This past Friday, North Carolina governor Pat McCrory rescinded a lawsuit against the United States Department of Justice that would “preserve the state’s HB2 law limiting civil rights protections for LGBT people.” The bill under debate in the lawsuit, HB2, would prevent trans and other individuals from choosing to use the public bathroom they feel most comfortable in or that corresponds best with their gender identity.

This bill’s passage in March ignited a flurry of negative reactions and condemnations—the United States Justice Department itself alerted Governor McCrory to the civil rights violation in May. As a result, the state of North Carolina filed a lawsuit against the Department of Justice for violating the state’s own rights. Because of the law, people in North Carolina technically have to use the bathroom that corresponds with the gender assigned to them on their birth certificate, even if they've physically transitioned to another gender.

NPR reports that the “bathroom bill” has seen its support dwindle in recent months. “After months of bad business news and widespread condemnation by other state governments,” people are beginning to realize that outright bigotry probably isn’t a great state-sanctioned move.

The 2017 NBA All-Star game, originally set to take place in Charlotte, will no longer be hosted in North Carolina, and the NCAA stripped the state of its right to host affiliated events, leading to costly cleanup for the state.

Over the summer, a number of states, including North Carolina and Mississippi, passed highly discriminatory laws that targeted LGBTQ+ individuals in their policies and supposed “protections.” Hopefully the backlash that North Carolina has gotten over HB2—and the huge amount of money it's cost them to fight lawsuits and deal with businesses pulling out of the state—will stop other states from following the same intolerant path.

The fight for equity for LGBTQ+ individuals is far from over, though. Believe it or not, HB2 is still the law in North Carolina, and it's unclear whether or not it'll be repealed even with all of the outcry against it. And beyond legislative and federal rights, trans and other people face daily realities of discrimination and hate that cannot be curtailed by legal means. We need to work together to change people's attitudes toward a more equitable worldview. 

As if there weren’t enough reasons to explore internationally, research is backing up the claim that students who study abroad have an easier time finding a job after graduation.

A recent study conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit for Kaplan, Inc. shows that students from across the globe were twice as likely to be employed within six months of graduating if they journeyed abroad and gained international experience.

This isn’t the first time that research has supported taking your education abroad. Last year, the Erasmus Student Network found that nearly two-thirds of employers value and look for international experience in new hires. In addition, the University of California found that 97 percent of study abroad students found employment within a year of graduation, as compared to about half as many college grads who chose to stay at home.

“One of the realities of the world of work is that it is becoming increasingly international,” wrote Kaplan researchers. In fact, according to a 2013 report by the British Council, more than “two-thirds of international employers reported that their employers frequently interacted with colleagues outside their country, while over half said their employees frequently engaged with partners and clients overseas.

Studying abroad, although linked to a spike in employed college grads, may not be the direct cause of employment. Instead, Andre Martin, the vice president for talent development and chief learning officer at Nike, credited the high employment of students with global experience to a “growth mindset.” A growth mindset is essentially a state of mind in which someone constantly tries to learn, progress and evolve, even when he or she fails or is in an uncomfortable situation.

“The growth mindset is not built by staying in one place,” Martin told researchers. “Multinationals also need people to be mobile, not tried to one place, and open to the idea of travel.” In this case, some experts believe capitalizing on a study abroad opportunity is a symptom of having a growth mindset. This may be true considering over half of the students who responded to the study said their experiences abroad made them more open to looking at a diverse range of jobs after graduation.

The study, which investigated undergraduate, Master’s and PhD students in nine different countries, found that 78 percent of respondents agreed that colleges and universities have a responsibility to offer students international opportunities in order to prepare them for a more globalized workforce.

“The mission of universities, and even more so public universities, is to prepare students for employability, and today that means the global job market,” Professor Enrico Sangiorgi of the University of Bologna explained to the researchers.

Despite the many benefits of international experience, about 40 percent of respondents noted that they turned down an available opportunity to study abroad. And about half of the students in the survey did not realize how beneficial studying internationally really could be until it was too late. Missing the chance to sit in a gelateria in Rome or take a ride on a camel in Morocco is sad enough—adding unemployment to the list is even worse.

Unfortunately for many students, that opportunity isn't always available. While over 80 percent of students in the U.S. and Germany had study abroad opportunities offered at their schools, only 55 percent of students in Brazil and 48 percent of students in China could say the same. Those countries, among others, also fell far behind in offering foreign language courses and a global curriculum through higher education.

So what can we do when so many students don’t get a chance to study abroad? “Universities could be working with businesses to allow them to shape the curriculum to prevent skill gaps, while we should also be thinking more effectively about how universities could curate gap years, summers and semesters overseas,” Martin said. In addition, researchers suggest that businesses on-site international training for employees who never had the chance to study abroad.

In reaction to the attacks in New York and New Jersey over the weekend, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has suggested that police should start using profiling to potential prevent future terrorism, according to BuzzFeed News.

The American Civil Liberties Union defines racial profiling as “the discriminatory practice by law enforcement officials of targeting individuals for suspicion of crime based on the individual's race, ethnicity, religion or national origin”.

The rather obvious problem with profiling is that you never know what a person’s intentions are, especially not when all you know about them is their name or ethnicity. Profiling uses a person’s race or ethnicity against them, even when there's no other reason to think they did anything wrong. It uses stereotypes and makes assumptions about entire ethnic groups, oversimplifying their cultural identity to imply that all members of that group must be a threat.

So essentially, Donald Trump wants to preemptively accuse everyone of terrorism who looks, acts or speaks like they might have come from a country known to harbor terrorists. This view fits in pretty well with his other stances, such as banning all Muslims from entering the U.S. and deporting millions of undocumented immigrants.

“Our local police, they know a lot of who these people are. They are afraid to do anything about it because they don’t want to be accused of profiling, they don’t want to be accused of all sorts of things,” Trump told the hosts of Fox & Friends.

Trump cited profiling in Israel as an example of what he believes American law enforcement should be doing to prevent terrorist attacks. He also blamed political correctness for preventing police from using profiling, and predicted that more terror attacks will occur in the United States, “because we’ve been weak. Our country has been weak.”

In reaction to the attacks in New York and New Jersey over the weekend, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has suggested that police should start using profiling to potential prevent future terrorism, according to BuzzFeed News.

The American Civil Liberties Union defines racial profiling as “the discriminatory practice by law enforcement officials of targeting individuals for suspicion of crime based on the individual's race, ethnicity, religion or national origin”.

The rather obvious problem with profiling is that you never know what a person’s intentions are, especially not when all you know about them is their name or ethnicity. Profiling uses a person’s race or ethnicity against them, even when there's no other reason to think they did anything wrong. It uses stereotypes and makes assumptions about entire ethnic groups, oversimplifying their cultural identity to imply that all members of that group must be a threat.

So essentially, Donald Trump wants to preemptively accuse everyone of terrorism who looks, acts or speaks like they might have come from a country known to harbor terrorists. This view fits in pretty well with his other stances, such as banning all Muslims from entering the U.S. and deporting millions of undocumented immigrants.

“Our local police, they know a lot of who these people are. They are afraid to do anything about it because they don’t want to be accused of profiling, they don’t want to be accused of all sorts of things,” Trump told the hosts of Fox & Friends.

Trump cited profiling in Israel as an example of what he believes American law enforcement should be doing to prevent terrorist attacks. He also blamed political correctness for preventing police from using profiling, and predicted that more terror attacks will occur in the United States, “because we’ve been weak. Our country has been weak.”

While big, chunky jewelry is perfect for making a statement and standing out, sometimes a girl just wants something pretty to wear all the time. These ten dainty pieces are perfect for basically any outfit on any day. Hint—that means less work picking out your accessories in the morning too. You’re welcome. 

1. Kendra Scott Elisa Gold Pendant Necklace (in Iridescent Drusy), $65

Lately Kendra Scott has been all of the rage. What’s perfect about the brand’s pieces is the simplicity and day-to-day wear-ability. The gorgeous gems can complement nearly any outfit. 

2. BaubleBar Ice Alpha Bracelet, $32

An itty bitty initial around your wrist represents you, but doesn’t scream your name for everyone to hear. And the glimmer of ice gives the look just a wee bit of shine.

3. Mod Cloth Quote Couture Earrings, $9.99

Because you want to make a subtle statement. Get it?

4.Catbird Heart Ring (In Rose Gold), $96

For the sweet and simple girl, this barely-there ring will make any outfit more adorable. Bonus: should you feel like it, you can have a letter stamped on too.

5. Ariel Gordon Starry Night Bracelet, $345

Every minimalist needs a simple chain bracelet, and this one just goes one step further with the off-kilter star and moon.

6. By Boe Triangular Studs, $55

Probably the simplest piece of jewelry you may ever own, these studs don’t even have back stoppers. Just hook them in and go. The rustic finish makes them a must-have for any edgy minimalist.

7. Vrai and Oro Round Black Diamond Stacker, $125

When someone thinks of a minimalist black almost always comes to mind. Since most of your wardrobe probably already fits that stereotype, you might as well get a ring to compliment it.

8. Madewell Rivet and Thread Locket Necklace, $34

Forget that locket you had when you were twelve. Made of raw brass, this grown-up version looks way cooler.

9. Urban Outfitters Aurora Short Necklace, $16

This necklace kind of looks like a teeny, tiny dog tag, but without the random engraving. Its geometric simplicity compliments any minimalist wardrobe. The short length also plays into the edgy choker trend. How fetch.

10. The Little Market Twister Bracelet (in Gray and Rose Gold), $12

This handmade bracelet looks super cute, but better yet it’s sold by The Little Market, which benefits artisan women in impoverished areas by selling their pieces. You can add a new piece to your minimalist collection while also improving the lives of these women. We call that a win-win.

Now adding one little GIF that perfectly encapsulates your mood doesn't have to curb your Tweets! On Monday, Twitter announced that photos, videos, GIFs, polls and Quote Tweets will no longer count toward the 140-character limit. And what better way to do announce it than in a tweet!

Additionally, Twitter is testing a mentions feature so that any mentions will not count against the 140 character limit (YAS). That feature will start with a small group and eventually make its way to the greater Twitter community. In fact, Twitter might get rid of the @ altogether. This rollout, however, does come with limitations. Links will still be counted in the character limit. And the company's trademark brevity won't be going anywhere—140 characters is still the maximum, even if some attachments don't count toward it. At one point, a 10,000 character limit was briefly entertained but quickly scrapped. 

This update comes as Twitter is reportedly trying to focus on user experience. In May, it was announced Twitter was working on increasing and maximizing the 140 character limit by streamlining Tweets to make sure they're working intuitively—that's when they announced that these changes were coming, but today's when they actually went into effect.

Woo, thanks Twitter. Now, if we could only talk about editing our Tweets... Oh, and trolls. Please—Can you help us get rid of trolls?

By Kelly Douglas

I recently stumbled upon a list of phrases I had written about my life for a class assignment in my second year of college. One phrase struck me deeply, like a lightning bolt penetrating a clear blue sky. “I am wondering if I should be doing less.” I immediately laughed. I have never been one to take things slowly or to scale back my ambitions, and my time in college was no exception.

At the end of my second year of college, when I was asked to compile the series of phrases, I was a 19-year-old college senior slated to graduate the following year, one year early. I was balancing five classes, one of which was an internship for my major. I had recently become the newest president of an honor society and was attempting to muster any leadership skills in my arsenal to undertake the task. I felt intense pressure to succeed in my classes, in my new position in the honor society and in all other aspects of my life.

However, I was rushing through life, with scant time to devote to my friends or to leisurely pursuits. To the outside world, I appeared to clear any obstacle set before me like a hurdler would, quickly and precisely, before moving on to the next. Internally, by contrast, I felt frenzied, unhappy and unable to muster the iota of resilience I believed I possessed to be able to complete college. Studying for hours each day overwhelmed me and worrying about whether or not my dream of graduating summa cum laude after three years of college would come to fruition agonized me. I was constantly bending, caving in to the demands I relentlessly placed on myself, but I never broke.

Then, just as quickly as my ambition to move as quickly as possible through college consumed me, I broke. The quarter before I graduated college, I was enrolled in a time-consuming, challenging psychology course, and as the final approached, I doubted my ability to earn an “A” grade in the course. The night before the final, I studied for hours, reaching the point at which I could no longer comprehend the material. I scanned over a particularly difficult question multiple times, struggling to pull the material from the furthest reaches of my mind, failing to remember the answer.

In that moment, nothing seemed real. My heart raced. I could feel the sensation of sweat beading on my palms.   was afraid that I was losing my mental faculties, terrified of losing control. It’s going to be okay, I told myself. Calm down. It’s going to be okay.I gave into the fear, which was all-encompassing, consuming every part of my body and paralyzing my mind. I screamed for help, wishing more than anything that this mental haze that enshrouded me was nothing more than a nightmare, that any moment I would wake up refreshed and ready to conquer the final exam that loomed ahead. 

Related: How To Deal With An Overpacked Schedule

The reality of the situation, however, hit me as starkly as the panic had rushed over me. Concerned students arrived to help as I sat cowering on the couch in my apartment, sobbing and apologizing profusely for the disturbance. I felt a deep, penetrating anger towards myself. Why couldn't I have handled this differently? I wondered. I felt tremendous guilt wash over me due to the worry I had caused others. I probably ruined their rest; no one deserves that, I thought.  

My catastrophizing mind, awash with the consequences of my onslaught of panic and the potential judgements of others, failed to consider that I was battling the symptoms of a mental illness, that I cannot fully control when panic strikes, and that in that moment, I needed to prioritize protecting myself over others’ reactions. As I was contemplating the implications of my actions, however, I felt a wave of relief flood over me. I was safe. I was supported. It was in that moment that I realized the most important lesson I learned in college: In order to achieve my ambitions, I needed to slow down and not push myself to the point of mental distress.

The next quarter, my final quarter of college, I committed to prioritizing my well-being. I still held onto a powerful hope that I would be able to attain the success for which I strove, but I set aside time for leisure and for self-care. I began to formulate a new sense of self, in which I could be successful despite mistakes or perceived shortcomings. I gradually became more open about my mental health and disclosed to my friends when I felt particularly anxious. In turn, they held me accountable for treating myself with care and respect. I felt happier, lighter, and more carefree than I had been at any other point in my college experience, but I also felt understood. In my frenetic race to finish college as quickly as possible, I had been an enigma, enshrouded in darkness and mystery, but in deciding to savor the college experience and prioritize my health, I was basking in the sunlight.

On my graduation day, I stood in front of the mirror, in awe of the moment, surprised that the day I had waited for so long was finally upon me. A sense of pride enlivened my spirit, however, a twinge of regret tugged at my heart, weighing it down. I should have slowed down, I thought. Why did I place so much pressure on myself to succeed? How will I ever make it in the real world? Will leaving my friends this early be worth it? What if I’m not ready for these new challenges? My uncertain future left me in a state of trepidation, but in that moment, I realized the action I needed to take to quell my fears.

I slowly walked across the stage at graduation, savoring the beginning of a life devoid of the pressures I had placed upon myself. I strode through a seemingly endless line of professors, who were eagerly awaiting graduates with high-fives and congratulations, absorbing my final moments in college. I turned my tassel from right to left steadily but cautiously, knowing in that moment that it was time to move forward from the pain and heartache of constantly speeding ahead in college. The moment my tassel reached the left side of my cap and my fellow graduates flung their caps into the air in jubilation, I knew I was moving on, beginning a new chapter in my life. A relaxed chapter. A chapter in which I would move at a comfortable pace. A chapter to savor life and escape the confines of self-imposed pressure and perfectionism.

I have now adjusted to a more relaxed post-college life. In this life, finding the perfect job and relentlessly climbing the corporate ladder has no place. In this life, rushing into law school with perfect LSAT scores does not matter. In this life, I understand that pushing myself to succeed at the expense of my mental health is deleterious. In this life, no matter what the outcome of my efforts, I am enough.

As early as season one of Gossip Girl, we knew Chuck Bass and Blair Waldorf were made for each other, even when they didn’t realize it themselves. Their scheming ways and undeniable chemistry drew them together time and again. Just like you, we’re still not over this duo. As a matter of fact, these 26 Chair moments still make us swoon.

1. When Chuck apologized to Blair…for everything

2. When Chuck crashed Blair’s royal wedding

3. That time they had hate sex on a piano

4. When he FINALLY said “I love you” for the first time

5. When their snuggles made everything okay

6. That time they shared the best goodbye kiss of all time

7. When Chuck proved just how romantic he can be

8. When Blair stopped playing games and told Chuck she loved him

9. When Chuck confided in Blair

10. Their first hookup

11. When Chuck and Blair actually had some fun

12. The time Blair first uttered “three words, eight letters”

13. When Chuck came to Blair for comfort

14. When Chuck admitted he was still in love with Blair

15. When he shared his plans for the future with her

16. When Chuck accepted Blair’s baby as his own

17. When Chuck was nothing but a gentleman

18. When Blair kept fighting for Chuck, even though he gave her every reason not to

19. When Chuck gave Blair the perfect prom

20. When they were still in the early stages of flirting

21. That time Chuck told Nate he would always love Blair

22. When they let each other go

23. When they were engaged but not really

24. That time we fell in love with Parisian train stations

25. When they said “I do”

26. When Chuck proposed to Blair FOR REAL

Let’s be honest: there are SO many swoon-worthy Chuck and Blair moments. How could we possibly include them all?

Make outs are one of those things that we all can’t help but love. No matter if you’re the most experienced girl at your school or have never been kissed, you can benefit from a few no-fail kissing tips. Try one — or all eight — of these the next time you’re with your SO or just hooking up with the cutie from down the hall. Get your lip balm ready…you’re going to need it.

1. Slow and passionate wins the race

Sometimes things get heated quickly when your libido is really high. But try to slow it down once in a while. Kylie, a sophomore at LaSalle University, says, “If you think about making it matter and making out slowly and passionately, it will leave the guy remembering you and how you weren't like other girls. Think of it as being classy and gentle and slowly increasing the intimacy rather than moving too quickly.” Be intentional with every move you make—it’ll pay off.

2. Try biting their lip

We’re not talking about chomping down, just a little nibble on their lower lip is all it takes. But not too frequently; you want it to come as a fun, aggressive-yet-passionate surprise while you’re kissing. Tiara, a sophomore at Montgomery County Community College, says, “Lip nibbling and biting is a must…it’s the sexiest thing ever.” But don’t bite down too hard. Autumn, a senior at Emmanuel College, knows this from experience: “I once had a guy bite my bottom lip so hard I woke up with a fat lip. It was funny, but not so sexy.” Try it out next time you’re looking to add some excitement to your make out.

3. Be mindful when it comes to tongue

This is an important one, ladies. Many of us have had bad French kiss experiences that we try so hard to repress from memory. Tiara warns all of us: “If the boy shoves his tongue down your throat, just run for the hills, no girl likes washer tongue syndrome!” Some people choose to steer clear of using tongue all together because it can go bad quickly.

Katie*, a graduate student at Temple University, says, “Don't use a ton of tongue, I feel like this is a no-brainer, but go slow with the amount of tongue. Also, flick and glide your tongue against theirs and don't shove it down their throat.” When French kissing, try and get a vibe from the person you’re hooking up with. “If you use your tongue, you have to work together with the person you're making out with; you don't want to be doing all the work and you don't want them to either,” says Kylie. Without tongue, it seems like you can’t find a rhythm, like you’re little kids giving a peck on the playground. But with too much tongue, things get slobbery and weird. "Finding that happy medium is the key to make out success," says Alexa, a junior at Temple University. Yes, using tongue is complicated, but without it, making out wouldn’t be nearly as fun!

Related: What to Do Once the Honeymoon Stage is Over

4. Use your hands

There are plenty of things to do with your hands while you’re making out. Play with your SO’s fingers, grab their butt, place your hand on their heart or run your hands across their back and hips. Playing with or pulling their hair while you’re kissing is also super sexy. Stacy*, a senior at James Madison University, says, “I love to pull my boyfriends hair a little bit. It keeps things exciting and I know he likes it!” Also, keep in mind that even little things can turn an average make out into a passionate one. Emily, a freshman at Ithaca College, says, “I totally love it when my boyfriend grabs me and pulls in my face with both hands; it makes all the difference!” As long as your hands are active and aren’t just at your sides, it should be smooth sailing.

5. Don’t knock neck kisses

If there’s one thing that’s often forgotten about during a make out session, it’s your neck. It’s one of the more sensitive areas of your body, and it’s pivotal in taking your make out to the next level. Once you’ve had enough of your partner’s lips, slowly kiss down their cheek, chin, and neck. Kiss it slowly and sensually, and move around. You can suck a little bit, but be cautious, because hickeys are easy to create and hard to conceal. You can stop kissing at the base of the collarbone, or just keep going...if you know what I’m sayin’. “Licking your partner's neck drives them crazy,” says Autumn. “Nice and slow from the base up, and then look in their eyes after—the reaction is always priceless.” This tip is an absolutely fool-proof way to turn up the heat during a hookup.

6. Take a breather

We all need to catch our breath for a moment or two, and sometimes the breaks between kissing are the most meaningful part of the make out. Use this time to make eye contact and smile. Don’t be afraid to vocalize how good you’re feeling. “Moaning and talking during split second breaks for air…that’s a turn-on,” says Emma*, a freshman at Eastern Mennonite University. Whisper something loving, sexy or even something absolutely raunchy in your partner’s ear as you prepare to lock lips again. Lightly brush your lips against theirs, without actually kissing them, to make the moment sensual.

7. Change your location

Many women have fantasies of having sex in weird places; I think you can do the same for make outs. At school? Fuel your fantasies by making out in the library book stacks or in a quiet hallway. By being in a place that’s new and uncertain, your adrenaline will be pumping, increasing your chances for a seriously passionate make-out. At home? Try the shower or the kitchen. Jane*, a sophomore at Temple University, says, “I love when my boyfriend pulls me into other rooms and pushes me up against the wall to kiss me. Even better when he picks me up and sits me on a counter so I can straddle him. Such a turn-on.” For future reference, leave your squeaky dorm bed behind and find somewhere new to fool around.

8. Confidence is everything

The number one rule when it comes to making out: Be confident in every move you make! Even if you’re unsure about any of the tips above, or kissing in general, pretend like you know what you’re doing. Fake it ’til ya make it, ladies. Even if think you mess up, if you mess up with confidence, chances are your make out partner will just go along with it.

From neck kisses to advice on French kissing, we hope this was the best study guide for your next make out session. Making out shouldn’t be intimidating or nerve-racking, it should be a fun way to express your affection for one another…and a fun alternative to exercising, in our opinion.

*Name has been changed

By now, you’ve probably realized that college dating—if we can even call it that—can be a total nightmare to navigate. Between trying to figure out what you want and understanding how to get it, your love life is full of traps that are all too easy to fall into. We talked to experts and collegiettes to help you make sense of a bunch of sticky situations—and avoid them in the first place.

1. Leading a nice person on

The situation

When you’ve been single for a while (and possibly watched too many rom coms), it’s totally normal to want a special someone in your life. A problem arises when the person who is directly available is the not the right one for you. So many of us have been there: the nicest person is head over heels for you, and sometimes you wonder if you don’t feel the same way—even though you just like that person as a friend.

“Sometimes I want to slap myself silly because I have such a wonderful opportunity to be in a relationship, but I have NO attraction to this man, Michael*,” says Emily*, a senior at the University of Scranton. After months of trying not to lead Michael on, Emily began to find his presence reassuring. “I'd rely on the attention Michael gave me,” she says. “One year I even made the huge mistake of making out with him on my birthday and on New Year’s Eve.” Emily and Michael have gone out a few times and are great friends, but she doesn’t want anything more—and he doesn’t know it.

Why it happens

We all want attention and reassurance, but we sometimes seek it in the wrong places. “I think there's probably a thrill for some women to be admired, liked and desired, even by guys/gals they are not interested in,” says Neely Steinberg, a dating coach and founder of The Love TREP. “It's an ego boost to be liked. It reminds you that you are desirable. It could also stem from a place of insecurity and low self-esteem.”

How to avoid it

Leading someone on can be way too easy to do, especially if, like Emily, that person is part of your friend group. “The best way to go about dating is to get clear on why [you] are dating in the first place,” says Lesli Doares, Marriage Consultant, Coach and Licensed Marriage Family Therapist. So if you’re seeing someone simply because you’re feeling lonely or you enjoy the attention, you might need to question your motives. Spend more time with your friends instead, or join a new club—fewer feelings will be at stake.

2. Hoping someone is the right person when you know he or she isn’t

The situation

On the other hand, sometimes you actually really like someone, so you overlook his or her flaws in the hopes that you two can build something together.

“I remember this guy my freshman year,” says Nina*, a sophomore at Gettysburg College. “We did nearly everything together, from homework and trips to just hanging out on campus. I was constantly asked if we were dating but never knew quite what to say, as I wasn't sure myself! I'd made it totally obvious that I was into him, but he was sending constant mixed signals.” In the end, Nina couldn’t deal with this guy anymore and met someone who was actually good for her.

Why it happens

Obviously, your dream SO is pretty hard to find, so you convince yourself that the person you’re seeing is good enough, or will change in time. “Some women may really want to believe in a guy/girl who they really like, as in believe in their potential to be a great boyfriend/girlfriend,” Steinberg says. “They may like a lot of things about the person and want to be in a relationship with him/her, so they brush certain red flags (like bad behavior) under the carpet, desperately hoping that nicer qualities will emerge eventually.”

How to avoid it

Truth is, the chances of someone changing drastically are slim to none. “Hoping for a person's potential is a pretty futile endeavor,” Steinberg says. “Unfortunately, potential isn't the basis for a solid relationship in the here and now, and who knows if the ‘potential’ ever comes to fruition. Better to find someone who can give you what you want/need now than to wait around for him/her to eventually get there.” Read: Don’t stay with someone simply because you think you can’t do better. You can do better—trust us.

3. Taking things to mean more than they do

The situation

When it comes to dating in college, we seriously never know what the other person is looking for. Of course hooking up with someone at a party or going out with them for dinner can turn into more—it often does, but it’s not safe to assume it always will.

“I'm guilty of taking dates far more seriously than they need to be taken,” says Amy*, a senior at Messiah College. “I can't just go on a date and relax and have fun, I'm always just thinking about the future and what will happen next, and so I get too caught up in that rather than just being in the present moment.”

Amy is so not alone; we all have a tendency to take things to mean more than they really do, whether it’s a date or sex.

Why it happens

Guess what? Like with so many other everyday issues, the media could be to blame. “Young women might get the wrong messages from movies, TV and pop culture, where sex may be confused for two people being in love,” Steinberg says. Often, a hookup is just a hookup—even if it does feel like more. As for some dates, sometimes they really only amount to a casual “hangout” sesh. So how can you tell if there is a future or not with this person?

How to avoid it

First things first, you should know what you want before trying to figure out what the other person wants. “Don't be afraid to ask for and communicate about what you want in your dating life,” Steinberg says. “Don't be so terrified of telling people what you're looking for. Being vulnerable is the key to making an emotional bond/connection with someone. And communicating and standing up for your needs builds confidence and self-esteem.”

So instead of trying to make things work with someone while wondering if the two of you are on the same page, discuss it! If you know what you’re looking for, make it known. If your hookup or SO feels the same way, great! If not, you will find someone better suited for you when the time is right.

4. Giving into the hookup culture

The situation

Boston University senior Jenna’s* biggest regret as far as her love life goes is “hooking up with guys in frats as a freshman because [she would have] to live with that for three more years.” To be very clear, hooking up can be perfectly enough in itself—just not for everyone. Jenna was conflicted because she didn’t want anything more with these guys in particular, but she “wanted to be respected and treated as more than a hookup, because [she’s] a human too.” Not to mention she didn’t appreciate the word going around about her and said frat boys.

Why it happens

According to Doares, women can often get “sexually intimate early in the hopes that something deeper will develop or out of fear the guy won’t want to be with them. This is often a case of insecurity about who they are and what they have to offer in a relationship.”

The biggest problem with this is that “getting physically intimate or emotionally attached too quickly can end up with seriously hurt feelings,” Doares says. “This can lead to focusing more on the relationship than on why they are in college in the first place. Relationships should add to the experience, not make college more difficult.”

How to avoid it

Once again, it really depends what you’re looking for beyond a hookup. “If a woman wants to be in a relationship, it may behoove her to wait awhile and get to know if this guy/girl is on the same page as her and to get to know him/her outside of the bedroom,” Steinberg says. “That builds confidence, self-esteem and trust.”

But even if you don’t want a partner right now, casual hookups may not be the right thing for you. For Steinberg, “thinking anyone can have casual sex” is one of the biggest pitfalls for collegiettes. “We see women on TV and in the movies and pop stars having causal sex, and we think ‘hey, I can do that, too, no problem,’” she says. “Some young women can and more power to them. But it's a raw deal for a lot of women, too. They realize that casual sex isn't for them and isn't as fun and carefree as they thought it would be.”

Whatever you do, you should never feel like you should have sex with someone or that it’s expected of you. If you don’t want to hook up, then you have no reason to do it.

5. Overanalyzing everything

The situation

Let’s face it—we’ve all found ourselves reading our crush’s text 800 times over to make sense of that extra comma or the conspicuous lack of emojis. “ I analyze text messages like crazy,” Amy says. “I'm also guilty of spending an excess amount of time analyzing the text messages that I send guys too, since I feel like I'll be walking on eggshells if I say something stupid that could be misinterpreted.”

And it’s not just texts: if there’s a communication problem somewhere, you can quickly start to question everything—from why your hookup or SO didn’t call you to whether he or she really meant that last compliment.

Why it happens

For Steinberg, the problem may very well lie in the education we receive as women. “Perhaps if girls were raised to simply ask for what they want/need from a guy and taught how to communicate these feelings to guys, they wouldn't need to spend so much time overanalyzing,” Steinberg says. “But perhaps we are raised to not ask for what we want/need, and there is always the fear that if we do, it will scare the guy away. So we end up overanalyzing instead to try to figure things out, which, ultimately drives us nuts and is often counterproductive.” Wow, we’d never thought about it that way!

How to avoid it

The solution is intuitive: “Instead of being subtle and dropping hints with guys, girls would save themselves a lot of angst by asking for what they want/need,” Steinberg says. “Then they won't have to spend so much time wondering if the guy [or girl] is on the same page.”

In the end, you will always benefit from being honest with yourself and with the person you’re seeing. If your openness scares him or her away, then he or she obviously wasn’t right for you anyway. And it will save you a whole lot of anxiety.

Although making mistakes like these ones can allow you to grow, not making them in the first place is always preferable. Hopefully, we saved you from learning the hard way what works and doesn’t work when it comes to college dating. Good luck navigating the shipwreck that is dating these days, collegiettes!

*Names have been changed.

When you break down a career to its most fundamental level, Eileen Sharaga, a career counselor based out of NYC, says it’s comprised of a role and an industry, or a skillset and a subject matter. Some people have a passion for the subject matter (like health or education) while others have the skill set (like organizing data or writing) and need to figure out which subject matter they’ll fit into. When you’re lucky enough to have a job that you love, where your role is well-integrated into an industry you like, it can be hard to imagine ever wanting to leave. But sometimes even the most unexpected of circumstances arise that make it hard, or even downright impossible, to stay.

There are many qualities to a company or position that are likely to make you love your job: the people, the work, the technology or the pay. But sometimes negative factors, even the small ones, overshadow the great. Sometimes there’s nothing bad you could say about your job, but outside factors came together to play their part in making you consider leaving. Sometimes life just brings you to a crossroads you didn’t expect to reach. Here are nine reasons you might quit your job, even when you love it.

1. You want to jet set the world while you’re still young

There’s nothing wrong with it. Maybe you thought you’d save travelling for later, when you were more settled and had a savings account, but you want to hike the Appalachian Trail while your knees are still good. Maybe you want to see the polar ice caps before they all melt away. Maybe you just want to hop on a plane and see where it takes you. Maybe your best friend wants you to accompany her on a backpacking trip across Eurasia.

Bethany Blundell, a graduate of New Mexico State University, left her campus job and turned down various job offers to travel. “While it's always been my dream to take time after graduation to travel, I never thought that I would actually go through with it,” she says. “Lucky for me, trips just kept popping up, and I kept saying yes.”

When the opportunity to travel pops up, it may be too good to refuse. Who knows when the next chance will come along?

2. You miss your family and want to move closer to home

One of the most exciting things about college for many people is moving away from home and starting to get your first taste of life on your own. For some, that life away remains exhilarating even after college, when you take your first steps into the workforce. For others, not being within dinner date distance might prove to be too much to bear.

This was one of multiple deciding factors for Laurie*, an alum of the University of Hartford. “I was about 12 hours away from my family, so I only got to go to some of our holiday things. And that was really hard, which I didn't expect,” she says. “Plus, I was eight hours from school, and five from my closest college friends.”

Even if your job seems perfect, you may find that it’s more worthwhile to find something closer to home.

3. You need to deal with your, or a family member’s, ill health

Similar to the previous point, if you, or a family member, falls ill to the point of needing help, whether you live near or far, leaving your job can be an important step to take in addressing a health crisis. Even if you love your job, and rarely feel stressed because of it, having to take on responsibilities such as doctor’s appointments, tests and medical schedules in addition to your work duties can quickly cause that to change. If you work it out with your boss, you may be able to arrange to have your job waiting for you. If not, it’s not the only one of its kind out there.

4. You work too much and need to find a balance

You may love what you do, but that doesn’t mean you’re not spending too much time on it. If you’re at the office past close every day and you don’t have time to meet up with your best friend for a breakfast date or to sit down for TGIT, you probably need to start making some changes.

Alani Vargas, a junior at Northwestern, worked at a bakery during her freshman year, where she loved her coworkers and the environment but hated the hours she had to keep. “As a freshman, I was working at least three week days, plus full shifts on Saturdays and Sundays,” she says. “I was able to work out a schedule that was more conducive to my school schedule, but it would still take me away from my friends and homework time, plus I was always tired. I started searching, and finally got a job with way better hours.” 

Even if you have no complaints about what you’re doing, working too much is unhealthy. You probably need to consider cutting back or, if that seems impossible, finding something less time-consuming.

Related: 6 Ways to Know if You're Working Hard or Working Too Much

5. Your values don’t align with the company’s (or your manager’s)

As much as you may love the day-to-day tasks and responsibilities of your job, sometimes as you become more familiar with your workplace, you realize that everything isn’t necessarily as you expected it to be. Perhaps the company supports a political affiliation that you’re not sure you can work under. Perhaps some of your superiors seem to be a little bit sexist. Perhaps you and your officemates’ personalities clash too much to be productive. These are things you may not realize until you’ve immersed yourself in the culture of the company.

“I didn't feel like I was ‘up to snuff,’ which goes hand-in-hand with a management shakeup,” Laurie, a journalist, says. “I had an editor with whom I butted heads almost constantly. When he switched from nights to days, I decided once and for all that it was time to go.”

Steph Jackman, a senior at York College of Pennsylvania, had an internship with an advertising company doing work that she loved. “They took me on trips with them and paid for everything. They always catered lunch for us, too, because the CEO was so ‘caring’ and ‘giving.’ I realized soon after that this was all a cover-up for her treating a lot of the employees like crap,” she says. “It was incredibly difficult to leave because it was my first real ‘big-girl’ type of job, and I was extremely proud of myself for getting to that position so early in my life. The workload became too much, and some people were treating me like I was less than them.”

Jean*, an arts administrator at a theatre, is in a similar position of loving her job but hating the leadership and company politics. “It's frustrating, because I know I am good at what I do and I have ways I want to advance the company but I am stifled by a selfish, power-hungry dictator in ways,” she says. "I've kind of been sucking it up, but it's really starting to eat away at me as a person. If I've learned anything over the past few months, it’s that you have to be happy with what you're doing—not just happy sometimes.”

Sharaga suggests, “If you love what you do, but you don’t like where you’re doing it, that’s very clear. Move to another company; you’re only stuck when you’re much older and you have a mortgage and your skillset doesn’t translate to another company. When you’re young, that’s when you can leave.”

Even if you love what you’re doing on your own, if any of the aforementioned make you less productive, it may be better to move on.

6. Your SO got a new job that requires him or her to move

If your significant other is offered an amazing new opportunity in their career, but it requires them to move far away, you’re probably going to be faced with the difficult decision of “Should I stay or should I go?” and while long distance may be achievable, you may find yourself having to decide if your job or your relationship is more important.

Sharaga says, “A woman once came to me who had moved to New York with her boyfriend, who thought she might be in need of a career shift and ended up hating the job she found. Sometimes when you love a specific thing about one job, and you find another, that thing doesn’t always replicate itself in the new job, so you have to be clear about what you’re working for. If you’re on a great career path and you love your job, leaving the position or the industry can be a great risk, but if there’s greater opportunity where you’re going and you think it could offer something more, then do it.”

There’s nothing wrong with choosing your job, but there’s nothing wrong with leaving it behind, either.

7. You’ve become complacent and need to find something more challenging

Have you been doing your job for a while? Have you run out of new things to learn, bordering on boredom with the same tasks day in and day out? If you can’t take on new roles or challenges with what you’re doing now, it’s probably time to find something that will allow you to grow outside of your comfort zone, increase your skill set and come across something new to do every now and again.

Andreia McLean, a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University, used to work as a PR/Marketing Coordinator for an event design company. “I was a part of this incredibly talented team, and running social media, blogging and networking for a company that worked on events like World MasterCard Fashion Week and the Much Music Video Awards was the experience of a lifetime, but the company was really small and despite making all sorts of grand plans, it became clear at some point that my position wasn't going to grow from what it was,” she says. “It was a difficult decision but the right move for me in the long run.”

Another thing that Andreia pointed out was that she left her company despite not having something else lined up yet, because she wanted to leave on good terms. It’s always good to ensure that you leave an open door when you go, but even if you have no plans to return to the company, you never know when you may work for or with your old superiors or coworkers again; you don’t want to leave any bad blood in your wake.

“You need to figure out what is blocking you from moving forward; is it yourself? The company?” Sharaga says. “One of the biggest things I hear from the older population is that the work they do is not meaningful, but meaning comes from finding the right setting. For example, if you’re an elementary teacher and you want to make an impact on the lives of kids but you’re stifled by a poor school system due to rules and administrative quagmires.” Do you stay and do your best, despite the rules, to help those kids, or do you find a new school district? The answers aren’t always so clear-cut.

8. You’re not making the money you need

Much as we hate to admit it, money makes the world go ‘round. Even if you love what you do, if you’re not making a livable wage, something’s gotta give. If you can’t get your superiors to agree to a raise for the position you’re already in, it’s time to move on to something that is going to allow you to live without having to do so paycheck to paycheck.

Related: How to Talk About Salary at Work Without Getting Fired

9. You want to go back to school

This last one goes hand in hand with the previous two. There are tons of reasons why someone may choose to further their education, but two common reasons are the need for a further degree in order to raise your salary or become qualified for another position. You don’t necessarily have to quit your job in order to return to school, but you may want to dedicate more of your time to earning that degree.   

Sharaga warns to take the time to think a decision like this through first, though. “Going back to school if you know what you’re doing it for is great, but you need to be clear about why you’re getting an advanced degree – it’s very expensive, and if you’re doing it just because, you should really think it through.” 

Laurie’s final advice? “Be conscious of how your job makes you feel, and don't be afraid to make a change if you have to. I love journalism more than anything, but when I started dreading work in the morning, I knew it was time for a change,” she says. “I was terrified to meet with my managing editor, but when I handed in my notice it was an overwhelming feeling of relief.”

Jean says, “I'm in the process of learning to accept my feelings of uncertainty and trust my gut... it's not easy to do when you're our age and you actually have a job. You don't want to come off as an entitled millennial—but you always have to do what is best for you. Quite often, I push away thoughts of leaving this job because I feel bad for the position I’ll put my supervisor in, but I need to stop thinking like that because you can't start worrying about everyone else or how your company will suffer. That's how you get trapped!”

Don’t be afraid to do what feels right for you. If you love your day-to-day but hate where you’re doing it, or if something else in your life feels more important at this time, it’s okay to step away. In the end, all you can do is what feels right to you, but you shouldn’t hold on to a job just because you love it. There will always be others.

*Name has been changed

Yes, the rumors are true—Angelina Jolie has filed for divorce from Brad Pitt. The two have only been married since 2014, but have been together since 2004.

TMZ reported that Angelina is filing for divorce because of "the way Brad was parenting the children," even though he's apparently having an affair with co-star Marion Cotillard. Jolie cited "irreconcilable differences" and wants physical custody of their children, with Brad having joint legal custody and visitation. 

Attorney Robert Offer also said that the divorce is over concern for her family. "This decision was made for the health of the family," he said. "She will not be commenting, and asks that the family be given its privacy at this time."

Some sources told TMZ that Angelina was "fed up" with Brad's alcohol and marijuana consumption and also thinks he has an "anger problem." However, a source told Page Six that his infidelity has something to do with it. “He’s in the throes of some insane midlife crisis, and Angie is fed up,’’ the source said. “She hired a private eye because she felt that he was fooling around with her [Cotillard] on the set, and it turns out, he was. And that was the final straw.”

All we know is that Jennifer Aniston is sitting somewhere like this:

When you’re not feeling the mystery meat at the dining hall, or you’re up late studying and want a snack to recharge, it can be hard to know what to stock your room with. With limited shelf and fridge space and no kitchen to cook food in, it can often feel like the dining hall is your only option. Filling your dorm room with sensible snacks is a great solution if you’re looking for healthier options, your schedule isn’t matched to the dining hall’s or you simply want to satisfy hunger in between meals.

HC is here with dorm foods for everyone from the calorie-conscious to the chocolate cravers. Here are the foods that every collegiette needs in her dorm room!

1. Popcorn

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Movie nights with your roomies just wouldn’t be right without a few bags of popcorn. While the jumbo size with extra butter you get at the movie theater is delicious, in your dorm room you can opt for a healthier route. Try Orville Redenbacher’s SmartPop! microwavable popcorn, which is just 100 calories per six cups. If you have a sweet tooth, go for the brand’s kettle corn flavor.  

2. Oatmeal

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We’ve all grown up hearing that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but in a dorm with no kitchen, it can feel normal to skip it all together. Oatmeal is the perfect way to get in a quick and healthy breakfast before you head to your first class—and if you buy an instant pack like those from Quaker, making breakfast only takes about a minute in the microwave!

“I like to have oatmeal for breakfast because it’s so easy to make and I always feel full through the morning after I eat it,” says Maria, a sophomore at the University of Delaware. “Plus, it’s low calorie and full of fiber, so I never feel guilty about what I’m putting in my body.”

For more flavor, try adding fruit, nuts, honey, cinnamon or brown sugar.

3. Soup

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When you have limited storage space and not much room in your mini-fridge for anything more than a few cheese sticks, it can be hard to stock up on sensible food. Canned, microwavable soup is great because you can keep it on your shelf until you’re ready to eat it, and most cans have between 1-2 servings, so it’s unlikely you’ll need to refrigerate a ton of leftovers afterwards.

Because soups can be high in sodium or calories, consider healthier alternatives. Progresso offers lighter versions of higher-calorie classics so that you can enjoy the flavors you love without worrying about the nutrition. You can go for classics such as chicken noodle or vegetable or mix it up with chicken corn chowder or chicken and dumpling.

Amy’s also offers low-cal canned soup options that are also light in sodium. They offer many flavors, such as favorites like chicken noodle, split pea and tomato.

If you’re not feeling well enough to muster up the energy to trek to the dining hall, these options are not only convenient, but healthy as well!

4. Protein bars

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For a bite in your room or an on-the-go snack, protein bars are a healthy way to satisfy your hunger. They’re easy to store and won’t go bad quickly. Plus, you can satisfy your sweet tooth in a healthy way by getting flavors like chocolate peanut butter, cookies and cream and more!  Not sure which brands to buy? Look for bars that are high in fiber and protein so that you’ll feel fuller for longer, but make sure that you avoid ones with high sugar contents.

LUNA bars, like their Nutz Over Chocolate flavor, are relatively low in calories and are high in protein. Unlike some other protein bars, they are low in sugar, which means that you can enjoy the delicious taste without feeling like you’re cheating!

Pure Bars are made of organic products and are high in protein. You can feel good about eating these delicious bars at any time! Try the chocolate brownie flavor for a guiltless dessert.

5. Fruit

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For collegiettes with a sweet tooth who want to avoid the high fat content of many candies and chocolates, fruit can be a great alternative.

However, if you don’t have a fridge, having fruit can be tough to keep for more than a few days. Try apples, oranges and grapefruits, since you don’t have to eat them as quickly.

“I always have a bag of apples on my desk,” says Jamie, a senior at Tulane University. “I’ll eat one while I study or grab one on the go in between classes.”

6. Candy

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We all know your doctor probably isn’t suggesting you eat an enormous chocolate bar every night, but sometimes a satisfied sweet tooth can be the cure for one of those dreaded all-nighters. When you’re in need of a sweet treat, try a little bit of dark chocolate or chocolate-covered raisins.

“I always get sweet cravings, especially late at night when I’m studying,” says Hannah, a sophomore at the University of Delaware. “Instead of binge eating a ton of candy or chocolate, I keep a few Jolly Ranchers nearby so that I can satisfy my sweet tooth without loading up on the calories.”

The occasional treat can be a great pick-me-up. Plus, indulging in a sweet treat doesn’t have to mean eating the whole cake at the party. Instead of a full-size chocolate bar, try mini versions occasionally!

7. Veggies

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Chips and dip can be a staple snack in college, but you can ditch the calories and fat in regular potato chips by replacing them with vegetables. Keeping mini veggies such as carrots and celery in your fridge can serve as a great, healthy way to still indulge in your favorite dip without the guilt of the saturated fat that often comes with chips.

Want to be even healthier? Instead of regular dips, try hummus. You’ll be left feeling fuller, and you’ll add some nutritional value to this snack.

8. Frozen meals

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No oven? No problem! If you’re in a hurry or not loving what the dining hall has to offer, a frozen meal is a great option to keep in your dorm.

“I always keep a few frozen meals in my mini-freezer for days when I need to study and don’t have time for the dining hall,” says Christina, a junior at the University of Maryland.

While not every frozen meal option is healthy, there are some options that are low in calories, fat and sodium.  

Weight Watchers Smart Ones has frozen meals that definitely don’t cut down on the flavor. Try their whole-grain Angel Hair Marinara with spinach and zucchini. At only 220 calories, this meal is low in fat and high in protein and fiber, meaning you’ll feel fuller for longer after you eat it.

For those who want to keep their food organic, Amy’s is a great option for frozen meals.  Try their Light & Lean Quinoa & Black Beans With Butternut Squash and Chard. At 240 calories, it has 10 grams of protein and 11 grams of fiber. For those with dietary restrictions, it’s also gluten free.

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Keeping your dorm stocked with healthy food will keep you satisfied during your study sessions and hangouts. Try these quick options that are delicious and easy to prepare in your dorm! 

We all know there were two bombings and two attempted bombings this past weekend between New York and New Jersey. But what about the major suspect in the case, Ahmad Khan Rahami, who was arrested after a dramatic shoot out with police? Here's what you need to know about him.

NBC reports that Rahami was spotted sleeping in the doorway of a bar in Linden, N.J. prior to the shootout, where two officers and Rahami were injured. It was footage of Rahami on 23rd and 27th streets, as well as a fingerprint on the unexploded device, that pointed to him as the lead suspect.

Rahami, who majored in criminal justice at Middlesex County College in Edison, N.J., has been charged with five counts of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer following that shootout, where one officer was grazed on the face and another was struck in the chest. He's also been charged with second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, according to CNN. He is being held on $5.2 million bail.

After the shooting, The New York Times reports that authorities found Rahami's notebook, in which he wrote about admiring Anwar Al-Awlaki—a member of Al Qaeda who was killed in a drone strike but inspired the San Bernardino shooters and Boston Marathon bombers.

CNN reports that Rahami moved to the U.S. in 1995, when his family arrived seeking asylum, and became a citizen in 2011. Shortly after, he married a Pakistani woman, and spent large periods of time visiting Pakistan and Afghanistan over the last few years. His wife left the U.S. days before the bombing along with Rahami's mother, the New York Daily News reports.

His family owns the restaurant First American Fried Chicken, which originally stayed open all night, drawing disruptive crowds and complaints from neighbors. When city officials passed an ordinance forcing the restuarant to close at 10 p.m., Rahami's father Mohammad Rahami sued the city for racial discrimination. He didn't win the suit but eventually came to a truce where the restaurant would remain open until midnight or 1 a.m.

Mohammad also told officials his son was a terrorist in 2014, the Times reports, prompting the FBI to open a brief investigation of Rahami. Rahami had stabbed his brother, prompting police action. However, his father later recanted the statement.

While his motive remains unknown, officials say this is clearly an act of terrorism. Evidence suggests that he was probably not acting alone, but Rahami has not been particularly cooperative with investigators. Officials have made it clear they do not believe there is a bomber on the run, nor an active terrorist cell in the New York City area.

Kelly McCreary and Jerrika Hinton, two Grey’s Anatomy actresses, are constantly being confused for the other—and McCreary is tired of it. The star explains in an Instagram post that when she couldn’t find any photos of her red carpet look at the Entertainment Weekly pre-Emmys party in an online archive, she knew exactly why.

“With a sinking feeling, I searched for the name of my castmate, Jerrika Hinton, who did not even attend the event… and there I was! How did I know I would find [myself] there? Well, because this isn’t the first time this has happened,” she writes.

Apparently, Getty Images—a website dedicated to publishing thousands of photos daily—frequently and carelessly confuses the pair. And while McCreary acknowledges that the incidents may be purely accidental, she also explains why it is extremely problematic. “I wonder, does this happen when there are two blonde women in the same cast? When there are two dark-haired white dudes with blue eyes? Maybe it does. But I’ll tell you what—to constantly wonder whether I’m facing a micro-aggression I should call someone out on, or a harmless mistake I should let slide, is a real energy drain.”

According to Refinery29, the two actresses aren’t the only victims of what McCreary calls “unconscious biases.” And Getty Images isn’t the only offender. Also related to Sunday’s Emmy awards is a scandal involving The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, who tweeted a photo of Terrence Howard and tagged him as Cuba Gooding Jr.

Both organizations were quick to correct the errors, but neither apologized.

Like McCreary, we are disheartened and we couldn’t agree more when she says, “I simply ask the folks who are in the business of identifying distinct and unique human beings to Do Better.” This is unacceptable.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Kohl’s for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

This year, we’ve partnered with Kohl’s to help us kick off the back to school season – in style! Enjoy these tips and check out this outfit I picked out from the Kohl’s womens and Kohl’s Junior Apparel page on Kohls.com. In line with this fall’s best trends, I picked out cream Converse sneakers, Levi’s Jeggings, a Flannel/sweater combo and this super cute polka dot backpack.

Every year on December 31^st, many of us set New Year’s Resolutions, vowing to make this year our best one yet. As we kick off the 2016-2017 school year and head back to classes, roommates, RAs and TAs, I encourage us to think of this, too, as a brand new year and set up some School Year Resolutions! Setting School Year Resolutions for yourself will help you break bad habits, make new good ones, and will make sure that you have your best school year yet and can achieve all of those #BigPlans I know you have in store for yourself.

Habits to break:

• Procrastinating and putting off assignments
• Pulling all nighters/cramming for exams/cranking out a paper the night before it’s due
• Skimming the syllabus instead of really diving in to understand what the semester is going to look like for you
• Closing off your social circle and not being open to new friendships
• Feeling self conscious about the way that you look
• Feeling unsure about your personal style
• Wearing things that don’t make you feel comfortable!

New habits to establish:

• Kindness towards classmates, professors, school staff and administrators
• Gratitude towards your parents, your friends, and your professors
• Attending office hours! Office hours are not just for struggling students! These one-on-one meetings with your highly esteemed professors are the perfect way to build a relationship and become a memorable student – very helpful when exam time or the need for a recommendation come around
• Making an effort to make new friends (yes even beyond freshman orientation week!)
• Self confidence in your body, your abilities and all of those wonderful things that make you YOU!
• Embracing (and ROCKING) your own personal style! One of my favorite things about fall is the re-emergence of the classic denim, sneakers, and mix-and-match basics. This fall I’m crushing on these new Converse sneakers, these super soft Levi’s Jeggings and this cute sweater with the peekaboo flannel accent! So cute and SO comfy!  

So go ahead, set your own personal School Year Resolutions and have your best year yet!

P.S. If you like any of the items I’m rocking in these pics, you can find them and more from brands like Mudd, Candies, and SO when you Shop Kohl’s Back to School.

As the time between now and Election Day narrows, Democratic Presidential Nominee Hillary Clinton is trying to bring home the votes among the millennial demographic. While Clinton has poll numbers that are significantly higher among young people than her Republican Party opponent, Donald Trump, these statistics don’t compare to the popularity of Barack Obama during his campaigns for President, and they lag far behind former candidate Bernie Sanders’ numbers.

Clinton has been the subject of many a meme since her campaign for the Presidency began, and many of these have been focused on her attempts to be the “cool kid” among younger voters. Millennials present the largest group of individuals of age to vote in the United States, and therefore form a critical bloc of votes for both candidates.

Consequently, Clinton has now begun to target this demographic in a more vigorous manner. In an address to students at Temple University in Philadelphia Monday, she told students, “Even if you are totally opposed to Donald Trump, you may still have some questions about me. I get that. And I want to do my best to answer those questions." She also told students that "not voting is not an option."

But what if millennials do vote, just not for a mainstream candidate? Millennials, if they’re not voting Democrat or Republican, seem to be flocking to libertarian candidate Gary Johnson or Green Party candidate Jill Stein, according to The Atlantic. Andrew Baumann, a political pollster and analyst, says, “There is still a danger of Millennials going to Johnson or Stein or staying at home.”

Clinton has an endorsement from President Barack Obama on her side, and a promise that she will work to eliminate student debt—à la millennial favorite Bernie Sanders. She even wrote a piece for Mic, a publication aimed at millennials, specifically addressing our concerns as young people and calling us "the most open, diverse and entrepreneurial generation in our country's history." Still, Clinton appears to be struggling to get the votes she needs to ensure a victory over Trump.

In a memo sent out to supporters on Friday, the Democratic National Committee wrote, “Hillary embodies the fights and values that youth care about most: inclusivity and community, equal opportunity and a fair shot.” The memo discussed the same themes Clinton's been pushing in her other appeals to millennials—ending college debt, fighting for women's health, protecting the planet and dismantling systemic racism. Clinton may intend to fight for the values that millennials hold, but can she get them to fight for her come November 8?

What are your voting plans? What do you think of the candidates’ campaign strategies with regard to young voters? Let us know!

An overbearing or annoying roommate is just a fact of college life. Mine came freshman year, when I lived with someone who always brought people over, messed up the room and then blamed me. At one point, she threatened to—in her words—"beat me all up and down the concrete." Thankfully it didn't come to blows, but we got pretty close a few times. However, we were friends in the beginning. Not so with UCLA students Winnie Chen and Guistinna Tun and their third roommate.

Chen, who will be starting at UCLA this fall, received what she thought would be a normal email from her future roommate. Instead what she got was a list of ludicrous demands. Demands which she quickly posted to Twitter.

In the email, an unnamed roommate aggressively demands she get a top bunk, but NOT a lofted bunk with a desk underneath. She also asserts she will be taking a white closet and the desk by the window, "Plain and simple." The roommate threatened to turn any room arguments into a "situation" if anyone tried to argue with her upon arriving at the dorm. She then said she was sorry, "but not that sorry for the attitude."

Apparently she had emailed both Chen and Tun several times and felt they had ignored her, so she took it upon herself to act as to make it clear "what kind of person she was." Chen took to Twitter to clarify that part of the reason the roommate felt slighted was that she had received no email back from either roommate. But Chen went on to say that neither was used to communicating via email, and had asked the third roommate to get a Facebook to communicate with them—a request the roommate refused.

Tun fired back, telling the overzealous roommate the attitude was completely uncalled for as the roommates hadn't met at the time of the email—and that after the email, she didn't want to meet her.

The roommate then emailed her back and apologized for the attitude, but explained that she's like a "time bomb" that goes off when things don't go according to plan. She did appreciate that Chen and Tun stood up for themselves, calling it "pretty cool." The roommate went onto say she would understand if both wanted to request a new roommate. Both tweets detailing the responses have been deleted since.

Obviously this roommate relationship didn't seem fated to end well, so Chen tried to get her room reassigned—but didn't hear back from housing. She has since deleted most tweets about the unpleasant interaction, and she won't be talking about it any further since the situation is over.

Winnie and Guistinna—From a girl who has been there, just hang in there. It might not be so bad. Maybe. Possibly...Hopefully. Fingers crossed. (Oh, and document everything, just in case.)

Shoe trends have taken quite the turn over the past few days. And somehow, the fashion world seems to be on board (we think). Just three short days after Teva and Ugg revealed their new collection, Scottish fashion designer Christopher Kane, never one to be outdone, sent a parade of fierce-looking, gown-wearing models down a London Fashion Week runway sporting Crocs.

Yes, Crocs.

Making the giant leap from baby footwear, appropriate only at the beach or on the playground (basically, only places where a baby or toddler is likely to encounter sand) to high fashion, the pseudo-sandals underwent somewhat of a makeover. Kane, in his stylistic genius, added large, bedazzled stones—or jibitz as they are called in the Crocs world—to the otherwise ~understated~ shoes.

Totally different look.

On the plus side, Kane's models were probably the most comfortable models of the night.

Your main reason for getting your degree is probably so that you can learn something, find a good job and be secure in your life, right? Well, you may be on track to find your fiancé, too.

By studying Census records of over 76 million married couples who both have their bachelor’s degree for 2009-2014, TIME labs was able to discover which degree pairings were the most likely to marry, and which were the least. In the majority of cases, individuals with the same degrees were most likely to marry one another.  Performing Arts majors were 38 times more likely to marry each other than any other degrees, while Engineering majors were only 1.8 times more likely. Individuals in degrees with related fields were also likely to be compatible, though. For example, if you’ve got a history degree, you’re probably going to be more compatible with an art historian, English major or foreign language major than anyone else. There are some unexpected compatibilities as well, such as physics and language majors, and computer science majors with undergraduate law majors.

Priceonomics blogger Dan Kopf performed a similar study last year and found similar results, The Washington Post reports. Kopf found that, according to a survey relating to the 2012 census, about half of Americans are married, and about 28 percent of married couples over the age of 22 both have bachelor’s degrees. More than 10 percent of married individuals each had the same major, and theology and religious vocation majors were the most likely to get married to each other. Kopf also found that gender minorities in a major were most likely to find their spouse in that major, like men in nursing or women in engineering.

Of course, your degree probably doesn’t determine your compatibility—you probably just spend a majority of your time with others that share your major. Either way, it’s time to take a look around you; your study buddy could be more in the future.