Bachelor Nation is still reeling from last night's announcement that franchise all-star Nick Viall—not fan favorite, Luke Pell, who won America over during Bachelorette JoJo's season—has been tapped as the next Bachelor. Whether you're ecstatic or angered beyond belief, papa Chris Harrison is here to comfort you.
Of the decision to give the mantle to Nick over the seemingly obvious choice, Luke, Harrison reveals to PEOPLE, "He has just become that perennial, second place guy who wants to find love and is as sincere, if not more sincere, than anybody about finding it. It's about giving him his chance to find love. Who deserves it more than him?"
For a guy who has had three chances within the franchise to find love, you may be skeptical that being the Bachelor will turn all that misfortune and heartbreak into a bit of good luck. Harrison believes that the show has worked for Viall in the past, though, and this time it's going to stick. "It has worked for him. The previous two times he was on The Bachelorette, he fell in love and he had his heart broken. So he is that guy that will go there."
We know that the series loves to throw us a good curveball every now and then, but above all else, Harrison is asking Bachelor Nation to trust this decision. "We have made a very, very good living—and have been extremely successful—out of leading the landscape and trying to please Bachelor Nation and give them what they want, but at the same time knowing well enough to know that we're actually giving them what they need. At the end of the day, we had some really good, viable candidates, but Nick's sincere."
Harrison adds, "He wasn't actively campaigning for it. He wasn't begging for it. We just were talking and thought, 'You know what, this makes so much sense. Why aren't we doing this?'"
After giving us a major shock last night, we greatly appreciate the explanation, and we're willing to trust that the host knows what he's talking about. Regardless of whether Nick finds lasting love or not, one thing's for sure: this season of The Bachelor will definitely be one to remember.
If you’re anything like us, dear collegiette, then you enjoy exploring Pinterest. The site’s inspirational lifestyle images make for perfect mood boards and, let’s face it, distractions from studying. We often find ourselves spending a bit too much time on our travel board ogling the towering palm trees and pristine beaches of tropical locations. Can anyone blame us for thinking about vacation before the semester has even started?
Luckily, it’s never too early to start thinking about your next trip—especially Spring Break. That’s why we’ve partnered with StudentCity, the student travel experts, to gift one very lucky winner $500 off her Spring Break 2017 package. That means a seamless travel experience at coveted destinations like Cancun, The Bahamas, Punta Cana, Puerto Vallarta, and Florida. StudentCity handles all of the details like hotel and flight arrangements, excursions, and events so you can focus on making memories. We don’t know about you, but we’re ready to make our Pinterest board a reality.
Break out that passport and start planning for Spring Break with StudentCity—and enter now to win $500 off your trip.
A sophomore at Ithaca College was fatally stabbed on Cornell University’s campus early Sunday morning. Anthony Nazaire, 19, of Brooklyn, was walking his ill friend, Rahiem Williams, home after a party when Williams accidentally bumped shoulders with a woman, leading to the altercation that left Nazaire dead, the New York Daily News reports. Both men apologized to the woman for the accidental brush, but the two were somehow drawn into one of many fights that reportedly occurred after fraternity Omega Psi Phi’s annual welcome party.
Nazaire had just returned to school from a summer with his mother and sister, and told his mother on Saturday that this would be his first and last party of the year, according to the Daily News. A business major with goals of becoming an entrepreneur, Nazaire was doing well in school, and friends and faculty had nothing but good things to say of him. His college prep counselor described him as ambitious and kind; a classmate said he was a gentleman. His death was the first murder in the town in five years, according the Daily News.
A vigil was held on Monday afternoon to honor Nazaire, whose friends and family were struggling to grasp the traged, according to The Washington Post. “What saddens me the most is he didn’t die here in Flatbush, but died away at school,” cousin Chanelle Nazaire wrote on Facebook.
Police have reviewed a cellphone recording as part of their homicide investigation, according to the Post, and say that they can see many people holding up phones to record the fight. Police are asking the public to step forward with any video they may have of the incident so that they can bring justice to Nazaire.
“I just wanted to go to your graduation, I’m going to your funeral instead,” Chanelle added online.
Selena Gomez has been through a lot in the past few months. Not only has she been traveling for her Revival World Tour, but she's also endured some major drama with ex-BF Justin Bieber and bestie Taylor Swift. Now, Gomez is taking time off to deal with anxiety and depression that stems from her lupus diagnosis.
In a statement released to PEOPLE, Gomez explains, "As many of you know, around a year ago I revealed that I have lupus, an illness that can affect people in different ways. I've discovered that anxiety, panic attacks and depression can be side effects of lupus, which can present their own challenges."
She continues, "I want to be proactive and focus on maintaining my health and happiness and have decided that the best way forward is to take some time off. Thank you to all my fans for your support. You know how special you are to me, but I need to face this head on to ensure I am doing everything possible to be my best. I know I am not alone by sharing this, I hope others will be encouraged to address their own issues."
Gomez was diagnosed with lupus, an autoimmune disease, and treated with chemotherapy during a previous career break in 2013.
We hope that this time off will be just what Selena needs to come back stronger and better than ever.
A year after the trial that divided both a country and a campus, Chessy Prout has revealed herself as the victim of a sexual assault by Owen Labrie, then a student at St. Paul's School in New Hampshire. Because the incident and the trial took place when she was a minor, she was granted anonymity by law—but is choosing to shed it in favor of shedding the stigma common with assault victims.
On Today, Prout spoke of how the assault, the trial and the aftermath affected her as a young woman and a student of St. Paul's."It's been two years since the whole ordeal and I feel ready to stand up and own what happened to me," she says, "And I'm going to make sure other people, other girls, other boys, know they can own it too and that they don't have to be ashamed of it either."
At the time of the assault, Prout was a 15-year-old freshman at the prestigious St. Paul's School. She was lured into a sexual situation by a popular senior athlete, 18-year-old Owen Labrie. The assault took place as a part of a tradition of the senior boys called Senior Salute, where male students would try to gain "points" sleeping with younger female students (which is a predatory and sexist practice in and of itself). Prout testified for three days during the trial. In the interview, she said the trial was not at all what they were expecting. "We were prepared just to recieve an apology letter... We were prepared just to move forward with our lives and let them move forward with their lives," she said, adding that at no point did she want to cause trouble even right after the assault—"I was just trying to go smoothly and not cause waves."
Labrie was acquitted on all three counts of felony sexual assault but was convicted of three misdemeanor counts of statutory rape and one felony charge of using a computer to lure a minor. He was subsequently sentenced to one year in jail with five years probation, and must register as a sex offender in New Hampshire. He is currently appealing his sentence.
But Prout isn't thinking about her attacker. She said in the interview that she wants to move on—she even went back to St. Paul's at one point. But her return was shortlived. She was ostracized by her male classmates, people she once called friends. "They didn't even look me in my eyes," she said. She even found that the school did not do much to prevent any potential sexual assualts. St. Paul's categorically denies there is a culture that may contribute to sexual assault at the school, but they do admit that Prout's story have caused them to look more deeply at the issue.
She has panic attacks now because of her assault, but refuses to let anything stop her. Prout now wants to create a culture of change, one that includes and empowers others survivors of sexual assault, starting with a Women's Bill of Rights and the hashtag #IHaveTheRightTo. "I have the right to my body. I have the right to say no," she said.
College can be so frustrating. Between hard classes, tough professors and unnecessary headaches, students have a lot to deal with. Well, don’t let the look of your room frustrate you. Here are some simple DIYs that even the laziest of girls can make.
Every dorm room is covered in pictures of friends, family and maybe (mostly) pets. So spice up the way you show off your pictures with a DIY memory board.
Dorm rooms are small enough. We don’t need to worry about charger chords all over the place, cramping our cute dorm room. This DIY will fix that problem.
While most freshmen enter college not knowing a soul, Melanie Salazar is lucky not to be one of them. Instead, while Salazar starts her first year at Palo Alto College in Texas, she has a great upperclassman guide: her grandfather, Rene Neira.
She tweeted a few back to school selfies with her grandfather on her first day of classes. Her tweet has since gone viral, garnering attention from Yahoo, ABC News and BuzzFeed News. But neither Salazar nor Neira want any attention for it. She told Yahoo! she didn't want credit for it. "It's not my story. It's all my grandpa's story. I just so happen to have social media." Neira told BuzzFeed that he's glad he's able to inspire people but truthfully he explained, "I'm just doing what I've always wanted to do."
I'm so proud of my grandpa for finishing his first day at PAC this semester! 82 years old and not giving up!!! pic.twitter.com/IX4x5RhKXm
Melanie told the Huffington Post she and her grandfather were very close and that she likes to say he's her best friend. Salazar said it made her happy to see the story inspire so many. She even says her grandfather inspires her with her work ethic: "He'll spend hours in the library, studying on his own time because he's that dedicated to his education." She elaborated in another interview saying, "It motivates me not to give up," and that he's showed her the importance of her own education. Even Palo Alto College has reached out to express their happiness at both students getting their education.
While Salazar has just started her education at the college, studying liberal arts, her grandfather has only one more class to complete his Economics associate's degree at the college. He hopes to continue his studies at the University of Texas at San Antonio for his bachelor's. Way to go, Mr. Neira, showing everyone that an education is timeless.
People were appalled when the Stanford rapist, Brock Turner, was let off with an extremely light sentence of six months in jail. California lawmakers shared in the outrage, and immediately took action to stop this sort of horrific event from ever happening again. They decided to push a bill that would require all rapists—including those who rape unconscious victim—to serve prison time.
According to BuzzFeed News, this law received unanimous support from the California State Assembly. Now, it must be signed by Governor Jerry Brown to become law.
The bill would officially close the loophole that has let so many rapists of unconscious individuals slip through with little to no punishment.
Prior to this bill, California law mandated that the rape of a conscious victim result in a three to eight year prison sentence; however, the rape of an unconscious victim could have resulted in as little as probation time for the rapist because there was a lack of force used on the victim.
According to CNN Politics, the bill would amend the law to require the same punishment for those convicted of rape, sodomy, penetration with a foreign object and oral sex if the victim was unconscious or intoxicated.
Assemblyman Bill Dodd, one of the sponsors of the bill, told BuzzFeed News, “Sexually assaulting an unconscious or intoxicated victim is a terrible crime and our laws need to reflect that. Letting felons convicted of such crimes get off with probation discourages other survivors from coming forward and sends the message that raping incapacitated victims is no big deal.”
Santa Clara District Attorney Jeff Rosen, who helped proposed this legislation, thanked lawmakers for working to make this a reality. More importantly, he also thanked Emily Doe, the victim from the Stanford rape case.
“Mostly, we thank Emily Doe for her courageous letter. It gave all of us the inspiration to make sure the next Brock Turner either leaves the next Emily Doe alone, or the next Brock Turner goes to prison,” Rosen said.
Hopefully this law will make California safer for women, especially for collegiettes across the state.
Freshman year has come and gone, and for many, it's a whirlwind. As a newcomer to your campus, you met a lot of people quickly and probably made many fast friends. Whether you're content with your current acquaintances or you’re feeling as though you haven’t quite found your niche, now that you're adjusted to your college lifestyle, you're probably feeling ready to make a variety of new friends and expand your social circle. This five-step guide shows you the most effective ways to make friends after freshman year using the social, professional and academic opportunities you get in college.
1. Go to Parties in Smaller Groups
As fun as it can be to kick it with a huge, wild crew, it’s probably not the most effective means to making lasting friendships. Instead, invite one or two girls from your dorm to join you at a party one weekend. "I was less intimidated by the social scene come sophomore year, and felt comfortable going out in smaller groups," says Allie Chase from Michigan State. “Its easier to look out for each other, and much less overwhelming, because when you aren’t struggling to remember names right off the bat, you take the time to get to know people more personally.”
Not only does keeping your going-out group small help you get to know who you’re partying with better, but it also makes it easier for you to meet even more new people at the party. “Everyone's loose and ready to have a good time, joke around, and connect, but only with approachable-looking people,” says Erin Fett, a recent grad of Colgate. Think about which group you’d feel most comfortable approaching: would it be a smaller circle, or a pack with too many people to count? The first one? We agree!
2. Join a Club Based on Your Career Path
Focusing on your GPA freshman year was a smart move, and now that you’ve set yourself up for success, Sharon L. Jones, the former Associate Director of Career Services at UNC-Chapel Hill, explains that “sophomore year is a good time to venture out and meet people with similar interests, explore careers, and build skills.”
Jones was also a former adviser to the student chapter of Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) at UNC-Chapel Hill, and she suggests that you look for clubs based on your current career goals, such as student chapters of professional associations, academic honorary societies in particular fields of study, and professional fraternities and sororities.These types of opportunities will not only prepare you for life after college, but will also introduce you to people with similar professional aspirations. Exeter University collegiette Lauren Hudson gained a great group of friends through her involvement with Her Campus Exeter as President and Editor-in-Chief. “Running the whole team has brought me closer to so many girls that I never would have met before,” she says. “These are girls in different year groups and girls who study completely different courses - it's been such a benefit of an already amazing position that I've been able to make so many great friends!”
3. Volunteer Your Time
Those of us who made our first pals selling Thin Mints and Samoas know that community service can be a great opportunity to make friends. Though nowadays, the old Girl Scout getup might only come out once a year (hello, Halloween!), there are endless opportunities to be an asset to your campus community year-round. Whether you choose to build affordable homes, pay visits to hospital patients, or groom puppies at an animal shelter, the key to meeting other students with similar skills and interests is to pick volunteer work that interests you.
Christina Hoover, an architecture student at Syracuse University, made some of her best friends when she joined the Freedom by Design team within the American Institute of Architecture Students. Freedom by Design is an organization that uses simple construction solutions to make living easier for those who are confined to their homes. Devoting this amount of time and effort to a cause they care about has allowed the members of FBD to “become more than just a team,” she says. “We’ve become close friends ready to work hard together, take breaks together, and laugh together. Its a one-of-a-kind experience.” Not to mention, volunteering looks impressive on a resume!
4. Take on a Leadership Role in Your Club
Many people take freshman year to explore their interests, and we all know an easy way to do that is through the clubs offered on campus. Whether you’ve been involved in several activities or have been totally devoted to one, you now know the ropes, and can help others get on your level by taking on a leadership position.
Erica Choo, president of the Wellesley Class of 2014 Council, says she ran for her position because she wanted to become more involved on campus. “Since becoming president my junior year, I have met so many incredible people that I probably would not have had the chance to interact with otherwise,” she says.
Through her role of bringing the class closer together with social events and fundraisers, she has organized events that helped others make friends and allowed her to do the same along the way. “On council, I met a girl who I had seen around campus before but never really talked to a whole lot,” she says. “We organized a study break tailgate together outside of the dorms for everyone in our class, popped the trunks of our cars, and blasted the radio so loud that I’m sure you could hear the music all the way from the other end of campus. It was a really great way to meet new people and bond with other girls in our class, and through working together on class council, she has truly become one of my best friends at school.”
5. Study Socially
While Erica’s wild study break tailgate has us easily convinced that taking a breather from the books can be a fantastic way to make friends, we can only wish it was possible to take a study breaks without the aforementioned studying. When its time to buckle down, organizing a study group is a great way to stay on top of your work with a built-in excuse to hang out with the people you’re working with. Invite people in your classes to whom you haven’t talked much to meet up and prep for a midterm together. And since we can’t always rely on revved engines and blasting beats to stay social on study breaks, recent Boston University graduate Mary Danielewski shares a tip for breaking the ice with study partners: “I like to let classmates I don’t know as well choose dinner spots and coffee shops,” she says. “It puts them in their comfort zone, and introduced me to some great new hangouts!”
As you prepare for another year of fun and friend-making, the most important thing is to keep an open mind. Remember that sometimes the best things, including friends, can be found when you aren’t even looking!
Democratic Presidential nominee Hillary Clinton released her comprehensive mental health plan to fix the country’s mental health system on Monday.
Clinton aims to put mental health on the same level as physical health, especially in terms of how the two are paid for by insurance companies.
“Recognizing that nearly a fifth of all adults in the United States—more than 40 million people—are coping with a mental health problem, Hillary’s plan will integrate our mental and physical health care systems. Her goal is that within her time in office, Americans will no longer separate mental health from physical health when it comes to access to care or quality of treatment,” Clinton’s campaign said in a released statement.
Clinton addresses this in her plan by stating that mental health and substance abuse treatment should be more readily available, and has previously stated that the government should be allowed to negotiate prices on medication with pharmaceutical companies to reduce costs for medications, U.S News reports.
According to Politico, some of Clinton's plans include holding a White House conference on mental health, devoting funds and research to suicide prevention, and training law enforcement officers in how to interact with mentally ill people.
According to U.S. News, the nonprofit advocacy group Mental Health America has praised Clinton's plan, calling it “solid” and “comprehensive.”
You can read Hillary Clinton’s complete mental health care agenda here.
Celebs feud all the time. It really is exhausting trying to keep up with which ones are all good and which are at war. The feud rumor mill is at it again, and this time Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato are the subject of speculation.
We've followed the ups and downs of Selena and Demi's friendship since their Disney Channel days, and still, it seems no one can clarify whether the two are on the outs or not. But a recent video Demi filmed for Lyft has Selena's fans claiming Lovato has thrown shade Gomez's way, and the Selenators are NOT having any of it.
In the video, Demi disguises herself as an undercover Lyft driver, quizzing her passengers about their interest in her music. At one point, Lovato goes so far as to say, "Selena is so much more talented. She's got such a better voice."
Some may take that statement as a compliment, but Selena's fans believe this is Demi's attempt to shade Selena—not because of what she said, but rather the way she said it. You can see Lovato giggle slightly as she talks about Gomez, but isn't that all part of the act?
A video posted by Justin & Selena Updates™ (@jelenasenergy) on
Selena and Demi's fans are now feuding on Twitter, and needless to say, it's getting pretty heated.
We highly doubt that Demi was actually throwing shade at Selena, but the fans have spoken…and they continue to speak. It looks like this is one war that isn't ending any time soon.
White Lives Matter grew out of a meme and was, predictably, created in response to the Black Lives Matter movement. The group insists that white people have been targeted for violence and genocide due to integration, immigration and marriage between white and non-white people.
Most recently, the racist group posted a video on YouTube that covered their protest outside of the NAACP Houston office where they demanded the NAACP and Black Lives Matter movement be dissolved. The Houston Chronicle reported that members of the group carried Confederate flags and assault rifles, while The Washington Post noted that the protest organizer, Ken Reed, was wearing a "Donald Trump '16" hat and a "White Lives Matter" t-shirt. Reed told the Chronicle, "Obviously we [White Lives Matter] are exercising our Second Amendment rights but that’s because we have to defend ourselves... Their organizations and their people are shooting people based on the color of their skin. We’re not.”
If you needed any more evidence that White Lives Matter is hateful, research has shown that the group is backed by the Aryan Renaissance Society in Texas, which is linked to the white nationalist United Aryan Front, according to the Times. And the leader of the Nashville White Lives Matter chapter is Rebecca Barnette—who also holds leadership positions in two other skinhead and neo-Nazi groups. She's posted Nazi propoganda and praise for Hitler on the Russian social network VK.com.
Heidi Beirich, the director of the Intelligence Project at SPLC in Montgomery, Ala., told the Times that there are 892 active hate groups in the country. Beirich also mentioned there has been a spike in white supremacist groups within the last year due to the hype surrounding the presidential race, particularly Donald Trump’s racist rhetoric. It’s important to recognize how voting in the 2016 presidential election can dramatically increase or decrease the power of hate groups like it in the future.
You know the saying, sharing is caring, but how true is this motto when it comes to your go-to beauty products? Unfortunately (or maybe, fortunately), your favorite glam tools may be better left to your use and your use only. Read below for nine beauty products you should never share.
1. Tweezers
Wait, what? At first thought, tweezers might not seem that controversial, but they are definitely not something you want to share. From popping pimples to cleaning under dirty nails, you never know just how your friends are using their pair of pluckers.
2. Lipsticks or glosses
Believe it or not, sharing your favorite brand new matte lipstick with your bestie is actually an easy way to spread germs or infections. So, the next time your BFF has a birthday, get her her own version of that top-of-the-line lip kit she can't get enough of. Trust us, you'll both be happier (and safer)!
3. Makeup sponges
These are one of the biggest criminals on the list. With so many open pores, makeup sponges should never be shared. Make sure you are washing your own makeup sponges once a week and only using them on clean skin! It's not worth the risk.
4. Tub of lotion
Lotions that come in a tub or jar are actually adorable and extremely convenient, but you should probably shy away from letting your friends dig in (literally) to your favorite body butter. Dipping your hands in a container of lotion or balm is a quick way to spread bacteria—even if your friends are washing their hands—many different fingers are sure to spread germs.
This one probably doesn't come as a surprise, but it's definitely worth mentioning. Eyelids and eyelashes are home to a plethora of bacteria—and an individual can have no visible symptoms of an eye infection when they first contract it. Be safe and keep your mascara to yourself, collegiettes!
6. Razors
As you can probably imagine, razors are extremely dirty. From blood to body hair, it’s definitely a tool that should only be used by you.
Any bacterium that may be hiding on the surface of your skin is likely to be picked up by your razor. If you share with even your closest friend, you are spreading these germs to both of your bodies. Avoid it at all costs!
7. Toothbrushes
For some of you, this is already gross AF ––but for others, sharing your toothbrush with your SO or BFF is probably a crime you're guilty of committing. In fact, a survey by Irish Health found that one in three people admit to sharing their toothbrush.
There are many health risks associated with sharing your toothbrush, and one major risk is the spreading of blood-borne illnesses. Think about it: Gums can bleed when you brush your teeth! When someone else borrows your brush, they might be exposed to this blood (amongst other germs).
8. Hairbrushes
We know you probably didn't expect to see this one on the list. However, in addition to the spreading of lice, sharing your personal hairbrush with others can also spread ring worm fungus––ew! Play it safe and keep your personal hairbrush to yourself.
9. Deodorant
Every collegiette has shared her deodorant (or borrowed a friend's) at least once in her lifetime, and we don't blame you! Nobody likes to sweat or smell bad. However, it might be time to start carrying your own deodorant with you at all times. Sharing your smell-good stick with your friend can transfer bacteria, hair and skin cells between the two of you. Not only is that just plain gross, but it also has the potential to lead to infection.
When it comes to beauty and self-care, your own well-being should always be the main priority. Next time your BFF asks to borrow your makeup, make sure you know what she can - and cannot - use. You'll both be happier (and healthier) because of it!
Every Thursday night, ABC takes the world by storm. Dedicated fans watch, rewatch and react to the artistry that is Grey's Anatomy. Although the show has its iconic scenes and quotes, there is nothing that can express a fan's confusion, happiness, sadness and anger better than a meme.
1. Preparing yourself before an episode starts
2. When someone, anyone dies
3. When two people who are obviously meant for each other aren’t together
4. Every time Meredith has escaped death
5. This
6. Thinking you’re a doctor after watching three episodes
7. When you finish an episode
8. Same
9. When another season comes to an end
10. When they sign on for another season and you're just here like…
We know, we know. Isn’t it only, like, old married couples that have to deal with one partner wanting sex more or less than the other? Unfortunately, as many of you readers probably know, this is not the case. In fact, more and more young women are experiencing less of a desire to have sex due to a variety of both physical and physiological causes.
In case you’re dealing with this in a relationship you’re currently in, or if you just want to be prepared, we spoke to some experts about the range of explanations for libido differences and came up with some possible solutions. Read on for some newfound sexpertise!
A particularly high or low sex drive can result from physical, mental and other causes. Dr. Jennifer Wider, M.D., a women’s health expert and author, states that “stress can kill a person’s sex drive, as can sleep deprivation.” If you (or your partner) are under a great deal of pressure (at work, because of school or other issues), a decrease in sex drive might develop. It’s like when it’s finals and the stress is so high that all you can do is lay in bed. The last thing you want to do is exert energy, even if it may lead to pleasure!
Dr. Wider adds that certain medications can decrease libido as well; antidepressants, blood pressure meds and seizure drugs have the potential to lower your desire to have sex. For women in particular “sometimes hormonal issues get in the way,” and are related to your menstrual cycle. The symptoms of menstruation can have both negative and positive effects on your sex drive. For example, during the PMS part of your cycle, you might feel tired, exhausted, bloated or all of the above, and have no sexual desire whatsoever. While you’re ovulating, however, “the libido is usually higher,” says Dr. Wider.
Even birth control can also negatively impact libido. This is likely due to the mix of hormones that birth control supplies to the body. Birth control can also cause “less vaginal lubrication” according to Go Ask Alice!.
August McLaughlin, health and sexuality writer, states that “libido differences are hugely common.” If you’re having this issue in your relationship, you’re not alone! McLaughlin adds that “it’s probably more rare not to have some discrepancy at some point,” which totally makes sense! Sex drive is just another trait in a long list of personal attributes, and you’re not always going to line up perfectly with whomever you’re in a relationship (or just having sex) with.
It’s also a total myth that men are always more desiring of sex (and, of course, this notion is super heteronormative). Of this assumption, Dr. Wider says that she has dealt with an “almost 50/50” split of male versus female instances of sex drive discrepancies. So don’t feel weird if you’re the one feeling more sexual than your male partner. Don’t feel weird if you’re differently sexually-inclined at all!
What to Do
Communicate
“Open communication,” says McLaughlin, is essential to getting over this obstacle in your relationship. With your partner, “explore your expectations, needs and desires.” Just like having sex is part of your relationship, talking about having sex might also have to be! This might seem (oddly) like a turn-off at first, but developing a comfort around the topic of sexuality with your partner will likely only lead to greater intimacy!
It might also be necessary to re-evaluate the importance of sex in your relationship, or at least the way that sex and sensuality can be experienced. For McLaughlin, “sexual empowerment isn’t about having a highly active sex life.” On the contrary, she states that “it’s about embracing your sexuality as you see fit.”
Compromise in a relationship is essential, so be sure to not only lean in to your partner’s desires, but make sure that yours are accounted for. You also don’t want to expect the world of your partner or for them to expect the world of you. McLaughlin also says that “deciding to cuddle, kiss and so on, without expectation of it necessarily leading to intercourse or orgasm” might help take the pressure off a stressed-out libido.
Modify your medication
Because your medications might be impacting your sex drive, you might want to consider changing them. Of course, talk to your doctor about this and ask them what your options are and if they think that altering your medication might be the solution to your problems. “Don’t hesitate to speak with a healthcare practitioner,” says Dr. Wider. This is, of course, an issue that has to do with your physical well-being!
Schedule sex
According to McLaughlin, “some couples really benefit from scheduling sex, at a frequency that seems reasonable to both partners.” Compromise is essential here. Setting out a time to engage in intimacy with your partner might seem really unromantic, but it might actually increase your arousal because of all the build-up around the event! Also, this means that you can perfectly plan your shaving schedule, if you’re into that.
Masturbate
Masturbation can work to the benefit of individuals in relationships, not just single people! “If you’re on the lower libido side, self-stimulating may help increase arousal,” says McLaughlin. Not only will this be pleasurable for you, but your partner might find it extraordinarily stimulating as well!
Spend more time on foreplay
Foreplay, AKA all the super-sexy lead up to actual intercourse, provides a really good opportunity to hike up your sex drive. McLaughlin says that this is particularly stimulating for women, because “estrogen-based bodies tend to take longer to warm up into desire than testosterone-based bodies.” We’re hard to please, what can we say? Nothing wrong with high standards, and it just makes our pleasure that much more pleasurable!
See a professional
If you think that your or your partner’s sex drive might be abnormal or related to a physical or medical problem, definitely see (or suggest that they see) a doctor. Otherwise, the two of you might benefit from going to see a couple’s or sex therapist. This is bound to be awkward at first, but remember that they just want to help you and that they’ve dealt with this before.
Having a third party (insert threesome joke here) might help move things along if you don’t feel comfortable talking to your partner about your or their sex drive at first. It might also help to have an objective opinion if your sex drive discrepancy is an issue of miscommunication in your relationship!
Just remember that your body and your desires are your own, and as weird or uncomfortable or abnormal as you may feel, if you tackle the problem head on, a difference in sex drive does not have to be a relationship dealbreaker.
As you prepare to enter your freshman year of college, it might be a good idea to clear any preconceived notions that you’ve learned from movies, family members or your friends. Most of what you think you know probably isn’t true. While we had to figure out just how different our freshman year would be on our own, these experiences will be a perfect guide of what to expect—but more importantly, what myths to steer clear of.
1. The friends you make at orientation will be your BFFs all throughout college
Lindsay Fuce, a sophomore at Gordon College, thought that she’d be close with her orientation friends throughout the year, if not all of college. However, that quickly changed. “I would say by the time second semester rolls around you don't even see your orientation friends anymore!” she says.
After meeting a couple of girls that seem cool, you might be thinking, “Wow! We’re going to do everything together, I can’t wait!” While it is a great thing to meet new people right away, the ones you interact with at orientation most likely won’t become your best friends. Unless you both exchange numbers and really make an effort to hang out all the time, you’ll go your separate ways. This is because you get caught up in different classes, dorms and lives.
Throughout the first couple of weeks, you’re going to be overwhelmed with the variety of different things on campus that spark your interest. While it may be tempting to join multiple clubs or throw yourself into a lot, it’s important that you don’t. Not to say that you shouldn’t get involved at all, but you shouldn’t commit to more than what you have time for.
Mollie McKinley, a junior at High Point University, learned that sitting back and weighing her options was better than committing without knowing what everything entailed. “In the words of Ron Swanson from Parks and Recreation, ‘Don't half-ass two things, whole-ass one thing,’” Mollie says. You’ll be glad you did.
3. You won’t have any fun unless you join a sorority
Upon arriving for school, you might notice that a lot of girls have already moved in and made friends. This is only because most schools require those rushing a sorority in the fall to move in a week early in order to begin the process. If you decided beforehand that Greek life is not for you, then don’t second-guess that! If you are genuinely interested but missed your shot in the fall, there’s always informal recruitment in the spring!
Whether or not you’re in a sorority will not determine the amount of friends you make or fun you have. There are still plenty of opportunities to meet new people throughout the year, so don’t worry. Jane Griseham, a junior at TCU, learned this after being upset throughout the first couple of days at her school. “I genuinely thought that I wouldn’t know what parties to go to or have anyone to hang out with. I was completely wrong, it just took me a week or so to stop being ridiculous.” Myth busted!
Why is college so often associated with ramen noodles? Yes, it’s cheap and a quick meal—but there are plenty of other options. For example, most colleges require a meal plan for freshmen living in the dorms. Dining halls have a large variety of food, including plenty of healthy options. Even if you get sick of eating there, you can still get creative with what you’re eating.
If you don’t have a meal plan and really want to stick with ramen, at least switch it up with different variations. Haley Koralek, a junior at Fort Hays State started eating like this after deciding against a meal plan. “I wanted to be able to eat well, but on a budget,” she says.
There’s no doubt that finding your classes on campus can be difficult, but you have to remember that every other freshman is just as worried. To calm these fears, a lot of colleges place student ambassadors throughout campus to guide new students to their classes or answer any questions they might have.
Jenny Williams, a junior at the University of Central Florida, used the Maps option on her iPhone instead. “I felt kind of stupid, but I looked up the address of the building I needed to go to, plugged it in and clicked the ‘walking’ option,” she says. “I just kept doing that until I memorized everything, and it worked.” The point is, even if you’re too shy to ask for help, there are other ways to conquer campus!
Technically, you can skip class all the time -- but you shouldn’t. Yes, you finally have the freedom to do what you want, but with that, comes responsibility. It might be easy to justify skipping a lecture that doesn’t take an attendance to sleep in, but you’re only cheating yourself.
Most importantly, you’re paying for that class. If you end up failing, you can’t get that money back. Additionally, skipping one time can turn into multiple times because it’s a hard habit to break. Susette Garcia, a sophomore at Kansas State University, had an 8 a.m. class every day, meaning she was always tempted to skip. “I looked it like this: either I could skip, and waste even more time trying to get caught up, or just go and be done with it for the day,” she says. Trust us, it’s not worth it.
7. You’ll still be super close with your high school best friends
As sad as it is, you’re going to grow apart with your friends from home. You’ll all be meeting new people, so it’s natural to not talk as much as you used to. However, you can still make an effort to catch up with them and even plan a visit to their school after you’ve settled in.
Sarah Archer, a sophomore at New York University, lost touch with her friends, even with one of them attending the same school as her. “We still talked every once in awhile, but it’s a big campus and we ended up going our separate ways,” she says.
As you continue to count down the days until move-in, don’t let yourself worry about everything you think you know about college. Instead, get ready to experience everything for yourself!
Georgetown University’s president, John J. DeGoia, gave an announcement Thursday outlining steps the university will take to face its history with slavery, The New York Times reports.
The school will change the names of two buildings, issue a formal apology, and create an institute for the study of slavery, in addition to other changes, according to the Times. But in what may be the most important change of all, Georgetown will start offering preference in admission to the descendants of 272 slaves that the school sold in 1838—a sale that was used to pay off Georgetown’s debts, according to an announcement from the school.
In the announcement, the move is described as “giving descendants the same consideration we give members of the Georgetown community in the admissions process.” It will be similar to the legacy system, where applicants whose family members went to Georgetown have a better chance of getting in.
Georgetown will not be offering special scholarships or financial aid to the descendants. It’s also pretty unclear how Georgetown will find these descendants, and whether they’ll even be aware that this opportunity is available to them, but The Washington Post reports that DeGoia has already met with 40-50 descendants in Washington and Louisiana.
No collegiette can underestimate the importance of a good shoe. And with everything on your plate this semester, it’s essential to have a shoe collection that’s as diverse as your social calendar.
Now, you may have a favorite pair of sneakers for working out or reliable set of pumps for internship interviews, but what about all of those formal events that pop up throughout the year? We’re talking date nights, dances, weddings, and all other special occasions. Well, to ensure you have options, we’ve teamed up with Imagine Vince Camuto to gift one very lucky collegiette three—yes, three—pairs of pairs of shoes at a value of $500.
The Imagine Vince Camuto collection features a palette of strong neutrals and metallics with feminine detailing: think rosettes, sexy straps, and gem embellishments. Plus, you can select a style that matches your preference—no matter the occasion. Now that’s some fancy footwork.
Ready to get dressed to impress? Enter now to win three pairs of Imagine Vince Camuto shoes at a value of $500.
Hey collegiettes! We know you take your studies and style seriously. That’s why we’re so excited about this year’s College Fashion Week®. Taking the cities of Boston, New York, Chicago and Los Angeles by storm, the event will bring together the countries most fashion-obsessed collegiettes to celebrate their bodies and fashion as a form of self expression. Our real girl student models will display the season’s hottest trends for a spectacular runway rendezvous—right in their college towns.
CFW promises to be the ultimate girls’ night out. Here are the top three reasons why you need to get your ticket ASAP:
It's Fashion Week - Reimagined
College Fashion Week 2016 will showcase top talent from the next generation of young female fashion designers and entrepreneurs. These designers looks are guaranteed to be the hottest thing you'll see this fall. We can't wait for shows from My Social Canvas, Foray Collective, Ali & Ariel, Frill Clothing, and Bow & Drape. Plus, Rebecca Minkoff and Vince Camuto will offer their designs to complement these fresh talents’ collections and complete the runway looks. Our style bible, StyleWatch, will be on-hand to celebrate all things style—and co-emcee the event with Her Campus co-founder Windsor Hanger Western. Now that’s some serious #fashioninspo.
The Fun (and Swag)
A new semester can be stressful, which is why we’re all about taking time to pamper ourselves. College Fashion Week will be full of fun activities including photo booths, a browfection bar courtesy of European Wax Center, light bites and beverages, fabulous giveaways, and goody bags full of luxurious swag worth almost *$1,000*. Who can say no to that?
The People
What better way to ring in the new semester than with your favorite gals? CFW is the best excuse to round up your crew and do something exciting near campus.
CFW hits Boston on 9.24, New York on 10.1, Chicago on 10.15, and Los Angeles on 10.22. Get your tickets now for the College Fashion Week experience near you. See you there, collegiettes!
Official College Fashion Week 2016 sponsors include StyleWatch Magazine, Rebecca Minkoff, Vince Camuto, Drybar, European Wax Center, Perfumania, Hanes Hosiery, Maidenform Hosiery, Maidenform Shapewear, FitBit, KIND Healthy Snacks and Skinny Pop.
