Following the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile at the hands of police officers, celebrities are joining and voicing their support for the Black Lives Matter movement. Kim Kardashian, for one, took to her website to pen a letter, which details the very personal reason she is advocating for the end of racial profiling and senseless killings.

In a heartfelt post, the mother of two explains the connection her children have to these tragic incidents.

“I want my children to grow up knowing that their lives matter. I do not ever want to have to teach my son to be scared of the police, or tell him that he has to watch his back because the people we are told to trust—the people who ‘protect and serve’—may not be protecting and serving him because of the color of his skin.”

Kardashian also wants to ensure that people do not misconstrue her support for Black Lives Matter as a call for violent retaliation, like that which took place in Dallas just last night.

“The last thing we need is to fuel anger with more hate or violence, especially toward the many incredible police officers who risk their lives every single day to protect our families and communities.”

However, unlike some of the stars who are commenting on the issue, Kim stresses that posting your grievances on social media is not sufficient. Rather, positive action is required. “Hashtags are not enough. This must end now.”

Whether you love Kim or love to hate her, she is right about one thing: the violence needs to stop.

Whenever Taylor Swift releases a song, the internet loves to theorize who it could be about. Now that curiosity has shifted to her ex-BF. Calvin Harris just released a new song, featuring John Newman, and people are speculating that the lyrics hint that Swift cheated on the Scottish DJ.

Swift and Harris reportedly ended their relationship a little over a month ago. Since then, Swift has been hot and heavy with actor Tom Hiddleston. Naturally, everyone is looking for a gossip-y tale. And rumors were already circulating that Swift could have cheated with Hiddleston while still coupled up with Harris, given the quick turnaround in her relationship status. So “Olé!” makes it all too easy for the world to assume the song is about Tay.

The theory is that the song is written from Hiddleston’s perspective. The lyrics are awfully coincidental (low key, Loki…get it?). “Low key, you won't tell none of your friends about me / You won't tell them I occupy your dreams and your thoughts.” In the chorus, Newman sings, “A good girl and take trips with your boyfriend / Being attentive, continue to pretend.”

However, Us Weekly spoke to a source claiming to be close to Harris who revealed the song was actually written months ago. The timing is interesting, but we just don't know what to believe. As we always do, we will wait for some form of retaliation or response from T. Swift before we make up our minds.

In the wake of systematic racism, I can’t help but think about it: I’m white. I grew up in a very multiracial, multicultural neighborhood, because my mom was disabled (and so am I), and our town was fairly segregated—non-white, lower-income and disabled people all lived in the same concentrated areas, which were marked by their easy access to community programs within walking distance, and access to resources like free or cheap food.

Still, while I never outwardly discriminated against anyone on the basis of race, I did nothing concrete to confront racism. Not my friends’, not my neighbors’, not the system that we all grow up in that is built on it. It wasn’t until we talked about racism—and other forms of systematic oppression—in a college class based on social justice work that I really confronted it. I was reading an essay that basically said, “You never reach the moment where you’re perfect—no longer racist, ableist, homophobic, transphobic, classist, etc. It’s a constant and continuous battle of re-thinking and challenging our beliefs and the beliefs of those around us.”

I can admit this: while I was growing up, I thought I was ‘safe’ from being racist. I had plenty of non-white friends. In fact, a majority of my neighborhood was non-white and I really only had two white friends growing up. I’m disabled and queer, so I thought, “I can’t be racist.” But I wasn’t really doing the work of challenging my own thoughts, challenging those around me and challenging the system. By doing nothing, I wasn’t really enacting useful change. I was just hiding behind my white privilege.

After what’s happened in the last few days, I’m sick to my stomach. Because I’ve gone out of my way to be aware of the Black Lives Matter movement, this isn’t the first time I’ve felt this way. And being silent isn’t standing in solidarity with the black community in any way.

After Orlando, as a queer person, it meant a lot to me to see non-queer people holding space for the LGBTQ+ community. It meant a lot when people were willing to defer to the LGBTQ+ community—especially to Latinx queer people—and listen to us, even when it became uncomfortable or complicated. It meant a lot to me to see that solidarity, and see these people were a safe space, were people I could talk to and be myself around, were people who I could honestly just say, “Yeah, I’m exhausted today, because Orlando affected me” to without worrying about further discrimination. That’s what, as a white person, I want to do for the black community now, and I want other white people to use their privilege to do, too. Because as a queer person after Orlando, it was exhausting using that time to fight with people about whether it was ‘really homophobia or a hate crime’ and educating people that yes, violence based on sexuality does exist. And I never want people of color to feel that they’re alone.

Here are a few ways I practice standing in solidarity with people of color against racism.

Listen to the voices of people of color.

There’s a saying in the disabled community that goes, “Nothing about us without us.” I’ve never liked it when allies talk over disabled people or LGBTQ+ people on issues that affect us—and the same can be said for standing with the black community or POC in general.

If people of color are speaking—especially if they’re part of the group that was affected by whatever is going on—defer to them. Listen to what they have to say. Don’t speak over them. Let them be angry. Let them be emotional.

Do not jump to conclusions, even if they start a sentence with, “White people…” If you jump in with something akin to, “But all lives matter,” or “Not all white people…” then you’re part of the problem. It’s obvious they don’t mean all white people, but as non-POC, we are being complacent in our white privilege if we don’t challenge it. Let POC challenge white privilege. Let them say, “I hate when white people…”

Think about what they have to say, and really take it to heart. If you can, institute change. If they say something that sounds like something you’ve done, or your friends do, or your community allows, stand up for change. Next time it’s happening, say, “Isn’t this acting on white privilege and systematic oppression? Can we do this differently? Can we be more inclusive? Can we find a workable solution that challenges white privilege and racism?”

Don’t expect people of color to do the work for you.

Yes, listen to them, defer to them, don’t speak over them. But don’t rush to them, especially after a tragedy, and ask them what you can do to be better.

People of color don’t exist to educate us. They don’t exist to eradicate racism and systematic oppression. That isn’t their job. That’s our job.

Read the literature, listen to their voices, but don’t sit back and expect them to do all the hard work. Rally together with other non-POC activists and allies. Use your non-POC privilege to support them, to stand behind them and to give them a bigger platform. Speak out against racism and microaggressions when you come across them. Take a look at approaches and policies and ask yourself, “Is this inclusive? Does this policy depend on stereotypes, and does it challenge systematic oppression? Or is the policy in itself oppressive?”

I believe strongly in beta readers (the idea that if you're writing something about a marginalized community, you have members of that community read it and weigh in on portrayals), and in the community having a say in work that involves them or is for their benefit. If you’ve come up with a community-based, workplace or school solution for systematic oppression you’ve witnessed against POC, ask if any POC would want to be your beta readers—if they’d want to take part in what you’ve thought up, if they have any suggestions, if they’d like to give their feedback. If they’re exhausted in the wake of a tragedy, don’t push them. But offer the opportunity before instituting any sort of systematic change.

Challenge your beliefs, and the beliefs of those around you.

It should go without saying, but use your white privilege when you can to dismantle racism. If you see something racist happening, do what you can to stop it. If a friend or significant other makes a racist joke, call them out on it and ask them what makes that joke funny. Tell them it isn’t funny to you because it’s based on systematic oppression that threatens the lives of many people.

The truth is that we were all raised in this system. We’re all subject to stereotypes and beliefs steeped in discrimination. Doing the hard work means thinking about these things and challenging them to the best of our individual abilities.

There’s also plenty you can read on racism, oppression and how to be a part of change. Like this, this, this, this (this one features queer POC voices!) and this. Keep searching, keep seeking out education. When possible, share the voices of the black community on this topic, and use your privilege to amplify those perspectives in the media. Unless a post or an article specifically says it's supposed to be a safe space for black people only, it's okay to retweet or share or like or read it in support. 

Keep intersectionality in mind.

People are often quick to jump to, “But I’m not privileged, I’m___!” It’s really easy to do. I’m not entirely privileged myself, and as a queer, disabled woman, I’m also in a constant fear of violence. 

That doesn’t take away my white privilege, though. No matter how much I understand the experience of being oppressed and marginalized, I will never understand what it’s like to be a person of color in a racist society. Never. No amount of empathy can ever change that fact.

Intersectionality exists. Just because you’re oppressed in some ways doesn’t make you ‘safe’ from being racist or complacent to racist systems. You need to keep in mind your own safety and health sometimes—as a disabled, queer woman, I’m at risk of bias and violence, and I can’t always literally step up to the plate to physically stop racial violence. If I stepped in to stop law enforcement during a Black Lives Matter protest, there’s a good chance that because I’m visibly queer and disabled, I might also be persecuted. But when you can, use your privilege to educate, to challenge and combat the system. If you can be at a protest, be there. If you can serve as a barrier to the black community in the aftermath of what’s happened, do it. If you can speak out on the issue and raise your voice as a white ally, do that.

Your voice matters. I guarantee that. The fact that you show you’re supportive of the black community, but also that you’ll defer to them, really listen and really support—even when it’s complicated, even when it’s challenging and uncomfortable—means a lot. Black people need a safe space right now, among those they know won’t judge them and aren’t trying to take the microphone and speak over or for them.

Educate yourself. Immerse yourself. Don’t just borrow the culture of POC when it’s convenient, as a fashion statement or Halloween costume or a catchy song on the radio. Read books written by black people, read articles and personal essays. Listen to podcasts. Listen to what they have to say, and remember that sometimes, as angry as you are, you’re here to support. This is your fight to support, but you’re not the one directly at risk in this instance, regardless of any intersectional and oppressed identities you may have. So just support and show unconditional love. And hold space—safe space—for those who need you to do that.

Although Attorney General Loretta Lynch heeded FBI Director James Comey’s advice in not prosecuting Hillary Clinton, and the legal battle is mostly over, the Democratic candidate’s infamous email scandal isn’t going away any time soon. CNN promises that the GOP campaign will do everything they can to remind voters of the scandal up until November.

Clinton’s tricky email scandal highlights her largest in the words of CNN, trustworthiness. Her claim that she has better judgment than competitor Donald Trump is quickly being discredited, and her lack of honesty is really turning off some voters.

It is likely that Trump and his fellow Republicans will cater to this, and do everything they can to further Clinton’s dishonest appearance.

While the GOP hopes to diminish Americans’ trust in her once and for all, Clinton’s campaign spokesperson, Brian Fallon, says the whole situation is all a hoax.

He told CNN, “For weeks Republicans have said they trusted FBI Director Comey to lead an independent review into Secretary Clinton's emails, but now they are second-guessing his judgment because his findings do not align with their conspiracy theories.”

Either way, it seems that this major scandal is nothing more than a huge campaign vulnerability for Clinton: it is unlikely that she will ever face punishment for her actions.

“While the lack of a forthcoming indictment saved her campaign from certain ruin,” wrote Shane Ryan, a contributor to Paste magazine, “the Republicans are in a strong position to keep the spotlight shining on her from now until November.”

For men who don’t want children right now, vasectomy may not be the only choice anymore.

Kevin Eisenfrats, a 2015 graduate of the University of Virginia, has developed a revolutionary birth control option for men with the help of his male contraceptive company Contraline. While the procedure is currently in the research phase, Eisenfrats promised Cosmopolitan that it would be on the market within five years.

The product is called “Echo-V,” Nickolaus Hines of Inverse wrote back in April, and it's supposed to be “similar to an intrauterine device (IUD), but for men.”

Like its direct competitor, Vasalgel, Echo-V works by blocking sperm at its source, rather than killing it, according to Cosmopolitan. The medication is injected into the vas deferens, the sperm-transporting tubes in the testes, and then it hardens as a gel to block sperm from getting through. Later, Inverse reports, if the man wants to reverse the procedure, a counter-injection can be administered.

This seems like a great alternative to vasectomy, as it is both painless (with the help of local anesthetic) and completely non-surgical. Echo-V is safer, less permanent, and likely cheaper than a vasectomy would be, as Einsenfrats is determined to have the procedure covered by most insurance companies.

As for when the product will be available nationwide, Einsenfrats told Cosmopolitan that his “goal is to be at the FDA's doorstep in January or February of 2017, [but] I'm going to give you the conservative estimate, so you can come back and make sure I held my word: We plan on having Echo-V on the market in five years.”

Sounds like it will be worth the wait!

On Wednesday, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton announced a new college affordability plan in the hope of attracting younger voters, many of whom supported Bernie Sanders in the primaries, One of Senator Sanders’s most popular campaign promises was free college for all students, which Secretary Clinton is now partially adopting in order to convince those young voters to support her in November, according to The Washington Post.

Clinton’s new college plan does not eliminate tuition for everyone like Sanders’s plan did, but it does offer tuition-free college for working families whose income is under a certain amount. Clinton originally planned to make community college free for everyone, a plan that would cost $350 billion. The newly announced expansions would cost an additional $100 billion.

As part of the plan, the number of students who would qualify for free tuition at public colleges and universities would increase every year for four years, starting with families earning 85,000 dollars per year or less, and would eventually include all families earning 125,000 dollars per year. This would cover more than 80 percent of American families.

Other proposals included in the plan are a three-month moratorium on student loan repayment and the expansion of Pell grants to be offered all year rather than only during the school year. 

Senator Bernie Sanders offered praise for the plan, the Post reports, clearly pleased that the Clinton campaign has incorporated some of his own campaign promises into their platform. He said this morning that Clinton’s new plan would make sure that "The dream of higher education will become a reality for all, regardless of the economic circumstances of their family," and that it would “revolutionize” higher education.

And Hillary Clinton needs to appeal to Bernie Sanders’s supporters—young people came out in droves to vote for him in the primaries, and they're a large part of the electorate.

After Clinton clinched the Democratic Party’s nomination last month, Clinton met with Sanders to discuss which of his proposed policies would be adopted by the Clinton campaign and the Democratic Party’s platform. It's expected that Sanders will endorse Clinton sometime next week. College affordability was clearly one of the policies that Clinton was willing to compromise on, and it's certainly an issue that we students can get behind.

This is the tale we know all too well: A college student is raped and reports it to the university—and the university does not handle the investigation like it should or even at all. Unfortunately, this happened to two rape victims at Kansas State University.

According to The New York Times, the two victims, Sara Weckhorst and Tessa Farmer—both juniors at Kansas State University—reportedly told the university that they had been raped on two separate occasions in university-recognized fraternity houses off-campus in 2014 and 2015, respectively. You'd think that would be huge cause for alarm, as hundreds of students are probably hanging out and partying at those frat houses every weekend.

However, as Cosmopolitan reports, the university refused to investigate their cases, citing policy: “[o]ff campus occurrences that are not related to University-sponsored programs or activities are investigated under this Policy only if those occurrences relate to discrimination, harassment, or retaliation alleged on campus.” As a result of the fraternities being off-campus, the university refused to intervene and investigate the case.

Weckhorst and Farmer filed lawsuits against the university for its failure to investigate and violation of Title IX, a civil rights statute that prohibits discrimination based on sex, the Times reports.

In a letter written by the U.S. Department of Education's Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights in 2011, the government stated that universities were obligated to investigate sexual assaults cases that occurred at university sponsored or related events on or off-campus under Title IX, according to Cosmopolitan.

The United States’ government has responded again, stating that Title IX encompasses “all education programs of a federally funded school, including the house and events of a school-recognized fraternity”, according to the Times. The government further stated that “a school must respond to allegations of sexual assault in fraternity activities to determine if a hostile environment exists there or in any other education program or activity.”

Kansas State needs to take responsibility and resolve Weckhorst and Farmer’s cases. Kansas State’s failure to act, along with any other university that does so, only shows predators that it is perfectly acceptable to assault innocent students and they won’t receive any form of punishment. Even worse, they show these victims that their safety is of no importance to the university.  

Another tragic shooting rocked the United States on Thursday when five police officers were fatally shot in Dallas, Texas. The entire nation has been mourning this senseless loss of lives, and celebrities are no exceptions. Here are 16 reactions from celebs around the globe in response to the tragedy. 

1. Kevin Hart 

2. Shonda Rimes

3. John Legend 

4. Justin Bieber

5. Halle Berry 

6. Hillary Clinton

7. Cher 

8. Oliva Wilde 

9. Donald Trump 

10. Lady Gaga 

11. Mandy Moore

12. Joseph Gordon-Levitt 

13. Demi Lovato 

14. Rashida Jones

15. Lin-Manuel Miranda 

16. Christina Perri

Our thoughts are with the friends and family of the victims. The gun-related violence plaguing the country only seems to be increasing, but hopefully this horrific event will help us prevent similar acts from happening in the future. 

Going braless isn’t entirely new; celebrities like Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner are constantly strutting bra-less on and off the catwalk. But the model-type girls aren’t the only ones who should get to go bra-free. Choosing what you wear is a source of empowerment and expression, and the only person who should decide to bra or not to bra is you. So we put together a list of why you shouldn’t give AF about not wearing a bra, no matter what your size or shape, because society shouldn't get to decide what you do with your boobs.

1. It's comfortable

Let's get real here, there is nothing more satisfying than taking off your bra after a long day, so why not just start out braless to begin with? Instead of dealing with uneven bra straps and annoying clasps, just go bra-free and be comfortable all day.

2. Boob sweat is gross

Whether you’re size AAA or DDD, you can’t escape boob sweat, and wearing a bra only makes it worse. Save yourself the sweat stains and leave the bra at home. Plus, boob sweat can actually cause breakouts. No thanks.

3. No one should be staring at your boobs regardless

Eyes up here! Don’t worry about any judgment, because whether you're sporting a fully padded push-up or just the bare necessities, no one should be staring at your chest anyway. The only opinion you need to worry about is your own, and you’ll be surprised at the confidence letting loose will give you.

4. Unsightly bra straps

Nothing ruins an outfit quicker than a rogue bra strap, and the only other options are strapless bras (uncomfortable) or sticky boobs (even more uncomfortable). Who knew going braless would be exactly what you needed to prevent a fashion faux pas?

5. They're ridiculously expensive

Any girl with boobs can tell you that a decent bra does not come cheap. No matter what size, the ratio of fabric to price doesn’t quite add up. So skip the bra altogether and save money that you can use to buy more important things, like... you know, food.

6. They're actually pretty gross

Be honest, when was the last time you actually washed your bra? Unfortunately, bras don’t always make it in the wash as often as they should. Mary Begovic Johnson, a senior scientific communications manager at Procter & Gamble, told Buzzfeed that "Since bras are in intimate contact with your body, we recommend washing bras after three wears at the most. And after each wear if you’re perspiring heavily."

So basically that bra that you’ve worn 35 times straight is pretty disgusting. Easy fix: don’t wear one! And bonus, No bra = less laundry. 

7. Because you don't want to wear a bra

This might possibly be the best reason because at the end of the day, what you do with your body is your decision. So take a break from being a bra-abiding citizen, let loose, and experience the empowerment of being bra-free.

As a black woman, watching the news can be straight up traumatizing. To see black and brown bodies—not unlike mine or those of my friends or those of my family—dying in the street at the hands of people who are sworn to protect us…Trauma ensues. To this day, I pray each and every time I see someone of my family leave the house. My cousin keeps all his receipts scrunched up in his wallet to prove his innocence, despite doing nothing at all, because he has always, as a tall black male, "fit the profile." We all rip out cameras when we feel there is police brutality, even if we know it will not do much. And recently, my trauma and the trauma of my people were once again subject to a viewing of the murder of someone who looked like us.

Alton Sterling, a CD salesman and father of five, was sitting outside the store, practicing his normal routine when, in a vengeful act, a homeless man called the cops on him. The store owner, who was familiar with Sterling, told the cops there was no wrongdoing. But despite this, Sterling was shot several times after the police had him on the ground. While Sterling was armed, the video shows the cops did not discover the gun until after they shot and killed him.

So weary and infuriated, people quickly found the story and lashed out at police, noting that although they take an oath to protect these citizens, they often do not uphold it. In fact, they terrorize the residents of the community. One woman, Nakia Jones, found herself fed up as well. A black female police officer from Ohio, she took to Facebook to express her disappointment and sadness at this incident.

In an action much more courageous and productive than my screaming Beyonce’s FREEDOM at the top of my lungs on my nightly run (sorry neighbors), she takes on police officers who do not uphold the standard of the law, but instead racism and white supremacy. In the video, she screams that police officers who work in communities of people they find inferior should take off their uniform and “put on their KKK hoodies." She calls for them to resign or find another police department in which they are not afraid to approach the residents.  She also remarks that if you cannot approach the residents in the community that you police, you should not work in that neighborhood, as it is more detrimental to both parties than simply resigning.

In the wake of all this tragedy, her statement stirs up many feelings because so many police are afraid to admit any wrongdoing by their fellow cops and excuse any behavior. Similarly, many cops don’t, in fact, "like" the community they work in, to paraphrase former cop Darren Wilson. To see a cop finally stand up and admit racism and wrongdoing by other police officers feels so so…vindicating.

I salute you, Ms. Jones. There need to be more like you.

Months ago, Amy Schumer called outGlamour for referring to her as "plus size" in one of their issues. Model Ashley Graham, who was also included on Glamour’s list, is speaking out about Schumer’s frustrations. In an upcoming issue of Cosmopolitan, Graham counters Schumer’s comments by saying, “I can see both sides, but Amy talks about being a big girl in the industry. You thrive on being a big girl, but when you're grouped in with us, you're not happy about it? That, to me, felt like a double standard.”

But if you were expecting this comment to start a feud between the two, we are happy to report that just the opposite happened. In possibly the classiest reply ever, Schumer made her respect for Graham known on Twitter.

Graham has since responded to Schumer’s statement with a totally flawless tweet of her own.

Isn’t it nice when celebrities get along? While they still may not agree with each other on the issue, Schumer and Graham are communicating their opinions without belittling each other or starting a feud. We can think of a few other stars who could take note of this lovely display of women supporting women.

Emma Watson, aka the original Hermione Granger, has passed on the role to Noma Dumezweni, who is currently starring in the London production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. In January, Watson tweeted her support to Dumezweni after senseless haters protested Dumezweni's casting. But the two had never actually met until Watson stopped by to see the show this week.

Considering she was the first actress to bring Hermione to life and is possibly the nicest celebrity ever, Watson took pictures with members of the cast backstage and gleefully shared them on social media.

The talented actress also took time to share her thoughts on the play, posting a passionate review on her Facebook account.

“Yesterday I went to see the Cursed Child. I came in with no idea what to expect and it was AMAZING. Some things about the play were, I think, possibly even more beautiful than the films. Having seen it I felt more connected to Hermione and the stories than I have since Deathly Hallows came out, which was such a gift. Meeting Noma and seeing her on stage was like meeting my older self and have her tell me everything was going to be alright, which as you can imagine was immensely comforting (and emotional)! The cast and crew welcomed me like I was family and Noma was everything I could ever hope she would be. She's wonderful. The music is beautiful… I could go on…”

This is absolutely adorable. We had no doubt that Watson would love both the play and the cast of actors filling the roles, but we are so glad she shared her enthusiasm with the world.

You’ve dated the girl who has six ex-boyfriends and spent approximately three seconds on the market, but it’s time to give the single girl a chance. It might not seem like it, but in reality the single girl is the perfect relationship girl. She's spent time learning about herself, her goals and what she wants. We decided to create a list of all the reasons why she's totally relationship material.

1. She’s independent

A single girl is an independent girl. She can survive on her own and actually kinda loves being in charge.

2. She won’t make you pick where to eat

You will never have to worry about that annoying situation when you spend three hours trying to decide where to eat because no one can make a decision; she knows what she likes.

3. She’s patient

This is not a girl who fills her life with placeholder guys. She’s waited long enough for you and she can definitely use that patience in other aspects of her life.

4. No crazy ex's

Just think: no worrying about random ex's sending ominous texts at 1 a.m.

5. You don’t have to pay for everything

A single girl has her sh*t together. She’s a working woman who is fully able to support herself and won’t be mooching off of you for everything.

6. She's not clingy

There's no time for her to be clingy. She has her own life to worry about and plenty of stuff to keep herself busy.

7. There are no unrealistic expectations

You don’t need to worry about living up to the previous boyfriend who was in a rock band, volunteered at animal shelters and made his own wine. Literally just be yourself.  Eat pizza with us and we’ll love you for it.

8. She doesn’t need you 24/7

She needs her own space. We’re used to being on our own and following our own schedule, so there isn’t any need to be attached at the hip.

9. You can have bro nights

Let’s be real, we need time with our girlfriends anyway, so we understand that you'll want to have a guy’s night. In fact, we encourage it.

10. She won't be settling

She's not single because guys run for the hills when they see her; she's single because she chooses to be. So if she's interested in dating you, then consider it a compliment.

11. She’s going somewhere

The single girl has a direction that she’s headed in. Whether it’s pursuing a career or a lifestyle, she has her own path and doesn’t need you to drag her along.

12. She won’t pry

She trusts you, so you don’t need to worry about her creeping through your phone or hacking into your Instagram. She wants her own space, and so do you.

13. She will be your biggest fan

She understands that you have aspirations, and she will support and cheer you on because she works hard to shape her own life and wants you to follow your passions too.

14. She's Fun

Wanna go hiking? Skiing? Traveling? Cliff jumping? She's so down, in fact, she has a few ideas of her own…

15. You’ll have time to miss her

The perpetually single girl is busy and doesn’t need you all the time. Without breathing on each other every minute of every day you’ll actually have a chance to miss her a little, and you know what they say: “distance makes the heart grow fonder.”

For several reasons, family road trips never seem to be as fun as they look in the movies. Even though ones like RV, We're the Millers and Little Miss Sunshine show the more dysfunctional (and realistic) side of what those days in the car can be like, we still feel like no one understands the love-hate relationship we have with these adventures. From avoiding your dad's road game ideas and ignoring your sister's way-too-loud music, staying sane on a family road trip is pretty much a full time job. Here's our take on the stages of survival in the car.

1. Before you've even gotten in the car, your parents are way too excited about this road trip.

Maybe it won't be as bad as you think. Maybe.

2. You double check that you have everything packed - and you remember to go to the bathroom. Twice.

Next step: Harassing all of your family members to do the same.

3. Inevitably, there will be some fight over who is sitting where in the car - especially when your younger brother tries to take your seat.

The youngest always gets the back seat. Deal with it.

4. It takes you ten minutes, but you finally find a position in your seat that's comfortable.

Well, as comfortable as you can be after accepting that you will never actually be comfortable.

5. Not even half an hour after you've left the house, you have to turn around because someone forgot a phone charger and your dad left the oven on.

Thanks for nothing, family.

6. You're trying not to start any drama, but your sister is playing Taylor Swift so loudly that her headphones may as well be speakers.

You like the remix of "Bad Blood" just as much as she does, but you would much prefer to listen to it on your own.

7. When you finally convince her to turn it down, your dad decides that a better soundtrack for the road would be a family song.

Should you jump out the car now, or wait until you stop for gas to make a run for it?

8. By the time the song is over, all you want to do is sleep and listen to your own music.

You're allowed to be anti-social, even when there are at least four people within arm's reach of you.

9. You've just started to fall asleep when your brother announces that he has to go to the bathroom and can't hold it.

*Cue him climbing over you to get out of the car, spilling crumbs from the Doritos he'd been eating all over your lap as he does*

10. On the bright side, you grab a bag of your favorite pretzels inside the otherwise disgusting gas station.

Your one ray of hope.

11. You've hardly eaten one before your sister says she's going to be sick - and the nearest bag is, yep, the one holding your pretzels.

Because apparently vomit can't wait for your dad to pull the car over. Sigh.

12. You're trying not to be a grouch, but if your brother asks "Are we there yet?" one more time, you're going to scream.

WE'LL GET THERE WHEN WE GET THERE, DUDE.

13. At this point, you actually wish for something to go so wrong on this trip that you end up having to get shuttled to the nearest airport and fly to your destination.

Like a melodramatic 13-year-old girl, you actually contemplate drawing "HELP" on a piece of paper and taping it to your window.

14. If there's one good thing that comes out of it, your followers on Twitter are loving your live tweets of your misery.

It's funny as hell when you're not the one in the car.

15. By the time you arrive, you don't think you've ever been happier to be on land again.

Next family road trip, you'll bring a bottle of wine.

We LOVE to see the new emergence of strong, female superheroes, and RiRi Williams is all we could have asked for. This new addition to the Iron Man series is proving that Marvel knows how to do diversity right. 

Williams is an African American 15-year-old, and a science genius and child prodigy. She's an MIT student that somehow figured out how to reverse-engineer one of Tony Stark's armor suits in her dorm, causing Stark to seek out Williams, and eventually have her take over as Iron Man.

"One of the things that stuck with me when I was working in Chicago a couple of years ago on a TV show that didn’t end up airing was the amount of chaos and violence," says Iron Man creator, Brian Michael Bendis, in an interview with TIME. "And this story of this brilliant, young woman whose life was marred by tragedy that could have easily ended her life—just random street violence—and went off to college was very inspiring to me. I thought that was the most modern version of a superhero or superheroine story I had ever heard." 

Bendis revealed that there is a lot going on with the Tony Stark storyline right now, but he's not giving away any clues about Civil War II, though we know that's when RiRi Williams will be appearing. The reception of her character has been mixed, but we are so thrilled to have this female Iron Man... ugh, Iron Woman. 

Sunglasses are the statement accessory of the summer. The perfect pair can complete your outfit... or, you know, help you look on point even when you're hungover AF.

Thanks to the awesome search analytics team at Polyvore, we now know which shades are the most popular in each region of the United States.

Whether you want to be on-trend in the Northeast, or a West Coast standout, we’ve got you covered for the most popular styles below!

1. Cat Eye

It’s no surprise that this style was the most popular across 18 states. Try the feline-inspired trend with this pair from Forever 21 ($7.90). 

2. Round

Make the ’60s new again by paying tribute to the rose gold obsession that’s currently taking over with this pair from Nordstrom ($12).

3. Heart-Shaped

We started at the heart-eyes emoji, and now we’re here—but we can’t complain. Never confuse your shades with someone else’s again with this cute pair from Urban Outfitters ($16).

4. Aviator

Some things never go out of style, and aviator shades are pretty high up on that list. We’re all for this fun pair from Nasty Gal and the way they combine a luxe metallic finish with tortoiseshell accents ($20).

Try one trend or try them all! Each affordable pick ensures that you'll never be without the perfect pair of sunglasses again. 

Zika has become more of a concern as the virus, which is carried by the aedis aegypti mosquito, rapidly spreads. Health experts have warned that women should try not to get pregnant or to get pregnant later if they have been exposed to the virus—and some athletes have even dropped out of the Olympic Games in Rio this summer out of concerns that the virus could affect their ability to have healthy children. The virus is known to cause birth defects as well as neurological effects for the fetus.

When a woman does become pregant with Zika, she'll have to decide whether or not to terminate her pregnancy. It's not an easy decision: TIME magazine reported that babies with microcephaly, the birth defect caused by the Zika virus, could take approximately $2 million to raise in the first few years of its life, and, unfortunately, the child may not live for very long. The birth defect also may not be detected until the second trimester, which means that the woman would have to make this difficult decision without knowing all the information. Many places put more restrictions on second-term abortions than first-term abortions, and second-term abortions can also be significantly more expensive.

However, as the Zika virus makes it way to the United States, experts are finding that the areas that have been impacted the most by the aedis aegypti mosquito, mostly in Latin America, are regions where women typically have less access to these options, like abortion. According to The New England Journal of Medicine, women in Zika-stricken areas are seeking more abortions. As a result, experts worry that U.S. states affected by the Zika virus—primarily Southern states—which have high restrictions on abortion will harm women who are seeking this option.

As Congress fails to allow more funding for Zika virus research, along with funding for Planned Parenthood, this could potentially become a serious problem for Zika-infected women who have hard decisions to make about their pregnancies.

First it was contouring, then it was strobing—and now the latest beauty trend is draping. So say hello to this makeup technique that’s taking over the industry, and is sure to soon be flooding your Insta feed.

But before we get into the details, let’s get some background on the man who inspired the contouring that began it all. Way Bandy, a renowned makeup artist who PopSugar reports as the preferred beautician of celebs like Farrah Fawcett, Cher and Diana Ross, is known as the man who took contouring, a century-old concept, and introduced it to modern culture. His ability to create a chiseled bone stricter sans permanent alteration made him the pioneer of the contouring trend that lived beyond his years and had beauty gurus and celebrities like Kim Kardashian hooked. He first introduced the technique in the '60s because he wanted people to have the ability to “sculpt based on their unique features, not face shape, which was a revolutionary concept at the time,” according to PopSugar. Bandy passed away in 1986, but his technique has lived on.

Fast forward a few beauty trends, and you have the newest fad: draping. Although similar to contouring, it uses blush—rather than a darker shade of makeup—to create a silhouette. The result is a more natural, defined look, and it’s even been embraced by Marc Jacobs. The fashion and beauty giant, who was also friends with Bandy, is making sure to join the trend with the release of the Air Blush Soft Glow Duo ($42), which is a compact comprised of two complimentary blush hues—the perfect palate for creating your draped look.

It seems that this is the year for beauty comebacks; lipstick and lip liners were the first to hop back on the scene, and it looks like blush is on the horizon. So arm yourself with the necessary products and ready your brushes because strobing is so yesterday, and draping is taking over.

For those who aren’t in the medical industry, the first thought that might come to mind at the mention of “scrubs” is Grey’s Anatomy. But for the many men and women who are required to don these ill-fitting and unflattering uniforms, it’s time unflattering and ugly. That’s why Heather Hasson, a 33-year-old former handbag designer, created a company that is seeking to change bulky scrubs from medical necessities to chic work attire.

Hasson and Trina Spear, a 32-year-old Harvard graduate, created the startup company, Figs, which is now being likened to Lululemon for its innovative take on the stagnant medical apparel industry. Unlike typical scrubs, Figs scrubs are fitted, comfortable and practical. They come in a variety of sizes, and an assortment of colors. Instead of kitschy patterns and bland colors, Figs offers 15 different hues for women and 8 for men. Plus, the flexible fabric and slightly fitted shape allow for easy movement and a flattering figure. And on top of that, the oversized pockets can accommodate modern phones (you know, like your iPhone 6 Plus), making these scrubs as progressive as they are stylish.

Racked reports that Hasson got her inspiration came from her medical friends, who would complain about the unflattering scrubs they were required to wear. They told her that it was difficult to feel confident in the baggy clothing, and they just wanted attire that would be both functional and flattering. Figs is one of the first brands to start creating high-end medical gear, a huge improvement from the assembly line scrubs handed out by hospitals and stocked by medical apparel outlets. Hasson feels that medical professionals should get to be just that—professional—and her scrubs give them the ability to not only feel but also look the part.

For college freshmen, the prospect of moving away from home and living on your own is both equally terrifying and exciting! After all, it’s the first time in your life you won’t have your parents or older siblings around to help with the little things like laundry or cooking dinner. Whether you’re ready for this newfound independence or skeptical about life on your own, there are several skills you need to know before move-in day.

Luckily for you, we’ve talked to real collegiettes to find out the truth about what you actually need to know before you head off for school.

1. Doing laundry

If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a thousand times: going off to college means being forced to finally learn how to do your own laundry. While the task may seem tedious, there really isn’t much to it. Products like Tide Pods make it easy to throw your dirty clothes in the washer and go, without having to measure out soap and detergent. “Most importantly, just remember to keep up with your laundry,” says Shaela Nelson, a junior at Minnesota State University. “It’s a pain to have a mountain of clothes that will take four loads and lots of your time.”

There are several other tips that will make your laundry experience much less stressful. Be sure to always separate your colored and white clothes before throwing them in the wash, and keep an eye on special garments such as button-down dress shirts and sweaters that may require different settings, temperatures or air-drying to avoid shrinking. Websites like RealSimple offer specific instructions on what settings work best for each type of clothing.  

You may also want to invest in a portable laundry hamper with a handle, as they allow you to easily move large loads of laundry from your dorm, down the elevator and to the laundry room. Many of these hampers even have pockets to store your detergent, pods and dryer sheets.

The summer is a great time to start doing laundry on your own at home so you can get a feel for the process. With a little practice, you’ll be the one showing everyone else how to do laundry on move-in day!

2. Defrosting a fridge

If your school allows you to keep a mini-fridge in your dorm, you’re most likely going to want to have one to store snacks, drinks and last night’s leftover pizza. Luckily, mini-fridges don’t take up a lot of space and require minimal maintenance.

While leaving your fridge turned on when you go home for the weekend is perfectly fine, you’ll definitely want to defrost it if you’re headed on break for any longer than a few days. Not only is it important to remove all of the perishable food items from the fridge, but you’ll want to ensure you defrost it properly before heading home for fall, winter or spring break.

• Turn the fridge off, leave the door open and remove all items inside. 
• Pull out any shelves and clean them down with a wet towel or cleaning wipe.
• Cover the area inside and surrounding the fridge with newspapers or small towels to account for melting and leaking of the ice as it defrosts.
• Once all of the ice has melted, remove any water inside the fridge and dry the inside of the fridge with a towel.

Allowing the fridge to naturally defrost may take as long as a day, so plan ahead and begin the defrosting process no later than the day before you head out to ensure it’s dry in time.

3. Keeping track of your finances

If you held a job throughout your high school years, you probably have a pretty good idea of what it takes when it comes to keeping track of your finances. However, this can become even trickier when you don’t have your parents around to keep you on track or control your spending.

“After my first semester, I realized I needed to download a banking app,” says Caitlin Duncan, a junior at the University of New Haven. “It showed me how much money was in my account at all times. From there, I set limits on how much I could spend per week. Of course I cheated sometimes, but I was able to have fun and not spend all my money!”

If you already have a bank account set up for yourself, most banks offer a mobile app or website that allows you to monitor your balance, withdrawals and other financial activity. If you don’t have an account, talk to your parents before you leave for school about what bank they use and whether or not you’ll be using a credit or debit card at school to make purchases.

While banking and keeping track of your money may seem scary at first, it’s an essential part of life on your own! Many banks even offer special plans for college students, which allow you to easily set up your own debit card or checking account before you head off for school.

4. Communicating effectively

One of the most exciting parts of college is the opportunity to meet and interact with new people every single day. Whether you’re meeting your roommate  for the first time, meeting up with classmates for a group project or scheduling classes with your academic advisor, you make to make sure you’re communicating as effectively and clearly as possible. Not only does effective communication make your life less stressful, but it makes it easier to form lasting relationships with the people around you.

“At the beginning of the year, it’s important to discuss what is and is not okay with both you and your roommate such as hookups when they’re around, what items to share and not to share, guest policy, noise policy and study habits,” says Shaela. “Discussing these things up front will reduce problems in the future.” If you know you’re both going to be at orientation at the same time, plan to meet up for lunch and have a discussion in person. However, if there’s no way for you to meet before move-in day, initiating a Facebook message (or even a phone call, if you prefer!) is a great way to make sure that you and your future roomie are on the same page.

Communicating with your roommate as early as before move-in day can even help make your first weeks of school less stressful. “If you know you’re going to have a roommate, moving in at the same time as them can be hectic and pretty difficult to do in a timely manner,” says Kristen Adaway , a sophomore at the University of Georgia.  “It’s best to make plans ahead of time so one person moves in before the other.”

Shaela also recommends learning how to communicate effectively with the adults in your life, such as professors and advisers. “Your academic advisers are there for you,” she says. “Don’t waste time and money by registering for classes that you ‘think’ are required. Schedule an appointment, grab a requirement sheet from their office and have them aid your every move. If you create a good relationship [with your adviser], they may even help you get into classes that are already full or guide you away from not-so-good professors.” If you’re not sure about how to get in contact with your adviser, look for their phone numbers and email addresses on the school website associated with your major or area of study.

Most importantly, don’t be afraid to reach out to the people on campus, whether they’re professors or your own peers. More than likely, everyone else is just as excited and nervous about the upcoming year as you are!

5. Making the most of your dorm

While your dorm room may seem bleak when you first move in, there are plenty of ways to express your style and tastes through decorations such as posters, picture frames and desk accessories.

“Remember, [your dorm] is your home for the next nine months,” says Shaela. “Don’t be afraid to personalize it. When you’re stressed from school, a break-up or homesickness, you’ll be glad that you added a comforting and homey touch.”

Pinterest offers countless ideas for decorating your dorm while still making the most of the small space. Browse around the various boards to find inspiration, and don’t forget to leave space for your roomie to personalize the dorm as well!

While moving away from home is exciting, there’s plenty of responsibility that comes with life on your own! By staying organized, communicating effectively, and not being afraid to reach out for help from both peers and adults, you’re setting yourself up for a first semester of success. Best of luck out there, collegiettes, and let the countdown to move-in day begin!