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14 Cat Videos Guaranteed To Reduce Stress During Finals

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Finals are no fun for anyone. Papers, projects and tests galore—all on top of the extreme urge to rush home for holiday festivities—tend to give collegiettes the finals blues. Replace those pesky blues with cat-scratch fever! There's nothing like a bundle of fur and whiskers to calm your nerves. Destress and take a look at these mischievous creatures. Luckily, the internet is crawling with funny fluffballs like...

1. This sweet kitten who just wants to play.

J'adore Paris more than ever!

2. These catnappers.

They can't escape the paparazzi, no matter how much they just want to sleep. So relatable. 

3. This extremely dramatic cat.

Basically you when you found out you were missing a page of the syllabus. 

4. This cat summing up your life.

Do you want to study?

5. These kittens trying things for the first time.

They're just like us!

6. This well-spoken cat mentoring the new kitten of the house.

"Hide from Vah-Coomb." This one's got some golden tidbits of advice.

7. This cat giving you the low-down on how to be a great girlfriend.

Highlight your feminine wiles like this wild feline.

8. These strangely talkative cats.

Quite a mouth on those kitties.

9. This surprised kitten.

My heart!

10. This utterly chic film-noir cat.

Check out the rest of Henri's channel to feel strangely cultured for watching cat videos on the Internet.

11. This gift from the gods: Lil Bub.

Bub is a star in the kitty community, and it's easy to see why.

12. This musical genius.

There's a reason why this jazzy cat has over 42 million views. That reason is probably procrastination...but let's not distract from the evident quality of talent here.

13. This ninja cat.

Sneaking up on you like your final projects.

14. This sassy cat of positivity.

Can you get through these finals? Yasssss!


I Was Never Interested in a 'Girl Squad' Until I Got to College

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I first realized I wasn’t a natural-born squadder in high school. This is a time when you’re supposed to be making "friends for life," but while everyone else was linking arms with their future BFFs, I was in a corner with my nose buried in a book. I always considered myself an old soul, so it was hard for me to relate to the girls my own age. My social life was fine, don’t get me wrong—I had a few close friends and I dated here and there. But when it came down to making plans for the party next weekend, if my best friend wasn’t going, then I wasn’t either. I’d rather stay home and spare myself the awkwardness of forced conversation over cheap beer.

It’s not that I don’t like other people. I do—most of them, anyway. I just suck at small talk. I’d rather have a few close friends that I can have a real conversation with than a squad of girls that gossip about who’s hooking up with whom and where they got their nails done. I always wanted that life. I thought it was some flawed personality that prevented me from having it, but no matter how hard I tried, I could never fit in.

Girl groups have always made me suspicious anyway. What is it about female friendships that make us want to be clones of one another? I didn’t like the idea of being coerced into thinking a certain way or wanting certain things. It seemed like an unfair trade: mold yourself to the image of the group and in return, you’ll be granted membership. It just wasn’t worth it to me.

By the time I graduated high school, I was over it. I had found my place as the kind of girl who was just one of the guys, trading in my girlish desire to squad up for a close-knit group of "buddies." I spent my weekends camping and watching sci-fi movies at the theatre. I became fluent in locker-room talk. I appreciated the easiness of being friends with guys.

I arrived at college with this understanding; I’m just not good at being friends with girls. This all changed of course, like most things do in college. I lived in a traditional residence, AKA I slept five feet away from a perfect stranger for eight months. Naturally, she became my best friend. Throw in a communal shower and suddenly you have yourself a girl squad. There’s something about being in the next shower stall while your floormate is having sex that really bonds you.

It's three years later, and I still have the same three best girl friends. I don’t know if we’re necessarily a “squad” per se, but the point still remains. I’d always felt disconnected from girls my own age because I refused to barter my independence. I didn’t have to do that with my current girl group; we're all vastly different and I think that’s why we thrive.

In high school, all anybody wants is to fit in. Consequently, "squad" becomes synonymous with "clones," featuring groups of girls who walk and talk same, dating the same boys and wearing the same clothes. Female friendships are meant to be about women empowering women, about embracing diversity and building one another up as individuals. 

Hilary Duff Responds to Haters Who Think She Shouldn't Kiss Her Son

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This week, Hilary Duff posted a picture of her sweetly kissing her 4-year-old son Luca while at Disneyland—and people freaked out.

According to ELLE Decor, Duff received some pretty harsh comments. "I personally just rather keep that difference of romantic and innocent kiss separate," wrote one. Another called it "borderline pedophilia." 

 

Happiest happiest happiest happiest happiest happiest happiest happiest place on earth! We love you @disneyland

A photo posted by Hilary Duff (@hilaryduff) on

The next day, Duff posted a screenshot of her Notes which said, "For anyone commenting that a kiss on the lips with my four year old is 'inappropriate' go ahead and click a quick unfollow with your warped minds and judgment."

 

A photo posted by Hilary Duff (@hilaryduff) on

YOU. GO. GIRL.

After Hilary posted that response on Instagram, hoards of encouraging comments rolled in. "I have four grown children…30, 29, 26, and 23…two daughters and two sons. I Still kiss them on the lips!!! Sweet picture with your wonderful son," one supportive user wrote.

But unfortunately, to be a Hollywood celeb means that for every encouraging comment you receive, you have to deal with the same amount of criticism and unnecessary mom-shaming that comes with it.

It's important to remember, though—she's just like any other mom, so treat her like one.

5 Things You Never Knew About Condoms

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Condoms: We know what they are, what they’re used for, where to get them—but that’s pretty much it. With a new brand (or even flavor) popping up every day, it can be hard to keep up. Nonetheless, it’s important that you stay educated when it comes to safe sex, and condoms are an important aspect of that —especially since they’re 98 percent effective. We’ve gathered five things regarding condoms that you definitely need to hear:

1. Condoms are not one-size-fits-all

It’s pretty common knowledge that condoms come in different sizes; however, knowing and always wearing the correct size is extremely important. For example, if your guy’s condom is too big or small, he might lose his erection, or worse: it could slide around or even slip off.

According to Melissa White, condom expert and CEO of Lucky Bloke, nearly 35 percent of men need to be wearing a smaller condom. Bringing this up to your guy might be awkward, but you definitely need to if a condom has ever felt loose come off inside of you, or you’ve found him complaining that it feels like he’s wearing a paper bag. For an alternative solution, White recommends trying Japanese condoms. “The beyond seven is a nice, thin condom that’s great for a man who might need a smaller size but doesn’t know it,” she says.

Related: 7 Myths About Safe Sex, Debunked

2. Non-latex condoms aren’t just for people with allergies

Those allergic to latex cannot use “regular” condoms and often turn to polyurethane, polyisoprene and nitrile condoms. The characteristics of the different materials vary; however, there are numerous advantages to non-latex condoms.

For one, White says that they naturally transmit body heat very well. Polyurethane condoms are also extremely strong and can be made thin as a result. Sarah*, a junior at Pitt State University, says she actually prefers non-latex condoms—particularly those made of polyurethane. “My boyfriend is allergic to latex, so we tried a Trojan Bareskin type, and I ended up loving it.”

3. Where you keep your condoms matters

Yes, where you keep your condoms can determine their effectiveness. Don’t worry, there are no outlandish rules regarding the specific handling, but it is important that you avoid leaving condoms in places where it’s either extremely hot or cold.

One place that is particularly dangerous as well as common is your car. Erica, a senior at the University of Central Florida, learned this the hard way. “One time, I threw condoms in the middle console of my car,” she says. “I had forgotten about them until my boyfriend and I needed one, but it actually ended up breaking. Thankfully, it did so before anything had started.”

4. Condom expiration dates are important

Just as the storage of condoms matter, so do the expiration dates. It can be easy to brush these off as they’re typically printed small and on the back, but don’t! Latex does degrade with time, so it’s likely their effectiveness could worsen. Irritation, increased risk for STDs and pregnancy are some of the risks posed while using an expired condom. The easy way to avoid this is to simply check the date on the packaging!

5. Lube is a condom’s best friend

Many collegiettes might think that lube is only necessary if they can’t get turned on, but that’s not the case at all! According to White, condoms can actually dry out women due to the latex. To avoid this dryness and any pain, try lube.

There are a variety of different types of brands, and if you’re not quite ready to go browsing the shelves of the local drug store, the Internet is a great resource. White’s company actually sells lube (and condom!) samplers that allow you to try different products, whether they’re pre-packaged or you build your own.   

At the end of the day, condoms are probably one of the last things that you think about. However, so long as you are sexually active, they’re an important part of your life. Stay educated (and safe!), collegiettes!

John Mayer Accidentally Threw Shade at Taylor Swift on Her Birthday

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Yesterday, John Mayer decided that December 13 is the "lamest day of the year." It also just so happens to be Taylor Swift's birthday. You know, his ex Taylor Swift. Hmmm.

We don't know for sure that he was throwing shade because early this morning, Mayer tweeted about the incident. Here, he seems to be suggesting that his previous tweet had nothing to do with Taylor and everything to do with something else. Maybe he just had a bad day?

Either way, our girl Tay wouldn't let a tweet like that bring her down on her 27th birthday.

Our 11 Most Pinned Hairstyles of 2016

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2016 was a big year for hair. We saw natural textures dominate, the lob cut made a huge comeback, and hidden rainbow hair actually became a thing. Check out our most-pinned hairstyles of the year from our beauty board. Did your favorite trends make the cut?

1. The effortlessly messy braided bun

2. These long beachy waves

3. This sleek brushed back pixie 

4. These gorgeous double dutch braids

5. This loose side braid

6. This no-fuss beach braid

7. The lob cut with beachy waves and a deep side part

8. This bold bob

9. These wavy highlights

10. This lovely ombré

11. These workout-ready twin buns

What trends will 2017 bring? We can't wait to see.

Take Her Campus's Lifestyle & Technology Survey

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Hey collegiettes! 

2016 has been a big year — and no, we’re not just talking about the election. 2016 has been an influential year for technology as well as it seems like we’re attached to our devices now more than ever — or are we?

Between Instagram, Snapchat, and plain old texting, there is always something to do on our phones. We’ve launched Her Campus’s Lifestyle & Technology Survey to gauge the current state of collegiettes, their tech, and how it fits into your lives.  Looking to procrastinate during finals or just kill some time over winter break?  Take our survey now!

Responses will be anonymous and will not be connected with your personally identifying information in any way.

People Waited More Than an Hour to Buy Too Faced's Sweet Peach Collection Online

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It's no secret that Too Faced products are insanely popular. I'm personally obsessed with Born This Way foundation ($39) and all the beautiful limited edition palettes, and I'm definitely not alone. Exhibit A: for the Sweet Peach collection's launch on Tuesday, the queue on TF's website was ridiculous. According to Reddit user SpicyRamenGirl, the wait to access the website and purchase the collection was over an hour. What?? I mean, even I'm not willing to wait that long.

If you visit TooFaced.com today, there is still a queue, but only of about one minute. The Sweet Peach eyeshadow palette, Papa Don't Peach blush and Sweet Peach oil lip glosses are still available, but the Sweat Peach Glow palette is currently sold out. Don't panic! The highlighter collection will be available at Sephora on December 15, and online at ULTA on December 16. Now that's some "sweet" news.


The Social Media Messages Coming Out of Aleppo Are Absolutely Heartbreaking

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Social media makes the world a smaller place. A frustrated tweet from Santa Barbara can reach the sympathetic ear of a café along the Seine. A wedding proposal can be posted so family from the States can see that picture-perfect (and totally candid) pose in front of the Eiffel. A simple tweet can make the world can rejoice together—and a simple tweet can cause the world to mourn. This week, we have the opportunity to see the war in Syria through the Tweets of those on the ground in Aleppo.

On Tuesday, NPR reporter Alice Fordham reported that a deal had been reached for a ceasefire, and that rebels and civilians would be able to evacuate their last holdout.

But early Wednesday morning, Osama Abu Zayd, the legal counsel to Syrian opposition factions, told the Associated Press that Iran’s field commander in Syria was resisting the original evacuation plan outlined just a day before.

Aref Al-Aref, a medic inside eastern Aleppo, told CNN, “People were hopeful that they were leaving this hell.  But it was a false hope.”

“The artillery shells are still falling at an average of two shells a minute,” said an AMC activist.    

During a BBC interview with Victoria Derbyshire, explosions are heard just outside the building of the reporter, who said his “building could be bombed at any time.”

But the rawest and most powerful source for news about Syria wasn't traditional news outlets. It's those surviving in the midst of the chaos. To get the real, horrific pulse of what's happening in Aleppo, we can turn to first-person reports on Twitter.

“We are facing one of the most difficult...or the most horrible massacres that is in that new history,” says Mr. Alhamdo, a teacher and activist, reporting live from inside Aleppo.

Early Wednesday morning, Mr. Alhamdo updated his feed with this message:

Later, Zouhir Al Shimale, a freelance journalist in Aleppo, captured the remnants of a phosphoric shrapnel he found on his walk through the city’s streets.

Al Shimale continued to report:

Some people are tweeting to report the horrors. Others, like Lina Shamy, tweet to support the Syrian revolutionaries. “The revolutionaries will fight until the last breath, protecting the civilians here in the city,” Shamy said in a Twitter video.

A member of the Syrian civil defense team, The White Helmets, tweeted a video saying, “The whole world let us down...those who didn’t stay in Aleppo city to help our people, to help our kids.”

Kids like Bana Alabed refuse to let the rest of the world forget that there are innocent children suffering in Syria.

Many tweeters outside Aleppo have expressed their sympathies, rallying demonstrations across the globe. It reads as a twisted irony that this global sympathy and outrage has yet to touch those closest to the victims in eastern Aleppo.

All from a simple tweet. If you want to help, here's a list of reputable organizations that are taking donations.

An Oklahoma Law Says Anti-Abortion Signs Must Be Hung in All Public Bathrooms

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Oklahoma law now requires that anti-abortion signs must be posted in public bathrooms across the state, including in hospitals, nursing homes, restaurants and public schools. The provision was created to try to reduce the number of abortions in the state.

The signs must be posted by January 2018, the Daily Dot reported. Businesses and other organizations will have to pay an estimated $2.3 million to put up the signs because the legislature voted against supplying money for them—and unsurprisingly, small businesses are not happy about this.

The signs would state “There are many public and private agencies willing and able to help you carry your child to term and assist you and your child after your child is born, whether you choose to keep your child or to place him or her for adoption. The State of Oklahoma strongly urges you to contact them if you are pregnant,” the Associated Press reported.

This new rule isn’t exactly surprising. Oklahoma has incredibly strict abortion laws. There is a ban against abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy (a recommendation that the Guttmacher Institute points out "has been rejected by the medical community and is not consistent with scientific evidence."). Women also have to go to "counseling" before they have an abortion—during which the counselor will try to talk them out of having an abortion.

Oklahoma's attempt to stop abortion through bathroom signs is consistent with an increased amount of anti-abortion legislation that lawmakers have tried to push through since Donald Trump was elected to the presidency. While experts aren't sure a Trump Supreme Court will be able to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark case that confirmed women's constitutional right to an abortion, these smaller state restrictions can add up to essentially deprive women of that right. As we enter this uncertain time, make sure to research the birth control and sexual health options available to you—knowledge is power!

Harry Styles is Straight Fire in the 'Dunkirk' Trailer

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First Zayn leaves, then Niall pulls at our heartstrings with his new song and now Harry Styles is making his acting debut. Though we may have hoped he’d do so in something sexy like Magic Mike, Harry is taking on a more historical role in Dunkirk. Side note: his short hair looks hot af.

Styles appears in the trailer three times, and he looks like a total natural. One part shows what appears to be Harry drowning, which of course caused his fans to take to Twitter. According to Huffington Post, Directioners are dominating the Twittersphere to express their love and concerns about the possible death of his character. AKA if you search #Dunkirk, you’ll see more about Styles' small role in the trailer than the actual movie.

Dunkirk is a World War II movie from Christopher Nolan, the genius behind the Batman Begins trilogy and Inception. Impressive first movie for Harry? That’s a definite yes.

Sadly, we have to wait until summer to watch him in theaters. You just know Directioners will be the first ones in line. But hey, we don’t blame them!

This New 'Pretty Little Liars' Trailer Answers A Major Question About the Final Episodes

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Freeform just dropped a new promo video for the final 10 episodes of our longtime favorite show Pretty Little Liars. It definitely gives us a lot to look forward to. For one thing, Spencer is alive!

The Season 7B premiere will pick up right after the 7A finale, and you won’t want to miss this. After all, we've been waiting seven years for A's twisted scheme to unravel, and PLL is promising us a worthwhile endgame. Um, yes please!

Be sure to catch the final episodes starting April 18th, when all of this excitement comes to life. Until then, we’ll be biting our nails in anticipation.

6 Ways to be Chic & Cozy AF at the Same Time

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Cold weather makes us want to curl up in a blanket ball with an infinite mug of hot cocoa, but unfortunately the real world awaits us, even in the winter. And also unfortunately, the real world usually requires real clothes, as in something other than boyfriend sweatpants or patterned PJs. Sometimes getting dressed in the winter seems like a choice between being warm or looking cute, but don’t let winter give you an ultimatum. With the right approach, you can do both.

1. Fleece-lined leggings

Basically every girl already owns a pair of basic leggings, but we’re all kidding ourselves if we think they will keep us warm enough in the winter. Ideally, we wouldn’t need to buy yet another pair, but once you try on some fleece-lined leggings you will understand. Cozy and versatile, they’re perfect for that trying-to-look-like-you’re-not-trying-look, or even literally not trying at all. We don’t judge.
 

2. Blanket scarves

When an outfit involves the word “blanket,” you know you will be warm AF. You can style blanket scarves about 100 different ways too, so they work with a variety of outfits. You can dress up sweatshirts and leggings or dress down a cute dress and tights. If somehow you still feel cold you could always just use it as an actual blanket.

3. Robe coats

From The Fashion Cuisine

We applaud whoever decided to make robes into socially acceptale outerwear. True genius. They're comfortable and easy to throw on over anything, just like a robe, but trendy and chic, like a good coat. Then all you really need are great shoes for a fab outfit. Plus, the wide array of different kinds of robe coats makes it easy to tailor to your own personal style. You can choose the edgy oversize trend or opt for a more classy camel pick, like this one from River Island.

4. Chic snow boots

Featured: Sorel Slimpack Riding Tall II Duck Boot

Feel free to wear your Uggs until the day you die, but anyone who has experienced a harsh winter knows they just do not cut it in in the more frigid temps and are slippery when you cross an icy campus. For those going to school up North, or any collegiette who likes to keep her toes extra toasty, you will want to find a nice pair of snow boots, but not the clunky, hideous ones from your childhood. Don’t worry—these leather ones from Sorel prove you can still be chic in the snow.

5. Snuggly socks

From Kelly in the City

A nice pair of wool or thermal socks easily make your outfit cuter and your feet warmer. Wearing socks that barely peek up from behind your boots subtly changes an ensemble, adding just a touch of cute pattern or color. For a bolder look, go with over the knee socks over leggings or tights.

6. Layering outerwear

From Gal Meets Glam

Sometimes one jacket just isn’t enough. Plus guys double up on outerwear all the time, and anything guys can do girls can do better, right? As an eternally cold human being, I frequently wear layers of sweatshirts, jackets and coats. To avoid looking like a marshmallow though, you have to pick your layers carefully. An unbuttoned flannel under a jacket under a coat looks pretty good, or of course you could go with the classic sweatshirt under vest combo. The oversized coat trend mentioned earlier works nicely with this trend too, since it can fit over just about anything.

 

While some people choose to give into the cold and misery of winter, you’re better than that. Nothing can stop you from being your fine, stylish self—unless you’re snowed in. Then by all means keep your PJs on. We’re not unreasonable, after all. 

17 Things Only Students Without a Car on Campus Understand

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Most of the time, not having a car on campus isn't a big deal; your classes are fairly close to each other, you don't mind walking and you can use public transportation. But in some situations, not having a car is frustrating, and if your college town doesn't have a good public transportation system, not having a car can be even more of a challenge. 

1. Your daily experience of getting to class looks something like this:

When you don't have a car, cars are the enemy. 

2. You rarely pass up the opportunity to get a ride from someone.

You didn't really plan on going shopping today, but hey, why not?

3. When it's raining and your friends are too busy to give you a ride, you try to play it cool.

Look, you understand that your friends are busy, but don't they understand that it's raining and you have to walk home???

4. Your desire to take the bus depends on the mood you're in.

Sometimes it's convenient and relaxing. That is, if taking a bus is even an option in your town.

5. But if it's crowded and you just need your space, forget it—you'll walk.

A lot of the time, especially if the buses near your university aren't very convenient, you would just rather walk. 

6. Unfortunately, you've probably been catcalled walking home from class.

Because apparently you can't be a woman walking down the street without someone shouting at you. Ugh. 

7. When you do get to ride in or drive a car, you feel like the coolest person in the world even though many people on campus drive cars on a daily basis.

You appreciate cars so much more now, but you've also learned that you don't really need one to get around a lot of the time. You make it work.

8. Since you walk almost everywhere, you often convince yourself that you don't need any additional exercise. 

You already walked 10 miles today, so skipping your cycling class totally makes sense, right?

9. Sometimes you feel super confident and walk around like your campus is your runway.

Hello world—the queen is on her way to class. 

10. But sometimes you're even less motivated to go to class because of the weather or the time it takes to get there.

Class is a land far, far away, and sometimes the long journey doesn't seem like it's worth it.

11. At least you never have to worry about finding a parking spot.

You'll never be that student who's always late because she couldn't find a parking spot.

12. You've become quite the pro when it comes to walking places, and your tolerance for slow walkers is at an all-time low.

How is walking that slow even possible?!

13. The time you go grocery shopping is dependent on when your friends or roommates go grocery shopping.

Even if you can walk to the grocery store, carrying all your groceries home isn't exactly convenient. 

14. Sometimes you spend 15+ minutes walking to meetings or events that only last 15 minutes. 

You've only been sitting there for 15 minutes and then the person leading the meeting says it's over. Seriously?

15. And sometimes, you walk all the way to class to find out it was canceled. 

Look, it seems like your professor could've sent out this email before you left your apartment and walked through a thunderstorm to get here. 

16. Whenever people suggest meeting somewhere far from where you live, you have to awkwardly ask for a ride. 

Um, hey, does anyone have any extra space in their car?

 17. You're more or less okay with not having a car until…

Getting to class in the winter is a whole different struggle. 

4 Ways Sex Changes the Longer You're With Someone

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Dating in college can be tough, so being in a long-term relationship is a rarity. For those who are lucky enough to be in a relationship, sex, no matter how much you’re having, is important. The longer you are in a relationship, the more ways that sex in that relationship changes. Carole Lieberman, M.D., a psychiatrist and author in Beverly Hills, notes that there can be both positive and negative changes. “Some changes may bring you closer together, and some may send you looking for new excitement,” she says. Here are just some of the ways your sex life changes the longer you are with someone.

1. You learn to communicate 

Sex may be a natural instinct, but good sex is all about communication. You'll learn what your partner likes once you guys can talk about it. At least, that's what Sarah*, a graduate student at Temple University, thinks. She's been hooking up with the same guy for a year and knows how important it is to be vocal.

“If you're always doing missionary and it's not fun for you, let them know,” she says. “There's a ton of positions to try and sometimes it can be fun figuring out what works for you and your partner.” The longer you are with someone, the better you get to know them, emotionally and physically.

2. You learn what you like

If you’re not into self-pleasure, you might not know exactly what you enjoy in bed. At least, not everything you like or don’t like. The longer you’re with your partner, the more you’ll learn what makes you tick. This learning curve is partly because you’re with someone who makes you comfortable, but also because there’s less pressure for both of you.

Karen*, a junior at the University of South Carolina, agrees. “There’s definitely less pressure, which doesn’t only make it more fun, but it also gives you the chance to get a little ~crazy~ and even be a little selfish when it comes to getting what you want out of sex,” she says. That familiarity and comfort you have with your partner will make you feel more willing to explore.

3. You get more confident

Now that you know what you like and what your partner likes, you’re more likely to be confident in the bedroom — Demi Lovato — level Confident. Karen loves that there is less stress when you've had sex together for a while. “When you first start out with a person there’s a lot more self-consciousness and more pressure to be ‘good,’” she says.

This is one of the most positive ways sex changes, according to Dr. Lieberman. You get more comfortable with each other. "Gone are the awkward fears about whether he will be disappointed when he sees your body," she says. "And gone are the first awkward trial and error efforts to please each other."  These early experiences are replaced by encounters you and your significant other can enjoy.
 

4. You may get bored

Over time, boredom can creep up on you and your partner in the bedroom. This is especially true if you keep doing the same thing over and over. Jessica*, a sohpomore at SUNY Fredonia, doesn't deny that sex can be boring. Her recommendation: Take a break. Isn’t there a saying that distance makes the heart grow fonder?

Whether you are in a committed relationship or just having a purely sexual relationship, keeping things interesting will get you out of a sexual rut. Dr. Lieberman recommends introducing new positions, locations or even sex toys. Obviously, you should never do something you are uncomfortable with, but trying out something unfamiliar could make sex less ordinary.

How should you approach your partner?  Dr. Lieberman suggests showing your SO. that you're willing to be more adventurous with them. "Any suggestions you make should be done in a playful way," she says. "You can tell him that you are feeling close enough to him now to explore sex together and ask what he would like to do that you haven’t done yet." This is a good first step to take so you can both eventually move on to more ~experimentation ~.
 
Related: 5 Conversations You Ned to Have Before Sex

Ordinary sex comes with the territory of long-term relationships. But there are still good things that come with time! The longer you’re with someone, the more you learn about their body, your body, what you like and what you hate. This all comes with an overall confidence boost. There are lulls, but that gives you the chance to switch things up with your SO. Knowing about these changes beforehand could make you more confident in the bedroom now —  AKA a win-win for both you and your partner.

*Name has been changed


John Kasich Vetoes 'Heartbeat Bill' in Ohio but Bans Abortion After 20 Weeks

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Ohio Gov. John Kasich vetoed a law that would have outlawed abortions after a fetal heartbeat was detected—hence why it was known as the “heartbeat bill”—and instead signed into law a bill that will outlaw abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

In reaching this decision, Gov. Kasich said that he vetoed the heartbeat bill because it was “clearly contrary to the Supreme Court’s current rulings on abortion,” and called the 20-week ban the “best, most legally sound and sustainable approach to protecting the sanctity of human life,” The New York Times reports.

According to CNN, Gov. Kasich said that he vetoed the heartbeat bill to avoid challenges to it in court, which would have been expensive and likely would have ended with the bill being struck down.

“Such a defeat invites additional challenges to Ohio's strong legal protections for unborn life,” he noted in his veto. “Therefore, this veto is in the public interest.”

“While it must have been difficult, the current makeup of a radically pro-abortion Supreme Court required the governor to exercise great restraint,” Ohio Right to Life President Mike Gonidakis said.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio said that the measure is “unconstitutional and will harm women and families” and is expected to file a suit to block the 20-week ban.

“There’s no way we’re going to take this lying down. It’s too horrific of a restriction for women who are facing medical complications and situations where they need an abortion around that 20-week period,” Gabriel Mann, a spokesman for NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio, said.

Under the 20-week ban, which goes into effect in 90 days, there are no exceptions for rape or incest, but there will be exceptions for the life of the mother, The New York Times reports.

Ohio now becomes the 18th state to adopt a 20-week abortion ban. According to the Times, however, this ban was deemed unconstitutional in Arizona and Idaho by federal courts. Legal experts say that the 20-week ban is more likely to survive a constitutional challenge than the heartbeat bill.

 

You HAVE to See This College Student's NSFW Photo Series Featuring Trump's Comments About Women

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Aria Watson, an 18-year-old student at Clatsop Community College in Oregon, has created a powerful, provocative photo series titled “#SignedByTrump” for her final project in her introductory photography class.

According to BuzzFeed News, Watson felt strongly about the candidates and their political stances, and decided to make some political art.

Watson’s project features mostly-nude portraits of women with some of Trump’s most repulsive comments about women painted on their bodies.

According to Marie Claire, Watson began her project prior to Trump being election, but after he won the election, she decided to push forward with her mission of making her voice heard.

“I never really cared for or understood politics, but this year was different,” Watson told BuzzFeed. “Although I was two weeks too young to actually vote, I was old enough to see what was happening and learn about it.”

Watson, a proud feminist, told Marie Claire that the way Trump talked about women made her sick. “The fact that he has said this, and other things like this, but still won is what scares me. I'm afraid that words, and even actions, like this will become a social norm.”

She said that it was difficult to find models for her photo series. “Not only is it hard for people to strip down in front of someone and let them paint on their body, but it's hard for a lot of people to be open about their political opinions.”

Watson decided to keep the models anonymous so that the viewer could picture the people however they wanted.

“Over the past few days, I’ve gotten messages that have brought me to tears,” Watson told BuzzFeed. “To everyone who has supported me and “#SignedByTrump,” don’t let anyone silence you. Don’t be afraid to speak up about what you are passionate about.”

According to Marie Claire, Watson has now partnered with The Outrage to create merchandise featuring her work, and 15 percent of the profits will be donated to the American Civil Liberties Union in Trump's name. This incredible project shows that you even if you can't vote, you can still make a huge difference with your individual voice and talents.

 

Snapchat Just Added Group Chat, But Instagram's Update Will Take Your Stalking Game to a New Level

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Snapchat and Instagram are constantly vying for a larger slice of the time you spend on your phone. Unsurprisingly, they both announced some cool new features coming soon to their apps—but how do they compare?

Ever since Instagram integrated “stories” into their app, social media users have been suspicious that Instagram was trying to copy Snapchat and take advantage of the app’s popularity (which, you know, they were).

Snapchat has created four new features, according to Adweek, which were scheduled to show up on smart phones everywhere on Tuesday.

One of the most highly-anticipated updates is the ability to group chat with up to 16 people (does anyone really have that many friends?). An added feature of the group chat is that users can momentarily leave the group chat to send a message to one of the people participating and then quickly rejoin the whole group—very useful for gossiping about the other members with your BFF. All you have to do to start a new one-on-one conversation is tap on the person's name, according to USA Today

Snapchat will also now be able to connect with the Shazam app, so you can figure out what song is playing near you while you craft your latest story. You'll also get the "scissors" feature, which allows you to cut out part of your snap and make it into a sticker that can be saved and reused, and a paintbrush. The paintbrush's function is still mysterious, as you can already draw on your snaps with the pen feature, but we'll know what it is soon enough.

Meanwhile, over at Instagram, developers have come up with a new feature that give users the ability to save posts and view them again later. This new feature launches for some users on Wednesday, and it's sure to strengthen your Insta-stalking powers immensely.

To save posts, all you have to do is tap a little bookmark icon under the post, which will be on the right side of the photo. Saved posts will be filed in a separate, completely private tab on your profile. No one else can see the posts you’ve saved, not even the people who posted those pictures. Never waste time scrolling through months of some hot guy's feed more than once just so you can show all your friends the best picture of him!

This new feature will be included in the newest app update, but as noted by Bustle, Instagram sometimes staggers updates, which means that some people may have to wait to start saving photos. 

It’s Okay to Be Disappointed by Your Study Abroad Experience

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You were SO excited for study abroad—it was going to be the time of your life! Between the amazing destination, new friends and crazy adventures, it was supposed to look a little something like The Lizzie McGuire Movie. Except it didn’t—not even close. Being disappointed by study abroad can feel like the worst thing ever, both when you’re there and wishing you were home, and when you’re home and have to answer the dreaded “How was it?” questions. Collegiettes, it’s not as bad as you think! Now that your far-from-perfect study abroad experience is over, here are a few things that will make the bitter memories a little sweeter.

1. You are not alone

We talked to four collegiettes whose time abroad didn’t go at all as planned. Annie*, a recent graduate of Colby College, says, “I have talked with a lot of younger girls who have been disappointed like I was when I studied abroad.” So it’s safe to say that not all study abroad experiences are picture-perfect—even though people make them sound like they were.

When counseling students who were disappointed, Daniel Brunstetter, PhD, the director of study abroad at the University of California, Irvine, “would tell stories of my own time abroad, not all of which are positive, to help the student realize they are not alone in not having the 'perfect abroad experience'—whatever that means.”

Still don’t believe us? Mary*, a sophomore at the University of Alabama, had to share a key with two other girls while she was abroad. When her roommates decided to stay out late partying, Mary would often be locked out of her host family’s house. And that’s just one of the horror stories collegiettes told us. But, all of them found a silver lining in these experiences.

If you talk to people around you, chances are they’ll have had similar ups and downs during study abroad and will be able to give you some perspective!

Related: 9 Mistakes to Avoid When You Study Abroad

2. You’ll know what to look for if you study abroad again

Just because your first time studying abroad didn’t meet your expectations doesn’t mean you should give up on going again (if you were planning to). It just means that you’ll know what to avoid the next time!

When Dr. Brunstetter had a sub-par study abroad experience, he “found solace in my own reflections, in talking with others who had been abroad, and in going abroad again.” His advice is probably exactly what you need to hear: “If a student had a 'disappointing' experience in one place, then I would encourage them to perhaps go some place different next time,” Dr. Brunstetter says. “If I had let the inevitable disappointments of my first expended time studying abroad guide me, then I would have missed out on so much the rest of the world has to offer.”

Mary didn’t let herself be discouraged by her unwelcoming host family and roommates. “I have participated in two other study abroad trips that have been much better, but I am always wary because of the bad experiences from my first one,” she says. Try looking into aspects of your next trip that you didn’t consider before, like which country would be best suited for you or what to pack, for instance.

3. It will help you grow

Annie hated the subject she chose to study in Geneva, Switzerland, and felt lonelier than ever during study abroad, but she didn’t let her disappointment get her down. “Looking back, I am so thankful I chose to study for a semester, even if I wasn't ready or made the ‘wrong’ choice, because it taught me a lot about who I am as a person and I grew more in that semester than my whole four years at school,” Annie says.

But even the bad times aren’t necessarily as bad as you think. “I encourage students to think of their time abroad as a series of moments, as opposed to a single experience,” Dr. Brunstetter says. “There will be ups and downs, good experiences and bad experiences, joy and sadness, challenges, triumphs and maybe failures too. I ask students to think of as many moments as they can during their time abroad and to put a word to each one, and then try to reflect on how each particular moment impacted the way they understand themselves, their own culture/country, and the culture/country they lived in while abroad.”

When you tell the story of your study abroad, you can focus on the positives instead of dwelling on the things that went wrong. But if you dig deep enough, you might find that even these lesser moments will be valuable to you in the long run.

4. It will make you appreciate the things you have back home

But what if there were no positives, you ask? Maybe we’re playing devil’s advocate here, but here’s one positive for you: a bad experience will make you appreciate the things you already have that much more. “The whole experience left me feeling homesick and appreciative of my friends and family who cared about my health and happiness,” Mary concludes. Just remember how comforting it was to come home after your trip didn’t go as well as you’d hoped!

5. It could be a sign that something else is going on in your life

When your stay goes wrong, it could be because of circumstances way out of your control—or it could be because something is keeping you from having a good time.

Michelle*, a senior at the University of California, Santa Barbara, admits that she could have had a much better study abroad experience if she hadn’t been thinking about her bad relationship the whole time. “I studied abroad in Paris last year, and while I had a lot of fun and experienced so much, I definitely felt held back by my boyfriend back home,” Michelle says. “My relationship was in a bad place when I left, and for the whole semester I was so focused on trying to repair it that I didn't fully immerse myself into this amazing opportunity.”

While Michelle wishes she could do it over, it showed her that she needed to focus more on herself and less on her boyfriend at that time in her life. Your not-so-great time abroad could help you understand another problem you’re having—and fix it!

Had a bad study abroad experience? You’re not alone, collegiettes! Even if your time in another country wasn’t what you expected, you can focus on the things you learned about yourself—and on how awesome you can make the next time you travel, now that you know what can go wrong.

*Names have been changed.

7 Easy Ways to Get Into the Holiday Spirit (Even If You're Still in School)

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This article has been syndicated to Her Campus from The Classic Brunette, an InfluenceHer Collective member. Read the full post here.

Order a Holiday Drink

Whether you're an avid Starbucks lover like myself, or are more into the local cafe scene, there's a high chance your favorite coffee place has an assortment of holiday beverages. I have a Starbucks on campus that I go to (far too often than I want to admit), and I probably go even more during the holiday season because everything is much more festive when I have a Caramel Brulee Latte or Peppermint Mocha in my hand. It's a super easy way to start slowly getting into the holiday season!

Host a Holiday-Themed Party

My roommates and I threw a small white elephant party this year and it was so fun! Friends bring goofy gifts that you can swap and steal, and it always ends up being a blast. I've also been to ugly sweater parties, cookie swap parties, etc that have been super fun. Whatever themed party you host or attend, even if it's literally just a "holiday party," will get you out of the fall mood and ready for all the festivities! Gathering with all your friends and family is a sure way to keep spirits bright and have a good time.

Give Yourself A Holiday Manicure

Obviously I didn't do this manicure by myself, haha! I went to a nail salon and asked if they could do a reindeer, and it turned out so well. My roommate also got a super cute holiday manicure and got a traditional ugly sweater pattern manicure. It might just be me, but every time I look down at my manicure I get a little smile on my face and think about how excited I am for the holidays! If you can't afford to go get a manicure, you can definitely do your own simple nail design too! And just in case you're stuck for ideas, I've been pinning a bunch recently on this Pinterest board!

Read the full post here.

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