You may be familiar with popular Facebook apps of the past that have enabled you to rank your friends, or send anonymous messages, but now, the latest Facebook app called Hate With Friends, allows you to see which of your Facebook “friends” actually hate you.

All you have to do is go to the site, log in with your Facebook information, and then from a selection of your friends, choose which ones you hate with a button saying “HATE HIM,” or “HATE HER.”

Luckily, the app doesn’t allow this information to be shown to all your friends, or even all the friends that you “hate”, unless they choose to hate you back.  Once mutual hatred is established, Facebook gives you the interesting choice of either unfriending the person (as you might expect), or patching up the relationship with a gift.  

Until this app becomes more widely used, it may be tough to determine whether it will be a useful tool in allowing people to filter through their excessive Facebook connections, or a weapon for increased cyber bullying, but we can only hope it isn't the latter!

When watching movies or TV shows set in college, you’ve probably had a laugh at some of the professors on screen because, admit it, you’ve had ones just like them. Although most TV characters are based on stereotypes, many of them are inspired by reality. So while many of these professor types are oversimplified generalizations, chances are you’ll come across a professor with one or more of these characteristics. Check out our list of the nine professors you’ll have in college.

The Hot Professor

If a little eye candy isn’t an incentive to learn, then what is? Sometimes you’ll get a professor that makes you never want to miss a class, because then you’d miss out on seeing his gorgeous face every Tuesday and Thursday. Usually the hot professor isn’t just blessed with good looks, he’s got the whole package — charm, wit, smarts, and the perfect smile. Victoria*, a freshman at Douglas College, realized that while having a hot professor is fun, it has its downsides. “I actually looked forward to going to his classes [but] sometimes it made it hard to concentrate ‘cause I was just being like a little schoolgirl, thinking he was so hot.” Why scope out frat boys when you can look at your professor and learn something at the same time?

The Very-Close-To-Retirement Professor

You’re bound to get at least one old professor at some point in your college career. There are those professors whose classes benefit from years of experience, and then there are those profs who use every last bit of energy they have to resist the pull of retirement.

Whether they’re having trouble working the projector or forgetting what they were going on about, some students will find it cute or funny, while others might find it a bit annoying. Hannah, a sophomore at NYU, had an elderly professor who fit this stereotype. “He was constantly trailing off sentences, going off on tangents, a little out of touch with modern society,” says Hannah. “If a younger professor had acted the same way, it would have seemed completely unprofessional, but the class's general reaction was, ‘Aw, he's just like my grandpa!’”

The Professor Who Tries to Be Hip

These types of professors may be older, but they like to try to keep up with their students. In an attempt to try to connect with you and your classmates, they’ll throw pop culture references into their lectures — Jersey Shore this, Kim Kardashian that — and drop the latest slang every now and then. If they’re not talking about the latest Twitter trending topic, they’re singing YouTube’s latest viral hit. Sometimes even if they are really up to speed on the interests of our generation, their attempts to be “the cool professor” fall flat. Although professors like these are getting laughed at, instead of laughed with, you can’t fault them for trying!

The Dull Professor

It’s inevitable that you will experience the all-too-common snooze-inducing professor. Monotone voice? Check. Dry subject material? Check. Slowest and longest class ever? Definitely check.

Michelle, a senior at UNC-Chapel Hill, had a professor who seemed to specialize in boring. “The entire lecture consisted of him droning on and on in the most boring voice you could possibly imagine — it was near impossible to actually pay attention, let alone stay awake!” she says. “It was almost like his voice had some magical power to make a large room of college students fall asleep within a minute.”

Although no one has died from a boring lecture, it can make already boring material even more boring. The Dull Professor has the ability to slow down time and cause your eyelids to become heavy. Their monotonous voice seems to push into the deepest of daydreams (which, let’s be honest, is the only thing getting you through the class!).

The Eccentric Professor

For some reason, academia has no shortage of kooky personalities. Sometimes you get the oddball professors who add a little bit of color to an otherwise drab classroom. These professors’ eccentricity can range from just a few strange habits to completely bizarre behavior.  Roxanna, a junior at Hiram College, had a philosophy professor who wore a different Hawaiian shirt every day. “He told us that it was his life goal never to wear the same Hawaiian shirt twice during a single school year,” she says.

If they’re not dressed down in a Hawaiian shirt, they’ve got their best vagabond (or at least minimal effort) look going on. They might speak in riddles or encourage you to meditate in class. If they’re not impertinently starting the class with pictures of their taxonomy collection or speaking in riddles, they’re encouraging you to do certain yoga poses and meditation in your seat.

At least these professors make for good stories!

The Comedian Professor

If you get a professor who sees class as a stand-up show, consider yourself lucky. Once in a while, you’ll get a comedian professor who is so funny you get not only an education but also an ab workout from laughing so hard. They have the charisma to get the class engaged, and not only do they have an affinity for humor, they also feed off of your laughs. As long as the class howls after each quip, they’ll continue to keep the atmosphere light.

Then there is the goofball professor that is not necessarily funny, although they try to be. His or her jokes may incite eye rolls instead of laughter, but they still keep the mood light. Enjoy this professor, no matter what form they come in. Any sense of humor is a gift, especially during stressful points in the semester.

The Professor with a Thick Accent

There are some professors you know you’d learn a lot from… if only you understood what they were saying. You turn to your peers and see that they’re wearing the same baffled expressions that you currently have on your face. As the professor goes on with their lecture, you wonder if he or she can tell that no one can decipher what is coming out of their mouth.

The stages of dealing with a professor with a heavy accent are as follows: confusion, amusement, panic, frustration, and finally, acceptance. You finally accept that you’ll either eventually get used to the accent or will be left to teach yourself from the textbook and PowerPoint slides.

The Intimidating Professor

You will no doubt come across a professor who seems to never smile. Once they walk into the room, you immediately feel tension and anxiety fill the air. It’s their stare that sends shivers down your spine — you definitely wouldn’t want to get on their bad side! Although they invite you to come by during office hours if you have any questions, you interpret the look in their eyes and the tone of their voice to say: “Don’t you dare waste my time!”

You might dread the class, but he or she has you on your best behavior. Although the increase in your heart rate every time you come to class might be a bit to deal with, the fear forces you to come to class prepared with all your readings done — which can’t be a bad thing, right?

The Role Model Professor

The Role Model Professor is the one who gets you through college. No matter how stressful your day is, his or her presence brings warmth and comfort. Whether their passion for social justice inspires you to sign some petitions, or their general kindness makes you want to be a better person, they’ve got you thinking “I want to be just like The Role Model Professor when I grow up!”

Ruth*, a freshman at Trinity Western University, admires her Spanish professor because he brings more to the class than what’s on the curriculum. “He's very experienced in his travels. He's been in the military for five years and he's this big guy, but when you talk to him, he's very down to earth and not as tough as he comes off to be,” says Ruth. “His aura exudes grace and kindness and he is definitely someone that I look up to and can appreciate.”

These are just some of the professors you might have during your college years. Are there are certain types you’ve had that haven’t been mentioned? Let us know in the comments section!

*Names have been changed

Though the real joy of the holidays comes from giving rather than receiving, we’d be lying if we said we didn’t look forward to opening those gifts left for us under the Christmas tree every year. Sweaters and gift cards are always a hit, but here are a few gifts we really wouldn’t mind getting from Santa this Christmas.

1. A daily morning coffee delivery from our own personal Starbucks barista.

2. An instant hangover cure.

3. A pair of jeans that fits perfectly even when we’re bloated.

4. An extra five hours of sleep every night.

5. A day in the week dedicated solely to catching up on our television shows.

6. A pair of sweatpants that is both flattering and comfy.

7. Roommates who never eat our food.

8. A fail-proof study system.

9. A decoder for confusing text messages.

10. A fitness class that burns calories but doesn’t make us feel completely inept.

11. An RA who doesn’t care how much noise we make in our rooms.

12. Fat-free, sugar-free froyo that still tastes delicious.

13. A mattress pad that actually makes our twin beds comfortable.

14. A pair of heels that never hurts no matter how long we wear it.

15. A reusable pass for paper extensions.

16. A drink that can keep us caffeinated for an entire day.

17. A satisfying, uncomplicated, exclusive relationship.

That one last cookie or bag of chips might seem inevitable when you're stressed out.  However, recent studies showing that emotional overeating was common in up to half of the United States population and that individuals made aware of their habits were more likely to rethink their nutritional decisions, led Microsoft to develop the ‘smart bra,’ a contraption designed to prevent stress related binge eating.

The bra is fitted with sensors that monitor bio-signals of stress, such as respiration and heart rate, measured with EKG (electrocardiogram) sensors.  Once stress levels are detected, data streaming via Bluetooth, alerts the wearer via mobile phone message that stress-related overeating is likely to occur, in time for it to be prevented. 

Mary Czerwinski, a cognitive psychologist and senior researcher in visualization and interaction at Microsoft explained that while “it’s mostly women who are emotional overeaters,” Microsoft’s decision to design a sensory undergarment that only works for females had to do with the fact that they “tried to do the same thing for men's underwear but it was too far away (from the heart).”

Upon testing the bra on several participants, results were successful in collecting necessary data, but Czerwinski admitted that the sensors only worked for approximately four hours before the batteries had to be recharged.

If Microsoft can increase the battery life of this bra, this would you try it out? Let us know in the comments below!

As much as we want to believe that we’re going to be the best of friends with our roommates and get along with each other all the time, the truth of the matter is we may not. When you live with other people, it’s natural for some tension to develop. Whether the cause is your roommate’s tendency to press snooze on her alarm half a dozen times before actually waking up or your habit of borrowing her clothes without asking permission, roomie fights are inevitable between even the closest of roommates. The question is: how do you resolve matters without wanting to strangle each other?

We talked to Irene S. Levine, psychologist and creator of The Friendship Blog, and Andrea Lavinthal, beauty editor and co-author of Friend or Frenemy?: A Guide to the Friends You Need and the Ones You Don’t, as well as collegiettes around the country to get their tips on how to move on from a roomie fight (and how to deal when you just have to move out!).  

Expressing Your Grievances to Your Roommate

It’s finals week, and you’re probably feeling a little like this:

Your professor says the exam is cumulative, and you’re just like,

You can’t find any of your notes from the semester.

Probably because you stopped taking any in class, thanks to Facebook and Pinterest.

But you try to start studying anyways. You get to the library, but there’s nowhere to sit and you’re like,

After 20 minutes of searching, you finally find a seat.

But when you accidentally make a lot of noise the girl across your table is like,

But then her phone rings, and everyone’s like,

And you’re like,

It takes you about 30 minutes to stop procrastinating and actually start studying.

It’s all going great, until your computer runs out of battery.

And you’re not next to an outlet.

And there’s no available outlet in sight.

Since you’ve been working so hard, you let yourself have a study break… or two… or ten.

Since studying on your own is clearly unproductive, you decide to join that class-wide study group.

You hope your classmates are going to be like,

But in reality, they’re more like,

So you end up having to pull an all-nighter.

And by “pulling an all-nighter,” we mean you’re doing a lot of this,

When nothing clicks, you’re like,

You resort to chugging coffee.

But a few cups later, you’re like,

The night before each final is always like this,

With a little bit of this,

But you always make it out in one piece somehow.

And then, you’re officially home free.

Let’s face it: When the holiday season rolls around, eating healthy is the last thing on our minds.

With all the delicious pumpkin offerings (lattes! pies! cheesecake!) and gingerbread cookies, the holiday season is a great time to indulge in all things sweet and delicious. But holiday treats can be too much of a good thing if you don’t balance the unhealthy options with some nutritious food, too. Check out our guide to the healthy and not-so-healthy foods so that you can eat properly this season while still enjoying the good stuff.

Side Dishes

One of the greatest things about big dinners at Thanksgiving and Christmas is that there are so many side dish choices. From potatoes to green bean casserole, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. But what are the healthiest options?

Healthy: Vegetables

We all know veggies are an essential part of any diet, and holidays are great because there are so many side dishes to choose from. But even veggies can become unhealthy when smothered in creams and sauces, so watch out for those calorie-packed dishes that can masquerade as healthy options. Try making side dishes yourself so that you can control the ingredients and make sure they’re still nutritious. Stick to raw or roasted veggies, or a lightly dressed salad, for the healthiest side.

Unhealthy Turned Healthy: Green Bean Casserole

Beans are a legume, which is great because that means they’re a source of protein that works for meat eaters and vegetarians alike. But some green bean casserole recipes call for an entire can of cream of mushroom soup, which is laden with saturated fat and extra cream. Instead of reaching for the Campbell’s, try making your own with fresh mushrooms instead. We love this recipe from the Food Network, which has 60 percent less calories and 80 percent less calories than the average green bean casserole.

Ingredients

• 3 to 4 medium shallots, in their skins
• Kosher salt, plus 1 1/2 teaspoons
• 1 pound fresh green beans, stemmed
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced (about 4 cups)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups mushroom, vegetable or chicken broth
• 3 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
• Ground black pepper
• Vegetable cooking spray
• 1 cup bread crumbs

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Put the shallots (in their skins) on a small baking dish, roast until soft, about 30 minutes. When cool enough to handle, skin and coarsely chop the shallots. Set aside.
2. Bring a medium-large saucepan of water to a boil over high heat. Add kosher salt, to taste. Add the green beans, and cook, uncovered, until crisp-tender and bright green, about 3 minutes. Drain the beans in a colander and rinse with cold water. Transfer the beans to a large bowl.
3. In the same saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the mushrooms, season with 1 teaspoon salt, cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 7 minutes. Add the mushrooms to the beans.
4. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, until golden, about 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in the broth, increase the heat to high, and bring to a boil. Add the shallots, 1 teaspoon of the thyme, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer and cook until thickened, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Pour the sauce over the vegetables and stir to combine evenly.
5. Spray a 2-quart baking dish with vegetable cooking spray. Transfer the vegetable mixture to the pan. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons of thyme to bread crumbs and scatter over the vegetables. Bake uncovered until the sauce bubbles and the crumbs brown, about 20 minutes.

Unhealthy Turned Healthy: Mashed Potatoes

What’s a holiday meal without a scoop of homemade mashed potatoes? With scallions and the potato skin mixed in, mashed potatoes are nearly irresistible. And the skin is where the nutrients are, so that’s not necessarily a bad thing! Just make sure to avoid extras like butter and salt, which can take potatoes—and any other vegetables—from healthy to unhealthy. For mashed potatoes that are healthy and still taste great, check out HC Bentley writer Marina Lyushnevskaya’s favorite mashed potato recipe, courtesy of SpoonForkBacon.com.

Ingredients

• 4 russet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup cottage cheese, pureed
• 2 tablespoons chives, thinly sliced
• chives
• melted butter

Directions

1. Place potatoes in a large pot and fill with water. Place over medium-high heat and bring to a boil.
2. Boil potatoes until fork tender, about 25 minutes.
3. 
While potatoes boil, place cream, butter and garlic in a small saucepan and simmer. Once mixture comes to a simmer, remove from heat.
4. 
Drain potatoes in a colander and return back to the pot. Lightly mash the potatoes and season with salt and pepper.
5. 
Pour cream mixture over the potatoes, a little at a time and mash the potatoes until all the cream mixture has been used and potatoes are smooth. 
6. Stir in pureed cottage cheese and sliced chives and season with salt and pepper. 
7. Top with remaining chives and melted butter, if desired. Serve warm.

If sweet potatoes are more your style, skip the maple syrup and mini marshmallows and use fresh cinnamon to sweeten them instead.

Unhealthy Turned Healthy: Stuffing

Stuffing is a must at Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, but stuffing mixes and even homemade stuffing can be loaded with sodium and saturated fat from butter and sausage. For a lighter take on the classic, try HC Illinois writer Katie Samuelson’s recipe for a healthier holiday stuffing.

Main Courses

If you’re not a vegetarian, your holiday meal probably includes turkey, ham or another meat. Follow these tips to stay healthy while enjoying the main course of your meal.

Healthy: white meat.

If your family is eating a classic Thanksgiving turkey, opt for the white meat pieces rather than the dark ones—they have almost half as much saturated fat. Skipping the skin will also save you lots of calories and unnecessary extra fat.

Less Healthy: eating more than the recommended serving size.

While loading up on protein may seem like a better idea than eating too many carbs like mashed potatoes and dinner rolls, too much protein can be just as unhealthy. Your body can only process so much at one time, so unless you’re planning a big workout later that day, keep your main course small and load up on green veggies. If you’re not sure exactly how many slices of turkey to take, a good rule of thumb is to serve yourself an amount equal to the size of your fist.

Dessert

Healthy: Pumpkin Pie

While pumpkin pie may sound like an indulgent option, it’s one of your best bets in terms of holiday desserts. Pumpkin is a vegetable, which means it’s high in fiber and nutrients, and you won’t need to eat a large slice to feel full. The average slice of pumpkin pie falls at about 300 calories, which is a bit of a splurge for a normal day, but it’s okay to eat a slice every once in a while in the spirit of the season! To avoid extra pie calories, skip the extra whipped cream and crust.

If you’re not into pumpkin, try a fruit pie like apple or cherry so you’re still getting nutritional value. Just beware of extra glazes that can be full of high fructose corn syrup.

Less Healthy: Pecan Pie

A typical slice of pecan pie includes more than 500 calories, which is way more saturated fat than you need to intake. If you just have to have that slice, make it a small one. Your body will thank you later.

There you have it, collegiettes: You can enjoy all your favorite holiday meals this season while still staying healthy. After the big meals, try burning off your calories in a fun way, like running with your cousins or playing a game outside. Happy holidays!

As winter approaches and the temperature drops, coat weather is finally upon us!  With a plethora of trends, colors and textures in style this season, the cold weather is definitely something to look forward to. "Unlike years past, this season's trends in outerwear include a range of shapes, colors and sizes, from oversized to fitted bomber styles and from pale pink all the way to ultimate black," says Martha Hilfinger, co-owner of Boston boutique dress.

With such an exciting range of outerwear options shown on this season’s runways, we found the nine trendiest coats for winter inspired by the most fabulous fall and winter designer looks.

1. Pink Fur Pea Coat

Pale pink outerwear was a popular trend on the runways for fall and winter 2013 and 2014. Specifically shown by Christian Dior, Miu Miu and Carven, this feminine hue came in many shapes and sizes, and was often accentuated with pieces in darker, bolder colors.

Topshop, $158

This cute and cozy fur pea coat would look great with bold black accessories to add some edge to the look.

2. Oversized Shoulder Coat

Jackets and coats with oversized shoulders appeared all over the fall and winter runways, specifically in the collections of Gucci, Proenza Schouler and Balenciaga.  The soft shapes created by oversize shoulders serve as a great contrast alongside more rigid silhouettes.

Urban Outfitters, $129.99

Wear this oversized pea coat with streamlined pieces, such as skinny jeans and sleek booties, for a chic winter ensemble.

3. Contrast Tweed Coat

You can add texture to your outerwear with a coat that incorporates tweed. The runway looks of Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana and Haider Ackermann specifically demonstrated how this traditionally masculine fabric can look feminine in different styles of outerwear.

ASOS, $163.34

This coat has an especially eye-catching application of tweed that makes a fashion-forward statement.

4. Leopard Fur Coat

Super soft fur coats are sure to make a statement this season! Fierce exotic furs were incorporated into many designer collections, including those of Roberto Cavalli, Fendi and Versace.

Zara, $159

But you don’t have to go real, of course! This faux fur leopard coat is still trendy and chic.

5. City Chic Camouflage Coat

Camouflage outerwear was a surprisingly popular trend on the fall and winter runways. Michael Kors, Alexander Wang and Christopher Kane incorporated camouflage into particularly feminine looks.

Forever 21, $47.80

The addition of fur to this coat reflects Kors’s and Wang’s simultaneous uses of camouflage and fur and makes this laid-back style more chic.

6. Navy Blue Drop Double-Breasted Pea Coat

Fall and winter designer collections showed navy blue to be the standout color of the season. Classic shapes in navy hues on the runways of Dries van Noten, Chloe and Celine were especially chic and stylish.

H&M, $99

Hilfinger suggests going with a pea coat, saying, “The pea coat is a perennially chic style; classic and versatile.” This particular piece’s double-breasted style is polished and sleek.

7. Checkered Shades of Grey Coat

Checks in several size and color varieties were all over the fall and winter runways.  With Stella McCartney, Celine and Saint Laurent displaying the versatility of this classic pattern, there are clearly many ways to play with plaid.

Urban Outfitters, $288

This particular coat is bold in its use of a big checkered pattern, yet it maintains versatility in its incorporation of only blacks and greys, making it easier to pair with several of your winter ensembles.

8. White Faux Fur Collar Biker Coat

Snow-colored coats and ensembles were all the rage on the fall and winter runways.  Valentino, Isabel Marant and Celine specifically showed the ways in which white can make a statement this season.

ASOS, $154.27

This particular coat has an interesting zip-up style and includes a detachable fur collar so you can change up your look without even changing coats!

9.  Graphic Printed Coat

You can show your personality with a playful graphic printed coat this winter. With graphic prints seen in several different ways on the fall and winter runways, particularly in the collections of Saint Laurent, Burberry Prorsum and Givenchy, it’s clear that fun, fresh graphics are fashionable this season.

Forever 21, $21.40

This southwestern print coat is unique and graphically interesting without being too over the top.  Wear it with a simple, streamlined ensemble for a balanced look.

With so many outerwear trend options this season, there’s no reason not to try one (or several) out! As long as you keep the rules of layering in mind, you’ll look super fashionable and cute for the cold weather!

This week's Marquette cutie is a junior studying Broadcast and Electronic Communication. Dan Schergen can be found playing acoustic shows on campus or working with Mardi Gras on a variety of service projects. Check out what our cutie has to saw below!

Dream Job: Set designer on films and TV shows.

What is the first thing you notice about a girl? Her hair, girls who have fun and different hairstyles are very intriguing.

Guilty Music Pleasure:  Metro Station. 

If he could marry one celebrity, you'd choose...  Emma Watson, because she’s perfect in every way.

Coke or Pepsi: Regular Coke, Diet Pepsi
Dogs or Cats: Cats.  They’re so much easier to hang out with, and don’t require as much attention as dogs, but dogs are very fun.  

Favorite Color: Purple, the color of royalty
Favorite sport: Frizbee, if that counts as a sport… if not, Hockey. 
Favorite place to take a girl on a date in Milwaukee: The Rave, a good concert is the best first date.  
Favorite Late-Night Snack: Tortilla chips and Salsa con queso.
Favorite Fast Food Restaurant: Wendy’s. The fries. 
Favorite Disney Character: The Muses from Hercules
Favorite TV Show: Parks and Recreation.  The character development is wonderful, and it makes the show very believable.

What is your favorite 90's television program? Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Dream vacation destination:  I would love to go back to Ireland someday soon. 

Athletic Team He'd Like to Join: I am not good enough at anything to play a sport, but I would love to hang out with the Blackhawks for a few days.  

What would you name your yacht: Mary Kay

His superpower of choice: Flight

Something you’ve always wanted to do: Play with my band in a club on Bourbon Street.

If you had a bathtub filled with one type of food, what would it be? Biscuits and gravy.

Name: Zarko Valjarevic
School: U Maine
Hometown: Belgrade, Serbia (Europe)
Relationship Status: Single
Sign: Aries
Twitter: @Zarks

Campus Life
Major: Business, Finance 
Favorite thing about UMaine: People
How are you involved on campus: Basketball team, MAAV
Favorite place to eat in Orono: OHOP, Roost
Campus posse (name some friends): Whole basketball team

Best place to meet girls at UMaine: Class
Why did you choose UMaine: Scholarship

Best Professor: Spencer Wood
Best Class: Dance
Worst Class: English 101

How do you like to spend your weekends here: Chillin, when I am not playing or practicing

Miscellaneous
What is on your ipod's top rated: Chief Keef
Boxers or Briefs: Boxers
An embarrassing confession: I am an OCD person

Guilty Pleasure: Ben and Jerry’s
Ski or Snowboard: Ski
Salty or Sweet:  Salty
Cats or Dogs: Cats 
Dream job: NBA player
Biggest Pet Peeve: When people walk barefoot around the campus in winter time…..

Favorite Charity: Purple Project
Three words to describe yourself: Complicated, Clever, Unpredictable

Favorites
Favorite song to dance to at a party: Tonight- John Legend 
Favorite food: Sushi
Favorite Beer: Budweiser 
Favorite App (game or otherwise): Weather App, Translate App

Pick up line: I know a fun activity that can burn 500 calories an hour…..

The Nitty Gritty
Craziest place you've ever had sex: Airplane
How do you let someone know you're interested in them: Stare at them until becomes awkward
What do you look for in a significant other: Confidence
Deal-breaker: Fake girls that craving for attention
Celebrity Girl Crush: Zuleyka Rivera
Celebrity Man Crush: Ian Somerhalder

Biggest celebrity crush: Meryl Streep (When she was younger). She’s intelligent.

Hobbies: Skateboarding and eating good food.

First thing you notice about a girl: It’s more about the whole package for me. I don’t look at one specific thing. It depends on the girl.

Most embarrassing song to admit you like: Motivation by Kelly Rowland

Best pick-up line: Who uses pick-up lines successfully?

Biggest turn-on: Subtle smart chicks.

Advice you would give to a girl trying to impress you: Stop trying. Be yourself. Stop trying to impress people. That’s weak.

5 Random Facts
1. I LOVE sushi
2. I Intern at a skate shop and used to manage a skate park
3. I drive a Volvo 240 from 1993
4. I have a cat named Beazel, which is a word I made up as a kid.
5. I might be switching my major to media studies

Favorite spot in the city: Castle Island
Favorite season in Boston: Fall

Hidden places in Boston: Irashai – a sushi bar in China Town, Pho Pasteur – a place with great Vietnamese food.

Your opinion on dating at Emerson: I haven’t really tried. The environment at Emerson is not conducive to dating because every girl knows every other girl’s business. Maybe if that changes.

Name: Garren Orr
Nickname: Gare Bear
School: Emerson
Hometown: Alameda, CA
Major: Marketing 
Year in School: 2014
Relationship Status: Taken

Favorite Movie: Anchorman
Favorite Book: Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
Favorite Television Show: Archer
      
What is your biggest turn-ons and turn-offs?
Turn-on: a good sense of humor and taste in music
Turn-off: girls that take themselves too seriously, unibrows

Current song on replay: “Wolf Pack” by The Vaccines
Cats or dogs: Cats cats cats
Starbucks order: Vanilla latte 
Extracurricular Activities: Intern at The Moxie Agency, Account Manager for EMcomm, VP of Marketing for Emerson Casting Agency, Music Assistant for WERS

Think of John Tucker in John Tucker Must Die: He’s smooth, good-looking, popular - the ultimate image of what we think of when we hear the word “player.” And as fabulous as it would be to form a payback plan with three of your closest friends and give him a taste of his own medicine, not all players are this easily identifiable. They can be anything from mediocre-looking nerds to angsty artists trying to find themselves to prep-school elites who look like they’ve walked straight out of a Brooks Brothers catalog. Sound confusing? That’s because it is—especially when you’re the one being played. But no matter what shape or size or sexy leather jacket a player comes in, one thing is for certain: he’ll do anything in his power to keep you around. (Read: You’re going to get hurt.)

So if you want to protect yourself from his masculine wiles, scroll down to read HC’s list of the top 10 signs he’s a player.

10. He has wandering eyes

Let’s preface this by saying that no guy is going to have the stalker-like attentiveness of a certain vampire from Forks. You don’t have to have someone hold your earrings every time your guy notices other girls, especially if he’s just looking every now and then.  But if you’re starting to realize that every pair of legs induces a full-body check out plus head swivel, then maybe a few pages from Twilight would do him some good. (No, on the real, please don’t bring that book back.)

So what should you do if you’re starting to feel like there’s a magnetic force between his eyes and every PYT within a 10-mile radius? You could make a snarky comment about his having the attention span of a chipmunk. Or you could learn from his wayward glances. Dr. Ivan Young, holistic life coach and love expert says, “You can use his wandering eyes to your advantage. It provides a road map into what he’s attracted to. Moreover, it will let you know if you have what he likes.”

It’s a good idea not to jump to conclusions, so this is a great way of seeing if you’re really what he likes. If you find out the answer is no and that you don’t feel like he’s paying much attention to you at all, it’s time to roll up that road map and head on out. (Insert flippant chipmunk remark here.)

9. He’s sketchy about his Facebook

Delayed friend request. Limited profile. Always logged out when he leaves you with his computer in the room. Whatever the case, this guy does not want you in on his online life. Let us provide you with a few guesses as to why in four words: girls on the side. You know, those girls who “like” every picture and post all over his wall, “Hey, it was great running into you last night, let’s make that happen again ;).” Yup, that’s them.

“I had an amazing first date with this one guy I met a few months ago,” says one anonymous senior from Harvard. “We decided we wanted to see each other again, and we were texting back and forth. About a week later, I still hadn’t gotten a friend request from him, so I friended him myself. He accepted, and when I viewed his profile, I found out he had a girlfriend. Needless to say, we did not go on a second date.”

It isn’t just how he interacts with you on Facebook—it’s also an issue if he’s constantly being tagged in pictures from the night before with his arms slung around two or more girls clinging to his side.

This is obviously not to say that every guy who has a ton of girl friends—or girls who are interested in him—is a player. I mean, if he’s really, really, ridiculously good-looking, he can’t help it, right? But the fact of the matter is that if you’re looking for something serious, you’re going to need some clarification on that picture of his “friend” in his lap. Just saying.

8. He’s mastered the art of sweet talking

All that talking, not enough walking. He’ll say he doesn’t want to be with anyone else, but doesn’t want to hold your hand while he’s talking to that cute girl at his frat. He’ll go crazy about how good you look when it’s drunk o’clock, but blows cold the next morning. This guy knows what you want to hear, and he’ll use every line in the book to get you to do what he wants (read: sex, flattery, an ego boost, more sex). A good indicator is if your friends have paper bags at the ready every time you repeat the things he says.

“If he's saying [stuff] just to get you naked, it's clearly a line he uses,” says an anonymous collegiette from Hiram College. “Proceed with caution.”

Unless this guy is a stage 5 clinger, he’s not being sincere. Talk is cheap, collegiettes: if he cares about you, then he’s got to prove it. And as Dr. Young says, “It’s up to you to not get caught up.”

7. He’s never there when you need him

“Hey, sorry, my phone was dead.” At 10 pm? On a Saturday night? Convenient.

This is not going to be the guy who’ll be at your door with a bowl of chicken noodle soup on a Thursday night when you’re sick and can’t get out of bed. In fact, if you need anything at all from this guy—especially emotional support, then good luck. A player will be available only when it’s convenient for him, on his own terms. When he’s ready to see you (hook up), he’s at your door—otherwise, he’s MIA. By which we mean macking on other girls.

6. He goes on too many "brocations" 

Don't get us wrong. Space is really healthy in any relationship—official or unofficial. So if your guy wants to hang with his boys, then that's a sign he has a life outside of you—just as you should have a life outside of him. The problem is, if your guy's personality and morals do a 180 when he's out with the bros – that’s a bad sign. If he has a history of getting a little too crazy finishing kegs and bottles of Bacardi, causing him to use his drunkenness as an excuse for questionable behavior with other girls, then you've got a player on your hands. It's also never OK for him to try to hide the details of his Saturday night with the boys from you. Obviously, you're not his mother: he doesn't have to give you hourly updates on where he is and what they're doing. But if it's really a simple night out with friends, then there's no reason he should be giving you misinformation or acting nervous when you press him for more details.

5. He won’t let you near his phone

At first, you’ll probably think that he’s just so focused on you that whatever texts or calls he’s getting don’t matter. But as time goes on, and he starts to cave—angling his phone away from you to answer a text, leaving the room when he needs to answer a call, freaking out when you try to play with his cell—you know he’s got something to hide.

“If he's super paranoid about his phone around you, watch out,” confirms one anonymous senior from Ohio University. “Everyone is protective of their phone, but when a guy gets jumpy every time you look at him while he's texting, positions his body so you can never see his phone screen while he's using it, or leaves the room every time he takes a phone call, something's not right.”

Best way to test this? Ask to make a call on his cell and watch his reaction.

4. He won’t let you meet his parents

Let’s face it: someone who is truly serious about you will want you to meet the people most important to him. And if you’ve been with this guy for longer than three months, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be making plans for you to come visit his family—or at the very least to meet them when they’re visiting campus.

“Until a guy is ready to get into a really serious relationship the odds of meeting his parents are slim to none,” Dr. Young says.

So unless he’s got an estranged relationship with every member of his family, chances are that he’s playing you. Ask him about his family and see how much he opens up to you.

3. He’ll keep you as his unofficial girl

This one is tricky because some players like to be in a relationship while having other girls on the side. But one of the main characteristics of a player is that he strings you along. So if you find yourself around month four of the hook-up wondering why he’s never taken you out on a date or even brought up “the talk,” there’s an issue. Especially if, when you try to bring it up, he just sweet-talks you (see #8) until you feel like everything is better—when in reality, you’re still in the same position as before. If he wants you to be his girlfriend, then you’ll be his girlfriend. End of story.

2. He can’t seem to get the facts straight

“You like spaghetti, right?” he asks. Nope. You’re allergic. And you’ve told him about that time in the sixth grade that it made your eyelids swell up so much that you walked right into the cafeteria lady.

A player will confuse facts about you because he’s juggling too many other girls. (Cue Mambo No. 5 because you’re the little bit of Erica by his side.)  One or two slip-ups is completely fine—you never know if he’s got something like the stress of an upcoming midterm on his mind.  But if you start to notice a pattern of forgetfulness—especially with basic info like what you’re majoring in or where you’re from or how much you love Ryan Gosling’s “Hey Girl” memes, chances are he’s really been studying a little bit of Mary all night long.

“If he confuses details about you with other girls, run,” Dr. Young confirms. “The only two exceptions to this are if you’re dating someone that’s been in a long term relationship or he’s just being honest about dating other women.”

We all know that one of the signs that a guy likes you, cares about you, wants to get to know you is that he’ll not only remember what you say, but he’ll do his best to show you he’ll remember. So if this guy isn’t spitting back everything he’s learned about you—or worse, doesn’t even know that much about you, the message is clear: he couldn’t care less.

1. Trouble, trouble, trouble   

A lesson from Taylor Swift: “I knew you were trouble when you walked in.” Taylor knew, guys. Just like you know. Trust your instincts.

“[I] think we all kind of have a gut feeling about players,” says an anonymous senior from Skidmore. “If you feel like he's playing games with you or messing with your head, he's probably a player.”

So if you find yourself making excuses for this guy, compromising, feeling insecure, especially around other girls, doubting the things he says, and worrying about what he’ll do when you go home for winter break, something is up.

So now that you’re on to his game, make sure you blast Pink’s “Blow Me (One Last Kiss),” dump him and move on. Because you deserve so much better.

Share your list of signs he’s a player in the comments below!

On Friday, people all over the globe mourned the death of Nelson Mandela, the man who led the fight to end the system of apartheid in South America and then went on to lead the country itself.

Mandela, the former Nobel Peace Prize winner and beloved leader, died on Thursday at the age of 95. President Jacob Zuma said Mandela had died “peacefully” at around 8:50 p.m. while in the company of his family.

Mandela spent almost three months in a Pretoria hospital after being admitted with a recurring lung infection from which he never recovered. He was then discharged in September and received home-based medical care. 

Numerous South Africans continue to dance and sing tribal songs, the national anthem and Christin hymns outside the Soweto home where Mandela once lived and the Johannesburg home where he died. Many left flowers, candles, shrines and other tokens of grief and appreciation outside the homes.  

President Zuma ordered all flags to fly at half-staff until Mandela is laid to rest on Sunday, December 15. He will be buried in a state funeral on Sunday, December 15, in his ancestral hometown of Qunu in the Eastern Cape province. Zuma informed reporters that Sunday is said to be a “national day of prayer and reflection.”

A memorial service is to be held on Tuesday at Johannesburg’s Soccer City stadium, the place at which Mandela made his last public appearance in 2010 for the closing ceremony of the soccer World Cup. 

“He is now resting. He is now at peace,” Zuma said on Friday. “Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a father.” 

Born Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela in the Cape Province of South Africa, the civil rights activist would become the inspiration and leader to South Africa’s fight to end the country's apartheid system. "The impact of his efforts - to reconcile generosity with pragmatism and to find the common ground between humanity’s higher values and his own aspiration to power, as journalist John Carlin once described them - would ultimately reach well beyond South Africa’s borders, and earn him a Nobel Peace Prize in 1993," said The Huffington Post.

"What made Nelson Mandela great was precisely what made him human," Zuma said. "We saw in him what we seek in ourselves." 

The holidays are here, and what better way to celebrate than with decadent, delicious, holiday-inspired cocktails?  We’ve picked a few of our favorites that can serve as festive additions to this season’s parties and celebrations!

1. Candy Cane from Mix That Drink

Ingredients

• 3/4 oz SKYY Berry vodka
• 3/4 oz peppermint schnapps
• 3/4 oz white creme de cacao
• 1/4 oz grenadine
• Half and Half
• Crushed hard peppermint candy

Instructions

• Mix the vodka, peppermint Schnapps, grenadine and creme de cacao with ice in a cocktail shaker.
• Shake it up thoroughly.
• Rim a cocktail glass with crushed hard peppermint candy and pour the shaken mixture into the glass. Top it off with half and half.

2. Santa Shot from Mix That Drink

Ingredients

• 1 part grenadine syrup
• 1 part green creme de menthe
• 1 part peppermint schnapps

Instructions

• Pour grenadine to about 1/3 of your shot glass.  
• Carefully layer the creme de menthe, then the peppermint schnapps.

3. Poinsettia from Mix That Drink

Ingredients

• Champagne
• 1/2 oz Cointreau
• 3 oz cranberry juice

Instructions

• Put the Cointreau and cranberry juice in a chilled champagne flute. 
• Stir them and top the rest of the way with champagne.

4. Hot Buttered Rum From Mix That Drink

Ingredients

• 2 oz of dark rum
• Cinnamon stick
• 1 pat butter
• 1 slice lemon peel
• Boiled water

Instructions

• Put the cinnamon stick, lemon peel and rum in a mug.
• Fill it with boiling water (leave a spoon in the mug so the glass won’t break from the heat).
• Float the butter on top, then stir it in. Or serve it with the butter floating and let your guests stir it in with their cinnamon sticks.

5. Chocolate Peppermint Stick FromMix That Drink

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 oz white creme de cacao
• 1 oz cream
• 1 oz peppermint schnapps

Instructions

• Shake well with ice.
• Strain ingredients into chilled martini glasses.
• Garnish with a small peppermint candy cane (or, optionally, crush the candy cane and sprinkle it on top) and serve.

6. Red Hot Santa-Tini from Mix That Drink

Ingredients

• 2 oz chili-infused vodka
• 2 oz Godiva chocolate liqueur
• Cocoa powder
• Cayenne pepper
• Sweetened whipping cream
• One small Thai chili pepper

Instructions

• Mix some cocoa powder together with a pinch of cayenne pepper, and rim a chilled martini glass with it.
• Shake the vodka up with the chocolate liqueur and pour the mixture into the glass.
• Top it off with the whipping cream and garnish by floating the chili pepper on top of the cream.

7. Capital Egg Nog From MyRecipes.com

Ingredients

• 6 cups milk
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
• 12 pasteurized egg yolks
• 2 cups sugar
• Praline or bourbon liqueur
• Freshly ground nutmeg

Instructions

• Cook milk, heavy cream and 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 5 to 7 minutes or until steaming (about 150°).
• Reduce heat to low. Whisk together egg yolks and sugar in a large saucepan until smooth.
• Cook over low heat, whisking constantly, until mixture reaches at least 160° (about 25 minutes).
• Whisk milk mixture into egg mixture. Cool 30 minutes; transfer to a pitcher.
• Cover and chill 3 to 24 hours.
• Pour desired amount of praline or bourbon liqueur into each glass, if desired. Top with eggnog. Sprinkle with freshly ground nutmeg.

8. The Grinch from About.com

Ingredients

• 2 oz Midori Melon liqueur
• 1/2 oz lemon juice
• 1 tsp simple syrup
• Maraschino cherry for garnish

Instructions

• Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice.
• Shake well.
• Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
• Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

9. Gingerbread Martini From MyRecipes.com

Ingredients

• Ginger liqueur
• Crushed gingersnaps
• 2 Tbsp ginger liqueur
• 2 Tbsp vanilla-citrus liqueur
• 1 1/2 Tbsp coffee-flavored rum
• 1 Tbsp honey
• 2 tsp whipping cream
• 1 cup ice cubes
• Garnish: partially split vanilla bean brushed with liqueur and rolled in sugar (optional)

Instructions

• Dip glass rims in ginger liqueur and crushed gingersnaps. Store glasses in freezer up to 2 days.
• Stir together 2 Tbsp ginger liqueur, vanilla-citrus liqueur, coffee-flavored rum, honey and whipping cream in a cocktail shaker.
• Add ice cubes, cover with lid and shake vigorously until thoroughly chilled (about 30 seconds).
• Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish, if desired.

The Internet is full of articles about how to make a good impression when you meet your boyfriend’s parents, and you’ve probably stressed about that enough—but the inverse is an equally important issue. However, that’s no reason to stress more. At least, not now that you have our tips! We talked to relationship and etiquette experts to find out the best ways to get your parents to like your boyfriend and make him feel comfortable. Regardless of how serious your relationship is, it can never hurt to have Mom and Dad supporting it.

Prepare Him in Advance

No one likes to be blindsided, so it’s important that you take some time to prepare your boyfriend for the initial meeting.  Jodi R. R. Smith, president of etiquette consulting firm Mannersmith and author of several etiquette books, explains that you should make sure he knows what to expect and has some ideas for what to talk about.

“Help him win them over,” she says. “Be sure to coach your boyfriend about your parents’ quirks in advance. Good manners are a must, but having him help clear the Thanksgiving dishes is a bonus. Or have him read your father’s favorite book before the visit so they can discuss the author.” This will not only help your boyfriend win over your parents, but it will make him feel more at ease because he’ll already feel like he knows your parents before he gets there.  

Human behavior and relationship expert Patrick Wanis agrees that preparation is key. “Ultimately, you’re trying to coach the guy. Let him understand who your parents are,” he says. “Give him a couple of tips… ‘Dad’s into basketball, but he’s not into baseball,’ so that boyfriend can connect with [your] father and mother through common interests.” Having a few conversation topics to fall back on will help you all get the ball rolling and ensure that there are no awkward lulls.  

Having your parents and boyfriend connect over a common interest will get them to instantly click, or at least give a natural conversation topic to get the ball rolling.

Prepare Your Parents in Advance

You want your boyfriend to know what to expect—but don’t forget that you want your parents to know what to expect, too! Psychotherapist and couples counselor Jeffrey Sumber suggests that if you haven’t done so already, you should “express how important he is when [you] bring him up to [your] parents and make sure they know this is not just a whim.” One way to do this is to send your parents “a list of 10 qualities that [you] love about him in advance and even 10 (non-intimate) things [you] have experienced together which add to [your] appreciation for him,” Sumber says.

Wanis offers similar advice. “Talk to your parents and let them know that you really like this person, you really care about him,” he says. “Ask them to be friendly to him and to give him a chance.” The more serious and genuine you are in expressing your feelings about him to your parents, the clearer it will be to your parents that this is a relationship you are invested in, which will make them more inclined to get to know him.

Sumber adds that a big part of preparing your family is making sure they will do their best to make your boyfriend feel accepted. “Making him feel welcome is expressing to not just parents but siblings as well how important it is that he feel comfortable and welcome in their home,” he says. “No expectations, just authentic wishes and hopes.”

Find Common Interests and Values

Sure, we’ve heard that opposites attract, but we all know from experience that it’s often easier to connect with people who share our values.

The experts explain that shared values are huge when it comes to your parents liking your boyfriend. Smith advises that you “extol his virtues in advance and match his virtues with your family’s values.” For example, if your parents value education, then talk about his major and academic path. If they value philanthropy, talk about the community service he’s done on campus.

Wanis explains that when you want your parents to like your boyfriend, “what you really mean is, ‘I want my parents to feel safe with him, feel that they can trust him and to feel that he’s going to take care of me.’” By making it clear that your boyfriend shares the same values as your family, your parents will be assured that he has a good head on his shoulders and will look after you. To borrow a phrase from Meet the Parents, you’ll bring your boyfriend into the “Circle of Trust.”

Have Him Bring a Gift

Who doesn't love getting a gift? Your boyfriend giving your parents a little present will be an instant signal to them that he is thoughtful and caring. 

“It is important to make sure that he brings a gift to your parents if he is joining for the holidays or just a simple dinner,” Sumber says. “Some simple but well-meaning gesture goes a long way.”

Not giving a gift isn’t a deal-breaker, but it certainly can’t hurt. It doesn't have to be something expensive or fancy; it’s just the thought that counts. Some options include flowers, chocolates, homemade baked goods or candles. You can find more gift ideas here. In addition to gifts, Wanis notes that compliments go a long way, too—and those are free!

Make it a Relaxed Atmosphere

While a fancy dinner is often the go-to meet-the-parents move, it may be better to have your boyfriend and parents get to know each other in a more relaxed environment first.

“If it’s possible, make it an event that isn’t a formal sit-down dinner where all focus is on him,” Wanis says. “If you’re watching a movie or a sports game, the primary focus isn’t on him and he won’t feel like he’s being interrogated or showing up to be judged.”

The more comfortable everyone feels, the easier it will be to have a natural conversation and minimize any tension or awkwardness that you, him or your parents may feel.

Sumber says that you can make the environment more relaxed by avoiding giving him special treatment that makes him feel like an outsider. “It can be helpful to make sure he is given the opportunity to do some small task as any family member would, from clearing the table with you or getting Dad his scotch,” Sumber says.

Overcome Your Nerves and Get Excited!  

The more nervous you are about the relationship between your boyfriend and your parents, the more nervous he will be. And the more nervous he is, the more likely he is to not be himself—again, à la Meet the Parents.

So make him feel at ease by telling him how excited and happy you are. “It is helpful for the girl to express to her boyfriend, without expectation, how excited you are to have him meet your family,” Sumber says. He suggests saying something like, “I know they will see how caring and respectful you are of me because that is how I feel about you.” Affirmations like this will remove a lot of the pressure that he’s probably feeling.

As important as first impressions are, they aren’t everything. Even if the initial meeting doesn’t go as great as you hoped, there’s always time to make up for it and continue to build a trusting, respecting relationship between your boyfriend and your parents. All in due time!

Once upon a time, almost everyone wore business suits to job interviews and work. However, over the years, our society has become less conservative when it comes to dress codes. Certain industries still require conservative dress, but others have a more laid-back atmosphere. It’s no longer unusual to find some employees wearing shorts and T-shirts to work!

However, it’s important not to look too laid back. “What you wear might be more important than you think,” says Brenda Ferguson Hodges, a California-based image consultant and career coach. “Why? Whether you like it or not, your appearance is the first thing people notice about you—and first impressions are usually formed within the first 30 seconds.”

So how are you supposed to know what to wear? Read on for tips on how to dress in every career-related situation.

How to Dress For…

…a Job Interview

A scuffed shoe, a messy bag or a low-cut shirt can speak volumes. You need to wear your “power outfit.” Stick to business professional looks. Have a favorite skirt that always makes you feel great when you wear it? Why not pair that with a simple blouse and blazer?

“You can absolutely show your personal style, but remember, an interview isn’t a fashion show,” Ferguson Hodges says. “You want them to remember you because you were reliable, loyal, professional and hardworking—not because you had on a bedazzled blazer.”

Best options:

• Jacket or blazer
• Pantsuit or dress pants
• Long pencil skirt
• Dress blouse

…the First Day of Your Internship

Nothing is worse than being the one person in the office who’s totally overdressed (or underdressed) for the environment, but you should always verge on the polished side for the first day. Traci LaBom-Norris, assistant director of counseling and career services at Northwestern State University, suggests dressing a step up from what the typical daily dress code is. “If you're nervous about making the wrong move, just get the scoop ahead of time; ask your boss what the overall vibe is and what she wears to the office every day,” LaBom-Norris says.

Best Options:

• Simple blouse, colorful cardigan or blazer
• Simple dress
• Flats

…a Business Dinner or Company Function

When you’re dressing for a work function or a business dinner, the culture of your office should prevail. If it’s a conservative environment, dress conservatively for events, too. “If the function is more casual, you should still dress professionally, wearing a business casual, crisp outfit. Crisp meaning no wrinkles, stains, lint, holes or snags,” LaBom-Norris says.

No matter how relaxed your office environment or the occasion (that means you, company picnic!), never wear anything provocative. A revealing outfit can prevent you from being taken seriously. “People don’t necessarily notice when you are put together, but they 100 percent notice when you aren’t,” LaBom-Norris says. “It’s worth it to take the extra step.”

Best Options for a Business Dinner:

• Trousers with a cute sweater
• A dress in a dark shade with a printed cardigan
• Appropriate (but comfortable!) shoes

Best Options for a Casual Company Function:

• A sundress
• Cute sandals or wedges
• Fitted Jeans
• A maxi skirt

…a Career Fair

Some collegiettes make the mistake of dressing for a career fair as they would on the job.  In many cases, you can dress much more casually on the job than you should for a career fair. “Remember, you have to get the job before you can dress like someone who already has a job,” Ferguson Hodges says.

Most career fairs require business casual attire to enter. “Business casual means that you should appear professional and ‘pulled together’ yet somewhat relaxed,” she says.

Best options:

• Nice slacks
• Knee-length skirt
• Simple, light-colored blouse
• Low heels

…an Informational Interview

An informational interview is a brief meeting with someone in a profession or an organization you want to explore. Note that it's NOT an interview in which you seek a job—it’s for you to learn from the professional about his or her experience.

Informational interviews can be extremely valuable. According to Ferguson Hodges, when you meet in person to conduct a professional informational interview, present yourself in a way that puts your contact at ease. “This means dress appropriately,” she says. “If you are meeting at a coffee shop, you may dress casually in comparison to meeting in a corporate conference room.”

Best options:

• Simple, solid-colored dress with a blazer
• Button-down shirt with a skirt
• Cute flats

What NOT to Wear: General Tips for Off-Limits Attire

No matter what the career situation is, be sure to avoid these items!

Perfume: Who knows if anyone in the office is allergic? You don’t want to be the person giving people hives.

Excessive and/or bulky jewelry: This includes anything that would make it look as if you might be heading out to party. Loading up on the bling and sparkles can be just a bit distracting. Contrary to what we’ve been taught in the fashion world (unless of course, you’re working in the fashion world), try not to stand out with your clothes. Let your performance at work do the talking.

Torn jeans or cut-off shorts: Definitely not the best choice —you want to look professional, not like you came from the beach!

Heels or rubber flip-flops: If you will be walking or standing up most of the day, flats or wedges are probably a better, more comfortable option than heels.  If you must wear heels, bring flats to change into for your commute! Flip-flops are just too casual for a professional workspace.

Anything too revealing: This includes plunging necklines and too-short skirts. You never know what kind of task you might get assigned or who you’ll meet. Don’t wear anything you wouldn’t want to meet the president of the company in—you never know when she or he will get in the same elevator as you.

Sweatpants or leggings: Similar to rubber flip-flops, these are just too casual and sloppy.

Take these tips into consideration when you’re preparing for any special career occasion! Remember: no matter what you’re wearing, confidence and a warm smile outweigh any fancy suit or heels.

Missing your high school prom, when you got to dress up in a poufy pink dress and dance the night away with your BFFs? Worry no more; if you’re in a sorority or have a close friend or boyfriend in a frat,your first college formal is right around the corner.Think of formal as the college version of a high school dance (minus the cheesy decorations and teacher supervision). You can forget about homecoming court drama and choosing a dress that follows your school’s strict dress code. This is your chance to have all the fun you want without following too many rules.

Need help deciding what to wear or who to bring? Her Campus is here with all the inside tips for making this event live up to all the hype.
 
DO choose your date wisely.
Whether you go with your boyfriend, best guy friend, or hookup buddy, you should be careful about picking your plus-one. It’s common for girls to get set up by their sorority sisters, but it’s probably best to meet the guy in advance.“Formals can get pretty couple-y, so it's important to go with someone who will be a good time and who's fun to dance with AND chat with,” says Jenni, a Delta Gamma sister from Bucknell.
 

DON’T be afraid to bring a friend.

If you don’t have a special guy in mind or if being set up with a random guy isn’t really your thing, feel free to bring a (girl OR guy) friend. This way you can enjoy your night without having to worry about entertaining a boring date or keeping track of a date who drank a tad too much. “It really isn’t weird at all to bring one of your girl friends to formal—think of it as a regular night out but with better clothes and better drinks,” says Danielle, a collegiette at Ohio University.
 
DO make sure you know someone other than your date.

If you’re being set up on a blind date, it’s smart to check if anyone else you know is going to be there in case things get weird. If you’re in a sorority and it’s your formal, you’ll have a full house of sorority sisters there to watch your back. But if you’re not in Greek life, or if you’re going to a guy’s formal, try to ask around and see if some of your hall mates or classmates are going. You don’t want to be stuck in an unfamiliar location surrounded by complete strangers, wishing you hadn’t said yes to the boy who asked you to be his date at last weekend’s frat party—which brings us to our next “don’t”…
 
DON’T accept a drunken invitation to formal from a frat boy you just met.

He’s not going to date you; he just wants to sleep with you. In his mind, inviting you to formal is an easy way in. You might be tempted to accept his invitation just so you can buy a new dress and brag to your friends that an upperclassman asked you to be his date. But we encourage you to say no and walk away. Doesn’t it seem a little odd that his formal is tomorrow and he still doesn’t have a date? “I once made out with a guy at a party who then asked me to his formal. I actually had a fun time but he ended up being a complete jerk. When his frat’s next formal rolled around, a girl told me her whole sorority got an email saying he needed a date,” says Christina*, a junior at the University of Michigan.
 

DO take pictures beforehand.

Meet as a group at your sorority or his frat and recreate the pre-prom photo scene you loved so much. This time around you won’t have 20 different cameras flashing in your face. “Bring your camera and your best hand-on-hip pageant pose, because this could be your next profile pic—and, chances are, you'll be having so much fun later that you'll forget to take pictures,” says Amanda, former Her Campus Life editor and a sister of Alpha Epsilon Phi at Cornell University.
 
DON’T wear a floor-length gown.

“Just because they're called ‘formals’ doesn't mean you're actually expected to wear formal attire. They really mean ‘semi-formal’, as in a cocktail party or family affair. Don't break out the micro-mini skirts and plunging necklines, though—you want to make a good impression on your date and his brothers,” Amanda says. We recommend a classy party dress and your nicest pair of shoes.

DO wear comfortable shoes.

Think about the fashion and the functionality of your shoes. If you’ve always had trouble walking in high heels, you might want to choose low heels or wedges instead. “You do not want to wear super uncomfortable shoes that you can’t walk let alone dance in, because it sucks to be sitting down at a formal all night when the whole idea is to dance and have fun,” says Annie*, a Delta Gamma sister at Harvard.
 
DON'T do a prom updo.

This will make you look like a high-schooler (something I’m sure you don’t want).  Instead, wear your hair straight, in loose waves, or in a chic, loose bun. Turn this into a pre-pregame event and do each other’s hair before you head over to pictures.

DO pregame with classy drinks (if you’re going to drink).

Get ready for a night of drinking something other than cheap handles of vodka. Usually the guys will pitch in and buy higher quality liquor or even champagne (how thoughtful of them!). “Mixed drinks are the way to go,” says Dana, a TriDelt sister at the University of Michigan, “Vodka tonic is a good drink choice because it won’t stain your dress.” But be careful, especially if you’re under 21. If you show up to a formal visibly inebriated, you could be ushered right back on the bus.

DON’T bring a fake ID or a flask.

This is a risk you don’t want to take even if your fake works at every bar in your college town.  Formals are usually held off-campus at places that are stricter on rules. If you’re underage and plan on drinking, be smart and safe about it. You do not want to get caught by the staff and sent home with your date—or worse—be sent to jail. “I went to a formal sophomore year and the guy at the door took all the underage attendees’ IDs away from them. I thought I would be fine to sneak a drink, but after I took a sip of my vodka cranberry, I was approached by a bartender and told I would be kicked out if he caught me drinking again,” says Tonya*, a junior at Central Michigan University. According to Amanda, the staff usually checks bags too, which is why you should never try sneaking in liquor in a flask.
 

DO remember to eat.

The food is part of the deal so eat up. “Often formals are buffet style and the food isn't out for too long, but you don't want to be starving for the rest of the night—or worse, get sick from drinking on an empty stomach,” Amanda says. Follow the same dinner protocol you would at a normal date: enjoy your meal, but don’t forget to practice good table manners.
 
DON’T get blackout drunk.

It’s a widely known fact that drinking will occur at formal, but you don’t want to be the girl who pounds shot after shot with the guys and then ends up on the bathroom floor the rest of the night. Know your limits and stick to them; slurring your words isn’t sexy. “A girl in my house got so drunk at the pregame last year that she didn’t even make it to formal,” says Melanie, a Alpha Chi Omega sister at Michigan State University. “She woke up and asked her date how it was, and he said,  “we didn’t make it; you were too drunk.’” You do not want to be that girl…

DO hit the dance floor.

It is a dance after all. Show off your hottest moves and have a good time dancing with your date. Sarah, a collegiette from the University of Michigan, offers a word of caution: “Be careful dancing in your heels because the floors can get slippery if people spill their drinks.”
 
DON’T cause drama.

No one wants to start a battle of the sororities. Who cares if you’re in Sigma Kappa and the rest of the guy’s dates are in Alpha Phi? Leave the catty drama at the door and learn to be civil with one another. Unless you’re like Jenny*, a junior at Florida State University who left her date to go to the bathroom and came back to find him making out with another girl.
 
DO stay with your date.

If you come with a date, you should leave with the same date. “I went with this great guy to his formal and we were really hitting it off, and then he got too drunk and decided to leave. I later found out he’d ditched me to go to another sorority’s date party that was happening at a nearby club,” says Karen*, a junior at UCLA. That’s just rude and uncalled for—if you have no desire to be a certain someone’s date for the night, just say no in the first place.
 
DON’T get freaky on the bus.

We’re talking about super sloppy PDA right in front of everyone. “No one wants to see that stuff,” says Ally, an Alpha Phi sister at the University of Michigan. “It’s kind of a given that you and your date will make out at some point in the night,” says Michelle*, a sophomore at SVSU. But you should at least keep it in check until you get home.
 
DO make post-formal plans.

It’s going to be a late night, but don’t feel forced to sleep at your date’s place. As soon as you return to campus, he’ll probably invite you back to his frat house or apartment for “after-party drinks” or to chill and watch a movie, but if you’re tired or feel uncomfortable you don’t have to partake. “Freshman year, I made the mistake of not setting up a ride. By the time we got back, the bus back to my dorm had already stopped running for the night so I got stuck sleeping at my date’s place,” says Kylie*, a junior at the University of Michigan. Don’t let your date drive you home if he’s been drinking. Instead, call a cab or have a trusted friend pick you up.

 
Follow our foolproof guide and have a fabulous time at formal. We’d love to hear your own dos and don’ts for this big college event, so share away collegiettes!
 
*names have been changed

We all had that unfortunate, awkward period in high school – and celebs are no exception to that. Even stars who are super successful and glamorous now had their high school phase. Here are what nine of our fave celebs looked like in high school!

1. Taylor Swift

Then:

Now:

2. Channing Tatum

Then: 

Now: 

3. Katy Perry

Then:

Now:

4. Gwen Stefani

Then:

Now:

5. John Mayer

Then:

Now:

6. Lady Gaga

Then:

Now:

7. Ke$ha

Then:

Now:

8. Britney Spears

Then:

Now:

9. Jimmy Fallon

Then: 

Now:

Ke$ha, we almost didn't recognize you without glitter! And thank goodness Jimmy Fallon got rid of that creepy almost-facial hair. These celebs were pretty adorable in high school, and we're glad they grew into the awesome performers they are today!

Ladies, I won’t even try to lie to you—we men have a habit of being somewhat unreadable. Throughout time, guys have been stereotyped as hardened, stoic and emotionless beings. Unless our football team loses an important game, squeezing emotion out of us is like squeezing water from a rock.

So when you take this trait of being unreadable and mix it with virtual communication like texting or Facebook messages, things get a little confusing. Guys aren’t professional communicators (even I, a communications major, lack a certain amount of expertise in the area), so sometimes, it seems as though our messages convey something vastly different than what we intend. I say “sometimes” because there are times when those messages mean exactly what you think they mean.

But that’s why I’m here! I’m here to help you navigate the male mind as best I can so the next time you get a confusing text from a guy, you maybe won’t have such a hard time cracking its code.

1. “Send a pic!”

This is one of those texts that generally means exactly what you think it means. The guy who sends this text is probably looking for some R-rated shots of what’s under whatever it is that you’re wearing. It’s bold, brazen and usually inappropriate. It’s worse if you two aren’t even dating, because then you have no idea how many girls he’s sending the same text to. On the off chance that you two are in fact together, don’t be surprised if he asks for a picture when you tell him you got a new dress.

What to do: I had a friend send her boyfriend a picture of her butt one day just because she thought she was having a particularly good butt day, and I think that’s fine because she sent it to someone she trusts. If a guy you hardly know (or don’t know at all) is asking you for “pics,” however, you’ve got to decide how much you trust said person. Personally, I feel like if he isn’t someone you’d take a bullet for, then he isn’t someone you should send naughty pictures to.

If you’re already in a relationship with the guy as opposed to a blossoming fling, I feel as though the sentiment is the same. Only you can decide how trustworthy he is, but if he sends any odd signals (whether you’re in a relationship or not), then your best bet is to keep the pics to yourself… or just keep the nudity between the two of you in private settings.

2. “I’m busy right now, but I’ll let you know.”

In most cases, this guy is not actually busy, and unfortunately, will not actually let you know. It’s his version of breaking up long before the two of you even begin dating. I find that this kind of message comes after you’ve intimidated a guy; he goes from talking to you all the time to pulling back and keeping his distance.

What to do: Tie up loose ends if need be and cut him off. Unless you know for a fact that he’s actually busy, acknowledge that he’s probably not interested anymore and move on.

3. “K.”

Getting a one-word text (“Okay,” “Fine,” “Maybe,” etc.) usually means that a guy is distracted or upset by something. You can ask us if anything is wrong, and we’ll probably respond with “No” (or something equally as short). However, if you get this text from a guy after a normal conversation, don’t be surprised if he’s just busy. Maybe he hopped in the car to go buy you some flowers, and we all know that texting and driving is dangerous.

What to do: If this kind of text comes after an argument, refrain from sending a dozen “What’s wrong?” texts and just give the guy some space. If it’s sudden or comes after a seemingly normal conversation, consider that he might actually be busy with something and only had time for a quick message. Settling arguments is generally a face-to-face kind of thing, not an over-the-phone kind of thing. If you find yourself in the midst of an argument, a simple “We can talk about this later” text should suffice.

4. “I didn’t hear my phone go off.”

This is another one of those texts guys send after they’ve realized they’re in too deep. Men usually send this message when they need a break from the constant communication, and I personally have used this excuse more times than I care to count. It’s one of those little white lies that we can generally get away with, because unless your phone is always cranked up to the max volume, it’s entirely plausible and almost completely foolproof.

What to do: Your best bet is to just take his word for it, because he very well may not have heard his phone go off. Unless he’s a repeat offender – someone who has given you reason to be suspicious – take his word for it and don’t ignite any arguments where they need not be ignited. A lack of trust spreads like wildfire and can doom any relationship in no time at all.

5. “You still up?”

When I say “booty,” you say “call”… because that’s pretty much exactly what this text is looking for. Guys don’t ask if a girl is up at 2 a.m. just for laughs, and they don’t ask if you’re up because they’re afraid of the dark––they ask if you’re up because they want to hook up. After all, it’s 2 a.m.; do you really have anything better to do? Of course you do, but that won’t stop some guys from trying to get lucky.

What to do: Unless you’re as desperate as he is (something I seriously doubt), delete his number and ignore future texts. Don’t get me wrong; there’s nothing wrong with booty calls, but if the request is sudden and it’s the only thing you receive from him, I think you should stay away from that situation.

Let’s be honest: we all send confusing texts from time to time. The reality is that unless you attach some kind of emoticon with your message, it’s hard to discern tone in texts. Because of this, things can often get misconstrued. Hopefully this guide to the five most confusing texts guys send will help you out, but if you’ve experienced other confusing texts and need more help navigating the somewhat confusing male mind, give me a shout!

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