Mother’s Day is coming up soon, so why not plan something special with your mom this year? After all, spending the day with her daughter will mean more to your mom than any gift! Whether you bond over your love of pancakes or enjoy a day of relaxation, these mother-daughter dates are the perfect way to show your mom how much you love her.

1. Go to brunch

Dinner reservations are good, but brunch is even better! Find a cute café and spend a lazy morning eating pancakes and drinking coffee with your mom. 

2. See a movie

Pick a movie you know your mom will love and take her on a date to the movie theater! You could also pop in one of your favorite DVDs, make some popcorn and enjoy a movie night from the comfort of your own couch.

3. Get pampered together

A day of European pampering with your mom is the ultimate way to relax while spending time together. When you book yourself for any services at European Wax Center on the phone and say the code “Her Campus” through May 31, your mom can get a matching service of her choice for free! Find your nearest European Wax Center location here and call to make a reservation!

4. Go shopping

What could be better than going on a shopping trip with your mom? Whether you peruse the local mall or spend the day browsing some cute, new shops, your mom will love getting the chance to engage in some quality girl time with you.

5. Cook together

If your mom is a culinary queen, she’ll love getting to spend the day cooking with you! Find a fun recipe to try (something chocolaty, perhaps?), turn on some music and spend an afternoon in the kitchen.

6. Take a day trip

If you want to get creative, plan a day trip to a nearby city! You could visit an art museum, try a new lunch spot, hang out at a café—the options are endless. Don’t forget to bring a camera to document the day!

7. Take a class together

If your mom has always wanted to try pottery or pastry-making, enroll the two of you in a fun day class! Not only is this a great way to bond, but you’ll also both learn something new in the process. 

A wise man (or woman—since it’s wise, we’ll assume it’s a woman!) once said that all good things must come to an end. And for all of you graduating seniors, that idiom is probably hitting a bit too close to home as you think about leaving your beloved campus and friends behind to start a new life as a college graduate. But what about your boyfriend? The Cappie to your Casey, the Chuck to your Blair—does moving on from college mean saying goodbye to your college relationship, too? Or could you find that your post-grad love is just as great as your undergrad one? HC talked to two relationship experts and laid out everything you should consider before taking (or not taking) the big post-grad step in your relationship.

Where will you both be?

Maybe you’ll both be navigating new cities or you’ll be moving to a new location while he still has a year or more left before he graduates. Regardless of the situation, location is an important factor to consider when deciding whether or not to stay with your boyfriend.

“Long-distance relationships are very hard to maintain,” says Julie Orlov, a psychotherapist and the author of The Pathway to Love. “They’re tough on the relationship.”

If your post-grad relationship will be a long-distance one, think about if it’s worth it to deal with the difficulties of a LDR in order to stay with your boyfriend. Will you be okay with Skype dates instead of in-person ones? Are you willing to travel to visit each other on weekends, or will your time (and travel money) be limited?

Anna*, a senior at a Midwestern Division-1 school whose boyfriend is a junior, says that staying in her relationship will be worth it when she moves to Chicago after graduation to start working.

“We know that a LDR next year will not be easy, but we have immense trust in each other,” she says. “I think the most compelling reason we are staying together is that we understand what we need to do to help each other succeed and that means giving support and love even if we are apart.”

What are his and your future goals?

Do you dream of working on Wall Street while your boyfriend would rather be a teacher in a small town? Think about your dreams for the future (and his) before you take the next step. If both of your goals are taking you in different directions, it may be time to end the relationship, advises Julie Kleinhans, a radio show host and life coach for young adults. Changing your future for your boyfriend could hurt your personal goals and it could also hurt the relationship itself. “Never give up on your own passion and your own dreams to the fear of losing a relationship,” Kleinhans says. “If, down the road, you do continue with the relationship and you feel that you gave up on your dreams and your goals because of staying in the relationship… you may become resentful of what you gave up for that relationship.”

Lisa*, a senior from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, experienced this firsthand.  “I knew that after graduation I would want to go to a big city for better work opportunities, but [my ex-boyfriend’s] future work opportunity was in a smaller city that didn't have many opportunities in what I want to do,” she says. “The plan we had is that I would move out to where he would be after graduation. Eventually, the relationship didn't work out because I started to resent him because I started to plan my post-graduation life around him when I knew that I didn't want to sacrifice my career dreams.”

Sarah*, a Bucknell University senior, says she and her boyfriend promised each other at the beginning of the year that they wouldn’t let their relationship stand in the way of a great job for either of them. However, she says it’s getting harder to stick to that promise now that they’ve been together for four years.

“I deeply care about my boyfriend and want him to have the best of everything, so I don't want to stand in the way of a potential great job,” she says. “Yet, I can't imagine life without him and am keeping my fingers crossed we both end up in the same city.”

Are you too dependent on each other – and the relationship?

Whether or not you have a job or grad school lined up already, leaving your college bubble and entering post-grad life is scary. Keeping the comfort of your college relationship could ease some of that fear, but do you want to stay with your college boyfriend because you love him or because you’re scared of starting your new path alone? “Never stay with a partner due to fear of being alone or that you won’t find love again,” Kleinhans advises. If you deeply love your boyfriend, staying together will make you happy for the right reasons. But if you just love having a boyfriend, graduation is a natural time to set yourself free to take on your new life on your own.

How serious is the relationship?

We don’t mean to freak you out, but once you’ve made the commitment to try a LDR after college, marriage is likely somewhere on the horizon. Now that you’re graduating, you need to think about your future and where your boyfriend fits into that plan.

“How much of an investment is there in this relationship being a lifetime partner?” Orlov asks. “If it’s not a lifetime partner for you, this might be a natural time to break away and start to explore new people and experiences and the relationship that you may want.”

Is the relationship healthy?

Maintaining a relationship after college—particularly a LDR—takes a huge commitment and a lot of work. If your relationship is fulfilling, it’ll likely all be worth it. If you’re already having problems with your boyfriend, however, the stress of a post-grad relationship will probably only make them worse.

“[Graduation is] a natural transition time to evaluate, ‘is this a healthy relationship?’” Orlov says. “If it the relationship has been rocky or hasn’t really met your needs… this is the perfect time to break away from someone.”

Do you need space in order to figure out your post-grad life?

Between starting a new job or grad school, potentially living in a new city, and figuring out how to do all those “grown-up things” that are now on your plate (I have to pay how much in taxes?!), post-grad life can be pretty overwhelming. You may feel like you need some time on your own so you can devote all your energy to figuring out your new life. “There are times in your life when you really want to be distraction-free and you don’t want to have to feel the stress between making time for a significant other…and your career,” says Orlov.

Don’t stress! You have options

Figuring out whether your college relationship is meant to last or not can take a toll on your emotions and your brain. But remember, you do have options! If you’re not 100 percent sure if you should stay with your boyfriend, you could stay together for now and just let the relationship play out. The worst thing that would happen is that you try out a LDR, realize that it isn’t working, and you both move on with your lives.  But if the relationship is solid, you’ll still have that fulfillment in your life.

Also, keep in mind that “if [your relationship is] really meant to be, the universe really has a way of working things out,” Kleinhans says. If you do break up with your boyfriend and you both realize later that you can’t live without each other, you two could still get back together—if it’s meant to be, it’ll happen.

Having the conversation with your boyfriend

Ultimately, you will have to talk with your boyfriend about your future plans.  It’s better to bring the topic up sooner rather than later—definitely don’t wait until the night before graduation!—because if you’re secretly worrying about your post-grad plans but haven’t talked with your boyfriend about it, that could put stress on your relationship. After all, guys aren’t exactly the best at picking up the hints we collegiettes drop ever-so-subtly, and he could assume you’re upset with him, not the situation. The sooner you figure out what you’re doing, the sooner you can relax about the situation.

When bringing up the subject of your relationship, Orlov advises being “simple, specific, and direct.”

“Put it out there like there are options. It’s a discussion, it’s not like, ‘you do this or else,’” Orlov says. “‘Okay, graduation’s coming up in a month or two—what do we want to do? Do we want to keep this relationship going, and what would that look like?’”

Orlov advises keeping the conversation positive and open. “It’s nice to bring it up as a discussion without judgment or fear,” she says. “Everybody needs to have permission to do what’s best for them.”

Deciding what to do about your relationship after graduation can be tough, particularly when you already have to deal with the stress of adjusting to post-grad life. But ultimately, every relationship is different, and after considering these factors, the best thing for you to do is look deep within yourself and decide if your relationship is worth it. Not every college relationship is meant to last, but if you truly feel that you belong with your current boyfriend, you’ll be able to make it work for the two of you.

“Here's the thing: You can talk about staying together or breaking up logically. You can discuss it for hours. You can come to a conclusion. But love and relationships aren't logical and if you believe you are meant together, a job an ocean away or the major step you’re about to take in your life isn't going to change your feelings towards your significant other,” says Sarah.

*Names have been changed.

The White House released guidelines yesterday that will push universities to take a more aggressive approach to handling sexual assaults on college campuses.

The White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault produced a 23-page report with procedures for colleges to better deal with sexual assault. These include administring anonymous surveys about sexual assault cases, ensuring that reports of sexual assaults stay confidential and adopting policies that have been successful at other schools, according to The New York Times.

The government will also create a website, NotAlone.gov, that will provide information for "anyone interested in finding resources on how to respond to and prevent sexual assault on college and university campuses and in our schools."

“Colleges and universities need to face the facts about sexual assault,” says Vice President Joe Biden. “No more turning a blind eye or pretending it doesn’t exist. We need to give victims the support they need, like a confidential place to go, and we need to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

President Barack Obama created the task force in light of the many recent publicized rapes on college campuses. According to the report, as many as one in five female college students have been assaulted, but only 12 percent of attacks are reported. 

During finals week, we all have a tendency to embellish the truth a bit. Whether we're pretending to have it all together while we're really falling apart or we're pretending to fall apart while we're really just watching movies in bed, here are a few things we've all been guilty of saying—and what we're actually trying to say. 

1. What we say: “Want to study with me?”

What we mean: “Want to reteach me everything I should have learned this semester?”

2. What we say: “Will this exam be open book?”

What we mean: “Will I have one fewer exam to study for?”

3. What we say: “I haven’t slept in three days!”

What we mean: “I’ve been staying up all night watching Netflix and taking eight-hour naps during the day.”

4. What we say: “I’ve been studying like crazy.”

What we mean: “I’ve spent more time making flash cards than actually reviewing the material.”

5. What we say: “Yeah, I did a little bit of studying for this one.” 

What we mean: “I’m totally prepared, but I don’t feel like helping you study.”

6. What we say: “Seriously, I don’t even care about this class.”

What we mean: “The chances of me passing this final are slim to none.”

7. What we say: “I didn’t think that exam was too bad.”

What we mean: “I totally aced it.”

8.What we say: “We should compare notes.”

What we mean: “You should let me copy your notes.”

9. What we say: “I’m just going to take a quick power nap.”

What we mean: “I’m going to slip into a three-hour coma.”

10. What we say: “We should team up and study as a group!”

What we mean: “You should do all the work.”

11. What we say: “I didn’t realize that final was going to be cumulative.”

What we mean: “I just failed that final.”

12. What we say: “I’m going to hit the library super early tomorrow.”

What we mean: “I’m going to set my alarm for 8 a.m. and keep hitting snooze until noon.”

13. What we say: “I’m going to be in the library all day.”

What we mean: “I’m going to be in the library procrastinating on the Internet all day.”

14. What we say: “Is there going to be a review session?”

What we mean: “Will someone be telling me what this exam is on?”

15. What we say: “Okay, I really need to study now.”

What we mean: “I’m going to procrastinate for another few hours.”

16. What we say: “Finals week calories don’t count!”

What we mean: “I’m eating my feelings.”

17. What we say: “Maybe I shouldn’t have skipped as many classes as I did.”

What we mean: “I’m probably going to have to take this class again next semester.”

Finals week already? I’m always surprised by how quickly the end of the semester creeps up on me. Then again, I haven’t been the one sitting through lectures, cramming for midterms and applying to internships while trying to balance my social life on top of everything. Either way, it’s the end of the 2013-2014 school year! The only thing standing between you and the sweetness of summer are those pesky finals. You can do this!

Part of our mission here at Her Campus is supporting the next generation of journalists and marketing, advertising and public relations professionals by working with all of our 4,000+ team members across Her Campus’s 230+ campus chapters (by the way, if your school doesn’t have a Her Campus chapter, you can apply to start one here!). One thing we love to do is sending little surprises to our teams to keep them going and to celebrate key moments in the semester. We call these surprises Her Campus Survival Kits!

For finals this year, we decided to send our team members some yummy and nutritious snacks to help them power through their marathon study sessions (need some study tips and motivation? Check out our study tips here, here and here). It’s so tempting to fill up on junk food during finals, but filling your body with crap will not keep you energized or satisfied.

Here’s what we’re sending to all of our chapters to keep them fed through finals:

1. Buy-one-get-one-free cards from Chipotle
2. Mini LUNA bars, the ultimate healthy nutrition bars for women
3. Popchips, which have all the deliciousness of potato chips but none of the guilt

Needless to say, our campus chapters are pumped to get these kits this week!

Good luck on finals!

HCXO,
Windsor

Dealing with a breakup is scary and confusing. When we’re heartbroken, we tend to make some not-so-great decisions: drinking too much, hooking up with strangers, blaming ourselves or even seeking revenge. The good news is that we can learn from these mistakes! And even though breakups are never easy, they can be more or less painful depending on how we handle them. We talked to dating experts and collegiettes about some common post-breakup mistakes to help you avoid them in the future.

Mistake #1: Trying to stay in contact with your ex

Talking to your ex as usual

Mark Sharp, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist at The Aiki Relationship Institute, warns that “even if there is potential for a friendship after a breakup, there almost invariably needs to be a period of time” before you two can be friends.

“I kept in too much contact with my ex, since our constant communication was an addiction, and therefore, it took me longer to let him go,” says Heather*, a junior at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Although it’s tempting to keep texting your ex just to check in or for a casual conversation, it will only make it harder for both of you to move on. “There are still feelings of connection that lead at best to confusion, and at worst, to significant hurt and conflict,” Dr. Sharp says. You could be delaying the pain when you should actually try to accept and deal with it directly. Bottom line: deal with your own grief first before considering being friends with your ex.

That being said, perhaps you and your ex are part of the same friend circle, you have class with him or her or you just run into him or her a lot. In this case, “you can simply be polite and smile when you see them,” says Carole Lieberman, M.D., psychiatrist and author of Bad Girls: Why Men Love Them & How Good Girls Can Learn Their Secrets. However, you should try to avoid your ex as much as possible until you’re ready to move on.

Trying to get your ex back

Sometimes you’re so attached to a relationship that you want to keep more than just the reassurance of staying in touch; you want your ex back. According to Dr. Lieberman, “The most common mistake girls make after a breakup is chasing after the guy to try to get them back, from making promises to change into their dream girl to outright crying and begging.” This type of desperate behavior could actually backfire, convincing your ex that he or she was right to break up with you in the first place.

Mind-set issues at play here “include an over-attachment to the relationship, a belief that love is supposed to last a lifetime or a belief that your ex ‘belongs’ to you,” says Kim Olver, a relationship coach and author of Secrets of Happy Couples: Loving Yourself, Your Partner, and Your Life. If this sounds familiar to you, it’s time for you to move on.

If you do decide you want to win your ex back, the only way is in fact “to show him that you have moved on to bigger and better things,” Dr. Lieberman says. “Use the breakup as a wake-up call to change things about yourself that you don't like” and go from there. If he or she wants you back, good. If not, you’re better off without him or her.

Mistake #2: Wallowing in self-pity for too long

Everyone knows that the remedy for a broken heart is wailing your heart out to Adele, watching The Notebook for the umpteenth time and demolishing a giant container of cookie dough ice cream, right? Not if you do it for so long that it starts to take a toll on your life.

When UCLA sophomore Caroline’s* high school boyfriend left her to go to college, she was devastated. “All I remember is being super sad and not wanting to go out and do anything,” she says. “I felt like my friends didn't realize how upset I was, so I distanced myself from them and just stayed at home all the time.” It wasn’t until six months later that her friend convinced her to go out and have fun.

Dr. Lieberman suggests that if you're still stuck in the rocky-road, can't-get-out-of-bed, crying stage after a month or so, you should consider going to therapy to help you get over your heartbreak.

Looking back, Caroline feels like she wasted her time feeling sorry for herself, when her relationship with her ex hadn’t even been that great. If you find yourself in this situation, remember that, according to Olver, “For as much pain as you are experiencing, there is an equal amount of positivity.” Look for the lesson or the opportunity that this difficult situation brings, because “it doesn't remove the pain, but it will balance it out so you can get through it with grace and your self-esteem intact.”

Mistake #3: Doing anything else in excess

“A guy broke up with and I ran home to my room in boarding school, got completely naked and ate a whole pint of Ben & Jerry's under my covers,” says Gabrielle*, a sophomore at Smith College. “I just sat in the dark under my duvet, crying, holding his sweater. For some reason, I needed to be naked, in the dark and eating.”

Dr. Sharp warns against “anything done to dull the pain that you will regret later.” This could take the form of “drinking or eating too much, shopping unnecessarily, etc.” Instead, let yourself heal for a bit and then rebuild a healthy lifestyle. Don’t let your schoolwork or your social life suffer!

You might also behave recklessly if you feel like you missed out on the full college experience by being in a relationship. After Caroline and her next boyfriend of three years broke up over Christmas, she came back to school “wanting to hook up with everyone.” Although she knows now that that wasn’t the best frame of mind for her, “it was exciting to be single and free to talk to whomever.” Now, Caroline feels like she is finally in a better place. “I need to just figure out my life and learn to not need a guy to be happy and to know that I don't have to hook up with everyone and anyone,” she says.

Strive to find the right balance between making the most of your college years and not giving into rash behavior you’ll regret later. Be happy with who you are, and the right person will come along for sure.

Mistake #4: Jumping into a rebound relationship

We know that rebound sex is not the way to fix a broken heart, but what about rebound relationships? Dr. Sharp has seen many girls “rushing into a new relationship too quickly, or jumping back into dating or a casual relationship just so they don't feel alone and uncomfortable.” It’s perfectly natural to miss your ex and the affection he or she gave you, but replacing him or her ASAP is not the solution. Your new fling is most likely not right for you, and someone will end up getting hurt. Think about your new SO’s feelings—would you want your new SO to still have feelings for someone else?

Worse yet, if the breakup hurt your self-esteem, you could be “getting into a rebound relationship with a dork who you really look down on, because you think he won't leave you,” Dr. Lieberman says. This is unfair on him or her and not the solution for you—just a terrible idea all around.

Mistake #5: Giving up on relationships altogether

So you thought you and your ex would be together forever—until you two broke up. What are you supposed to do now?

Kim Olver cautions collegiettes against “the belief that no one will ever love you again, or you will never love anyone again.” This is simply not true; there’s not just one guy or girl in the world for you, and you’ll realize it soon enough.

If you believe that you will be alone forever, you might stop looking after yourself. “Some girls make the mistake of giving up on guys altogether—using food to comfort themselves, not wearing any makeup and staying in their room to avoid meeting guys,” Dr. Lieberman says. But be careful what you wish for. One day, you will wake up and realize that you’re ready to move on. If you have let yourself go, you’ll feel bad about yourself and probably keep up these unhealthy habits. Remember that others will only see how wonderful you are if you work on loving yourself first.

“When I went through a tough breakup, I took it out on myself,” says Laura, a sophomore at Boston University. “I convinced myself I was an ugly person inside and out, which (in the midst of high school) destroyed my self-esteem, and therefore, my self-respect. It took me time to heal and learn to appreciate myself.”

When a relationship doesn’t work out, it can really damage your sense of self-worth. Olver explains that “we often hinge our self-esteem on our relationships: if my guy kicks me to the curb, it must mean there's something wrong with me, right?” No! It just means he wasn’t getting what he was looking for out of the relationship. And if you’re not right for each other, you’re better off parting ways.

“Remember, you are perfectly perfect all by yourself,” Olver says. “You are a wonderful woman in your own right. You do not need a guy to love you.” And we agree with all our heart!

Mistake #6: Bad-mouthing your ex

Another negative way of coping with a breakup is to bad-mouth your ex in an attempt “to hurt them like they have hurt you,” Olver says. But other times, bad-mouthing your ex is a way of justifying why you broke up with him or her.

When Jen*, a sophomore at UCLA, left her boyfriend, she was angry at herself for not seeing “why I was insane for dating him and why he was the worst match for me, ever.” So she spent a couple of days recalling all of his faults in her mind. Although this did help distract her from her feelings, it didn’t make her feel better about herself. Be the bigger person and focus on yourself and what you want, as opposed to everything that’s wrong with your ex.

Going through a breakup is not losing a war; it’s a battle for you to fight on your own. Allow yourself to grieve, but then, come out stronger and ready to face the world.

The best way to cope is always to love yourself first and “allow relationships to flow in and out of your life,” Olver says. “Some will last a lifetime, others won't, and that's perfectly okay.” If you stay strong and confident, you’ll soon be ready for the next person who comes your way!

*Names have been changed.

Has anyone seen our motivation? We can't seem to find it. It must've gotten lost somewhere in the end of this semester. If found, please return ASAP.

1. Your bank account is practically nonexistent.  

2. Your naps get longer and more frequent.

3. Your number of days between showers increases and your containers of dry shampoo run out quicker.

4. Taking notes has turned into this:

5. Your meals are either takeout or 100 percent microwaveable.

6. Cleaning isn’t really a thing for you anymore.

7. You no longer feel the need to go grocery shopping, so you just throw together whatever you have around the house.

8. You have so much to do, yet you spend every second of your precious free time doing absolutely nothing.

9. Your outfits have become a smorgasbord of random things pulled from every corner of your apartment - usually a combination of going-out clothes, leggings and sweatshirts.

10. Your incredible Facebook-stalking skills have gone to a whole new level, enlightening you with amazing information, like that Casey’s brother’s friend’s sister’s fiancé’s cousin went to jail for stealing a car. Oh, and that girl in your biology class has a super hot brother who goes to Yale. 

11. You've calculated every single one of your semester grades in the case you bomb the final exams.

12. You begin to think Satan himself created group projects.

13. The phrase “assigned reading” is the funniest joke you’ve ever heard.

14. You begin making collaborative group decisions with your friends about skipping class.

15. And then when your roommate decides at the last minute to go to class, you're like:

16. You start running out of everything, but you continue to violently shake bottles and scrape remains from caps because you don’t want to have to buy any more of anything until you get home.

17. You begin to tire of every food option on campus.

18. Not even coffee is doing the trick anymore.

19. You start throwing sporadic temper tantrums about the simplest of tasks…

20. …and then you reward yourself for accomplishing those basic, everyday tasks you should be doing.

21. When people brag about not having finals, you want to hurt them.

22. You validate every class you skip, quiz you fail, project you half-ass and meeting you miss.

23. Every time you get back from any daunting errand (like going to class or the bathroom) you go right back to where you belong.

24. The only thing you get excited for anymore is the pizza-delivery man knocking on your door.

25.  Every time you start to worry about something, you're like:

Let’s play a quick game of “Would you rather?” Which sounds better – a day filled with seven or eight periods of sitting in class staring out the window at the gorgeous spring day, or a morning spent sleeping in followed by an afternoon out with friends? It’s pretty much a no-brainer we’d all pick the latter. Many high school seniors around the country do in fact pick the sleeping in and hanging with friends option in the form of “Senior Skip Days” every spring. This decision isn’t always as easy as it seems, however. Whether or not your school officially sanctions a Skip Day, be sure to follow these dos and don’ts for a successful skip! 

DON’T jeopardize your relationships with teachers. 

Even if Skip Day is a well-known activity for seniors to participate in, make sure you won’t be risking ruining a relationship with a favorite teacher, or one who helped you out a ton during the college search and application process. Obviously most teachers would rather have you in class than miss a day towards the end of the year, even if it’s an event a ton of seniors participate in. It’s also not totally unheard of for teachers to get back in touch with a school if they think what they wrote in a recommendation or supplemental material for an application no longer stands based on your participation in things like Skip Day. Some teachers have also altered grades for students not in class on Skip Day, which can be a huge deal if you’re on a college waitlist or are on the borderline in terms of final semester grades that will be reported to the college you’ve settled on. 

DO double-check deadlines and test dates. 

Even though spring weather can be amazingly tempting, it’s important to remember that many of us face a season full of final projects and exams before we can enjoy the summer. Keep these deadlines in mind when deciding whether or not you’ll participate in Skip Day. After all, it’s definitely not a smart idea to skip on a day you have major projects due or tests coming up. Not only will you not want to miss important projects and exams, but it’s also key to go to any study sessions or review days teachers may be having as well. Check (and double-check) your syllabus, talk to teachers, and make sure you know exactly what’s coming on a day you plan to skip before actually following through with that plan. 

DON’T keep your plans a secret.

If you’re planning to participate in a Skip Day, it’s not a good idea to keep people like your parents or teachers in the dark. If Skip Day is a common thing that lots of seniors participate in every spring at your high school, it shouldn’t be difficult to approach teachers ahead of time to let them know you’re planning to participate with your classmates, and ask for any classwork or materials you’ll miss. We know a day of homework probably wasn’t what you had in mind, but it also won’t kill you to work on things or read for a class or two for twenty minutes since you’re missing hours of class on Skip Day!

It’s also important to keep your parents in the loop in terms of what you’re planning to do. Even if Skip Day is a sanctioned event, it’s Mom and Dad who will learn about your absence first if you don’t let the school know ahead of time. They can also be great allies to have on your side should you run into some unexpected or unintended consequences as a result of skipping. 

DO skip with friends.

Ferris Bueller is a spectacular role model when it comes to spending a day away from school. While the chances of you exploring an entire major metropolitan city are pretty slim, watching hours and hours of daytime TV will NOT make for a fun Skip Day. If you decide to miss classes for the day, find a friend or two willing to play hooky with you. Come up with a fun plan ahead of time, whether it’s a day at the beach or lake, shopping for your new collegiette wardrobe, a movie marathon of your fave chick flicks, a day exploring the town you live in, or even a simple outing like a trip to a new restaurant that just opened will no doubt create some great memories to close out senior year. 

DON’T jeopardize other senior milestones.

Skip Days can be fun – as long as your school’s okay with them. Some districts have policies in place to prevent students from skipping, especially if Skip Days are traditionally held after big events like prom or Memorial Day weekend. Many schools prevent students from attending events like prom or graduation, or hold diplomas, yearbooks, caps and gowns, or other classic tokens of senior year if a student misses a particular day or periods as part of senior skip events. Get familiar with your school’s policies regarding senior skipping or absences during the last semester of the school year either by researching district policy (try getting on the school or district website or reading through the student handbook), asking teachers and admins, or talking to previous students you know may or may not have skipped for whatever reason. One day of off-site amusement is definitely not worth sacrificing priceless memory-making (and photo!) opps later in the season. 

DO look into alternative options.  

Oftentimes, schools that don’t approve of senior Skip Days have alternate options for rewarding graduating seniors. Whether it’s early dismissal, a fun in-class activity that can score you some extra points, an early end to the year, after-school events and programming, or post-graduation bashes thrown on the school’s dime, many districts make an effort to reward seniors for their hard work.

The decision on whether or not to skip a day this spring is one you should make carefully with input from school admins, parents, and friends. Senior Skip Day can be a great way to enjoy one of the last carefree afternoons with your high school friends. Regardless of what you decide, enjoy these last few moments of high school. They’ll make great stories next year when you’re meeting new people at a new school! 

Graduation caps and gowns aren’t known for being flattering and fashion-forward, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still rock something chic and stylish underneath! Here are six cute and trendy outfits that will make you look ah-mazing on graduation day!

1. Cut it Out

Going simple with style and color doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice pizzazz. This flirty cutout ivory dress from LuLu*s ($55) pairs perfectly with retro cutout wedges from Forever 21 ($36.80). The cutouts mean you don’t need a necklace, and the wedges offer enough support while still giving the illusion of a full heel—you wouldn’t want a Lizzie-McGuire-esque mishap where you trip your way across the stage! Accessorize with a modest turquoise ring from Brandy Melville ($4) for a pop of color.

2. Pop of Pastel

This marvelous dress from ModCloth ($99.99) is the perfect choice for those into darker hues and elegant lace overlays. The dress does most of the talking for you, but it may come off a bit too serious on its own. A colorful shoe, like these peep-toe wedges from Charlotte Russe ($35.50), brighten the look and make it perfect for spring! Accessorize with a simple gold bangle from A’GACI ($4.50) to tie the outfit together. 

3. Mint to Be

If you love spring pastels and the cutouts of the first dress, this gorgeous mint dress from ModCloth ($59.99) matched with H&M black pumps ($34.95) is a great choice for you. Since this dress isn’t too formfitting, you won’t sweat to death under your gown. An added statement necklace, like this jeweled piece from Francesca’s ($48) adds an extra dash of style to embellish the look!

4. Senior Sweetheart

Looking to save money and skip the pedicure? Ballet flats work marvelously to keep an ensemble looking elegant, but they also offer the relief of comfortable walking. These nude flats from Express ($24.90) offer a nice contrast to the bright colors and lace overlay of this bright and fun Lilly Pulitzer dress ($258). The dress has enough going on with its adorable pattern, so jewelry isn’t necessary, but a white belt, like this one from Target ($12.99), cinches the waist and offers a flash of gold that ties all three components together!

5. Dixie Diva

High-low dresses offer the flow of a maxi without the worry of tripping on the hem! This coral-and-white dress from dELiA*s ($64.90) is bright and summery without being overwhelmingly loud. For all the country sweethearts out there, cowboy boots, like these from American Eagle ($69.95), are a perfect go-to, especially if you’re graduating from a school in the South, where boots always add a little flair. A class memorabilia item, like a class ring or class necklace, like this one from Topshop ($15), speaks to the moment and is a great keepsake!

When shopping for graduation outfits, keep the following tips in mind: anything too form-fitting will show sweat stains. Always opt for wedges if you’re nervous about tripping or falling, or skip heels altogether and wear dressy flats, sandals or cowboy boots (shout-out to all the Southern belles!) instead. Remember, you’re going to be in these shoes for a long period of time. Plan accordingly!

Congratulations to the Class of 2014 --you made it! 

364 days of the year, Mom is all about you. On May 11, it’s time to be all about her. Reward the lady who took care of you when you were sick, cried with you when that jerk broke your heart, and celebrated with you when you got your college acceptance letter. Whether you’re celebrating in person with her or sending her virtual hugs, we think the below gifts will be the icing on the cake of the really, really nice card you’re definitely sending her (and seriously, don’t forget the heartfelt card – moms love that stuff!). 

Water Bottle

Perfect for the healthy (or trying to be healthy) mom-on-the-go, this flavor infused water bottle will keep your mom hydrated, looking good, and carrying a cute accessory (that totally outdoes any other water bottle we’ve ever seen). $15

Vase

Note: this gift is going to have to be accompanied by flowers – whether they’re from you, or your sibling! This Anthropologie vase is funky and fun and will look great with those bright spring flowers. $24

Collage Frame

It’s an obvious one, but no mom would ever turn down a frame filled (yes, filled) with photos of her family. This 12-photo frame will hold a wide range of your family photos – from your first dance recital to saying goodbye to mom and dad on the first day of college. $30

Phone Case

Turn your (or your mom’s) Instagram photos into her cellphone case! It’s a great way for her to show off you and your sibs, her fantastic flower garden, or her world traveling. Plus she’ll love that you went the personal route this year. $35

Tea for One

If your mom loves to unwind with a cup of tea, this Ikat Tea Set will always make her feel like she’s luxuriously indulging. It’s so cute we want it in every color! $38

Mother Daughter Letter Book

Share you and your mom’s amazing relationship and wisdom for generations to come with this keepsake book. The shared book contains 40 cards and envelopes for you and your mom to exchange letters (perfect for your long-distance relationship while you’re at school) and then places to tuck them back into the book so your kids and grandkids can enjoy them one day. $38

Spring Scarf

Jazz up her spring wardrobe with this bright blue persimmon scarf from J.Crew. It’ll keep her a bit warmer too in her tees, in case there continues to be a spring version of the polar vortex. $55

Peacock Feather Wrap Bracelet

You used to want to be just like mom style-wise, and now the tables have turned. Give her an Alex + Ani bracelet, like the one you love, this year with this gorgeous bracelet which represents virtues of charity, hope and faith. $58

Makeup Brushes

Despite knowing we’re supposed to clean our brushes often and not use them for too long, we often let them go on way past their recommended lifespan. So does mom. This deluxe antibacterial brush set from Sephora will replace all of her makeup brushes – from powder to lash, lip to concealer. $60

Cover-Up

This cute cover-up will make anyone want to head to the beach, and it’s so cute it’s ok if your mom doesn’t want to take it off. The color is so perfect for a sunny day and the cut is dramatic and flattering! $70

Wallet

We’re sure your mom already has a wallet, but sometimes, just like you – she wants a snazzy gift, and not a practical one. This Rebecca Minkoff Mason wallet is the perfect mix of pretty and practical, and comes in great, fun spring colors. $95

Yoga Pants

Whether or not your mom actually does yoga, she would still appreciate a pair of the infamous Lululemon yoga groove pants. They’re chic enough to run errands in, and comfy enough for a night in cooking or watching TV with your dad. $98

European Wax Center Gift Card

Make a day out of it with your mom with gift cards to European Wax Center. Whether you two get your brows done side by side, or part ways for a more solo waxing experience, a day at the “spa” is sure to bond you a little more. $100  

Lucianna Stripe Shoes

This might be hard to buy for mom — considering how cute these are — but do your best! These Ugg sandals come with the comfort of Ugg, but with amazingly adorable style. Here’s hoping you two are the same shoe size! $150

Michael Kors Tote

Go all out for your mama this year and treat her to this all black Jet Set tote that will carry everything she could ever need. It’s a bit of a splurge, but if there’s anyone who deserves to be spoiled, it’s her! $228 

Before you hit the frats with friends last night, you promised yourself you’d be home by midnight. Now it’s noon the next day, and you’re in bed staring at the clock, groggy and confused. How did you stay out so late? And how did you stay asleep under the covers so long?

Keeping a consistent sleep schedule is near impossible in college. Thanks to studying, can’t-miss parties and general restlessness, collegiettes are always waking up and going to sleep at different times. But a seemingly harmless irregular sleep schedule can actually be really unhealthy. It can make you prone to colds, cause concentration problems and can even make your skin break out.

Here are five easy tricks to fix the problem. Stop counting sheep – and start counting the different ways to get your sleep schedule back on track.

1. Stick to a routine.

It may seem obvious, but the best way to fix your sleep schedule is by picking consistent times to go to bed and wake up each day, aiming for six to eight hours of nighttime shuteye. Try your hardest to follow this routine as closely as possible, but don’t give up if one night throws you off. Set an alarm on your cell phone to sound at the same time every day, rather than setting your alarm before you go to sleep each night.

Eventually, your body will program itself to be tired and awake at the right times. Susan Purdy, who performs and monitors sleep studies at Shands and University of Florida Sleep Disorders Clinic, says the time it takes for a person’s sleep schedule to adjust varies. But the sooner you attempt to correct your schedule, the faster your sleepy side effects will change.

If you have a roommate, tell her about your new routine. That way she’ll know when to be quiet and you’ll be able to score a full night’s sleep. Also, only use your bed for sleeping. Purdy says this trick will help your body begin to associate the bed with sleeping. Yes, this means you may have to find a new place to watch those Gossip Girl reruns. But soon enough, you’ll feel a difference when your head hits the pillow.

2. Be active at the right times.

Exercise can be a great way to help you control your body’s energy levels and get back on a regular sleep schedule. In fact, one study by researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center showed that women who exercised for 30 minutes in the morning had an easier time falling asleep at night.

To wear herself out, University of Pennsylvania collegiette Grace Ortelere says she goes on long runs. This exercise makes her fall asleep earlier, without tossing and turning all night long. However, make sure you hit the gym several hours before you plan on turning in for the night. Too much activity right before bedtime may be the reason you’re restless, even after a long day of school, work and meetings.

3. Find ways to wind down.

If you’re trying to go to sleep earlier to regain a regular schedule, but feel too awake at first, there are a few tricks that can help.

Never try to go to bed with a full stomach. Heavy meals and alcohol right before bedtime can make you restless and uncomfortable. While alcohol may help you get to sleep quicker, Purdy says it also disrupts your sleep cycle.

Log out of Facebook, sign off Twitter and turn off your iPod. Lights from phone and computer screens keep you alert, even if you don’t realize it. This can cause you to stay awake longer, messing up your sleep schedule even more. Annie Robinson, a student at North Toronto Collegiate Institute, avoids distractions at night by simply turning off all the lights when she’s ready to go to bed.

Most importantly, avoid doing anything with repetition. For example, the common method of playing natural sounds of waterfalls or rain can actually prevent you from falling into a slumber. Your brain may start to pick up on sound patterns, making it harder for your body to shut down.

Instead, relax your mind. Purdy says she knows a few people who tell themselves stories to go to sleep. Find ways to get comfortable, such as taking a hot bath and adjusting the room temperature. “Do what your mom did before when you were a kid,” Purdy says.

4. Take naps (correctly!)

A nice, quick snooze might be the only thing on your mind when you’re sitting in your morning lecture hall, struggling to keep your eyes open. But beware! While naps can at first make you feel awesome and totally refreshed, they can also be dangerous to your sleep schedule.

Mel Peale, a recent grad of James Madison University, says that after a long weekend she finds it impossible to catch up on sleep. For her, 30-minute naps usually do the trick. They rejuvenate her, but not too much that she can’t doze off at night. “If you sleep for too much longer, you will fall into a deeper sleep, and will end up feeling even more tired when you are woken up by your alarm two hours later,” she said.

Remember: knowing how to take the perfect nap can help get you through the day, but short snoozes should never replace your regular sleep.

5. Get professional help.

So now you’ve tried every trick in the book, but still can’t seem to catch enough ‘Zs’ on a regular schedule. You’re exhausted and stumped. What’s next?

Look for a sleep clinic in your area. Many universities use them for research, and local hospitals usually have a center dedicated to helping sleep disorders. Purdy recommends making an appointment with a sleep physician before self-medicating to solve your problem.

If you must turn to sleep aids for help, always speak with a pharmacist or physician to explore options and potential side effects, such as next-day sleepiness or dizziness. Purdy says one all-natural remedy, Melatonin, is both safe and effective. For Virginia Tech collegiette Laura Baugh, a Melatonin pill an hour or two before bedtime helps her stick to her sleep schedule.

Now, you’ve got the tips and tricks to help you kick that irregular sleep schedule for good. Say goodbye to nights staring at the ceiling, and mornings where you just can’t roll out of bed. It may take time and effort to get back on track, but your body will thank you in the end. Good night!

We’re sure you have many too-small jackets and pairs of outdated jeans gathering dust your closet. But did you know over 11.1 million tons of fabric are thrown away each year? This spring, don’t toss those your old jeans—recycle them!

DoSomething.org and H&M are teaming up to recycle old clothes and promote sustainable and ethical fashion. With their new campaign, Comeback Clothes, they want to help you give last year’s fashions second life. Recycle old or worn-out clothes to help keep our planet green!

All you have to do is gather up your tired duds and drop them off at your nearest H&M to be recycled. In addition to helping out the environment, you’ll score an H&M coupon and be entered to win a $10,000 scholarship.

Start your spring cleaning today, collegiettes!

1. Sweating off freshly applied makeup after five minutes of walking outside—and to think of all the time you spent evening out your winged eyeliner!

2. Having to pack away your edgy bomber jackets, thick infinity scarves and tall boots. And say goodbye to cute layered outfits!

3. Your skin turning too dark for your foundation and being too lazy/cheap to buy a summer shade. 

4. Not being able to enjoy warm foods as much as in the colder months. Sure, you’re a sucker for soup, but chicken noodle soup just doesn't sound as good when you can have fruit salads and flavored ice.

5. Having to choose between being blinded by the sun or risking a raccoon tan from your sunglasses.

6. Not being able to wear any of your gray or white tops because you’re afraid of pit stains (even after applying layers of clinical-strength deodorant).

7. Having to inhale your ice cream because you don’t want it to melt all over your hands. You barely have time to appreciate the chocolate chip cookie dough pieces.

8. Constantly worrying about if you need to apply sunscreen when you're outdoors for more than a few minutes. SPF 15? SPF 30? Who knows how long you plan on staying outside?!

9. And when you do apply sunscreen, trying to mask that gross smell by dousing yourself with a gallon of perfume.

10. Enduring tundra-like conditions when you go to a restaurant that turns the air conditioning on too high. It's like they're trying to bring back winter or something!

11. Doing laundry more often because you've exhausted your supply of strapless bras. Somebody should make a law that requires spaghetti-strap tops to have built-in bras.

We all need a little guidance now and then, so whether you’re stressed about a fling gone wrong or a recently wrecked relationship or you’re wondering how to handle a stage-five clinger, Real Live College Guy Dale is here to help you navigate the college dating scene.

I was wondering how to differentiate between a guy who is genuinely nice to everyone but doesn't like you versus a guy who is genuinely nice to everyone but may have an interest in you. How do you know? – Flirting? at Fairfield

Fairfield,

I’ve been in the same situation while standing in line at Starbucks talking to super-friendly baristas, so I understand how tough it can be. When she’s being really nice I feel special, and I have to wonder if she’s just being friendly because it’s her job or if she’s actually flirting with me. Unfortunately it’s almost always the latter, but that doesn’t mean that’s always the case.

The simple fact is that it’s entirely too easy to confuse friendliness for flirtation. It’s a tricky playing field and not one that I particularly enjoy being in, so how do we differentiate the two?

For starters, it isn’t as simple as narrowing down body language. Just because someone touches you on the arm doesn’t mean he’s interested, and if someone maintains eye contact for more than a few seconds… well, I mean, that’s just creepy after a while, right?

It can be hard to tell because every person really is different. It’s an old cliché, but no two people are exactly alike. We all have different methods of flirting, however similar they may seem, and what may be considered flirting to some might be considered simple acts of friendliness by others. It’s a frustrating toss-up.

I think the best way to figure this whole thing out is to watch where his attention is directed. Does he seek you out over everyone else, or does he divide his attention amongst everyone equally? What you should look out for, especially in busy or crowded areas, is whether or not he’s giving you more attention than he is to everyone else. Maybe he’s talking to a group of people but comes to you specifically for a response. If he’s focusing mostly on you, then I’d say he’s probably interested in you.

Watching for body language can be tricky too. What might be a sign for one person isn’t always a sign for another, and sometimes you just have to act on your gut instinct. The truth of the matters is that, short of being upfront and just asking, I’m not so sure there’s one single way to differentiate between flirty and just really, really nice.

Best-case scenario? He is actually flirting with you. Worst? At least he’s a friendly guy! Nonetheless, it’s college, and sometimes you just have to take the risk.

Congratulations, you landed the summer internship of your dreams! You show up on the first day a few minutes early in the perfect outfit, ready to dive right in. As your boss is explaining what your duties will be, there are a few acronyms or phrases thrown in that leave you totally confused. Asking for clarification is never a bad thing, but here are some common phrases that you should be familiar with going into your internship so that you can impress your boss with how much you already know when you start! Her Campus writers have shared some terms they have come across in their internships to help you show up sounding totally ready for the job.

GENERAL TERMS

EOD: This very important acronym stands for “end of day, usually used as a deadline for important projects,” said Aubrey Nagle, a collegiette at Drexel University. This phrase means a task or project that should be completed by the end of the business day—NOT by that night at midnight.

Gopher:  This phrase is “a term sometimes used to describe interns when all they do is ‘go for’ things all day, like coffee etc.,” said Aubrey. Completing simple tasks like making copies or grabbing lunch for your supervisor is something that most interns have to do, but the term can still have a negative connotation if that is all you ever do during your internship. It is important to make sure that you are being allowed to learn and participate in an internship, not spending all of your time in line at Starbucks!

Exit Interview: According to Aubrey, this is “something to make sure you ask your supervisor for before you leave so you can go over how you've improved over your internship and what you can improve on.” Exit interviews are extremely valuable because they allow you to ask questions about what you did well in an internship, what you can improve on, how your boss got to where they are today, and what advice they have for you in terms of future career opportunities. It can also be called an “informational interview.”

RFP: This stands for “request for proposal,” which is a term that a company uses when they want to solicit work from an extraneous source. “Organizations typically put them together when they are looking for products or services from an outside vendor,” said Rachel Wendte from Butler University. “For example, ‘non-profit seeks proposals for business development consultant to improve office efficiency to free up resources.’ They then detail further requirements that each bidder must submit, and then the organization chooses who to work with from the responses they receive.”

FINANCE

P&L: This stands for “Profit and loss,” says Lauren Paylor, a junior at Duke University. It is a financial statement that details the revenues, costs and expenses incurred by a company during a specific period of time—usually a quarter (so a 3 month period of the year) or the entire fiscal year (all 12 months). It can also be referred to as an “income statement.”

Dow Jones Industrial Average: The Dow is a financial index in the United States made up of 30 of the largest, most influential publicly owned companies. It includes well-known companies such as Coca-Cola, McDonald’s and Walt Disney, and shows the results of the trading of these companies’ stocks during a day.

Nasdaq Composite: A financial index primarily comprised of technology and growth companies.

S&P 500: A stock market index made up of 500 leading publicly traded companies in the United States, maintained by Standard and Poor’s.

CD: This stands for “certificate of deposit.” Similar to a savings account, these are referred to as a “time deposit.” This means that you put money in and there is a fixed maturity date, at which time the consumer can withdraw the money and any interest that has been made on the money.

ENTERTAINMENT

Nielsen Soundscan: This is a system that tracks the sales of songs, albums and music videos. This is where Billboard gets their sales data, so it’s the official source of sales records in the music industry. It is used by all parts of the entertainment industry: record labels, publishing firms, music retailers, independent promoters, film and TV, and artist management.

Rider: A list of requests made by a performer like an actor or singer. In entertainment, it often refers to what the talent would like to have backstage or in their dressing room, such as specific food or drinks.

360 deal: This is a management deal in which a music company provides financial support for an artist in exchange for a percentage of all that artist’s income (including record sales, tours, merchandise, etc). However, as physical record sales dwindle, these deals are becoming increasingly less common since artists don’t want to share their income with a record label.

Press kit: A packet of newspaper clippings, reviews of movies/TV/music and theater productions, a bio, headshot and resume given to the media and interested industry professionals. It also can be called a “press package.” Interns in entertainment publicity will often be asked to help compile these kits.

Call sheet: The daily sheet for a production that lists all the scenes to be shot that day as well as actor and crew arrival times. Interns can be asked to type this up if they are working on a music video, TV, or film set.

FASHION

Line sheet: A printed list of every item in the collection, including photos or drawings, materials, wholesale prices, and retail prices. “I first heard the term ‘line sheet’ when I interned for a fashion designer,” said Hannah Orenstein, a student at NYU. “My boss had me call up dozens of boutiques to see if they were interested in carrying the collection, and invariably, every single person I called asked to see the line sheet.”

Collection: All of the clothing and accessories available to consumers during a certain season. Designers generally have a collection for every season, and the collection is meant to be cohesive, with a specifically unified image or tone.

RTW: This stands for “ready to wear.” This means a piece of clothing was made to standard measurements, and is meant to be purchased off of the rack and worn. Many designers have both a high fashion line as well as an RTW line.

Androgynous: Androgyny refers to a look that is of indeterminate gender. This look commonly features garments and styles that are commonly associated with the opposite gender to the wearer, like women wearing ties or oversized dress shirts.

Go-see: This refers to a modeling audition, when a model comes in to be seen by a potential client such as a fashion label. This is one way that designers find potential models for their campaigns.

MARKETING/ADVERTISING/PUBLISHING

ROI: This phrase means “return on investment.” The purpose of this measure is to see if something is worth its cost; for example, seeing how much an advertisement will cost to create versus how much revenue it could bring in. “I worked in an ad firm and this phrase was passed out a lot. It means to see sales that are created through a certain channel (advertisement),” said Elizabeth Blasi, a collegiette from Clemson. This can be useful in a variety of fields, since most companies are interested in comparing potential costs with potential results.

Tear sheet: This is a physical sheet that is torn out of a publication, normally to prove to a client that an advertisement was published. “If you intern at a magazine, you should know what ‘tear sheets’ are—individual pages of each issue that are filed and chronicled. They aren't actually torn, just never bound,” said Katrina Laivins from the University of Connecticut. “I made the mistake of physically tearing out pages of an issue when I didn't know this term!”

Brief: The summary package of what needs to be done in a project/campaign, including objectives, current market landscape, and target demographic information. This is then presented to the client to get their thoughts on the advertising strategy.

Pitch: A meeting where an agency’s staff shares their ideas/visions for a brand/service/product to a potential client. The ad agency will come up with ideas for a campaign and bring visuals to show the client what ideas they have to sell their product.

Clips: Samples of your published work often requested when applying for a magazine job or a freelance writing or editing assignment. Clips usually refer to those stories you’ve written, or a byline piece for a magazine, newspaper, or other medium, but they can also refer to stories you’ve edited.

With these phrases under your belt, you’ll be on track to impress your boss with how prepared you are at your summer internship!

Whether it’s crushes, classes or coed bathrooms on your mind, chances are you’ve already started stressing about your freshman year of college. But don’t worry! This collegiette has been there and done that, and she’s passing along her hard-earned wisdom to you lucky pre-collegiettes. Whether you’re daunted by your packing list (you do not need a label maker, promise), college-level classes (Wikipedia is your new best friend), making friends (easier than it sounds) or running into a one-night stand (honestly, just run the other way), Sophie’s likely encountered it all. Just sit back, relax and let her share the best advice she’s picked up along the way.

How do you get over the homesickness if you go out of state to college? –Whitney

Whitney,

You have come to the right girl. If there is one college-related topic I am qualified to talk about, it’s homesickness.

A little background info: I’m from Rhode Island and I left to go to school in Vermont, about a five-hour drive away. Looking back, all the signs that I would be homesick in college were there: I started crying about leaving home the second I got my acceptance letter and I spent the summer before college listening to “Graduation” by Vitamin C on repeat (I’m sorry for getting that stuck in your head). Needless to say, I had a bit of a rough transition to college.

To make matters even worse, I was diagnosed with separation anxiety, a specific type of anxiety disorder characterized by extreme anxiety and discomfort associated with being separated from familiar places or people (in other words, going away to college). The transition was tough, but once you get past the first couple of weeks, you’ll be surprised at how quickly campus becomes your second home. Here are my top tips for getting over the initial homesickness during your first few weeks at college:

1. Expect it. Don’t let homesickness sneak up on you…anticipate it! Any person who says he or she never had a moment of insecurity or homesickness during his or her freshman year is (probably) lying. It makes total sense that you’d be uneasy about leaving behind everything you know and starting out on your own (well, sort of on your own). It’s nothing to be ashamed of!

2. Establish a support system. The best way to combat homesickness? Have a support system in place before you step foot on campus. Know where the student counseling office is and take the opportunity to connect with your roommate(s) well before orientation week. We all Facebook stalk our future roommates to no end, you know, to see if they look like they’re a similar size for sharing clothes and to make sure they share our affinity for One Direction, but it’s important to actually reach out to your roommate early on. Touching base with your new roomie means you automatically have at least one friend on campus and someone who won’t judge you if they come back from class and find you Skype-crying to your mom (I can speak from experience).

3. Stay connected. Speaking of Skype, this godsend is every homesick collegiette’s best friend. Staying connected to familiar and comforting things is so important, especially during the first few weeks. Set up a regular time to Skype with your ‘rents (Sunday nights worked best for me!) and stay in touch with your high school friends. Chances are they’re also feeling homesick and would love to see a familiar face (plus, you can show off your fabulous, Pinterest-inspired dorm room). As important as it is to make new friends and have new experiences in college, there’s nothing quite like catching up with someone from home when you’re feeling down.

4. Get involved. This tip is a cliché for a reason! I joined the Quidditch team my first week, and even though I was an absolutely terrible Beater and probably looked ridiculous with a broom between my legs, I made some new friends, got to know the campus a little better and got out of my dorm room on the weekends (all good things).

Going to college out of state and experiencing homesickness can be scary and unfamiliar, but it can also be an amazing chance to reinvent yourself and gain more confidence in your ability to be independent. Give it some time and you’ll be on your way to loving your home away from home, I promise.

Graduation: an emotional event that usually takes place outside on a hot day. Doesn’t sound like an ideal event for bold makeup looks, right? Wrong!

No matter how high the thermometer gets or how quickly the tears flow, there’s always a way to make sure your makeup will stay fresh. Read on for five gorgeous and easy-to-rock beauty looks for graduation with tips on how to keep them intact throughout the ceremony.

1. All About the Eyes

Are your eyes your favorite feature? Play them up with this simple look! Emily Aznavourian, owner of Cheekadee makeup artists, suggests you start by applying Urban Decay Eye Shadow Primer Potion ($20) all over your lid. “This will help prevent creasing and fading,” she says.

Next, apply an eye shadow shade that is a shade lighter than your skin tone from your lash to your brow. Then, use a waterproof eyeliner, like Make Up For Ever’s Aqua Liner in Black ($23). Then, Aznavourian says to “trace the shape of your eyeball with the darkest brown shade in the Naked Basics palette ($28). 

With a shadow liner brush, go over the pencil on the base of the lash line with the black shadow, pulling the color up towards the outer corner of your eye.” Finish off the look with a few coats of black waterproof mascara.

This easy and gorgeous look will definitely make your eyes pop during graduation. It makes a statement but isn’t too bold or heavy for a daytime ceremony.

2. Show Off Your Natural Beauty

Graduation day is all about you, so why not embrace your natural beauty? All you need is a quick dab of some shimmery eye shadow, like Stila Eye Shadow in Kitten ($18), in the corners of your eyes. “This is a soft shimmer that happens to look great on most skin tones,” Aznavourian says. Finish with a swipe of mascara, such as They’re Real! Mascara from Benefit ($10).

For the lips, stick with your favorite gloss in a softer shade, like light pink or nude. Apply a tinted moisturizer, like this one from theBalm ($25), and then brush on a natural bronzer, such as Rimmel London’s Natural Bronzer ($4.99). Sephora’s Translucent Setting Powder ($16) is the finishing touch to this look. It will make sure your light makeup stays fresh all day, no matter the temperature!

3. Bold and Beautiful Brows

Thanks to Cara Delevingne, bold eyebrows are the new “it” beauty look. To get these power brows, use e.l.f.’s Studio Small Angled Brush ($3) to add in brow powder, such as Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo ($23). This helps create the illusion of fuller brows. You can also use a waxy pencil to fill in any spots you missed or to put finishing touches on the shape of your brows. Ramy Cosmetics’ Perfect Brown Wand ($28) is a great waxy duo that has a waterproof formula, which means that if you’re sweating through a long, hot graduation ceremony, your eyebrows will stay beautiful!

Finally, use a tinted brow gel like this Brow Set from M.A.C Cosmetics ($16) to make sure your eyebrows stay set all day. To make your eyebrows pop even more, keep the rest of your makeup simple and wear a nude lip.

4. Dazzle With a Golden Glow

With summer coming up, everyone wants to have at least a little glow to her skin. Dust some bronzer on the areas of your face where the sun would hit it naturally, like your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, your forehead and your chin. You can also use a highlighter like Benefit’s High Beam ($26) to give yourself a gorgeous natural glow.

Swipe a golden-brown shadow, like M.A.C’s Cork ($15) or Woodwinked ($15), to your eyelid and line it with a brown eyeliner, such as Maybelline’s Eye Studio Master Drama in Bold Brown ($7.99). With these tips, you’ll be ready to have a beautiful, beachy glow at graduation!

5. Make a Summery Statement With a Bright Lip

If you’re not wild about heavy eye makeup, this is the look for you. If you pick a punchy lip color, you should keep your eyes on the cleaner side and focus on making your lips pop. 

To make your lip color last longer throughout the ceremony, prep the area with your fave lip balm so your lips aren’t dry and crackly before putting on your stain or lipstick. Some fun lip colors to try are Revlon Color Burst Lip Butter in Tutti Frutti ($7.49) and Haute Pink Twist or Coral Twist from CoverGirl’s Lip Perfection Jumbo Gloss Balm ($6.89) collection. Blot the area with a tissue when you’re done.

For the rest of your face, use a tinted moisturizer, like theBalm BalmShelter Tinted Moisturizer ($25), and fill in your brows. Aznavourian recommends Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof brow mousse ($28). Finally, brush a super-black mascara on your top lashes, like bareMinerals Flawless Definition Waterproof Mascara ($18). Another perk of this mascara? It’s waterproof, so if you get emotional (or hot and sweaty) during the ceremony, you’ll be all set.

With these beauty looks, you’ll be sure to start the next chapter of your life looking gorgeous. Graduation is an exciting and momentous occasion in your life, so you’ll want to look your absolute best—because you know your family will be documenting every second of it!

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. 

Breakfast

Happy May! I'm officially done with finals and home in Boston. So crazy. I'll only be home for a little bit before heading to Costa Rica for a study abroad course and then to Chicago for the rest of the summer, so I really have to savor my parents' immaculate kitchen and well-stocked fridge while I'm here. For breakfast yesterday morning, I had a bowl of banana-flavored Chobani Greek yogurt topped with banana slices, blueberries and raspberries. Simple but satisfying. 

Lunch

For lunch, I made a lemon grain salad with asparagus, almonds and goat cheese, inspired by this recipe from The Kitchn. My mom discovered this recipe two years ago and has made it a lot since, so it's a family favorite (well, really just me and my mom because my dad and my brother aren't into asparagus or anything green). It's great as either a side dish or a light lunch. Goat cheese and asparagus are a known dynamic duo, and the lemon adds a zesty freshness. We didn't have all the ingredients in the house and I hadn't been to the grocery store yet, so I made do with minor swaps. Instead of Meyer lemons I used regular lemons, and instead of spelt I used wheatberries. If you don't have walnut oil, you should be able to find it at any market, or you could sub it with olive oil or pumpkin seed oil. 

Dinner

For dinner, my mom and I made pan-seared yellowfin tuna with sautéed kale and mushrooms. My friend made seared tuna for me a while back, but I still hadn't made it for myself, so I was excited to get the chance to last night. It could not have been easier. We marinated the tuna steaks (about four ounces each) in soy sauce and garlic for an hour. Then, all we had to do was heat olive oil in a non-stick pan and cook them for just about a minute and a half on each side. To get the inside of the tuna to stay sushi-esque, make sure to not overcook it. A minute and a half tops on each side should be good, but you can cut into it to check at about a minute or so in. We topped our tuna steaks with a slice of avocado to keep with the sushi vibe. For the kale and mushrooms, we just put them in two separate pans over medium heat, both with olive oil and minced garlic, and sautéed them until the mushrooms were browning (five to seven minutes) and the kale was wilting (three to five minutes). Overall, it was a very tasty dinner, packed with protein and omega-3's.