Sick of eating cereal and Ramen for lunch and dinner? Want to spend less money eating out and finally start cooking for yourself? Put down that frozen pizza, because HC’s Health Editor, Sammie Levin, is here to share her daily eats so you can get ideas for healthy, satisfying meals that are easy enough for any time-strapped collegiette to make. After you read Collegiette Eats, your taste buds, wallet and waistline will thank you.

Breakfast 

I woke up yesterday craving eggs for breakfast, so I made a bowl of scrambled eggs (1 egg plus 1/4 cup egg whites) and topped it with a fried egg because I love the taste of runny yolk. I also added chopped tomato and avocado (about 1/4 of a large avocado) to the bowl and topped it all with some salt and pepper.

Eggs are a great source of protein, making it a good choice for breakfast to power you through the morning. One study found that women who started their day with eggs for breakfast loss twice as much as those who ate a carb-based breakfast. Eggcellent. 

Lunch 

Want to know what the easiest lunch to make is? A smoothie. What could be easier than throwing a bunch of ingredients in a blender? You don't have to have any cooking skills, just the ability to press a button - and based on how often we text, we're all experts at that. It's hard to get bored of smoothies because you can switch them up by experimenting with different flavor combinations. It's better to make your own as opposed to buying one at a chain, though, because those tend to be loaded with sugar. For example, Smoothie King's Activator Strawberry Smoothie has almost 500 calories and a whopping 89 grams of sugar. That's as much sugar as almost nine Krispy Kreme glazed donuts! So, avoid an unintentional sugar bomb by making your own. 

The color of my smoothie may not be too appetizing, but blame that on the spinach I added. Adding spinach to smoothies is an easy way to sneak vegetables into your diet because it's mild enough that you can't taste it (even though it does make your smoothie a little ugly). My smoothie for lunch yesterday contained the following ingredients: 

• 1/2 cup Fage 0% Greek yogurt
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1/2 cup frozen mango and pineapple chunks
• 1/2 cup frozen mixed berries 
• 1 handful spinach 
• 1 packet Splenda
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds 

Dinner 

For dinner, I made another chicken sausage sautee. I used the leftover lentils from my last one and added brown rice as a base for the bowl. I used Minute's Ready to Serve Brown Rice, which is perfect for time-strapped collegiettes because all you have to do to prepare it is microwave it for one minute. They come in single-serve containers, making it easy to control your portion sizes. Aside from the chopped chicken sausage, I added cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, kale and broccolini, all of which I sauteed in olive oil with minced garlic. I had some leftovers that I gave to one of my friends who confirmed that this was a tasty, filling meal, so you have our word. And it only took about 10 minutes total to prepare! 

After you’ve completed your internship applications, you may be qualified enough to get called in for an interview!  Though this means that the company was impressed by your credentials, interviews will often be the final factor determining whether or not you’re offered the internship, so its very important to be well prepared.  Read on for five tips that will help you ace your interview and land that dream internship!

1.  Research the Company Beforehand

While you probably already did some background research on the company when you first applied and wrote your cover letter, it’s always a good idea to refresh your memory before your interview so that you will be able to answer questions intelligently, as well as ask your interviewer insightful questions that can’t be answered by a simple Google search.  Going on the company’s website and reading its mission statement and “about page” as well as reading any recent news about the company should put you in a good position for your interview.

2.  Dress to Impress

Though you may like to try out the latest trends, you don’t want your sense of style to become a distraction in a workplace environment.  Play it safe with classic and conservative pieces, such as a pencil skirt with a modest blouse or blazer.  You’ll also want to stick with a simple hairstyle and steer clear of bright nail polish and loud accessories so that you come across as professional as possible.

3.  Bring the Necessary Materials

Even though your interviewer is already aware of your credentials, you’ll want to bring a few extra copies of your resume to refresh their memory, as well as to keep in front of you so that you can discuss your past work experience more efficiently.  It’s also an excellent idea to bring work samples that are relevant to the position for which you’re applying so you can give your interviewer an idea of what you are capable of producing.

4.  Stay organized

Even if you brought the right materials, fishing a folded resume out of a pocket-sized purse will make you come across as disorganized and unprofessional.  You can keep everything together by investing in a great bag. A great choice is the Samsonite Xenon 2 Messenger Bag. With accordion-style storage and organizer pockets, this bag is a practical choice for storing and protecting all of your resume copies and work examples. Showing that you can keep yourself prepared and organized will go a long way in the interviewing process.

If you like to keep your information on an iPad rather than printing it on paper, you’ll want to protect it with a professional looking case that will keep it propped up for display.  An excellent example is the Samsonite iPad 2 Portfolio ($27.99- $29.24), which stands in two positions for both landscape and portrait viewing. It’s important to keep in mind that presenting your work in a digital format is a great alternative, but you should also make sure to have a backup plan in case of technical difficulties!

5.  Follow Up

While you may think the interview is over after you’ve walked out the door, it’s important to follow up with your interviewer within a few days after your interview and thank them for taking the time to meet with you.  This final step is crucial because it will enable you to continue to stand out as a potential candidate, and it shows your interest in the position. A succinct yet personalized handwritten note is a great way to leave a lasting impression.

While following these steps will ensure that you have a successful interview, the key to acing it is to have confidence in yourself and your abilities.  Good luck, collegiettes!

And if you want some Samsonite products to carry your materials in (as well as some extra cash!), enter Samsonite’s #LifePacked Sweepstakes! Three lucky winners will receive Amex gift cards (one winner will win a gift card worth $500, one will win one worth $1,000 and one will win one worth $2,000) as well as Samsonite bags and accessories!  Here’s how to enter:

STEP ONE: Take a picture of your packed life – you studying, running to class, with your Samsonite bag – it’s up to you!

STEP TWO: Upload your photo to Instagram with the hashtag #LifePacked.

STEP THREE: Tag @SamsoniteUS on Instagram.

Happy Instagramming, collegiettes!

You’ve likely heard of countless ways to lose weight, from common sense methods like counting calories to fad diets as crazy as eating only cabbage soup for a week. Yet, as many tips and tricks as there are out there, it still always feels impossible to actually shed pounds—and even if you do lose a few, they have a nasty habit of creeping right back up on you. So what’s a girl to do?

We talked to collegiettes and expert Susan Holmberg, a nutritionist and behavior modification clinician, to find the skinny (see what I did there?) on healthy ways to lose weight that actually work. So put down that diet shake because these tips are successful, manageable strategies that work for the long term—and we can guarantee that they'll satisfy your taste buds more than cabbage soup.

1. Understand nutrition labels and read them 

Holmberg points out the importance of “understanding the calorie math,” since a big part of losing weight is creating a deficit between the calories you consume and the calories you burn. There are 3500 calories in a pound, which means that to lose one pound per week you would have to consume 500 less calories than you burn every day. It’s impossible to keep tabs on how many calories you’re consuming, however, if you ignore nutrition labels. Comparing labels of different foods can help you make better choices. One brand of bread may have 50 fewer calories per slice than another, for example, giving you an easy way to cut out 100 calories from your sandwich!

Find out how many calories are in the foods you typically consume so that you can have a better idea of how many calories you’re taking in per day so that you can adjust accordingly. You may be surprised by how many calories you are unknowingly taking in! There are many websites and apps, such as MyPlate and My Fitness Pal that help you calculate how many calories you should be consuming per day based on your current weight and your goal weight. In addition to monitoring calories, you should also check out the rest of the information on the nutrition labels of the foods you eat in order to make healthier choices. Limit or avoid foods that have high saturated fat, sodium, and sugar contents and instead stock up on foods that are rich in fiber and protein.

2. Keep a food journal

“Use a diary (at least temporarily) to tell yourself the truth about what goes in your mouth,” Holmberg says. Keeping a food journal is a great way to get a better sense of how much you are actually eating in a day and will keep you accountable. Plus, knowing that you have to write down what you eat later may make you think twice about going for that second helping of chips. Forcing yourself to think about your food choices can also help prevent you from mindless snacking, so that instead you’ll eat only when you are truly hungry. Keeping a journal also gives you an opportunity to reflect on your day to note what went well and what could be improved for tomorrow in terms of your eating habits. If you’re not a fan of writing by hand, you can find a food journal online. The aforementioned apps, as well as Calorie Count have features that let you digitally record everything you eat, and it tracks your calorie intake too so you can kill two birds with one app! 

3. Eat real food—especially veggies

“Eat real food—things that walk, swim or grow.  Add the junk you can't live without on top of that, not instead.  Be discriminating, it all counts,” Holmberg says. This means try to cut down on all the packaged and processed foods in your diet and stick to fruits, veggies, lean proteins (chicken, fish, tofu), beans, and grains (whole wheat bread, brown rice, quinoa). Holmberg emphasizes vegetables in particular, which seems like a no-brainer, but getting your daily fix of veggies is a very crucial component of weight loss. “Eat tons of non-starchy vegetables at every meal,” Holmberg advises, starchy vegetables being ones high in carbohydrates like potatoes and corn and non-starchy vegetables being leafy greens and the other veggies listed here. According to Holmberg, vegetables will “always dilute the calories and fill you up virtually for free.  That is also the one and only thing upon which everyone in nutrition agrees.”

Holmberg suggests that those looking to lose weight or maintain their current weight over time should forever fill up on vegetables. “Create a huge repertoire of veggie options that can work for you virtually everywhere - work, people's parties, favorite restaurants, home.  Dilute every meal and snack with them to [replace] enough of the foods that you need to limit without really feeling like you are doing that.  Eat [the vegetables] first,” she says.

4. Don’t drink your calories

Many collegiettes don’t even realize how many calories that morning latte or night at the frat is adding to their daily intakes. Liquid calories do not fill you up and are usually primarily from sugar, so cutting back on high calorie, non-natural drinks (think sodas, sugary fruit juices, energy drinks, milkshakes, and coffee drinks with lots of added cream or syrups) can make a huge difference.

HC Life Editor and UNC senior Michelle explains that she used to drink at least one can of Coke every day after school and ended up losing weight after cutting it out of her routine.

“I never really thought about it at the time, but I was adding more than 700 calories to my diet every week!  For Lent one year I decided to give up soda entirely, and not only did I end up losing a few pounds, but I felt noticeably better than when I was drinking soda.  After Lent was over, I tried to drink Coke again, but it tasted way too sugary to me after drinking water for 40 days.”

According to HC Contributing Writer Elizabeth, a collegiette at the College of William & Mary, “drink A LOT of water.” We often mistake thirst for hunger, so reaching first for a glass of water instead of a snack could help you avoid some unnecessary calories. Water will also keep you hydrated better than any other drink! Seltzer, unsweetened teas (especially green tea), and skim or almond milk are other great drink options. Check out HC’s list of the ten highest and lowest calorie drinks so you’ll know which drinks you can order at the bar without breaking your calorie bank (disclaimer: we sadly cannot say the same for your real bank account…). 

5. Identify your triggers and find alternatives

“Figure out both your tipping points and the things that begin that chain of demotivation for you,” Holmberg says. “They will happen again (they are probably the same reasons you have regained in the past).  Forewarned can be forearmed.” Can you not open a family-sized bag of chips without polishing off the entire thing in one sitting? Does one bowl of cereal always turn into three?  Do you always reach for a pint of Ben & Jerry’s when it’s that time of the month for you? Knowing these habits and finding ways to avoid them can, as Holmberg suggests, keep you from continuing them for the rest of your life.

If you know that having one Oreo will inevitably turn into a full-blown binge, don’t keep Oreos in your house—out of sight, out of mind. Keep healthy snacks on hand instead so you have options and don’t have to resort to whatever junk is in the pantry. Rather than automatically reaching for food when you’re sad or stressed or PMSing, check in with yourself to see if you are really hungry and if you are not, remind yourself that as good as chocolate tastes, it only makes you happier for the moment that you’re eating it and it will not actually solve your problems. Read up on the tips in this HC article on emotional eating so that you can adopt healthier habits and re-train yourself to stray from your old ways!

6. Have a “skinny day” once a week

“Do a couple of reasonable ‘skinny days’ every week in preparation for overeating days—forever,” Holmberg says. “Have a menu for them that is easy, convenient and nutritionally sound.  Plan them for specific days, whether that is based on the week ahead's agenda, or placed strategically in your schedule to motivate, regroup yourself and so that they can become habitual.” By having a set day in your schedule for being super healthy, you will “save up” calories to spend on that piece of cake at your friend’s birthday dinner or an extra Red Solo Cup of—uh, lemonade of course.  That way, you won't be depriving yourself of special treats and can indulge without feeling guilty.

7. Add in exercise of any kind whenever you can

Holmberg insists that it’s important to exercise “if you have any real intention of staying motivated for the long run.” “Statistics show that people who are successful at maintaining a loss are always the ones who exercise in addition to making some kind of nutritional change,” she says. She suggests getting in the habit of frequent exercise, “no matter how small an amount you may do on a particular day” because “continuity overrides intensity for people who struggle with their weight.  Exercise keeps the momentum going and is likely to help you get back on track sooner when your food/environment slips… three days of nothing is the kiss of death,” she says.

Bryant University HC Campus Correspondent Hillary says that her friend has lost 40 pounds since January and continues to keep it off from taking up running. “She started with a mile or two a day and now runs about 5-6… She says running helps clear her head and it is something you can do anywhere. Once she saw the results she couldn't stop.” Exercise doesn’t have to be as major as running six miles—every little added effort counts! Annie, a collegiette at North Toronto Collegiate Institute, suggests “moving at a brisk pace whenever you are walking somewhere. Walking is a great workout and it helps keep you fit and toned. Try and walk for at least 30 minutes every day!” Elizabeth also advises walking and also always taking the stairs instead of elevators. Make working out fun by switching up your routine or doing it with a friend, and schedule specific workout times in your weekly schedule so that you’ll be more likely to do it. Not a fan of the gym? Check out these 7 ways to stay fit outside of the gym.

8. Say goodbye to fad diets

Remember those crazy crash diets mentioned earlier? Avoid radical, restricting programs that promise you will magically lose tons of weight in a short time span, because these gimmicks are not sustainable in the long term. Even if you do lose a few pounds after a juice cleanse, it’ll mainly be water weight and you can’t expect that you’ll be able to avoid solid foods for life. Holmberg explains, “Fad diets can be sort of like cheating on a test and getting an A but never learning good study habits for the future.” She adds, “fad diets are often (although not always) ridiculous and not like real life at all.  So you are not learning the skills necessary for the long run.  The young girl's body could likely tolerate any unhealthy or extreme food plan for a short time from a health standpoint, but sooner or later you have to learn the actual skills that you are going to need to sustain the weight loss.”

So instead of restricting yourself by going on a diet (let’s be real, it’s no coincidence that the first three letters of that word are “die”), make healthy changes and choices that are maintainable forever so that you can always remain at a comfortable weight.  Holmberg adds that it’s important to “eat for the weight you want to be,” meaning, the daily “caloric budget” that you can consume in order to maintain a specific weight, rather than dieting. Dieting will always be temporary, whereas learning to eat to maintain your desired weight is a lifestyle.

9. Find a support system

“Create environments that support your intentions - at home, at work, in the car, restaurant choices, etc.,” Holmberg says. That means getting rid of those triggers and keeping healthy food on hand, as well as finding people who support you and your goals to keep you motivated. Put up inspiration quotes or pictures around your room so that you can start every day with the right mindset. Having a workout or healthy eating buddy can also be a great way to hold yourself accountable and stay on track. Cook nutritious meals with your friends for dinner, go on a walk with your roommate, or tell your parents about your progress—surrounding yourself with people who support you will always make challenges easier. 

10. Be patient and love your body

Weight loss doesn't happen overnight—weight loss can take weeks, months, or even years, which is fine because what’s the hurry? There’s no sense looking for a quick fix that promises you your dream body in two weeks, because that just sets you up for frustration and failure because it won’t actually help you maintain a healthy weight in the long run. So be patient because if you do stick to all of these healthy tips, it’s a guarantee that you will lose weight in time. And once you start feeling and seeing the results, you’ll be all the more motivated to keep up the hard work!

Loving your body is just as important as being patient. As Theodore Roosevelt once said, “comparison is the thief of joy”; this so true when it comes to body image and self-esteem. Constantly comparing yourself to others, like wondering why your thighs will never be as thin as hers or jealously gazing at pictures of celebrities’ washboard abs, will just make you feel upset and hopeless. And then you’ll be more likely to give up, creating a vicious cycle! Instead, focus on your best assets and don’t hate on your flaws. Embrace your body, and you’ll be much better equipped to make the changes you want!

These tips are just a start, but if you try them out, you won’t regret it. Got any more ideas of ways to successfully, healthily lose weight? Comment below!

Movember, or No Shave November, began as a global charity intended to raise awareness of men’s health issues. However, those good intentions have also helped to raise our awareness of just how dreadful a man can look when he accumulates a month’s worth of unshaved facial hair. Here are just a few reasons why we’re glad this 30-day shaving hiatus has finally drawn to a close.

1. We’ll be able to fantasize about a clean-cut George Clooney once again.

2. We can stop guessing what Brad Pitt could possibly be hiding in his beard.

3. We’ll no longer feel tempted to offer Colin Farrell a hot meal.

4. We won’t have our attention pulled away from Robert Pattinson’s piercing eyes.

5. We’ll be given back the fresh-faced Zac Efron we fell in love with.

6. We can dream of being Prince William’s Kate Middleton once again.

7. Bradley Cooper will go back to being sexy and sophisticated rather than scruffy and shabby.

8. We won’t have to wonder when Chace Crawford last showered.

9. We can stop mistaking Adrian Grenier for a Geico Caveman.

10. We can feel more inclined to support Adam Levine as People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive.

11. We’ll finally be able to locate Ben Affleck’s perfect lips again.

12. Matthew McConaughey will no longer remind us of Zach Galifianakis.

The holiday season is finally here, and with it comes several parties and celebrations that require fun and festive attire.  Since many of us collegiettes have finals around the corner and don’t have a ton of time to go shopping to amp up our wardrobes, we thought we’d show you five holiday dress options that will have you looking stunning this season!

1. Metallic Body Con Dress

Urban Outfitters, $79

This dress perfectly balances a classic fitted shape with an interesting gold metallic damask filigree pattern.  The stretchy, fitted material keeps it comfortable and versatile enough to be dressed up or down, depending on the event.

2. Cutout Body Con Dress

Forever 21, $29.80

The sexy cutouts and vibrant red color make this the perfect dress for a fun night out this holiday season!

3.  Dark Red Sequin Draped Dress

River Island, $76

This deep red chiffon dress is both appropriate and interesting with its eye-catching features, such as a sequined waistband, keyhole cutout back and sheer sleeves.

4. One-Shoulder Sequined Dress

H&M, $49.95

This elegant, one-shoulder, sequined number is great for a fancier event, and is sure to turn heads!

5. Vest Lurex Tulle Midi Dress

Topshop, $72

This dress’s combination of a metallic lurex top and a layered tulle skirt is both festive and unique, making it a perfect option for a holiday party!

Girl talk” is code for a top secret discussion kept among ladies and ladies alone. But how much do we really keep from the men in our lives? Collegiettes, we’ve devised a list of a few subjects we girls keep on the DL. Because there are some things that men just don’t understand—never have; never will. Why waste the energy trying to explain?

You don’t tell him...

1. How long you actually took getting ready for that date.

Guys know that women tend to take a little longer to freshen up, but they may not quite know the extent of it.

“I never tell a guy how long it actually takes me to get ready for dates,” says Annie Blanks, a junior at Sewanee. “I like to make him think my hair just naturally fell into that perfect blowout.”

Ladies, if you’ve taken more than an hour to get beautified for your date, there’s no reason he needs to know about it. The fact that you took 120 minutes just to spiral curl your tresses is NBD to us ladies, but men would be shocked to find that out (in that amount of time, they could hit the gym, shower and scarf down three Big Macs. Charming, right?). Some things are better left unsaid.

2. The details of your, um, menstruation.

To put it plainly, your dude does not want to know the particulars of your time of the month.

“I never talk to men about my period,” says Briana Morgan, a senior at Georgia College & State University. “Unless I need an excuse to get out of something.”

Call them crazy, but most guys don’t like discussing the idea of a woman shedding the lining of her uterus. Refraining from the details is definitely not a bad idea. Besides, you have much better things to talk about with your guy—like what you want him to get you for your next anniversary (is a $100 Forever 21 gift card aiming too high?).

3. How much you’ve stalked him on social media.

You check his Facebook at least once a day, you know, just to make sure he’s still into you. Perfectly reasonable, right?

“I would never want to a guy to know that I’ve creeped [on] his Facebook so much, I know his parents’ names,” says Taylor McCollom, a junior at Central Michigan University.

And probably better that he doesn’t find out. Collegiettes, keeping your super sleuthing to yourself is a smooth move. After all, you don’t want to give your guy the impression that you’re a stalker, because you’re totally not. Every woman has to keep virtual tabs on her man, right? It’s a perfectly harmless way to make sure he’s staying faithful (oh no he did not like that girl’s profile picture). And if he ever happens to catch you creepin’, just blame it on hormones: “My period makes me do crazy things!” He’ll shut up immediately (see number two).

4. When other guys hit on you.

So other guys have been giving you attention lately—but not telling your boyfriend about it is smart.

“One thing that I never tell guys, especially if I am in a relationship with a guy, is if another guy hit on me,” says Meghean Gibbons, a senior at Boston University.

You don’t want to hear about the ladies that ogle your man, and he doesn’t want to hear about the guys who gawk at you, especially if your suitors happen to be handsome, hilarious, hunky or any other positive “h” adjective you can think of. Besides, his jealous face is not his cutest look (the green-eyed monster has never been one for beauty contests). Probably best to save the details for your besties. They’ll want to hear all about the hottie who was begging you for your number. Poor chap.

5. How much time you spend worrying about the texts you send to him.

Texting a new love interest is usually kind of stressful (even though it probably shouldn’t be).

“I would never want a guy to know how much time I spend contemplating if I should text him first, or how fast I should text back or what I should even say at all,” says Stephanie Ralls, a sophomore at Central Michigan University.

We collegiettes tend to think that one extra exclamation mark will make or break a relationship. It’s probably preposterous, but even if you can’t seem to stop stressing about your texts, it might be a good thing that your potential man doesn’t know how frazzled you are. After all, your lengthy deliberations (“Is a winky emoji overkill? Should I wait five more minutes to send it?? Guys, what do you think?!”) are ridiculous but totally normal. We all do it, and maybe even men do, too.

Guys may think they know everything when it comes to us girls, but they’d be surprised at what we’ll never reveal! What else would you never tell a guy? Tell us in the comments below (we promise we’re good at keeping secrets)!

Texting has been fostering loving relationships since the early 2000’s, when people realized just how witty they could be when they actually had the time to think of something clever. To this day, a funny text can salvage an awkward situation, make someone’s day, or at the very least, remind them of your existence. But there’s a time and a place for everything and sometimes, your boyfriend’s inbox just isn’t it. Here are theseven texts you should never send to him, lest you commit a relationship sin.
 

1. Saying the first “I love you.”
Aww, how sweet of you to share that! He’ll probably lock that text and cherish it forever — until, of course, he gets an upgrade or breaks his phone or accidentally deletes everything. But don’t worry, he’ll always remember that special moment he clicked “View Text”! Actually, that sounds awful: not only does it come across as excessively casual and insincere, but it’s also difficult to respond to. He may not feel ready to reciprocate, let alone via casual text message. If you’ve been dating for a while and you’re comfortable enough throwing those three little words around, go ahead, but unless you’re bleeding from every artery or you know the world is ending within the next ten minutes, save the first “I love you” for a face-to-face interaction.
 
2. Bailing last minute.
It sucks to disappoint him, but if your reason for doing so is at all valid, you shouldn’t hesitate to call him up and explain the situation. Whatever you’re missing, whether it’s just another lunch date or his emergency appendectomy, he’s already going to be upset that you won’t be there. Don’t put him in the position of wondering where you are and hesitating to contact you for fear of seeming too neurotic: “The worst are the multiple ‘where are you?’ texts,” says Jamie, a student at George Washington University. “It's a little obsessive and clingy.” Tell him you can’t make it as soon as you know, but don’t settle for a quick text; playing it cool hasn’t impressed anyone since the seventh grade. Show him you really care by putting in a little extra effort — call him up, apologize and promise you’ll make it up to him soon.
 
3. Marking official progress.
Don’t get us wrong — it’s great that you’re gung-ho about the new relationship — but big steps are not to be decided via text message. That goes for both emotional commitments, like proposing the idea of becoming exclusive, as well as physical advancements. And if that isn’t clear enough, we’ll spell it out for you: sexting is a no-no, especially when alcohol or an unreliable phone is involved. “You never know - ‘Mike’ might be right next to ‘Mom’ in your address book,” says Jaime, a collegiette from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. “That just gets awkward.”
 

4. Saying you’re sorry.
If you’re picking up on the pattern here at all, it should be pretty obvious by now that a mess-up should elicit more from you than just a text. But don’t just say “I’m sorry” when something is your fault; it’s also important to show empathy when he’s having a bad day. “If your girlfriend/boyfriend said they’re really having a rough morning and feeling like crap, just pick up the phone and call them!” says Madeline from Mt. Holyoke College. “Replying with ‘sorry :(’ just doesn't cut it.” See this as an opportunity to get creative — send him a teddy bear or pull a Princess Diaries M&M’s-on-pizza delivery. He’ll appreciate the gesture and probably cheer up a bit, too.

5. Wishing him a happy birthday.
A celebratory text may fly for less personally relevant holidays — Thanksgiving, Easter… maybe Labor Day — but that’s about it. While you don’t have to throw a fiesta whenever your guy has a quarter- or half-birthday (though we’re not stopping you), his real birthday only comes around once a year and it should be treated like a special occasion. No matter how little attention he seems to give it, nobody is too cool for birthdays. Save the boring text for a more ordinary day and put a silly party hat on instead. Same goes for anniversaries: celebrate with enthusiasm.

6. Starting a fight.
First of all, if you find yourself wanting an explanation for why he hasn’t responded to your text in three hours, it’s best not to jump to any conclusions. You may have just misunderstood the situation, and an angry text can be especially hurtful if your allegations are inaccurate. “It’s almost impossible to distinguish tone in a text and someone may feel attacked,” adds Mackenzie, a collegiette at Suffolk University. Even if you aresure you have a right to be upset, texting isn’t the best way to approach it. Ask him to meet up; the delay will allow you some extra time to gather your thoughts to save yourself from blurting out a regretful, poorly phrased accusation.
 

7. Breaking up.
We see what you’re trying to do here: avoid the awkwardness of face-to-face interaction and the possibility of a long, upsetting conversation. Brilliant! Except that it’s disrespectful and ten times more hurtful than it could be otherwise. If you shared a relationship with someone, he deserves legitimate closure. Swallow your pride and say it to his face.

By now, you probably know the drill: search for jobs, submit a cover letter and resume and ace the interview. But for many collegiettes, the job search will involve recruiters, whose job it is to seek you out. Recruiters come from companies and organizations and will visit college campuses to find students they might like to hire. Sound scary? Maybe a little. That’s why we talked to Louis Gaglini, associate director of employer relations at the Boston College Career Center, about the top ways you can stand out to a job recruiter!

Why go through a job recruiter, you ask? If a particular company comes to your school, you can assume that they’re looking for students just like you, Gaglini says. So if you’re interested in working or interning for a particular company that is known for recruiting, check out the following tips to make an amazing impression!

1. Find out when events are happening—then actually go to them

If you have a company in mind that you’d love to work or intern for, see if and when they’re coming to your school or city. “Your career center will be in a position to help you find [those events],” Gaglini says. “Talk to professors and fellow students, too.”  Some other good places to look? Your school’s daily announcements email, your career center’s website or online system and the websites of the companies you’re interested in.

Don’t have a company in mind? That’s okay, too! Set up an appointment with a career counselor or peruse your career center’s online system to look for companies that pique your interest that are coming to campus. While the prospect of going to these events can be scary, sometimes it’s not enough to just submit a cover letter and resume to a company. Going to the events will set you ahead of other less proactive candidates. “Make sure the recruiters know who you are,” Gaglini says. “You’re taking [your relationship with the company] from paper and email and meeting people live.”

2. Look the part

Need an excuse to buy new heels and a power suit? Here’s your chance. “Make sure you understand what the requirements are for your attire,” Gaglini says. “Find out if [the event’s dress code is] casual, business casual or business attire. Come as expected.”

When deciding what to wear, take into account the nature of the event. According to Gaglini, the recruiting events on campus could be anything from a networking night to a company presentation to a more social event. You might not need the pantsuit for the social event, and your school sweatshirt’s not going to cut it at a networking night. Check out these tips for dressing professionally, no matter what industry you’re interested in! When in doubt, you can always ask an adviser at your career center what he or she would recommend.

“I don’t think you can go wrong with a simple black pencil skirt,” says Vanessa, a junior at Johns Hopkins University. “But I always check with my roommate first before going to events where companies will be represented. A second opinion always helps!”

3. Nail the first impression

It can be scary to arrive at a networking event—what should you do first? Have a goal before you even walk in the door.  “Set an objective, like maybe meeting three people. Maybe meet the person to whom you sent your resume if she will be there,” Gaglini says.

A good starting goal? Be visible. Make sure the company knows who you are so you won’t be a faceless job application in the middle of a stack of papers! Depending on the event, there may be several representatives present from the same company. If this is the case, talk to as many as possible. You want to get your name and face out there.

Once you’re face to face with someone you want to connect with, make a great impression. “Shake hands and say, ‘I came to the event to meet you, I submitted you my resume and I look forward to talking to you again,’” Gaglini suggests.

Other great ways to get noticed? Ask a lot of questions to the people you’re shaking hands with. What do they like about the company? Why did they decide to work there? The best advice, though, according to Gaglini, is maybe the easiest to do: just look happy to be there! “Don’t let them ever think you’re not excited to be there. Let them know you’re thrilled to be there,” he says.

Beyond asking questions and giving a great handshake, think about your body language. “I think nodding a lot and making good eye contact is crucial for making sure employers know you’re actually listening,” says Kathleen, a junior at Johns Hopkins University. Want more tips on body language in a work setting? Check out this article for tips!

4. Perfect your 30-second “commercial”

Commercial, elevator pitch—whatever you call it, the face-to-face interactions at recruiting events are crucial because they let you showcase your personality better than any cover letter could!

“Sometimes you may have only 20 seconds,” Gaglini says. “Introduce yourself: your name, major, what you’re interested in and if appropriate, maybe ask for a follow-up, like, ‘Would you mind if I sent you my resume? Or if we met up?’”

The best thing you can do is practice, Gaglini says. Practice in front of your mirror, to your roommate or to your career counselor—go over possible scenarios and what you would say. “You have to piece it together for [the recruiter] and say why you need to develop a relationship with them,” he says.

How would you be valuable to the company? What would you get out of an internship or job with them? Keep it short, but pique their interest! Confidence is key, which is why Gaglini recommends you practice as much as possible.

5. Follow up

At the end of the pitch, ask the recruiter if you can follow up, like if you can send your resume to him or her or have another conversation. This will show you’re interested and proactive! If appropriate, bring a few copies of your resume to the event. Ask your career center if the event is conducive to handing out copies beforehand, though.

“Once you’ve connected with someone, now it’s your time to stand out without pestering or bothering them,” Gaglini says. “You’re keeping that connection alive by asking them if you can set up some time.”

At a minimum, send an email to the recruiter thanking him or her for their time. Feel free to ask some follow-up questions if you have them. Handwritten thank-you notes also make a big impression. “Employers love thank you notes, whether it’s after a short encounter at a career fair, or after an interview with them,” says Devon, a senior at Bryant University. “It proves your appreciation for the company and shows your desire to work for them!”

Of course, there’s a fine line between being assertive and annoying. If you say you’re going to follow up with an email, do that and then back off for a little bit. “Sometimes you just have to be cognizant and self-aware. This takes practice,” Gaglini says. “You have to know if you’re pushing too much. Your career center can assist you. Ask your career center, ‘Do you think it’s pushy if I do this?’ Your career center will be straight with you.”

While every situation is different, an example of being pushy could be emailing the recruiter several times a week if they’re not replying back. If you ever have doubt whether or not your contact with the recruiter is becoming too much, talk to your career counselor. Every case (and company) is different.

While meeting with recruiters can sound intimidating, with a little practice and confidence, you’ll be connecting with companies and getting top jobs in no time! 

Give a collegiette the right shoes, and she can conquer the world. Let a collegiette design her own shoes, and who knows what she can accomplish!

Milk & Honey knows the importance of having a fabulous pair of shoes. With their shoe-building website, you can design your own custom-made shoes, picking the toe shape, strap options, embellishments, color and heel height. Whether you’re looking for flats, pumps, boots, oxfords or sandals, Milk & Honey can help you create the shoes of your dreams!

In addition to shoes, Milk & Honey also offers Not Too Tights, which feature a patented waistband that guarantees the tights are the most comfortable ones you’ll ever wear. As a special promotion, their Not Too Tights are now buy one, get one free! Just add two pairs of tights to your cart and enter the code lovemytights.

What are you waiting for, collegiettes? Get designing!  

With looming finals, big papers, and the holidays right around the corner, the end of the semester can be one of the most stressful times of the school year. But don’t start the nail-biting just yet! We talked to collegiettes around the country and Dr. Patrick McGrath, a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in anxiety and stress management, to give you tips on how to stay calm, confront your anxieties and have a successful year-end. So, take a deep breath, put down your study materials (just for a little bit!) and read on.

1. Repeat this to yourself: It WILL pass

Sure, you could take a long bubble bath. But according to Dr. McGrath, long-term solutions to stress management involve accepting and dealing with your anxieties. “The best thing to do is to stay in a stressful situation until the stress passes. It will pass – you just have to allow yourself enough time to learn and believe that,” he says. So when you’re in panic mode about the organic chemistry final, remind yourself that this situation will absolutely end and then it will be over and done with. Fighting the stress could actually increase it, exacerbating your panic. Accepting the situation and working through it calmly is the best thing you can do, says Dr. McGrath. So don’t procrastinate. Pick up the textbook, do the work and it’ll be over before you know it.

2. Get in the zone

Just ask professional athletes and performers: some stress is good! Stress can up your game, keep you focused and propel you to work efficiently and smartly. “People fear anxiety and it can actually be a very helpful emotion, if it is experienced in such a way as to not interfere with your life but to enhance it. In sports they call this ‘in the zone,’” says Dr. McGrath. “Performers on stage are not without anxiety – they just have just enough to motivate them or to put an edge on their performance and to drive them to be better.” So what’s a collegiette to do? Use stress to your advantage, like Kate, a collegiette at Wellesley College, does. “Stress motivates me to study. If there isn’t pressure, it’s sometimes hard to give attention to things you would like to learn about. I may want to become better at art history, but I might not have the personal drive to learn it. It’s good to have something chasing at your heels because then you’re actually going somewhere,” she says. Get excited about your projects, and channel your stress into focus and drive—you might forget it’s actually work anyway. Need to memorize some tricky Spanish vocab words? Make up funny sentences with them. Have an essay due about ancient Greece? Talk to your friends about it. Give them trivia. By applying the information to your own life, you’ll not only know it better, it’ll also become (dare we say it) fun.

3. Prepare, prepare, prepare

“If you know that you have a stressful situation coming up, prepare for it, role play it with friends, practice what you are going to say, but also accept the fact that no matter how much you prepare there will probably be something that will happen that you will just have to react to and go with it,” says Dr. McGrath. Don’t let stress creep up on you. Have a scary paper coming up? Make a list of exactly what you need to do (go to library to get sources, meet up with prof at office hours, etc.) and go through the motions. Nervous about your financial situation this holiday season? Make a budget and be realistic about what you can and can’t afford. Worried about that French oral presentation? Run through it with a roommate. Read your essays out loud before handing them in—it’ll help the editing process. When you’re stressed, it’s tempting to just freak out and avoid thinking about our anxieties (hello, procrastination!). But by confronting the situation, you’re teaching yourself that you CAN work your way through it. Stressful situations are always going to happen, but being prepared is something you can absolutely control.

4. Sleep and eat right

We know, we know. It’s been drilled into your head time and time again, but it’s worth reiteration. Getting at least eight hours of sleep and eating healthily is one of the best things you can do in the midst of stressful end-of-term projects and holidays. Forgo the urge to load up on caffeine and pull all-nighters. Chances are, you’ll crash and burn, which will exacerbate your anxiety. Stick to a solid sleep schedule (try to stop all of your work around midnight) and refuel with healthy snacks like hummus and veggies, or nuts and yogurt. For University of Virginia collegiette Emily, exercise is another healthy habit that helps her focus. “Running gives you time to think but it also gets your blood pumping and gets a flow of endorphins going. It keeps me sane during stressful periods,” she says. So throw away the Red Bull and candy. Sleeping, eating well, and exercising will keep you calm and healthy. Your body will thank you.

5. Pace yourself

Staring at a computer screen in the stacks of your college library for five hours will do you no good. Cramming is ineffective. If exams and papers are the cause of your stress, do a little bit each day. “As hard as it sounds, the best advice really is to try and do a little each day. I generally try to read through my entire notebook before exams so I have an idea where my problem areas are. Pacing helps keep it interesting, not stressful,” Kate says. The same advice goes for planning a family holiday dinner. No need to cook, decorate and plan all in one day. Spacing out your planning will not only bring out your best work, but will also keep you sane in the process.

6. Indulge a little

Make stressful activities more fun by combining work and play. Study somewhere you don’t normally go, like that new coffee shop. Paint your nails a bright shade while reading a textbook. By keeping the ball rolling, it’s easier to work through material than constantly starting and stopping. Take breaks, and use them wisely. Kenyon College collegiette Emma takes breaks often, which helps alleviate some of her stress. “I'm a big believer in breaks. Study for a while and then give yourself a much-needed rest—watch a funny show online, indulge in a snack. I also think being social and connected helps. I make time to Skype with family and friends from home when I'm most stressed out,” she says. So, take a break without feeling guilty. Set aside 15 minutes for every hour you study or work to recharge. Give yourself a facial, make a fruit smoothie or text your crush for a little. Then, back to work! Or grab a study buddy to help go through difficult problem sets with you. By making working as fun as possible, the time at your work won’t seem quite as grueling. Or, just try being alone. Hanging out with a friend can be a great break, but talking a walk around campus, doing yoga or even just taking a shower can be great escapes from hectic college life.

So, bring out the books and get to work! Take breaks, get plenty of rest, and relax. Whether it’s a looming final or a long paper, recognize that you’ll get through it (calmly!) if you take a deep breath and get it done. The semester will be over before you know it!

You plan on pulling an all-nighter for your final tomorrow, which means you need to pregame your study session with a ton of caffeine.

Now that you're hyped, you think your study sesh is going to go something like this:

But after zooming through a few pages in your textbook, you realize you can’t recall anything you've read.

And when you do process the material, you realize it's incredibly boring and say:

But then your study buddy calls you out:

And you're like:

But most of the tabs on your browser are online shopping websites.

And since you and your friend are working in your room, it's tempting to go sit on your bed…(where you could take a nap, but just a short one!).

Once you’re in your cozy pile of blankets, getting back on track is a struggle.

The only thing that can wake you up now is a midnight snack.

But you pass on pizza delivery because you don't want to pick up the phone and there's already a box of Pop-Tarts sitting in your room.

After another half an hour of lounging around, you manage to crank out a few pages of notes at 200 WPM to make yourself feel productive.

But when you read what you wrote, you’re like:

So you ask your friend:

She helps you out and you “study” for a few more hours until your brain can’t hold any more information.

On your way to your final the next day, you're feeling confident...

...until you see people crawl straight out of the library, like:

So you start panicking about if there were chapters you forgot to study.

But your test is in 10 minutes and there is no time to review.

So instead, you calculate the lowest possible score you need to maintain your current letter grade,

And trust that the curve will give you enough of a boost.

Because at this point, worrying is useless.

So you embrace the fact that you don't know a lot of the material.

Because chances are you aren't even going to use your major in the real world.

Here's to the rest of finals week! Good luck, collegiettes!

It’s no secret that women can seem like complicated creatures, but guys can be just as confusing. It seems like the closer we get to a guy, the more confusing and annoying he becomes. What exactly are guys thinking? Here are a few annoying situations where we wish it was easy to read a guy’s mind!

1. When He Texts You (or Doesn’t)

We’d all like to think that the guy we’ve been trying to get to know better is the easiest person to talk to. However, that’s not always true––especially when it comes to texting. In a world where iMessage comes before eye contact, we suppose it’s best to text a guy first to see if he’s worth dating in person. However, there are a few annoying things that guys say in texts that pose the question: “Why would he text that?”

This text came from the guy you hung out with for two hours on Friday. He seemed to have really liked you, but then this:

You: Heyyyy :)
Guy you like: Hi

Guys can be the most annoying people when it comes to text messaging. When you’re first interested in a guy, nothing trips you up more than the “hey” versus “hi” debacle at the beginning of a text. Is he interested in you, or does he just see you a friend? There’s a pretty big difference between the two (well, actually, the difference is in the separation of the words “boy” and “friend”), but sometimes it truly is hard to tell if your guy friend wants you in that way, particularly when texts come into play.

Another thing that bugs us is when we write a paragraph explaining something to a guy or telling him how we feel… and then he replies back with a skimpy answer.

You: You know, I really wish things were better in my life. Sometimes I wish I could go back in time and re-do things—just have a second chance to get it right, you know? My life could be so much better, but what I have to do is just do what I can with what I have and hope for the best.
Guy: Yeah lol

Maybe the guy is a little busy and can’t talk? Or maybe he doesn’t know how to be as open as you are with his emotions. RLCG Dale Lavine says that a short reply could mean a few things. “…It could simply mean that we're tired (honesty, it does happen), it could mean we're busy (my frequent excuse) or it could mean that we're upset,” he says.  

Either way, trying to spill our guts out to a guy via text is not that easy! Talking face to face is definitely the way to go, but trying to hit up a guy on his cell is what a lot of us are used to. Try using one of these conversation starters either on the phone or in person to get more than a “lol” for an answer!

2. When He Gets His “Man Period”

Guys may not get their time of the month the same way that we do, but they do experience their own type of PMS: “Pissy Male Syndrome.” Symptoms include behavioral changes for no reason, being inconsiderate towards our needs and wants and possibly the worst symptom of all: the silent treatment. Some may say this is far worse than female PMS because it happens when we least expect it.

No girl knows for sure why guys act this way from time to time, but we all wish we could know what they’re thinking when they do! Dale says that a few circumstances could affect how a guy acts, and it differs from male to male.

“I know I get super moody when the Patriots lose a game,” he says.  “I know that when I'm driving behind someone particularly idiotic, I tend to hold an unreasonable grudge against that type of car for a certain amount of time.”

As for the prolonged cases of male PMS, we must adopt patience and understanding. If they can be caring when we have our time of the month, we can show courtesy by being as kind to them when they need it most!

3. When He Looks at Other Girls

This is not so much a “what is he thinking?” as a “WHAT IS HE THINKING?!”

You’re walking downtown to the local shops for a day with your guy. A girl with flowing brown hair walks past you both, and his eyes seem to follow her as she continues to walk. You don’t know whether to tell him to stop or to slap him upside the head… so you do both.

Whether you like it or not, guys are going to look at other girls. It may be a glance, it may be a stare. What is certain is that it annoys us females to no end! There’s nothing like your guy checking out another girl to make the green eyed-monster of jealousy rear its head.

So many questions run through our heads when we see guys we like look at other girls:

“What does she have that I don’t?”
“If he’s that interested in me, why is he looking at other girls?”

“I know for a lot of guys it's just... I don't know, I hesitate to say ‘natural,’ but when someone attractive walks by, it's just a faint, ‘Oh look at...’ before they snap back and realize they already have someone,” Dale says. “That obviously changes from person to person, but it's natural for eyes to wander.”

However, if your guy is looking at another girl, but he still tells you how thankful he is for you each day, there’s nothing to worry about! You are “the chosen one,” so be grateful!

4. When He Seems to Ignore Us

You’re talking to your beau about your stressful day at class. The workload has been intense lately, especially in that econ class you’ve been struggling in. You’re expecting a little bit of sympathy, but it’s frustrating that the only response you get is: “Mhm.” Why can’t he form complete sentences?

Because he can’t stop playing Grand Theft Auto V. It seems like the only women he can’t get enough of are the virtual strippers in the game. You’re really regretting getting it for him for his birthday!

When television and video games are present, it can seem as though you aren’t! Why do these things take first priority in guys’ minds?

Elizabeth Daube, a junior at Old Dominion University, says there is a reason behind guys “ignoring” us.

“TV and/or games are what men are interested in, and it's reasonable for men to want to take some time to focus on what they're interested in,” she says.  Sometimes, all a guy needs is a little “me” time. They’re not so much distracted as they are just filling some time with things they enjoy doing.

“Of course, the situation would be different if that's all a man did,” Dale says. “If he's paying a woman no mind, then there's some kind of communication issue there that needs to be resolved.”

Guys may have their quirks, but those quirks are the reasons that we can’t get enough of them! Whether they’re paying more attention to the game than a conversation with us or they’re making weird noises with their bodies, there’s something about those annoying things guys do that is actually so darn adorable.

College application deadlines are right around the corner!  But before you hit the submit button on your dream school’s application, you need to make sure you’re not making a mistake that could affect your chances of being accepted.  College admissions counselors read plenty of applications, so with their feedback below, you’ll be able to have a great application that is mistake-free!

1. Typos and grammatical errors

“The biggest mistakes continues to be very poor proofreading and editing of essays and other written material in the application,” says Jacqueline Murphy, the director of admission for the undergraduate program at Saint Michael’s College.   

Cindy Boyles Crawford, a senior assistant director of admissions at the University of Georgia, also stresses that students should “be careful when using ‘thesaurus words,’” or words that applicants get from thesauruses that makes it seem as if they have an extensive vocabulary.  An extensive vocabulary is great, but using a word incorrectly will hurt you more than it will help you.

In order to avoid grammatical errors and typos, Crawford stresses the importance of checking over your work. “Proofread, proofread, proofread. Then, proofread some more!” she says.

Reread your entire application before you send it in, not just the essay, to make sure you aren’t making any mistakes that could lower your chances of acceptance.  If you have someone else read it for you as well, he or she may notice an error that you missed.

2. Not completing all aspects of the application

If you forget required parts of the application, you application may not be considered for admission. Jane Crowley, the associate director of operations for the Office of Undergraduate Admission at Boston College, says, “Every college or university has its own requirements, and it is up to the applicant to know what those requirements are and complete the application appropriately.”

Murphy suggests that you “double and triple check everything you enter into an application before you push the submit button.  Follow the on screen instructions to a T, and if you do not hear back from the colleges to which you have applied confirming receipt of the application, you have probably done something wrong.”

3. Not telling your guidance counselor where you’ve applied

It’s not all about the application!  In order for an application to be considered, you also need to submit transcripts and letters of recommendation through your high school guidance counselor. 

Maureen Mathis, Assistant Provost at Saint Joseph’s University, stresses that “if your guidance counselor doesn't know where you applied, then they can't send your transcript or letters of recommendation.

“Stay in good communication with your counselors and pay attention to the guidelines and timelines they provide so you can be sure to get everything taken care of in a timely manner,” Mathis says.

4. Sending in too many letters of recommendation

If an applicant submits too many letters of recommendation, not all of them may be considered in the decision process.  According to Crowley, “If a counselor has time to only review two recommendations and the first two are chosen, they may not be the best ones.”

In order to avoid your best letters being cast aside, Crowley suggests that “if two teacher recommendations are requested, send two; not one or four.”  Quality, rather than quantity, is better in this case.  If you choose your teachers wisely, the admissions counselors will be able to receive the best letters.

You should also make sure you follow up with teachers who are writing your letters of recommendation to make sure they have sufficient time to write the letters and submit them to the schools.

5. Not showcasing your achievements properly

Don’t be afraid to explain things throughout your application in order to make sure your points get across.

“If you’ve made a mistake that requires an explanation in your application—own it!” Crawford says.  “For example, you made a C or D in your freshman year of high school. Explain what happened and tell us how you’ve grown from this experience.”

Crawford also suggests that you should be specific in your responses.  For example, “if you write, ‘Summer 2012: Went on a missions trip,’ tell us where.  What did you do?  What impact did this experience have on your life?” she says.

Crowley agrees with Crawford, adding that “if you are using the Common Application, be sure to complete the activities section.  Not everyone has the time to review comprehensive resumes, so this list is important.”

Any one of these application mistakes could make or break your chances of getting into your dream school, so staying on top of deadlines and making sure to complete your application properly will help the process run smoothly. The application process may be long and nerve-wracking, but if you follow these tips, you’ll be impressing admissions counselors in no time!  

Summer’s still a long way off… right? As collegiettes, we still have an entire semester to get through until that glorious summer vacation, so it might not be the first thing on our minds. But if you haven’t started thinking about how you’re going to spend this coming summer, you might want to set aside some time for that!

Whether you’re planning on having an internship or going home for the summer and getting a retail or waitressing job, the earlier you think about it, the better. HC has compiled some things you should be doing—if you aren’t already!—to stay ahead of the summer planning curve.

Get your research done early 

Even if it’s too early to solidify your internship or travel plans at this point, you should compile a list of your potential options (such as companies you’d like to work for, international programs you’d like to apply for, etc.) so you can do thorough research into each and ensure that you don’t miss any deadlines. 

“Get your résumé ready, look into companies you’d like to work or intern for, and send cards to past employers letting them know what you’re doing and you’re still keeping up with their company,” says Jessica Salerno from Ohio University.

Rochelle Sharit, a career manager at Northeastern University, says winter break is the perfect time for students to do research—and even start applying!

“Think about the type of internship you're looking for and research what internships are out there,” Sharit says. “Many organizations offer the same internships consistently each year. Your career center may have information, but conduct your own research as well. Use online resources, such as Indeed.com. If there's a dream company or organization you'd like to intern at, look directly at their website. If companies are taking applications, start applying! It's never too early, but can be too late.”

Even if you end up discovering that you have a couple more months to think about these things before making any decisions, it always helps to get organized ahead of time and avoid scrambling at the last minute!

Start applying for internships… now! 

Depending on what type of internship you are looking to have during the summer, the application process starts extremely early. In fact, the due date has already passed for some larger corporations, overseas programs and other third party programs. Because the process of being accepted and setting up these internships takes so much time, the internship organizers like to fill these spots as quickly as possible.

“I’ve already started my summer internship search—well in advance,” says Lindsay Shoemake, a collegiette from Georgia College & State University. “I just applied for the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME) Summer Internship program on Dec. 1, and I’m looking for more summer opportunities.”

Of course, there’s often a debate about how early is too early to be looking for internships. “Sometimes it can be frustrating because a lot of the time companies want an intern to start right away, so they aren’t ‘officially’ looking for interns until a few weeks before the summer,” says Jessica. However, by establishing contacts in advance, you’ll have a better chance of actually securing these opportunities when April or May come around. “Start your search early, it will definitely pay off,” Jessica says.

Not sure where to start looking? There are many online resources that you can be using including ed2010, internships.com, Intern Queen and HC’s Careerette section.

Update your resumé 

One thing you should definitely do in advance is make sure your résumé is looking perfect before you start applying for any internships or jobs.  

“Keep the résumé to one page and focus on accomplishments including work experience, internships, academic projects and community service. Be sure to have others review and proofread your résumé.  Most university career centers remain open - even if you're on break; ask an adviser, as well as other people, such as family members and faculty to review your résumé,” Sharit says.

Though updating your résumé can seem like a tedious and time-consuming task, there are little things you can do to improve it within a few hours. Focus on things such as making your internship details sound the best and adding extracurricular activities.

Consider creating an online portfolio

If you’ve never created a portfolio, you’re missing a great opportunity to show off some of your best work during interviews. Portfolios can contain work you’ve done in class—such as essays, PowerPoint presentations, group projects, etc.—as well as things you’ve done at past internships or jobs—such as research, articles you’ve written, etc

Although creating a hard copy portfolio is great (in a binder or folder), creating an online portfolio is even better and can make you appear both tech-savvy and organized. And don’t worry, you don’t need any HTML experience for this. Use a free website builder, such as Weebly.com, and you can drag and drop things such as your résumé and essays onto the pages.

Confused? If you’re looking for what to put on your electronic portfolio, career expert Heather Huhman has excellent examples of successful online portfolios.

Ask for letters of recommendation ASAP 

You probably heard this advice when you were applying to colleges, but it really is crucially important to ask for letters of recommendation in advance. For one, it looks bad when you are asking a professor or industry contact to write you a letter at the last minute. Even if this person is a strong advocate for you, you might frustrate her by asking so late.

If you aren’t completely sure what internships or jobs you’re applying for yet, it’s still a good idea to have letters of recommendation on hand that can be easily customized to fit particular opportunities later. Professors especially get dozens of requests for letters once summer approaches, so save them the stress and ask now!

Also, when you need to have letters of recommendation written, there are a few tips you should keep in mind, such as asking in a professional manner and sending a follow-up thank you note.

Network, network, network!

Even if you aren’t applying for jobs or internships in the foreseeable future, you’ll have more success finding opportunities when you’ve already established contacts in the industry.

“Network like crazy,” Sharit says. “Meet with your parents’ friends, parents of friends, family members—anyone who's willing to talk about careers. They do not need to be in the field you're focused on, but they may know somebody that can help. Don't be shy. People really do want to help, they love to give advice and you can learn from everybody. Ask questions and listen. Send hand-written thank you notes to show your appreciation.”

Your best chance at finding networking opportunities is to contact your school’s career office and ask about upcoming career fairs or events. Most universities have a countless number of events every month, so attend and collect some business cards!

So there you have it ladies. No matter how far away summer might seem right now, there are many little things you can be doing right now to prepare.With just a little work, you can ensure that the coming summer will be the best one yet!

Sources:
Rochelle Sharit, Career Manager, Northeastern University
Lindsay Shoemake
Jessica Salerno
http://www.internships.com/student/resources/prep/when-should-i-apply-fo...
http://heatherhuhman.com/2010/04/4-online-portfolios-done-right/
http://www.hercampus.com/career/10-easy-ways-improve-your-résumé-without-actually-doing-anything
http://www.hercampus.com/school/wellesley/how-ask-letter-recommendation
http://www.hercampus.com/career/how-get-perfect-recommendation-letter

With the worst of winter brewing, your motivation for working out is on a slippery, icy slope. As tempting as it is to stay snuggled up in your bed and hit snooze on that alarm clock this time of year, you don’t have to let your fitness routine hibernate. The next few months don’t have to be spent on the couch with comfort food nearby. By mixing up your workout calendar and maintaining a positive attitude, you’ll be beating the winter slump in no time. Check out these festive ways to burn extra calories and say goodbye to boredom all season long.

1. Train for a holiday race

What could make working out more fun than running with all the bells and whistles? Signing up for a holiday 5K race or marathon is a cheerful option to get you in the winter exercise spirit. These races spice up the regular racing routine by encouraging runners to dress in a festive costume. For the Arthritis Foundation's series of Jingle Bell Run/Walk events, runners wear holiday-themed outfits and tie jingle bells to their shoelaces. The Las Vegas Great Santa Run gives every participant a Santa suit to wear during the race. And The Holiday Marathons series offers marathons on Christmas Day and News Year’s Day. There are tons of other holiday-themed races out there, so check out Active.com to find one in your area.

2. Take a new exercise class

We all know that when winter weather sets in, going to the gym can fall to the bottom of our to-do lists. But there are plenty of out-of-the-box workout classes to get you excited about the gym! Bypass the boring treadmill and sign up for something completely new to make burning fat fun. Nothing will thaw your winter laziness like hot yoga or piloxing, which is a blend of Pilates and kickboxing.

“This is a good time of year to take a class indoors,” says Megan Fink, a junior from The University of Southern Mississippi. “I'm in Kung Fu, and it's definitely a workout.”

Mandaline Dunne, a senior at Loyola University Chicago, says she looks for discounts at studios during winter since she would rather work out inside. “I found a couple local yoga studios that offers first-month discounts, so I plan on joining a couple of those during the cold-weather months,” she says.

Signing up for a class can also motivate you to go the gym because you have a specific day and time in place, not just the “I might workout sometime today” mentality.

Check your local gym or campus recreation center’s exercise schedule and perk up your routine! 

3. Find a winter workout partner

Exercising is easier when the sun is shining and just looking outside doesn’t make you shiver. That’s why when winter rolls around you need an extra jolt of motivation from a fitness-minded friend. Find a workout partner to be your ray of sunshine when things get snowy and miserable outside. It’s harder to let someone else down than it is to let yourself down, and that’s even truer in the winter. Make plans to meet a group or another fitness-minded collegiette to exercise. This way, when you’re feeling lazy and tempted to skip out on your workout, you’ll be less likely to cancel on them since you know they’ll be counting on you.

Caitlin McCoy, a senior at Miami University, says teaming up with a pal is a perfect way to make going to the gym more desirable. “I usually end up working out longer when I’m with a friend because [I’m] not focused on how much time is passing,” says McCoy. “It’s also a fun way to catch up with friends you haven’t seen in a while. It doesn’t even feel like you’re working out.”

So next time you need inspiration to hit the gym, text a friend to join in!

4.Get creative at home

Getting to the gym can be more of a hassle when it is cold outside, but don’t let that be an excuse to not exercise at all! A great alternative is working out at home, where's it's cozy and warm. Whether you pop in an exercise DVD, buy an exercise app or invest in a few free weights, staying at home is a convenient and fun way to stay in shape.

Try the free Nike Training Club app on iTunes. It includes more than 100 custom-built workouts. You could also check out workout tape series, such as Insanity, Pure Barre DVDs or other exercise videos on demand on your TV. You can even do a few exercises while you study orin your dorm room.

When heading out the door seems like a no-go, try a few of these options to still get your workout in. After all, home really is where the (healthy) heart is!

5. Try an extreme winter sport

Let’s get adventurous, collegiettes! If you’ve always wanted to try skiing or snowboarding, now is the perfect time to hit the slopes.

One option that will definitely whip you into shape is cross-country skiing. Instead of zooming downhill, you must propel yourself across flat surfaces and up slopes—and then you occasionally get a downhill break. Cross-country skiing is not only an NCAA and Olympic sport, but it’s the perfect winter sport to challenge your endurance and strength. And you’ll tone your arms, legs and butt while enjoying the winter snow. You may not reach gold medal status in one winter, but give this sport a try for a fresh take on working out!

6. Play in the snow

Forget that college status for second and embrace the kid in you. Whether it’s building a snowman, sledding, having a snowball fight or building an igloo, these classic options are great for getting exercise in a sneaky way.

Annie Blanks, a junior English major at Sewanee, says she always plays in the snow to celebrate the winter weather. “My friends and I have snowman-building contests on the quad during the winter,” she says. Annie adds that it’s a surprisingly killer workout. “Running around rolling those big heavy snowballs doesn't even seem like a workout until afterwards when we crash,” she says.

If you get especially stir-crazy this winter, go back to basics for a superb workout! If you’re more of a fan of ice than snow, get a group of friends together to go ice-skating. 

7. Bundle up and bear it 

As much as the bitter temperatures make you want to avoid the outdoors, sometimes taking on the outside is the best option. Running outside in the fresh, cool weather can actually be a refreshing twist to staying indoors.

“The coldest weather I've run in is 16 degrees. It sounds freezing, but it's actually doable if you wear a couple pairs of leggings, Under Armour and gloves and a hat,” Mandaline says. “The brisk winter air is really invigorating.”   

Just throw on some layers and get going. You’ll warm up as you go! And you can always go shopping for cute warm workout gear to keep you motivated!

Whether you’re trying a new class or simply making the best of a cold day, there’s no reason to get out of shape during the winter season. So throw off the covers and lace up your running shoes. It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and that includes being active! 

Sick of eating cereal and Ramen for lunch and dinner? Want to spend less money eating out and finally start cooking for yourself? Put down that frozen pizza, because HC’s Health Editor, Sammie Levin, is here to share her daily eats so you can get ideas for healthy, satisfying meals that are easy enough for any time-strapped collegiette to make. After you read Collegiette Eats, your taste buds, wallet and waistline will thank you.

I haven’t been posting anything that I eat in between meals, so I thought I would share a few of my go-to snacks. I don't always snack throughout the day, but sometimes I need a little something to tide me over, especially when I eat an early dinner and stay up late doing work. These can all be prepared pretty quickly, so before you reach for a 100-calorie pack that will probably leave your stomach grumbling 30 seconds later, fix yourself one of these nutritious, satisfying snacks.

Savory

Healthy Egg McMuffin

I can think of few things better than a fried egg. If you’ve ever looked at runny yolk porn on food blogs before, then you know what I’m talking about. And if you haven’t, then stop pretending like you’re not intrigued and go check it out. The combination of the fried egg with the creamy cheese and a warm, toasted English muffin makes this a divine snack. Definitely one of my favorites. 

• Directions: Toast one half of a Fiber One English muffin. Spread with one Light Laughing Cow Cheese Wedge. Top with one fried egg.
• Calories: ~155

Turkey Lettuce Wrap

Sliced turkey is the greatest thing since sliced bread. And speaking of bread, you don’t even need it to make this snack complete. Just wrap your turkey up in cheese and lettuce and you’re good to go.

• Directions: Spread one lettuce cup or swiss chard leaf with one tablespoon of hummus.  Top with three slices of turkey, one slice of low-fat cheese, and a few slices of tomato.
• Calories: ~175

Cottage Cheese-Stuffed Avocado

Photo courtesy of fitsugar.com 

This may sound like a weird combo, but don’t knock it ‘til you try it. The flavors and textures go surprisingly well together—unless you’re a cottage cheese hater, then I can’t promise anything. This snack is a great mix of protein and healthy fats, so it’ll keep your hunger at bay until your next meal.

• Directions: Cut an avocado in half, remove pit and fill hole with ¼ cup of low fat cottage cheese. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Calories: ~210

Sweet

Greek Yogurt Parfait

• Directions: Transfer one 6-oz container of vanilla Greek yogurt to a larger bowl. Mix in ¼ cup blueberries, ¼ cup raspberries, 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed and 1 teaspoon honey.
• Calories: ~215

Banana Peanut Butter Toast

On the rare occasion that I don’t incorporate banana and nut butter into my breakfast, then I sometimes like to have it as a mid-morning snack or even a dessert at night. You could also substitute the banana for strawberries if you like, which taste really good with almond butter.  

• Directions: Toast one slice of Ezekiel bread. Spread with 1 tablespoon natural peanut butter and top with one small sliced banana. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
• Calories: ~280

Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding

Chia seeds are loaded with omega-3's, antioxidants and plant-based protein. When you add chia seeds to liquid and let it sit in the fridge, the tiny seeds soak up the liquid and expand, making for a pudding-esque consistency. This is perfect for those times (aka all the time) when you want something sweet post-dinner. 

• Directions: Mix 2 tablespoons chia seeds with 2/3 cup almond milk, 1 teaspoon cocoa powder and 1 tablespoon agave. Store in fridge for several hours until thick.
• Calories: ~160

Lighter Snacks

Homemade Popcorn

Popcorn is one of my favorite late-night snacks, especially if I’m craving something salty. It’s not very filling, though, so it’s better for when I’m not too hungry but just want a little something to eat. I had never stove-popped popcorn before this year, but my housemates got me into it. Making your own allows you to control the amount of salt and butter used, so if you have access to a stove, then I recommend it.

• Directions: Depends on brand; buy popping corn kernels and prepare on stove according to package instructions.
• Calories: ~30-50 per cup

Baby Carrots and Dip

This may not be the best snack to eat in the quiet section of the library, but if you’re somewhere where you can crunch to your heart’s desire, then go for it.

• Directions: Munch on 1-2 servings of baby carrots (about 15-25 carrots) with your dip of choice, such as hummus, tzatziki or salsa.
• Calories: ~35-60 without dip; calories of dips vary

Almonds

Almonds are a great snack to take to the library. It can be hard to control your portion sizes with nuts since it’s so easy to just keep popping more into your mouth without keeping track. Even though almonds are full of healthy fats, the calories can add up, so avoid going overboard by portioning out a serving instead of just continuously reaching your hand into the bag.

• Directions: Enjoy one serving of natural almonds (about one handful, or 20-25 nuts)
• Calories: ~170

These are just a few of the snacks I've been picking this semester. What's your go-to healthy snack? Comment below! I'm always in need of good new ideas to switch it up. 

It happens every year: you think you’re going to get all our holiday shopping done on Black Friday, but all of a sudden it’s Thanksgiving and you haven’t even thought about what your mom or boyfriend would want for Christmas.  But don’t think that you have no shot of getting great deals now that Black Friday is over! We found an app and website that are about to make your holiday shopping sooo much easier.

Meet Shopcade a shopping community where fashion lovers can discover the latest trends from their favorite brands and receive personalized sale offers all in one place. With Shopcade, you can make an infinite number of wish lists—party dresses for you, Christmas gifts for your sister, you name it—and save items you want in them for later. Shopcade features millions of products from thousands of stores, and they also have a handy toolbar plugin or bookmarklet (like Pinterest’s “Pin It” button) to save anything you see on the web for later. You can also download the Shopcade app, which is available for both iOS and Android.

The best part? Shopcade alerts you when an item in one of your lists goes on sale or if there is a special offer you should know about, so you’ll never miss a sale!

You can also see your friends’ wish lists—so why not get gift ideas for your sorority little from her own Shopcade? It’s definitely easier than trying to sneakily ask her what she wants (admit it, you’ve never been subtle)!  You can also be inspired by celebs’, bloggers’ and other trendsetters’ featured looks and fave items on Shopcade.

So stop worrying about your holiday shopping! Shopcade has you covered, so you’re free to focus on finals—although, let’s be real, once you start shopping on Shopcade, your studying may become less of a priority.  Don’t say we didn’t warn you, shopping addicts…

Goodbye baggy, shapeless sweaters. Getting custom fitted clothing used to be a daunting process, involving picking out your own fabrics, getting measured at your local tailor, and waiting several weeks for them to be made, but Appalatch found a way to create custom sized sweaters in just an hour – and without you even having to leave the house!

Appalatch is an Asheville, NC-based Kickstarter campaign that seeks to produce heirloom quality, fad-proof sweaters made to your measurements. Their mission is to design, manufacture and sell products using practices that honor the people who make their clothes, the environment from which they came and the people who buy them. Appalatch’s 3D printed sweaters are responsibly priced, sustainably sourced, 100 percent made in America and, best of all, always fit perfectly.

Appalatch doesn’t just believe in banishing ill-fitting sweaters – they also want to change the clothing industry. U.S. apparel manufacturing was once the best, most highly innovative industry on the planet but, unfortunately, this has changed. Only 2 percent of clothing bought in America today is made domestically, and in the past 20 years, America has lost 80 percent of apparel manufacturing jobs. Appalatch believes that American-made clothing should be made without compromising on quality, ethical responsibilities, or style.

Still looking for the perfect holiday gift? A durable, heritage-inspired, custom fit sweater might be just the right thing!