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President Obama Praises Clinton, Bashes Trump in DNC Speech

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President Barack Obama made a much-anticipated appearance at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday night, speaking for nearly 45 minutes in favor of his choice for the next president: his rival-turned-friend, Hillary Clinton.

President Obama DNC Speech 2016

After being introduced with a video praising his tenure as Commander in Chief, President Obama entered the DNC stage to U2’s “City of Blinding Lights.”

He then began his speech by listing several of the highlights of his presidency, many of which were accomplished with Clinton’s help, like the elimination of Osama bin Laden and the implementation of marriage equality. His support of Clinton shined through in his address, as he bragged about her qualifications and experience.

“You know, nothing truly prepares you for the demands of the Oval Office,” Obama said. “Until you’ve sat at that desk, you don’t know what it’s like to manage a global crisis or send young people to war…But Hillary’s been in the room. She’s been part of those decisions.”

“I can say with confidence,” he continued, “there has never been a man or a woman—not me, not Bill—more qualified than Hillary Clinton to serve as President of the United States of America.”

He then went on to bash Clinton’s Republican rival, Donald Trump, claiming that Trump has filled his life and his campaign with lies, lawsuits, and pessimism.

“He suggests America is weak,” Obama said. “[But] every country on Earth sees America as stronger and more respected today than they did eight years ago.”

“America is already great. America is already strong. And I promise you, our strength—our greatness, does not depend on Donald Trump.”

You can watch the full speech here.


Rory Gilmore's Ex Warns That Fans May Not Be Happy With Her Love Life

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Since news broke that Gilmore Girls would be revived, fans have been speculating about which guy Rory will end up with—Dean, Jess or Logan. Despite confirmation that Rory will begin the reboot as a single lady, photos of the cast on set only fueled rumors that Rory will once again catch feelings for one of her former flames. Unfortunately, fans who ship Rory and Dean probably won't be entirely fulfilled by the four-part revival.

During a recent interview, Dean Forester himself, Jared Padalecki, squashed all dreams of Rory ending up with her first love. In fact, he only spent one day on set filming. "It was fun," he said. "I wanted to be a bigger part—I think they wanted me to be a bigger part of it as well. But it was shot during Supernatural, so I only did one day. But in that one day, it was a really good amount of stuff I got to do, and explained a lot."

Despite his limited time on set, Jared assured fans that Dean will have a satisfying ending. "Dean has a cool scene in the market he used to work at," he said. "It's a nice, a really nice scene that gave me closure."

Regardless of whose team you're on, Jared is confident that devoted fans will be happy with the reboot in general. But when asked whether or not we'll be pleased with Rory's love life, he responded, "There will always be some fans who are unhappy, but I think they'll be pleased with it." Uh oh. That sounds ominous. 

Boyfriends aside, Jared is more than optimistic about the follow-up. "Amy [Sherman-Palladino] didn't come back to fuck it up—she came back to do it right, and she did it right."

What a relief. Now if it could hurry up and be November 25, we would really appreciate it.

Everyone's Talking About The Alpaca That Protested The DNC

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When people attend the Democratic National Convention, they of course expect to meet high-profile political figures, liberal backers, dissidents and the odd journalist floating around. In the pool of protesters, though, the people you could meet are not always as predictable. In fact, they may not even be people at all. Queue the protest alpaca, a cute lil’ creature nobody at the DNC can stop talking about.

According to Twitter user Aubrey Whelan, a group advocating to take back the country’s “farms, food, families and freedom” brought a real, live alpaca to do rounds and garner some support for the cause.




Here’s what we know about the “protest Alpaca” so far. She's a girl. Her name is Shea. And she is an anarchist.

Even though Shea the Totally Adorable Badass Protest Alpaca was engaging in some very important political dissent, everyone at the DNC embraced her.

We’re not sure why the protest group chose to bring an alpaca to the DNC. But we’re sure the decision went a little something like this. 

Either way, cheers to democracy! Cheers to alpacas! Cheers to the American people for bringing alpacas into politics! 


The Ice Bucket Challenge Actually Did Make A Difference

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Think back to 2014: What do you remember? The finale of How I Met Your Mother?Ellen DeGeneres’s infamous Oscar’s selfie? The marriage of Kim and Kanye?

How about the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge?

Two years ago, everyone’s social media feeds were full of friends and celebrities alike participating in this viral video phenomenon—If challenged, you had to either donate to the ALS Association or pour a bucket full of cold ice over your head (although many participants did both).

The movement was criticized by many who claimed that raising awareness of the disease didn’t solve the problem—but it turns out that, nearly two years later, progress is actually being made using the donated funds.ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a neurodegenerative disorder. According to Buzzfeed News, over time the disease depletes nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to loss of muscle control, paralysis and the inability to breathe.

According to CNN, it usually takes between two and five years for the disease to take the life of a patient, but after two-thirds of the nearly $115 million in donations from Ice Bucket Challengers went to cure research, scientists have made a significant step forward.

The ALS Association reported that scientists have identified a new gene, called “NEK1,” that is linked to contraction of the disease. The finding of this gene means that researchers can now target it when developing medicines and therapies to help treat ALS.

Although this finding doesn’t directly lead to a full cure (yet), it is a vital step in the right direction.

Chris Harrison Gets Salty With Eliminated 'Bachelorette' Contestants

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Every Bachelorette fan knows the drill when it comes to the rose ceremony. That includes host Chris Harrison’s polite remarks to eliminated contestants: “Gentlemen, I’m sorry. If you did not receive a rose, take a moment. Say your goodbyes.”

While viewers have grown used to the short and sweet send-off, Harrison decided it was time to mix it up and be brutally honest. Jimmy Kimmel gave Harrison just the opportunity to throw some punches at the guys who didn’t make the cut this season. 

While the show would probably be more entertaining like this, it’s not the nicest way to send ~mostly~ decent guys home. But if he sent Chad off with a not-so-friendly farewell, we would have understood.

 

Clinton Shatters the Glass Ceiling With Her Democratic Nomination

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Hillary Clinton made U.S. history when she became the first female nominee for a major political party at the Democratic National Convention Tuesday night. Her groundbreaking nomination was also followed by a personal speech from her husband and former president, Bill Clinton.

Clinton accepted her nomination virtually by emerging dramatically from a shattered image of the previous 44 male presidents. In winning the nomination, she got 2,842 delegate votes, while Sanders gained 1,865 and 56 were counted as “no votes.” In addition to exclaiming that this nomination “just put the biggest crack in that glass ceiling yet,” Clinton also addressed the huge advancement it represented for women. She told her supporters that “if there are any little girls out there who stayed up late to watch, let me just say I may become the first woman President. But one of you is next."

The excitement over Clinton's nomination was felt by many voters who have been waiting a long time to witness the historical moment. Vince Insalaco, the chairman of the Democratic Party of Kansas was overjoyed by the moment. "I'm so proud to be a Democrat tonight, and so proud that we can call this woman one of our own," he told The New York Times.

Her nomination follows a recent string of accusations, once again involving email issues, but this time regarding the DNC. The DNC has come under fire after a hacker uncovered emails showing that the DNC was biased toward Clinton, and strategized ways to make Sanders look bad in order to secure Clinton the Democratic nomination. This new concern, coupled with Clinton’s previous email server issues, has created a worrisome situation for the Clinton campaign.

Due to the increased scrutiny of the Democratic party, Bill Clinton’s speech on behalf of his wife was important for boosting morale. As one of the most disliked candidates in U.S. history, Clinton has had a tough time gaining the trust of some voters. Her husband’s speech about their early courting days, and her relationship with her only child, Chelsea Clinton, was in effort to show the “real” side of Clinton, a side that Bill told DNC viewers was the one they voted for. He even alluded to their marriage, saying, “She’ll never quit on you. She never quit on me.” His heartfelt speech focused primarily on Clinton herself, and the qualities that will bring her far in the election, attempting to humanize her.

In another effort to unite the Democratic party, Sanders also showed his support for Clinton, stating, "I move that Hillary Clinton be selected as the nominee of the Democratic Party for President of the United States." After the DNC email fiasco, there are plenty of voters who are still Bernie or Bust, and Sanders’s movement to push his delegate votes towards Clinton is the first step in reuniting those who are still feelin' the Bern with those who are "with her." He also gave a strong endorsement of Clinton Monday night.

Regardless of lingering anger and unrest, Clinton has flipped the political tables and brought the United States into the modern day by nominating a potential woman president—something that has already been accomplished by 63 other nations around the world.

All Charges Were Dropped Against Police Involved In Freddie Gray's Death

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Prosecutors in Baltimore on Wednesday dropped all of the remaining charges against three city police officers who were awaiting trial for Freddie Gray's death, ​according to CNN. Prior to the charges being dropped for these officers, three additional officers originally tied to the case had already been acquitted.

Freddie Gray's death highlighted the harm that can come to any black person at the hands of the police, making many Americans wonder if they should fear those who are meant to keep us safe. According to The New York Times, after Gray died from a spinal cord injury in April 2015 while in police custody, many speculated that his death was linked to yet another instance of police brutality and negligence. This theory emerged due to a heavily circulated cellphone video, which showed Gray screaming, his legs mostly limp, as he was dragged into a police transport van. Gray also was not secured with a seatbelt while traveling in the van.

Many were hopeful that Gray's case would lead to conviction and punishment for the officers involved. When the investigation had originally begun, Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby publicly stated, “No one is above the law.” Mosby, who ran for state attorney on a promise to prosecute police brutality, implied that police officers involved in the case should not receive special treatment.

After the charges were dropped for the remaining three police officers, Mosby made her anger clear to reporters. According to CNN, she said that "the criminal justice system needed real, substantive reforms in order to handle a case like Gray's" and that "we could try this case 100 times, and cases just like it, and we would still end up with the same result." She continued to explain to the public that she is not anti-police, but she is against police brutality—which is the real issue at hand.

While America is rightly irate and disheartened by the outcome of the case, we need to remember, just as Mosby stated, that "the only loss—and the greatest loss—in all of this was that of Freddie Gray's life."

The Reason Ellen Pompeo Stayed on 'Grey's Anatomy' is So Sad

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Everyone in the industry always talks about how difficult it is for aging women to find work in Hollywood. But Ellen Pompeo (aka Meredith Grey from Grey's Anatomy) just made clear exactly how hard it is. 

It turns out Pompeo decided to stay on Grey's because she was worried about maintaining her career as she got older. "My decision to stay on Grey’s was based solely on age,” she says in an interview with People. “At 33, I was wise enough to know my clock was already ticking in Hollywood.” 

Although she landed her first role in her mid-20s, the actress says that is a "super late start" for a woman pursuing an acting career. She further explains that she "was definitely aware of how challenging it would be to find other roles in my late 30s and early 40s.”

She ultimately decided to settle in for the long haul with her Grey's role, a decision that she has not regretted. "Why would I leave something that is super successful and pays me great to search the landscape? I decided that I would stay on Grey’s and be grateful and try to ride it out for as long as I could. And I am very happy that I made the decision to stay. It’s only gotten better with time.”

While we love Meredith in all her twisty glory, we find it sad that her portrayer must face the negative effects of aging in Hollywood. We love that Pompeo is portraying a strong (and yes, slightly older than your average 20-something) female character on one of our favorite shows. We can only hope that representation like this will continue to spur the conversation forward.


Amazon Prime Wants to Help You Pay Back Your Student Loans

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Amazon is praised for its accessibility and speedy service, but you can now use it for more than just ordering your textbooks. Prime’s newest offering is both unforeseen and immensely exciting for all of us struggling to afford our school’s outlandish tuition prices. 

According to Refinery 29, Amazon and Wells Fargo recently teamed up in order to bring users a discount on their student loans. In case you didn’t already know, anyone with an ".edu" email address is able to get a free six-month membership to Amazon Prime. As if this deal isn’t sweet enough already, they just made it even better. All those who have an Amazon Prime Student Account are qualified to receive a 0.5 percent discount on your loan interest rate from the bank. Even better, that 0.5 percent can be used in addition to a 0.25 percent discount that you can score just by updating to an automated payment plan.

Although this might seem like a pretty measly discount, the numbers can really add up over time. According to the E-Commerce Times, some people could save enough just in the first year to be able to repay the price of a Prime membership. The site reports that over ten-year period with a $10,000 loan, you could save as much as $300, with savings increasing with the size of the loan.

Despite how awesome this new opportunity is, there's a catch. Wells Fargo requires you to be a Student Prime member on or before the date you signed up for the loan. Only new loans can qualify for the discount, too, unfortunately. So you may not be able to catch a break with the loans you already have, but new college students and those looking to take out loans for grad school should definitely pay attention to this unique offer. It's also important to note that in order to keep your Amazon Prime Student Account active, you must pay for the membership once the free six-month membership comes to a close. A membership costs $49/year, which isn't really too bad when you consider the break you'll be getting on your dreaded tuition loans.

Trump Calls For Russia To Hack Hillary Clinton's Emails

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Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump called on Russian hackers to hack Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton’s email. The reason he gave as to why they should do this? According to him, the media will reward them "mightily."

At a press conference at his own resort in Florida, Trump gave one of his now signature tirades, according to CNN. "Russia, if you're listening, I hope you're able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing," said Trump on Wednesday. "I think you'll be rewarded mightily by our press." Trump was referring to the Russian hackers who are believed to be responsible for the leak of DNC emails on WikiLeaks, which lead to the resignation of committee chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz. 

In March, Hillary Clinton admitted that her lawyers deleted around 30,000 messages off of her private email system, which she categorized as "personal." Although the FBI has released most of her emails as public information, Trump clearly wants to go further by requesting foreign help for, well, spying. 



According to Hillary for America senior policy adviser Jake Sullivan, this is the first time a presidential candidate has actively and openly called for foreign "espionage" on another American politician. Because both Trump and Clinton are high profile, many fear this request could have more of an effect on the election than Trump thought.

Both sides of the aisle are insisting that Russia, or any other country, keep their hands off the election and not hack into any candidate. 



Trump, to no one's surprise, is attempting to backtrack on his statement. "Of course, I'm being sarcastic," he said in an interview with "Fox and Friends" on Thursday. "But you have 33,000 emails deleted, and the real problem is what was said in those emails from the Democratic National Committee." 

Trump also went on to once again show he's buddy-buddy with Putin. “Putin has much better leadership qualities than Obama,” he said in the interview. "I said he’s a better leader than Obama, because Obama’s not a leader, so he’s certainly doing a better job than Obama is, and that’s all." 

It is still unknown to either side if Russian hackers verifiably hacked the DNC and where their loyalties truly lie.

This is far from the first time anyone has made an inquiry into Clinton’s emails. It was discovered in late 2014 that she had emailed from a private server, rather than a government email address, communicating some sensitive information during her time as secretary of state. This was an action that both sides called foul on. Clinton later released about half of the emails—whatever she did not delete due to privacy—and was cleared of any charges, despite investigators finding her email use negligent.

It's still unclear what Trump hopes to gain by saying any of this, but let's just all hold our breaths and hope that Russian hackers don't begin to insert themselves right into the middle of this election. 

How to Say Goodbye Before Leaving for College

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Summer is drawing to a close, and for many pre-collegiettes the end is near. Not just the end of barbecues, summer jobs and lazy days at the pool, but—for girls who have just finished their summer after high school graduation—the end of life as they know it before college.

The last week before move-in day and Welcome Week is unbelievably hectic for just about everyone. But as you pack boxes and make deposits and stroll through the aisles of Target, don’t forget to add one more item to your list: saying goodbye.

While it’s tough to part with the friends and family you’ve known forever, saying goodbye is also a great opportunity to strengthen friendships and show people just how much they mean to you. Keep reading for tips from collegiettes across the country on unique ways to make your farewells both fun and meaningful. 

best friends at beach

Put a new spin on your group get-together.

While personalized goodbyes are essential for the people you’re closest to, it’s perfectly all right to say goodbye to some people in groups. Make a list of people you want to see before you leave and throw a party. (Just make sure you check when everyone will be leaving, and don’t schedule it for the week before you go—everyone will be too busy to breathe by then).

balloons party

You’ll probably get a stack of invitations to similar get-togethers as the summer winds down, so it’s important to keep your event fresh. Sarah Ramirez from Fordham College at Rose Hill suggests coming up with a clever theme, like the nautical-themed “Bon Voyage” party she hosted with her best friend.

You can also just get creative. Felicia Tickle, an Appalachian State University grad, had everyone at her goodbye bash sign a giant poster with memories and advice, which she later hung in her dorm.“It was basically like a giant yearbook I could frame,”she says.

If you choose to host a goodbye party, make sure to send invitations at least three weeks in advance — it’s a busy time for everyone, and you don’t want to get crowded out of the calendar by other obligations. Choose your guest list carefully — not everyone has to know each other well, but it is an emotional event, so it makes sense to choose close friends and people who generally get along.

Hold your party in an open space where everyone can spread out — try your backyard or even a public park. Set up a table for each of your guests with scrapbook paper, glue sticks, ribbon, and other DIY goodies. Let them supply the photos and memories, pair everyone up, and have fun making goodbye posters to adorn those cinderblock dorm walls.

While at your goodbye party, it’s also a great time to get your friends together for a few group photos. Talk to your most photography-inclined friend in advance, and let her bring her equipment and take a few shots for everyone to hang up in their dorm room or apartment. Just make sure someone else takes over the camera for a while, so your photographer isn’t absent from all the pictures!

Take time to show people how much you care.

scrapbook page best friends memories

As your life changes drastically, it’s the perfect time to embrace your creativity and show the most important people in your life how much they mean to you.

For Cameron Simcik, a Bucknell University grad, that meant putting her feelings into (written) words. “Before I left for college, I wrote my siblings, parents, and close friends each a letter,” she says. “I felt like it was important to let these people know how they helped me get to where I was and what part of them I was bringing with me to this next chapter in my life.”

For another collegiette, Harvard University student Madeleine Frank, it meant passing on an uncommonly personal type of advice. Madeleine kept a diary during her freshman year of high school, and just before she left for college she gave it to her younger sister, who was about to enter her own freshman year. “I thought reading it would help her get through some of the challenges that high school brings,” she says.

And for Ithaca College collegiette Carly Sitzer and her best friend, handmade gifts were the way to go.“She made me a scrapbook, which read like a fairy tale of our senior year, and I decoupaged the frame of a mirror with pictures of us,” Carly says. “It’s something I’m sure we’ll hold onto forever to remember that last year together before college.”

Start a new tradition, or take an old one with you.

best friends holding hands linking arms

Just before they left for separate colleges, Jaime from the University of Alabama Birmingham and her friends were walking around their neighborhood. While they were out, they stumbled across a new friend—a garden gnome named Murphy, playfully kidnapped from a neighbor’s yard. These days, the group shares joint custody of Murphy and takes care to document his adventures across the country.

“My friend going to school in Miami got Murphy for the first semester and took pictures of him smoking a cigar on a yacht and relaxing on a hammock,” Jaime says. “When I got Murphy next, he got pictures taken of him eating barbecue and on the golf course in Alabama. We all send the pictures to each other and it’s an easy way to keep in touch, even though we’re far away.”

While you don’t have to kidnap a garden gnome (an action Jaime doesn’t condone, by the way) it’s easy to start up a similar tradition with your high school friends. Just go to the store and find something silly—a plastic flamingo, a stuffed bear, anything—and start up a new tradition. You could also go the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants route and choose a clothing item to swap — you may not be able to find magical pants, but a shared bracelet or scarf should do the trick.

More serious traditions are also a great way to send off the high school years. Brianna Linden from Appalachian State University chose to say goodbye to regrets as she said goodbye to her friends. Each girl in her group of friends made a list of high school memories they wanted to let go of, from bad boyfriends to bad eating habits. Then they built a fire and threw the lists in. “It was a way for us to signify moving on from our bad habits and circumstances from high school so we wouldn’t involve them in our college lives,” Brianna says. “It was a memorable, bonding and liberating experience.”

While you’re starting new traditions with your friends, make sure to get together with your family and pack up a few old traditions to take with you. If you’ll have access to a kitchen, ask your mom to teach you how to make your favorite home-cooked recipe. Or make a collage of your favorite old family photos. During your first few weeks of school, it’ll be comforting to have them with you.

One collegiette, Clemson University grad Alyssa Rabon, chose to bring along memories of the food she grew up with. “My mom and I always cooked and baked together when I was in high school, so my favorite thing we did before I left was compile a cookbook with all my favorite recipes of hers,” Alyssa says. “Even though I hardly used it freshman year because I lived in a dorm, it was still a really nice way to make sure that I didn’t leave home behind once I left for Clemson. And I use it all the time now that I live in an apartment!”

Take advantage of social media to stay in touch.

friends in group laughing happy laying on grass

In the plugged-in age of new media, and there’s no excuse for falling out of touch with your friends.

Appalachian State University grad Meghan Hare found that keeping in touch with high school friends was as simple as sending a Facebook message. Right after they all left for college, Meghan and her friends started one Facebook thread, which they use to update each other on day-to-day developments in their lives. Years later, the thread is still up and running.

Start a private Facebook group for your high school friends—this way you’ll be able to exchange messages, chats, photos, videos, and other updates without clogging the newsfeeds of your mutual acquaintances. 

Facebook is also a great way to make sure you’ve got plenty of events planned before everyone heads off to school. At the beginning of her last summer, Boston University student Kelsey Mulvey created a Facebook group called “The Last Hoorahs.” Through the group, she posted event invitations to dinners, movies, and beach trips throughout the summer.

“I feel like maintaining friendship is crucial because your family will always be there, but your most important friendships can fade once college rolls around,” Kelsey says. “Creating good memories over the summer secures those friendships more.”

How are you planning on saying goodbye to your high school friends?  Leave a comment!

Here's What is Coming to Netflix in August

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Another month of summer is gone, and we are a month closer to the beginning of the school year, which means we should ~probably~ stop watching so much Netflix. But Netflix just wouldn’t be okay with that, so they have been kind enough to add some new selections to their lineup in August. Highlights include The Wedding Planner, Sleepy Hollow, What Women Want and yet another season of Law and Order: SVU. Check out all the additions below.

August 1:

The American Side

An Inconvenient Truth

APEX: The Story of the Hypercar

Beethoven's Christmas Adventure

Big Daddy

Black Widow

Critical Condition

Deadfall

Destination: Team USA

Funny or Die Presents: Donald Trump's The Art of the Deal: The Movie (Netflix exclusive)

The Family Man

The Fast and the Furious

The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift

Final Destination 3

From the Terrace

Holding the Man (Netflix exclusive)

How to Win the US Presidency

In the Shadow of the Moon

ISIS: Women Unveiled

Masha and the Bear: Season 2 (Netflix exclusive)

Memoria

The Naked Prey

NCIS: Season 13

Pay It Forward

The Real Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Roseanne Collection: Collection 3

Sleepy Hollow

Sliding Doors

Star Trek: Nemesis

Teacher's Pet

The Verdict

The Wedding Planner

What Women Want

Zack and Miri Make a Porno

August 3:

Beat Bugs: Season 1 (Netflix original)

August 5:

David Cross: Making America Great Again (Netflix original)

Ever After High: Epic Winter (Netflix original)

The Little Prince (Netflix original)

Punk's Dead: SLC Punk 2

Slow TV: National Firewood Evening

Slow TV: National Firewood Morning

Slow TV: National Firewood Night

Slow TV: National Knitting Evening

Slow TV: National Knitting Morning

Slow TV: National Knitting Night

Slow TV: Northern Passage

Slow TV: Northern Railway

Slow TV: Salmon Fishing

Slow TV: The Telemark Canal

Slow TV: Train Ride Bergen to Oslo

August 6:

The Confirmation

August 9:

Real Husbands of Hollywood: Season 4

T-Rex

August 10:

St. Vincent

August 11:

Flight of the Butterflies

No Country for Old Men

August 12:

Ask the StoryBots: Season 1 (Netflix original)

The Get Down: Part 1 (Netflix original)

Project Mc2: Season 2 (Netflix original)

August 13:

13 Cameras

August 15:

Louis CK: Live at the Comedy Store

August 16:

Let's Go to Prison

Our Last Tango

August 17:

The Curse of Sleeping Beauty

The Last Heist

Puffin Rock: Season 2 (Netflix original)

August 19:

Bottersnikes and Gumbles: Season 1 (Netflix original)

Fearless: Season 1 (Netflix original)

I'll Sleep When I'm Dead (Netflix original)

August 21:

Maz Jobrani: I'm Not a Terrorist, but I've Played One on TV

August 22:

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: The Seventeenth Year

August 23:

Septembers of Shiraz

August 25:

The Road

August 26:

Blue Is the Warmest Color

Dawn of the Croods: Season 2 (Netflix original)

Glitter Force: Season 2 (Netflix original)

Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy: We've Been Thinking... (Netflix original)

Once Upon a Time: Season 5

XOXO (Netflix original)

August 27:

Rams

August 29:

The State of Marriage

August 31:

Ku'damm 56: Season 1

7 Reasons Why You Should Apply to Be a Her Campus High School Ambassador

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Are you a high school student looking for a new amazing opportunity? You’re in luck—the Her Campus High School Ambassador Program is now accepting applications! If you are interested in journalism, digital media, marketing, public relations or writing, this position is perfect you.

Being an ambassador has so many perks—like gaining valuable work experience and making awesome new friends, to name a few. Need more convincing? Read on for 7 reasons why you should apply to be a Her Campus High School Ambassador now!

1. The assignments are totally manageable

Assignments are given on a weekly basis. Typically, they are assigned Monday morning and are due the following Sunday night. All of the assignments can be handled by any pre-collegiette and can be completed with ample time to spare within the week. You can even reach out to other members of the High School Ambassador program if you need help. Plus, once you’re finished you’ll have some fantastic new clips to add to your portfolio!

2. You'll be part of an amazing network and meet tons of other brilliant teens 

The High School Ambassador program consists of high school students from all over the globe. Whether you chat in the Facebook group or you end up peer editing each other’s work, you are guaranteed to meet teens who are hardworking, focused and ambitious just like you. The program’s Facebook group is a great way to keep connected, to share your ideas and thoughts, or even to ask for help with your assignments. You’ll become part of an incredible and supportive community (and you’ll all totally like each other’s HC-related social media posts, of course).

3. You will be exposed to even more opportunities beyond Her Campus

With the wide variety of connections and partnerships within the Her Campus community, you will be exposed to so many exclusive opportunities. For example, in the past, ambassadors have been offered the chance to join Keds' online fashion community. Fashionistas were selected to work with Keds to inspire new styles and exchange opinions. Being an ambassador will open up doors that will provide you with these kinds of exclusive opportunities and help you achieve your professional goals.

4. It looks awesome on your resume

Mentioning that you were an ambassador for the #1 global community for college women will certainly give your resume a boost! College admissions officers, internship hiring managers and potential employers will all be impressed to see that you have gained professional experience in your field of interest prior to graduating high school. And when you list all of the skills you’ve acquired through your position as a High School Ambassador, your resume will definitely stand out from the rest!  

5. The skills you learn are beneficial and practical

The program covers areas such as marketing, journalism, writing, editing, blogging, public relations and design. These areas are crucial to thrive not just in the media, but in any industry! It’s not often that students are able to obtain these skills as early as high school, so take advantage of this opportunity while you can. Past assignments for this program have included writing articles, developing marketing plans and pitching product ideas. The assignments are practical and will provide you with relevant and meaningful experience. So when you get your first college internship, you’ll already have all of these skills up your sleeve!

6. You're eligible for discounts at Her Campus conferences

Whether it’s Her Conference or Her Conference: High School, if you're a High School Ambassador, you can bank on discounted tickets. Plus, you'll get the chance to meet all of the people you've been chatting with in the Facebook group IRL! You’re welcome.

7. You'll be a part of a company that has been recognized by Glamour, Forbes, The Huffington Post, Lucky, Cosmopolitan, Business Insider and so many other prominent publications.

That’s right, Her Campus has been recognized by all of these famous media outlets and then some. Her Campus was even ranked as one of the best 100 websites for women in 2013. This global community has over 6,000 contributors and over 250 campus chapters around the country (and in the U.K. and Brazil!). Her Campus is growing and expanding every single day—and you have a chance to be a part of that.

The High School Ambassador application closes on September 1, 2016. Be sure to submit your application, and spread the word to your friends and peers! We are so excited to meet our ambassadors for the 2016-2017 school year. Good luck, pre-collegiettes!

15 Lipsticks Under $15 That Have Major Staying Power

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Lip color is one of the easiest and most versatile parts of your makeup routine, supplying that finishing touch when you need a pop of color or glossy sheen. Unfortunately, your perfect pout can also be frustratingly fleeting as the color wears off in a matter of hours—or even minutes. If you find yourself checking the mirror every 30 minutes for a touch-up, it may be time to ditch your trusty tube in favor of a new, long-wear product. Every one of these 15 under $15 lip products come recommended by college women and beauty professionals, so you can finally put down the mirror and rest assured that your lips look as flawless as they did hours before. 

Sonia Kashuk Lustrous Shine Lip Crayon, $8.99

Sonia Kashuk, beauty expert and founder of Sonia Kashuk Cosmetics, which are sold exclusively at Target, gave us the inside scoop on lip color and how to make it last. She’s not a big proponent of products that are advertised as “long-wear” since they tend to dry out the lips. Instead, she suggests finding a product with a comfortable, smooth texture that can be layered or incorporated with other products for long lasting definition. “Lip crayons create a matte coating of color and then you can add gloss if desired,” she says. “This allows you to control the texture.” Her other pro tip? Always use a lip pencil to get the most out of your lipstick and try using your regular foundation to trace the outline of the lips or even coat the surface for a smooth base. 

Sonia Kashuk Lip Definer, $5.79

Sonia’s lip definer is a must-have! She encourages using a lip pencil with every color, whether you want to use a nude shade to compliment a pale pink lipstick or a deep red to prevent your favorite burgundy from bleeding. “You can apply a whole layer of pencil for a matte base,” suggests Sonia. “Lip pencils can really perfect lips and nude or natural pencils help fill out the lips even more.” Sonia also notes that matte lip colors will always last longer than glossier textures, so using a matte pencil as a base will ensure that any of your favorite lip products stay in place.

Clinique Pop Lip Color + Primer, $8.50

This multi-action lip product combines the smoothing, hydrating effect of a primer with the long-wear color of a lip stain. HC Notre Dame contributor, Abby, recommends this new product after receiving it in a Clinique Bonus pack, one of the perks of buying the brand’s products in store at places like Nordstrom or Macy’s. “It doesn’t dry out your lips but isn’t glossy or sticky either,” says Abby. “The primer is just part of the lipstick so there aren’t two steps!” While a full size tube of Clinique Pop will cost $18, you can buy minis for only $8.50, allowing you to stash a few different colors in your bag for an instant makeover. 

ColourPop Cosmetics Ultra Matte Lip, $6

ColourPop lip products are one of the highest rated when it comes to affordable color. While there are a many products to choose from, the Ultra Matte Liquid Lipsticks are a favorite among our college women for their lightweight feel and rich color. HC Howard contributor Darsheene recommends “Limbo,” a versatile shade of brown or “Be Dazzled,” a vibrant purple. “They can be hard to get off,” Darsheene says of their staying power, “but a little Vaseline works perfectly to take the color off without hurting your lips.” The best part about this product is the bargain price. At only $6 a tube, you can afford a rainbow of colors.

Maybelline Super Stay 24 Lip Color, $10.49

Makeup artist Sarah Mohamed recommends this dual-purpose product for any occasion. “It comes with two products in one, dual-ended, providing a lip stain and a gloss to finish,” she says. “If you happen to have a few extra seconds in your routine to exfoliate your lips before applying the stain portion (I try to each time before special events!) I guarantee through champagne and dinner this product will stay put!”

Each tube of Maybelline Super Stay will only cost around $10 and since you’re basically getting two products for the price of one, it’s definitely a bargain. Stock up on a variety of the shimmery shades to add a little glamour to any look.

Revlon Color Stay Just Bitten Balm Stain, $9.49

This chubby stick lip color is the perfect blend of a smoothing lip balm and colorful stain. Where other liquid stains can be runny and difficult to apply, this one is velvety and glides into every corner of your mouth with no mess. This product comes highly recommended from Allure and a variety of beauty bloggers, in part because the unique formula is comfortable and gives a glossy finish. There are 12 shades to choose from and each tube will cost you about $9.50.

Sephora Collection Rouge Shine Lipstick, $12.50

This line from Sephora is a total game changer because it combines the shimmer of a gloss with the rich hue of a lipstick in one great product. Each tube is packed with moisturizing ingredients like vitamin E and shea butter, while vibrant color pigments and carnauba wax give you that luscious wet lip look that will last all day. Mohamed notes that natural moisturizers like the ones found in this product are key for avoiding flakiness that can occur after only a couple hours of wearing lipstick.

HC George Mason contributor Juliane loves this product for its smooth finish and comfort. “This lipstick comes in both high shine finish and shimmer finish, as well as a variety of colors,” she says. “This is a great option because it’s only $12.50!”

MAC Velvetease Lip Pencil, $14

If you gave up on trying to find a great MAC lip color that you can actually afford, this one’s for you. You’ll get the best of MAC’s signature rich colors and smooth finishes, but in an easy-to-use creamy pencil. Like the name suggests, this product feels like velvet on the lips, but is lighter than a traditional lipstick. You can snag this beauty bombshell for only $14 and choose from 12 shades ranging from “Frolic,” a demure pink, to “Velvet Teen,” a blend of rich burgundy and deep plum.

Revlon Ultra HD Lip Color, $8.99

This powerful lipstick from Revlon packs a punch with vivid color that won’t fade. It’s made with a special gel formula that locks in color with only one swipe, meaning you won’t have to waste a whole tube on just a couple applications. You can find the Ultra HD Lip Color in traditional formulas, or matte, which HC UConn contributor Nicole likes best. “They don’t make my lips feel tight or dry like a lot of matte liquid lipsticks do,” she says. These pigmented powerhouses are only $8.99 each and come in 16 matte shades and 20 traditional shades.

Milani Amore Matte Lip Crème, $8.99

Nicole also recommends the Matte Lip Crème from Italian-inspired cosmetics brand, Milani. This super rich formula starts as a liquid, then dries into a buttery, matte finish. Even the brush on this product is made for long-wear with a flexible, pillow-like applicator that gets to every corner of your lips. Nicole’s pro-tip? Go for the “Adorable” shade, a pinky nude that’s super versatile and vegan friendly. At $8.99 and with lasting color for up to 16 hours, this is one product you'll want in your arsenal. 

NYX Lip Lingerie, $8

This line from NYX delivers a weightless, smooth layer of color in 12 neutral hues. HC contributor Caroline recommends this $8 bargain gloss over more expensive products like Kylie Jenner's Lip Kits. "They don’t dry out my lips, unlike other liquid matte lip products, and I actually have to use makeup remover to get them off,” says Caroline. Her go-to shade? “Push-Up,” a sultry blend of warm mocha tones and peachy pink.

NYX Full Throttle Lipstick, $7

Mohamed also puts her makeup artist’s stamp of approval on this powerful lipstick from NYX. Each tube is filled with waterproof, super-saturated color in some standout shades. “This lipstick is creamy and not at all flaky or drying to lips, so there isn’t much of a need for any form of top coat,” she says. The stick also has a unique, beveled edge which makes getting into the small corners of the mouth much easier. Use the finest tip to line the edge of the lip for a professional quality application.

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream, $6

With so many products for every type of look, it’s no wonder that NYX is a favorite. This Lip Cream line is like velvet on the lips with an extra smooth application that dries into a stay-all-day layer of color. There are 34 shades to choose from, but at only $6, you can grab a few. Kayla recommends “Cannes,” a rich, rosy mauve or “Copenhagen,” a dramatic shade of deep plum. As an added bonus, each tube is delicately scented for a fresh feeling all day long. 

Wet n Wild MegaLast Lip Color, $1.99

This bargain lip color from Wet n Wild is the perfect choice for an evening event. It’s got a 4-hour wear with hydrating ingredients like vitamins A & E as well as hyaluronic microspheres that adhere to lips for lasting color and a smooth finish. Plus, the variety of elegant colors give you plenty of selection for matching with any party dress. Ashley recommends a warm, brown shade called “Mocha-licious.” “Its durability is amazing,” says Ashley. “Even when I’m eating or drinking something! And it’s a beautiful natural color.”

Rosebud Salve from Rosebud Perfume Co., $6.00

This product is a must-have for any make-up minimalist. It does double duty as a rich, restorative moisturizer and pale pink lip color. It will leave your lips looking healthy and plump, with a subtle sheen that’s perfect for daytime. HC Skidmore contributor, Dani, loves the classic Rosebud Salve tin. “It’s basically rose-infused Vaseline that keep your lips moist all day,” she says. “It’s around $6 and lasts forever.” You can order any of the Smith’s products online, but retailers like Sephora and Urban Outfitters sell the cult classics as well.

10 Things To Watch on Netflix If You're Obsessed with Gossip Girl

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So, you've sped through all six seasons of Gossip Girl only to wonder what could possibly measure up.  Here are some movies and shows to satisfy your craving for drama.

1. 90210

Continue your flair for the dramatics with this west coast-themed version of Gossip Girl.

2.  Mean Girls 

Yeah, you've seen this movie at least twenty times, but if you're trying to follow the nasty girls of high school, this is the first place to look.

3. Pretty Little Liars 

With even more seasons than Gossip Girl, you've found something to occupy your time.

4.  Orange is the New Black

Sure, the subject matters are vastly different, but OITNB will keep you hooked the same way GG did.

5.  The Carrie Diaries 

Experience the fashion and drama of the Big Apple in this series that Gossip Girl fans are sure to love.

6.  Grey's Anatomy

What does a Seattle hospital have in common with New York City's elite teenagers?  Plenty of binge-worthy seasons.

7.  Friday Night Lights 

If our favorite characters on Gossip Girl came from humbler roots, they may just support the Dillon Panthers.

8.  One Tree Hill 

Dive into another teen drama.

9.  New Girl 

Sure, it's a comedy.  But what's a comedy without a little drama?

10.  Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants

Catch a pre-Serena Blake Lively in this coming-of-age classic.


Win an Awesome Movie Prize Pack!

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John Carney’s Sing Street takes us back to 1980s Dublin seen through the eyes of a 14-year-old boy who tries to woo the love of his life by offering her a starring role in his (non-existant) band's music video. When she accepts, he and his misfit friends scramble to create a killer band in this feel-good, coming of age story featuring the ultimate soundtrack of the 80s!

 

Sing Street is now on Digital HD,  Blu-ray™, DVD & On Demand - find out where you can purchase your copy at Go Watch It!

To celebrate the release of Sing Street, one lucky winner will recieve a $50 iTunes gift card, Urbanears ear buds, and a copy of Sing Street on DVD! Enter to win now!

 

Sing Street Giveaway

How to Bounce Back From a Summer Relationship Break

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He jetted off to travel abroad and you were consumed by your dream internship in a big city. Or, you both bummed it on the couch at home and you just happen to live eight hours apart. Whatever the reason, you and the person you were seeing at school decided to take a break over the summer. But now that summer’s over, you’ll be back in the classroom before you can even say “Welcome Week.” And, of course, that means he or she will be there too. So what do you do now? If you’re nervous about where your relationship stands, check out these tips from dating coach Jasbina Ahluwalia for bouncing back from a relationship break.

Step 1: Get Ready to See Him or Her Again

Seeing him or her for the first time in the fall after a break can be either a really happy, exciting moment, or a really awkward one. Luckily, you do have some control over which way the situation sways. An easy way to initiate the “reunion” is to text him or her a few days before you return with something simple, like: “Can’t wait to be back at school! When do you move in?” It eases him or her into thinking about seeing you again, and it’s also a great way to get back in touch if you haven’t talked in a while. Set up a time to grab coffee or plan to sit together at a class meeting. That way, you won’t be flustered when you accidentally bump into him or her in the mailroom after not seeing him or her for three months. 

Step 2: Feel it Out

Sometimes, it’s easy to tell how your old flame is feeling once you see him or her again—he or she will either run up to you to scoop you into his or her arms for a kiss, or he or she will go for the awkward friend hug (the worst!). And while a lot of what he or she does will probably seem hard to read, it’s important to tune into how he or she acts towards you, because it could be a major indicator of how things will play out now that you two are back at school. Three months is a long time to be apart, and jumping right back into a relationship at the drop of a hat can be difficult. Be attentive to how flirty, awkward, or distant your guy or girl might seem. Likewise, be aware of the vibes you could be giving him or her.

3. Don’t Set the Bar too High

As we said before, summer is a long three months to be apart, and even if you two decide to kick things back into gear with your relationship, it still might take you a while to get back into the groove that you had last year… and that’s okay! A lot of things can change in three months, especially if either of you was traveling or working over the summer, so the dynamic of your relationship might be different this time around. And a new school year also means changes in classes and schedules, which might eliminate the Wednesday lunch dates you guys used to have last semester.

Don’t get discouraged if things don’t fall into place perfectly right away—few things do in the first few weeks of school! The easiest way to deal with any changes is to embrace them, and try not to put a lot of pressure on a relationship that’s just as rusty as you are in class after a three-month vacation.

4. Have "The Talk"

If your relationship seems different or awkward once you return to school and you’re not really sure what’s going on, sit down with your guy or girl and talk about your current (and future) relationship status. It doesn’t have to be a super serious, intense session. Just tell your guy you want to catch up and see where things are with the two of you now that you’re back at school. It can be frustrating and nerve-wracking if the responsibility falls on you to initiate the conversation, but you’ll be happy you did once you know exactly where the two of you stand and where to take things from there—especially since you’re most likely going to be seeing your guy around campus pretty consistently.

“Be honest and upfront with him about your feelings,” advises Ahluwalia. “Express yourself using a confident and positive emotional tone. Do not expect him to read your mind, and do not attempt to read his.”

Whether you want to completely pick up where you left off last year or if summer made you realize you’d rather be single, you need to tell him or her what you’re thinking. Leaving any confusion or ambiguity in your relationship is only going to cause trouble and hurt feelings. Tell each other what you each want out of the relationship and what summer did or didn’t change for you. And if you decide not to get back together, talk about things like hooking up with other people, seeing each other out at parties, etc. Even if you don’t end up getting back together, having complete transparency in regards to what you want and expect out of each other will eliminate a lot of problems later down the road.

5. Don’t Stress!

Not all relationships survive the summer, and if yours didn’t, that might just be an indicator that it wasn’t a very strong one to begin with—or, more likely, that he or she isn’t worth it!

Ahluwalia says it’s important to be open to the possibility that your guy or girl might not be on the same page as you are. “It is about respecting yourself as well as him enough to truly listen to each other’s feelings and expectations, and thereby determining whether expectations are sufficiently aligned to continue investing in the relationship,” she says.

Stress is one of the worst things to start a new year off with, so if you and your guy or girl didn’t get back together after summer, try not to let it ruin the excitement of being back at school. No matter your situation, the start of a new school year means 10,000 other new and exciting things happening and appearing for you to focus on, so embrace them!

Speaking of starting new—a fresh school year also means new guys! So if your summer break turned out to be more permanent than you thought, that just means it’s time to get started on scoping out (and making the first move with) all of the new guys on campus!

DIY Kylie Jenner's Lip Kit in 3 Easy Steps

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Beauty lovers are obsessed with Kylie Jenner's Lip Kit. But some of us don't have the money or patience (ugh, restocks) to get in on the craze. Thus, we give you a way to DIY your own Kylie Lip Kit. It is super easy, affordable and not to mention cute. 

What You'll Need:

  • Matte blush or eyeshadow in the color of your choice
  • Matte BB cream or foundation
  • Container to put final product in

Step One

Pour BB cream or foundation into your container. There is no exact measurement for this step, but keep in mind that the amount of BB cream or foundation needs to be equal to the amount of eyeshadow or blush. 

Step Two

Using a plastic spoon or knife, scrape the blush or eyeshadow into the container with the BB cream or foundation. Make sure that the amounts are equal.

Step Three

Mix the two together until there is a smooth consistency. Make sure to get all of the chunks out—they will transfer to your lips if you don't.

Now go give your lipstick a super cute name and prepare to have Kylie-worthy lips all day long. 

9 Ways to Take Your LinkedIn Profile to the Next Level

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So, you’ve built a beyond amazing resume. Community service, internships, job experience—you’ve got it all. And, being the go-getter that you are, you’ve had a LinkedIn account for like, the past 3 years. But unfortunately, that doesn’t matter if employers aren’t looking at your profile, or worse, can’t even find it. How can you take your LinkedIn account to the next level, increasing the chances that a potential employer will find it and actually want to stay on the page once they do?

1. Engage with others (effectively)

LinkedIn is a professional community where you can (and should!) engage with others. This can include sharing original content, such as a portfolio or recently published pieces, commenting on other peoples’ posts or participating in lively discussion. You can also connect with others by following certain companies or organizations and by joining groups—particularly those centered on helping people to get recognized by employers in their field(s) of interest. By being an active member on LinkedIn, you'll increase site traffic towards your personal account and appear more often on the main home feed and within group activity, thus gaining a more recognizable presence on the social platform.

2. Make the first move  

If you’re looking to break into a certain career field or get an internship at a specific company and you can find the recruiters on LinkedIn, be proactive and connect with them yourself instead of banking on them eventually finding your page.

Of course, there are definitely certain guidelines that you should adhere to when reaching out to a recruiter or employer to ensure that you come across as your best and most professional self. Donna Serdula, an expert on optimizing online presence and the founder of Vision Board Media (known for its incredible LinkedIn Makeover services) affirms, “A college student can absolutely send a connection request to a recruiter or even potential employer as long as they provide a personalized message.” Make sure your message is concise and to the point (hint: proofread, proofread, proofread!), and make sure your message doesn't sound like you're asking for a job out of the blue. Serdula emphasizes that a message to an employer on LinkedIn is not the place to ask for a job, but instead to share your interest in and your desire to learn more about the company. “The secret is coming across as friendly and inquisitive versus desperate and needy,” she explains.

You can then hold the recruiter's interest by participating in discussions that the recruiter begins through a status or forum, or by joining and engaging in a group that the recruiter is a part of (which can easily found on that person's page).

“Show your engagement,” says Serdula. “Get involved and like, comment and share.”   

3. Give the right first impression

Your LinkedIn photo is the very first impression you’ll give someone who is looking at your profile. So is yours one that will convince a recruiter or employer to do more than simply glance at your page and move on to the next candidate? As a college student, you probably can’t justify going out and paying for a professional head shot. But, that doesn’t mean you should settle for taking a selfie and calling it a day (seriously, never use a selfie as a LinkedIn profile picture)! A professional and high-quality picture can completely take your LinkedIn account to the next level and can even be the deciding factor on whether employers take you seriously as a potential intern or future employee.

If you’re at a loss of where to get a photo of yourself, try having your roomie or a photographer friend take a quality snap of you against a blank backdrop. Depending on how different you look and what year you are, you may even be able to comb through your high school senior pictures for a good head shot. If all else fails, see if your college’s career services department takes head shots for a reduced price—they may even offer them for free!

4. Customize your URL

Take your URL from a long line of random punctuation marks and letters to a clean and concise mini description of exactly whose profile it is. First, head over to your LinkedIn profile. You’ll see what your URL currently is for your profile page listed directly below the “View profile as” button in your bio box. Click on the settings gear to the right of the URL and then look over to the right hand column where it says “Your public profile URL.” Click on the editing pencil and type in your name to create your very own customized URL.

Not only will this SEO-friendly customized URL make your LinkedIn account one of the top Google hits should anyone search for your name online, but it will also allow you to easily share your profile with others. Says Serdula, “Customizing this link makes it easy to include on your resume, business cards, email signature [or] other social media profiles.” It will be easy for others to remember and thus easy for you to market yourself as a branded young professional!

5. Let people know you want to be found...

LinkedIn isn’t a place where you have to maintain an overly successful appearance all the time; it’s fine—beneficial, even—to let others know you are up for something new.

In addition to joining groups focused on recruiting new candidates to a certain field, using your professional headline is a great way to communicate to others where you stand work-wise—just be sure to remain somewhat subtle in your job search.

“Create an engaging narrative that acts as a digital introduction. Use your summary to tell the world who you are and how you help people and businesses,” says Serdula. And for all of you with “Seeking new employment” splattered across your profile, Serdula suggests replacing it with the less overt phrase: “Open to opportunities.”

Already employed but looking for something new? You may want to think through letting your professional colleagues and boss know via LinkedIn that you are open to advancing into a different career path. After all, your current employer might get rid of you proactively before you find a new job if they know you're planning on leaving! So use discretion and think carefully before deciding whether or not you want to communicate such a message.

6. ...and don’t forget to let employers know where they can find you

Far too often, a LinkedIn user will have an amazing profile with everything from previous work experience to honors and awards and organizations they are a part of completely filled out. They seem like a great hire, a must-have employee and are attracting successful amounts of traffic to their page. But there's just one problem: they fail to let anyone know where and how to contact them.

According to Serdula, “Opportunity can't knock if it doesn't know which door to knock on.”

Therefore, you absolutely must include your contact information on your profile in an easy-to-find way. At the very least include your personal or work email, but if appropriate, feel free to also include a personal website or online portfolio, social media handles and a cell phone number.

7. Get Recommended

Particularly if you’ve had a killer internship experience or have a great professional reference that you’ve made, getting a personal recommendation can tremendously enhance your LinkedIn profile. Not only will recommendations make you a more credible and employable candidate, but it will allow your profile to be seen by more viewers because it will show up on the recommender’s personal page as well as your own.

When making a (courteous!) request for a LinkedIn recommendation, make sure you tell the person why you are asking them specifically. What have you done for them or shown to them that makes you a great person to recommend? Also give them a quick idea of what specific skills, traits or services you want the person to recommend you for. Did you meet deadlines exceptionally well? Were you always willing to take on new projects? Were you a great team player? If and when you do recieve a recommendation, be sure to send a thorough thank you message to your reference, and even return the favor if applicable! But, needless to say, remember that not every supervisor or connection you contact may be comfortable or feel justified giving you one. 

8. Master LinkedIn SEO

LinkedIn uses a Boolean search engine, which means that the content you include within your profile can make or break whether your page is seen by recruiters searching for similar candidates. Make sure you complete each and every part of your profile in order to maximize its appearance in searches—especially your professional headline, which is one of the most SEO-sensitive fields on LinkedIn, according to Serdula. But don’t forget to fill out the more generic information too, such as your geographic location, your major and minor and your interests, which can all be enormously helpful in maximizing your appearance. Also be sure to include targeted key words that are specific to the industry you are interested in.

“Your profile will only be found for keywords that exist within it so be very strategic when writing your profile. Identify upfront what keywords a person would use to find someone like you.” Serdula says. “Once you know your keywords, make sure to sprinkle them throughout your profile in a natural, organic way. Use [them] as part of your narrative—not as a bulleted list.”

So while your profile shouldn't read like a laundry list of over-used industry terms, be sure to be specific enough with your word choice in order to be the top hit on an employer's search. 

9. Make yourself click-worthy

Recruiters check out countless potential employees and interns on LinkedIn every single day, meaning that many won't even continue on to your full account page if you haven’t captured their interest almost immediately with your thumbnail, name and position title. So, to grab their attention, make these things pop! Once again, it's vital to make sure that your thumbnail picture is appropriate and represents you as the young professional you are. To ensure that recruiters know they have found the right potential new hire, also be sure your name is listed as they would expect to find it (as in, no nicknames). And where you should really focus on enhancing your LinkedIn account to ensure a recruiter will follow through to your full page is your professional headline—again, an extremely SEO-sensitive area. How? Make it detailed but concise, leaving the recruiter knowing exactly who you are and interested in learning more about you.

Utilize the space you have to list one to three of your roles, experiences and even interests. For example, if you're a writer, you can write, “Editorial Intern for X Company | Contributing Writer for Y Company | Web Content Enthusiast.” Take special note of the use of the “|” pipe divider or vertical bar punctuation mark, which, according to Serdula, allows you to list targeted keywords that will give your fully-optimized LinkedIn profile an increased search ranking.

LinkedIn is all about being proactive. It’s a social network, and to completely master it, you have to know the best practices in order to attract employers, remain an active participant and abide by its professional social norms. Most of all, be social: sitting back and waiting for the employers to come to you may sound easy, but doing so is extremely limiting. If you're willing to put yourself out there, the interview and job offers will be floating on over in no time!

Paris Hilton Thinks ISIS Might Be Coming for Her

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It's been awhile since Paris Hilton has made headlines. But, don’t think that just because the heiress has been out of the spotlight that she hasn’t been paying attention to how dangerous the world is becoming.

As ISIS continues to claim responsibility for the deadly terrorist attacks that have been occurring across the world, people are becoming more and more fearful of what will happen next.

Well, Paris Hilton, the reality starlet-turned-DJ, who has been living in places like Ibiza for a while, thinks that she could possibly be targeted by the terrorist group.

During an interview with the Spanish paper Diario de Ibiza, Hilton detailed her worries that she could be attacked due to her fame.

According to the Daily Mail, she said, “I’m constantly moving around from one country to another and I’m a famous person who could be a definite target for an attack and that is something that sometimes terrifies me.”

However, Hilton is not going to let her fear hold her back. “I’m also a very free person who tries not to be afraid of anything,” she said. “I just make sure I always watch my back. I always go out alone and without security. Many celebs have ten bodyguards but I like to go out with my friends and be normal because I want to be like everyone else. I’m not going to give up anything.”

Well, at least we know Paris Hilton will not let ISIS keep her down.

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