we see in the movies, most people do not want to see you fail. Your peers will be more than happy to help you succeed!  

7. Set a bedtime ritual

This one may sound like a cliche, but it is honestly underrated. Sleep is so important! Prioritizing a consistent nighttime will only benefit you (in more ways than one).

Start by creating a set sleep time and wake-up time, and stick with it. "Structure and routine helps ground us and reduce our stress," DeWall says. "The better our sleep and [exercise] habits are, the better we'll be able to handle any challenges we face during the work day." There is nothing better than a good night's sleep, especially before a big moment in life!

8. Bring personal items for your workspace

Any transition in life can feel a little bit uncomfortable. Your world is being shifted and that obviously takes some getting used to! So how do you make yourself a bit more comfortable in your new work environment? Bring sentimental items with you!

You don't want to go overboard on the first day, but bringing little touches of home is absolutely okay. "Bring items that inspire you to display on your desk," DeWall says. "Bring pictures and items that bring you joy. When you're stressed, you can look at these items and use them as a distraction to ground you!" We completely agree.

When new job jitters hit you, embrace them. Reassure yourself of the hard worker that you are, take a deep breath and relax. You are about to embark on a new journey and while that may be very scary, the best things always come from what scares us the most!

Being ethnically ambiguous in this world can come with a lot of baggage. When your ethnicity is supposedly too vague for others to recognize upon first glance, people often have a hard time deciding--based on a myriad of assumptions and stereotypes concerning POC-- what to expect of you. Thus, the following annoying af shit ensues. 

1. People always want to know “where you’re from”

2. No, like, where you’re “actually” from

3. And if it’s not “where are you from”

4. It’s just point blank “what are you”

5. And if they don’t ask, they’ll just fucking guess

6. And guess and guess and guess

7. Sometimes people just won’t believe you

8. And will lowkey shame you for not being “ethnic enough”

9. Even if they do believe you, they will still make like they DON’T BELIEVE YOU

10. If there’s no outright questioning, there’s probably a bunch of unspoken assumptions about who you are as a person

11. Or maybe just some unadulterated, blatant stereotyping, regardless of “where you’re from”

12. Strangers might approach you in public venues speaking languages you definitely don’t know

13. Or might just assume that you don’t speak English  

14. The word “exotic” gets thrown around A LOT

15. In fact, backhanded “compliments” of all kinds are RAMPANT

"You're pretty/smart/funny for a [insert ethnicity] person!"

Don’t ask, don’t assume. It’s that easy!

Us English majors are a rare breed of human. Shakespeare is our bestie, we speak in literary quotes and are shameless grammar correctors. Here are just a few of the weird habits all English majors can’t help but relate to.

1. You have a ridiculous book collection that you’re super excited to show off to everyone.

2. You and your fellow English majors have a literary inspired group chat. “Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner” transformed to Texts of the Ancient Mariner.

3. You’re also a regular literary Tweeter, and you can’t be stopped.

4. You only text in complete sentences. Using that texting lingo would sully your good English name, and it makes you CRAZY when people abbreviate everything! 

5. There’s always that one author you are creepily obsessed with, and you will defend their work till the day you die.

6. There’s also that one professor you are weirdly obsessed with. Like, you intellectually want to bang them.

7. You can’t help but over-analyze everything to find it’s deeper meaning. Turning on a light switch is so much more than turning on a light switch, it’s the illumination of a soul in the dark.

8. Shmoop is bae and you read their book descriptions just for funsies.

9. You can’t help but shamelessly correct your friends when they speak with poor grammar.  

10. You had a brief stint of changing your major to poetry, but changed it back once you realized you’ll never be Walt Whitman.

11. You constantly use “I’m an English major” as an excuse for being bad at pretty much every other subject.

12. You’ve bragged about reading in Old English (despite the fact that you didn’t understand a word of it).

As a vagina-having person, I have been plagued by the necessary evil known as periods. Some people have a great relationship with that part of their life, while I have not. Ever since I first got it as a preteen, it is definitely not one of the highlights of my month. I am lucky to have one that comes on time (for the most part) and lasts for only a few days. But the pain that I have to suffer and the amount of care that has to go into my period is something I would rather live without.

However, there have been recent innovations when it comes to menstrual care in terms of new products, ways of thinking and even apps. I have a period tracker, which surprisingly made my periods a whole lot easier. I have also started using the Diva Cup, which is a total game-changer (Full disclosure: This was a gift from Her Campus in the beginning of the year survival guide sent to all the chapters).

RELATED: The 6 Stages of Your Period & How to Deal

Menstrual cups have been increasing in popularity recently, in a movement to not only end the taboo of women’s menstrual cycles but also to create reusable items to cut down on the 250 to 300 pounds of disposable period products the average woman throws away in her lifetime. In this new wave of reusable menstrual products not only do we have menstrual cups to choose from, but there are also washable pads and the very popular period panties. Probably the most successful brand of this type of underwear is THINX. 

I first heard of THINX at the beginning of this year, and was intrigued almost immediately. Founded by Miki Agrawal, these were made with the intent to battle mensi stigma and create a product that women could feel empowered by. In one of their first videos, THINX goes in depth to show how deep rooted the problem is in regards to shaming women for their periods. I come from a family made up of mostly females and I went to an all-girls high school, two environments where I was allowed to freely speak of my period and even wave a tampon around a time or several. It was normalized for me, which I didn’t realize was not the norm until that video.

To even further their mission, for every THINX panties bought, they will donate a full pack of reusable AFRIpads (reusable sanitary pads) to girls in need. In developing countries, millions of girls are falling behind in school and dropping out because each month they miss a week to two weeks of school they because they can’t afford regular pads.

I am all for women empowerment and honestly, I was sick of being held down by my pads and tampons; the cost, the amount that I had to use per month and just the uncomfortable feeling of it all propelled me to give THINX a try.

RELATED: Your Most Embarrassing Period Questions: Answered!

The panties are on the more expensive side. I needed to get the one made for the heaviest flow which are the hiphuggers for $34. I chose to buy 2, so that I could switch off when one was drying from a hand washing the night before (which I highly recommend). But, the overall amount of money you are saving is definitely worth it (for the 70 percent of women who use tampons, they will spend $1,773.33 on those alone in their lifetime).

At the time that I bought them, they were running a little small so I had to call and get newer ones shipped in a better size. Despite this mishap, the customer service was amazing and they also let me keep the smaller ones, even suggesting I donate them to a woman’s shelter which I did with the smallest pair.

Due to my heavy flow, I have to use my cup with the panties, which they suggest on the packaging, saying that you know your own body. I do have leaks, but because I am wearing THINX all day, it holds everything! I can wear lighter colored pants with no fear of stains and because the absorbent area of THINX covers the whole butt, I found myself losing the paranoia every woman has when it comes to back leaks.

Having to hand wash the panties is probably one of the only qualms I have with them, just because it takes up a lot of time in the morning, but it’s something you have to do, and honestly I’d rather have to do this than have a pad that moves around all night. The other thing that I’m not a big fan of is the waistband. It is loose on me, even though the smaller size wouldn’t fit me either. I don’t know why this is, but it is bearable.

Mostly, I just love the fact that I haven’t had to throw period garbage away for months. It’s not an overstatement to say that my period used to rule my life. Like most people who have periods, I’d have to carry pads and tampons around with me and also run the risk of being out (because I am also very forgetful). I also don’t have to worry about getting more. Even though cups run around $30 and so do the panties, it truly is worth it months later when you haven’t had to buy a pack of tampons and won’t have to for the foreseeable future.

RELATED: How Girls Handled Their Periods Throughout History

Power panties: cliché? Maybe. But truthful? It’s the stone cold truth. Not only are these panties better for Mother Earth, they are comfortable, don’t move around and make me feel normal while on my period. There isn’t too much extra care involved with them except for hand washing after every use. I no longer feel like my period is weighing me down, a huge unseen burden that makes my life just a little harder every month. I can now feel as normal and comfortable (besides the pain) while on my period, and for that I am so grateful for THINX. 

Warning: this may or may not leave you feeling nostalgic. 

1. Space Jam – Quad City DJ’s

As heard in Space Jam, the Looney Toons movie starring Michael Jordan. As soon as the credits were rolling, you and your siblings were off the couch and dancing around to this.

2. Sk8ter Boi – Avril Lavigne

#tbt to that time you went to school in one of your dad's old ties.

3. Send Me On My Way – Rusted Root

If you've even seen Matilda, you'll remember this song as soon as you hear it.

4. You’re Beautiful – James Blunt

A song you can't forget the words to even if you tried.

5. Survivor – Destiny's Child

As they sang, surrond yourself with positive things (including this song).

6. Where is the Love – Black Eyed Peas

Before there was "My Humps" and "I Gotta Feeling" there was this, and it's wonderful.

7. All Star – Smash Mouth

This song will forever be associated with Shrek. There's no escaping it.

8. For You I Will – Teddy Geiger

You watched this music video over and over again on your household's desktop computer.

9. Kick, Push – Lupe Fiasco

Most likely the one Lupe Fiasco song you can rap along to without embarrassing yourself.

10. Take You Home – Lil' Bow Wow

Sorry Shad Moss, you will forever be Lil' Bow Wow to us.

11. Wannabe – Spice Girls

Does this song even need an introduction?

12. Baby It’s You –JoJo

Probably one of the 15 songs that you could fit on your very first Mp3 Player.

13. Tearin' Up My Heart – N’Sync

Cue the dramatic lighting, synchronized choreography and a younger JT.

14. I Want It That Way – Backstreet Boys

Tell me why…they had to breakup?

15. Graduation (Friends Forever) – Vitamin C

Get your old yearbooks ready.

16. Supernova Girl – Proto Zoa

Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century anyone?

17. MMMBop – Hanson

The popular 90s song you loved but forgot about.

18. Mr. Brightside – The Killers

What ever happened to these guys?

19. Feel Good Inc. – Gorillaz

That song you liked but never knew the name of.

20. Cinderella – Cheetah Girls

#girlpower

21. What a Girl Wants – Christina Aguilera

A classic pop song you will always know the chorus to.

22. Us Against The World – PLAY

You can thank Lizzie McGuire and Mary-Kate and Ashley for bringing this song to your 12-year-old eardrums.

23. So Yesterday – Hilary Duff

It feels like you were watching this music video on the Disney Channel just yesterday.

24. Potential Breakup Song – Aly & AJ

The song that helped you get through your "complicated" middle school relationships.

25. Ride Wit Me – Nelly 

Remember when Nelly used to wear a bandaid on his face which made you also want to wear one?

26. Beautiful Soul – Jesse McCartney

Before we had ever heard of Bieber and Efron we were prefectly content with him.

27. So Kiss Me – Katie Melua

As heard in She's All That, aka one of the greatest teen movies of all time.

28. Baby One More Time – Britney Spears

One of the many songs we can thank Britney for.

29. L-O-V-E – Nat King Cole

We can thank The Parent Trap for educating us on the classics.

30. I Want Candy – Aaron Carter

The song you sang in the convenience store to get your mom's attention.

Did we forget any? Which songs were your favorites, collegiettes? 

Brock Turner, a 20-year-old student at Stanford University, was convicted recently of sexually assaulting an unconscious woman during a frat party in January 2015. He was sentenced to six months in jail and three years’ probation. After a letter the survivor wrote to her attacker went viral last week, the internet has been blowing up because of the incredibly short sentence that Turner got for this horrific crime. 

Now, according to the Associated Press, Turner is actually expected to be released THREE MONTHS earlier than originally planned, on Sept. 2 instead of Dec. 2, according to online inmate records.

The reason for this is that county jail inmates only have to serve half of their sentences if they don't have any discipline issues while there. While this rule may be beneficial for some less violent crimes and situations, this is not the case for Turner. He could have the most impeccable behavior in the entire prison, but that can never change the fact that he violently sexually assaulted an unconscious woman and already has a more than lenient sentence. 

Outrage about the crime and its aftermath have stayed steady since the victim's letter was published a week ago. Two women who wrote letters to the judge in defense of Turner have apologized, and Joe Biden wrote a moving open letter to the victim, saying "I do not know your name — but I know that a lot of people failed you that terrible January night and in the months that followed." Hopefully all this anger will translate into real changes to the way we handle rape cases.

Last week, the internet was in an uproar as Brock Turner, a former student at Stanford University, was sentenced to only six months in jail with three years probation after raping an unconscious woman. Because of the impact this case has had on the media and conversations around rape, many people are wondering why we are not talking more about the many other rapes that occur on college campuses.

According to The Washington Post, a new data report on campus rape from the U.S. Department of Education shows that nearly 100 different universities had at least “10 reports of rape on their main campuses” just in 2014. The top two schools with the most rapes, Brown University and the University of Connecticut, tied for the highest total per year at 43 each. 43 people reporting rape per year on these two campuses. Let that soak in. 

And that’s just the two highest. Dartmouth College doesn't fall far behind, with 42 reports, and Stanford also made the top 10 list, with 26 total reports of rape. When looking at the data with school size included, other schools emerged as having more reports compared to the size of their student body. Dartmouth came in at 10th place with 6.7 rape reports per 1,000 students.

When discussing the amount of rapes on Brown’s campus, a spokesman told the Post that “officials at the Ivy League school have taken many steps in recent years to address sexual violence issues and comply with the federal anti-discrimination law known as Title IX.”

Overall, the data shows that there are still just too many campus rapes happening—and we need to do more to change things.

To my Facebook friend who proudly declared that she was not a feminist,

When I saw your Facebook post celebrating the fact that you are “proudly not a feminist” I was irritated. I was mad that you’re so willing to dismiss feminism. I couldn’t understand why you would so eagerly broadcast your rejection of a movement that has given you so much. Do you think your anti-feminist post makes you more appealing to the men on your Facebook feed? Do you think that not being a feminist means you don’t mind cooking and you’d happily make a guy a sandwich? Whether or not you eagerly don the title “feminist”, you reap the benefits of feminism on a daily basis. You may not be fighting in the fight for equality, but you are lucky that others are.

Remember that political opinion you shared on Facebook last week? You know, the one where you told everyone who you would be voting for? You should be thanking feminism for your voice. Women did not have the right to vote until 1920 when the 19th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution allowed it. The right to vote didn’t come overnight, and it wasn’t some simple oversight. Women actively fought for their right for nearly 70 years. When the issue of women’s suffrage first reached the U.S. Congress, committees were formed and the issue was debated on (by men, of course) and the amendment was eventually rejected. Keep in mind, dear Facebook friend, this was in the time after slavery had been abolished. This was a time after all men had been granted protection of their constitutional right to vote. Even after the U.S. Congress passed the amendment, it still took approximately 60 years for 12 states to ratify the amendment. Let me put that in perspective for you—Mississippi, the last state to ratify the amendment, did not do so until 1984, just 10 years before you were born.

Remember when you first began exploring your sexuality? Remember how you didn’t wait until your wedding night and when you started having sex, you certainly didn’t want a baby? In 1916, Margaret Sanger spent 30 days in jail after opening the first birth control clinic in the U.S. This was only the beginning of a string of arrests and prosecutions as she fought to keep the clinic open. Maybe 1916 seems too long ago to seem relevant to you, so how about the fact that as recently as 1965 unmarried women in 26 states were still denied access to birth control, while it was considered a part of a married couple's right to privacy. Yes, that’s right, once a man was involved in the decision it was okay, but women could not make the decision for themselves.

I could go on and on citing notable women in history, and preaching about their fight for our rights, for your rights, but I shouldn’t have to. In fact, these examples only barely scratch the surface of the work of feminists and their positive contributions to society.

Feminism doesn’t mean you hate men. Feminism doesn’t mean you think women are better than men. Feminism doesn’t mean that you can’t like the color pink. Feminism doesn’t mean that you won't want to be someone’s wife someday. Feminism is about giving you freedom and opportunity, not restricting you. Feminism is about giving you the opportunity to have freedom through education. Feminism is about giving you career options and dreams you can aspire towards, rather than leaving you with a predetermined list of “approved for women” careers. Feminism is about allowing you to embrace your sexuality and make decisions about your body. Feminism is about acknowledging that you are a person, a person with rights. Feminism is about equality. Feminism is about more than just you.

Sure, you can decide whether or not you want to identify yourself as a feminist. Posts like the one you made and articles like the one you shared are damaging to more than just you. It’s one thing to sit back and benefit from the work of others, but it’s another to actively try to undermine the efforts of the rest of us. You’re holding us back, and we really don’t need that.

Sincerely,

Your Proudly Feminist Facebook Friend

College is the time of your life when you probably have the most friends but the least amount of money. With all those friends comes a lot of gifts to give for birthdays, holidays, sorority events and the like. You can probably feel the pain in your bank account right now.

But fear not—DIY gifts are both meaningful and unique. Best of all, they won't break the bank. Here are seven thoughtful gifts you can make even if you’re broke.

1. Bath Bombs

The perfect gift for a super stressed-out friend, these luscious bath bombs are made from basic household ingredients like cornstarch and coconut oil. Best of all, since you’re making them yourself, you can choose any scent, color or shape you like!

2. Watercolor Coffee Mugs

These pretty mugs will look perfect sitting on the desk of your favorite #girlboss. Use her favorite nail polish to make a mug with a powerful statement.

3. Nebula in a Bottle

Give the sci-fi lover in your life her own nebula in a bottle. You can make this nifty gift using only cotton, food coloring and glitter.

4. Faux Agate Coasters

These oh-so-cute coasters are about to be your pal’s new dorm necessity. Shiny and colorful, any gal will love these faux agate coasters.

5. Girly Key Fobs

Here’s something pretty and useful. These darling little key fobs will save your friends from having to wear a dreaded (and really unfashionable) lanyard. If you’re good with a needle and thread, you can make several in just an hour.

6. Fancy Tumbler

Your fashion-obsessed little sister will adore this Iggy Azalea-inspired mug. All it takes is a mason jar, spray paint and vinyl letters! Everyone is going to be asking what Etsy shop you bought this from.

7. Cookie Basket

This DIY is as simple as cutting and taping a paper plate together! Decorate your cookie basket with ribbon and stickers to match the occasion before filling it with your loved one’s favorite treat.

Gifts don’t have to be expensive to be meaningful. Put your DIY skills to good use and create something that truly comes from the heart.

Being thrown into a new professional environment can be scary, but for collegiettes who are introverts, it can seem almost impossible to thrive. There’s nothing wrong with being an introvert in the workplace. With that in mind, there are some struggles introverts may face when they start a new internship. It’s important not to let your fears get in the way of your overall experience. You don’t have to be a total chatterbox to make a good impression! In fact, there are tons of ways to be successful as a shy intern.

1. Don’t let nervousness control you

Being nervous at the start of an internship is normal, but when you let it affect your work, it becomes a problem. Expressing that you feel nervous may actually help you feel more relaxed. Everyone is nervous on his or her first day, and your coworkers will probably expect you to be overwhelmed at first.

When it comes to dealing with nerves, Suzanne Dagger, director of career services at Hofstra University, says, “Try and develop a mentoring relationship with your direct supervisor or a co-worker. Share with them your worries or concerns, and see how they can help.”

Isabel Fontana, a junior at Albion College, had to shake off her nerves to get the job done. “My internship involved calling people I didn’t know on the phone, which was very awkward and made me uncomfortable,” she says. “Once I forced myself to call, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.” Sometimes you may psych yourself out in preparation for the absolute worst outcome—don’t do it! Instead, envision a positive result.

2. Introduce yourself to one new coworker a day

Walking into a room where everyone else knows one another can be intimidating. Even if you’re shy, making a point of introducing yourself to your coworkers is extremely important.

“A more introverted or reserved individual may hesitate when being asked to go to the weekly happy hour. However, there are other ways to make connections,” Dagger says. “Find one other intern or a coworker and see if you can make plans for lunch, or, even better, ask them questions about their career path, educational preparation, their goals and what they like and don't like about the industry.”

Imogen Hawley, a junior at the University of St Andrews, found a way to make conversation while waiting at the copy machine. “It was awkward to stand around at the copier by my coworkers’ desks in silence, so one Friday, I made the effort to ask people about their weekend plans,” she says. “Knowing things about my coworkers made me feel more relaxed in a new place and more confident to ask them about their experiences.”

Making connections with people and learning about their lives will make you feel more comfortable in a new environment. There’s no use in hiding at your desk, so instead start slow by trying to talk to one new person per day.

3. Prepare your questions before you ask them

Asking questions can be scary for an intern who is shy. However, “keep in mind, most supervisors want you to check in with them and ask questions, because if you are doing it wrong, you are wasting company time!” Dagger says.

No matter how simple the question may be, you’ll be better off asking for help rather than getting frustrated on your own. If you’re uneasy about asking a question, it will help to plan out exactly what you want to say beforehand. Be sure to explain how you tried to solve the problem yourself first. This will show that you are dedicated to the project and focused on doing a good job.

4. Accept that you will make mistakes

An introvert may be more scared of making mistakes at her internship. Kaley Schwind, a recent alumna of Indiana University, dealt with the fear of messing up at her internship.

“I did not want my boss to think I was unintelligent or not ready for the internship,” she says. “However, as an intern, it's almost impossible to NOT make any mistakes. You have to get past the ‘feeling like an idiot’ part and take each mistake that you make and learn from it.”

Don’t spend your time worrying about making mistakes, and instead remember that internship coordinators create these opportunities for people to gain experience. If you mess up, don’t be scared to admit it. You’re not expected you to know absolutely everything about that particular job field and do every task flawlessly all the time! Try to approach this internship opportunity with a positive attitude, and don’t get down on yourself if you mess up. Look at any mistakes you make as lessons that will benefit you in the future.

Don’t let the fact that you’re more reserved than others stop you from doing your best work. If you put yourself out there and take a step out of your comfort zone, you’ll not only feel more comfortable, but also, you’ll feel accomplished. Remember that the internship coordinators chose you for a reason. Even if you identify as an introvert, you can use this opportunity to take risks and reinvent yourself any way you’d like. The professional skills you’ll learn during an internship will help you in future jobs, so don’t hold back!

If you didn’t already know, there is a new Harry Potter book coming out this July and fans are STOKED to say the least. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, the newest by J.K Rowling, has everyone so excited that a HPfan-site actually sorted some of the actors into their real life Hogwarts houses, according to Refinery29. 

Among the actors who made the cut are Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley), Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley), Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom), and Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood). The four were then tested to see what house they would actually be placed in if they attended Hogwarts right now. 

Although in the books three of the four characters were in Gryffindor and one in Ravenclaw (Luna), surprisingly enough only two of them actually made it into the winning house in real life. Check out the video below to see which two walked from the test proud and which two were a little bit disappointed with their results. (Hint: women rule, boys drool.)

Being a sorority girl comes with a number of negative stereotypes. From the outside looking in, sorority girls are regarded to be shallow and spoiled, they’re assumed to have paid for their friends and apparently, they care about nothing more than their hair, nails and ludicrously over-priced shoes.

These perceived ideas are blown way out of proportion and have begun to degrade the Greek system. Beauty and appearance is not all that matters to a sorority girl—in fact, joining a sorority will definitely change the way that you will think about beauty. 

The rush week delusions

Any girl who goes through the rush process remembers the night before their first rush party. For me, despite the countless shopping trips I took, I remember still worrying that my outfits weren’t stylish enough. After spending forever watching makeup tutorials, I still wasn’t sure if I knew what the hell contouring was or if my lips would ever look like Kylie Jenner’s.

It was oddly comforting to see that the other girls in my dorm were all having the same anxieties that I was—and looking back, it's interesting to see how much attention we were putting on how we looked; it seems that stereotypes can affect us even if we don't know it. For that night and every night after, we all spent the evening consulting each other on our outfit choices and making sure that everyone’s Tory Burch and Louis Vuitton totes were full of every possible essential that we might need. 

Even with all the preparation, when it finally came time to step into the first rush party, I felt wildly intimidated. No matter how confident you feel when you leave your dorm room that morning, it all changes once you are greeted by the astonishingly polished and beautiful Panhellenic woman at the door of the first gargantuan house. 

The first thing I noticed about the girl who greeted me at the door was that she was towering over me—she was in these incredibly high heels. I then noticed that her makeup was even more flawless than the makeup gurus that I idolized, and she had a stark white smile that stood out against her perfectly tanned skin. 

Despite all of the effort that I had put into making myself look and feel as flawless as possible, I still left the first rush party feeling like a tiny ogre. “How is it even possible that her eyebrows were THAT on fleek? How is she not sweating right now? I feel like I just got out of a two-hour hot yoga session. Does her hair look like that all the time???” These thoughts ran through my mind the second I left the first house and if you were like me, you probably felt like you would never be pretty enough to find a place to call home in the Panhellenic community.

“When you walk into the rush process you have no idea what you've gotten yourself into. Everyone seems to be prettier than you or have a cuter outfit, making you overthink everything,” says Carsen Zink, a junior at the University of Florida.

What you don’t realize as a PNM (potential new member) is that NO ONE looks like that IRL. The moment recruitment ends, the same women whom you found intimidatingly beautiful trade in their 4-inch heels for their Birkenstocks and replace their chic outfits with a pair of Norts that are concealed by an oversized t-shirt, bearing their letters across a purely decorative frocket. Their impeccable hair is thrown up into a messy bun and they're barely wearing makeup, if any. 

The notion that all sorority girls look perfect 24/7? It’s a complete and total fabrication of the real deal.

Why all the fuss?

Now I bet some of you are wondering, “if they don’t really look like this, why do they pretend to during recruitment?” The answer is simple. It’s just good marketing. The goal of recruitment is for every girl to leave the house wishing that she could either be you, or be your best friend. Since first impressions are inevitably based heavily on appearance, the way that a chapter woman looks can heavily influence a PNM’s opinion on the house as a whole.

During rush, every chapter wants as many PNM’s to come back as possible; this means that they need to impress them more than other houses they have been to. Since every house is pulling out all of the stops in every way (including personal appearance) during recruitment, every other house has to do the same in order to stay competitive on campus.

The realizations of the new member period

As a naive new member, you will probably feel a need to keep up the charade that you look as nice as did during rush week—all the time. I can remember walking into the house for lunch on my first day as a new member and feeling a calm come over me when I saw that every girl in the house, my new home, looked totally normal. 

They no longer towered over me and the most makeup that they had on was a brush of mascara and maybe some concealer. I’m positive that everyone in my pledge class was thinking the same thing: THANK GOD. 

“I remember feeling really at home once I realized that all of the girls in my chapter were just normal girls and didn’t devote hours to their makeup every day,” says Emma*, a junior at the University of North Carolina.

Don’t get me wrong, there are definitely times when the recruitment-ready face is brought back out. For big events like formals and parties, you can bet that we are looking our best. Isn’t that the same for most of us though, not just those in a sorority?

The misconception about the shallowness of sorority girls is brought about by rumors that surface around campuses all across the country. A lot of people believe that sisters are told by the leaders of their chapters that they must look a certain way at all times and that this means they must have their hair done and makeup perfect any time they leave their dorm. Yes, it's true—chapter women are encouraged to represent their chapters in the best ways possible, but not through physical appearance. 

“Our chapter leaders always say ‘you are always wearing your letters’ to remind us that we are always representing our chapter. They never say to always look crazy hot, just to be presentable for ourselves and our chapter as well,” says Christine*, a junior at Florida State University.

What this means is that they are expected to do their best to represent their chapter by means of their character. Sisters in most chapters are encouraged to be respectful and kind to everyone they come across and show great work ethic in classes as well as high involvement on campus. No chapter cares about how long you spent on your makeup that morning; they care that you are representing your chapter in the best ways possible and upholding the standards that got you a bid in the first place.

The true beauty in Greek life

Although many girls have the idea plastered into their minds that they must look drop-dead gorgeous and impeccably flawless when they enter the Greek community, the true beauty in Greek life goes a lot deeper than fiercely contoured faces and remarkably winged eyeliner. 

Women who are now sisters in the Panhellenic community will tell you that the pre-conceived ideas that revolve around beauty in the Greek system are not what beauty really means to these women. 

Catherine Palmer, a sophomore at the University of Florida, explains that she saw the true beauty in Greek life after her first few weeks in her sorority. “When you're emersed in the culture you receive nothing but support while learning about the passions and goals of other women all of whom have pure hearts and lots of smarts,” says Catherine.

Panhellenic women all know that when it comes time to take off the makeup and trendy clothes, all you are left with is the woman underneath it all. It might sound like a hoax, but Greek life really does emphasize the beauty that is found beneath the surface of each and every sister. At its core, sisterhood is where the real beauty lies in Greek life.

“When you actually get into the sorority you realize that everyone is just like you and makes you laugh. The clothes and make up aren't the real beauty, it's the friendships you make when you join a sorority,” says Carsen.

In addition to appreciating the beauty that you already have within you, your sisters will only further encourage you to become an even better version of yourself. Whether it is pushing you to study harder or run for a leadership position on campus, or giving you someone to confide in when times get rough, your sisters only want to see you succeed and be as beautiful and successful as you can possibly be, on the inside and outside. This type of encouragement, support and love is just another portion of the beauty that is promoted within Greek life.

Even though the true testament to sisterhood is based on inner beauty, that doesn’t mean that we don’t value killer make-up and trendy clothes—just as many others, whether involved in Greek life or not, do. However, being in a sorority will teach you that you do not need all of that in order to be beautiful. 

From the time a girl hits puberty until about the age of 50, her chances of having an anxiety disorder is double that of her male counterpart. It manifests itself in many different ways, which means it can be as simple as feeling nervous about an upcoming exam or as complicated as feeling so frazzled you don't quite know what the direct cause of your anxiety is--if there is one. Anxiety may not seem like a big deal to those who aren't frequent sufferers, but to those who are, anxiety can disrupt all facets of daily life, making it a problem that girls who struggle with it want you to know about. 

1. Our anxiety isn't just nervousness

It could be anything from anxiety attacks to more general, manageable anxiety that never seems to go away. 

2. Anxiety does not have a specific 'look'

We don't have to be uncontrollably shaking or having heart palpitations to be anxious. 

3. We don't all experience the same symptoms

Our experiences with anxiety are individual and the psychological and physical symptoms we experience depend on what kind of anxiety we have. Someone with generalized anxiety disorder may not experience panic attacks, or fear certain things like someone with a specific phobia. Regardless, not displaying certain symptoms doesn't make our anxiety any less valid. 

4. We are constantly questioning whether or not physical symptoms are due to anxiety or something else entirely

Shortness of breath and chest pains? Oh my god, I think I'm having a heart attack. 

5. Not all anxiety has a cause

It may sound strange, but we want you to know that there isn't always a specific reason for feeling the way we do. Sometimes, the anxiety is just there. In particular, panic attacks can be triggered by nothing at all. Please don't dismiss our feelings or make us feel bad just because what we're going through doesn't make sense to you. 

6. We never know when anxiety is going to hit

We could be having a perfectly fine day when anxiety decides to strike.

7. Things that don't bother you bother us

Little things that seem so insignificant to you, aren't so 'little' to us. Anything from fearing you didn't lock the door before leaving your house (even though you triple-checked) to inviting a new person to hang out can feel like a very big, disastrous situation. 

8. "You have nothing to worry about" is not what we want to hear

All that does is invalidate the way we feel. Also, please don't push us to "face our fears." We know you mean well, but only we get to decide if, when and how that happens.

9. It's important to us that you know we're well aware that our worries are irrational

Just because we suffer from anxiety doesn't mean we don't realize when it is and isn't rational.

10. We know your advice is well-intentioned, but unnecessary  

We appreciate that you're trying to help, but you can't hop inside our brains and know how they operate. All we really need is for you to listen so we can feel comfortable opening up about our anxieties and not have to bottle everything up inside. The more we don't talk about it, the worse we'll feel and the higher chance there is we'll have a panic attack.

11. You don't have to try and fix us

We just want to be heard. It's hard to talk about these things and there's nothing worse than the feeling of confiding in someone and seeing their eyes roll. All this does is leave us feeling worse than before and totally misjudged. 

12. We have to keep busy to preserve our sanity

It's simple; No time to think equals no time to get lost in the black hole that is our minds. 

13. It's hard to be spontaneous and we may come off as high-strung when making plans

Winging it is a non-existent term in our vocabularies. Having the ability to schedule things and know in advance what we're doing and who we're doing it with saves us so much worry. 

14. When we're paralyzed by anxiety and feel like we can't do anything, cancelling plans is necessary

It's not done on a random whim, we promise. 

15. We are typically night owls for the wrong reasons

Our brains never stop. Sleep is the only break we get from the endless stream of thoughts.

16. We're exhausted all the time

Having a brain that functions at a mile-a-minute and very little sleep makes normal, day-to-day functioning a real challenge.

17. If we don't cancel social plans because of anxiety, it's often due to the lack of sleep anxiety causes

Sometimes we admit the truth. Other times we make up other excuses for cancelling plans just so we don't have to admit the real reason because we feel ashamed. We feel terrible about doing this. 

18. We're not being lazy or trying to avoid you if we admit we don't have the energy to hang out

Both cases are not true. Trust us when we say it's us and not you. 

19. Medication isn't right for everyone

Some prefer dealing in other ways, sans pills. For others, depending on the type of anxiety, it could exacerbate their symptoms, making things worse.

20. There is no single, perfect cure for anxiety

Calming activities are especially a hit or miss. Sometimes they help. Other times, not so much.

21. When life is going well, we can't help but wait for the next disaster to strike

It's awful, but true.

22. Our definition of normal will probably never be the same as yours

It may be as simple as not spending the entire day feeling tense and on-edge. 

23. We don't thank our friends enough when they're patient with us and willing to help

So thank you. We don't expect you to know the right things to say and that's alright. We just need to know somebody cares.

Even when we push everyone away when anxiety gets the best of us, nobody is more disappointed in us than ourselves. We might not always show it, but keeping our calm is a struggle we face on a daily basis. Unless you live with anxiety, you can't fully understand how we feel. However, your efforts and support are appreciated more than you know. At the end of the day, anxiety is not who we are. It's just something we deal with. 

In January 2015 Brock Turner, a Stanford University student, raped a 23-year-old unknown woman. His case received a maelstrom of media attention when Judge Aaron Persky sentenced Turner not to the 14 years of prison the three counts of sexual assault made him eligible for, but for a six month sentence (he’ll likely only serve three months) and three years of probation.

The case has ignited a discussion about the privilege given to a white, educated, athletic man (Turner was a successful swimmer) and how that affected his sentencing more than the crime committed.

We asked 19 college women about Turner’s punishment. Read their responses below.

“He got off way too easy. If he was a black man, he would have gotten the maximum punishment. His sentencing just perpetuated rape culture. It is not the girl's fault she got raped. She may have been drunk, but he ultimately is responsible for his actions as she is hers. She expected a hangover, not to get raped. Black men are in jail for years for carrying weed on them, and this white man gets six months for rape? Tell me white privilege and institutional racism don't exist; I dare you.”

-Jazmyne, Boston University Class of 2018

“He needs at LEAST 14 years. I am a survivor of a rape/sexual assault and this is completely unfair to the innocent woman who has to now suffer because of him.”

-Ashley, Buffalo State Class of 2018

“I think his punishment is unfair and unjust. The fact that the judge said his punishment should be six months because he won't be able to handle prison is unacceptable. The media and the judge’s ruling are painting the image of Turner as the victim in this situation. The true victim is going to live with the pain and suffering that Turner and the judge can never understand. To give a sex offender and a rapist a ‘slap on the wrist’ punishment will give others the impression that it is okay to rape somebody because the punishment will be diminished if you come from a certain social, economical, and racial strata. I think he deserves a much longer sentence.”

-Andrea, University of Scranton Class of 2017

“I think the entire case is hard to figure out because both of them were extremely intoxicated at the time. The victim wrote in her letter and said he should have known better and being drunk is no excuse to rape, which implies someone has control over their body while drunk. She, on the other hand, had no control and was incoherent and took advantage of. I think that's a very wrong double standard to place. He was, most likely, just as drunk as her and had just as much control over the situation as she had. When drunk, he probably was not thinking about how drunk she was, and when he heard her consent, he probably did not factor in the legality of the situation. I think his sentence should be more than six months, but nothing as extreme as others are saying it should be.”

-Jessica, James Madison University Class of 2017

RELATED: The Brock Turner Case Shows We Need to Stop Reacting and Start Acting to Stop Rape Culture

“There seems to be a double standard when it comes to crimes that are committed by otherwise ‘good people’. I think a sentence that could carry up to 14 years in prison deserves more than six months in jail and three years in probation, no matter who you are or what you are accomplished. The truth is, ‘20 minutes’ can define who you are or who you will become.”

-Lexi, University of South Carolina Class of 2018

“Turner obviously should get more time than he was given, and the portrayal of his character should have been closer to what we’d expect of a rapist and not like a list of accomplishments. We are a nation so divided both by race and class. Think back to the Duke Men’s Lacrosse team scandal in the early 2000’s — white/educated privilege was used against those boys who actually didn’t do it. Whether it’s making a criminal look good or making a good guy look like a criminal, we put too much weight on skin color and education level when, really, those things make no difference in these situations.”

-Shelly, Shenandoah University Class of 2018

“Brock Turner's punishment is the epitome of white male privilege. What his father considers ‘20 minutes of action’ is an event that will traumatize that young woman for the rest of her life and he needs to be held fully accountable. Turner's case shows just how much more work needs to be done in our criminal justice system especially concerning how it handles sexual assault cases because the assailant should never be prioritized over the victim. As a white male, Turner was truly innocent until proven guilty whereas there are black and other non-white men who serve time in jail for rapes they never even committed. Hopefully the national dialogue this case has sparked will serve to give victims of sexual assault a platform to have their stories be heard and addressed.”

-Paula, Boston College Class of 2018

“He got such a small punishment because he was a perceived as ‘smart,’ ‘promising,’ white man who had such a future ahead of him. But monsters hide behind all different disguises. He knew what he was doing was wrong and he did it anyway — which doesn't make him a promising young man, it makes him a rapist and a terrible person. The fact that he doesn't have to serve an adequate sentence just tells him and all other affluent white men that they can do whatever they want to a woman's body and will get a slap on the wrist for it. It's disgusting.”

-Sarah, Drexel University Class of 2018

“I feel so disturbed and disgusted. The judge said that a longer sentence would have a ‘severe impact’ on Turner but what about the ‘severe impact’ Turner had on his rape victim? I'm sick of privileged white men in this country literally getting away with murder and rape while people of color face constant turmoil. I hope with all my heart that both the judge and Turner face repercussions outside of the courtroom.”

-Isabella, Boston University Class of 2018

RELATED: These Are the Schools With the Most Reports of Rape on Campus

“Obviously, he was let off incredibly easy. The worst part, though, is that it seems like the judge sided with him. The judge cited the grossly short sentence for the fact that he doesn't want jail to change him (which is the purpose of jail) and that Turner doesn't seem like a threat to other people. I think the woman he raped would beg to differ. As someone whose biggest fear is to be raped, I also disagree with the judge. This is where it becomes obvious the judge is a man who can't really understand the fear of walking home alone after it gets dark. He doesn't have that problem, as it turns out. The whole thing is wildly offensive, and a disgusting display of what Judge Perksy has ruled as justice. Rest assured, this is not justice.”

-Micki, University of Missouri-Columbia Class of 2018

“He got a slap on the wrist because he's a white college athlete and the judge was a white male and they both don't respect women as actual human beings with rights. This was a serious miscarriage of justice that is indicative of how sexism and rape culture have been allowed to flourish in our society. This entire case was sickening. I hope the judge gets recalled and the case is appealed so that maybe some actual justice can be delivered here.”

-Rose, Villanova Class of 2019

“The notion that Brock Turner has ‘too much to lose’ so he shouldn't have a long or harsh sentence is appalling. He's probably losing out on more opportunities because of the media attention he's getting than if he had been sentenced to more jail time. I'm more outraged by Brock's father's statement more than anything else. He tried justifying his son's actions. If his father believes the things he said, it is no wonder Brock thought rape was okay. While this case is outrageous and helps promote rape culture, I worry about the way word of it has traveled. Millions of people are sharing things all over social media about this case when they haven't read any court documents and were not there for the trial. Nobody really knows exactly what happened in the court room, and it worries me that people have blindly accepted everything they've read online about this case as the truth.”

-Ashley, Concordia University Chicago Class of 2019

“I think that is it time for us to work even harder to end rape culture. This woman was violated, and her entire life has been changed, but people are continuing to blame her. ‘She shouldn't have had anything to drink.’ ‘She drank alcohol, what did she expect?’ ‘She doesn't even remember it.’ These people seem to forget two things. First of all, that there were two people involved in this. Yes, she drank, but she didn't then force Brock Turner to rape her. And also, legally, one cannot consent when they are under the influence of alcohol. That means that no matter if she did say yes or not, which considering she was unconscious seems highly unlikely, he raped her. It further disgusts me that Brock Turner is not facing a real punishment. Yes, he will no longer be able to swim in the Olympics or go to Stanford, but six months? Are you kidding me? The judge thinks that jail would have a ‘profound impact’ on him? You know what? It should. If jail doesn't have any impact on him, then all it is doing is holding him for a short amount of time before he goes back to society where he can rape again. Jail should have an impact on him, because he needs to take responsibility for his actions, and realize what he did wrong. That night has had a profound impact on that girl and her family. She will probably never be able to get over what happened to her, but oh the rapist might not do well in jail. He was convicted of rape. He should be going to jail for longer than six months, his punishment should be worse, and it should have an impact on him.”

-Erica, Gettysburg College Class of 2019

“This is the type of man who thinks he can get away with anything because of his social position. While I am disgusted with his actions, I have also lost faith in the validity of the justice system. No one, and I mean no one, should get special treatment at trial; all should be treated the same. Just because the judge ‘saw himself’ in Brock, there is no reason that judge should be allowed to make that call based on a biased decision. These were his actions; he should suffer all of the consequences. Even if it was just ‘20 minutes of action.’”

-LL, Binghamton College Class of 2019

“It's an absolute f*cking disgrace to rape victims everywhere. The judge should be thrown off the bench and they should all rot in hell.”

-Casey, King’s College Class of 2017

“As a sexual assault victim myself, I believe that he got off easy. The judge that proceeded over his case has no place being in a courtroom. This man raped someone. He destroyed a piece of that woman and her family that they will never be able to fix. For the rest of her life she is going to be paranoid of any and every man that she meets, all because one little boy didn't have enough self control and common sense to know that someone being unconscious is not equal to them consenting. And he only got 6 months in jail, with a possibility of a shortened sentence to three months with good behavior?! Meanwhile, we have a 76-year-old veteran who got prison for life just because he was growing marijuana. Our justice system is warped. If there is any evidence of the gender bias being in favor of males, here is one example. The father wrote a letter stating that Brock's life is ‘deeply altered’ because of ‘20 minutes of action.’ And the judge made his ruling because he thought that it ‘would have a severe impact on him.’ Well, no shit. It should have an enormous impact on him because he sexually violated someone. Men like him are the reason that women are afraid to go out by themselves. Because who will believe us over the male football stars, the male swimming legends, and the male prodigies that have SO MUCH potential that everyone believes there's no way that they could have possibly done this. All survivors hear is ‘He's such a good boy, there's no way he did this!’, ‘Are you sure you didn't give consent?’, ‘Did you drink too much?’, ‘What were you wearing?’, ‘Why were you out by yourself?’, ‘Why didn't you tell anyone sooner?’ None of those questions matter when someone violates you. No one has the rights to another human being's body. Ever. Not without giving consent.”

-Rachael, University of Central Florida Class of 2017

RELATED: Her Story: I Survived Date Rape

“We need to be referring to this monster as the dumpster rapist, not the Stanford anything. By associating him with anything of positive connotation, like Stanford or swimming, swimmer, etc, we are removing him from the situation and automatically making him seem less accountable. It is disgusting that a woman will live with this for the rest of her life while an over privileged RAPIST earns sympathy from friends, family, and the judge. This man was convicted on three counts including INTENT TO RAPE, yet will get a lighter sentence than others of any race. This case continues to polarize the nation around ‘rape culture’ as the attitudes of the judge, his father, and his friend who made statements places blame on the victim and on alcohol. Well, alcohol doesn't rape, rapists rape, and those on the other end of this debate are now fighting more ferociously than ever to reverse this disgusting culture.”

-Krysten, Elmhurst College Class of 2017

“I think it's a joke. I could see a lighter sentence being imposed on someone because yes, they're young and they have no prior criminal history but ONLY if the person, the sexual assailant, owned up to what they did and truly showed remorse, though even then six months (which could easily turn into as little as three) is not nearly enough. This very well may be the last time he ever commits a crime and I hope that it is and that he is rehabilitated and able to be a use to society (because a cycle of crime isn't good for anyone, nor is wishing harm upon someone else) but if he continues to sing the same tune he is now then the so-called justice system will have failed his victim and victims everywhere even more than it already has. I can't imagine having a statement as eloquent, raw, and moving as the victim's being read and not taking responsibility. What I find most disturbing about this case besides the assault itself is his personal lack of accountability and even basic understanding of what he has truly done. He claims to regret that he hurt another person but he mostly regrets being caught. In his statements he mentions her, sure, but the highlight is on how it has affected him negatively which I think is so ridiculous, selfish, and downright twisted. Was alcohol an important part of what happened? Absolutely. On both sides? Yes. But to say that the problem is with alcohol and what the alcohol made you do is absurd. Would he have done what he did it he was sober? Maybe (hopefully) not. But the alcohol didn't rape that girl, HE did. All I can say is I hope those few months he spends in prison act as a wake up call and he not only sees the error in his ways but finally understands and owns up to what he did.”

-Lindsay, Mount Saint Mary’s College Class of 2018

“Deplorable. Disgusting. Reeking of affluent white privileged. I literally feel nausea when I see his name, his face... this whole story is a galling disappointment. And the people in his camp? Just as revolting as he is! From his fathers ‘20 minutes of action’ comment, to Leslie Rasmussen blaming political correctness on why Turner is even being convicted at all!! Leslie Rasmussen took her time and wrote out the sentence ‘But where do we draw the line and stop worrying about being politically correct every second of the day and see that rape on campuses isn’t always because people are rapists.’ Excuse me? ‘Rape on campuses isn’t always because people are rapists.’ Really goes to show that people in college can still be idiots, and money can't buy common sense. Such a waste. Oh, oh, oh, and let's not forget this gem; ‘This is completely different from a woman getting kidnapped and raped as she is walking to her car in a parking lot. That is a rapist. These are not rapists. These are idiot boys and girls having too much to drink and not being aware of their surroundings and having clouded judgment.’ The victim was literally found unconscious in the bushes. IN THE BUSHES! I am so disappointed in the world we live in where people in college, supposedly the best and brightest, could sit down and pen a repugnant letter like this to defend A RAPIST. Oh wait, he's not a convicted rapist even...ain’t that some sh*t? Turner technically isn't convicted for rape, but rather sexual assault. AINT THAT SOME SH*T? I'm exhausted. I'm tired. I'm restless.”

-Tuesnay, University at Albany, SUNY Class of 2016

You're in a relationship, and it's finally working out. You even think you've found “The One” … until he breaks up with you because “your lives are going in different directions” or you're just “so much more mature” than him. Ugh. His meaningless excuse sounds like it came straight out of a bad rom-com, and it leaves you stranded and confused.

Everyone struggles with breaking up, but some guys think the solution is to give us a bogus excuse for it – maybe to avoid hurting us or just because they don't have the courage to tell us the truth. That’s why we put together the worst breakup lines collegiettes have ever heard and asked experts what these excuses truly mean and how to deal with them.

The Excuse: “It’s not you, it’s me.”

What it really means:

This is probably the most overused and clichéd excuse in the history of dating. According to Carole Lieberman, M.D., psychiatrist and author of Bad Girls: Why Men Love Them & How Good Girls Can Learn Their Secrets, “this is supposed to hurt the girl's feelings less, but it's just a way for the guy to feel less guilty.”

Worse yet, Jodi R. R. Smith, president and owner of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting, says, “Of course it is you. You are not right for him and this is easier to say than, “I don’t like you.”

The Excuse: “Our lives are going in different directions.”

Shira Kipnees, a senior at Franklin & Marshall College, knows this bogus one-liner all too well. When her ex-boyfriend broke up with her (over Skype!) after almost three and a half years of dating, he gave her this excuse “partially due to the fact that I ‘want kids one day’ and he doesn't like kids really at all,” she says. Shira thinks “he felt like his life was being too predictable and thought-out, since we had a very serious relationship.”

What it really means:

Even though they had been together for so long, this sounds like a fake excuse to us. Yes, Shira wanted kids one day, but not right that second! Besides, she says she was too busy “dating a perpetual man-child.”

According to Ashley Marie, a love and relationship coach, what Shira's ex really meant was: "I can't see your future fitting into my future, and I don't want to make the effort to see if we can make that work.” Ouch. This guy was immature and probably not worth her time anyway.

The Excuse: “You're just so much more mature than me.”

Laura*, a senior at Yale, went through a bad breakup when her boyfriend blamed her for her “maturity,” when really it sounds like his immaturity was the problem.

What it really means:

This is a just polite way for a guy to say he wants “to keep partying and hooking up with girls,” Laura says. This guy is actually being pretty honest; he does have some growing up to do. “When your guy utters this line, believe him the first time!” Smith warns. “Let his mother mother him.”

The Excuse: “I don't want you to get hurt.”

Is this the biggest breakup paradox or what? “This guy dumped me twice because he (ironically) didn’t want me to get hurt,” says Hayley Brunk, a junior at Tiffin University.

What it really means:

There might be some truth in this excuse, because if a guy liked you in the first place, he genuinely cares about your feelings, according to Mark Sharp, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist at The Aiki Relationship Institute. However, “he thinks his weaselly excuse will go across better than the fact that he decided to date somebody else or some other thing that might be hurtful.” We knew it was too selfless to be true.

The Excuse: “I might be moving out of state in a couple of years. I don't want to date you and then just move away.”

Lauren Burkett, a collegiette at Florida State University, said her boyfriend broke up with her using this line. “He didn’t want to date me anymore, so he made up a really dumb excuse,” she says.

What it really means:

This guy is also pretexting good intentions to cover up the fact that he isn’t interested in your relationship. He may truly have plans for the future that “involve [him] being single,” Marie suggests. Either way, he is not willing to give you the time that you deserve.

The Excuse: “I can’t do this anymore.”

“A guy got caught lying to me (he said he was going to bed, but I went for a walk with my roommate and found him messing around with some girls on my floor), and instead of manning up, he texted me saying, ‘I just can't do this,’” Hayley says.

What it really means:

This excuse basically works in every possible situation, and it doesn’t mean very much at all. Someone who gives you this line is either too lazy to come up with a legitimate reason or too much of a coward to be honest.

Either way, he’s definitely not a catch. “Yes, adult relationships take work,” Smith says. “If he is not ready to make the effort, send him packing.” Now that's advice we like.

The Excuse: “I’m not really over my ex, so it’s not fair to you.”

What it really means:

According to Lieberman, this is yet another commonplace excuse guys give you instead of telling you the truth. Although he may very well still be hung up on his ex, if he liked you enough, this wouldn’t be a problem.

“You would essentially be a rebound,” Marie warns. And nobody wants that.

The Excuse: “I'm not ready to be in a relationship.”

Kim* who just graduated from The College of William & Mary, describes a relationship she had: “He was moving a bit fast in the beginning, but I slowed things down because I didn't want to rush into anything,” she says. “And then a month after we became official, he broke it off with the excuse: 'I thought I was ready, but I realized I'm actually not ready to have a girlfriend.'" Talk about ironic!

What it really means:

To Kim, “it means that he jumped into a relationship without realizing the responsibilities that came along with it.”

Marie agrees. “What he really means is, 'I just want to party and have a lot of sex with a lot of different women,'” she says.

However, Smith has a different approach to this situation. “The translation is that he may or may not want to be in a relationship right now… he just would rather be single than be with you,” she explains.

The Excuse: “I’m bringing you down."

“My ex told me that I had a lot of potential and he was 'bringing me down by distracting me from my schoolwork!'” says Aja Frost, a junior at California Polytechnic State University. Oh, come. On.

What it really means:

Aja's interpretation is that “he wanted a guilt-free way to break up, so he was trying to convince both of us he was a negative influence on me.”

Bottom line, a guy who uses this excuse is looking for the easy way out.  However, Marie says that he “still wants you to feel good about yourself.”

The Excuse: "Summer is on its way, so let's see how we feel about each other in the fall."

Chloe*, a senior at Marist College, has heard this excuse twice.“The first time I think it was definitely an easy way out,” she says. “We could have made it through the summer, and I later learned it was just because he wanted to end it but wanted a more 'legitimate' excuse.”

What it really means:

Depending on the situation, this can truly mean that the guy is not ready to commit right before the summer – understandably so. But in Chloe's case, this was just a convenient way for her ex to avoid admitting that he didn't want to be in their relationship anymore.

Why do guys use these excuses?

You might be wondering why guys feel the need to lie or hide the truth, when all you want is a straight explanation. Well, believe it or not, guys don’t usually have the wrong intentions, and they legitimately think a white lie is the fairest way to break up with you.

Sharp’s best advice is that “you should take any reason given for a breakup with a big, old grain of salt. It is not the place where people tend to be the most honest, so don't make too much of what is said.”

There are endless reasons to break up with someone, but there are four main reasons why someone won’t tell the truth when breaking up with you, Sharp says: “They want to hurt you, they want to protect you (not hurt you), they don't want to make themselves vulnerable or they are pretty confused and don't know themselves.”

How to deal

“These excuses really mean that either they are simply not ready for a relationship or there is no love connection,” Smith says. Either way, don’t sit around waiting for your ex to come around. “If they can’t see what a catch you are, you should move on and find someone who appreciates you!” she says.

As for dealing with these poor excuses, Smith urges you to “respond with charm and grace.” Don’t be afraid to thank a guy for his honesty (even if you don’t buy it!) and walk away. This will make you the bigger person, and you really have nothing to gain from lashing out at your ex anyways.

Remember Sharp’s advice and don’t take these ready-made lines too seriously. Be aware of what a guy’s true reasons might be, but don’t get hung up on them. Move on and focus on yourself instead!

*Names have been changed.

Days off. They’re usually reserved for washing dishes, doing laundry, or paying bills, and while all that stuff definitely has to get done (and fast!), doing chores on days off means that they’re not really days off at all. Instead of constantly deluging yourself with errands and cleaning on weekends, take a day to indulge yourself without guilt, even if it’s only once every now and then. Clear your schedule and do one (or all!) of these super-fun activities!

1. Spend the whole day reading and finishing a book 

Seriously: turn off social media and keep the TV remote out of arm’s reach. Grab that book you’ve been dying to read for a while. Answer no phones, pick a comfy spot, and go from cover to cover. It’s so satisfying to indulge in a book from start to finish, all in one sitting!

2. Pick a place on the map and go 

It should be far enough away that it feels like a vacation, but not so far that you can’t make it home easily! Think about 45 minutes to an hour and a half away. Make a list of the things you want to do there and what you’d like to explore. It’ll feel just like a mini-vacation. Make it a day trip, or stay the night!

3. Have a spa day 

Even if you’re not looking to spend a lot of money on luxury spa services, get yourself a mani/pedi or a facial and ask for a ten-minute massage while your nails are drying. It’s relaxing, indulgent, and rejuvenating.

4. Host a movie marathon 

Pick a theme—Nicholas Sparks marathon, anyone?—and invite some girlfriends over for the day. Have wine, snacks and drinking games planned, or pause the movie to play a round of Truth or Dare in honor of your younger selves. 

5. Have a picnic 

Grab a friend—or go alone. Pack a lunch in a paper bag or go full out with a wicker basket. Head to the nearest park with a book or a camera and soak up the sun. Don’t forget the SPF!

6. Plant a garden 

This is something most of us mean to do but never get around to doing. We love strawberries and tomatoes for fruits, basil, cilantro and parsley for an herb garden, and arugula and peppers for vegetables. Make a list of the things you eat frequently, and plant accordingly. You’ll love being able to get fresh fruit and veggies—just by stepping outside.

7. Go out with a camera 

If you don’t have a point-and-shoot, your phone will do. Take a walk around your neighborhood and go very slowly, taking care to notice things you may have overlooked before. Take pictures of anything you find interesting, whether it’s a scraggly tree branch, an interesting pattern of cobblestones, or old-fashioned lampposts. Whenever you think something is interesting, snap a photo.

8. Set yourself a budget and go shopping 

Budget shopping is a sneaky way to treat yourself without feeling guilty afterward. Give yourself an allowance—and spend exactly that much. No more, no less. Whether you spend it all on a pair of designer shoes, or go for an entire budget-friendly outfit made up of multiple pieces, you’ll finish the day feeling good about indulging; and there’s nothing better than that.

9. Start a journal 

Most of us don’t take time out of our daily schedules to reflect. Change that by starting a journal and writing down what you love in your life right now, what you fear, what your goals are, and all the little perfect and imperfect moments that make up your days.

10. Cook an extravagant meal of all of your favorite things

Pick a recipe you’ve never had time to try out but have always wanted to, especially if it’s one that takes a little longer than usual. It may be braised lamb shank, garlic mashed potatoes and bacon kale, a dessert of flourless chocolate cake, or something equally scrumptious! Really kick things up a notch by creating an appetizer such as crostini; don’t be afraid to play around with some of your favorite ingredients. Cook for yourself, your SO, or your best friend.

11. Learn something you didn’t know before 

Days off are perfect for doing things you never have time to do. Try to learn the rudimentary basics of a new language, sign up for an online lecture you can listen to on your own time (like the ones at The Great Courses), or pick up a new hobby, like painting or sewing.

12. Get moving 

Whether you’re dancing to Taylor Swift in your living room, calling on a friend to teach you some cool yoga positions or giving Zumba a shot, get up and get moving! You never know—you might uncover a secret talent… or just some new dance moves to bust out in the privacy of your own home.

13. Go to a museum or art installation 

Take in some culture—go to a local museum that’ll teach you all about the history of your city, or visit an art gallery and get to know the artists in your area. 

14. Volunteer or donate to charity 

Walk dogs at the animal shelter, volunteer at the soup kitchen, or even go through your closet and put together items you can donate to Goodwill.

15. Go to lunch or dinner—by yourself 

Embrace your solitude and let yourself have anything you want on the menu! 

16. Drink an entire bottle of wine 

Slowly. And not out of the bottle. This might be an awesome way to bond with your best friends or significant other. Have the entire bottle and get ready for some deep conversation… or just binge-watch reality TV!

17. Go on a self-organized food tasting 

Pick a type of food—steak tacos, lobster rolls, or bacon cheeseburgers. Go to at least five places, try one at each stop and share with your friends which one you think is the best. Divide up the food so you don’t get insanely full! 

Your days off should be stress free, so plan on spending those days focusing on you, and what you love doing. Whether it’s just one day on the weekends, during a long weekend or just a few hours a week, using your time off to actually relax will help you feel refreshed and ready to take on the days that you don’t have off!

Family, friends and fans are mourning the death of The Voice alum Christina Grimmie, who was killed in a fatal shooting following her show in Orlando last night. The 22-year-old singer, who placed third on the show's sixth season, was apparently shot in a premeditated attack by a 21-year-old man who traveled to Orlando to carry out the shooting. After being tackled by Grimmie's brother, the man, whose name police plan to release later today, shot and killed himself.

People are still reacting with shock to last night's events, which took place while Grimmie was signing autographs and taking photos with fans after the show, in which she performed with the band Before You Exit. Adam Levine, who coached the young singer while she was on the show, took the news particularly hard.

The singer's publicist released a statement to E! News, saying, "She was shot at her show in Orlando and, unfortunately, didn't survive the gun shot wounds. We ask at this time that you respect the privacy of her family and friends in their time of mourning. If you'd like to give back to Christina's family in her memory, please consider donating to the family's GoFundMe page in their time of need."

Orlando Police Chief John Mina said that investigators are still looking for a motive, and are going through the shooter's computer, phone and other items to determine what prompted him to commit such a crime. It appears that the man was planning on getting away with the shooting, as he had made travel plans to return home. He arrived to the Plaza Live Theater where Grimmie was performing with two handguns, two loaded magazines and a hunting knife.

Meanwhile, celebrities and fans have taken to Twitter to express their thoughts.

But her supporters weren't the only ones posting to social media—this morning, a heartbreaking tweet went out to Grimmie's followers, which her team has revealed was the result of a senseless hacking of her Twitter account. "The end," the tweet—which has since been deleted—read.

We are disgusted with this act of violence and our thoughts are with Grimmie's family and all those affected.