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Bella Hadid Talking About Her Breakup With The Weeknd Will End You

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Even Victoria’s Secret Angels know that “love hurts.” Bella Hadid has broken her silence about her split from The Weeknd in an interview for Teen Vogue’s Love Issue.

The star-studded couple ended their nearly two-year relationship in early November after an “amicable parting,” according to Teen Vogue. Just a few weeks later, Hadid personified #breakupgoals as she walked in her first Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show while her Grammy-winning ex performed on the same runway.

She later posted on Instagram a picture from the show, gushing about “the most fun and nerve racking experience” of her life and calling The Weeknd “the best and most incredible performer on the planet.”

While she may have put up a strong front to the public, Hadid now admits the breakup was far from easy. "It was my first breakup—or second, next to the horse—and so public,” she tells the magazine. “As an outsider, you might think I handled it so well, but it's always in your heart, and you always feel it very heavily. It'll be hard for a while. Love hurts, but you have to pull through."

The horse Bella refers to is Lego, her show horse she had to sell after Lyme disease ended her equestrian career.

Bella and The Weeknd first started dating in May 2015 after spending time together at the Coachella Music Festival, according to E! Online. They took a break in December 2015 but got back together shortly after.

"I'll always respect him, and I'll always love him," she says. "Sometimes you want to be sad about it or handle it differently, but at the end of the day, you never want to burn a bridge that you've fought so hard to build."

Hadid did not comment on The Weeknd's new romance with Selena Gomez, although she quietly unfollowed Gomez on Instagram after the pair went public.



Solange Calls Out the Grammys After Beyoncé's Album of the Year Snub

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Adele'swin over Beyoncé’s Lemonade for Album of the Year at the Grammys surprised even the British singer herself and led to plenty of criticism of the award show. Adding to the discussion is Bey's sister Solange Knowles, who took home a Grammy for Best R&B Performance for "Cranes In The Sky." 

 

A post shared by Solange (@saintrecords) on

After Adele’s “Hello” won both Song and Record of the Year and a few minutes before the final award of the night was announced, Solange tweeted "wuddup frank" in support of a Tumblr post by rapper Frank Ocean. Ocean, who declined to submit his 2016 work for Grammy consideration, directed the post at Grammy producers Ken Ehrlich and David Wild: "If you're up for a discussion about the cultural bias and general nerve damage the show you produce suffers from then I'm all for it."

Solange took to Twitter again on Monday in since-deleted tweets to address the controversy. “There have only been two black winners in the last 20 years for album of the year,” she said, according to People. “There have been over 200 black artist who have performed.”

She followed up with a call to action to her followers. “Create your own committees, build your own institutions, give your friends awards, award yourself, and be the gold you wanna hold my g’s.”

Beyoncé still walked away from the award show with two wins out of nine nominations, with Lemonade winning Best Urban Contemporary Album and her music video for “Formation” winning Best Music Video Performance.

Adele, who took home five awards, called Lemonade“monumental” in her acceptance speech. 

Lemonade's loss could add more fuel to a growing resentment against the Recording Academy, according to The New York Times. Beyoncé has not spoken out in response to the controversy.

Could Ben Be 'The One' for Mindy Lahiri?

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When we last saw The Mindy Project and our favorite doctor/fashionista Mindy Lahiri in November, Mindy and Ben had come to a standstill: Ben felt unappreciated by Mindy while Mindy felt that Ben wasn't living up to his full potential. Amidst this romantic chaos, Mindy ran into her old flame Jamie, and after a few capfuls of liquor, Mindy kissed him. Unfortunately, Ben happened to walk in at that moment and catch them in the act. Cue the typical rom-com chase scene through the streets of New York, with Ben and Mindy once again fighting over where their relationship was going. Finally, Ben dumped Mindy with these parting words: "All this time you've been wondering if I'm good enough for you, huh? But…I don't think you're good enough for me." *Ugly cry face*

After over two excrutiating months of waiting, we finally have a resolution to this Mindy and Ben (Men? Bindy?) dilemma. In this week's new episode, Mindy wakes up on a typical Wednesday morning—except it turns out to be anything but. She breaks her third iPhone that month, realizes she's completely out of tampons just as her period starts, has to deal with her least favorite patients and runs into Ben at the hospital. Worst. Day. Ever. Even worse, she wakes up the next morning to find out she's living the same day over and over again à la Bill Murray in Groundhog Day. 

However awful having your period EVERY DAY must be, Mindy realizes that she now has the opportunity to reconnect with Ben and possibly even win him back. Although her and Ben's relationship wasn't perfect, we saw flashes of Mindy becoming a better person just by being around him. She took the time to get to know his daughter, Lindsay, and even trekked out to the suburbs to spend time with them as a happy little family. She encouraged him to take on new challenges, like going on The Today Show, even if it was partly so she could be friends with a "celebrity." It seemed like Ben was someone that Mindy could really settle down with, until it came crashing down at that party with Jamie. 

Now she's been given a chance to right her wrongs. Every day, she has lunch with Ben and actually listens to him, instead of making everything about her. She learns he loves Marvel movies and Star Trek and that his mother converted to Judaism. Alghough Ben may not remember any of this when the day resets, Mindy finds their relationship becoming stronger and stronger the more she listens. When Ben reveals he has to jump on a plane to take Lindsay to visit his ex, Mindy encourages him to go because it's "the right thing to do." Mindy's been in a lot of relationships, but never before have we seen her spend so much time and energy trying to make herself a better partner. 

When Mindy awakens on Thursday, she's devastated that she may not have sealed the deal with Ben in time. However, it turns out that her listening skills and self-improvement have paid off: Ben shows up at her door ready to try their relationship again. While you can never be sure if it's actually happily ever after on The Mindy Project (we miss you, Danny!), Mindy's commitment to get Ben back by becoming a better person shows that she truly loves him and is willing to do whatever it takes to make it work. Maybe this is a sign that Ben is "the one" for Mindy, but we'll have to wait to find out for sure. 

5 Things You Should Know Before Starting the Kayla Itsines BBG Program

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Oh, I’m sure you know the feeling. You’re scrolling through your Instagram feed, and you suddenly stop your thumb-swiping at yet another inspiring, somewhat jealousy-provoking body transformation picture on Kayla Itsines’ Instagram. You stare at it for a bit, marveling at the breathtaking beauty that is six-pack abs and toned arms and legs, and then you have a realization: “That could be me! I could look like that… if I tried!” And now you’re here, with a curiosity on how to get started with the Bikini Body Guide (BBG), one of the most popular workout guides for women just like you, who not only want to look great, but who also want to feel empowered and confident.

Saying yes to the program is half the battle, so you’re already killin’ it. And with that motivation, here are some pointers before you embark on your new workout journey:

1. Make sure you have enough time in your schedule

The workout program is a pretty strict regimen to stick to if you want to achieve maximum results, so make sure you have enough time for it. Each week, you will be working out on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and each day will consist of eight different workout moves that add up to about 30 minutes of working out each day.

In college, it’s important to stay both healthy and on top of things, so make sure you’re staying sufficiently organized and hitting up the library before adding this program to your list of priorities!

2. You will be sore

Each day will have a specialization, such as “Arms & Abs,” “Legs & Cardio” or “Full Body Workout,” so you’re going to be putting your body through a lot! “I was sore almost every day while I was doing the program, but it worked and I began to see results in under four weeks,” University of Florida junior Sophie Philipp says. Some of the circuits will repeat, which makes them a bit easier the second time around, but they may be semi-brutal the first time you do them. Tons of different moves are also used throughout the program, so you may be working muscles you never even knew you had-- but have no fear! It’s a good kind of burn, as long as you listen to it.

“Pain must be your guide to what you do. If you’re in intense pain and you try to push through it, chances are you can do more damage than good,” says Melanie Ludwig, personal trainer and owner of Prestige Fitness. “If it isn't debilitating pain, it makes sense to try and move with a lower intensity and to stretch the area,” she says. “Self-myofascial release techniques (SMR) such a using a foam roller can also help release the tension.”

3. The program will be daunting at first if you’re not used to working out regularly

Just like with starting anything for the first time, it always takes some getting used to. If you haven’t worked out much in the past, you may feel like you’re going from zero to 100 upon starting this program. University of Florida junior Stephanie Smith* struggled with committing to it because she wasn’t used to having a workout routine. “When I would think about doing it, I just didn’t want to. I’ve restarted Kayla a bunch of times because I keep trying to get back into it, but it’s really hard to stick with,” she says.

But don’t let this stop you! University of Florida senior Sami Winder says, “If you aren't incredibly motivated to work out, I would encourage you to get friends to do it with you.”

It’s never too late to change up your lifestyle, especially if it’s something that will benefit your health!

4. To maximize results, you’ll need to modify your diet

Getting in shape means more than just exercising-- it’s also about eating right! “I didn’t really see real results in my overall health and in my body until I changed my diet to healthier eating,” Sami says. “I was the unhealthiest person when I began the BBG, but the more I stuck with it, the more I saw that eating junk food made me more sluggish and tired, and I wanted to eat healthier and incorporate more veggies into my diet.”

Kayla Itsines also has a Healthy Eating & Lifestyle Plan, which has a 14-day meal plan and outlines how to eat properly and control portions (there’s a vegetarian guide too!).

However, you can make changes without buying the guide. “Eat more natural foods and avoid processed ones. MyPlate gives great recommendations for a well-balanced diet. For college women, I usually make one suggestion: start making one small change at a time,” Ludwig says.

5. You’ll thank yourself for taking on the challenge

Sarah Madaus, a sophomore at Temple University who has been doing the program for about three years, says “Kayla is a genuinely wonderful role model and inspiration. I've maintained toned muscles, gotten much stronger and increased my endurance by a lot.”

And the program offers more than just how to be healthy-- it can be life-changing. “Before I began the program, I ate badly, wasn't attending the gym every day and was not confident in myself. I am definitely much happier and way more confident now. I may not be the skinniest person but that’s not what it's about. I am happy with the way I look and the way I feel, and that is what is most important to me,” says Sami.

Sami's transformation 

What sets this program apart from others is the body-positive community it creates. Sophie appreciates how Kayla doesn’t pressure her clients to lose weight or look like models, but she does comment on how happy and healthy they look.

So fuel up that self-love, and go get ‘em, tiger!

*Names have been changed.

Katy Perry's New Shoe Line Is a Total Teenage Dream

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Katy Perry's long-awaited entry into the fashion-designing world is finally here! The insanely talented pop singer was the main creative contibutor for a 40-piece shoe line called Katy Perry Collections, which will be available on February 16. According to Forbes, popular online retailers like Amazon and Zappos have already signed up to carry her highly anticipated line, and other stores are already following suit. Katy's unmistakable ecletic style will soon help us all channel our inner popstar as we strut our stuff in her newly designed shoes

Apart from the quirky designs (one literally looks like a car from the '50s), each piece has adopted the name of one of the star's friends, A-lister or not. My favorite? The Hillary ($139). This classic pump with a clear, star-infused heel is named after Hillary Clinton, for whom Katy campaigned during the election.

All of the unique shoes in Katy's new line will be a conversation starter, which is exactly what she was going for. “That’s what is so great about fashion,” Perry says in an interview with People. “It’s a form of communication. You don’t have to start a smoking habit to start talking to someone. You can just wear cool shoes. It’s an icebreaker.”

Even though each shoe is named after someone important in Katy's life, they all are a direct reflection of her own one-of-a-kind look. Her designs include a sparkling sneaker named after Lena Dunham ($129), Rubik's cube-heeled heels called Margot ($109) and a classic black pump with a gradient-filled clear heel named after Allison Williams ($119).

With the range of designs available, you are sure to find the perfect pair to reflect your personal style! I can't wait to see what else Katy comes up with. 

Calling All Badass Babes! We’re Giving Away 50 Signed Copies of Ann Shoket’s New Book

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“Balance is the key to success,” as the old mantra goes – that is, if balance is defined by juggling work, money, love, friends, and a hefty to-do list, all while walking on the tight rope called life.

We know it’s hard to find balance, but maybe it’s time to stop looking for that elusive key and embrace the mess instead. Ann Shoket, who you might recognize as Seventeen’s editor-in-chief for the better part of a decade, has mastered the art of embracing the mess to achieve “THE BIG LIFE,” and she’s written a book on how you can, too. And guess what? We’ve teamed up with Rodale to give 50 winners a signed copy of her new book!

Enter to win a signed copy of THE BIG LIFE by Ann Shoket!

To put it quite simply, Ann is a Badass Babe. She leads a community of empowered, young women dealing with complex issues in today’s fast-paced world, and she knows how to help you get what you want. As Ann describes it, “you want The Big Life – that delicious cocktail of passion, career, work, ambition, respect, money and a monumental relationship. And you want it on your terms.”

From discussing the valuable takeaways of characters like Carrie Bradshaw and Andy Sachs, such as in this excerpt, to giving you the lowdown on juicy, TMI topics you can’t even ask your friends, this book is the guide you’ve been searching for.

The winner of the giveaway will be announced in our newsletter, so stay tuned! If you haven’t already signed up, you can subscribe here to keep up to date with all things collegiette.

15 Reasons to Celebrate Being Single, As Told By Phoebe Buffay

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Valentine's Day, also known as Singles Awareness Day, is here. Some girls are preparing to celebrate the day with their significant others, while the rest of us are beyond ready for February 15th, Chocolate-On-Sale Day, so we can treat ourselves. It's important to note that being single doesn't automatically mean we're lonely. Take it from the independent, free-spirited Phoebe Buffay. You don't have to be in a relationship to enjoy life. You make your own happiness.

1. You can let your phone die without the worry of your SO trying to get ahold of you

Your friends probably know you're just binge-watching Friends and not lying dead in a ditch somewhere.

2. You can flirt with whomever you want

You can date around or not date at all. The choice is all yours.

3. Sweats all day, every day

The only person you have to impress is yourself. 

4. You don't have to feel guilty for not spending enough time with your friends

The perks of a nonexistent partner. 

5. More time for yourself

Whether you enjoy Netflix and curling up in bed with cozy PJs or sitting in your tub with a good book, you have more time to unwind and do something that makes you happy for you and you only. 

6. There's more time for self discovery

Join a book group, go ziplining, do any new activity you've been wanting to try but haven't had the time or energy to do. Use this free time to your advantage and you may just learn something about yourself along the way. 

7. Trashy television shows

The Bachelor, Keeping Up With the Kardashians, you name it. Any show that would send a guy running, you can binge to your heart's content when you're without an SO. 

8. You save money

There's no need to worry about anniversaries and planning something special for your partner, a gift or a surprise date. 

9. You control the TV remote

Chick flicks, reality shows, whatever you're into, you're in charge. There is truly no greater luxury than this.

10. You get to treat yourself any time you want

Depending on yourself means there's no possibility for someone else to disappointment you. That new purse you've been eyeing for a month? Girl, buy it for yourself. You deserve it. 

11. The freedom to participate in no shave November any month out of the year

Although you can totally do this even when you're in a relationship (your body, your choice), there's more incentive to let your hair grow. No one's going to see it anyway.

12. Cuddles from your pets are really all you need 

Unlike SOs, love from a pet is unconditional.

13. You can crush on whomever you choose

You're not tied down, and there's something fun about discussing your latest crushes with your friends.

14. You have only yourself to answer to

Independence and freedom are your middle name.

15. More time to do those DIY projects you've been wanting to get to

Personal satisfaction is the best kind of satisfaction, so let those creative juices flow. 

American Girl Just Released Its First Ever Boy Doll

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American Girl isn't just for American girls anymore - in addition to the female dolls that were all of our childhood obsessions, the company has officially announced that it will release a boy doll in 2017.

According to Cosmopolitan, the new addition to American Girl's lineup will be named Logan Everett, a drummer who plays in a band with his friend Tenney Grant - another new doll that the company plans to release this Thursday alongside Logan.

Apparently, American Girl has been getting requests for a boy doll for years, and the company is hoping to diversify the interests and experiences of its character offering.

"Adding a boy to our lineup has been a number one request for a very, very, very long time," American Girl's director of public relations told the Huffington Post

Over on American Girl's Facebook page, parents were commenting on the announcement, and reactions were super positive - many parents were saying they had sons as well as daughters that have been waiting years for American Girl to add a male doll. (Because just like girls can play with chemistry sets, cars and trucks, it's totally cool if a boy wants to play with a doll.)

"My little boy has been waiting for a boy doll. He is so excited," one commenter said.

While the company usually only releases one or two new dolls a year, Logan is one of several new dolls for 2017, including a Korean-American doll and a Hawaiian doll from the 1950s. After all, kids of all genders and races deserve to see themselves represented in American Girl's lineup - and we're glad the company is working hard to make that possible.


Karlie Kloss is Dressed as a Geisha in This Vogue Editorial & People Are Not Happy About It

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So, it's 2017 and this happened: Vogue decided to create a Geisha-themed editorial for its March issue featuring Karlie Kloss - and the internet is not having it. To add insult to injury, the shoot is part of the magazine's diversity-themed issue. (Which has also already received some backlash on its own.)

The shoot, which was styled by Vogue editor Phyllis Posnick and shot by Mikael Jansson in Japan, features Karlie posing with a sumo wrestler, wearing a wig of black hair and sporting an obviously-whitened face. Yikes.

As you can imagine, the reactions on Twitter were basically a giant collective cringe:

As Refinery29 points out, part of the problem with the shoot is that Asian women only made up 7 percent of all models during New York Fashion Week - so why didn't Vogue use this opportunity to give exposure to a Japanese model that would actually best represent the culture? Not to mention the fact that the magazine resorted to a cheap, cliched representation of Japanese culture instead of trying to research and truly understand it.

Unfortunately, this isn't the first time Vogue has created some racial controversy with its editorials. As New York Magazine's The Cut reports, Vogue referred to a pair of earrings as "slave earrings" on its website back in 2011, and its French edition has previously featured model Lara Stone in blackface.

We wish the magazine could have used this as an opportunity seeing as it was their widely-acclaimed diversity issue - but this message of inclusivity seems to have stopped at the cover.

Melania Trump Just Responded to Emily Ratajkowski's Anti-Slut-Shaming Tweet

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No matter your thoughts on the current political situation, we can all agree that slut-shaming is not okay. On Monday, notably-woke model Emily Ratajkowski came to Melania Trump's defense on Twitter after a New York Times reporter called her "a hooker" at a New York Fashion Week event.

She ended her Twitter rant with, "Gender specific attacks are disgusting sexist bullshit." We couldn't agree more. While there are plenty of problems with her husband's political views (and the fact that Melania seemingly goes along with them), no one deserved to be shamed for their sexual history.

It turns out FLOTUS was ~here for it~, and took the opportunity to use her new Twitter handle to give Emily a shoutout.

While the reporter has since apologized, the situation brings to light a bigger problem about how we talk about Melania. This isn't the first time she's been slut-shamed (the New York Post published nude photos from her modeling career last summer), and it likely won't be the last. Her questionable politics still don't make it okay for the media to discuss her sexuality. (And in fact, it only detracts from more important issues.)

While it's a long shot, we're hoping that this means FLOTUS will start using her platform to start speaking out for all women's rights, beyond just her own. 

Here’s How Much Teacher Recommendations Actually Matter to Colleges

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Recommendation letters might not seem like a very crucial part of your whole college application, but they say something about you that a school might not be able to get from your own essays, grades or extracurricular background. After all, your teachers and mentors are in the special position to have been able to observe and work with you throughout your fundamental years leading up to college.

We reached out to some experts, including Kelly Sutton-Skinner, Associate Director of Admissions at Barnard College of Columbia University, Dr. Bari Norman, President of Expert Admissions, an admissions advisory firm in Manhattan and Anna Ivey, founder of Ivey Consulting and CEO of inli.ne for some insider advice on what makes a letter of recommendation stand out, how to choose who writes yours and where it falls among the other features of your application. Some well-versed collegiettes also gave us some perspective on who and how to ask for recommendation letters. Read on and you’ll be a pro in no time!

Why they matter

You might be wondering where exactly your letters of recommendation rank among all of the other materials you’re required to provide a college with when you’re applying. While this depends, to a degree, on the given school you’re looking at, you shouldn’t ever overlook the importance of a rec letter. “If a college requires recommendation letters, then those letters really do matter,” Ivey says. They’re not asking for recommendation letters for no reason!

“A student's application has to speak for itself first,” Norman says. “But, an excellent recommendation that focuses on things relevant to the admissions review process and truly makes you stand out...can absolutely make the difference.”

While it’s unlikely your letters of recommendation will introduce entirely new facets of your personality or paint a completely different picture, your teachers and mentors have a perspective on you that an admissions officer can’t get any other way. “Teachers...are exposed to so many different factors of a student,” Sutton-Skinner says. “We’re not only learning about a student’s intellect and how they engage with academic content, but we’re also learning about their personalities and...what kind of presence they are in an academic environment.”

She continues, “We would have an incomplete understanding of the student without them.” Schools ask for recommendation letters because they want to see a part of you that the rest of your application might not illustrate, so make them count! Choose who writes your letters carefully—it’s not as simple as teachers who love you or have given you good grades!

Who you select to write them is essential

Don’t just jump to the teacher who gave you your highest grades in high school, though this probably seems like what a college would want to hear about. Think about your relationship with the person you’re interested in asking, as well as their ability to communicate your best attributes to a school.

“Teacher recommendations, in particular, should focus on you as a thinker and as a student in the classroom,” Norman says—and this will likely include the times you struggled! “If a teacher can speak about intellectual growth or savviness on your part, seriously consider asking that teacher, even if the grade you earned wasn't the highest on your report card.”

“When things come very easily to a student, there's not too much a teacher can say, other than that the student is an excellent student,” Norman adds. Consider choosing a teacher you may have had some difficulties with or who taught a class you didn’t do your best in, but you saw personal or intellectual growth by the end. “If there is something negative in your profile on the academic side, you might also ask someone who can speak positively to your improvement,” Ivey says.

Sutton-Skinner agrees. “Some students will have better relationships with teachers who maybe haven’t given them an A,” she says. Of course, don’t pick someone you have a bad relationship with (they probably wouldn’t say yes to you anyway), but there could be a lot to gain from a letter written by a teacher was exposed to some of your academic stumbling blocks and knows how hard you worked to deal with them.

"I chose teachers who had seen my weaknesses...because with them, I grew and made improvements," says Grace Moon, a sophomore at New York University. "There's more to write about when you have a story to tell." Your personal growth throughout high school is really indicative to a college in terms of how you will do in their program. 

You obviously can’t write the letter for your chosen teacher or mentor, but there’s no harm in helping them out—especially if you haven’t been in touch with them or had a class with them in some time. “Sometimes [rec writers] will ask students to actually fill out sort of a cheat sheet, answer specific questions about their favorite part of the class [or tell them about] the kinds of schools that they’re applying to,” Sutton-Skinner says. You don’t want the letter to come out super cookie-cutter and vague, even if it’s complimentary.

“You should give [teachers or mentors] your resume so they have an idea of what you do outside of school and can include that in your recommendation,” says Shereen Jeyakumar, a sophomore at Florida Atlantic University. This will help your writer paint as full a picture of you as possible.

RELATED: The Dos & Don’ts of College Recommendation Letters

What makes a letter stand out

Recommendation letters shouldn’t simply talk up your accomplishments or vaguely list that one paper you wrote on The Great Gatsby and how well you contemplated the transcendence of 1920s idealism. After all, this is about you!

A good recommendation letter should be able to communicate what kind of person and thinker you are from the perspective of someone who has been able to see how you operate in an academic or other setting. “We are really trying to get a sense of your mind and the kind of community member that you would be,” Sutton-Skinner says.

“I chose to ask my varsity coach, who I greatly admired,” says Autumn Dube, a senior at Emmanuel College. “They’ll talk about your role on the team as well as your individual efforts and dedication rather than just school skills.” A school might require an academic recommendation letter, but if you have the opportunity to send supplemental letters, consider branching out!

Going the nontraditional recommender route could get you a really unique perspective. "Don't forget about teachers who are advisors to clubs you're in," agrees Cara Milhaven, a sophomore at Villanova University. "You limit yourself by only thinking about the teachers that have you in class."

It doesn’t hurt to let your writer know what you think a certain college is looking out for in your letter. “So many recommendation letters sound the same and ultimately serve as a neutral in the admissions process,” Norman says. Tell your writer that you want to stand out! “Your teachers’ opinions about you will be more memorable if they include specific examples,” Ivey adds. They should let you know if they don’t feel they can communicate this, in which case you want to pick someone else who can.

Recommendation letters can speak to other parts of your personality as well. A college is interested in how you contribute beyond just the classroom, since it is a place where you’re not going to simply work, but also live. A rec letter can potentially demonstrate “what kind of curiosities and passions you have, and...what kind of roommate and friend you’re going to be,” according to Sutton-Skinner. See, colleges are looking at more than just numbers!

“I picked the teachers I had actually had a connection and spent time with,” says Royall Bryan, a junior at Christopher Newport University. “They were teachers who could attest to my personality and not just my academic strengths and achievements.” It’s not just about your scholarly endeavors, even though the college process might make it seem that way.

What makes a letter fall short

It’s unlikely that a recommendation letter could pose a complete deal-breaker to a college. After all, if whomever you asked really didn’t have anything good to say about you, hopefully they would decline to write your letter (or you would realize that asking them is not the move).

While it’s unlikely that your letter will be a straight up flop, there can be instances in which an admissions officer might be concerned about its contents. “It's rare to see a bad letter, but it does happen where there are clear signals given by the recommender...almost red flags waving about a particular issue or trait,” Norman says. “If a recommender takes the time to single out something negative, that's saying something.”

“A big mistake is when a teacher...spends half the letter talking about you as a student, and then the other half rehashing your résumé,” Norman says. Don’t let a recommendation letter be insignificant in your application. You want it to highlight and underline your best features and those that make you a great fit for a college. Make sure your writer is confident they have enough to say, too.

A bad recommendation can give an admissions officer pause, and an exceptionally good recommendation can make an admissions officer take a closer look [if] the rest of the rest of the profile might have been borderline,” Ivey says. Since the recommendation letter is part of the whole body of the application, it’s important to consider its effects. Again, this is all to the end of ensuring that you’re careful who you choose!

How they relate to your other application materials

As far as making up for other parts of your application that aren’t so good, recommendation letters don’t really have that power. “A truly outstanding letter can tip someone over the edge to admission, but a great recommendation would rarely, if ever, compensate for significant academic shortcomings,” Norman says.

Again, though, they aren’t inconsequential for an admissions board or officer reviewing your app. “Can recommendations compensate? Not in any kind of numerical way, but if there’s a student [about whose intellectual fit we’re concerned], and then we read a recommendation that really...gives us a great sense of that student as a student, then that can have a really positive effect,” Sutton-Skinner says.

RELATED: How to Get the Perfect Recommendation Letter

How should you ask for them?

The thought of asking a teacher or mentor for a recommendation letter might be really awkward and tense, but remember they’re there to help you and they want you to succeed! It’s not asking too much (and if it is, they’ll let you know).

“Choose your recommendation letter writers in relation to what you see yourself doing and why you’re applying to a certain school,” says Kaitlin Manion, a graduate student at Temple University. This will enhance the specificity of your letter and distinguish your interests and accomplishments. “I chose teachers who I worked with for more than one year of my high school career,” Kaitlin adds. Again, this is good for the specifics, as they’ll have more to talk about!

In sheer logistical terms, be polite and grateful when interacting with your writer! They’re doing you an important favor. Ask in person and be sure to say thank you after the process is through. “I wrote [my recommendation letter writer] a thank you letter and hand delivered it,” says Natalie Haddad, a senior at Stephen F. Austin State University. “He was so impressed by it and told each of his classes how kind it was and how others should do the same.”

It’s unlikely, but you might run into a situation where someone you ask says no. “If they refuse, be gracious,” Amy says. It’s probably for your own good! They might not be best suited to write your letter, or they could simply be busy and have too much on their plate. “You’d rather get someone else to write it than a teacher trying to force it.” For sure.

Now that you’ve gotten the inside scoop, you should be fully prepared to ask the right instructors and mentors for recommendation letters for your college applications (and beyond)! While they may not be able to make or break your application, they are they are an indispensable part of how you present yourself in an application setting. Go forth and get good recommendation letters!

14 Times Blair Waldorf Empowered You To Be Your Best Self

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She may be the resident mean girl on Gossip Girl, but Blair always knows best—especially when it comes to being self-assured and strong.

1. She knows how to stay positive

Everything is going to be okay.

2. She is willing to work for what she wants 

Hard work pays off.

3. She encourages going after goals

And don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

4. She keeps a smile 

Even if you're terrified.

5. She embraces her true self

No matter if people will like you or not. 

6. She knows when to ask for help

No one's perfect.

7. She knows how to treat herself

So necessary. 

8. She knows the importance of dressing well

Look your best, be your best.

9. She is the epitome of girl power. 

And is determined to get what she wants.

10. She's independent 

Sometimes you have to get by on your own.

11. She's not afraid to fall in love

Even when she knows she might get hurt.

12. She won't let anyone dull her sparkle

Because she knows how important it is.

13. She's the life of the party

Turn some heads.

14. She knows when to not take life seriously

Because laughter is the best ab workout.

Tinashe Is Too Cute Planning This Surprise For A Very Deserving Fan

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What would you do if you were minding your own business and your fave celebrity showed up out of nowhere to surprise you? That's the premise of go90's Crashed, a surprise-and-delight show from funnyman Joel McHale that features celebs crashing the everyday lives of their unsuspecting fans.

We got a sneak peek of this week's episode and just had to share it. Tinashe fan Jade is celebrating her recent promotion at a karaoke bar, but she has no idea the singer will be dropping by. And Tinashe is ~too cute~ planning the surprise with Jade's friend, Brianna.

There's nothing more fulfilling than watching a surprise come to fruition. I feel like Aunt Sue waiting in anticipation to see how Jade reacts.

You'll have to wait until tomorrow—new episodes of Crashed go live on go90 every Thursday—to see how Tinashe's surprise turns out. Until then, catch up on the first two episodes of Crashed.

Win This Ultimate Style Package!

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We are giving away the perfect package to get you through 2017 in style! One lucky winner will recieve: 

  • A $200 We Are Knitters gift card
  • A one-year subscription access to Mogul courses ($171)
  • One scholarship to the Parsons x Teen Vogue, online certificate program ($549)
  • A $250 in Dress rentals from Www.StyleLend.com
  • A $500 gift card to Azalea 

Classes, clothes and cute dress rentals? We're sold. Enter To Win Now!

Spring Break FOMO: How to Deal

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While vacationing in the warm sun of Cancun or partying on the beaches of Miami may seem like the ideal spring break, not all of us can afford (both financially and mentally) to go away for the week. It may seem like a good idea to stay home or at school for your week off to catch up on sleep and assignments, but once you’ve scrolled through your social media feeds, you may second guess your decision to staycation—and even feel down about missing out on all the fun.

Instead of fearing, we spoke to Dr. Roy Michael Stefanik, psychiatrist and professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the Georgetown University School of Medicine, about how to deal with FOMO.

1. Turn off social media for the week

It may seem like a cruel punishment to step away from all connections to the outside world, but when you log out of Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc., you’re doing yourself a favor. It may be tempting to creep on #SpringBreak2017 and follow everyone’s vacation updates, but it won’t turn out positive in the end.

On the outside, it’s absolutely harmless to scroll through your Twitter and Instagram feeds to see what the world is up to, but it can actually make you feel worse than when you started.

“[There have been] a number of academic studies connecting passive following on sites such as Facebook and Instagram (with vacation photos as a prime trigger) to activated feelings of envy and resentment,” says Dr Stefanik. That so called social media envy? It’s a real thing.

Even if you think you won’t get caught up in everyone’s vacation photos, the most probable outcome is that you will be left feeling down about not going away. Trying a social media cleanse will not only stop you from becoming envious of getaways that are out of your reach, but it will also give you more time to focus on being productive.

2. Remember why you stayed home

You stayed home for a reason, right? Whether it was because you wanted to save your money (hello, high tuition fees!) or to get ahead on your school assignments, there’s more to staying home than just not being away. It sucks to have to stay behind while everyone else is having fun, but think of it this way: imagine how much more you’re accomplishing staying back. You have the money you saved from not going away (check!), you have possibly completed an assignment or two (check!), you are well-rested and not completely sunburned (check!) and you don’t have to deal with the post-vacation upset of realizing you have class the next day.

Related: How to Banish Your FOMO: Fear Of Missing Out!

3. Plan a staycation!

You may think you have experienced it all in your city, but you’re probably wrong! There’s always something new or different to explore, and this is your chance to do so. Sydnee Lyons, a first year grad student at Florida Atlantic University, recommends taking a day or two to “staycation” in your city.

“I love finding cool/cute places in my area that I haven't been to before. A simple Google search usually brings up tons of options. I love being outdoors, and that's pretty easy to do wherever you are,” Sydnee says. “Some of my favorite things to do are a pizza picnic at the beach or at a park, hiking, biking around the neighborhood, going to museums/art exhibits, finding cute coffee shops or other cozy dining spots (I use Yelp for this) or just driving around taking pictures.”

If you haven’t had a day to explore all the tourist sights in the city, do that! Be a tourist for a day—pretend you’ve never been to wherever you are and make the most of it. Whatever you decide to do, pretend you’ve travelled to that city for a vacation and go all out!

4. Talk to someone

While having social media envy may not be something new (don’t we all want to take those perfect selfies à la Khloe Kardashian?), continuously feeling this way over missing out may be a sign of something bigger. Dr. Stefanik recommends going to see someone if you’re feeling down. You can go the professional route and see a counselor at your school’s counseling center or just confide in a friend. Either way you’ll be able to get your feelings out, and who knows? Maybe the person you talk to has felt the same way you do.

Spring break is just another school vacation given out to break up your semester so you don’t go crazy with non-stop school. While the stereotype claims you need to go out and take a physical vacation, there are so many times in your life (even summer or winter break) where you can do that. Use this time to take a deep breath and remember that the school year is almost finished!


It Was About Time We Got an 'American Boy' Doll

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By Lena Gilmour

The opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.

As you may have read, American Girl, a company known for its diverse doll characters with stories from all different American backgrounds, has just released a new doll. And this new doll is causing the Internet to lose its collective mind because… it’s a boy?

The doll’s name is Logan Everett. His story is that he’s a drummer in the band of another doll, Tenney Grant. His feature outfit is a plaid button-up and jeans, though he also has a leather jacket look. He looks like a completely stereotypical guy.

At first, I was (naturally) surprised that a brand that’s all about girls was making a move like this. Then I was frustrated. Can’t there be one thing that’s just left to the girls? I couldn’t help but think that American Girl was letting down little girls across the country. Wasn’t this supposed to be a space that empowers girls? Isn’t the whole point of these dolls that little girls can play will a figure that resembles them? What girl is going to feel represented by a boy?

 

Introducing American Girl's newest doll - Logan Everett. #abc13 #americangirl #doll #loganeverett

A post shared by ABC13 Eyewitness News Houston (@abc13houston) on

Then I realized my mistake. Maybe introducing this character isn’t going to be beneficial to the “average” purchaser. But maybe that isn’t the point. Maybe the point of introducing a boy doll is to provide some representation for, and attention to the kids who aren’t typically thought of. 

What about the girls who don’t want to play with girl dolls? Or the ones who can’t see themselves represented by the girl dolls? With the introduction of Logan, this problem is beginning to be solved. Little girls who don’t necessarily identify in a stereotypical little-girl way can still participate without feeling like an outsider.

And how about the boys? I’m sure there are plenty of little boys who are pretty excited about finally having the chance to play with a character who actually resembles them, one that doesn’t have to be a superhero or a muscular G.I. Joe, who doesn’t have to fit with the stereotypes that are constantly put on boys. A step like this is helping to break down some of the barriers to it being socially acceptable for boys to play with “girl toys." Girls aren’t the only ones who benefit from feminine things being seen in a better light.

Though the doll doesn’t necessarily challenge gender stereotypes in appearance (looking like a complete “dude”) it’s definitely a good step, and one that was apparently being asked for.

American Girl is a company that stands for empowerment. Who’s to say that empowerment should be limited to just the girls? After all, inclusion is one of the most powerful and important messages we can be sending our children. Changing “the way things have always been done” isn’t too high of a price if it means that some little girl (or boy) gets to feel like they are a part of something rather than on the outside.

Maybe the introduction of a boy to the American Girl line is a bit risky, and won’t be well received by everyone. But if it makes a difference to the kids who always feel forgotten, isn’t it worth it? I for one think Logan is exactly what we need.

We’re Giving Away 50 Signed Copies of Ann Shoket’s New Book

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“Balance is the key to success,” as the old mantra goes – that is, if balance is defined by juggling work, money, love, friends, and a hefty to-do list, all while walking on the tight rope called life.

We know it’s hard to find balance, but maybe it’s time to stop looking for that elusive key and embrace the mess instead. Ann Shoket, who you might recognize as Seventeen’s editor-in-chief for the better part of a decade, has mastered the art of embracing the mess to achieve “THE BIG LIFE,” and she’s written a book on how you can, too. And guess what? We’ve teamed up with Rodale to give 50 winners a signed copy of her new book!

Enter to win a signed copy of THE BIG LIFE by Ann Shoket!

To put it quite simply, Ann is a Badass Babe. She leads a community of empowered, young women dealing with complex issues in today’s fast-paced world, and she knows how to help you get what you want. As Ann describes it, “you want The Big Life – that delicious cocktail of passion, career, work, ambition, respect, money and a monumental relationship. And you want it on your terms.”

From discussing the valuable takeaways of characters like Carrie Bradshaw and Andy Sachs, such as in this excerpt, to giving you the lowdown on juicy, TMI topics you can’t even ask your friends, this book is the guide you’ve been searching for.

The winner of the giveaway will be announced in our newsletter, so stay tuned! If you haven’t already signed up, you can subscribe here to keep up to date with all things collegiette.

Watch Chrissy Teigen Sing 'Ordinary People' to John Legend & Try Not to Swoon

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It's safe to say Chrissy Teigen and John Legend have become our favorite couple. From their adorable pictures together to the infamous clapbacks on Twitter, we just can't get enough of these two! 

Chrissy joined LOVE Magazine for a sexy Valentine's Day-themed video shoot, lip-syncing John's classic song, "Ordinary People." In typical Chrissy fashion, her cute awkwardness and obvious love for her husband bring warmth to your heart, but you can't help but giggle at both of their reactions.

Chrissy's lip-sync definitely won us over. By the looks of it, John feels the same.

The Weeknd Might Have Finally Responded to Justin Bieber's Incessant Trolling

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Those pictures of The Weeknd and Selena Gomez kissing must have really upset Justin Bieber. Since they went viral in January, Justin has made sure the world knows how he feels about The Weeknd. 

Last month, Justin told TMZ that he can't listen to any song by The Weeknd because "that shit's wack." And just this past Sunday, Justin and a friend went live on Instagram, where he took another shot at the singer. When asked what his current favorite song is, Justin responded "Starboy"—and then proceeded to laugh uncontrollaby. 

 

(cr: @jelena.videomanips) // @selfenty

A post shared by Selena & Justin Updates™ (@jelenasenergy) on

The Weeknd has been quiet about Justin's shady comments up until now. But he's featured on a new song with Nav, and the lyrics have fans speculating that he's finally responded. He sings, "I think your girl, think your girl, fell in love with me / She say my f**k and my tongue game a remedy," and "I just took that chick, and I know you feelin' some way / She just want a n***a like me, you feelin' some way." 

Now that The Weeknd has maybe, finally responded, we're waiting for Justin to throw shade right back. But to be quite honest, this pettiness isn't funny, and the "beef" feels very high school. This is a perfect example of not being over your ex and not letting them move on with someone else. Can't we just let it go?

'Love Actually' Is Getting A Sequel

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Love Actually (aka pretty much every girl’s favorite holiday movie) is getting a sequel—finally!

The 2003 rom-com staple is returning after 14 years, and we haven’t even told you the best part yet. Most of the original cast ARE coming back to reprise their roles! Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Andrew Lincoln, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Bill Nighy and Rowan Atkinson are among the many stars returning

The sequel will be a special 10-minute short film for British charity Comic Relief titled Red Nose Day Actually—but let’s be real, ten minutes is better than nothing. It will revisit the characters in the present day and hopefully provide answers to all your questions and give life to your speculations (let’s hope Andrew Lincoln's character is over Keira Knightley's character).

The short will be written by Richard Curtis, the original director and writer of the film. “I would never have dreamt of writing a sequel to Love Actually, but I thought it might be fun to do 10 minutes to see what everyone is now up to,” said Curtis in a statement. “We’ve been delighted and grateful that so many of the cast are around and able to take part—and it’ll certainly be a nostalgic moment getting back together and re-creating their characters 14 years later.”

And you can be involved! If there’s something you want to see happen in the movie, now’s your chance to speak up—but hurry, filming starts tomorrow. Today, Emma Freud, Richard's partner and a director of Red Nose Day, tweeted, “Any story developments you'd like to see? Ideas welcome.” Fans have already been replying to the tweet, and Freud has been responding to their ideas.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the reunion sketch will premiere in the U.K. on May 24 as part of Red Nose Day 2017 and in the U.S. the day after. Here’s hoping the sequel brings back Hugh Grant’s dance skills.

Our excitement level is seriously off the charts right now. We can’t wait to see how love actually is all around in 2017.

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