While you were having a family barbeque or lounging on the beach, Taylor Swift was busy throwing the most epic Fourth of July shindig for herself and her famous pals. The event was full of American flag apparel, water slides and cute candids that perfectly captured everyone’s happiness.

Nothing says “USA” like Ruby Rose and T. Swift sliding down a blow-up waterslide while holding an American flag.

Things got a little crazy when Orange Is the New Black actress Uzo Aduba (aka Crazy Eyes) and her sister Chioma decided to hit the slide with Tay. 

T. and bestie Cara Delevingne stick together in this cute snap.

Taylor Swift is famous for her catchy lyrics, but she’s also known for her squad. In perfect Fourth fashion, Taylor and her girl gang celebrated with red, white and blue and fireworks.

Delevingne, Swift and Gigi Hadid played triplets for the day in their striped swimwear. Each gal gave the look their own twist, and they couldn't look more adorable. These swimsuits beat friendship bracelets any day.

Did someone say #BFFgoals? Swift and pal Karlie Kloss take a daring dive down the water slide. 

How do they still look so effortlessly gorgeous?

What would the Fourth of July be without a classic fireworks picture? Ruby Rose and girlfriend Harley Gusman took in the spectacle together and made us all swoon.

The next time we're beaching it with our besties, you can guarantee we will be recreating this flawless shot.

STOP. IT. This pic is EVERYTHING. Just look at Ryan's face and cute, pregnant Blake sitting in his lap. Perfection. 

Even if you’re not able to top Tay’s bash, you can’t deny you totally want to throw an awesome summer party with your friends. Our number one tip? Get a waterslide!

The email scandal that has plagued Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign may soon be resolved. FBI director James B. Comey said Tuesday that the bureau will not recommend criminal charges against Clinton for mishandling of classified information, according to The New York Times.

“Although we did not find clear evidence that Secretary Clinton or her colleagues intended to violate laws governing the handling of classified information, there is evidence that they were extremely careless in their handling of very sensitive, extremely classified information,” Comey said during Tuesday’s press conference. 

Clinton used a personal email address and server for sending and receiving sensitive information, which was discovered during an investigation by the House Select Committee into the September 2012 attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya in which four Americans, including Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, were killed. 

The discovery made during the Benghazi investigation resulted in a yearlong investigation in which the FBI, CIA, State Department, and other agencies examined multiple servers, read 30,000 emails, and interviewed dozens of people. 

Comey said the FBI uncovered additional emails containing classified information during their investigation. However, in order to charge Clinton criminally, they had to find evidence that she intentionally sent or received classified information. Basically, whether or not Clinton meant to do something bad mattered. The FBI didn't find evidence that she did.

Attorney General Loretta Lynch said on Friday that she would accept the FBI’s recommendation to not pursue criminal charges against Clinton. Lynch faced backlash after an impromptu meeting with Bill Clinton in the Phoenix airport, which prompted allegations that she was biased toward Clinton in the email case.

Despite the FBI’s investigation finding no wrong doing by Clinton, the email scandal may continue to follow the presidential hopeful on the campaign trail as she begins campaign appearances with President Obama. A Washington Post-ABC News national poll from March found that just 37 percent of Americans believe Hillary Clinton is honest and trustworthy with 53 percent of those polled having an unfavorable view of Clinton. But the White House may still be within Hillary Clinton’s reach, with a USA Today/Suffolk University poll finding that Hillary Clinton leads Donald Trump by 6 percentage points. 

The Washington Post-ABC News poll found that two-thirds of the adults polled believe Clinton "has the right experience to the president." The poll also found that 62 percent of people say they would prefer "someone who has experience in how the political system works."

Will experience trump trustworthiness? We'll have to wait until Nov. 8 to find out. 

Kylie Cosmetics is facing backlash yet again. This time, it isn’t beauty bloggers or consumers on the attack, though.

The company recently received an F from the Better Business Bureau due to 134 complaints filed against them. The BBB’s review details the nature of the complaints, with most being delivery issues or "problems with product/service." You might remember how boxes were being stolen from doorsteps, leading to a redesign. Kylie's gloss brushes also had to be reworked to avoid fraying.

Despite Kylie's attempts to make things right, the BBB reports, “As of June 23, 2016 the pattern of complaint allegations continues.”

Of course, Kylie responded to the review with a post on her website: "I've sold millions of lip kits and any complaint we've received to date has been addressed in a timely manner. I'm sick and tired of people coming for my business…I don't want to respond to the haters but you guys deserve an answer and to know the facts. I love you and apologize to anyone who felt the urge to complain and didn't receive the service they deserve."

The Better Business Bureau has since removed the F rating and replaced it with "no rating." The BBB's website explains the change of heart: "This business is not currently rated because it has been in business less than one year and does not have a sufficient track record for BBB to rate it."

We admire Kylie’s entrepreneurial spirit, but it looks like she still needs to acquire some customer service skills.

A recent study has found that heterosexual women who hold sexist beliefs of their own are less likely to orgasm during sex, Cosmopolitan reports. This might be because women are subconsciously picking up on their partners’ sexist attitudes about whether or not a woman deserves pleasure during sex.

The study found that women who have “dominant” male partners might be less likely to expect equal pleasure from their partners because they think it's their partner's right to be selfish and only worry about his own orgasm. When women tolerate these behaviors, they are also less likely to ask for pleasure at all.

Women who tolerated ambivalent sexism were found “significantly” less likely to experience orgasms with their male partners (from any kind of sex). Where’s the fun in sex without pleasure?!

Researchers also asked female participants about their feelings regarding “ambivalent sexism,” or ideas such as“women need to be cherished and protected by men.” You know, knight-in-shining armor, hold doors open and never let a female pay for a meal kind of BS. Shouldn't chivalry include making sure your lady gets off?

We are totally down with our partners taking care of us (who doesn’t like not paying for a meal every once in a while, anyway?), but if this is rooted in a belief that we need taking care of, it’s not okay. According to the study itself, benevolent sexism justifies “prejudicial attitudes toward women...through the guise of care and protection.”

We gotta fight for our right to orgasm, ladies! Nobody puts your pleasure in a corner.

Many diet books, health experts, celebrities, and even TV show and movie characters have waged an intense anti-carb war for quite some time now. The consensus is pretty clear: we should avoid carbs at ALL costs if we want to lose weight (and that of course we should want to lose weight). But is that really true?

A new Italian study says no, pasta is actually a huge part of having a healthy lifestyle, TIME reports. The Department of Epidemiology, IRCCS Neuromed in Pozzilli, Italy believes that consuming pasta can actually help to lower your body mass index, or BMI. Researchers surveyed over 23,000 people, concluding that eating pasta correlates with a reduction of BMI and abdominal obesity (AKA stomach fat).

In a statement, one of the authors of the study, George Pounis, said, "We have seen that consumption of pasta, contrary to what many think, is not associated with an increase in body weight, rather the opposite. Our data show that enjoying pasta according to individuals' needs contributes to a healthy body mass index, lower waist circumference and better waist-hip ratio."

This news probably comes as a shock to many Americans. We have been led to believe that we should stay as farrrr away from carbs as possible because they will do nothing but make us gain weight. As it turns out, the Italian/Mediterranean staple isn't really all that bad for you—as long as it is eaten in moderation. In Italy, pasta is typically consumed in much smaller portions as a first course rather than as an entrée, which is quite different from the norm in the US.

According to TIME, the Italian government and the pasta company, Barilla, partially funded this study. Unfortunately, this means there may have been a pretty glaring conflict of interest. Even so, the study still seems legit. Carbohydrates are one of our primary energy sources, and can even help you maintain a well-rounded diet. Dr. Sanjay Gupta explained in a CNN video that whether the carbs you eat are healthy or unhealthy at first glance (think: fruit and veggies vs. soda and cookies), they all turn into sugar once they break down.

However, complex carbohydrates, like whole grains, take longer to fully convert into usable energy. Therefore, your blood sugar won't spike and start to store excess carbs as fat. So think about eating whole grain pastas rather than white pastas for more of a health benefit.

It's important to remember that pasta consumption has only been shown to correlate to a loss in abdominal fat, not to cause this loss. There are many other factors of a healthy lifestyle, and eating pasta alone probably won't solve all of your problems. 

In the wake of deadly mass shootings such as the tragedy in Orlando on June 12, several emergency centers are considering the addition of texting capabilities to the standard 911 phone call. The Washington Post reports that people, particularly in hostage situations, are more and more frequently texting loved ones and asking them to call the police because making a phone call might cause the emergency situation to escalate.

Only a small fraction of dispatch centers (650 out of more than 6,000) are currently able to accept texts about emergencies, and officials worry that expanding this service might actually slow down emergency response because civilians would become too reliant on texting rather than calling. Additionally, phone calls make it way easier for emergency dispatchers to get the information they need, officials say. Texting can use up valuable time during a dangerous situation.

There are several pros to the suggested new system, including the ability to send photos and videos of a perpetrator or surroundings, as well as in domestic violence situations where an individual might need to be more discreet, for the sake of their immediate safety, about getting help.

People with disabilities might also have an easier time sending a text compared to making a phone call. People with impaired hearing, for example, have been able to take advantage of the “text-to-911 service.”

Over 150 emergency response centers are reported to add texting capabilities to their facilities in 2016. Hopefully people will use good judgement when it comes to texting 911, and the service can provide faster and more helpful assistance to those who need it until our world becomes safer.

In the age of declining attention spans, networking is more important than ever. We hear it over and over again: it’s not what you know; it’s who you know. But if you don’t know anyone, how can you get started?

Networking isn’t this mysterious or formal checkbox you need on your resume. “Networking, at its core, is just connecting with people. And connecting with people is perhaps the most important skill anyone can have. People buy from people they like, they hire people they like, they give opportunities to people they like,” says Bill Connolly, a career coach.

As you start your summer internship or make the big leap into your first big girl job, it’s important to start networking.

But, um…how do you do that? It can be so intimidating to dress up and talk to strangers. And who has time for it?

It’s easier than you think.

“Being a good person is an easy place to start. [Then] start small, and with very achievable goals,” advises Connolly. “Pick one event per month in your local market and commit to going and talking with at least five individuals. It honestly doesn't matter who they are or what value they could provide to your business or career. The important part is forcing yourself to be uncomfortable.”

With that in mind, here are some tips to get started networking for even the laziest girl.

5-second changes to your online presence make a big difference

Start with your online presence. It’s how people find out about you before they meet you—so make a good impression. Get yourself a LinkedIn, even if your only work experience so far is lifeguarding or babysitting. Make sure you include:

• A high-res picture of yourself. Comb through your best Facebook profile pics for one that looks professional. If you don’t have one, it’s okay not to have a professional headshot just yet: grab a friend and your iPhone, and take a few pictures in front of relatively blank backgrounds, like a brick wall.
• A title that says what you’re really doing every day. Many company titles don’t make sense to anyone outside of the company. They can obscure many of the day-to-day tasks that make you, you. A title like “Marketing Coordinator” or “Finance Associate” doesn’t really say all that much about your job. Get more specific. Instead, try “Content & Social Media” or “Financial Forecasting” if that’s really what you do every day.
• Add some multimedia. Does the company you interned for have a website? Include it in the links section of your profile, as well as any projects or writing that you’ve done.

LinkedIn is just the start. Increasingly, employers use your entire social media presence to evaluate you—so get in control of your online image before you face the awkward questions in your interview about your lifestyle. It doesn’t take long to scrub your profiles, but doing so is important for your job search. (Not sure where to start? Check out these tips from Her Campus).

Related: 5 Ways To Make (& Maintain) Relationships In Your Internship

A little practice goes a long way

Get outside your comfort zone with baby steps. Set small goals for yourself throughout the course of your day to practice networking, whether that’s starting a conversation with someone in an elevator or complimenting someone’s clothing, hair or jewelry while waiting in line for your caffeine fix. You don’t have to seek out interactions or do something fancy. Just be yourself in your day-to-day life and practice seeing those opportunities to reach out and make a connection.

If you’d rather have a little fun than work on your networking, you can do both! Try signing up for a local improv comedy class, says Connolly. It’s the best way to practice operating on the fly, albeit in a silly way. Take a few girlfriends and spend a night laughing at yourselves, and learn how to think on your feet.

Casual meet-ups

Now that you’re prepared, start putting yourself out there IRL. Try a quick search on LinkedIn or Twitter for your industry or job title to find potential people to get to know. “I try to ask for informational interviews and get-togethers with people in my field,” says Alaina Leary, social content curator at Connelly Partners. “I’ve met colleagues for dinner and drinks at cafes and that’s still networking, especially since now we have an idea of what the other is like in case we ever hear of an opening that they’d be a good fit for.”

Related: 4 Success Tips for Introverted Interns

It may seem daunting, but there’s no harm in asking local folks to coffee. You’re probably already heading to Starbucks later today! If you’re intimidated by that (and let’s face it, it’s pretty darn intimidating), start with a deeper connection: some alumni from your school or colleagues from work you might not talk to very often. Don’t think of these get-togethers as interviews or hard work; think of them as informal meet-ups where you get to know the other person. What do they do every day? Do you think that would fit your interests? Are you interested in a certain skill, like writing? Ask away—we bet they would love to hear your questions.

If you’re still not into it, message them over Twitter or ask for their time for a 10-15 minute Facebook chat. That way you’re still chatting and can ask direct questions, but don’t necessarily need to venture out face-to-face. It can be an easy way to move in the right direction.

It’s not me, it’s you

Networking isn’t about what you need—it’s about how you can help others.

“Focus on making a real connection with another person,” says Connolly. “The old adage is that you must network before you need something. And that is enormously true.”

As a collegiette, it may seem like there’s nothing you can do to help someone else. But the truth is your current network is more powerful than you think. For example, if your mom is a dentist and you have a friend in dental school, can you set up an email introduction (two seconds!) between the two for your mom to provide some advice? Share something of theirs on Twitter? There are lots of ways to help someone without necessarily landing them their dream job (though if you can do that, please do!).

“Help others, whether it's through making a connection on their behalf, or even just sharing an article they wrote on your social channels. Build up the perception in their mind that you are someone of value,” says Connolly.

Networking happens when you least expect it

“I think it’s important to remember that networking doesn’t have to mean a suit and a tie at a formal event,” says Alaina. Everything is a networking opportunity, even if you’re not at a networking event. But that doesn’t mean it has to be transactional all the time. Instead, be yourself.

Says Connolly, “Focus on building relationships and providing value to others, and you will reap benefits down the line. You never know where you will meet someone or where an opportunity will come from. So be the best version of yourself no matter where you are, and build relationships for the sake of building relationships.”

“Just always be social and open to different kinds of people,” adds Iris Goldsztajn, editorial intern at Goop.com. “You never know who knows who and you could touch on some amazing opportunities. And if you make friends along the way, all the better!”

Networking isn’t some mysterious or difficult thing to tackle. These few small tweaks to your everyday life can help you get started—and can pay off in a big way.

By Sofia Dishongh

For the past year, I have had two endoscopies, a colonoscopy, many blood tests and biopsies, two CT scans, an MRI and have been to the emergency room numerous times to the point that nurses at the hospital near my university immediately recognize me. I don’t even flinch when an IV needle is placed into me. Every month, for two weeks, I am a normal functioning ecstatic college student, a tenacious force to reckon with and hell-bent on conquering the world. However, during the week before my period, everything comes to a halt and I am rendered disabled. I begin having bouts of nausea that consist of me vomiting food and blood, nosebleeds, complete exhaustion, severe abdominal, hip, and back pain, along with pulsing pains equivalent to being kicked in the balls. When Mother Nature finally arrives with my oh-so-special gift, I become extremely weak and cannot even ease out of bed without screaming due to the excruciating pain.

Since getting my period at the early age of nine, I always experienced a great deal of pain during my time of the month and some irregular symptoms. However, I assumed all of this was normal. While it was fairly manageable during my elementary and middle school years, in high school this changed drastically. Slowly, I began missing a day of school and vomiting for no reason during my sophomore year. This eventually transformed into me being absent whenever I had my period during the second semester of my senior year, to the point that a concerned teacher informed the school nurse they were worried about me skipping class since I was missing all of my tests. After visiting a variety of medical professionals from gastrointestinal specialists to gynecologists, the diagnosis was inconclusive. Although my symptoms were similar to endometriosis, as many young girls experiencing these issues are told, “I was too young to have endometriosis,” according to almost every single gynecologist we visited.

Last year, during the second semester of my first year of college, I was diagnosed with an H. Pylori infection. H. Pylori is a stomach bacteria that increases one’s risk of gastric cancer and causes stomach ulcers. I went from having a perfect attendance record during my first semester of college to vomiting blood every single night and being in immense pain, leading to me leaving my first year of college early for treatment purposes. After a lengthy period of treatment, I finally tested negative for H. Pylori in September. During my battle with H. Pylori, one source of light was that sometimes endometriosis-like symptoms can be caused by H. Pylori, signifying that once I was finally rid of the H. Pylori, hopefully there would be no endometriosis symptoms. Of course, this failed to be the case. A week after testing negative, I began vomiting uncontrollably with abdominal pain and ended up in the emergency room. The testing, medical visits, and procedures ensued and during the first day of my monthly “gift,” I always ended up in the emergency room.    

After years of this strenuous cycle, I have finally received a clinical diagnosis for endometriosis and am in the process of going to a center to start treatment. Despite finally having a diagnosis, endometriosis is incurable and chronic. I am divulging the details of one of my darkest ongoing battles, not for the sake of sympathy or reverence, but for others dealing with the issues of chronic illness and pain.

While our experiences differ and I cannot speak for your circumstances, I understand. I know how difficult it is when you feel healthy and on top of the world, but can become downtrodden, weak and in excruciating pain the next. I understand wishing your main issues revolved around “normal” stuff like, “Ugh I have so much homework and two exams on Friday,” and “Does this person like me?” instead of wondering if you will be able to get out of bed today or rushing to give a presentation on sea legs after taking Vicodin because the pain will not stop and you feel as if you cannot afford to miss more class. I understand the heartbreak when someone dear to you is unable to empathize and leaves.

I also completely feel the frustration that comes with people criticizing your diet or suggesting strange cures when they possess no knowledge of your illness. This especially hits hard when people fail to comprehend that if it were as easy and uncomplicated as giving up the suggested food, you would in a heartbeat, just to stop the continual suffering. Even though it can be annoying, remember that these usually unwelcome suggestions tend to come out of care, concern and a desire to see you happy and accomplishing all that you want to achieve.

Nevertheless, balancing an illness that impacts so much as a driven student and professional becomes increasingly difficult especially when you are forced to pass up potential opportunities since it is a flare up kind of day. I also understand the mental effects of dealing with chronic pain. You may question, as I did many times, whether it is worth dealing with chronic symptoms that take such a toll, cause so much suffering and seemingly prevent you from living a worthwhile life when no cure is present.

If this is your stance, as it was mine, I implore you to reconsider. While this path is a not an easy one, you are brave, strong and have so much to offer. You have surpassed all of the obstacles thrown your way for a reason, and I encourage you to look beyond this arduous situation. Enjoy the moments in which you feel happy and good, embrace the magnificence of the world around you and go for the gusto. Because you can.

We collegiettes that are chronically early are a rare breed of human. We didn't ask to be this way, and we definitely didn't ask for all the struggle and awkward moments that come along with this habit. These 15 struggles are something we can all relate to. 

1. No matter how hard you try, you always wake up before your alarm. 

Because your brain knows it's coming and just can't let the alarm be earlier than you. 

2. You have an excess of downtime to sit around on your phone before work, school, etc. 

Needless to say you've become a pro at Candy Crush. 

3. You're always the first to show up when hanging out with friends. 

And you try hard not to foam at the mouth when they're late.

4.  You've gone to extreme lengths before an event to make it look like you weren't there super early. 

Nobody can know how embarrassingly early you are. 

5. Like hiding in a bathroom...

And redoing your makeup. ​

6. Ducking down in your car so no one will see you...

While wearing sunglasses and a hat. 

7. And casually walking around the block five times so it always looks like you're just approaching. 

Because you have to make the perfect entrance! 

8. If you ever show up to something late, you behave like a maniac the rest of the day. 

Your eye ~literally~ will not stop twitching. 

9. Having an SO who's chronically late is one of your worst nightmares. 

Even if he's freaking Ryan Gosling, the relationship probably isn't worth the stress. 

10. When you arrive at the movies, the theater is so empty that the trivia questions haven't even started. 

It also means you finish your popcorn long before the film even starts.

11. Your classroom is usually empty too, which means you always get first pick of the seats. 

And some free time to dance around the classroom. 

12. You have a weird spidey sense for potential traffic and subway delays. 

As well as a mental list of every possible alternate route. 

13. You're friends hate when you show up early to things.

AGAIN?!

14. So you end up sitting on their couch and petting their dog for an hour until they finally finish getting ready. 

It's routine at this point.

15. You can't help but roll your eyes when people congratulate you for being punctual. 

It's not a lifestyle choice people, it's a habit deeply rooted in anxiety *begins uncomfortable laughter*. 

Rumors have been swirling for a while that Justin Bieber and Kourtney Kardashian might be hooking up. Despite both parties ambiguously denying the claims, this past weekend the two were reportedly spotted together once again at Story Nightclub in Miami.

The Bieb's Purpose tour brought him to Miami for the Fourth of July weekend. His Instagram also proves he was at the club the same night Kourtney was there for a friend's birthday party. 

As is the case in the world of celeb gossip, we obviously have no idea whether Kourt and Justin just happened to run into each other or there is actually more going on. No one was able to get photographic evidence—how that is even possible in this world of camera phones and social media we have no idea—of their interaction at the club. So we will continue to assume this was merely a coincidence until we have proof otherwise.

Wouldn’t it be great if your daily horoscope revealed where and when you would meet the love of your life? We think so, at least. So we’ve decided to study the signs to help determine exactly that. 

Aquarius

You are charitable and loyal. You love using your creativity and genius to help others. You and your SO will probably meet while volunteering at your local animal shelter or working together on a revolutionary project to end world hunger. 

Best of all, you’ll immediately know—and love—that the other person is generous and thoughtful, which is an obvious plus and there’s less pressure to come up with an original opening line—you can simply talk about the task at hand. Perfect!

Pisces

Your sensitive, compassionate and selfless nature makes you an awesome friend. You genuinely care about others’ wellbeing and their feelings, so it’s not hard to imagine one of your longtime friendships blossoming into something more.

Alaina Leary, a second year grad student at Emerson College, says, “I'm a Pisces, and I met my SO in high school. We're actually high school sweethearts, as unbelievable as it is. We met on the first day of high school in our first class, which we had together. We started talking and then ate lunch together, and we have been a part of each other's lives ever since.”

Love can take you by surprise but if you’re as lucky as Alaina and her SO, it’ll be just what you needed, even if you didn’t know you needed it. 

Aries

You’re adventurous, enthusiastic and wildly confident—always willing to try new things and meet new people. Your spontaneity and uplifting energy are hard to resist, and people are naturally drawn to you in social situations.

Sarah Cahn, who completed her degree in fashion merchandising at Kent State University this year, says she met her SO while studying abroad in Florence, Italy. “I was really looking forward to meeting people, traveling almost every weekend, eating amazing food, and the fashion field trips built into my classes. I was so excited to immerse myself in the culture and enjoy every opportunity studying abroad had to offer. Dating didn't even cross my mind; I didn't have time for it. Dylan and I were in the same orientation group in Italy. We had met a few times before at Greek events back at school but barely knew each other. Dylan studied abroad with the Architecture program and I thought it would be cool to meet people in other majors. He and I started to hang out more and more and eventually started dating while we were abroad. We explored the city of Florence together and even traveled to Croatia for the weekend!”

Sarah and Dylan have been dating for more than a year now. Couples that travel together, stay together. 

Taurus

You’re patient, dependable and warmhearted—friends appreciate that you listen to them and that you always offer support and encouragement. Your potential SO is most likely to strike up a conversation with you in line at an on-campus event or in one of your classes together. They will feel compelled to approach you. 

Jenna Adrian, a sophomore at Drexel University, says, “I'm a Taurus and I met my SO in college when we started chatting at a party.”

Meeting someone at a party might seem like a cliché but it’s actually pretty ideal—your friends are there for backup if needed and, if all goes well, you have someone to enjoy the party with, avoiding any potential wallflower moments! 

Gemini

You are witty and intellectual. You’re a natural conversationalist and you’re pretty good at making people laugh. You are most likely to meet your SO at the workplace or somewhere else that you visit frequently—they won’t be able to resist your charm.

Sarah Silberstein, a senior at the University of Texas at Austin and a Gemini, says, “I met my SO at a coffee shop and breakfast cafe I was working at, at the time."

You are the Lorelai Gilmore to his Luke Danes. 

Cancer

You are incredibly loving but also very emotional. You tend to be more cautious because you’re more afraid than most of rejection. Your ideal situation would be to meet your SO through mutual friends. That way, you know what to expect and there are fewer risks involved. 

When it comes to dating, you can never truly know what to expect. Sometimes, all it takes is a little confidence and a dose of spontaneity to get you over your biggest fears.

Related: 5 Weird Places Collegiettes Met Their Significant Others

Leo

You are generous and open-minded but, sometimes, you prefer to be in control. You will most likely meet your SO on an online dating app, like Tinder or Bumble, which allows you to indulge your experimental tastes on your own terms.

According to Sean Rad, CEO of Tinder, approximately 80 percent of Tinder users browse the app to find love, which makes sense since more than 50 percent of Americans agree that online dating is a good way to meet potential mates. 

Virgo

Intelligent, disciplined, practical and analytical, you are a natural at school and you’re more than okay spending your time studying or reading on campus or at a local bookstore. Every few hours though, it’s good to come up for air—you never know when your future SO is going to be right in front of you. And who doesn’t love a library or bookstore meet-cute?

Shelly Adams, a junior at Shenandoah University, says, “I’m a Virgo, I met my boyfriend at school, which sort of fits my sign. I think Virgo is meticulous and detail-oriented, known for being good at school.”

The best part about meeting your SO at the library is knowing they appreciate quiet time just as much as you do. 

Libra

You are diplomatic and easygoing. You believe that people are innately good and that probably has something to do with the fact that you’re a romantic at heart. Your SO is waiting for you where you least expect them—at your next wine tasting or Sunday trip to the farmer’s market, maybe. 

Nathalie*, a freshman at the University of Waterloo, says her SO won her over with a surprise dinner party. “We live really far apart so when he showed up for my birthday, I was blown away.”

Be prepared to be swept off your feet at any moment. 

Related: What Your Power Shoe Is, Based on Your Zodiac Sign

Scorpio

You are powerful and passionate. Your relationships—romantic or platonic—are always meaningful because of your magnetic personality. You are strong and confident and you don’t mind being the dominant one in a relationship. You will probably meet your SO in a group fitness class or at a karaoke bar, where you can express your bold personality.

Sara*, a senior at Florida Atlantic University, says, “I met my SO at a free yoga class in my town. We were both there for the first time and we laughed through the entire class about how awkward we felt. It really broke the ice, and made the class really exciting!”

The right person won’t be intimidated by your outgoing personality; in fact, they’ll actually find it endearing.

Sagittarius

You are all about positivity and radiance. Your cheerful nature is contagious, and everyone knows that they’re destined to have fun with you around. You and your SO will probably cross paths at a music festival or on an exotic trip.

Bridget Higgins, a senior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, says, “I'm a Sagittarius and I met my SO in the Dominican Republic vacationing with our friends separately. We both ended up being from Massachusetts!”

Nothing like traveling to a faraway place to bring you closer to home.

Capricorn

You are patient and reserved. You prefer to avoid risks and uncertainties, and you especially hate getting your hopes up. You’re content waiting around for the right thing, and you’re confident that you’ll know it when you see it. Chances are you’ll meet your SO at happy hour or you’ll reconnect with an old friend at an alumni or networking event.

The best things in life take time. 

Related: 5 Things That Shouldn’t Matter If You’re With the Right Person

There are hundreds of places you can meet a potential SO—it can honestly be so overwhelming! Narrowing it down according to zodiac signs might be a little eccentric, but hey, it’s worth a shot. 

*Names have been changed

Being in love can feel like a dream come true, but all too often, we convince ourselves that a bad relationship is as close to perfect as we’re going to get. It’s time to stop that! We deserve the absolute best, and that means we must stand up for what we want, and, more importantly, what we need in a relationship. Your significant other probably has some habits that you’re not particularly fond of, such as chewing too loudly or always leaving the toilet seat up, but they may not be actual deal-breakers.

Each of our own deal-breakers are subjective, but there are several core things that none of us should have to deal with from our significant other. Here are some things you should never have to settle for in a relationship. His or her annoying little habits are one thing, but these are entirely another and should not simply be brushed aside.

1. Any form of abuse

This one should be a given, but it’s easy to get caught up in a relationship and lose sight of what’s really happening. If you’re ever being physically, emotionally or mentally abused, that is absolutely not okay. Don’t make excuses for your significant other; love yourself enough to walk away.

“If you shrink rather than expand, if you feel trapped, limited, held down, cornered or feel that you can’t express your opinion, those should be deal-breakers for anyone,” says Patrick Wanis, a human behavior expert.

A relationship should build you up, not tear you down in any way, which is something Becky*, a senior at Ohio State, discovered. “I recently went through a relationship where my boyfriend of the time would be a jerk to me when he was drunk, and especially in front of his friends,” she says. “It was totally degrading, and that's something a girl should never be okay with. I would confront him repeatedly, but the behavior never really stopped. I'm glad I've moved on!”

You should never feel embarrassed or put down by your partner, and if you do, it’s time to walk away. You deserve to be treated with love and the utmost respect. Never let someone make you feel like less of a person through how they treat you physically or verbally.

2. Constant fighting

Every couple fights; it’s not only natural, but oftentimes healthy because it’s important to be able to resolve your issues when they arise. However, if you and your partner find yourself constantly fighting over trivial things, it’s time to reevaluate why that is and if the relationship is worth it. Wanis says that “if you argue more than you laugh,” that’s a relationship red flag.

Relationships should be enjoyable, not a constant battle. We often force ourselves to forget the bad times when the good times finally come, but if the fighting will always return, then what’s the point of the relationship in the first place?

Shira, a senior at Franklin & Marshall College, says, “When I was with my ex, towards the end things weren't so great. We would fight a lot (he even called me ‘miserable’ once), and I basically felt a lack of respect from him and a lack of interest on his part on maintaining the relationship. Looking back, these were signs that this relationship was a no-go and that we should have broken up long before we did.”

Trust us, there are so many better things you can put your time and effort toward than fighting all the time when you could be happily single or with someone who wouldn’t put you through that!   

3. Lack of attention from your partner

Men and women alike are going to find others attractive even while they’re in a relationship; we’re only human. And it’s fine if your man can appreciate a beautiful woman, just as you can appreciate a handsome man, but he never should ogle other women more than you. Wanis says, “If he comments on other women’s beauty, but never yours,” that’s another red flag.

In other words, your significant other isn’t required to compliment you 24/7 (although it’d be nice). But he or she shouldn’t be hitting on other women while neglecting to show you the attention you deserve. According to Wanis, it’s okay if he’s “just commenting on her beauty and [you] knows he still loves [you] and he still thinks [you’re] the most beautiful woman.” It’s not necessarily something you need to feel threatened by, but you should always feel appreciated and respected in your relationship.

If your significant other is always looking at, commenting on and flirting with other women, then it’s time to think about how that makes you feel and what his intentions truly are so that you can know whether or not to walk away.

4. Addictive habits

If your significant other partakes in destructive and/or addictive behavior, such as substance abuse, take that as a warning sign.

Kim Olver, life coach and author of Secrets of Happy Couples: Loving Yourself, Your Partner, and Your Life, says to ask yourself if you’re willing to stay with this person even if he or she never changes. “If yes, then I would ask, can you accept that your boyfriend is going to continue with this addiction and give up the need to try to get him to stop?” she says. “This mean you would have to let go of all anger, resentment and frustration. If the answer is yes, then I say stay in the relationship. If the answer to either question is no, then the relationship is pretty much doomed.”

If his lifestyle makes you uncomfortable or worried and he doesn’t seem concerned or willing to get help, then walk away before you get yourself hurt, or worse, involved in his addictive habits as well. “The addict will continue addictive behavior and the woman will continue to complain, criticize, nag and threaten to get him to stop,” Olver says. “This behavior will destroy the relationship and likely give the addict more excuses to continue to use.”

5. Your SO is in lust, not love

Sexual attraction is a wonderful thing and an important part of a relationship. However, if you feel like your SO only wants you in that way and doesn’t cherish you emotionally, it may be time to hit the road.

Wanis says that “if he only touches you sexually and rarely affectionately,” it’s a warning sign. Your man should love being with you just as much in bed as in the grocery store or the car or even the dentist’s office. If he only tells you you’re hot and never beautiful or always wants to have sex when you’re alone together, he’s not worth it.

As women, we generally get emotionally attached to men much quicker and more easily than they do to us. Therefore, make sure you’re both equally invested emotionally. It’s easy to get caught up in a steamy, physical romance, but if you’re looking for a serious, committed relationship, then it should be built on more than just his carnal desire for you.

Spend time together just talking and hanging out, and take note if it seems like his intentions are always sexual. Sex is awesome and should be enjoyed and encouraged by both of you, but there’s much more to a relationship than just that. According to Olver, “the woman has to love herself more than she loves the guy. When she does that, she will be able to walk away and wait for a guy who will love her for who she is instead of what she does for him.”

6. No longer feeling special

A relationship should be a happy addition to your life. Of course, after time some of the excitement of a new relationship will wear off and you may fall into a routine, but that doesn’t mean all the great quality of being with and wanted by someone else should wear off as well. “Everyone has problems in relationships,” Wanis says. “But if you ever get to the point where you don’t feel special anymore, you don’t feel he adores you, you don’t feel that he loves you, then it’s time to dump him.”

It can be easy to make excuses for your SO being a little distracted every once in a while and not necessarily making you a clear priority due to personal issues, etc. But you should both be making each other feel special and desirable as often as possible, because that’s why you’re with each other in the first place!

“One thing I noticed myself doing was being blinded by love,” says Kelly*, a senior at Stetson University. “I have been so in love with him that even though he blatantly said he was unhappy, I was doing anything to make him happy even if it went against my standards, my will or my comfort. I was putting his happiness over mine, and he just started to take advantage of that.”

It’s important to notice these signs and give yourself the chance to have the relationship you deserve.

7. Pressure to change

Some women often think it’s their job to change their man, Olver says. “We really do think if we hang in there long enough, love him hard enough, then we can change him,” and that is an issue in and of itself, she says. According to Olver, it is not your job to fix him. “It isn’t fair if you’re not holding him accountable for who he is, but who he should be,” she says. “Trust he’s showing you who he is and not who you want him to be.”

Equally so, it’s not your significant other’s job to fix you. You should always be true to yourself, and any successful relationship needs acceptance and understanding from both parties. “If he respects and loves you, he wouldn't want to change you,” says Kasia, a senior at Villanova University. “Everyone has their flaws and shortcomings, but your partner should embrace them instead of making you feel insecure about them. Women should be proud of who they are, including their imperfections, and their partners should raise them up, not make them feel badly about themselves.”

If your SO is trying to change you into something you’re not, or if he or she is trying to change you in any way at all, then it’s time to take a step back and reconsider your relationship.

Maybe you’ll only date a guy who shares your religious views, or maybe you simply refuse to date someone who doesn’t like cats. Regardless, it’s important to decide on your “non-negotiables,” as Olver calls them, and stick to them. She urges us to write them down and, in doing so, make a promise to ourselves of what we deserve. That way, we can hold ourselves and our significant others accountable to our relationship expectations. If your SO is not meeting them, it’s time to walk away and stay away.

But most importantly, if your significant other is falling into any of the above categories, it’s time to seriously reconsider your relationship. No one should have to settle for a relationship that involves these crucial deal-breakers. Have the courage and confidence to stand up for yourself and walk away, because you deserve to be as happy as possible!

*Names have been changed.

National fraternity Chi Phi made a big decision last week: They will now allow transgender men to join their organization. The fraternity shared a press release on June 30 explaining the policy change that will allow "any male as defined by valid legal documentation" to join, effective immediately. 

Undergraduate chairman of the Committee of Membership Sam Borchart said in the press release that the change was “a testament that our Fraternity and its individual members want to make Chi Phi more inclusive.” The change was apparently the result of an initiative by undergrad students at the fraternity's annual convention.

"We hope this opens the door to further discussion about inclusivity, particularly for transgender men who want to join us in brotherhood," Borchart said.

Earlier this year, a transgender student attending Ohio Wesleyan University pledged the fraternity, but was told he could not be initiated because he was legally documented as female. The Executive Director of the chapter told the student that allowing him to be initiated would violate the fraternity’s Constitution. The student, Ryan Bishop, wrote about his experience in a post on the Odyssey. It's worth pointing out that the fraternity's changes would still not allow Bishop to join the fraternity, as he specifically said his legal documents listed him as female. While Chi Phi has taken a step toward inclusivity, it's still pretty hard in many states to change legal documents to correctly reflect your gender—for example, some states require you to get sex reassignment surgery before you can change your birth certificate or even your driver's license. The barrier for transgender people to join the fraternity remains high.

Chi Phi is not the first Greek organization to allow transgender members to join in some capacity, but they're definitely still on the forefront of these changes. Here's to student organizations opening up to all students, little by little.

Every mention of a Lip Kit restock sends us into a frenzy—with the product having sold out in minutes in the past, we've had to set our alarms to get our hands on one of these coveted kits. Last week, Kylie Jenner announced the biggest restock yet, making the lofty promise that shoppers would be able to browse at their leisure. A restock without the craze? We were skeptical, but it looks like Kylie has stuck to her word—this time around, there are still plenty of mattes, metals and glosses still available. And it looks like Kylie's still making an effort to get product out; earlier this week, popular colors like Exposed and Candy K were sold out. Now, they're back in stock (while other colors have sold out). Here's what's left:

Mattes

Kylie's favorites, Candy K and Exposed, are both available to shop! Mary Jo K, Kourt K, Posie K and one of Kylie's newest colors, Dead of Knight, are also in stock. If you were hoping to snag Dolce K, Koko K, 22, True Brown K or either of her new blue colors, you're out of luck for now.

Glosses

Both the darkest gloss—Like—and the lightest shade—So Cute—are in stock. Both Literally and the set of three glosses are sold out.

Metals

Earlier this week, the rose gold Heir was all sold out—now, it's the only metallic color that's available. Reign, King K, KyMajesty as well as the full set including Heir, Reign and King K are unavailable.

Have your eye on a shade that's still up for grabs? This latest restock is giving us hope for the future—but we're still rushing to snag what's left, for now!

A Minnesota police officer fatally shot 32-year-old Philando Castile last night, apparently as he reached for his driver’s license during a traffic stop. Castile’s girlfriend began recording the encounter on Facebook live after Castile was shot. She said they had been pulled over for a broken tail light, and that Castile told officers he had a licensed firearm in the car and was reaching for identification.

Warning: The following video contains graphic content.

“He was trying to get his license and ID out his pocket,” she says in the video, while showing Castile, covered in blood, in the driver’s seat.

“I told him not to reach for it!” the officer can be heard yelling in the background.

“You told him to get his ID, sir,” Castile’s girlfriend says.

The St. Anthony’s Police Department said that the officer has been placed on paid leave while the shooting is investigated. Castile’s death comes just days after the police shooting of Alton Sterling, a graphic video of which went viral. The Department of Justice has already said they will investigate Sterling’s death.

Castile’s mother, Valerie Castile, told CNN that she always told her son to “comply, comply, comply” when stopped by police. She said she believes her son was just “black in the wrong place.”

Family members told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune that Castile was a cafeteria worker at the J.J. Hill Montessori school.

People protested the killing Wednesday night outside the Gov. Mark Dayton’s house in St. Paul, the Star-Tribune reported, chanting, “No Justice, no peace.”

Of the officer who shot Castile, Castile’s uncle Clarence told CNN, "He's not an officer. He's just a man. An officer is supposed to protect and serve. That was a man who did that. That man is a destroyer and he came into our lives and done something and took something from us."

By now we've probably all heard about the incredibly impassioned speech Grey's Anatomy star Jesse Williams delivered at the BET Awards last month.

Since the speech—which touched on issues of race, violence and inequality—Williams has become the subject of two petitions. One, which boasts nearly 20,000 signatures, insists that Williams be fired from Grey's for his "racist rant" and calls for a boycott of the entire ABC network. The other petition, now with over 25,000 signatures, was created in response. It deems Williams a "brave leader" who risked "his job and his career for his beliefs." 

Williams responded to the controversy by tweeting: "Not a single sane sentence in their claim. NotOne"

Grey's Anatomy creator and producer Shonda Rhimes has also chimed in to the debate via Twitter, with a message of support for Williams.

Well, Shonda has spoken, and it looks like Dr. Avery will be gracing our screens for the foreseeable future.

Apparently, Zac Efron has some very decisive thoughts on what appeals to female moviegoers. 

While promoting his new film, Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, Efron tried to explain female interest in the movie to The Daily Telegraph, but what he said was kind of sexist: "It's certainly not a chick flick but girls will enjoy it."

What is it precisely that women will enjoy, Zac? Is it that the film has two (TWO!!) female leads? Or that those leads are the fabulous Anna Kendrick and Aubrey Plaza? 

Someone needs to (gently, of course) inform Zac that chick flicks aren't the only genre of film that women enjoy. Hopefully he'll be a bit more thoughtful in the future. 

Caffeine addicts, you might want to sit down for this one. In a public announcement apologizing for a computer error that overcharged customers for their orders, Starbucks revealed that on July 12 the Seattle coffee giant will raise its prices.

Cosmopolitan reports that some Starbucks workers didn't exactly get the memo that the change wasn't supposed to occur for another week. Some unlucky customers were therefore hit with the price hike prematurely, which could have been up to 30 cents more expensive than the current prices.

There is no information on exactly how much prices will rise and which drinks will be affected when the change goes into effect next week. In a statement, Starbucks labeled the adjustment a "small price increase," which will likely fall in line with last year's increase of between five and 20 cents per drink.

While you may not even notice the difference on your credit card bill, it's still worth considering other ways to cut back on costs at Starbucks. For instance, settle for a regular brew instead of an Americano, or downsize your Grande Frappuccino to a Tall one. In the meantime, check to see if you’ve been overcharged recently for your coffee orders. If so, Starbucks promised in its statement to fix any mistakes as long as you contact customer service. 

Your bed is one of the easiest places to show a little personality in your dorm room. With the help of stylish duvets, colorful pillows and cozy blankets, you can create the perfect refuge after long days of class and activities. We got a little help from IKEA on how to take your standard twin XL to the next level. 

DUVETS & PILLOWCASES

1. For the girl who likes simplicity 

For the girl whose entire wardrobe is black, black and black, a simple black and white color scheme is the way to go. We love this Scandinavian chic TUVBRÄCKA duvet cover and pillowcase set from IKEA. 

2. For the prepster 

This light beige gingham EMMIE RUTA duvet cover and pillowcase from IKEA is perfect for the preppies among us. The soft neutral creates a cozy, inviting feel.

3. For the girl with a lot of energy

We’re utterly obsessed with this MOSSFLOX duvet cover and pillowcase set from IKEA. This bright, fun color scheme is sure to make your morning bright. 

5. For the girl that misses summer 

Dreading go back to school? Then you’ll appreciate this IKEARINGKRAGE duvet cover and pillowcase that was designed with the sea in mind. We love the subtle color palette of neutrals and blues. 

THROWS

1. For girl who loves to nest

If your middle name is “cozy,” then the IKEA OFELIA throw is a must-have. The gray neutral is sure to go with almost any room, and it’s perfect to snuggle in on a cold, rainy day. 

2. For the girl who loves minimalism 

If you’re looking for a blanket that looks chic but is still super-affordable, this one is it. The IKEA sophisticated black and white EIVOR will look good in college and beyond! 

CUSHIONS

1. For the lovable cat lady 

This quirky-cool cat print cusion is the ideal accent to the cat (or animal) lover’s pad. The IKEAMATTRAM will be the perfect support during those long study sessions. 

2. For the girl who can’t have enough color 

Just like you, the IKEAHÖSTFIBBLA is bright and peppy. Just looking at this color scheme makes us happy!

No matter your design personality, head over to IKEA to for more cozy and chic finds! 

College can seem like a never-ending shopping spree… in a bad way. Up until this point in your academic career, all you had to worry about was buying new school supplies and maybe a new backpack or outfit here and there. But with college comes a whole new lifestyle, and the costs of that new lifestyle can add up. Follow these tips to help you stay on budget in style and avoid stealing plastic utensils from the dining halls!

1. Make a list.

The best way to make sure you don’t overbuy and spend money on random “essentials” is to figure out exactly what your essentials are for dorm life.

When shopping for college, it becomes super easy to get distracted by advertisements and offers for things that sound like necessities but that you don’t really need. To avoid overspending, create a master list of dorm essentials. While you’re still living at home, as you get ready each day and go through your daily routine, add to that list what you will continue to use in college. By keeping track of all the things you need to buy for your new lifestyle, you won’t be blinded buy all the so-called college necessities sold in department stores. When shopping, stick to your list to prevent yourself from buying things that you don’t need. This will help you avoid overspending on random, semi-useless items, while also keeping track of purchases.

Once you start packing all of your college goods, it’s so easy for the little things like nail clippers to slip through the cracks. Keep that from happening by creating your master list!

2. “Shop” at home first.

Who says you have to have everything brand new? Take the list you just created and identify any of the items that you already have in your house that you can bring with you to college.

One of the most overlooked items on college shopping lists is school supplies. When you start to worry about buying new items like a shower caddy and a closet-size vacuum cleaner, you might forget about regular school supplies. But, by starting your college shopping trip at home, not only will you save money, but you will also be less likely to forget such essentials as writing utensils!

Scour your house for unused school supplies like notebooks, pencils, pens, binders, and folders. Kara, a student at the University of Missouri, says this helps her save money while back-to-school shopping. “If you have any… school supplies at home, bring them with you. Buying school supplies from the campus bookstore is a rip-off, so I made sure to bring my school supplies with me,” she says. Over the years, school supplies tend to accumulate in random storage spaces around your house. While you may not want to revive the Lisa Frank era of elementary school supplies, the stack of generic colored notebooks you may find under your sister’s bed could be useful in college.

As you will find out, there is no must-have school supply list in college. Many professors will announce required course materials on the first day of class, but it’s up to you decide what works. So collect a few notebooks and folders from home until you figure out what you really need for each of your classes.

3. Don’t discount the discount stores.

Dorm life is not supposed to be glamorous, but you definitely don't need to rough it, either. To find the best of both worlds, shop at discount stores: they are your not-so-secret weapon!

While department stores offer “back-to-college” sales and doorbuster deals, they also attract huge crowds. Walking around with a long list of things to buy for a new chapter of your life in a jam-packed department store aisle is not good for anyone.

Instead, avoid the herd and shop as much as you can in stores that always have good prices, like T.J.Maxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods. That’s what Alix, a collegiette from the University of Missouri, did. “I got all of my bedding from T.J.Maxx,” she says. In addition to comforters and sheets, these discount stores also offer great prices for items like rugs, lamps, dishes, storage containers, and wall decorations.

4. Coordinate with your roommate(s).

The three essential big-ticket items in a dorm room are a mini fridge, a microwave, and a TV. But each room only needs one of each, or maybe even none at all, depending on your preferences. Check with your roommate(s) to see which, if any, of these products you each are willing to purchase. You can save a lot of time and money with a simple phone call. Who knows, maybe your roommate’s older brother just graduated and no longer needs his old mini fridge. Score!

And even though splitting the cost on a major appliance like a microwave might sound like something a smart shopper would do, think about what will happen at the end of the school year. Who gets to take it home? Figure out what you might potentially use after your freshman year in order to get the best bang for your buck, and make that purchase.

5. Think multi-purpose.

Another way to cut costs is by buying multi-purpose items. That cute, convenient ottoman or footrest can also be a storage space for extra school supplies. You can slide it under your bed to create extra space in the room and then pull it out when friends come over for extra seating.

Multi-purpose dishes will come in handy as well. Alexis, a student at Saint Louis University, realized that “you should make sure that your dishes are microwave safe so that you can eat out of the same dish in which you ‘cooked’ your food.”

And when buying multi-purpose items doesn’t work, try repurposing pre-existing items yourself! For example, many people bring ironing boards with them to college to maintain the fresh-pressed look of their apparel. But instead of buying a desktop ironing board, try making one yourself from an old TV tray.

In college, your hamper for dirty clothes becomes the same receptacle for clean clothes fresh out of the dryer until you have the chance to put them away. Bed sheets become togas. And that’s just the way it is!

6. Shop for one.

When you lived at home with your family, your parents stocked up on food and supplies for everyone, buying Cheez-Its by the ton and hand soap by the gallon. But you don’t need to shop like that anymore! For example, you probably don’t need to buy an entire gallon of milk for yourself when it’ll go bad after a week. And family-size bags of chips and fruit snacks are a thing of the past. Rather than stocking up on granola bars for months at a time, buy only what will last you a couple weeks at most. You probably will not end up eating as much as you think you will. And between living within walking distance of the dining hall and going out to dinner with friends, you will eat more outside of your room than you may initially anticipate.

Try to use up your pre-paid meal points or swipes in the dining halls first before hitting up the grocery store. At the on-campus dining halls, not only can you enjoy a meal with your friends, but some campuses also have market-like stores in the dining halls where students can use their extra meal swipes to purchase food items that could normally be purchased at the grocery store. Produce, ice cream, and cases of bottled water that are normally more expensive in the grocery store can now be purchased at the dining hall with a meal swipe instead. Also, if your dining hall offers to-go boxes, pick up some cereal from the dining hall next time you grab dinner instead of buying it at the grocery store. By using your meal points instead of your money, you only have to buy what is unavailable on campus at the grocery store, which will bring that grocery bill way down!

While shopping for college, keep in mind that your room is the place that you’re going to come back to at the end of a long day at school. It’s where you will think all of your great college thoughts and cram for final exams. It’s where you’ll hang out with friends, sleep less than you should, and craft some gourmet (read: microwaved) late-night meals. You have to make it comfortable for yourself. And if you happen to find an awesome deal along the way, that makes the college experience that much better. Good luck with your shopping, collegiettes!