By the time May rolls around, you’ll be totally ready to say goodbye to schoolwork and hello to summer vacation. But for many collegiettes, summer marks the beginning of a new semester, as more and more students opt in to doing summer session at their respective schools. Who would ever want to go to school in the summer? It turns out that there are many reasons for the extra learning—find out what they are below!

What is summer session?

Although summer session differs greatly from school to school, at its very core, it’s a chance for students to gain extra academic credits at college during the summer. But instead of taking a full course load (typically four to six classes at most colleges), students usually take one to three classes over the course of four to eight weeks (again, it depends on the school and the type of summer session). Because the timeline for class is shorter than it would be during a normal semester, classes meet more frequently throughout the week, and meeting times are longer.

The courses offered during summer session also differ greatly from school to school. Some colleges use summer sessions as a means for students to catch up on much-needed credits for graduation or major requirements, while others see it as a way for students to explore other interests.

Why do collegiettes do it?

There are some collegiettes who truly love learning and want to do summer session for that reason, but for many collegiettes, summer session ensures that they can graduate in the allotted four-year period for an undergraduate degree, especially if the university is large and it’s hard to get into classes needed for graduation or major requirements.  

For other collegiettes, taking a summer session of college can help them graduate sooner by taking more credits than they would be able to during a normal semester. Katie Glass, a junior at Wesleyan University, decided to follow the college’s three-year graduation track, which stated that in addition to taking more classes during every fall and spring semester, Katie would also need to spend at least one summer at Wesleyan gaining two extra credits to graduate a year early.

Obviously, the reasons for wanting to attend summer session at college differ greatly from person to person, but there are definitely some pros and cons to consider to see if it’s right for you!

Can you afford it?

Before you grab your sunscreen and figure out where the best spots to tan on campus while studying are, one thing to consider is summer session tuition.

While most colleges allow students to use their financial aid package toward summer session, it’s important to book an appointment or call up your financial aid office as soon as possible to see if your financial aid applies to summer classes.

Additionally, if you have one or multiple scholarships, it’s important to check the fine print to see if you’re allowed to use that money toward summer classes—some scholarships state that they are only to be used for fall and spring semesters.

Pros

The academic atmosphere is more relaxed

While Katie was extremely apprehensive of spending five weeks of her summer at school, she’s really glad that she decided to go. “I was extremely stressed from taking five classes every semester (which is a lot at Wesleyan, since four is the norm), so it was great to relax and only attend two classes a day,” she says.

Katie also loved how much smaller her classes were during the summer as opposed to during the normal academic year. “One of my classes ended up having only 11 people,” she says. “Our class really bonded, and we ended up having an end-of-the-session barbecue at my professor’s house. It was the highlight of my summer!”

Rebecca Quin, a sophomore at the University of Florida, also saw another perk of summer session academics. “Classes are also much easier [since you’re taking fewer of them], which is helpful when you need to get some credits out of the way,” she says. Without the normal course load and fewer students in class, Rebecca found it easier to get the help she needed and still have time for a social life.

You get to see more of campus and the surrounding area

If you’re an incoming freshman or an older student who just never felt comfortable on your campus or in the surrounding area, summer is a great time to explore. Rebecca, who took summer session classes before her fall semester freshman year, found it way less overwhelming to navigate the campus without so many students around. “It's helpful getting a head start on college, especially before the thousands of other people moved in,” she says.

Katie also had the opportunity to see the sights around central Connecticut. “I’d never explored Middletown (the small city where Wesleyan is located) that much during the school year, but the summer was something else,” she says. “My friends and I hit up a ton of restaurants and eateries that we’d always wanted to check out but never had the chance to (especially in the freezing winter!), so that was a huge plus.”

Cons

You may be burnt out

The normal academic year is already stressful enough, so by the time summer rolls around, you might be in serious need of a long break. Since most schools only give students a week or two off between spring semester ending and summer session starting, it can be an extremely jarring and exhausting experience for collegiettes who want some real downtime away from academics.

Since she headed straight out of high school and into her summer session, Rebecca felt like she had run out of steam. “[I went] straight from graduating high school and working my butt off to jumping back into more school work,” she says. “It feels like you never really get a break. By the end of my freshman year in college, I was so burnt out.”

Katie also had trouble staying focused at times during the summer. “One of my professors assigned an eight-page paper during the first week of our class during summer session,” she says. “I’ve never been so unmotivated in my entire life; even typing my name on the paper felt like a drag!”

It can be isolating

If most of your friends won’t be at summer school, it can feel extremely isolating to be alone on campus. Even though she lived with people she knew on campus, Katie felt at times like she was in a whole other world from the rest of her friends. “Many other people I know had internships or jobs in cities like New York and Boston, so it was sad to see pictures on Facebook of them going out and having a great time while I sat around Middletown, which isn’t really a happening place,” she says. “There are definitely moments when you feel really bored and extremely lonely, and that wasn’t something I was prepared for.”

Additionally, Rebecca has advice for collegiettes trying to socialize. “Do not be afraid to branch out,” she says. “This is a time to meet all new people and make friends.” Befriend the other students in your classes, and don’t be afraid to strike up conversations with people you don’t know!

Summer session applications generally come out during the spring semester, so if summer session is something that interests you and you haven’t taken time to look at your options, start researching the processes needed to apply (some schools let you automatically sign up, while others make you fill out an application first). Check your school’s summer session website for dates and deadlines, chat with an academic adviser or class dean to see if there’s still an opportunity for you to apply and sign up for classes. You could be looking at an awesome time on campus!

Whether it’s the first class you’ve ever taken or you’re one semester away from graduating, talking one-on-one to your professor or even asking a question in the middle of class can be intimidating. Especially in large lecture classes, where it’s difficult to get to know your professor on a personal level, it can be tricky to predict how he or she will respond to what you say.

Whether you’re saying them in front of your class or during office hours, there are some things that will flat-out annoy your professor to hear. Take a look at some of these questions professors would prefer not to hear.

1. “I did badly on this exam. Can I retake it?”

Don’t expect to be treated differently from other students, advises Erica Flapan, a mathematics professor at Pomona College. While professors do want their students to succeed, they’re required to treat all students the same. “So if the professor gave you a retest, he/she would have to give the entire class a retest,” Flapan says.

If you’re seriously concerned about your grade, try seeing if there are extra-credit opportunities, or ask your professor in his or her office hours how you can improve your study tactics for next time.

2.  “Is this going to be on the test?”

Professors put in a lot of time and effort into preparing lectures and determining what students should be gaining from their classes. “Such a question implies that you are only interested in material that will be tested,” Flapan says.

Instead, she suggests you ask, “How does this material fit together with X,” where “X” is something that you had previously learned.  “This shows that you have been following and are interested in getting the big picture,” she explains.

3. “When will I ever need to know this information?”

While you probably won’t need to whip out the quadratic formula during lunch, each course you take is designed to teach you specific information for a particular reason. Your professor wouldn’t be teaching you how to factor equations or the history of the rise and fall of Rome if you didn’t need to know it to fully understand the course subject matter.

“The faculty is the faculty because they are experts in their field,” says Scott Sandage, an associate professor of history at Carnegie Mellon University. “As a whole, they know what it is that one needs to learn to be educated in the specific [subject] that is at hand.”

4. “Why is this course required?”

While some of those gen-ed courses might seem unnecessary to your particular major, there’s a reason why they are included in your schedule. But, assuming the course is required for your major, Sandage says the bottom line is that professors think, “In my expert opinion, it will improve your education to take this course or to have this distribution requirement.” Also, it can be plain offensive to question why a teacher’s course is relevant!

5. “Last semester when I took a course in your department with Professor X, he/she taught it this other way.”

No two professors will teach the same material the same way. “Each professor has [his or her] own style and philosophy of teaching, and does not want to be told to be like someone else,” Flapan says.

Just because one professor let you hand in homework late or allowed you to redo assignments does not mean that every professor will be that way. If you truly do not like a professor’s style, Flapan recommends that “you can drop the class or plan to take it with someone else.” 

6. “I can’t do the homework. Please tell me how to do it.”

According to Flapan, professors assign homework with the expectation that it will be challenging.  If you have actually worked on an assignment and still can’t figure it out, Flapan suggests you “go to the professor’s office hours and explain the approach you took to solve a particular problem and where you got stuck. This shows the professor that you have made an effort, and also allows the professor to see what you do and do not understand.  The professor can then help you with the problem as well as with your overall understanding of the material.”

7. “You gave my friend more points for doing the same thing.”

Your professor teaches tons of students and grades just as many papers. Chances are he or she doesn’t remember how your friend’s paper was graded or whether or not it was actually the same. If you want to bring this to your professor’s attention, Flapan suggests, “You should bring your friend’s paper with you so that the professor can see that the papers really are the same. Of course, doing so could result in the professor taking points away from you friend, though in general, this will not happen.”

8. “I missed class because I was sick. Can I turn in the assignment late?”

Unless you are gravely ill, most professors will not accept an excuse after the fact, Flapan says. If you are unable to complete an assignment or take an exam, she says, “You should contact the professor before the exam or assignment and ask if it’s possible to make it up or have an extension.  Some professors may ask for a doctor’s note or a note from the dean of students to verify that you were actually too sick to complete the assignment or take the exam.” Your best bet is to do this before an assignment is due—don’t wait until you’re all better to contact your professor.

9. “I forgot my pencil. Do you have any extras?”

Coming to an exam and announcing your lack of pencil, calculator or any other materials that are clearly needed for an exam can be irritating to professors, Flapan says. Along with forgetting your homework, a professor presumes their students will come to class prepared. “The professor expects you to be an adult and take responsibility for whatever you need to bring to class,” Flapan says.

Remember that your professors are people, just like you, and they want to be treated as though you appreciate the work they put into teaching. Make sure you’re being considerate when you talk to them!

Sick of eating cereal and ramen for lunch and dinner? Want to spend less money eating out and finally start cooking for yourself? Put down that frozen pizza, because HC’s Health Editor, Sammie Levin, is here to share her daily eats so you can get ideas for healthy, satisfying meals that are easy enough for any time-strapped collegiette to make. After you read Collegiette Eats, your taste buds, wallet and waistline will thank you.

To all the collegiettes celebrating Passover out there, chag sameach, and may you make it through your hiatus from carbs alive. I went to a Seder last night, and I love getting into the spirit (i.e., eating the traditional foods) of the holidays. While I am not strictly observing the rules of Passover, I do like eating matzo throughout the week. For those who don't know, matzo is unleavened bread that Jews observing Passover eat throughout the holiday in place of bread and other products that use leavened grain, which is forbidden. Watch the Rugrats Passover episode to clear up any further confusion. 

The thing about matzo is that on its own, it is incredibly bland. It is kind of like a very dry, very tasteless cracker. The good thing is that it can be prepared in a number of ways, both savory and sweet, that make it delicious. So if you've been turned off by matzo in the past, give it another try this Passover season, because these recipes will change your mind. Whether you're Jewish or not, whether you're observing Passover or you have no idea what Passover even is, you'll enjoy these matzo meals. 

1. Matzo Brei

Matzo brei, or fried matzo, is an absolutely delicious way to transform dry, bland matzo into a moist and fluffy breakfast delicacy. There are many different recipes for this dish, but the gist of it is frying matzo with eggs into a sort of scramble. It can be prepared savory or sweet. When my mom used to make it for my brother and me (he was especially obsessed), we always topped it with Aunt Jemima syrup. Yum. This particular version is from Bon Appétit. 

Ingredients

• 1 sheet matzo 
• 1 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 

Directions

1. Break matzo into 1/2 inch pieces; place in a medium bowl. Cover with very hot tap water. Let stand for about 30 seconds, then drain.
2. Beat eggs in another medium bowl; season with salt and pepper.
3. Add drained matzo; mix until combined and a wet batter forms.
4. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Spoon scant 1/4-cupfuls of batter into skillet, making 4 pancakes.
5. Fry, turning once, until golden and just cooked through, about 1 minute per side.
6. Serve with jam, syrup or whatever topping you desire. 

2. Banana and Nut Butter Matzo

I love the combination of banana and nut butter mixed into my oatmeal, spread on toast or just eaten plain. The smoothness of the nut butter and mushiness of the banana helps balance out the dryness of the matzo. Add honey and cinnamon to the mix to take it to the next level. This works great as a breakfast but could be eaten as a snack or dessert too. 

Ingredients

• 1 sheet matzo
• 1 tablespoon nut butter of choice (e.g., peanut, almond or cashew butter) 
• 1 banana, sliced 
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 

Directions

1. Spread nut butter on matzo.
2. Top with banana slices and drizzle with honey and cinnamon.
3. If desired, top with another sheet of matzo to make it a sandwich. 

3. Matzo Pizza

Matzo pizza is probably the best thing about Passover, second maybe only to charoset, the sweet fruit-and-nut dish that rules the Seder, in my opinion. If you use a microwave to make your matzo pizza, it'll only take you about a minute to prepare this delicacy. Have one sheet as a snack, make two to three for a lunch or dinner or make a bunch to break up into bite-sized pieces to share with friends. Top with mixed veggies for a more substantial, flavorful matzo 'za. 

Ingredients

• 1 sheet matzo
• 1/4 cup pizza or marinara sauce 
• 1/4 cup shredded cheese of choice 
• Additional toppings of choice (e.g., spinach, arugula, olives, mushrooms) 

Directions

1. Spread sauce on matzo and microwave on high for 20-30 seconds. 
2. Top with cheese and other additions; microwave again for 20-30 more seconds, until cheese is melted.
3. Eat whole, or break into smaller pieces for shareable pizza bites. 

4. Matzo and Lox

If you've ever been to a Bar or Bat Mitzvah brunch, a break-fast feast at the end of Yom Kippur or a Jewish deli, you know that we Jews pretty much kill the bagel-and-lox game. Replace the bagel with matzo and you're kosher for Passover. Until I wrote this post, I thought there was no difference between lox and smoked salmon since the words are often used interchangeably, but it turns out lox is slightly more specific than smoked salmon; it's the midsection of a salmon cured in a salt brine. Regardless, this recipe would work with either. Swap out cream cheese for a light Laughing Cow cheese wedge if you're looking for a lower-calorie, lower-fat option. 

Ingredients

• 1 sheet matzo
• 1 tablespoon cream cheese or 1 Laughing Cow Light Creamy Swiss wedge 
• Several slices of smoked salmon 
• 2 tablespoons chopped white onion 
• 1 tablespoon chopped chives 
• Seasoning of choice, if desired (e.g., black pepper and garlic powder) 

Directions

1. Spread cream cheese or cheese wedge onto matzo.
2. Top with onions, smoked salmon and chives. 
3. Sprinkle with seasoning, if desired. 

5. Fruit-, Nut- and Chocolate-Dipped Matzo

If anything can make matzo taste less bland, it's obviously chocolate. Chocolate bark is an easy-to-make, delicious treat, and incorporating matzo into it adds a nice crunch. There's no better way to satisfy your sweet tooth during Passover, except maybe these matzo s'mores. In this recipe I suggest topping your chocolate-dipped matzo with dried cherries, coconut and pistachios for a nice mix of salty and sweet flavors, but you can top it with any other nuts, dried fruits or candies that you desire! 

Ingredients

• 1 sheet matzo
• 1-1.5 semisweet chocolate baking bars
• 2 tablespoons flaked coconut 
• 2 tablespoons dried cherries 
• 2 tablespoons shelled pistachios 

Directions

1. Break matzo into chunks big enough for dipping. 
2. Microwave chocolate on high in uncovered dish for 1 minute. Stir until melted; microwave for additional time if neeeded. 
3. Dip matzo chunks about halfway into chocolate to coat and shake off excess. 
4. Place coated matzo on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. 
5. Sprinkle coconut, cherries and pistachio onto chocolate-coated ends of matzo. 
6. Refrigerate until set. 

Meet "The Self Enhancing Live Feed Image Engine," a mirror that can take your selfies for you.

The two-way mirror, also known as S.E.L.F.I.E., was created by marketing agency iStrategyLabs to bring a whole new meaning to taking a selfie. The device uses a Mac mini, a webcam and LED lights embedded behind a mirror as well as facial-recognition software to capture your photo. To take a selfie, the user just has to stand in front of the mirror and smile, which will activate the photo-taking process. S.E.L.F.I.E. will even post your photo on Twitter. 

"We started thinking about how we could create a seamless and fun experience, where the trigger would be nothing more that a smile,"says DJ Saul, CMO of iStrategyLabs. "The S.E.L.F.I.E. mirror helps to demonstrate what’s possible by bringing together hardware, software and a great idea."

As of now, the project is just an experiment, but you can contact iStrategyLabs if you're interested in buying one. 

While there are few things more rewarding than the feeling of finishing yet another year of lectures, tests and presentations, the end of the school year can also provide some not-so-ideal scenarios for the love lives of many collegiettes. Between study abroad trips, summer internships and graduation, many girls often find themselves faced with some tough decisions regarding their significant other come the end of the semester. And while everyone’s relationship is different, we spoke with Carole Lieberman, M.D., psychiatrist and author of Bad Girls: Why Men Love Them & How Good Girls Can Learn Their Secrets, who provided us with some insight into the best way to handle these love conundrums, and what to keep in mind when deciding how to make the transition into summer work best for you. Take a look at the various situations you may find yourself in come May, and our guide on what to consider when handling each one.

Situation 1: You and your boyfriend are both graduating

As if seniors aren’t stressed out enough at the idea of paying off loans and finding a job (not to mention, weeknight drinking becoming becoming socially unacceptable), entering the real world can place a large amount of stress on your relationship as well. What if you and your boyfriend accept positions in different cities and have to live apart for the first time in years? Or perhaps you two are from different areas and plan on going back home after graduating? Being apart for an extended period of time has never been an issue before in the blissful bubble that is your college town, and now you’re worried about how much these big changes will impact your relationship post-graduation.

Our advice

“Transitions are always a risky time for relationships.” says Dr. Lieberman. “Some relationships that have worked well in one setting may not work as well in a different setting.” And while this may not be an ideal prognosis for your LDR, venturing from college life to the corporate world doesn’t necessarily mean your relationship is doomed. Dr. Lieberman went on to mention the often unacknowledged benefit that can accompany such a huge change: “If a couple manages to survive a transition, such as graduating and going out into the real world, it can help them to grow closer to each other.”

This being said, the most important thing to bear in mind is to not let the important decisions that await you become ruled by your relationship. “It is very tempting to hold onto each other for security as you venture out, but resist the temptation. You want to be together out of love – not out of fear… you will come to resent [your significant other] for limiting your opportunities.” Dr. Lieberman added. And if you do get lucky and find a job in the same area?  “You definitely should not plan to move in together right after college,” advises Lieberman. “You both need time and space to grow in the real world before deciding whether you want to take the relationship to the next level.” Remember that there’s no rush and you’ll both be a lot happier in the long run if you make decisions during this time based on what’s right for you.   

Situation 2: You and your boyfriend both have exciting plans for the summer… in completely different cities.  

Whether it’s a travel opportunity or internship that you have planned for this summer, it’s not unlikely that you and the boyfriend might be living in separate areas most some if not all of the season. Even though it’s a temporary separation, suddenly transitioning into a long distance relationship can add an extra strain, especially if the relationship is new. 

Take Jen*, a student from Salisbury University who found herself living out this scenario. “Last summer, my boyfriend worked at a beach bar and I did a nine-to-five internship two hours away,” she says. “So not only were we apart, but we had completely different hours from each other which made even scheduling phone calls a struggle. Though we stayed together throughout that time, part of me wishes we would have taken a break for the three months we were apart… I would have had more time to actually enjoy my summer.”

This being said, distance isn’t always a death sentence for relationships, and can even turn out to be a benefactor. Boston University collegiette Hannah Rex found herself in this situation when her guy accepted a job in Los Angeles and she opted to stay in Boston. After agreeing to keep the relationship “open” before leaving, Rex found that the distance actually brought her and boyfriend closer as a couple. “I went to visit him in LA and that really pushed our relationship to the next level,” she says. “Which was great! By the end of the summer we were very much an exclusive couple.”

Our advice

At the end of the semester, make a clear-cut decision before summer, then let things happen on their own. While we certainly wouldn’t recommend ending a healthy relationship that brings you happiness simply because of a summer separation, Dr. Lieberman does mention that this can be a tricky time for even the most committed of couples, “The most reasonable choice is to agree to not be exclusive over the summer, but reasonableness doesn't prevent jealousy.” As Dr. Lieberman mentioned previously, in any scenario it’s important to make choices out of what you feel is best for yourself and the relationship, rather than simply out of fear of not having each other. Three months apart can certainly bring forth a change in feelings for one or both of you, as is displayed by both by Jen and Hannah’s experiences, so commit to being honest with yourself and your guy throughout the summer in regards to how your really feeling. While a solid effort is necessary for any relationship to work, if you begin to feel your long distance love is holding you back from fully enjoying your experience, it may be better to spend your summer unattached.

Situation 3: You’re graduating and leaving your college town but your boy still has a few semesters left, or vice versa.

So whether you’re now facing the realization that your once hot upperclassman boyfriend now has to graduate or you are now forced to enter post-graduate life alone while your guy stays behind to finish up a few credits, the unfortunate reality is that one of you will soon find yourself wrapped up with job interviews, while the other stays in the comfort of your college town. Take collegiette Allye’s* take on how she’s handling her boyfriend’s upcoming graduation, “[My boyfriend and I] get along really well and share many of the same views and values, and I am not ready to let him go after he graduates. I'm staying at school in Pittsburgh and he's moving to Atlanta to start working in a temporary position… but he's working to get closer to where I am.” And whether you’re the one graduating or staying, Dr. Lieberman gave us some important things to consider in regards to this tricky scenario.

Our advice

If you and your boyfriend decide staying together is the best option for your relationship after the semester ends, beware that the differences in your day-to-day lives may begin to cause problems of their own in your relationship. The post-graduate may begin feeling as if they have “outgrown” their significant other’s lifestyle, says Dr. Lieberman, which can cause tension. Along with this, the other partner may find themselves overwhelmed with the “buffet” of potential partners college provides that they may not have noticed or acknowledged while you were attending school together. The most important factor in the success of this kind of relationship is to be considerate of each other’s feelings during this time. “One or both partners typically feel anxiety about the transition and this can translate into behaviors such as irritability or wanting to be alone to focus on the changes that need to be made,” says Dr. Lieberman.

Her Campus CPO and Creative Director Annie Wang shared with us how her and her fiance have made this transition work for them: “My fiance is in medical school right now, which means he's literally studying all the time. We actually live super close to each other so distance isn't a factor, but scheduling definitely is. I've had to compromise, keeping in mind that the big end-of-year exam he's studying for is going to determine his entire career path for the rest of his life.”

Whether distance is a factor or not, communication on both ends seems to be the make or break for a couple who finds themselves in this situation.   

Situation 4: You’ve been hooking up with the same guy all semester… now what?!

Whether it’s nothing more than a booty call or a hook-up that has evolved into a consistent fling, consider the start of summer your opportunity to reevaluate the relationship you’ve established with this guy (if any), and where it’s headed in the future. Perhaps you’ve enjoyed the happy-go-lucky nature of your spring semester rendezvous and are ready to move on to bigger and better things this summer or maybe you’ve developed feelings for your this boy that you want to be acknowledged before you both leave.

Whether this confrontation involves a simple, friendly goodbye or a deeper discussion of an exclusive relationship, bringing up your feelings in a mature way will ensure that you both leave on the same page and will help prevent future awkward encounters.

Our advice

Ending the semester on good, clear terms with your hook-up also opens the door for a potential reunion in semesters to come, or if nothing else at least a friendship. As for those of you looking to start something more serious with your guy, Dr. Lieberman advises that the end of the semester may not be the best time to do so, suggesting rather to discuss reconvening at the start of the next semester if you’re still interested then, “After summer is over, one or both of you may have realized that you want to move on, or that you really missed the other and want to take it to the next level.”

While letting go of a guy that you’ve developed feelings for is never easy, it may be what’s best for you in the long run. Allow us to share with you a quote from Sherry Argov in her national bestseller Why Men Love Bitches: “Sex and the ‘spark’ are not one in the same… every man wants to have sex first; whether he wants a girlfriend is something he thinks about later.”

In other words, if you’ve developed feelings for your current hook-up and he hasn’t seemed interested in establishing a relationship with you thus far, it may be better to take this year’s summer break as an opportunity to focus on finding a worthwhile guy that is more interested in having a meaningful relationship.

Katie King, a recent grad of Western Michigan University, shared with us her experience when confronting her friend-with-benefits on where the relationship was heading before the semester ended: “I told him if he gave me a reason to stay [with him] I would… he said his feelings had changed for me and started dating another girl a few weeks later. We no longer talk, but at least now I have no ties here.”

Although it was painful at first, talking about the situation helped give King the wake-up call that it was time to move on.

Situation 5: You and boyfriend are both staying in town for the summer

While this may seem like the optimal scenario for collegiettes who are looking to keep things consistent with their main squeeze, beware that summer is often accompanied with some major schedule changes; something that could have a ripple effect on your relationship.

Shippensburg University collegiette Mara Nash ended up temporarily moving in with her then boyfriend in order to be closer to the location of her summer internship. “Both of us working full time was definitely a big adjustment for our relationship, considering we were both used to our much more relaxed lifestyles at school,” she says. “Despite the fact that we were living together the shift was definitely a challenge for us in so many ways. I had just assumed everything would stay the same.”

While distance may not be a factor in this scenario, there are still some important things to keep in mind when undergoing the transition from school to summer with your boyfriend.

Our advice

“Schedule changes can upset the rhythm of a relationship,” warns Dr. Lieberman for couples in the same place with changing lifestyles, “both partners need to be flexible and accommodate these changes – even turning it into a new adventure.”

And perhaps that’s the best way to look at it. By being patient and considerate of your guy’s busier schedule, it will not only encourage him to support you in the same way, but also show that you are able to undergo transitions together without it rattling your relationship.

Establishing a time each week in which you can spend a few hours together catching up and hanging out would be a good start to ensure you are accommodating each other’s schedule changes. Along with this, be sure not to pass up or shy away from travel or internship opportunities for fear of having to be apart from you guy. College is a great time to branch out and explore your own interests, and as Dr. Lieberman mentioned previously, it’s important to not let your relationship stop or hinder your choices.

*Names have been changed.

Nothing is quite as heartwarming as the love and affection shared between two guys. Here are some of our favorite bromantic relationships of all time.

1. Kenan and Kel from Kenan & Kel

Kenan may have abandoned his better half for SNL, but back in the day, this goofy duo had one of the best bromances of the '90s.

2. Ted and Marshall from How I Met Your Mother

Ever since their fateful meeting as roommates at Wesleyan, Marshall became an integral part of Ted’s story.

3. Danny and Joey from Full House

Nothing says friendship quite like helping your widowed best friend raise his three daughters.

4. Howard and Raj from The Big Bang Theory

This aerospace engineer and astrophysicist make for the nerdiest bromance around.

5. Blaine and Sam from Glee

Despite the crush Blaine once had on his straight pal, the two were able to overcome the awkwardness and develop an awesome (and musically gifted) bro friendship.

6. Michael and Dwight from The Office

Michael may find Dwight irritating at times, but Dwight’s constant devotion to his boss ties them together in the best intra-office bromance ever.

7. Will and Calton from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

These cousins may not always see eye to eye, but that doesn’t stop them from becoming an inseparable duo.

8. Schmidt and Nick from New Girl

Only true best brofriends would celebrate their 10-year anniversary of living together with a “TinFinity” party (as the periodic symbol for tin is Sn, for Schmidt and Nick).

9. Tyrion and Bronn from Game of Thrones

Though their relationship has been through plenty of rough patches, these two have still proven themselves to be the best bromantic sidekicks in all the land.

10. Shawn and Gus from Psych

Shawn's psychic abilities might not be real, but the bond between him and his best friend Gus couldn’t be more powerful.

11. Troy and Abed from Community

Nothing makes a bromance stronger than by cohosting a fake talk show together.

12. Jerry and George from Seinfeld

They may both be neurotic and self-serving, but it is exactly these qualities that bring Jerry and George together in their epic bromance.

13. Shawn and Cory from Boy Meets World

Cory may have married Topanga, but everyone knows that it’s he and Shawn who were really meant to be.

14. Eric and Mr. Feeny from Boy Meets World

Cory and Shawn were great, but we think the relationship between Eric and Mr. Feeny also deserves some love.

15. Ryan and Seth from The O.C.

They may have been raised in different worlds, but that doesn’t stop these two teens from becoming like brothers.

16. Joey and Chandler from Friends

As much as we love Chandler and Monica, we know the show's best connection is between these two roommates.

17. J.D. and Turk from Scrubs

These two coined the phrase “guy love.” Enough said. 

Her Campus has partnered with Sure Fit, a retailer of affordable and cute slipcovers and home acessories, to offer collegiettes the chance to win a $100 Sure Fit gift card! Keep reading to learn more about some of the products Sure Fit has to offer and how you can enter the giveaway. 

With a Sure Fit couch slipcover, you will no longer have to worry about spills or messes! The slipcovers are machine washable, so your mind can now be at ease during the next party you host or movie night with your best friends. Sure Fit furniture covers covers come in a variety of sizes and colors, making them fashionable and fun. We recommenced the Bright Suede Chair Cover in magenta. The soft cover provides the perfect pop of color to an otherwise dreary apartment or dorm. 

In addition to colorful couch covers, Sure Fit also offers a variety of pillows as well as bath and shower essentials. 

To enter the giveaway, fill out the form below! One lucky winner will win a $100 Sure Fit gift card. The winner will be chosen at random and will be announced in the April 22 STUDY BREAK. 

Don't forget to connect with Sure Fit on Facebook and Twitter for information on new products and sales!

Good luck, collegiettes! 

There's a lot more behind selfies than just choosing the right filter or getting a ton of Instagram likes. A revolutionary project known as Selfiecity investigated and analyzed 3,200 selfies taken in New York, Moscow, Berlin, Bangkok and Sao Paulo to determine the statistics behind 2013's word of the year. 

The project was first launched in fall 2013 by Nadav Hochman, Lev Manovich and Jay Chow, who analyzed 2.3 million Instagram photos from all over the world. Along with Daniel Goddemeyer of Digital Thought Facility, the team then chose five cities to focus on and partnered with Gnip (the world's largest provider of social data) to develop software to turn the photos into visualizable data. The data was split into six sections called Intro, Imageplots, Selfiexploratory, Dataset, Findings and Theory. 

Selfiecity's research showed that significantly more women take selfies than men. In Moscow, there are 4.6 times more female selfies than male selfies! As you would expect, most selfies are taken by younger people; 23.7 is the estimated median age. The team even found the "average smile scores" of each city, with Bangkok and San Paulo taking the lead. Finally, the data showed that women strike more extreme poses in their selfies, a statistic that was found by measuring the average head-tilt angles. 

"SelfieCity zooms in on the individual person, his story and context,"said Goddemeyer and Moritz Stefaner, two of the core team members. "Rather than being an endpoint, or completely finished project, Selfiecity aims to provide a starting point for this 'intimate' analysis and storytelling with pictures as data material." 

So you’ve been having a little fun with a guy who’s totally a potential relationship prospect. No doubt about it.

…Right?

Well, if you’re being perfectly honest with yourself, maybe you do question your go-to hook-up’s boyfriend abilities. Here are 35 signs he’ll only make for a great friend with benefits.

1. You’ve never seen him outside of his bedroom.

2. He doesn’t hang out with you before 10 p.m.

3. Dates? What dates?

4. You’ve watched at least 25 movies with him.

5. And by “watched,” we mean you glanced up at the screen every once in a while.

6. He only compliments your bod.

7. After hanging out with him, your eyes hurt from the brightness of daylight.

8. The walk of shame is practically your go-to strut.

9. He has posters of women in bikinis all over his room.

10. There are a bunch of initials carved into his bedframe (um…).

11. You’ve never met his friends.

12. You don’t know what his major is.

13. He has no clue what you’re into, either.

14. The only cute texts he sends you are winky-face emojis.

15. You can’t talk to him about your problems.

16. You found a boatload of selfies on his phone.

17. He has a playlist called, “I’d Tap That - Sexy Time Music.”

18. Whenever you hint at a relationship, he turns pale.

19. You don’t think your mom or dad would approve of him.

20. His partying is totally out of hand.

21. He tells you how awesome you are… in bed.

22. He celebrated your birthday by wishing you a good one on Facebook.

23. He’ll blow you off for video games any day.

24.He hides his phone whenever he’s texting someone.

25. You choose not to question his personal life, because you’re not sure you want to know.

26. He doesn’t cuddle.

27. You’re constantly apologizing for his tool behavior.

28. Your friends think you should stay away from him.

29. You get kind of (okay, totally) nervous whenever he goes to a club.

30. You feel the need to look perfect whenever you’re with him.

31. You have yet to find his sweet, sensitive side (maybe it’s hiding somewhere? Took a vacation?).

32. He completely ditches you whenever you’re on your period.

33. He wears tight muscle tees like we wear bras.

34. You found a hair clip in his bed that’s totally not yours.

35. He keeps a stash of condoms on his nightstand at all times.

Hey, he may not be your Prince Charming, but there are plenty more (boyfriend-worthy) guys out there!

We all like to go out and have a good time, but sometimes those extra sugary drinks leave us feeling (and looking) like a decrepit creature the next morning. Hang tight and don't give up; a large glass of water and a very long nap will get you over all 15 of these hangovers in no time. Just drink in moderation next time, okay?

1. The Sneak Attack Hangover

You wake up feeling like you could run a marathon, but then two hours pass and you feel your insides begin to shrivel and you completely lose your ability to function. Just when you thought you dodged a hangover…

2. The Hunger Games Hangover

In attempt to refuel your body, you eat everything in sight… mostly all things greasy and filled with enough sodium to induce premature heart failure.

3. The Shriveled Raisin Hangover

You wake up feeling like a grape left under the couch for five months. Your lips curl into your mouth, your vocal cords crack and sizzle when you try to breathe and you search for any form of (non-alcoholic) liquid within arm's reach. 

4. The Ray-Ban Hangover

You aren’t going anywhere, not even the bathroom, without sunglasses. You need shielding from the light so your eyes don’t fry out of their sockets.

5. The “I’m Never Drinking Again” Hangover

That’s what you think, anyway. Then 9 p.m. rolls around and the local bar is having $1 LITs. You’ll be thinking the same exact thing tomorrow morning all over again. Just quit while you're ahead (or behind?).

6.  The Solo Hangover

You drank the same amount as all of your friends, yet you're the only one bedridden with a headache that makes you feel like you’re having a brain aneurysm. How is this even fair?

7. The "I Am Never Moving" Hangover

You can't see straight and you can't think straight, so therefore, functioning today just isn't an option. Netflix in bed sounds like the best idea since sliced bread. 

8. The Dazed and Confused Hangover

You wake up in your roommate’s bed with a Jimmy John’s wrapper and a few stray pieces of lettuce surrounding you. It looks like your night in with the girls and a game of Catch Phrase got a little wilder than expected.

9. The Walking Dead Hangover

You thought you could get away with not brushing your hair or changing out of sweats for a quick trip to McDonald's before they stopped serving breakfast, but you nearly sent the drive-through worker into a shock when you pulled up to the window.  

10. The Never-ending Hangover

Okay, it’s 7 p.m.... joke’s over. This has to be some sort of cruel punishment. 

11. The Team Effort Hangover

Because all hangovers are at least a little bit better when you aren’t alone and you can rot on the couch with all of your roommates.

12. The Angry Hangover

That terrible headache has you hating anyone who comes within 10 feet of you. Today is just not the day to have any human contact. All you want to do is make it through your classes and meetings so you can dive back into bed.

13. The Still Drunk Hangover

You’re still a little giggly and are completely blind to what is about to hit you.

14. The Body Ache Hangover

You feel like you partook in WWE SmackDown: The Vodka Cranberry Special. Not a single limb in your body feels like it's mobile. Guess you got a little too carried away with the "Cupid Shuffle" on the dance floor.

15. The Middle of the Week Hangover

College is all about the random nights out in the middle of the week. That being said, class probably isn’t going to be happening tomorrow.

Gone are the days when applicants could only "wow" employers with powerful cover letters and loads of experience. Now you have the opportunity to stand out against the competition by giving your resume a dash of pizzazz. Whether you go as far as reconstructing your resume's layout or simply use an interesting font, creative resumes are a growing trend amongst job applicants. Before you start Googling zesty templates, let us give you a crash course on creative resumes.

Though opting for a more innovative format seems like a no-brainer, the phenomenon has its fair share of drawbacks as well. To find out whether an alternative resume is right for you, check out our pros and cons list.

Pros

It’s more memorable than a traditional resume

We can only imagine how daunting it is for employers to look at hundreds of sheets filled with 12-point Times New Roman font.  Not only will your creative resume be a sight for sore eyes (literally), but also your potential supervisor is sure to remember it. 

“[Resumes] are the first impression an organization has of a prospective candidate and they have to make a great impression to get an interview,” says Ron Puskarits, Director of Compensation for the University of Illinois who reviews a plethora of resumes. 

If you want to use your creative resume to catch your potential employer’s eye, Heather Huhman, president and founder of Come Recommended, suggests submitting a more traditional version as well. 

“Think of [a creative resume] as a supplement to your portfolio, and use it when you want to stand out in the crowd,” Huhman recommends. Though handing in two different copies of your resume sounds a bit odd, the recipient can see your creative side and still look at a traditional copy of your resume. 

It highlights your strengths

When used correctly, a creative resume has the power to tell your potential employer more than just that you work at your university’s admissions office or that you’re Vice President of Philanthropy for your sorority. 

“Having a creative resume seems like the best way to show prospective employers how creative I can be,” says Angela Huang, an advertising student at Boston University.

While a traditional resume only boasts your impressive experience, a creative alternative shows that you have something more to bring to the table. “Make sure it focuses on what makes you an asset to their company,” said Huhman. So if you’re extremely organized, why not create a precise layout? Or add some standout graphics if you’re an Adobe Illustrator expert. Showing that your strengths align with what the company is looking for will make you a strong candidate.

It’s a great opportunity to brand yourself

As any career-driven collegiette knows, it’s important to brand yourself, which means creating a professional image so you are recognizable to potential employers. In addition to standing out, an innovative resume gives you the opportunity to start branding yourself.

“Feel free to add a few graphics, like a personalized logo in the header or center,” suggests Huhman. If creating a personalized logo of your name sounds like a nightmare, you can easily brand yourself just by writing your name in a different font. 

To truly create a well-established brand, keep your logo or font consistent.  “I’ve worked on making a graphic with my name on it, something that I can use in the future on business cards,” says Angela. All this planning may seem stressful, but it’ll be worth it once you have a strong presence in the industry of your choice. 

It’s easy to make (even if you’re a graphic design novice)

So you have to be a computer whiz or hire a graphic designer to have a creative resume, right? Wrong. On the contrary, scoring an innovative resume is easier than you’d think! 

“If you don’t have a design background, spruce up yours by using a sans serif typeface (such as Heveltica or Gill Sans),” says Stephanie Mulvey, a freelance graphic designer who designs creative resumes. “You can also accent your resume with a color that expresses you and remains respectful to the job position, so no neon shades.” 

If you can spice up your resume on your own, why not give it a try?

Cons

It’s not appropriate for all industries

We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but creative resumes aren’t appropriate for all industries. According to Alison Cheston, a career connector who teaches career workshops at NYU and Barnard College, this type of resume is ideal for applicants who are interested in a more artistic field such as fashion or communications.

“Creative formats should never be used in banking and financial services, consulting firms, healthcare or government,” says Cheston. If you send a creative resume to an inartistic company, the recipients may think you’re not serious about the position. Unless you’re sure that you’re interested in a creative field, sticking to a traditional format is better than being inappropriate.

It can be distracting

Your resume may look cool, but it’s an issue if you can’t read your contact information without tilting your head. As aesthetically pleasing as your creative resume may be, nobody is going to hire you if they can’t read what it says! “Remember, the purpose of your resume is to land you the job, so always keep it readable to the audience,” says Huhman.  

According to the career guru, less is more. “The key to a tasteful creative resume is consistency and moderation,” Huhman says. “Avoid using graphics that take away from the focus of the resume.” Since you don’t want your resume to give your potential employer a migraine, keeping simple is a practical alternative.

It can look unprofessional

If Elle Woods taught us anything—besides the bend and snap, obviously—it’s that creative resumes can sometimes be more comical than impressive. While pink and scented may sound like a great way to stand out, it’s more likely to scream, “Don’t hire me!” 

“I once received a resume with clip art graphics for an HR-related position and thought it was too much,” says Puskarits.

Realizing you crossed the line might not be so easy if your resume doesn’t smell like Marc Jacobs’s latest fragrance. Preventing an Elle Woods moment is as easy as asking a professor, supervisor or your school’s career service center for advice. 

“If you are at all in doubt as to whether you’ve gone too wild creatively, get some feedback from mentors and/or those you admire who are in the field,” says Cheston. If your advisors don’t love your resume, it may be better to stick to a more basic appearance.

When Does a Creative Resume Become Too Creative?

We can tell you what makes a creative resume over-the-top, but you won’t know what one looks like until you see it. To save yourself from a major career faux pas, check out these templates to see what’s eye-catching and what’s eye-burning.

Example 1: Let the games begin

Applying for an internship or job sometimes feels like a game—however, you shouldn’t express that on your resume! 

“This is borderline tacky,” Mulvey says. “Your resume should be easy to read and understand.” You should show your potential employers that you’re responsible and mature, not that you would rather be playing board games. 

Sometimes trying too hard to be different is worse than landing on the “Go To Jail” space.

“While it would stand out, it might be too time consuming to follow the path,” notes Puskarits. “A recruiter or hiring manager typically has a large amount of resumes to review.” Translation? There’s a good chance your resume may end up in the “no” pile.

Since your resume should never be hard to read, it’s better to nix the creative theme and choose a more traditional format.

Example 2: Simplicity is key

According to this expert, a little bit of pizzazz goes a long way. “This is a wonderful example of the perfect amount of creativity,” gushes Mulvey. “It’s simple enough to remain fresh and current for years.” The layout is perfect for a collegiette with a lot of experience, while the color palette spices up your average sheet of paper without being too abrasive.  Unlike the board game example, this template is creative and concise.

“It’s easy to follow and allows the reviewer to get a feel for the candidate quickly,” says Puskarits.

If you’re looking to optimize space on your own resume, add some text boxes. Adding a text box is as easy as hitting “Insert Text Box” on your word processor’s toolbar. Once you alter the box’s size and dimensions, you can type inside the box. For a creative and polished finishing touch, Mulvey suggests using a modern font. “Fonts like Futura, Century Gothic and Arial are refreshing,” says Mulvey.  Genius!

Example 3: Advertising your experience

While we think Don Draper would love this format, we can’t guarantee that everyone else will. “If I were a hiring manager for a graphic artist, I would be impressed from the get-go,” says Puskarits. “I would not use that resume to apply for another position.”

To give this layout a less creative twist, nix the graphics and organize your experience and skills in text boxes. “The ad blocks create a visually-pleasing grid,” Mulvey observes. “It may look busy at first glance, but it becomes easier to understand once you read it.” Avoid any initial confusion by organizing your text boxes into neat columns.

Example 4: Minimal Experience? No problem!

“This is the perfect creative resume for someone who does not have much experience and is worried about filling the page,” says Mulvey.

Not only is this resume perfect for the collegiette who’s just starting to fill up her resume, it also gets our reviewer’s stamp of approval.

“This one was quite creative and piqued my interest,” says Puskarits.

We know what you’re thinking: how can you recreate this template for yourself?

 “A fast and creative way to make the page look fuller is by adding a strip of color on the side,” suggests Mulvey. 

If you’re not a computer connoisseur, adding this stripe is as simple as hitting “Insert AutoShapes” on your toolbar. Once you resize and rotate your shape—we recommend adding a rectangle—give your resume a splash of color by double clicking on the graphic. Though you’ll probably have to revamp your layout once you have more to add, nobody said that having more experience was a bad thing.

Example 5: A trip down memory lane

Though the timeline gives your potential employer a good idea of your work history’s chronology, our experts have clashing opinions about those graphics. 

From a design standpoint, they’re distracting. “They take up so much space and it’s hard to focus on the writing,” says Mulvey. 

However, some employers may appreciate the timeline. “I think it’s an interesting representation of the candidate’s education and experience,” Puskarits says.

Since the verdict is still out on this one, and your resume should already be in chronological order, save the timeline for Facebook!

Example 6: One collegiette’s trash…

With this template, someone may mistake your cherished experience for a piece of garbage. Even worse, they will probably think this resume represents you as a worker. “The crumpled paper suggests that the person is messy and lazy,” says Mulvey.  

In addition to the lackluster appearance, the excessive arrows are sure to confuse your resume’s recipients. 

“It’s too heavy on the graphics and too light on the content,” Puskarits adds.

Instead, make your resume reflect how you want to be perceived—polished and professional.

Just remember that your resume’s format is only one piece of the puzzle. Packing your resume with invaluable experience, writing a persuasive cover letter and nailing your interview are crucial when it comes to snagging that coveted job or internship. Whether or not you choose to make a creative resume, keeping the bigger picture in mind will prepare you for the application process. 

While we might not all have three days off like we did in high school, Easter is still a great excuse to take a mini vacation. If you’ve been living on ramen noodles since you spent all of your money on spring break, Easter is the perfect time to go home, spend some quality time with the family and get a delicious, home-cooked meal! Here are some cute, easy recipes to make at home and save Mom from stressing. Or, if you aren’t able to make it home for Easter this year, these recipes are a great excuse to get together with some friends and get cooking!

1.  Deviled Chicks

Who doesn’t love deviled eggs? Check out this recipe to learn how to make your own. Aside from being super easy to make, they’re a delicious excuse to get in the kitchen and work on your cooking skills! Eggs are a rich source of protein, so this snack is as filling as it is cute.

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients

• 12 eggs
• 4 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
• 2 teaspoons sweet relish
• Salt
• Pepper
• 1 black olive
• 1 carrot

Directions

1. Place eggs in a large wide saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil for 12 minutes.
2. Remove eggs and cool in refrigerator.
3. Remove shells from eggs, hold eggs vertically and slice in half.
4. Separate egg yolks and place into a bowl.
5. Place whites on a separate plate. Add mayo, mustard, relish and salt and pepper (to taste) to yolks and mash together with a fork until creamy and smooth.
6. Cut the tip of a bottom corner off of a plastic bag and pipe the yolk mixture into the bottom of each egg white.
7. Top them off with the other egg white halves. Cut out some small circles from the olive to use as eyes and chop the carrot into small pieces to make adorable noses!

2. Rice Krispies Easter Nests

Rice Krispies treats are one of the simplest desserts you can make. This recipe with an Easter spin takes all of 15 minutes to make, and you’ll have leftover treats for days.

Recipe from The Pampered Chef

Ingredients

• Rice Krispies Treats (homemade ones work better, but store-bought works well too)
• 1 bag of chocolate chips
• Your favorite jelly beans to use as eggs

Directions

1. After you’ve made (or purchased) your treats, break them up into pieces about the size of your palm.
2. Take a spoon and press it into the middle of the treat, making a nest-shaped treat. Allow those to sit for about five minutes while you heat up your chocolate chips.
3. Pour half of the bag of chocolate chips into a bowl and set your bowl in the microwave.
4. Microwave the chips in a microwave-safe bowl in short bursts, stirring the chips between cooking time. Start out with one minute, check the chips and add 30 seconds until your chips are completely melted.
5. Once your chips have melted, grab your nests and dip the bottom into the chocolate. You can completely submerge it in chocolate or drizzle the melted chips all over the nests.
6. Lay the nests upside down on a sheet of wax paper until the chocolate hardens. Fill with your favorite jelly beans and you’re done!

3. Bunny Breakfast

Recipe from The Pampered Chef

This recipe is perfect for collegiettes who don’t spend a ton of time in the kitchen or who only have a few minutes to throw something together to bring to Easter brunch. With this bunny breakfast, you can satisfy your sweet tooth and play up your artistic abilities effortlessly.

Ingredients

• 2 12.4-ounce packages of cinnamon rolls
• Raisins
• Sliced almonds

Directions

1. Place 4 of the cinnamon rolls on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
2. Cut the rest of the cinnamon rolls into halves and place them on top of the rolls to resemble ears.
3. Bake the rolls according to the instructions on the package. Once they come out of the oven, pour on the frosting, use the sliced almonds as teeth and use the raisins to make some sweet eyes and a nose.

4. Bunny Cupcakes

Recipe from Better Homes and Gardens

Cupcakes are perfect for every holiday or occasion. If you make enough to have leftovers (and can resist the urge to not eat them all fresh out of the oven!) these adorable bunny cupcakes make for a good on-the-go dessert that will definitely make the people sitting next to you in the library jealous.

Ingredients

• Vanilla frosting
• Cupcake mix (12 cupcakes)
• Large white gumdrops
• 1 tube pink icing
• 1 tube black icing
• Pink jelly beans

Directions

1. Make your cupcakes according to the directions on the box and let them cool.
2. Place vanilla frosting into a bag and a corner to make an opening. Pipe frosting onto cupcakes. Sprinkle a work surface with sugar.
3. Use a rolling pin to flatten large white gumdrops; cut or shape triangles to use for ears.
4. Press ends of two gumdrop triangles into the frosting near top of each cupcake head; press into frosting to attach.
5. Use the tube of pink icing to pipe the insides of the ear and use the black icing to make adorable whiskers. Add a pink jelly bean nose.
6. Use your frosting to make the eyes and use the black icing to fill in the pupils.

5. Savory Stuffing

While many people save the stuffing for Thanksgiving, this recipe is a great addition to your Easter dinner. It’s filled with vegetables, like onions and carrots, but still has a savory flavor to keep you fully satisfied. You have to get your veggie fix in somewhere among all the sweet treats!

Recipe from Spoonful

Ingredients

• Loaf of sturdy white bread (1 pound)
• 1 pound Italian sausage links, mild or hot
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 bulb fennel, finely chopped, or 2 cups finely chopped celery (or a combination)
• 1 large carrot, peeled and finely diced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 1/2 cups chopped mushrooms
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup chopped fresh herbs (use mostly parsley plus sage, rosemary and/or thyme)
• 1/2 cup pine nuts, pan-toasted (optional)
• 3/4 to 1 1/4 cups chicken broth
• Salt and ground pepper to taste
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten

Directions

1. Slice the bread into 3/4-inch cubes and allow to dry in a 350-degree (Fahrenheit) oven for about 10 minutes. Transfer the bread to a very large mixing bowl and set it aside.
2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
3. Poke each sausage several times with a fork and drop into the boiling water. Boil for 13 to 17 minutes, until the center of the sausage is no longer pink.
4. Transfer to a bowl and cool. Score the casings and peel them off. Quarter the sausage lengthwise, and then cut crosswise into 1/4-inch pieces. Set aside.
5. Melt the butter in a very large sauté pan.
6. Stir in the onion, fennel, carrot and bay leaf and sauté over medium heat for 8 minutes, stirring often.
7. Stir in the mushrooms and sausage. Cover and sauté 3 to 4 minutes more. Remove from the heat.
8. Remove the bay leaf and add the sautéed mixture, fresh herbs and toasted pine nuts (if desired) to the bread.
9. Gently toss the mixture and add the chicken broth, 1/4 cup or less at a time, until the bread seems moist but not soggy.
10. Taste the stuffing, adding salt and pepper as needed. Add the eggs and mix gently.

Whether you’re headed home for Easter and want to bring a dish of your own or plan on meeting up with some friends for an Easter party, these recipes are sure to be a hit with your company!

It’s that time of year again: graduation. It can be the happiest time of year (no more accumulating student loans!) but also the worst time of year (OMG are we actually “adults” now?!). No matter who is graduating this year – make it a little easier for them by giving them something to acknowledge all the hard work they put into these last 4 years. Whether you want to go practical, tech-y, or sentimental – we’ve got you covered!

Tech-y Gifts

Roku

Get your graduate the gift of streaming! She’ll enjoy seemingly endless movies, shows, and more on her HDTV (oh yeah, make sure someone else has that one covered). $100

Beats by Dre Headphones

These headphones can’t be beat (get it?)! The powerful, noise-cancelling headphones are perfect for any grad who needs to be in her own musical world. This is an especially great gift for graduates who will travel often or commute on public transportation. $300

Custom Watch

Combine one of your grad’s favorite Instagram photos to create a cute and colorful watch. It’s a subtle way to also capture her college moments with an iconic photo from her beloved campus. $44

Macbook Air

Odds are, after 4 years, your grad’s laptop is pretty burnt out. Get her ready for her “adult” life with a shiny new Macbook Air. Starting at $999

Netflix/Hulu Subscription

Like many grads, yours might be skimping on cable in her big-girl apartment. Keep her from missing the latest episodes of Scandal and binge-watching sessions of Orange is the New Black with subscriptions to both Hulu Plus and Netflix. $192 for a year.

Polaroid Camera

Not every 2014 graduate wants all her photos on her smartphone. Help her go retro with this awesome Polaroid instant printing camera that uses zero ink! $180

Sentimental Gifts

Stickygram Magnets

Start her new apartment decorating with a set of 9 magnets created directly from your Instagram photos. It’s a perfect way to remind her of your amazing memories together every time she opens the fridge. $15

Good Luck Necklace

Start her off on her post-college journey with this delicate good luck necklace for Dogeared. It’s perfectly subtle enough for her to wear it every day at her new job! $58

Shutterfly Book

For the creative gift giver – start saving those Facebook photos and package them all nicely in a keepsake photo book. The work you put into designing this “scrapbook” will not go unnoticed and she’ll have something way more personal than her yearbook at her fingertips. Starting at $20

Letters to My Future Self 

Give her the gift of self-reflection! This package of 12 letters includes prompts so she’ll be inspired to capture her thoughts and feelings so she can best remember her past down the road. $15

Campus Canvas

A bare-walled apartment isn’t exactly going to make her feel at home. Solve that issue and get her a perfect graduation gift by transferring an iconic photo from campus (like this fabulous view from Pepperdine) onto a canvas that she can hang in her new place. Starting at $37

Custom Champagne Bottle and Flutes

This will be the most memorable toast she’ll ever have! Instead of cheers-ing to your girl in generic champagne glasses with generic champagne, customize a bottle of your favorite bubbly and the flutes with a message to commemorate her special day. Starting at $126

Gifts for ‘The Real World’

Where Chefs Eat

Is your graduate a major foodie? Keep her eating well wherever she goes with this guide book with recommendations from hundreds of celebrated chefs who share their favorite bargain bites, hotspots and local faves. $20

Plated Subscription

Simplify cooking for your grad with a gift subscription to Plated! The company sends your girl pre-portioned ingredients so she can make healthy, delicious meals after work in less than 30 minutes, like spice-rubbed steak with roasted carrots and Israeli couscous. Gift cards start at $60 (for 4 plates)

Business Cards

While business cards might not be the most awe-inspiring gift, they sure are practical – especially for grads going off into the world to freelance, or without a job offer yet. These fun cards will keep her looking professional, even if she’s reusing things from her childhood bedroom. Starting at $30 for 25 cards.

Road Emergency Kit

Great for any grad who is getting behind the wheel (but especially good for grads who are going into industries like sales and will often be driving), this AAA emergency kit will keep them safe on-the-go. The handy kit stores in your trunk and contains first aid supplies, fuses, and more! $20

Coffeemaker

A Starbucks habit when you’re budgeting isn’t easy. Brighten up her kitchen (and her life) with this bright pink programmable coffeemaker from Cuisinart so she can wake up with a fresh cup of joe everyday! $85

Zipcar

If presenting your graduate with a shiny new car with a big bow on it is out of your budget, this is a fantastic alternative. Zipcar, a car sharing program, lets users drive when they want to! Perfect for life in the city where a car isn’t necessary – but great to have for trips to Costco or Target! Membership starts at $6/month and driving rates from $8/hour. 

Music Festival season has begun, collegiettes! Free People, the ultimate source for bohemian fashion and festival wear, is ready for its favorite season with a new Festival Muse line, which has “everything you need for a season full of music and magic under the sun and the stars.”

The line has Free People’s usual wide-brimmed hats, fringe-heavy sack purses and bangles, but now you can also express your music festival alter ego through garlands ($35), tie-dyed blankets ($69), handpainted tambourines ($60), and even beach tent teepees ($285).

Be sure to check out everything in their new line so you can get music festival ready! 

Love can make us do crazy things, especially the kind of unrequited love that occurs during a one-sided crush. We might think these are innocent behaviors that bring us one step closer to our happily ever afters, but they aren’t. If your crushes are always running for the hills, it’s not him, it’s you. Let Her Campus fill you in on 11 reasons why this may be the case.
 
1. You text him 5 minutes after he gives you his number.

And when he doesn’t answer, you text him again and again and again. “Where are you? Want to hang out? Come get me. Hello. Where are you? Why are you ignoring me?” He’s ignoring you because you’re acting like a crazy person. If he doesn’t answer you the first five times, he’s not going to answer you the sixth time either. No matter how hard you want to try again, remember that double (and triple, and quadruple) texting is a big no-no. Chris, a student at Michigan State University, shares his story: “I went out on a date with this one girl and she legit texted me nonstop wanting to hang out every single day, even when I didn’t respond to some.” Stalker!
 
2. You like every single one of his profile pics. 

Not only will he see how obsessed you are, but so will his 1,052 friends. It’s one thing to stalk him in private, but another to publicly display your interest in him. Do yourself and everyone else a favor and hide him from your newsfeed. When you can’t see his new shirtless pic, you won’t be tempted to keep over-liking (or continue to embarrass yourself). “I had just gotten home from a night out and my friend and I thought it would be fun to look through every one of my crush’s profile pics all the way back to his preteen days. We liked everything—from his baby face pictures to his first high school dance,” says Gina, a collegiette from Western Michigan University. Hopefully your crush will notice you did the liking in the middle of the night and blame it on the alcohol, but if he doesn’t he’s sure to get freaked out when he sees you liked pictures of him skiing, posing with his preschool friend, waiting in line at Disney World…
 
3. You show him your Pinterest wedding board. 

Guys already hate Pinterest enough, and when you combine it with a discussion of your future marriage and children, he will want to run away and never talk to you again. Think of how you would feel if he made you sit through his entire Fantasy Football draft.  If you make this terrible mistake of showing him the cake, napkins, and flowers that will be at your wedding, you should probably start making a future cat lady Pinterest board.
 
4. You get caught stalking his Facebook profile in a large lecture.

Facebook stalking can be fun and sometimes even necessary (when you do it in the comforts of your own home), but that point when you get bored during lecture is not the time to do it. You never know who’s sitting near you and spying on your screen. “This one time I was sitting in class and I was creeping on my crush. By creeping I mean looking at every single photo that he has ever had. I get a Facebook message, so begrudgingly I leave his photos (I was in pretty deep too) to see who messaged me. It was him. He was sitting behind me because he came in late to class. He told me he was flattered. I hurried up and closed my laptop and we never talked about it again,” says Haven, a student at Chatham University. 

5. You hook up with another guy… right in front of him

You’re not technically dating so it’s okay to see what other options are around, but try to be discreet about it. If you have any idea that he might show up where you are, keep your flirting to a minimum. Kissing another guy right in front of him might be the behavior of choice for a jealous girlfriend, but not for  a girl like you who is trying to make him into your boyfriend.“I invited this guy over and he was taking too long to get to my place so I called up my other crush who showed up right away. The two of us headed back to his place and started making out along the way, right as the original guy pulled up,” says Michelle*, a collegiette from the University of Michigan. There’s really no easy way out for this one. You could deny the whole thing and tell your first crush he was just seeing things, you could call over your first crush and ask him to join you two, or you could just wait until you get to the bedroom if a situation like this ever happens again.
 
6. You change your Facebook status to “in a relationship” after a week of talking to him.

You think guys move too fast? You don’t want to be the one to jump the gun before you’ve even gone on a real date (and no, randomly falling into each other at the bar does not count). In his eyes, you might be just another booty call. He might even think your new relationship is with another guy, in which case he will probably just stop returning your calls. When people start liking your new relationship status, the damage will already be done. Save yourself the embarrassment and change your relationship status in real life before you do it on the Internet.

7. You find out his class schedule and dress up really cute, always making sure you take the same route as he does.

If you can pull this off unnoticed, good for you. But chances are he will start to notice a shadow in his path. This is when things could get weird. When he finds out this shadowy figure is you, he will catch on and tell his friends about the creepy girl who is always following him. He will then change his route and avoid you in any way possible. The worst is when you smile and wave and he doesn’t even notice or acknowledge you. Stop chasing your crush and instead eye f—k the hotties who walk by you every day.
 
8. You get too drunk and puke all over him.

After one too many mixed drinks, a few shots, and a keg stand, you’re feeling like you did after your 21st birthday celebration. It’s bad enough to puke on yourself, but it’s way worse when you puke on your crush. You’ll be known on campus as the Vomit Comet—not something you ever want to be called. When you get the feeling that things are going to get messy, run to the bathroom or look for the nearest bucket or garbage can, not his brand new Sperry’s.  And try not to get that drunk in the first place, for many reasons…

9. You ask him to meet your parents before you are even official. 

The whole “meet the parents” thing is already awkward enough. It’s something that should be saved for longer down the road—think after numerous dates, hook-ups, and PDAs. Ask him to meet your friends first. If he gets freaked out by this, do not even think about inviting him to your cousin’s first birthday party. “I was with this guy for about a month and decided to invite him to my grandparents’ anniversary party. Well good thing I didn’t, because a couple days later he sent me a text saying he couldn’t date me anymore and had recently met someone else,” says Vanessa*, a student at Florida State University. It’s okay if your guy comes over and your parents meet him at the door and they have a little small talk, but don’t plan a formal dinner meeting too soon.
 
10. You start giving his best girl friend a dirty look every time you see her. 

Calm down, girlfriend, there’s more than enough of him to go around. Just because she’s a girl doesn’t mean she’s hooking up with him. It sucks that she’s one of the prettiest girls on campus and knows how to work a crowd, but don’t be intimidated by this. If you give her a dirty look, she’ll most likely relay this message to your crush, and next time you run into him on campus you’ll be the one getting a dirty look. Make peace with his best girl friend any way you can. Do the whole Mean Girls thing and be “frenemies” with her if you have to... it’s better than nothing.
 
11. He finds you crying outside the bar, for the third weekend in a row.

And to make matters worse, you can’t stop hiccupping. This is the ultimate way to become “that girl". Drunk crying is not only unattractive; it also makes you look weak and pathetic. Yeah, your emotions might act up after having a few too many tequila shots, but save the crying for your best friends, therapist, or even your dog.

Stop committing these little crimes, and your crush might finally feel the same can’t-get-enough, lovely-dovey feelings you feel about him. Let us know how you’ve ruined your chances with your crush and prevent your fellow collegiettes from making the same mistakes by leaving a comment!

If you're looking for an end-of-semester read or a novel to kick off your summer reading, then we have the perfect book for you! We're giving collegiettes the chance to get a first look at New York Times best-selling author Emily Giffin’s new novel, The One & Only, before everyone else! Though the novel doesn't come out until May 20, we're giving away advanced reader's editions to 25 lucky collegiettes. Keep reading to learn more about the novel and how you can enter the giveaway! 

You're probably already familiar with Giffin – she's the writer behind Something Borrowed, her first novel that made it to the big screen in a film starring Kate Hudson, John Krasinski and Ginnifer Goodwin. Her newest novel, The One & Only, is an engrossing read filled with engaging, unconventional characters and emotional honesty. An expert at examining the complex personal choices we all face, Giffin has created a remarkable story about the price of pursuing—or not pursuing—our passions. 

In Giffin's words, The One & Only is “a story about love and friendship set against the backdrop of Texas football. Think Friday Night Lights meets When Harry Met Sally.” This will particularly resonate with collegiettes who go to school in big college football towns! Read the full book synopsis here.

We think The One & Only is the perfect book to kick off your summer reading list (or use as a great excuse to procrastinate before finals!). Press your luck and enter below for a chance to win one of 25 advanced reader's editions of the novel. Winners will be chosen at random and announced in the April 23 STUDY BREAK. 

Don't forget to keep up with Giffin on social media; you can find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram!

Good luck, collegiettes!