Now that graduation season is finally approaching, it’s time to start thinking about your future. Like what job opportunities there are, where you are going to live next year, and making time for all of those awkward (yet necessary) conversations about leaving.

For those of you with an SO, you’ve probably been dreading this talk for a while. If you have found yourself asking questions like, “What do I even say first?” or “What should I even be asking?” or “How do I know what to do?” then this is the perfect article for you to read. Here are the six conversations you need to have with your S.O. before graduating.

1. How serious is this relationship?

Realistically, you’re about to embark on the beginning of your adult life. This is the first question you should be asking yourself and your SO about the relationship. Did you just start dating? If so, how important is your SO to you? Could you imagine going a few days without telling him or her about your day? Or asking for advice about your job or friends? If the answer is yes, then it might be best to go your separate ways.

2. What are your plans after graduation?

You’ve most likely talked about the future with you SO before now, but just in case you haven’t, here’s a reminder to get on that. Morgan Wilkinson, a junior at the University of South Carolina, says, “It sounds obvious, but be really transparent. Tell him where you want to live and where you’re thinking about working. And, make sure you know the same about him. Nothing is worse than realizing too late that you want totally opposite things.” Talking about things beforehand will make everything go much more smoothly!

3. Can we make a long-distance relationship work?

Chances are that if you or your SO has secured a job after graduation, you might be in different cities. If you met in college, and you’ve never been apart for longer than a month or two, then living far apart might be difficult to manage. A lot changes when couples move far apart from each other, like the sex life. Dating and confidence expert Adam LoDolce from Sexyconfidence.com says, “Intimacy is a huge part of relationships and in long distance relationships, that's suddenly gone. So, keep the sexual tension in the relationship as much as possible.” Just because the relationship might be different and require different communication styles, there’s no reason you shouldn’t try to make it work!

Related: 10 Common Long-Term Relationship Mistakes & How to Fix Them

4. Where do you see yourself in five or 10 years?

We get it, this sounds like a question you might be asked at a job interview. But, the answer to this question will tell you a lot about your SO and probably help you realize a thing or two about yourself. LoDolce suggests asking questions like, How do you envision your life five or 10 years from now? LoDolce says, “It'll give you an idea about whether or not that person's vision corresponds with your own.” You want to be with someone you see a future with.

5. How are we going to handle the tough stuff?

Finding out your partner’s coping methods during tough times can tell you a lot about who they are as a person. When it comes to big moves or changes, couples’ communication efforts can take a big hit. According to LoDolce, these are the most common mistakes to avoid when it comes to communicating with your SO.

The first mistake, is not communicating what's on your mind. If you’re SO doesn’t know what’s up, how can they address the problem? The second most common mistake is not including the other person in decisions. Everyone wants to feel included and thought of, so next time you plan a weekend with your girls, make sure you let your SO know what your plans are. Lastly, LoDolce has noticed that a lot of people “fade out” once a new job or move comes along. Don’t make that common mistake, it could cost you your relationship!

6. What do you need to be the best “you” you can be?

The most important conversation you should have is with yourself. Be honest and realistic. Are you too dependent on this relationship to try new experiences or meet new people? Can you see yourself living your best life with this person? Or do you need space to learn more about yourself?

Graduating is really exciting. Don’t let stress over figuring out what the next steps should be for your relationship take that away. Asking these six questions will take you in the direction you need to go.

Hufflepuffs are the underdog house at Hogwarts. While your first instinct might not be to date a Hufflepuff, we’ve got a bunch of reasons to convince you otherwise.

1. COME ON! We are super famous for our dedication and loyalty. That’s the first step to any successful relationship.

2. Plus, we are consistently & genuinely kind. That sounds like the making of a perfect companion.

3. We have Cedric Diggory, a hotty hot Hufflepuff champion.

4. We also have Helga Hufflepuff, who was just a wonderful lady and total boss.

5. We are accepting of everyone, so we won’t mind hanging out with your friends–even the Slytherins.

6. Thanks to encouragement from the Fat Friar, we know how to look past all your faults.

7. We won’t turn into a total Dementor every time we have a fight; it’s just not in our nature.

8. Despite popular belief, we actually have a ton of really incredible withes and wizards, so we are guaranteed to be successful providers later in life.

9. We stayed to help Harry fight Voldemort, so we will definitely help defend you in any of your battles.

10. Nobody but us can look that gorgeous in yellow, let’s be real.

11. Our common room is right next to the kitchens. This may not have anything to do with our personal qualities. It’s just extra incentive.

12. If Tonks is any sort of representation of our women, you aren’t even ready for how cool we are.

13. Our smolder.

14. We’re just plain NICE. How many nice people are left in the wizarding world these days? We’re a breath of fresh air.

15. J.K. Rowling has said, “In many, many ways, Hufflepuff is my favourite house.” You’ve heard it from the queen herself. 

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

Whenever a celebrity breaks their silence on a struggle they’ve faced, it is a refreshing reminder of what the tabloids like to say: “stars are just like us.” But why do we need reminders that celebrities gas up their cars, grocery shop, and might be affected by mental illness?

Chrissy Teigen recently penned an essay for Glamour on her experience with postpartum depression after the birth of hers and John Legend’s daughter, Luna. She most eloquently stated that, while she appears to be the happiest person in the world, she was hurting deeply for months. She was diagnosed with postpartum depression, which is a mood disorder experienced in women after childbirth caused by multiple factors, such as varying levels of hormones and sleep deprivation, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

When I think of Chrissy Teigen, I think of a witty, confident and gorgeous woman. Her social media presence consists of wicked smart clapbacks, as well as gorgeous envy-inducing Instagram posts. She looks like she has it all. But, in her essay, she is quick to remind people that she doesn’t, and for that I am grateful. More and more people are beginning to realize that social media can portray something very different from reality. It is a snapshot into a specific captured moment, but it often hides the feelings we are all dealing with behind funny captions and beautiful pictures. We are all guilty of it. Who wants to post a selfie with the caption of “I’m feeling sad and excluded today #sad #excluded?" No one! It is so easy to make yourself look as good as possible on social media, and we often compare other people at their perceived, showcased best, to our own perceived worst. Our idea of celebrities usually consists of that mindset, and the belief that everything in their lives is perfect just because they are famous, and "untouchable."

I find myself guilty of thinking that way quite a lot. I compare myself to my peers all the time, and it doesn’t ever help when I see a perfect celeb Insta in the mix as well. I often wonder if college is truly the greatest four years of my life like everyone says, or if I’m doing something wrong for not always having the best time. When I see pictures of people at my school seemingly having fun out at the bars, I victimize myself for staying in and studying. I mentally allow myself to feel excluded, and after being diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder during my freshman year, those feelings of exclusion don’t always go away easily. I have been taking Prozac for about a year now, and just the admittance of saying I am on an anti-depressant sometimes scares me. A lot of these disorders are stereotyped by negative misinformation about causes and symptoms. Even Teigen admits that she “associated postpartum depression…with people who didn’t like their babies or felt like they had to harm their children.” 

Furthermore, I have a fantastic life, so why would I ever need an anti-depressant? I feel guilty like Teigen does (stars, they’re just like us!!), because I feel pathetic even though I have everything I could virtually ever want and need. But like Teigen says, “postpartum does not discriminate” and neither do other forms of mental illness. Mental health doesn’t know fame or wealth or how popular you are on Instagram. It unfortunately can affect anyone, and a lot more than people care to admit because of the negative stigma society seems to associate with mental illness.

So for such a beloved and seemingly perfect celebrity like Chrissy Teigen to come forward and share this with the rest of us is a huge reminder, and also a lesson. Many people suffer silently, and you never know what someone is going through by thinking you know them, or from looking at their social media. I thank Chrissy for sharing her journey and her road to recovery. She is another step in the right direction towards destroying the negative stigma, and creating a normalized environment to discuss the often difficult and uncomfortable topic of mental illness. Honestly I don’t think I’ve ever fangirled over someone quite like I do over Chrissy Teigen, and that was before I even read her essay.

If you or a friend needs help, go to this website or call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 1-800-950-6264.

The workday can be long and hard, and it's very easy to let your focus shift to the conversation that you had with your roommate last night or how much you want that pizza after work. While it is definitely a challenge to maintain focus, it's not impossible. Not only does focus increase your productivity, but it also makes you a very valuable employee. Although you might think that giving yourself a social media break is the best way to regain focus, we have compiled sure ways to get your focus back on track during the workday.

1. Don't let coworkers distract you

Commvox_distraction.jpg

People in the office like to gossip and goof off, but just because they're doing it doesn't mean you should too. When trying to get work done, the best thing you can do to keep yourself focused is to tune out all of the outside noise and chatter. Once you get roped into a conversation about last night’s episode of Grey’s Anatomy, your productivity at work is as good as gone. While it might be difficult to keep yourself from sharing your opinion on Shonda’s latest emotionally victimizing episode, try to wait until after work to fill your coworkers in.

If a coworker approaches you, casually mention whatever task you are currently working on and make it clear that you are very focused on getting it done. You can also tease them about their workload which might just be the hint they need to increase their own productivity. While you might be afraid of hurting someone's feelings, you shouldn't feel bad about choosing your work over a coworker.

“I tend to just ignore the conversations that my coworkers have and keep doing my work, no matter how tempting it is to join in,” says Kerry Moore, University of South Carolina Student Services graphic designer, class of 2018.

2. Create a to-do list

Lists help to keep priorities in order and remember deadlines. When you glance at this list you will know when you can take it easy and when you have to get to work because you have three or four projects lined up. To-do lists create a sense of urgency that will keep your focus in check. Putting your assignments on sticky notes and placing them around your computer or on your desk is a great way to visualize what you have to do for the day.

“If you set specific goals that you want to accomplish each day, it will be clear what your priorities are and you will be able to go after your goals with laser focus,” says Deidre Elkerson, an MBA student mentor at Western Governor’s University.

Related: 11 Things You Should Never Talk About With Your Coworkers

3. Break up your work

For some collegiettes, it can be very overwhelming to walk in to work and visualize everything that you need to get done that day. Everyone's approach to focusing at work can differ. If lengthy to-do-lists stress you out, try breaking up your work into more manageable bits.

It is easy to shut down and get frustrated at the thought of working through assignment after assignment with no end in sight. The best thing to do is crush things into manageable pieces and proceed that way. Also, it is definitely more satisfying to cross multiple items off of your to-do list. Ending the day with seemingly only one thing accomplished can be very frustrating.

“I always find my work more manageable when I complete it in smaller chunks,” says Kaia Thompson, Ball State University Career Center assistant, class of 2018. “It also feels more satisfying when I look back at the day and see that I completed a bunch of tasks instead of one task, no matter how large it is.”

4. Have a routine

It might seem monotonous to have a schedule, but the built-in structure is a key component of staying focused. Having a routine, such as when you respond to your emails or even just when you take a lunch break, allows you to minimize distractions due to random choices. The time you would have spent contemplating your lunch hour, you could be honed in on your work.

According to Dr. Mahnaz Hashmi, a consultant psychiatrist and co-founder of expert healthcare platform Medstars, "When the distractions come from outside factors, you need to think about the boundaries you’ve set yourself. Instead of jumping at every opportunity to gather around the water cooler, plan your day in advance and schedule your time out."

5. Take on your hardest task first

We have all heard that first is the worst, second is the best and third involves someone in a polka dot dress. While it may be a silly little tune that we used to sing on the playground, there is definitely some truth to the first task being the worst task. If you take on your most dreaded task first, you can get it out of the way and you won't linger and procrastinate on other tasks to avoid it. Once you've handled the first and worst, everything that follows will seem more manageable.

"Do things you’re not looking forward to the most first. It makes sense, really. That way, you won’t spend your day wasting precious energy stewing about them," says Lee Grant, a clinical director at Efficacy Limited.

6. Focus on one thing at a time

It is easy to try to take on numerous tasks in hopes of finishing earlier or moving on to more exciting things. However, it is impossible to completely devote yourself to multiple tasks. It is much better to hone in on one task and complete it to the best of your ability than to rush through a handful of tasks. Finish one assignment and then reward yourself with a break, a snack or a quick Buzzfeed quiz before returning to the other assignments on your list. 

According to Sarah McKay, the founder of Your Brain Health, "If you attempt to do multiple tasks, your brain will simply switch focus back and forwards between the two tasks, essentially diluting your attention, ability to compute and extending the amount of time it'll take you to reach your goal. Not only will you be less efficient, your stress levels will increase and you'll be at risk of cognitive fatigue or burn-out. Multi-tasking is a myth. Choose one task to focus at a time and follow it through until completion."

7. Take a break

While you might be saying “duh,” it isn’t unusual for people to avoid breaks because they think that once they get off track, it will be difficult to refocus. It may seem counterproductive to say that the best way to stay focused is to take a break, but it actually is very helpful to take a minute or two for yourself during the workday. As long as you don’t use your break to social media stalk your crush, your productivity shouldn’t be interrupted.

“I like to go to the bathroom, get a snack or a drink, or just get up from my computer for a minute or two,” says Moore. “When I finish my break I know that it's time to get focused and get back to work.”

Whether these tips save you from an endless conversation with a coworker or just a very stressful day, hopefully you will be able to start and end your day with laser sharp focus. An increased focus at work will help you to be a more efficient, productive and overall invaluable employee. At the very least, you will have a very happy boss on your hands and that, in itself, is something to be proud of. 

Spring break is almost here and you can practically smell it in there air—or maybe that's just my coconut-scented lotion? Either way, it's time to start counting down the days to the most relaxing week of the year! What better way to mentally prepare for those fun-filled days than by stocking up on all of the best coconut-scented beauty products!

Here are seven coconut-scented products that will surely help you imagine yourself at a beach instead of sitting through your dreaded pre-spring break classes.

1. Coconut Body Butter

(Ulta, $21)

The Body Shop's Coconut Body Butter will not only soothe your post-winter dry skin blues, but will also give you a long-lasting coconut scent to prepare you for spring break! Various sizes of this product can be found at Ulta, along with products in the brand's other coconut-scented line,

2. Coconut Passion Fragrance Mist

(Victoria's Secret, $18)

What better way to smell the fresh scents of coconut all day than by using a fragrance mist? Victoria's Secret Coconut Passion mist will surely not disappoint with its beach-ready scents!

3. Coconut Frosting Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath

(Ulta, $18)

Lather up with Philosophy's Coconut Frosting Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath, and be pleasantly surprised at how long this scent will last! Plus you can use one bottle for almost all of your showering needs—bonus!

4. Lip Gloss

(Forever 21, $5.90)

Say goodbye to your favorite winter matte lipsticks and hello to glossy lip looks! Blossom's coconut-flavored gloss is a perfect affordable option to get a tropical-scented clear gloss. And the packaging is so cute!

5. Hydrating Makeup Primer

(Sephora, $32)

Okay, this one is perfect for prepping for spring break and will be so useful once you're there! Too Faced's Hangover Primer will help hydrate and rejuvenate your face while releasing amazingly calming scents! This is a must-have for every beauty bag.

6. Sunscreen

(Sephora, $36)

Swap out your boring unscented sunscreen for Coola's Tropical Coconut Sunscreen Spray for protection that instantly transports you to an island state of mind!

7. Body Polish Scrub

(Sephora, $36)

Prep your body for the salt water and sun by using Coco Rose's Coconut Oil Body Polish! A little extra hydration courtesy of the magic coconut oil is something we could all use.

There's just something about coconut-scented products that can instantly make me feel like I'm on vacation, sippng on a piña colada on a tropical beach with my friends. Even if I'm stuck in class for a few more weeks, using these beauty products can help me pretend like I'm already on spring break!

As every Bachelor fan knows, it's down to the wire. Nick has only two women left: Vanessa, the 29-year-old special education teacher from Montreal, and Raven, a 25-year-old Southern belle from Arkansas. This is the point in the show where Nick usually gets rejected and cries a lot, but he's in charge this time. We still don't fully trust him to make his own decisions, so Her Campus's Erin Crabtree and Katherine Mirani hashed out the pros and cons of each relationship.

Erin: I personally don't believe that Nick should marry—or even get engaged to—anyone. Being the Bachelor was clearly just a stepping stone to Dancing with the Stars. But if I have to choose, it's Vanessa. I've been Team Vanessa ever since he kissed her after she puked on the zero-gravity date. That's ~true love~.

Katherine: I guess my problem with Vanessa is her insecurity—she can't seem to get over the fact that Nick is into multiple women and can't exclusively choose her before the last episode, even though that's obviously the whole point of the show! I just want her to accept the game she's playing and get over it. I've been Team Raven since she went on the date to Nick's hometown and got along so well with Nick's little sister. I remember thinking, "I actually don't...hate this???" Raven seems more relaxed and less likely to get up in arms about every little thing.

Erin: Your issues with Vanessa's insecurity are totally valid. In fact, this is something we see in contestants all the time. Who can forget Shawn's insane jealously when it came to Kaitlyn's relationship with Nick? (Yes, that Nick.) I was ready to send Shawn packing, but after the Bachelorette process was over and he didn't have to compete anymore, Shawn was finally able to relax into a real relationship with Kaitlyn. And they're still going strong!

So perhaps if she gets that coveted final rose and Nick's fourth favorite Neil Lane engagement ring, Vanessa will chill?

Katherine: I actually was thinking that Vanessa and Nick might the realest couple, even if they annoy me. Throughout the season, they've had the deepest conversations, and they actually talk about things that real couples talk about—Whether or not to move for each other! How to handle conflict when both people are always stubborn! Raven's fantasy suite date focused way too much on the alleged orgasm she's never had.

On the other hand, what I love about Raven and Nick is the pure fun they seem to have together. There's a lot less angst on their dates and a lot more human darts/mud wrestling. It's sweet to see, and I feel like it will translate well into life post-Bach.

Erin: Vanessa and Nick's relationship is obviously very deep. He cries literally every time he's with her or even talking about her. Though I'm still not sure whether that's a good thing or not. 

I love that Raven and Nick have fun together and seem to have a lighter relationship, but I feel like it's time for Nick to grow up. This is his fourth time on the franchise; he's 36 years old. He's basically had every shot this show offers, and he needs to start taking it seriously. I think he can do that with Vanessa.

Plus, how do you explain the yellow wristband he's been wearing since the zero-gravity date if it's not an Easter egg signaling that his heart belongs to Vanessa? I don't see him rolling around in those skates from his first one-on-one with Raven.

Katherine: I totally see what you're saying about Nick needing to grow up, and I agree that Raven might not be the best person to help him get there. When we're with Vanessa, we've seen a lot about her job as a teacher for special needs adults—she's the only one who seems to take pride in having a rich professional life, other than Rachel (who was my No. 1 pick until she got snapped up for next season). As I'm thinking about it more, we really haven't seen how Raven reacts in a tough relationship situation. We just know she beat her ex with a shoe when she caught him cheating! I'm coming around to your view that Vanessa and Nick probably have the deeper connection, even if it's not as overwhelmingly sweet on the surface (besides puke kisses).

Erin: Regardless of whether it's Vanessa or Raven, do we really think Nick has it in him to not only make a Bachelor relationship work long-term but also actually get married? I'm leaning toward no. I just don't see any reality where Nick comes away from this franchise in a relationship that lasts.

Katherine: Yeah, I feel like the odds of a relationship lasting are pretty low for Nick. Vanessa especially has talked a lot about her core values of family and doing work that matters, and I'm not sure how well those will fit in with Nick's apparent core values of being on as many seasons of reality television as possible. I mean, his next move is Dancing with the Stars. I'm not convinced a Bachelor engagement will hold up once rigidly scheduled dates and all-expenses-paid trips to Finland are off the table.

What do you think? Should Nick choose Vanessa or Raven?

Beauty and the Beast is almost here! This time next week, we’ll be piling into theaters to see Disney’s live-action take on the classic fairytale. But before you do, there are a few things you should probably know.

Thanks to Entertainment Weekly’s The Ultimate Guide to Beauty and the Beast, 96 in-depth pages filled with exclusive details about the live-action film, HC has the inside scoop on what to expect. What began as a two-day London set visit for EW Senior Writer Clark Collis became a leaping off point for the revealing special issue, which the EW staff has been working on since September. Inside you’ll find “all of the nitty-gritty, fun details about how [Disney] put [the film] together,” Entertainment Weekly’s Executive Projects Director Erik Forrest Jackson reveals, as well as a look back at the animated classic.

I spoke with Jackson about this deep dive into the film, and the passion with which the magazine approached the special issue is evident. “At Entertainment Weekly we really pride ourselves on our pop culture passion, and we did our darnedest to infuse every page of [the] special issue with the love of the film and the love of that story.”

Here’s what else I learned.

1. There are three-and-a-half new songs in the film

“Some people might say, ‘What is a half new song?’” Jackson says. “But that is an aria that was written for Audra McDonald’s character, Madame de Garderobe. She’s sort of an opera diva. So she sings an aria, or half of an aria.”

Don’t worry, though—every song from the original film will still be featured. Just consider these three (and a half!) new songs a bonus.

2. Dan Stevens went to great lengths to play the Beast

Now this is impressive. “[Stevens] basically played [the Beast] twice,” Jackson explains. “He did it once for them to capture all of his body movements and then he did it again with all these cameras pointed just at his head to capture his facial expressions and his gestures and movements from the neck up.”

Um, wow. I’ll definitely be picturing that every time I see the Beast.

3. The opening scene might look a bit different to diehard fans

There are bound to be changes when you reimagine an animated film in live-action form some 26 years after the original’s release. But fans will notice one difference right off the bat. According to Jackson, “It sounds as though there’s an opening scene in which you see the castle before the spell, before the freezing.” An early look at the castle before the prince’s transformation? Parfait!

4. There’s a new character you’re sure to adore

Stanley Tucci joins the cast of household objects as a “transformed harpsicord” who is married to the aforementioned Madame de Garderobe.

While McDonald’s character may slay that half an aria, Tucci only agreed to play Cadenza if he didn’t have to sing. Tucci admits in the special issue, “I said, ‘I have a perfectly good career, and I don’t want to ruin it.’”

5. Emma Watson’s Belle is the feminist Disney princess we’ve been longing for

Watson’s insistence on an updated Belle has been highly publicized, but the seemingly small tweaks she made to the character will have a big impact. “In this version, Belle is the inventor, instead of her father being the inventor, as he was in the animated version,” Jackson explains. “And [Watson] wanted, basically, the character to have more of her own sense of self and independence and intelligence.”

I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to see this new and improved Belle on the big screen.

The Ultimate Guide to Beauty and the Beast is now available on newsstands or is available from Amazon.com.

International Women’s Day on Wednesday was also taken up as a day of resistance for women-identifying individuals and their allies across America. In New York City, organizers of the Women’s March(es) that took place over inauguration weekend gathered to protest outside the Trump International Hotel near Central Park. Thirteen protesters were arrested for civil disobedience,  some of whom were organizers of the action, according to The Huffington Post.

Pictures of the protests and the arrests have been circulating around social media in solidarity with the individuals arrested, and Women’s March organizers called for support at the precinct where the individuals were detained yesterday afternoon.

UPDATE: Meet us at 7th precinct (19 1/2 Pitt St) in Manhattan to show solidarity with our sisters who were arrested today. #DayWithoutAWoman

It was announced late yesterday evening that all of those who were arrested had been released, but no details about their booking or arrests have been released yet by the NYPD. According to HuffPo, one of those arrested was Bob Bland, an organizer who recently gave birth and needed to nurse her baby—but the NYPD continued to detain her.

Outside the police station, fellow resisters and reporters were gathered to wait for the individuals to be released, and Linda Sarsour, one of the co-chairs of the Women’s March, was interviewed after leaving the station.

After lauding her fellow protesters for their courage and commitment, Sarsour called other individuals to action. “I feel fine, I feel empowered, I feel proud of what I did today,” Sarsour said. “I hope [my resistance] sends a message to people that you’ve gotta risk it, you’ve got to be bold in this moment.”

It's stunning and beyond admirable what these organizers and protesters and advocates continue to do in the face of the massive injustices being perpetrated by our administration. I for one, am taking notes.

Iceland’s government celebrated International Women’s Day on Wednesday by announcing that it will require companies with more than 25 employees to “gain a certificate demonstrating pay equality,” according to The Independent. This legislation will apparently be implemented by 2020, and has bipartisan (!!!) support—the most surprising thing I’ve heard about women’s rights in a minute.

In the announcement by Iceland’s Equality and Social Affairs Minister Thorsteinn Viglundsson, the focus was mainly on the disparity in pay between men and women. While Iceland is consistently rated as being the most equal relative to other nations in terms of a gendered pay gap, it is by no means completely equal.

Hopefully the legislation will not simply address the difference in pay between men and women-identifying persons, but will also take up an intersectional lens and examine and eradicate the differences in pay experienced by women of color, disabled women and other marginalized individuals as well.

It's unclear what this “certificate” will signify exactly or what criteria it will be based on, but hopefully the government of Iceland has a systematic and comprehensive plan for enacting this legislation. That way, other nations could easily follow suit. Formal measures such as these aren't the only ways in which we should be seeking justice, but they are undoubtedly important ones.

It's vacation time, baby! Before you hop on a plane to the nearest tropical destination, you're probably going to want to update your winter wardrobe and grab a few vacation-ready outfits. Lucky for you, Lulu's has you covered. Their Vacation Shop features nine whole pages of perfect getaway outfits and accessories -- it's basically a one-stop shop for vacation necessities! 

There's so many must-haves included in their vacation shop, so we've broken down our favorites into budget-friendly categories!

Under $30

(Sunglasses, $17)

(Sunglasses, $18)

(Floppy hat, $28)

(Crop top, $28)

(Top, $29)

From accessories to tops, there's tons of items you can buy for under $30! Grab these sunnies and a crop top, and you'll be ready to spend some time in the sun! 

Under $40

(Crop top, $34)

(Bikini set, $34)

(Shorts, $34)

(Dress, $38)

(Blouse, $38)

(Romper, $39)

(Shorts, $39)

With a little more wiggle room in the budget, you can snag some of these amazing rompers or shorts that will be perfect for exploring on your vacay. 

Under $50

(Romper, $46)

(Top, $46)

(Romper, $48)

(Romper, $49)

Step up your casual look with these detailed pieces, and throw in some floral and color for an adventurous and fun look! 

Under $60

(Romper, $52)

(Maxi dress, $54)

(Romper, $54)

(Maxi dress, $59)

Vacations almost always call for dressing up, so grab one of these maxi dresses or classy rompers and you'll be good to go! 

Under $100

(Dress, $74)

(Bikini, $75)

(Maxi dress, $89)

(One-piece, $99)

Splurging for your vacation outfits is sometimes totally necessary, especially if it's for one of these to-die-for bathing suits or flowy maxi dresses.

With a Vacation Shop as stocked as Lulu's, everyone is bound to find a travel-ready wardrobe that fits any budget. Happy shopping, collegiettes!

It’s that time of year when making ramen noodles sounds more appealing than prepping an entire meal. We totally get that you’d rather be snuggled up watching Netflix than spending your night cooking — but if you’re looking to spice up your meals, we spoke to a couple of college students to figure out how. Your taste buds will thank you when you try out these easy meals below.

Related: 7 Delicious Recipes You Can Make in Your Dorm

1. Shrimp & Quinoa Foils

Olivia Ely, a freshman at Emmanuel College, uses her dorm kitchen often.“I make these a lot and they never fail to disappoint,” she says. “All you really need is aluminum foil, shrimp, quinoa, spinach and avocado — and you can make as many packets as you need! By using store-bought salsa and placing the packets in a pan on the stove, these are 100 percent doable in a dorm.” They definitely sound yummy and easy enough once you buy the ingredients!

Ingredients:

• Vegetable oil cooking spray

• 8 cups baby spinach

• 1 cup couscous

• 1 lb medium shrimp, shelled and deveined

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

• 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided

• 1 large mango, peeled and diced

• 1 medium avocado, diced

• 1 medium tomato, diced

• 1/4 cup chopped red onion

• 1/2 jalapeño chile, seeded and finely chopped

• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

Directions:

• Heat grill.

• Fold four 18-inch-long pieces of foil in half; unfold and coat inside with cooking spray.

• Place 2 cups spinach in center of 1 half of each piece of foil.

• Combine couscous with 1/4 cup water; divide evenly among packets, placing on top of spinach. Combine shrimp, 1/4 cup cilantro, oil and 1/2 tsp salt in a bowl.

• Divide shrimp evenly among packets, placing next to couscous.

• Fold foil to close and crimp edges to seal; place on grill; close lid; cook until packets are fully puffed, 10 minutes.

• Combine remaining 1/4 cup cilantro with remaining 1/4 tsp salt, mango, avocado, tomato, onion, jalapeño and lime juice in a bowl.

• Carefully cut foil to open; stir contents; garnish with salsa before serving.

2. Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken

Simple yet savory, you have to try cooking your chicken this way!

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

• 4 garlic cloves, minced

• 4 tablespoons brown sugar

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 450°F

• Line a baking dish or cookie sheet with aluminum foil and lightly coat with cooking spray or lightly brush with oil.

• In small sauté pan, sauté garlic with the oil until tender.

• Remove from heat and stir in brown sugar. Add additional herbs and spices as desired.

• Season chicken with salt and pepper.

• Place breasts in a prepared baking dish and cover with the garlic and brown sugar mixture.

• Bake uncovered for 15-30 minutes, or until juices run clear. Cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of your chicken.

3. Margherita Pizza Grilled Cheese

Pizza and grilled cheese in one? Yes, please! Olivia explains how she makes cooking this recipe even easier in a dorm. “To create a mock panini press, I wrap a textbook in tin foil and place it on top of the sandwich while it’s in the pan to press it down,” she says. “This is the best use I’ve found for my school books yet!” Very clever indeed, this is one recipe you’ll need to make ASAP.

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon olive oil

• 1 large garlic clove, minced

• 2 tsp. tomato paste

• 14.5 ounces fire-roasted canned tomatoes

• ¼ teaspoons salt

• 1 tablespoon sugar

• 16 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced

• 1 cup basil leaves

• 8 slices sourdough bread

• 3 tablespoons butter, melted

Directions:

• In a small saucepan, heat olive oil and garlic over a medium heat. Saute until softened, about 1 minute. Add tomato paste, stir to combine. Cook for one minute.

• Add tomatoes, salt and sugar, whisk until tomato paste is fully incorporated. Simmer for 8-10 minutes until thickened. Set aside.

• Heat a large cast-iron skillet or griddle to a medium heat.

• Spread about 2 tablespoons of sauce on each slice of bread. Top with four ounces of slices of cheese. Top with 4-5 leaves of basil.

• Drizzle with a little bit of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Place the other two pieces of bread, sauce side down on cheese and basil. Brush tops with butter. Season with a bit of salt and pepper.

• Place sandwich butter-side down in a skillet heat to medium (work in batches if needed), brush other side with butter. Cook until golden brown and crispy on each side and the cheese is melted. (If you are having a hard time getting the cheese to melt, pop into a 350 degree oven for a few minutes.

4. Hash-brown, Spinach and Tomato Pie

This is qualified as a breakfast dish, but can be perfect for any time of day! Eggs, veggies, and cheese all in one -- you can’t go wrong. Break out the champagne and orange juice to make some mimosas and you’ll have yourself an ideal brunch.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Ore-Ida Shredded Hash Brown Potatoes, thawed

• 1 cup part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 3 cups packed fresh spinach

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 cup grape tomatoes

• 4 eggs

• 1/4 cup milk (I use skim)

• pinch of nutmeg

• salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 375.

• Spray a 9-inch pie plate with cooking spray; press down the Shredded Hash Brown Potatoes into the pie plate.

• Bake for 8 minutes; remove from oven top with 1/2-cup shredded mozzarella and set aside.

• Heat olive oil in a skillet.

• Add spinach and tomatoes; cook for 3 minutes, or until spinach is wilted, stirring frequently.

• Add garlic and continue to cook for 1 minute.

• Remove from heat and spread over potatoes.

• In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, nutmeg, salt and pepper; whisk until thoroughly combined.

• Pour over spinach and tomatoes.

• Sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella over the pie.

• Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until top is golden brown.

• Let cool for 10 minutes before cutting & then serve

5. Taco Pie

Tacos are always a hit when it comes to quick yet scrumptious food. This recipe includes all the basics but can be a fun way to spice up your Taco Tuesday nights.

“My college ‘fam’ was super hesitant when I told them what I was making for our Sunday dinner but they all loved it!” says Samantha Burke, a graduate from Siena College. “For just one, it can easily be 3-4 meals. Different from the recipe below, I use a circular pie tin, ground turkey — it’s leaner — and I also include onions/tomatoes/peppers!”

Ingredients:

• 1 (8 ounce) package refrigerated crescent rolls

• 1 pound ground beef

• 1 (1 ounce) package taco seasoning mix

• 1 (16 ounce) container sour cream

• 8 ounces shredded Mexican-style cheese blend

• 1 (14 ounce) bag tortilla chips, crushed

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

• Lay crescent dough flat on the bottom of a square cake pan and bake according to package directions.

• Meanwhile, brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the taco seasoning and stir together well. When dough is done, remove from oven and place meat mixture on top, then layer with sour cream and cheese, and then top off with the crushed nacho chips.

• Return to oven and bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 10 minutes, or until cheese has melted.

6. Banana, Oat, and Egg ‘Pancakes’

Caitlyn Clausen, a senior at Emmanuel College, shares her favorite healthy and easy to make treats. “I like to top mine with fresh fruit, maple syrup or almond butter!” She says. Not only do they taste great but they are affordable too.

Ingredients:

• 2 whole eggs or 3 egg whites  

• 1/3 cup rolled oats

• 1 ripe banana

Directions:

• Mash banana

• Stir in eggs then stir in rolled oats.

• Mix it all together (add a pinch of salt and cinnamon)

• Cook them like you would pancakes.

7. Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

You could say we saved the best for last - if you love buffalo sauce that is. Mixed with classic mac and cheese, you can’t go wrong with this meal.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound elbow macaroni, uncooked

• 1 teaspoon + 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 large boneless skinless chicken breast, patted dry and cut into 1 inch pieces

• 1 small onion, chopped

• 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper

• 1 garlic clove, minced

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 1 cup whole milk

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

• 1/2 cup hot sauce

• 1/2 cup ranch dressing

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook macaroni as directed on the package until al dente, roughly 10 minutes. Drain into a colander.

• While the pasta is cooking, in a large skillet over medium heat, heat 1 teaspoon oil. Add the chicken and cook for 4 minutes then flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked. Remove the chicken to a bowl and keep warm.

• In the same skillet without cleaning, add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Add the onion and bell pepper. Cook until softened, roughly 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds.

• Whisk in the flour to coat and cook 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the milk. Bring to a boil and cook until thickened, about 3-5 minutes. Whisk in the cheese until melted then whisk in hot sauce, ranch, and salt.

• Once everything is cooked, mix together the cooked macaroni, sauce, and chicken. Serve immediately.

Simple yet flavorful ingredients always make for yummy meals, no matter how lazy you may be. Don’t be afraid to try something new and even invite your friends to cook with you. Enjoy!

Summer is coming up. Fast. Shopping for swimsuits can be a total nightmare, but don't worry, we've got you! White swimsuits are so in this year, and look especially good on tanned and darker skin tones. Not to mention, shopping and styling service Polyvore has reported that white swimwear is one of the most popular trends for this summer! Not sure where to find your perfect fit? This roundup is a good place to start.

1. Rhythm My Bralette Bikini Top (Lulu's, $40)

Check out those subtle cutouts!

2. The C.J. One Shoulder Swimsuit (Entourage, $30)

Serve some looks in this one-shoulder piece!

3. Crochet One-Piece (Target, $44.99)

Stand out in crochet!

4. Flor de Piel Gali White String Bikini (Lulu's, $80)

Itsy bitsy teeny weeny...

5. Hot Sands One Piece (Entourage, $35)

Mesh is def the way to go.

6. Waikiki Swimsuit (ElleMer, $112)

Trust me, you'll slay in these long sleeves.

7. Becca Prairie Rose Bikini Top (Nordstrom, $68)

Love!

8. Aerie Scoop Crochet Bikini (American Eagle, $20)

Can't beat that price!

9. Vitamin A Sirena Wrap Bikini (Anthropologie, $110)

Gorgeous.

10. LA Hearts Mesh Insert One Piece (Pacsun, $49.95)

Simple but totally trendy!

St. Patty's Day always calls to mind all the green t-shirts and wacky top hats, but what about the rest of the ensemble? We're neglecting the beauty side of things no longer with this curated list of St. Patrick's Day approved makeup and hair products.  

1. BRÖÖ Invigorating Shampoo & Conditioner ($7.49 each at Target)

Freshly made craft beer(!!) is the first ingredient in this shampoo/conditioner duo, keeping hair shiny and silky soft without needless chemicals.

2. Guardian Of The Forest ($7.65 at Lush) 

Feel like you're prancing through Ireland's forests with this magical bath bomb full of cypress and oakmoss.

3. Lipstick Queen Frog Prince Lipstick ($25 at Ulta)

Don't be fooled—this Wicked Witch shade transforms into a lovely rose hue upon application.

4. NYX Primal Colors Eyeshadow in Extreme Green ($5 at NYX) 

Rock that bold green eye you've always wanted to try.

5. Dogfish Head Beer Soap ($5 at Dogfish Head)

Soap up with this handmade lavender and rosemary scented block.

6. Jeffree Star Skin Frost in Mint Condition ($29 at Jeffree Star)

And if you really, really want to go all out this St. Patty's Day, just swipe this clover-green highlighter all over your face!

7. Irish Moor Mud Mask ($58 at Peter Thomas Roth)

Although you may need to dig up a pot of gold to afford this luxury mask, it may well be worth it for baby-smooth skin.

SaveSave

SaveSaveSaveSave

If you're one of the few remaining Twilight fans, brace yourself, because Bella is no longer with us. Kristen Stewart picked the premiere of her new film, Personal Shopper, to debut a dope-ass buzz cut, and a platinum blonde one at that. Stewart looks edgier than ever and I am loving it. Jillian Dempsey, the actress' makeup artist for the night, posted an Instagram picture of her captioned, "What a difference a day makes." That's because just a day before K-Stew was spotted with this fresh do, she was still sporting her tried-and-true brunette bob.

I hope this hairstyle isn't just a phase, because Kristen looks uh-mazing. Slay, girl!

Meredith Grey may be the namesake of Grey’s Anatomy, but it’s pretty much universally agreed upon that Cristina Yang was the real star during her 11 seasons on the show. Her competitiveness, sass, intelligence and passion made her a fan favorite. Cristina has some of the best lines on the show, and let’s face it, Cristina moments are the best moments.

Here are 22 times Cristina was the best part of Grey’s.

1. When she had her priorities straight

2. When she wasn’t afraid to show the world how confident she is

3. When she was all of us at family gatherings

4. When she valued brains over beauty

5. When she demanded candy in a room full of people

6. When her friend-with-benefits asked her if she liked being the big spoon or the little spoon and she had the best response

7. When she defended her resting bitch face

8. When she mastered the art of emoting

9. When she had the best advice for Lexie

10. When she reminded Meredith of her worth

11. When she inspired us to never settle

12. When she took this hot dog eating competition a little too seriously

13. When she was unfazed by McSteamy’s attempts to flirt with her

14. When she came up with an inventive naming system for her interns

15. When she dished out the hard truths

16. When she knew dancing with her best friend was the best medicine

17. When she knew the best way to cope with being forced to play sports

18. When her struggles were super relatable to every college student ever

19. When she was vulnerable and heartbreakingly honest

20. When she gave us the perfect way to refer to our best friend/other half

21. When she came to this stark realization

22. When she didn’t even have to say anything to be funny because her facial expression said it all

We love and miss you, Cristina Yang!

Country music isn't just music—it's a lifestyle. If you're a die-hard fan of the genre, you'll definitely be familiar with these feelings.

1. You always have the perfect playlist for a road trip, a tailgate or the 4th of July

Or for any day party, for that matter.

2. Your celebrity crushes are Sam Hunt, Thomas Rhett and Carrie Underwood

1NtdzrtV.jpeg

You can take our time any time, Sam.

3. You HAVE to go to Stagecoach, WE Fest or Country 500 before you graduate

Luke+Bryan+2012+Stagecoach+California+Country+xjxMd1aodwol.jpg

What even is Coachella?

4. You're consistently in a good mood

Because the upbeat soundtrack to your life makes you appreciate the little things.

5. You sometimes catch yourself dreaming of a simpler life

We'll take all of that over midterms any day.

6. You say "y'all" even if you're not from the South

It's just so catchy!

7. You felt personally victimized by the Blake and Miranda breakup

You'll never believe in love again and everything is a lie.

8. You own at LEAST one pair of cowboy boots, a cowboy hat and some good ol' daisy dukes

Jason Aldean wrote "She's Country" about you. Obv.

9. You've played a country music drinking game

Drink once every time they say "truck" or a body part. Drink twice for "tailgate" or "interstate."

10. You like old school Taylor Swift wayyy better

ARGH SO RELATABLE

11. Your friends who don't like country judge you real hard

But you forgive them because they just don't understand the magic.

12. You go crazy when "Cruise" or "Wagon Wheel" comes on at a party

YOU'RE SO BASIC AND YOU DGAF

13. You may or may not have tried line dancing

BRB, adding to resume skills section.

14. You've learned to stand up to even the most sexist of guys

But really, when has being condescending to us ever worked for these bros?

15. But you know a gentleman when you see one

Or at least you will know when you see one. And it probably won't be on Tinder.

After eight seasons of The Vampire Diaries, we kind of feel like we're residents of Mystic Falls. We can't imagine saying goodbye to our favorite vampires—and humans, and vampires-turned-humans, and witches and sirens—after everything we've been through together. Here are some of the moments from these past eight seasons that made us laugh, cry and gasp in surprise.

1. When Katherine first appears

Damon and "Elena" kiss…except it isn't really Elena, it's her doppelganger. Katherine's first entrance was epic. 

2. Bonnie's first death

This was well before we became used to thinking, "But are they really dead?" So we were as upset as Elena was, and just as relieved.

3. Elena drowns and becomes a vampire

We knew she'd join their ranks eventually, but watching her flashbacks of her parents' death—coupled with Damon and Jeremy's realizations that Elena is dead—made this moment unbearable. 

4. Elena burns down her house

Okay, Jeremy's death was a little shocking, but everyone dies on this show. Elena burning down her childhood home was a new kind of WTF. 

5. Liz Forbes' funeral

It crushed us all, especially because Liz's death was one of the few that wasn't supernaturally caused.

6. Elena gives Katherine the cure

After an entire season of fighting for the cure, Elena ends up giving it to Katherine as revenge. Well served. This was also the first vampire-to-human transformation, and nobody could imagine human Katherine after 500 years.

7. Damon tells Elena he loves her

And then he makes her forget. Bawling over here!

8. Lily Salvatore is alive

How could she not even care about her (gorgeous) sons?!

9. Katherine's death

It took a WHILE for Katherine to finally die (and apparently, get sent to hell, which many of us kinda predicted), but we were all shocked to see "I'm a survivor" Pierce laid to rest.

10. Stefan is Silas's doppelganger

After four seasons, we seriously thought we had all the doppelgangers we could get. We were SO wrong!

11. Damon's "death"

Damon almost dies in every season finale, and we're kind of over the shock factor. But when Elena and everyone actually think he's dead, it's pretty tragic, even though we know the truth. 

12. Stefan and Caroline's wedding

Even though it was all a ploy, we've been waiting for this to happen since we gave up on Klaroline for good. 

13. Stefan is human again

A lot of characters have flopped from human to vampire and vampire to human, but after seasons of Stefan dealing with his Ripper tendencies, this felt both shocking and deserved.

14. Damon and Bonnie's unexpected friendship

Hate isn't eternal on TVD, and Bonnie and Damon's friendship is probably the best proof.

Our favorite time of year is coming back and the countdown is on. Want to network with the best of the media industry and make amazing connections and friends? Get inspired, learn something new and get a killer swag bag? All that and more can be done at Her Conference 2017! Trust us, this is the event you don't want to miss out on. You'll leave empowered, inspired and equipped to kill it at your campus, career and life. So what are you waiting for? Register today!

Back for its sixth year, the annual Her Conference features inspirational talks, speakers and opportunities to engage with fellow collegiettes. The two-day event will be held from July 22 to 23 at the Convene Conference Center in New York City. So, as if you needed another reason to come, you'll also get to be in NYC! Past keynotes and panelists include Rebecca Minkoff, Andi Dorfman and others hailing from Cosmopolitan, Refinery29, Seventeen, Teen Vogue and more! A fundamental focus of Her Conference programming is media and journalism, but it has also expanded to include a variety of industries, such as marketing and advertising, politics and diplomacy, business, health and more. 

Make sure to register ASAP for Her Conference 2017 and guarantee your spot today. Stay tuned on our website and social media platforms for the lineup of this year's inspirational keynotes and panelists. 

We honestly could give you endless reasons why you should attend Her Conference 2017. Trust us, it's going to be the biggest and best Her Conference yet! We can't wait to see you there, collegiettes!

Like other corporate women, you work a 9-to-5 job but want something more. Whether you have an undeclared passion, an interest that you’ve always wanted to get more involved in or just need some extra cash, you should consider starting a side hustle to compliment your career.

It might seem like a lot of time spent working, but we spoke with Ryan Robinson, an entrepreneur and writer who teaches people how to create meaningful self-employed careers, to discover how a side hustle can actually benefit your career.

woman-690036_960_720.jpg

1. You can (safely) test out your business idea

You might have a killer idea for a new app and are considering sending in your two weeks’ notice at your current job in order to develop your product full-time. But 25 percent of new businesses fail within the first year. You’re still paying off student loans, so why quit your job, stop earning income and deplete your bank account when statistics say that your business has a greater chance of failure than success?

“For those who want to become entrepreneurs, starting with a side business gives you the opportunity to test your idea, build momentum, keep getting feedback on your concept, and work it into a profitable business model—all while keeping your day job (and source of reliable income),” Robinson says.

Robinson would know. His first product—the iStash—sold over 6,000 units in just under four months. A strong start, for sure, but he ended up with $6,537 in debt. Even promising start-ups can end up costing you more than they may be worth. You can and should pursue your passion project, but you shouldn’t completely write off the safety net that an earned income provides.

“While it'll certainly take more time to get traction, starting as a side project gives you the lowest-risk opportunity to test the validity of your business idea, without getting into debt or blowing through all of your savings,” he says.

Related: How to Start a Business: Tips from Successful Entrepreneurs

2. You can build relationships that could lead to new opportunities

Yes, we’re talking networking.

“If nothing else, having a side business that you're actively getting feedback on will force you to regularly reach out and forge new relationships with others in your industry,” Robinson says. “What starts as a guest post, or one-off writing contract, could very easily lead to full-time employment offers. What's even more important, is that you'll be carrying all of your relationships with you into the future.”

When you’re stuck in an office all day, most of the people you see are your co-workers. When you have a side hustle, you’re constantly meeting new people. As you’ll discover, one contact will turn into two, two will turn into three—before you know it, you’ve formed a figurative Rolodex of contacts to take with you throughout your career.

Though the people you meet or the opportunities you pursue may not seem like a big deal at first, every small action will pay off in the long run.

"I started freelance writing and blogging on the side (including at Her Campus) which directly related to my job search," says Kayla Lewkowicz, who currently works at a startup. "Employers were really impressed at my website, blog content, and clips and it made a huge difference getting my foot in the door! The biggest lesson I learned while side hustling is (since I'm still doing it) that a little goes a long way. The efforts I put into [it] were minor from a time perspective but major in payoff; a little writing and networking and editing each day."

3. You can learn new skills

Your day job might be in human resources, but when you have a side hustle, you’ll be the CEO, marketing team, product and development department and sales crew, all in one.

“From learning how to be ruthless with your time and opportunity management since you have such a limited amount of free time to work on your side business, to picking up industry-specific skills like coding, writing, or graphic design, you're constantly investing in yourself by having a side project,” Robinson says.

For example, designing your own website, even if you absolutely hating coding, will help you become a more skilled and well-rounded person.

“There's no wrong move when you're building your own skills and pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone,” he says.

Alaina Leary is currently pursuing a Masters of Arts in Publishing/Writing at Emerson College, and started doing freelance work as an undergraduate student. 

"I did a co-op as a junior in college with a marketing and communications agency and I fell in love with working there," she says. "My supervisor hired me on a as a team member, which in this case, meant working freelance (mostly remote, with some in-office meetings) while I was still in school. I loved it. My supervisor gave me the opportunity to write press releases, blog posts, PowerPoint presentations, website content, and to design graphics and videos for her and her clients and get paid doing it."

Since then, Alaina has continued her freelance writing gigs, even while holding down another full-time job. Though she admits that she "kind of fell into" her side hustle, Alaina credits her freelance work as not just providing an additional source of income but helping her build her resume for the gigs that she really wants.

"I still always recommend picking up a side hustle even if it is for the money or the resume line, especially if you're in a competitive career or you're looking to switch careers or gain more experience in an area you don't have it," she says. "A side hustle can be incredible for personal development. Maybe the first full-time job you landed out of college was as a waitress or a bartender and that's not what you want to do forever—that's okay! A side hustle designing graphics for a small company can get you valuable experience as a graphic designer, for example, if that's your end goal. Let your side hustle become a source of professional development for your career and the extra time and effort will seem worthwhile."

4. You can discover your purpose

“As an entrepreneur, when the journey gets difficult (and it definitely will), when you're making painful sacrifices, the one thing you will always need to fall back upon is your 'why',” Robinson says.

Often, your side hustle can help you find your “why”—the thing that you’re passionate about and will sacrifice nearly everything for (including precious commodities like time, money, and sleep) in order to do it.

“Without having a greater purpose—something that's more important than just your own personal wealth or reputation—you're going to have a very difficult time sticking through the challenges,” he says.                                                 

We aren’t going to lie to you—keeping up with a side hustle is a lot of work. There will be long days and long nights, but the pay-off is worth it. Operating a side hustle can advance your current and even future career by helping you launch an idea to a business, meet valuable people in your industry, learn new skills, and become the person that you want to be. 

HOLY GOODNESS, the first official trailer for the live-action Little Mermaid is finally here, and it looks beyond magical.

As you'll quickly notice, this story isn't the one you know by heart—it's definitely part of a different world. Based on Hans Christian Anderson's 1837 story as opposed to the animated Disney movie, this version is about a young reporter and his niece who discover a mermaid at a carnival and believe that she is "the little mermaid." 

Starring Shirley MacLaine, Poppy Drayton, William Moseley, Loreto Peralta and Gina Gershon and directed by Chris Bouchard and Blake Harris, the movie looks so enchanting despite its complete disregard for the Disney version. I seriously can't wait.

The Little Mermaid makes its debut later this year.