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Why Millennials Can't Get Apathetic About Politics, According to Chuck Todd

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This election has been demoralizing for young women for a lot of reasons, and Meet the Press moderator Chuck Todd gets that. With the constant insults, attacks and bigotry that have defined the 2016 campaign, it's easy to feel like we may never achieve the better world we want. But after election day on Tuesday, we'll be in the same country we always have been—and we'll have to keep working hard toward change. Her Campus talked to Todd, who's also the NBC political director, about why our voting bloc matters, how much Hillary Clinton might stick to her promises in the White House, and why college women need to stay involved in politics.

Her Campus: As I’m sure you know, Her Campus is a publication for college women. They are part of two important groups in this election: they're millennials, and they’re also women. How do you think that group in particular could impact this election?

Chuck Todd: I’m not going to merge, I’m going to separate the two voting groups here. Look, I think millennials that vote are going go for Clinton in a big number. The question, of course, is how big is millennial turnout? I don’t think it’s going to match Barack Obama’s turnout. Even if the margin for Clinton over Trump is greater, it’s possible, but if the turnout of millennials is stagnant, that could cost her. For instance, North Carolina. Their millennial turnout is of utmost importance, and it’s the recipe for Democrats to win there.

But there is a larger millennial apathy, I think, towards the campaign, and I understand it. I mean, this is a dispiriting campaign, number one. Number two, I think Washington and the political establishment, if you want to call it that, has so turned millennials off from the idea that politics is a calling, even. My concern is that we’re seeing a lack of millennial engagement in politics. Even as millennials are driving social justice change in this country, arguably. One of the most successful political movements of the last 10 years is Black Lives Matter, and I’d argue that that’s millennial driven. Yet millennials look at Washington and think, “Nothing gets done there. I can affect change in so many other ways that I don’t need to go to Washington.” That’s a long-term problem. We need new blood in Washington. We need innovation. We need a lot of things that millennials bring. We need a little of that impatience millennials bring, and get criticized for—that I kind of think is a good thing in Washington. I’m losing hope in millennial engagement not only in this election but in the idea that millennials don’t think Washington is a place to solve problems.

Now on the women’s vote, I think as we see these polls tighten and as we see Hillary Clinton struggle a little bit at the end, I think the reason her lead is insurmountable is because of the support she has gotten from women. What’s interesting here, though, is that I think two years ago there was this excitement about the first woman president, and that should drive up the share of the women’s vote that Hillary Clinton gets in this election. But I think this increase in women’s support that she’s getting is less about her being the first woman president and more about an anti-Trump vote. You’re seeing women come to the early vote in droves in North Carolina. I think Republican women—college-educated Republican women, essentially—are going to make up, for instance in lack of enthusiasm among African-American voters. And their crossover voting for Clinton is going to be a big reason why she survives.

Her Campus: I’m interested in what you’ve said about millennials being turned off by this election. We’ve definitely seen that through surveying we’ve done. And our readers of course loved Bernie Sanders when he was in the race. And there was a lot of talk about how Bernie Sanders pushed Clinton to the left. Do you think there’s hope for them that once she gets into the White House, she’ll stay as far to the left as she’s been talking about?

Chuck Todd: That’s certainly an interesting dynamic that I’m going to be following, because one of the things I like to say is that Hillary Clinton won the nomination, but Bernie Sanders won the campaign. It’s the Bernie Sanders platform that, essentially, the Democratic party put out. With WikiLeaks, one thing we’ve learned from this is, what would it take for them to be more progressive? What would it take for them to be more credible with progressives as well as millennials? There is no doubt that she has been reactive to what has been a new energy inside the progressive movement of the Democratic party. I do think she is going to feel political pressure on the left. If I’m her, I think one way to prove my bona fide with progressives and millennials is what she chooses to pursue first in that first year and that first six months. If she has any honeymoon at all—and I’m doubtful she has any political honeymoon, considering how this race is ending—but does she make college affordability a first-year issue? What a president makes their first-year issues tells you a lot about the constituency groups they’re paying the most attention to. So I would imagine that immigration and college debt, college affordability, if those aren't her top two issues, then she’s not paying attention to the two constituency groups that arguably got her into the White House.

Her Campus: Absolutely. I think our readers are super interested in what happens with college affordability, and that was a big reason they loved Sanders when he was running.

Chuck Todd: Right. Well, she wouldn’t have topped Sanders’ plan, but she went a lot farther in her own plan than she would’ve without Sanders being in the race.

Her Campus: Definitely. Finally, there are so many polls, and it’s so much to keep track of. It gets pretty confusing, especially for those voting for the first time. Now that we’re so close, which polling information should we really be paying attention to, and what are those polls saying do you think?

Chuck Todd: Look, I’m a big poll junkie and a big poll critic. I will just tell you that I will say this—not just because I work at NBC, but we work hard to make sure we’re using the smartest technology that we have, that we’re using the best pollsters. We use a team of people who are actually professional pollsters for the two parties, and the reason for that I always say is that they don’t get paid if they get it wrong. You know? Some of these pollsters just get paid to get a headline. So I do think you want that kind of accountability in your pollster, and who a media organization chooses as their pollster [is important]. I can just tell you, that’s why I don’t like poll averaging sites; I know others do. I don’t really read FiveThirtyEight and stuff like that. I know which polls that I trust. Some of them are ours, and in certain states it’s others. So I do cherry pick, and I can just tell you generally we’re seeing this race tighten, but Clinton still has advantages over Trump that make her the favorite.

This interview has been lightly edited for clarity.


3 Things to Know About the "Ambush" Killings of 2 Iowa Police Killings

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Following the apparant ambush killing of two Iowa police officers on Nov. 2, a suspect has now been taken into custody, CNN reports. Although this news likely comforts friends and family, the officers' deaths has badly affected the Des Moines community's morale, as two other officers died less than eight months ago due to a drunk driver navigating the wrong way.

Because there are already so many components to this case, we've broken down the need-to-know information of this tragic story below.

1. The officers were attacked while patrolling areas in their police vehicles.

Urbandale Police Officer Justin Martin, 24, and Des Moines Police Sgt. Anthony Beminio, 38, were killed about two miles apart in the early hours of Nov. 2, according to The Des Moines Register. At about 1 a.m. Wednesday morning, an off-duty officer heard gunshots over a dispatcher, while an Urbandale resident, Russell Cheatem, noticed a man standing next to a police car's window on the driver's side. When the man drove away in his own car and the police car remained, Cheatem went outside and found Martin. "When I saw the bullet holes, I pulled the door open and realized there was nothing I could do for him," he told the Register. After calling 911, Cheatem heard even more gunshots—Beminio was on his way to assist Martin, but was attacked by the same gunman that killed his colleague. 

Beside being so young, Martin was also the first Urbandale officer killed while on the job, while Beminio was the 23rd Des Moines officer that died on duty. Quoting the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, the Register article counts the two men as among 16 officers killed in ambush attacks in the United States this year.

2. The suspect was taken into custody after walking down the road and flagging down a Department of Natural Resources Officer.

Scott Michael Greene flagged down the state officer to ask him to call 911 and was deemed a potential suspect by 9:30 Wednesday morning. Police had actually met him before, asking him to leave a high school football game two weeks prior when he waved a Confederate flag in front of black students. The New York Times even reports that he has been described as "a troubled loner," mentioning that Greene had been ordered by a court to move out of his mother's house only hours before the killings because of "emotional and physical abuse." It is suspected that Greene's attack was unprovoked, as Des Moines Police Sgt. Paul Parizek said before Greene was named a suspect, "It doesn't look like there was any interaction between these officers and whoever the coward is that shot them while they sat in their cars."

Greene was brought to the hospital after complaining of health problems, and he will be interrogated there.

3. The killings have received responses from both presidential candidates.

President Barack Obama released a statement honoring the victims, saying that the officers "represented our best, most decent instincts as human beings—to serve our neighbors, to put ourselves in harm's way for someone else." Tweeting that she was "heartbroken," Hillary Clinton and her running mate Tim Kaine cancelled a Des Moines event scheduled for Wednesday evening. Donald Trump also responded, tweeting, "An attack on those who keep us safe is an attack on us all." 

The Washington Post published a statement from Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch, stating, "I know that while we do not yet know what led the perpetrator to commit these awful crimes, many will be nevertheless tempted to read a message or motive into this assault. But let me be clear: there is no message in murder."

This New Study Shows Exactly What Not to Believe About Obesity

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Results from a nationally representative survey show Americans believe obese people lack the willpower to lose weight, The New York Times reports. The study, funded by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, shows people think that obesity is a more serious health threat than cancer—but three-quarters still think fat people are to blame for their own problems.

While the cause of obesity is scientifically known to be "interactions between the environment and genetics," this survey shows that outdated attitudes toward obesity still exist. 

"It's frustrating to see doctors and the general public stigmatize patients with obesity and blame these patients, ascribing attitudes of laziness or lack of willpower," Dr. Donna Ryan told The New York Times. "We would never treat patients with alcoholism or any chronic diseases this way. It's so revealing of a real lack of education and knowledge." 

The survey proves Dr. Ryan's statement, showing that 94 percent of obese participants had attempted diet changes or excercises to lose weight, but had no success, while 15 percent of them tried these changes more than 20 times. When you've tried something that many times without success, it's probably time to change your approach. Doctors point out that if so many people view obesity as threatening as cancer, it's silly to think people would be able to treat it themselves rather than getting professional help. However, Dr. Scott Kahan, an obesity medicine specialist, told the Times that medical experts can often be as misinformed as the rest of us when it comes to treating weight problems. Apparently, doctors don't even study obesity in med school—that explains a lot.

We can see this attitude in action from in a Tweet from Dr. Jason Fung, which seems to imply that two researchers speaking at Obesity Week can't be trusted because they themselves are fat:

When even doctors believe that your weight says something about your intelligence or your moral character, it's no wonder that people tend to stay away from medical help for weight problems. And in the end, these studies show that we have a long way to go before the public perception of obesity and those who suffer from it is free from assumption and unfair thinking. 

Should Your Boyfriend Meet Your Parents?

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With family-oriented holidays just around the corner (and your grandparents asking you about who you’re dating), it’s a stressful time for collegiettes in serious relationships, especially those asking: “Is it time for my boyfriend to meet my parents yet?”

Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to tell you what exact time you should bring him home. However, there are some questions you can ask yourself to figure out whether a meeting with the parents is timely for your specific relationship. Dating experts and HC readers have weighed in below, and we’ve condensed this nerve-wracking issue into four questions you have to consider before bringing your boyfriend home!

1. How long have you been dating?

Before taking the next step of bringing your boyfriend home, you should think about how timely it would be within the context of your relationship. Marni Battista, the founder of Dating with Dignity, says couples usually enter the “safe zone of introduction” somewhere between the three-month and six-month mark. However, you’ll have to use your own judgment to determine when the two of you are comfortable and ready. Battista warns that bringing a boyfriend home too early in the relationship can scare him off, so be reasonable with your timing. As excited as you may be to show off the man in your life, Battista says, “take care not to invite him on that family cruise on your one-week anniversary.”

However, if there is a special occasion coming up, it can be acceptable for your boyfriend and your parents to cross paths a little earlier. “I waited a month to meet my boyfriend's parents, but with good reason,” says J’na Jefferson, a senior at Rider University. “A month after we started dating was his birthday, so since we were finished with school, I spent his birthday weekend with him and his family. They were very warm and inviting!”

2. How serious is the relationship?

Bringing a guy home shows that you take a genuine interest in him and plan to have a lasting relationship. Because this is such a meaningful gesture, you want to make sure you and your guy are on the same page. “Be sure you're both serious about your relationship and committed to each other,” Battista says. If you see a future with your guy (one that has potential to go beyond graduation) and he’s also in it for the long haul, don’t be afraid to take that next step.

“I've been with my boyfriend for over three years now, but I met his parents (and he met mine) pretty early on because we were pretty serious from the start,” says Shira Kipnees, a senior at Franklin & Marshall College. So the more invested you are in the relationship, the more appropriate it is to introduce your special guy to your parents.

One challenge of having a serious relationship in college is that you visit home less frequently—usually only during major holidays if you attend a school far away. This means that if you do decide to bring your boyfriend home, the first meeting will be during a significant event (possibly with a larger gathering of family members). Because of the added pressure, Battista says, “you're probably going to want to be pretty comfortable with him.” If you aren’t quite at that stage in your relationship but still want your boyfriend to meet your parents, Battista suggests bringing him home during a lower-pressure time, such as spring break or a long weekend.

3. Have your parents asked about him (or has he asked about your parents)?

While you may feel completely responsible for making the call on when your guy should meet your parents, remember that your parents and your guy are probably contemplating it, too. If you’re unsure whether it’s too soon for an introduction, gauge the situation by using their reactions. Battista agrees that if either your boyfriend or your parents has expressed interest in meeting the other, then it’s probably time to arrange a meeting. It’s natural to be curious about important people in a loved one’s life, so mutual interest (or even interest from one party) is a great reason to pop the parent question.

Instead of stressing the next time your parents ask about this mystery guy, be happy that they are interested in getting to know someone who is so important to you. And if it is your boyfriend who is doing the asking, dating coach Evan Marc Katz says that “any guy who feels strongly enough about you to meet your family should be allowed to meet your family.”

4. What does your gut tell you?

As the relationship becomes more serious, and you integrate your boyfriend into your home life, it’s just a matter of time before he crosses paths with your family members. When your boyfriend turns into a major part of your future, it’s time for Mom and Dad to meet the special guy who's taking up so much of your calendar space.

Asiana Smith, a senior at Le Moyne College, encourages collegiettes to follow their instincts. “I think you truly know when the time is right and should do it then,” she says. While Asiana said it was a little weird to meet her boyfriend’s parents in an informal way (it was an unplanned encounter while she was at his house), she warns collegiettes about pushing for a premature introduction. “I feel you should never force meeting the parents because that just make the whole ordeal more difficult and probably [increase] the pressure put on your [significant other],” she says.

Katz says, “The bigger deal you make about this, the bigger deal it becomes.” In other words, it’s better to go with the flow of things and follow your instincts. If you feel compelled to bring it up, then go for it. If not, there’s plenty of time later in the relationship for formal introductions.

When in doubt, have a talk with your boyfriend about where the relationship is going and how quickly things are progressing. There’s no point in stressing over that awkward first meeting if the two of you don’t see eye-to-eye about your future together. If the two of you are ready to take the next step, then welcome the occasion warmly because meeting each other’s parents is a huge milestone for your relationship. It may seem intimidating at first, but you’ll be so relieved when first impressions are out of the way. Plus, being on good terms with each other’s families can make your relationship even stronger. By the time the actual meeting rolls around, you’ll be wondering why you were even worried in the first place!

A 19-Year-Old Woman Thinks She's Pregnant With Baby Jesus

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A 19-year-old American woman is convinced that she is nine months pregnant with baby Jesus, so who does she turn to? Dr. Phil, of course.

"My family, my friends, my pastors at church, they don’t believe that I’m pregnant," Haley said on Thursday’s episode of the popular reality TV show, Cosmopolitan reports. “I know its Jesus. I don’t care if my family disowns me.”

Haley has taken six home pregnancy tests already, all of which have come back negative, but she’s still convinced. “I don’t care what the home pregnancy test or a doctor says, when I give birth to my baby, no one is going to deny him because he’s my savior,” she told Dr. Phil.

Cosmo reports that Haley also told Dr. Phil that she has gained 22 pounds, and can feel the baby moving in her stomach. "I was sleeping one night and my baby punched the bottom of my stomach and kicked me, and I can feel his head right here, right below my belly button,” she said.

Her mom and sister aren’t so sure. Her mother Kristi insists that her daughter is not pregnant, but a compulsive liar who is seeking attention. She told Dr. Phil that Haley has lied about things like this before, including appearing on American Idol and being Eminem’s daughter. Haley also claims to have been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, though Dr. Phil said he didn't see that in her medical documents.

Dr. Travis Stork gave Haley an ultrasound on the show, which came back completely blank. At the end of the show, Dr. Phil referred Haley to a mental health facility in California.

On the Bernie & Hillary Campaigns, Kunoor Ojha Makes Sure Young People Aren't Taken For Granted

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Name: Kunoor Ojha
Age: 26
Job title: National Campus and Student Organizing Director, Hillary for America
College name/major: Illinois Institute of Technology for a B.S. in Political Science, 2009-2013
Twitter handle: @kunoorojha

What does your current job entail? Is there a such thing as a typical day?

It's such a cliche to say it, but no, there's no such a thing as a typical day. The bulk of my responsibilities include providing resources and guidance to our state teams. We have strong teams on the ground, mobilizing volunteers and students every day. It's a lot of work and sometimes exhausting. Oftentimes an extra opinion or an extra set of eyes on a local problem can be really helpful. That's where I come in. I work with our campus teams all over the country, offering my experience and perspective to make their lives easier. I also spend a lot of time meeting with other departments here in HQ to see how they can support our ground game remotely, whether that's our digital team, our surrogates tea, or a number of others. So, a typical day involves a lot of phone calls to our teams in the states and a lot of meetings with folks in HQ about how we can support our amazing student volunteers.

What's the best part of your job?

It's so common for political campaigns to treat young people like children. There used to be this feeling that engaging young voters wasn't necessary, it was just bonus and was limited to vague conversations about the importance of voting. The best part of this campaign is knowing that we aren't making those mistakes again. We take young voters seriously as a voting bloc (in fact, they're going to be the biggest voting voting bloc), and so, our outreach to millennials goes farther than celebrity events. Without sacrificing any of the fun or creativity, we also bring the millennial lens to policy, paid media, correspondence, and more. We make sure that they get to hear directly from our candidates and the most influential people on the campaign. It's gratifying to see that.

The other best part of my job is getting to hear from so many students that are really talented organizers. So many of them are self-taught and just motivated by our mission. They don't need to hear another elected official or staffer telling them voting is important. It is, and they know that, so now they're out there doing the work! They've built a lot of collective power on some of these campuses and are accomplishing so much. It's really cool.

How did you get from your first entry level job out of college to where you are now?

My first experience in electoral organizing was in college. I applied to be an organizer on the president's reelection campaign over the summer of my junior year. I had recently changed my major from chemistry to political science after some seriously long conversations with my parents, and wanted to get some experience under my belt.

When I started, Chicago HQ didn't exist yet, and we were working to build up the volunteer infrastructure in the very, very early stages. It wasn't glamorous. It was hard work, but it set the stage for the rest of my career. 

After graduating, I was facing the same tough economy that so many of my peers entered the workforce in. Entry-level jobs were scare, and even more so if you were a political science major who wanted to work towards a larger mission. I eventually found my way to state-level campaign working to end gerrymandering. I found another campaign after that one, and then, over a year ago, I moved to New Hampshire to work for the Bernie Sanders campaign. He was still single-digits in the polls and I knew nothing about the state I was moving to, and the rest is history. 

The point is, it wasn't the easiest choice. It was a tough choice to change my major in the first place (any other first-generation Americans can probably sympathize with me here), but the risks ended up paying off!

What has it been like working in politics during this election cycle? If you worked on previous campaigns, how is this one different?

It's been a unique experience for me, having working for both Senator Sanders and Secretary Clinton. Some things are the same in every campaign - the friends you meet, the long hours, etc. A lot of people will probably think I'm ridiculous for saying this, but I think it's been a much more romantic cycle than usual.

Obama for America's "Hope" and "Change" messages were obviously romantic and beautiful, but this year all of that has been so clearly tied to policy and human impact. We're hearing from individuals who are struggling with student loans and medical debt. We're hearing from children who are afraid their parents are going to be deported. And we've got candidates directly tying their platforms and track records to regular people. We had a factsheet come out about how our candidate will help you if you're between 18 and 35 years old. Our ads are talking about what our opponent getting into office would mean for you if you were a woman. With both Bernie and Hillary, there was all this resurfacing of archival footage, showing us how they've been fighting these fights over a lifetime.

And with all that behind them, we're moving forward to some pretty revolutionary ideas. Tuition-free college for working families and campaign finance reform aren't things I thought we'd see this fast - at least if you would've asked me 2 or 3 years ago. But we can really get there. It's a beautiful thing.

What advice do you have for young women who are interested in working in politics?

1. The first step is to just get involved in literally any form. I was always pretty political on campus and was involved in a couple of different groups. but none of them were electoral. I learned a lot from them and then learned even more from my internships outside the classroom. 

2. Do what you love. You don't have to be a poli sci major to work in politics. We have engineers, lawyers, graphic designers, organizers, and data scientists all working towards the same cause! 

3. Speak up! People listen to the loudest person in the room and assume that they're also smartest. Young women, myself included, are especially bad at speaking up in meetings, so make sure you take every opportunity to practice!

4. Volunteer. Whether you're going to work towards electoral change, churn out policy papers, or work for a local community organization, you'll get a feeling for the culture and the pace by volunteering.

5. Read! You can never know too much, so make sure you have a book or podcast ready on every flight and subway ride. Read about history, politics, and current events, and let your reading inform your worldview. Don't let cynical cable news stories be the only source of information in your life.

6. Stay romantic and optimistic. There will always be haters telling you that you aren't practical or reasonable enough. Don't them place limits on what YOU think you can accomplish.

7. Try new things. For some reason, folks are quick to encourage each other to try new hobbies and foods, but equally quick to discourage new things in the workplace. If think you think you can add value to a conversation or if you think you can contribute to the work of another department, do it! Some people think that employees should all stay strictly in their lanes, but the best teams are those that can recognize your expertise in your area, while simultaneously encouraging you to collaborate with others and take on additional responsibilities.

What has been the most surreal moment of your work on this campaign?

Probably the day that Senator Sanders endorsed Secretary Clinton. Having never been to a debate, this was the only time I've ever seen the two of them together. Seeing them behind the scenes before they went out to speak is something I'll never forget.

What's your favorite piece of political pop culture, and why? (TV show, movie, book, etc - for ex. House of Cards)

I'm completely obsessed with Veep. I've seen every episode at least three times and still can't get enough!

Fake Clinton Ads Claim That You Can Text Your Vote—You Can't

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Fake ads circulated on social media last week, urging people to vote early by texting their candidate’s name to a five-digit number. The ads used realistic images and slogans from Hillary Clinton’s campaign, but were completely fake. The only way to cast your vote is still in person at a polling place or by mail with an absentee ballot.

According to The Washington Post, at least four ads were circulated on Twitter, stealing images from Clinton’s campaign materials. Each ad contained the Clinton campaign “H” logo and a line saying the ad was “paid for by Hillary for President.” The ads gave the instruction that you could simply text “Hillary” to the number 59925 to “Vote Early.”

Texting that number produced an automatic reply from the Clinton campaign clarifying that they had nothing to do with the fake ads, the New York Daily News reports.

Various Twitter accounts shared the ads with the hashtag #ImWithHer. Many of these accounts have since been suspended, though some were still posting the ads as of late last week, Fortunereported.

So although the convenience of being able to text your vote would be awesome, you still have to show up to your polling place in order for your vote to actually count. Find out more about how to cast your vote on the U.S. government website here.

College-Educated White Women Could Win Hillary Clinton the Election

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The latest Washington Post-ABC News election poll has Hillary Clinton winning among college-educated white women, with a 27-point lead compared to Donald Trump. While Clinton is ahead by only a few points among all voters nationally, this gender gap lead is important because traditionally white women voters have been particularly likely to show up at the polls.

According to The Washington Post, one in five voters in 2012 were college-educated white women. This gender gap, then, could potentially have a large role in getting Hillary elected. Since 1980, women have been more likely to prefer Democratic candidates, by an average of eight points.

Donald Trump has a better chance with white women without college degrees, who favor him by 28 points. However, accusations of sexual assault and the controversy over sexist comments Trump made in 2005 have caused many women to be turned off by the Republican candidate.

A Pew Research poll reported that the majority of voters say Trump has little or no respect for women. This compares to 76 percent of voters who say Clinton has a great deal or fair amount of respect for women. Clinton has used gender as a key point in her election, focusing on women throughout the debates and the significance of the first female presidency.

Although it is still unknown whether or not these women will make it to the polls on Tuesday, their voting significance cannot be overlooked.


7 Ways to Celebrate Submitting Your College Applications

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Senior year is an exciting time full of new beginnings, but for many pre-collegiettes, it can be a blur of applications, essays and recommendation letters. With your early action and/or early decision applications sent in, you can breathe a sigh of relief that the first part of the application process is over. Now, after months of hard work and determination, it's time to take a step back and give yourself a much-needed break! Before you start worrying about those acceptance letters, be sure to congratulate yourself. Here are seven ways to celebrate this important milestone.

1. Have a girls' night in

Spend some time with your best friends, middle school style! You’ll all be off to different colleges in less than a year, so bonding with your girlfriends now is more important than ever. De-stress and let off some steam by doing some classic slumber party activities: baking, watching movies, eating tons of junk food and playing games like “truth or dare” and “never have I ever.” Stay up all night talking and spend some quality time with your favorite girls!

2. Go out to dinner with your family

Senior year can be all about spending time with your friends before graduation, but don’t forget about the people who got you where you are today! No one is prouder of you than your family, and it’s important to spend time with them now before you head off on your own next year.

Alexa Phillips, a senior at the University of Delaware, says that she and her family are very close and celebrated her achievement by going out to eat together. “Monumental events like this are important to my family, especially because I’m the oldest,” she says. “We always celebrate by going out to dinner together.”

Going out to a celebratory family dinner is a great way to not only celebrate your accomplishment, but also to show your appreciation for the people who have helped you through the process!

3. Have a spa day

All that typing away for your college essays has probably wreaked havoc on your nails—at least, that can be your excuse for giving yourself a mani/pedi! Take some time to pamper yourself by doing a DIY spa day. Facials, manicures and relaxing baths are all simple treatments you can do at home, so lay back and enjoy the relaxation!

4. Change up your look

College is all about getting a fresh start, but why not start now? Whether it’s taking the plunge and trying out a new haircut or color or simply experimenting with some fun fall makeup trends, tweaking your look can give you a major boost of confidence. Put your best foot forward by giving yourself a new look!

5. Grab some froyo with your girlfriends

You all deserve a treat, and there’s nothing that satisfies a collegiette’s sweet tooth quite like froyo! Going out for frozen yogurt with your friends is a fun (and inexpensive) way to give yourselves a reward for all the hard work you put into your applications.

“I went out for celebratory ice cream with a bunch of my friends on the day all acceptance letters were in,” says Emily Maggio, a junior at Quinnipiac University. All of your friends are probably feeling the same stress you are, and relaxing with each other over a frosty treat is a fun and simple way to get your mind off applications.

6. Buy yourself a present

Have you been eyeing an adorable statement necklace? Lusting after those boots that would be a perfect addition to your fall wardrobe? Now is the time to splurge! Reward yourself for all of your hard work by buying yourself something to remember the moment by.

7. Go to an all-you-can-eat buffet with friends

Combine two of the best things ever—friends and food—by going to an all-you-can-eat buffet with your friends. “On November 1st, me and my friends sported all our college gear and ate WAY too much tikka masala at our favorite all-you-can-eat Indian restaurant,” says Kelsey Mulvey, a senior at Boston University. “Definitely a fun way to celebrate a couple of stressful months!”

 

Sending in your college applications is a huge accomplishment and an important step towards your future. Whether you choose to relax with girlfriends, celebrate with your family or treat yourself to a present, now is the time to celebrate everything you’ve accomplished! 

18 Times Beyoncé Described Our Lives in Songs

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Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter is a woman who has been making us fall crazy in love with her starting from her time in Destiny’s Child to her multi-faceted solo career that has established her as one of the greatest artists of all time. We know Beyoncé not only as a mother, wife, singer, actress and philanthropist, but as the friend who told us ladies it’s okay to be single, as a feminist that deemed us all ***flawless and as a human being who said she is just like us. So, here is a literal countdown of all of the times Queen Bey wrote and sang about common events in all our lives and looked fabulous doing so.

1. "Crazy in Love (feat. JAY Z)"

The first track off her first solo album, Beyoncé knew that we had all been there before.

2. "Naughty Girl"

*wink*

3. "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)"

This independence anthem for women gave us both the “Single Ladies” dance and the message that your self-worth does not rely on your relationship status.

4. "Me, Myself and I"

For all the ladies, Beyoncé straight-up told us to kick our cheating, using and lying SO to the curb and become the only person to depend on.

5. "Irreplaceable"

This message was crystal clear that the one who doesn’t treat you right can be replaced and sent packing to the left as fast as you would swipe left on Tinder.

6. "Dangerously in Love 2"

This song was for all of us that ever Facebook-stalked our crush, lived on his every word and planned out our wedding to him.

7. "Daddy"

Beyoncé spoke for all of the collegiettes who are daddy’s girls and proud of it.

8. "Listen"

This beautifully-written song eclipses everything that some collegiettes feel whether it’s from overbearing parents or a boyfriend.

9. "Why Don’t You Love Me?"

The simplest question we have all asked to our crushes… or pretended to ask to them in the mirror…

10. "Flaws and All"

We all have flaws and imperfections that at the end of the day, make us who we are.

11. "Pretty Hurts"

This song further proves that women don’t need surgery to look good, but society needs to change for us to feel good.

12. "I Was Here"

We all want to make a positive impact on the world and be recognized for it.

13. "Love on Top"

How could we not identify with this song? Besides, she performed it so we could meet Blue Ivy!

14. "Run the World (Girls)"

It’s all in the title.

15. "***Flawless (feat. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie)"&"***Flawless Remix (feat. Nicki Minaj)"

Both versions help motivate us through that presentation or exam or paper or…

16. "Ego Remix (feat. Kanye West)"

This song might have a somewhat double entendre, but that doesnt take away the fact that we should all have a bit of ego.

17. "Best Thing I Never Had"

The song for when you realized that the one you thought was THE one was actually the WORST one.

18. "Grown Woman"

Collegiettes = grown women who can do whatever they want (with a little help from Mom & Dad).

So, what Beyoncé songs speak the most to you? Tell us in the comments!

 

Links We Love 11.6.16

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Hilarious Joe Biden memes. [Thought Catalog]

You wanted more female rappers, here you go. [Elle]

Why are mimosas getting more expensive? [Betches]

To be a woman in the Senate. [The Atlantic]

Running while female. [Runner's World]

These buttons actually do nothing. [The New York Times

The Trump supporters who are secretly voting for Hillary. [Marie Clare]

Gift ideas for kickass working women. [PopSugar]

Questions about the Gilmore Girls revival. [BuzzFeed]

The products beauty bloggers swear by. [refinery29]

 

 

8 Signs Your Partying is a Problem

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Between jobs, internships and classes, it can be hard for collegiettes to find time to unwind and let loose. After a crazy day, going out partying is a fun and exciting way to hang out with friends and forget about your to-do list for a few hours.

Although parties are a good time, there’s a fine line between having fun and getting out of control. Before you know it, your continuous partying could start negatively affecting your health and life. If you or a friend is struggling with keeping your party habits under control, read on for relatable and reliable advice about monitoring your going-out habits.

1. You’re Sleep Deprived or You Can’t Fall Asleep   

According to Sandra Halbruner, a nurse practitioner at Messiah College’s Engle Center for Counseling and Health Services, sleep deprivation is a main concern and consequence of partying too much.

“By failing to get enough sleep by staying out too late to party, you’re essentially handicapping your brain,” Halbruner says. Since trying to get enough rest is difficult on a regular basis, it becomes even harder when partying is added to the mix. If you find that you’re failing to get the rest you need to stay mentally alert after too many late nights out, your partying habits could be becoming a problem.

Furthermore, drinking impairs your quality of sleep, so even if you are getting to bed at a sane hour, if you’re frequently doing so drunk, you won’t be as well-rested. Since getting enough sleep is so important for your health, if you find that you’re run down from too much barhopping, it can never hurt to take a weekend off.  

2. Your Grades are Slipping

As if being enrolled in several college classes at once isn’t enough, maintaining your social schedule can prove to be daunting and distracting. Schoolwork may be put on the back burner if you’re more concerned about what to wear to that night’s party or if you’re nursing hangovers instead of studying on Sundays.

Although partying seems much more exciting compared to your research paper or upcoming exam, try to remember the importance of your academic life. Halbruner notes that one of the earliest signs of problem partying is when your grades begin to drop.

“The student could originally be strong academically, but they soon find that they are too exhausted from their partying to have any motivation to complete their work, especially if they are using substances like drugs and/or alcohol,” she says.

The same goes for if you’ve been a lot less productive, you’re handing in assignments late, or you’ve started to skip class more often to recover from a late night out. Remember, it’s never too late to recover your academic performance—but the sooner you recognize that you need to step it up, the easier it will be to get back on track. If you do find that your grades are going downhill, set up a meeting with your professor to see if there are any extra credit opportunities or if there are other ways you can get back on track for the rest of the semester.

3. Your Mood is Changing  

If partying has caused your sleeping schedule to change and your academic performance to decrease, these new changes to your lifestyle could also negatively influence your mood and how you’re able to handle the day-to-day grind. 

Halbruner says that when you start partying too much, you “may seem more anxious or depressed than usual,” which will have an effect on your motivation to do work, as well as your relationships with others. If you notice that you’ve become moodier than usual, or if small annoyances are getting to you more often, this could be a sign that your partying is taking a toll on you.

4. You’re Having Conflicts with Friends and Roommates

If you become out of control regularly on the nights you go out, your roommates or friends probably bear the burden for picking up the pieces. This can cause frustration and conflict because it can get tiring and stressful to always be the one making sure that someone doesn’t drive drunk or hook up with someone they shouldn’t. If your friends often confront you the next day about what you did last night, or seem upset or annoyed the morning after, don’t take this lightly. Remember, they have your best interests in mind! 

Halbruner notes that being out late partying and getting less sleep will have an impact on your interpersonal relationships as well. If this cycle of unpredictability and uncontrollable behavior is a common occurrence, then your partying may be getting out of control.

If your relationships do become strained, sit down with your friends and hear their perspectives. It can be hard to hear the problems that your friends have with your behavior, but that could be the wake-up call you need.  Knowing that your behavior doesn’t just affect you but can also hurt or bother others can give you the motivation you need to cut back. Your friends will be more than willing to help you think of strategies to get back in control.

5. You’re Having Conflicts With Your Parents

The partying scene can also have negative effects on how it feels to go home for a weekend. The desire to play with younger siblings or engage during family dinner may decrease, since going out with friends to the club or to drink might be a bigger priority. Conflicts and arguments with parents become more frequent the less time and effort you spend on nurturing family relationships. If you find that you’re dreading going home more than usual, you’re nervous to speak with your parents, or you fear the consequences of what will happen if they were to find out about your partying, this could be a sign to tone things down a notch.

6. You’re Relying on Alcohol

It’s no secret that there’s alcohol at college parties. Drinking has become so integrated in the college experience that it can be difficult to tell when your habits cross over from social drinking to alcohol dependency. Signs of dependency include craving drinks throughout the day, constantly having thoughts about drinking or being unable to go out with your friends without drinking.

Halbruner says that “if you’re at the point where you’re waking up with hangovers often,” this can be a sign of a problem, despite how much our culture has accepted hangovers as the inevitable aftermath of drinking.

Halbruner notes that medical experts will often use a set of questions known as “CAGE” in order to help determine alcohol dependency in a person. The acronym stands for feeling as if you should Cut down on your alcohol use, feeling Annoyance if someone asks you about your drinking habits, feeling Guilty about your drinking habits and having an Eye-opening experience, such as drinking in the morning to steady your nerves. Asking yourself whether you’ve had these experiences can guide you toward confronting a potential problem.

7. You’re Getting Sick Often

When your partying is out of control, your physical health is often affected. If you’re not sleeping enough or not eating nutritious food (because a salad never really sounds good after a night of drinking), your immune system will take a hit. “Sleep deprivation and stress alone can affect your immune system,” Halbruner says. “Once you add partying to the mix, it becomes even worse.” Since our demanding schedules don’t leave room for sickness, this can become a serious issue quickly.

8. You’re Blacking Out

Nothing is worse than not being able to remember where you were or what you did at the party that you went to last night. When you experience a blackout, your sense of memory and control is impaired, which is a scary concept to think about. The cause of a blackout—ingesting large amounts of alcohol in a short amount of time—causes damage to your physical health, such as liver problems, that could turn deadly. If you find yourself frequently blacking out after a party, this is definitely a sign that your partying has become out of control.

You also put yourself at risk of getting into countless dangerous situations when you’re blacked out. From going home with someone you shouldn't or getting separated from your friends to losing your belongings or injuring yourself, lacking total awareness when you’re out can end in a number of horrible ways.

Solving the Problem

If anything, simply recognizing that you are experiencing one of the above eight problems can help you uncover the impact of your partying. “Your brain isn’t fully mature until age 25, so until then it’s a bit harder to see the impact and effects of your decisions,” Halbruner says. “Although, if you do begin to notice that your quality of life is starting to crumble—such as lower grades and sleep loss—that’s a huge sign that it’s time to make a change.”

To try and tone down your partying habits, Halbruner recommends working on learning how to prioritize your time.

“Students often want to party to relieve their stress, almost self-medicating by partying,” she says. For a more permanent stress release, decide how to make your schedule work for you, and take care of yourself by making time for enough rest and other healthy habits.

If you’re concerned about your health or the health of a friend, seek help from your campus’s health center, which will have trained professionals who care about your health and safety during your time at college. You’ll be taking one of the first steps towards becoming healthier and happier.

Kylie Cosmetics Announces Its First "Kollaboration"

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With the holidays just around the corner, or "KORNER", as some would say, it’s safe to assume that Kylie Jenner would be dropped some cosmetic surprises within the next few weeks. But luckily, the surprises are here a bit earlier. 

According to Harpers Bazaar, and Kylie Jenner herself, there is a new Kylie Cosmetics makeup collaboration that is a bit unexpected- but still amazing. 

Jenner announced on her Snapchat and Instagram that she has teamed up with her big sister Khloe to create a new line of lipsticks called the Koko Kollection. The collection consists of four different lip products, three mattes, and one gloss. There is a dark red burgundy shaded called Gorg, a rosy nude colored one called Khlo$, a beautiful bright fuschia called Okurr, and a gloss called Damn Gina. 

 

#KHLO$ #OKURRR #DAMNGINA #GORG

A video posted by Kylie Cosmetics (@kyliecosmetics) on

As well, you are probably wondering how much this is going to cost because it is ~exclusive~ and surprisingly enough, the whole collection is only going for $40, instead of the typical $66. Jenner confirmed this on her Instagram by writing "3 of our mattes & a gloss would usually be $66 but these babies are $40 and if you order within the US there's FREESHIPPING." So you’re basically saving money so why not? 

If you’re wondering when you can get your hands on these bad boys, they will be available on Wednesday, November 9 at 3 PM PST. 

 

Left to right: GORG, DAMN GINA, OKURR, KHLO$. Which one is your favorite? #november9 #kokokollection

A photo posted by Kylie Cosmetics (@kyliecosmetics) on

Well, you can bet that we will be ready with our credit cards when the time comes because these shades are stunning. Congrats, Khloe! 

Trump Rushed Off Stage at Rally Last Night After Someone Shouted "Gun!"

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With just three days to go until election day, we are not surprised to hear that people are getting a bit violent, especially when there is so much on the line. This time, the violence, or at least threat of violence, was directed towards Donald Trump. 

At his rally in Reno, Nevada last night, Trump was rushed off the stage after “an unidentified individual shouted gun” during his speech, according to CNN

Secret Service then did a thorough search and found no weapon but that doesn’t mean damage wasn’t done. The individual, later identified as Austyn Crites, says that the riot started when he raised his “Republicans Against Trump” sign, even before anyone shouted anything about a gun. 

"All of a sudden, because they couldn't grab the sign, or whatever happened, bam, I get tackled by all these people who were just, like, kicking me and grabbing me in the crotch and just, just beating the crap out of me. And somebody yells something about a gun, and so that's when things really got out of hand”, Crites told KTNV. He was then immediately taken into custody for further questioning. 

Although Trump was reported to be fine, after the incident he issued a statement saying "I would like to thank the United States Secret Service and the law enforcement resources in Reno and the state of Nevada for their fast and professional response.” 

No matter what your political beliefs are, gun violence is no joke. 

Hillary Clinton Has Just Been Cleared AGAIN in the FBI Email Investigation

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FBI Director James Comey announced Sunday in a letter to Congress that the bureau has reviewed the emails related to Hillary Clinton's private server that were found on Anthony Weiner’s computer, and has found nothing to change their previous conclusion about the case. Comey still does not recommend charging Clinton for her use of a private email server during her time as Secretary of State.

“Since my letter, the FBI investigative team has been working around the clock to process and review a large volume of emails,” Comey wrote in the letter. “During that time we reviewed all of the communications that were to or from Hillary Clinton as secretary of state. Based on our review, we have not changed our conclusion.”

A letter from Comey a little over a week ago seemed to throw the election into a tailspin, making people think that new evidence had been found and that Clinton might be in trouble. In reality, almost all the emails were duplicates of those the FBI had already seen in their previous review, according to NBC reporter Pete Williams.

Clinton Spokesman Brian Fallon wrote on Twitter, “We were always confident nothing would cause the July decision to be revisited. Now Director Comey has confirmed it.”

Comey has been harshly criticized on both sides of the aisle. Democrats say there was no reason for him to send his first letter, given that at the time the FBI hadn’t even read the emails, and the announcement had the potential to affect the election’s outcome. While Trump was initially thrilled that Comey had caused the emails to be in the news again, his Campaign Manager Kellyanne Conway said on MSNBC Sunday that the investigation had been mishandled.


7 TV Shows That Are Basically Textbooks

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We’ve all felt guilty about watching TV instead of studying. “I’ll open my textbook after this episode,” you promise yourself, and four episodes later, you’ve forgotten you even had an exam coming up. We’re here to ease your guilt by pointing out some TV shows that are basically textbooks. In these cases, binge watching them is the same thing as studying… right?

1. Breaking Bad– Chemistry 101

Breaking Bad’s protagonist, Walter White, starts out as a high school chemistry teacher, so you already have an instructor for this course. When he’s diagnosed with lung cancer, Walter starts to make and sell methamphetamine with one of his students. This drama offers its viewers many lessons about both life and chemistry. “It’s all about forming bonds,” says Chelsea, a junior at the University of Rochester, “whether they be friends, families, ionic, covalent…”

Along the way, you get an appreciation for the role science plays in society. “It shows that chemistry has real-world applications,” says Chelsea. “Meth.”

Of course, we don’t condone Walter’s illicit behavior, but we do encourage you to listen for the facts about chemistry that are sprinkled throughout the show. “I’ve only seen the first season of Breaking Bad, but I’ve learned that hydrochloric acid must be put in plastic, not any other material, or it will melt your floor,” says Patricia, a junior at the University of Rochester.

Review Question: What does “Br Ba” stand for?

Answer: Breaking Bad! (No, not “Bromine Barium.” That would be too elementary.)

2. Arrested Development– Intro to Business Economics

One of the basic assumptions of economics is people are driven by incentives. If they have something to gain by doing something, they’ll do it, and if they do something, it’s because they gain something from it. Arrested Development is the textbook example of this: most of the main characters are terrible people who are driven by selfish motivations.

The show follows the family behind the Bluth Company, a real estate development firm that loses everything when the CEO, George Bluth, is arrested for fraud. The family must figure out how to maintain their lucrative lifestyle by upholding the family company while George is in prison. This series is basically a lesson in how to run a business.

Here are some business tips we’ve learned from the show:

  1. Don’t burn down your banana stand if that’s where your money is.
  2. Don’t let your irresponsible brother take over the company.
  3. Don’t build a company based on software you haven’t created.

Okay, so maybe this show is just a lesson in what not to do. As Elyssa, a chapter advisor for Her Campus, says, “A major business lesson from Arrested Development is to make a good product and work hard to make the millions! No one wants to have to live in the attic like George, Sr. hiding from the government for making shady business deals!”

Review Question: If you fail this class, what will your friends call you?

Answer: Mr. F.

3. How I Met Your Mother– Probability and Statistics

What are the chances that you’ll meet the perfect spouse? We’d like to think they’re pretty high, but How I Met Your Mother shows us it’s not that simple. Ted Mosby, the protagonist, narrates to his children (and the audience) episode after episode of falling for the wrong women before he finally meets his wife.

The theory of chance involves looking at all the situations where an event is possible and figuring out how many times that event occurs. As Ted looks over the events of his life, he realizes that the things that didn’t go his way—not getting a job, not getting a girl—ended up leading him to new experiences and helped him grow. All these events ultimately improved the chances of him achieving the turning point in his life: meeting his wife. This show won’t explicitly teach you Bayes’ Rule or statistical determinism, but it’ll tell you that even when your life seems random, if you collect data and organize your memories, you might find a pattern that shows future happiness is inevitable.

Review Question: Ted gets involved with about 34 women over the course of the show but only marries one. What is the probability of him dating the woman he will marry?

Answer: Almost three percent. No wonder it took him 10 seasons to find her.

4. Game of Thrones– Intro to Political Science

Are you interested in government? Do you aspire to rule as a queen in a fantasy world? If so, watching this show is pretty much imperative to your career planning. Game of Thrones follows several “houses” that struggle for power in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos.

Before you can start ruling your nation, you should have an idea of the different ways you can rise to power. The houses in Game of Thrones have several approaches. Megan, a political science major at Southern Miss and avid Game of Thrones fan, gives the textbook translations of their methods.

  • The Lannisters: They’re the perfect political role models if you’re okay with being a little ethically questionable. “The Lannisters are pretty much Machiavellian princes; they finagle and deceive to get what they want.”   
  • The Targaryens: If your family is already in power, you probably agree that people should be born into power. “The Targaryens remind me of some Confucian political theory. Confucius was a big supporter of an aristocracy. It is not for the people to try to govern the aristocracy; rather, they should try to imitate it. Dany [Targaryen] is committed to her people, but insists upon gaining the throne she feels she deserves. As Jorah would say, she's a born queen.”
  • The Starks: Maybe you want to try an approach that’s a little more recent than ancient China. “The Starks are the most post-enlightenment. They feel that with their power comes a responsibility to the realm and its people. Even little Bran knows to send out bannermen to aid the people, even when it leaves his hold unprotected. His main concern is to protect the people around him, even at his own expense.”

As an added bonus, Game of Thrones is also cross-listed as a sexuality studies course.

Review Question: Who is Jon Snow’s mother?

Answer: Let us know if you figure it out!

5. Firefly– Philosophy of Ethics

This cult sci-fi show, which is often described as a space Western, has tons of action and adventure. Even though it takes place in a future filled with intergalactic travel and advanced technology, the plot raises the same philosophical questions about justice and crime that have been challenging thinkers for centuries. 

You couldn’t ask for a better ethics professor than Mal Reynolds, the captain of the spaceship Serenity. His main motivation is to be free from the Alliance, the corrupt governing force of this futuristic society. He goes to extremes to maintain this independence, even committing robberies to support himself financially (this is where the “Western” part of the genre comes in). Mal seems to believe in consequentialism: the consequences of an action determine whether or the action is moral (you can think of it as “the end justifies the means”). He also adheres to a strict personal moral code—even if he doesn’t like his crewmembers, he will go to any means to protect them. It’s hard to imagine a presentation of applied ethics that’s more gripping and heartrending than Firefly.

Review Question: What is an example of unethical conduct?

Answer: Canceling this show after one season.

6. Orange Is the New Black– Intro to Women’s Studies

If you’re interested in television and the Internet, you’ve probably heard about this show due to its unusual release to the public. Unlike most television shows, which air episodes a week at a time, the Netflix releases the entire season of Orange Is the New Black at once, giving viewers the chance to decide how quickly they want to go through episodes. The show is unique in another way, though. Its production team and cast are primarily women, a feat particularly impressive in a world that still struggles with gender equality.

The show presents the daily lives and backstories of the people living in a women’s prison. “Orange Is the New Black is basically Intro to Women’s Studies,” says Annie, a junior at Sewanee. “It features women from every socioeconomic class, racial background and sexual orientation facing problems that have nothing to do with getting a perfect beach bod or finding Prince Charming.” The characters range from Sophia, a black transgender woman, to Tiffany, a pro-life religious conservative, to Piper, a middle-class white woman. The show shows the way issues like racism, homophobia and sexism affect their lives.

This sounds like a heavy show, and it certainly has its tense moments. But it’s also funny. Like, have-to-go-back-and-catch-the-lines-you-missed-because-you-were-laughing-so-hard-the-first-time funny. Orange Is the New Black shows the hardships and the humor that are familiar to all people, not just women. Like women’s studies, it ultimately affirms the experience of being human.

Review Question: Do groups oppressed by gender, sexuality and race have a place in academia?

Answer: Duh. And now Orange Is the New Black is giving these same groups a place in mainstream entertainment.

7. Wishbone– Survey of World Literature

We know what you’re thinking, and no, you’re definitely not too old to enjoy this classic PBS kids show from the ‘90s, especially when watching it basically covers your English Lit requirement. This show is about a kid named Joe Talbot and his Jack Russell terrier, Wishbone. Stories about Joe and his friends are interlaced with tales from classic literature told through the eyes of his dog. 

This show covers a wide range of literature—in fact, it’s probably covered more time periods and countries than your typical English class. Where else could you study ancient Greece, American literature and African fables? This show also does classics from world literature that aren’t as commonly read in class, such as Moliere’s The Imaginary Invalid, One Thousand and One Arabian Nights and “The Story of the Deathless Voice,” a Navajo story. 

In addition to introducing you to the general plot and characters, Wishbone highlights the main themes by comparing them to contemporary life. This show is basically SparkNotes, only better, because you don’t have to read anything.

Review Question: What common thematic element is present in both The Odyssey and The Tempest?

Answer: Canine lead characters. Oh, wait…

Instead of wasting time in line at the bookstore, you can watch these shows in the comfort of your dorm. Game of Thrones airs on HBO, many Wishbone episodes are on YouTube, and the rest of these shows are on Netflix. (Saving money on textbooks: yet another benefit of Netflix!) Get your friends together and have a good, old-fashioned study session!

25 Reactions You Have When Someone Tells You They're Voting for Trump

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This campaign season has been one of the most shocking and craziest in American history. While we all have different opinions about who is best suited for the presidency, many eligible voters agree Trump is the worst candidate we’ve ever seen. It can be shocking to learn a family member, friend or acquaintance is voting for a guy who said you need to grab women by the pussy, especially when you’re strongly against him and what he stands for. Here are some reactions and thoughts you'll definitely have when you realize someone is voting for Trump. 

1. "Hahaha nice joke!" 

"This is a joke, right?" 

2. "Wait, you're not really voting for him?"

"Be serious with me for a second." 

3. "You can't be serious?!" 

"PLEASE TELL ME THIS IS A MISTAKE!"

4. "I refuse to believe you!!" 

*shakes head in disbelief* 

5. "Is this because you're a Republican or you actually support his campaign?" 

"There's still time to explain yourself." 

6. "I feel like I don't know anything about you anymore."

"To say this was a surprise is an understatement." 

7. "How do you take anything he says seriously?"

"Especially when he refers to women as fat and nasty. ALL. THE. TIME." 

8. "If I said any of the things he did, you'd stop being friends with me."

"Just think about it." 

9. "My mission in life is now to convince you not to vote for him."

"I have purpose now!" 

10. "Does this mean you're racist?"

"This is such an uncomfortable question." 

11. "You can't seriously think building a wall is going to do any good."

"It's both unrealistic and has incredibly racist motives." 

12. "Don't you care about women's rights?"

"If you tell me you're against feminism, this friendship won't survive." 

13. "Because no, Donald Trump is not a feminist."

"Surprisingly." 

14. "Please don't tell me you really bought all of that 'locker room talk' nonsense."

"Because that's total B.S." 

15. "If Trump is elected, I'm moving to Canada." 

"They have poutine, beavers and a really good-looking prime minister—plus no Trump!" 

16. "Trudeau seems to know what he's doing." 

"Canadians have it good."  

17. "Isn't everything that comes out of Trump's mouth worse than anything Hillary has done?"

"Please try to convince me otherwise." 

18. "Even if you don't like Clinton, why not vote for a third-party candidate?" 

"There's still time!" 

19. "Someone with that bad of a tan shouldn't be president." 

"A tan can say a lot about a person." 

20. "And someone with those awful world views definitely shouldn't be president." 

"It's the truth." 

21. "Are your parents pressuring you to vote for him?" 

"You can tell me!" 

22. "Do you think his hair is real or fake?"

"Seriously, though." 

23. "So this is seriously not a joke?"

"I won't be mad if you just say you're kidding." 

24. "We have really different political views."

"And that might be an understatement." 

25. "I really just don't understand how you can vote for Trump." 

"Sorry, not sorry." 

It’s important to respect everyone’s political beliefs, but it’s also okay to speak up if you disagree with someone’s outlook (in a respectful way, of course). While you may be shocked and confused after finding out someone is voting for Trump come election day, the most important thing for you to do is to get out there and VOTE.

16 Signs You're Actually a Cat Stuck in a Human's Body

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Everyone's favorite felines have it all: endless sleep, independence and the inability to hide their feelings. Whether our feelings are good or bad, we will never hide our emotions. Cats can be sweet and adorable but sassy and crafty as well. We aren't defined by simply one personality and are not behind when it comes to intelligence and cleverness, making it easy to communicate with us. If you are one of the cleanest people you know and love to purr, chances are you're a cat stuck in a human's body.

1. You have total emotional honesty

You're not one to bottle up your feelings. Just like cats, you cannot and will not hide your feelings. If you don't like the way you're being treated, you'll make it known. 

2. You have high standards

Whether it be choosing an outfit or a significant other, you are very picky. You aren't arrogant, but you know what you deserve and need substantial reason to convince you something is worth taking a chance on.

3. Flattery is the way to your heart

You're not about to grovel for someone else's affection. Rather, your time and love needs to be earned.

4. Naps are a lifestyle

Literally, you could sleep forever. 

5. You crave love and affection but only on your terms 

You aren't really the touchy-feely type. You're picky when it comes to physical affection, and touching has to be done on your own terms. That's a warning to all the huggers out there. 

6. You get company only when you want it

It's not that you don't like people, but you have no problem telling others when you want to be alone. 

7. You can be cuddly and affectionate when you want to be

And only when you feel like it. These times are rare, so your friends know to cherish them. 

8. You value cleanliness over everything, aside from sleep

Everything needs to be clean, neat and organized, or there will be panic. 

9. You are independent and proud

You may not always have the hang of this "adulting" thing, but there are few things you hate more than being babied and being dependent on somebody else.

10. You're playful AF

It's true. You have your fun-loving moments quite frequently, actually. It's what makes you so lovable. 

11. Styling your hair in the morning is everything

Ponytails, twists, braids and updos. Curly hair or straight? Too many options, so little time. But you simply can't walk out the door unless your hair is purrfect.  

12. "Jumpy" is your middle name

It's been proven time and time again that you're afraid of your own shadow. 

13. You're easily amused

It doesn't take much to entertain you. A piece of string is all it takes. No, really.  

14. You have a penchant for whining 

Life is hard and you don't always get your way. Would you like some cheese with that whine?

15. You win people over with your deceptively adorable looks and sweet demeanor

Your cuteness levels are off the charts. It's impossible for anyone to stay mad at you for longer than a few minutes because you're so adorable. 

16. You think you're as graceful as a swan, but in reality, you're a total klutz

What, like it's weird to fall up the stairs or trip on something at least five times a day?

We are a special breed of humans. We draw you in with our cute faces and are inquistive and friendly by nature. But don't be fooled. We crave love and affection but not on somebody else's terms. We know when to bring the claws out, too.

How She Got There: Ricki Berger, CEO/Founder of The BuzzBug

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Name: Ricki Berger
Age: 26
Job Title and Description: CEO & Founder of The BuzzBug
College Name/Major: The University of Western Ontario, Bachelor of Arts
Website: thebuzzbug.com
Twitter Handle:@thebuzzbug
Instagram Handle:@thebuzzbug

What does your current job entail? Is there such a thing as a typical day?

Ricki Berger: There’s definitely no such thing as a typical day in the social media world because every day something new is trending. There’s also no such thing as a typical day when you’re running your own business. On top of all the business-y things, like sending e-mails, the more fun part of the job is keeping up with everything celebrities are posting on social media. From the minute I wake up to the minute I go to sleep, I’m constantly on their feeds making sure I’m up-to-date. On top of that, I also get opportunities to go to a lot of cool events like the TCA’s and interview celebrities, which are definitely my favorite days.

What is the best part of your job?

RB: I’m truly passionate about the job so it doesn’t feel like a job to me. I love everything celebrity and social media related, so the fact that I was able to create a job around just that is truly a dream come true. If I had to choose one specific part of The BuzzBug that’s my favorite, it’s definitely the interaction I get to have with all of the celebrities --whether that’s going to red carpet events or having them retweet The BuzzBug. Every time that happens I pretty much cry tears of joy.

What inspired you to start The BuzzBug?

RB: I was working at Seventeen magazine in the photo department and I would do so much research on all of the stars, flipping back and forth from app to app to make sure I was keeping up to date and finding everything we needed. One day, I kind of just thought to myself, ‘Why is there not one spot that has all of the information I need?’ That’s kind of how The BuzzBug was born. When I first came up with the idea, I realized nothing like this existed. I knew from that point on that I had to create it myself and it’s pretty clear today there’s so much emphasis on social media and it’s only going to grow more. I’m just excited to have The BuzzBug grow with it.

What is one mistake you made along the way and what did you learn from it?

RB: One mistake that I still get caught up in occasionally is second-guessing myself. I definitely took a huge leap when I decided to leave my full-time job at Seventeen without knowing how it was going to turn out, but I feel like if anything this whole experience has taught me to listen to my instincts and believing in myself. I heard this Italian phrase ‘L’arte d’arrangiarsi’ that literally means ‘the art of making something out of nothing’ and it also means how hope and confidence can bring out great success. I feel like at the beginning people thought I was crazy for quitting my job and going after this idea, but it’s the people who think they can accomplish unlikely goals are the people who do.

What has been the most surreal moment of your career thus far?

RB: Just seeing how The BuzzBug has grown in the last year and a half, or how I just literally took an idea and actually made something out of it. It’s really cool when I introduce myself to someone and they’re like ‘Oh yeah, the Buzzbug! I use it to stalk Bieber,’ or whatever celebrity. It’s a nice feeling to know that it’s not just me creating the content behind my computer for no one to see, even though it feels that way sometimes.

What advice would you offer to a 20 something with similar aspirations?

RB: The best advice is to find what you’re passionate about in life and just go for it without being afraid. Make as many genuine connections as you can because you never know when you’ll see them again down the line. They could turn out to be your boss or a contact for a job opportunity. There are so many people I’ve met along the way who have know helped me with the BuzzBug, and those relationships mean everything to me.

I also feel like sometimes when someone’s looking for a job, the mentality is ‘well, there must be thousands of other people applying, what’s the point of applying myself?’ I think that’s the worst mentality to have, especially in this industry because it’s not true. The field is much smaller than you think. Secondly, you’ve already failed if you don’t even try, so don’t ever turn down opportunities out of fear. Just go for it.

Want to Own Your Career? You Could Win the Ultimate #BossKit Shopping Spree

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Who do you think of when you hear #Boss? Is it Sophia Amoruso? Sheryl Sandberg? Arianna Huffington? So many women have made their mark in the world of business—but have you ever considered that you could be next?

We at Her Campus are all about empowering collegiettes like you to be the best you can be; we’re always on the lookout for ways you can advance your career. That’s why we’ve teamed up with the Forté Foundation—a nonprofit consortium of top business schools and companies that encourages women to consider a career in business.

Whether it’s through business education, professional development, or access to a community of successful women, Forté aims to help you take ownership of your career and become a boss in your field. Now, they’re giving you the chance at a major #BossKit giveaway so you can feel your best and be successful. Enter now and you could win:

  • J.Crew Gift Card ($1,000 value) — Did someone say shopping spree? Upgrade your wardrobe with some J.Crew classics so you’re ready for anything—whether it’s an internship or interview.
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  • American Airlines Flight — Time to plan a trip.
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  • PNC Bank Card ($100 value) — Yes.
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  • Passion Planner — Stay organized with a planner that matches your style.
  • Lindsey Pollak’s book "Becoming the Boss"— This is the book every collegiette needs on her bookshelf.
  • Earrings from Port-Manteau — This jewelry makes a statement and is ideal for both daily wear and special occasions (like when you get accepted to business school, obviously).
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Ready to own your career? Enter now to win the ultimate #BossKit shopping spree courtesy of the Forté Foundation.

Forte #Bosskit shopping spree

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