Brace yourself: finals are coming, and suddenly the phrase, “You know nothing, Jon Snow” has never been more appropriate in your entire life. But have no fear; the characters of Game of Thrones are here, and they're going to help you through your exams and right onto the Iron Throne (except your Iron Throne is made of As).

So, it’s finals week, and it’s easy to feel like:

But hey, at least the school gives you an extra day off for "reading," right?

It’s alright; you need a day to de-stress from all of the hard work you’ve done this semester.

When your parents call to tell you that you should probably start studying, you’re like,

But when you grab your books and a few dozen cups of coffee and start studying for the exam you have the next day, it's like,

It's a little rough at first, but once you get started, you're unstoppable.

Inevitably, someone emails you for your baller study guide, and you're like,

More often than not it’s someone who never goes to class, so you pity him like the peasant he is. 

About halfway through your all-nighter, you’re like: 

"It's all your fault, books! You and your words."

Because you’re starting to feel like the world is telling you:

You know nothing, [insert name here].

And you're beginning to come to terms with it.

Until you realize that you need an 85 or higher on this exam to pass the class.

Some know-it-all from your study group tries to explain the information to you, and you’re like:

Even though, more often then not, you do not, in fact, know how to do it.  

You start to get hungry while you're studying, and all thoughts turn to pizza.

So, you cave and get it delivered to the library, and when it gets there, you're like: 

People start asking you if you think you're going to pass your exams, and you're like:

Your friends start asking you how you've been awake all this time.

You get a little tired, so you decide to take a nap. Finals week is the perfect time for a nap...

Moral of the story: Don't nap for too long or you'll... fall to your death?

After drooling on your books (hey, we've all been there), you finally emerge from the library like:

"Is this what daylight feels like?"

So you get into your exam, and you’re like:

You've got hours of fake studying under your belt and a false sense of confidence. Better than nothing! 

Your professor starts handing out exams and you start feeling like he sort of enjoys this...

And you wish you could be like: 

You get stumped on a question or two, so you just start guessing.

"I'll just put C. It's always C."

And at times you feel like:

Sometimes you’re even like: 

"No, really - I need to know!"

But by the end, you walk up to your professor and you drop your exam like: 

And you leave the room like: 

"Don't hate me cause you ain't me." -You, on your way out the door.

Until you realize that you have another exam tomorrow.

Better get back in the library! 

But don't worry - just take a look at Richard Madden and Kit Harington some more, and it will be all better! 

Look! A real knight in shining armor! He's coming to save you from your finals, ladies! 

And he's - I'm sorry, I got a little distracted...

Happy finals! Now go take what is yours with fire and blood! 

He lives in Texas; your roots are in Chicago. Summer is coming up quick, and you’re stressing about the future of your relationship. Should you break up, or try to tough it out long distance? One thing you know for sure — it’s time to have “the talk.” Here’s how to approach it.

Decide what you want

Evaluate your feelings about the relationship. Are you serious about it? Is he serious about it? Do you feel that a summer apart from each other is doable, or is your gut telling you that it won’t work?

“First and foremost, it's important to know how you feel and what you want,” says Suzanne Oshima, matchmaker and dating coach at Dream Bachelor & Bachelorette. “Do you want to date other people over the summer, or do you want to remain monogamous?”

It helps to write out your feelings in a notebook or journal. As corny as it sounds, listing the pros and cons of staying together or breaking up will help you sort out your thoughts (trust us!). It’s important that you figure out where you stand before having this discussion.

Find a quiet place to have the talk

It’s definitely not a good idea to have a talk this serious over text message or Facebook chat. Intimacy expert and author Allana Pratt says, “You can do this face-to-face. Strength is found in vulnerability. People you've dated and cared for deserve more than an email or text.”

So find a quiet place where the two of you can go, like a low-key restaurant (not the school cafeteria, where you’re totally interruption-prone!) or a bench on campus during evening hours. It’s important that you’re both comfortable, so find a spot that works well for the two of you to talk for any length of time.

Spill your guts

Don’t hold back any of your feelings — now’s the time to spill everything. You’d regret bottling any of your thoughts or emotions inside later on. 

“Don't be afraid to put it right on the table,” says matchmaker and author Marla Martenson. “You will feel so much better once the topic is on the table and you know what's going on.”

So get a head start by discussing your feelings from the get-go. No need for mind games; he wants to know what you’re thinking!

Pratt says, “If you'd love staying together, be courageous and tell [him] it would make you super happy to stay together over the summer. He may or may not agree, yet at least you were bold, authentic and open.”

On the other hand, if you’re ready to cut ties, break the news gently. “If you'd love to be single, then tell the truth,” Pratt says. “[Say],‘I have completely enjoyed our time together. I've taken time to really think about this, and right now, my heart wants to be free, to be single. I don't want to be in the way of you finding a perfect match because I want you to be happy. You're so amazing, so the kindest thing for me to do to step aside. Thank you for everything we've shared.’”

Listen to what he has to say

It can be incredibly difficult for guys to discuss their feelings, but it’s important that he opens up to you.

“When he shares his feelings with you, it's important to not be judgmental, otherwise he will shut down,” Oshima says. “Remember, it's just important to listen to what he's saying and then ask more in-depth questions without making him feel like you're interrogating him. Just remember it's a conversation between you two. It's not about what you want; it's about what you both want and coming to a solution based on your conversation.”

It’s important to make him feel comfortable. Think about your body language — are you relaxed, or sitting with your arms crossed? Are you sitting far apart in a standoffish way, or are you sitting close to him? Look him in the eyes and let him know that it’s okay and important for him to tell you exactly how he’s feeling. You value his opinions (especially on a topic like this!), so allowing him to tell you everything is essential. And when he does tell you what he’s thinking, make sure to listen carefully to every word.

Leave on good terms

Whether you decide to break up or give a temporary LDR a shot, you’ll want to leave on good terms with him. After all, you may see him on campus again next year, or maybe he’s friends with your friends. Either way, there’s no point in making it messy.

If you do decide to stick together over the summer months, awesome! Make sure he knows you’re totally ready to put in the effort required of a long-distance partnership. Start planning when you’ll have Skype or FaceTime dates, or plan a good time for either of you to take a trip to the other’s hometown.

But if you decide to let each other go, make sure you part on decent terms. No name-calling; no hurtful bashing. Be mature, and as Pratt said, thank him for everything. You’ll feel proud of your grown-up behavior.

Whatever the fate of your relationship, you’ll be glad you handled the situation in an adult-like manner. Having a discussion in person is vital for good communication in a romantic relationship. And remember to have a blast this summer, with or without your guy!

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 meet new friends in college? What events should you attend and where should you hang out on or off campus? – Yuan

Yuan,

Making friends is one of the things new collegiettes spend the most time stressing over, but it’s usually the thing that comes most naturally. Think of it this way: you’re going to be living in a dorm with hundreds of other freshmen who are in the same boat as you. The beauty of freshman year is that everyone is looking to make friends, and I mean everyone. While the idea of walking up to a stranger and introducing yourself may be terrifying (especially if you’ve gone to school with the same 30 kids since pre-K, like I did), it’s actually a lot easier than it looks. The thing is, people want you to talk to them!

Worried about stepping on campus and not seeing a single familiar face or trekking to the dining hall alone? I definitely recommend reaching out to your future roomie before you get on campus. Even if you don’t end up being BFFs, you’ll feel way more comfortable seeing at least one familiar face on move-in day. Set up a Skype convo or Facebook chat and introduce yourself, talk about your interests (like your obsession with The Vampire Diaries), coordinate your dorm-room decor and talk about whatever else you want! Chances are your future roomie will be looking to make a new friend, too.

If you’re looking to expand your friend group a bit beyond your 12-by-16 room, there are plenty of places to meet new people besides your dorm. There are the classic “get involved” options like joining intramural sports teams and special-interest clubs, but you’re just as likely to meet your new bestie in your psychology class as at Quidditch practice. I met two of my best friends in my freshman-year seminar; we formed a study group for the midterm and ended up hitting it off. If study groups aren’t your thing, try striking up a conversation with the people who usually sit near you. Chances are they’d be happy to have a distraction from lecture.

For many reasons, weekends are the time when most people branch out and make some new friends (red cups may or may not be involved…). Most campuses offer weekly events like trivia or karaoke nights, which can be super fun (if slightly embarrassing) ways to break the ice and make some new friends. If you’re into the party scene, dorm parties are probably your best bet for making insta-friends. Freshmen are looking to impress their new peers, and tons of bros will be “throwing down” during orientation week. Even if it sounds lame, do yourself a favor and stop by a party if you get invited to one; you might just make a new friend.

If you’re lucky enough to live in a city or your school is in a college town, there are plenty of off-campus places to make new friends as well. As you will soon come to understand, college students eat, sleep and breathe in coffee shops—the more hipster, the better. Pick a café off campus, make it “your spot” and before you know it, you’ll be BFFs with the baristas and sharing a table with the other regulars.

If I could leave you with just one tip for making friends the first few weeks at college, it would be this: leave your door open (obviously only when you’re in the room and like, not changing). This shows that you’re approachable, open to meeting new people and excited to be at college. Plus, it gives friendly hallmates an invitation to stop by and introduce themselves! Finding a group of friends is daunting at first, but if you keep an open mind and be yourself, you’ll find your niche in no time.

I still remember the day like it was yesterday. I had missed the bus and was running late for school, so my mom decided to drive me there. As we drove down the road that December morning, our car slid on ice. We ended up crashing into a tree, and the next thing I remember is waking up in the back of an ambulance.

The accident was six years ago, when I was 15. I’m 21 now, and that day still haunts me every moment of my life.

The impact of the crash ended up turning the car on its side and left our car totaled. The crash left me with two broken wrists and injuries to my back and neck, and my mom was lucky enough to only sprain an ankle. However, the physical pain I had in no way compares to the emotional pain the accident has left me with.

After a month of recovery at home, I returned to school. That day, I experienced my first panic attack. I was walking down the hallway at school, and all of a sudden my heart started racing. I instantly fell to the ground in fear. It felt like electricity was running through my body, and I was gasping for air. I yelled for help, and a group of people started to surround me. I honestly thought I was going to die. 

I was a sophomore in high school when all of this happened. Before then, I never even knew what a panic attack was. But after that day, I started having panic attacks almost every day. I didn’t know exactly what was going on with me until my school nurse recommended I see a psychologist.

The psychologist diagnosed me with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  Initially, I was shocked—I thought only soldiers were diagnosed with PTSD, but it can actually affect anyone who has suffered a traumatic experience. I continued to see a psychologist for a while, but I never really got any better. I’ve had a history of mental illness (for more than three years, I struggled with an eating disorder, but was thankfully able to recover from it after seeking treatment when I was 14), yet this felt unlike anything I had ever experienced before.

Before the crash, I was an outspoken and outgoing person. Afterwards, I became quiet and reserved. I was dealing with a lot emotionally and I didn’t know how to express myself or whom I could turn to. Most of my friends from before the crash didn’t understand why I was suddenly acting so differently. Students at school started to bully me because of my dramatic change. Most people didn’t know what was going on with me and thought I was weird. Almost all of the people who I was friends with prior to the accident stopped talking to me. I felt alone when I was in need of a friend the most. Ever since then, I’ve been scared to open up to people. I was lucky enough to have a few true friends who were there for me when I needed them. From them I learned the real meaning of friendship. 

After I graduated from high school, I enrolled at my dream college, the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, to study fashion design. I thought this was going to be the fresh start that I needed, but my PTSD got even worse when I got to college. My anxiety and depression started to overpower me more than before. For the first time ever, I was alone in a completely different state hours away from my native Maryland. My anxiety was so high that doing everyday things became impossible. I couldn’t even do homework, and I barely got any sleep. My anxiety had me constantly on edge. I rarely ate and ended up losing a lot of weight. I had to drop two classes, and I started to go home every single weekend because I felt so alone at college. I would cry every night because I thought I wouldn’t be able to make it to the end of the semester.

At the end of the semester, I realized I couldn’t go on like this. I ended up dropping out of my dream college after just one semester. I went back home, having no idea what I was going to do for the rest of my life. I was at my lowest point, and my anxiety was at its highest. I stopped taking care of myself. I rarely showered or even brushed my hair or teeth. All I would do is cry in bed all day.

I realized that I had to get help. I started seeing a psychiatrist and a psychologist. I begin to go to therapy once a week and take three different types of medications to help with my anxiety and depression. With the psychiatrist and psychologist’s help, I started to feel better. I ended up enrolling at American University in Washington, D.C., the following semester. During the time that my PTSD was at its worst, I turned to writing and journaling to help express myself. This led me to pursue a major in journalism. Writing became therapeutic for me.

Things have started to get better, but some days are tougher then others. Balancing classes, an internship and work is hard to do with my anxiety. I rarely speak up in class because I’m too afraid. Doing homework and studying is difficult because I have trouble concentrating and sitting still. My PTSD has me constantly paranoid and scared that something bad is going to happen to me. There are some days that I’m too afraid to even walk across campus because I fear that everyone can see right through me. When I’m feeling anxious, my mind races. My body may feel exhausted, but on the inside I’m constantly on edge.

Driving or riding in a car is still extremely difficult for me because I’m always afraid that I’m going to get into another car accident. I have flashbacks even now to that day. After the accident, I couldn’t even ride in a car without crying. My friends would want to hang out, but I’d make excuses, too embarrassed to tell my friends that the real reason I wouldn’t go out was because I was afraid to drive. Slowly, I have forced myself to start driving again. Before, I couldn’t even drive down the street, and now I have started to push myself to drive more frequently.

Everyone who knows me thinks that I’m just extremely shy. People who don’t know me think I’m conceited because I rarely talk. I wish I had the courage to speak up and tell people, “I’m not shy, and I’m definitely not conceited!” It’s hard to explain to people why I am the way I am because I’m afraid that most people won’t understand, and because of this I usually feel alone.

One time I was talking to a friend about my struggle with my anxiety and depression, and he told me, “You know, you can control that.” I chose not to respond to him, but his comment still upset me. I have tried everything to help with my anxiety and depression: yoga, volunteering and even joining different clubs at school. For me, healing has not been an overnight process; it’s a daily struggle. Most of my friends who know about my PTSD are understanding of my illness.  I have other friends who I’ve known for years whom I’ve still not been able to be open to. I’m afraid to open up to them because of my fear of rejection and because I don’t want anyone to feel sorry for me.

A mental illness isn’t something that you can just fix with a Band-Aid.  Just because you can’t see a mental illness doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist and doesn’t hurt. The best way to explain having a mental illness is that it’s like having something weighing you down, and as much as you try, you can’t shake it off.

As much I try to forget that day, I can’t. I have scars on my arms from several surgeries that remind me of that December day. Every year on the anniversary of my accident, I thank God that I’m alive. Although I have struggled to heal after my accident, I remain thankful that I was given a second chance at life. I recently started volunteering with the National Eating Disorders Association to raise awareness for the cause and to help plan a walk in my area to raise donations. I realized that I was given a second chance at life so I can help others who are going through similar experiences like me.

I’m 21, and I’m tired of feeling like I’m missing out on life. PTSD isn’t about what’s wrong with me, but about what happened to me. I’m tired of letting one moment control my entire life. I am more than just a mental illness. My mental illness is a part of my life, but it does not define me. I have dreams and goals, and I can’t let one moment keep weighing me down. If I keep living in fear and holding on to what hurts, I’m actually not living at all. I’m trying every day to appreciate my second chance, and I’m working on living life to the fullest.

Do you have a story to share? Submit your story to Her Story!

Walking into the first day of your internship 20 minutes late wearing the wrong apparel and not bringing a pen isn’t exactly the perfect way to start this amazing opportunity. With a new internship, it’s all about starting off on the right foot, if not four steps ahead. That’s why contacting your internship supervisor beforehand and asking certain questions is so important! Lucky for you, we have a cheat sheet of questions that will get you ahead for your first day.

1. What is the dress code?

Some offices have strict dress-code policies, while some are much more lax. While a nice skirt and blouse is by far your safest bet, asking about what shoes are appropriate (your stilettos are most likely not going to be the most comfortable footwear option) and other accessory choices are going to save you from embarrassing yourself in the wrong clothes.

Two weeks before you start your internship, call your internship supervisor and ask what attire is appropriate. Anna, a Washington State University student, says her email about her internship prompted her to buy business clothes. “I thought a nice skirt would be okay, but they wanted pantsuits and button-downs,” she says. “I’m happy I called.” By asking this question, you’ll ensure that you look your best!

How to word it:

“What is the dress code for the office? Is there anything I should steer clear of wearing?”

2. How does compensation work?

Knowing if you’ll get a paycheck via direct deposit or if you’ll be handed an envelope twice a month (or if you’ll be paid at all ) is very important. If you don’t ask how this works, you’ll wish you had asked once your rent is due!

This is also an opportune time for your employer to explain if you’ll need to go to Human Resources to fill out paperwork or not. Asking about a month beforehand via email is the best way to do so.

How to word it:

“I was wondering how the payment works for this internship. Am I paid on a monthly or bi-weekly basis, and how do the payments get to me? Is there a time I can come into the office to fill out the necessary paperwork?”

3. Whom will I report to?

You don’t want to walk in the first day with absolutely no idea of where to go or whom to talk to. Call or email HR the week before your internship starts and find the name and room number of the person you’ll report to.

How to word it:

“I am a new intern and I am starting next week. Whom do I report to on my first day?”

4. What will an average day be like?

Will you be fetching coffee? Making copies? Working on special projects? Answering phones for eight hours? Get a general idea of what your day will look like in an email to your boss a month beforehand to give yourself some peace of mind. Also, if the internship you signed up for and the tasks they give you don’t match up, you can say something now before you’re two weeks in with no chance of escape.

How to word it:

“On a typical day, what do you have your interns do for you? I’m trying to get a clear picture of what my schedule will look like so I come prepared for the work.”

5. What items should I bring with me?

While bringing a pencil, a pad of paper, your phone and your keys is a great start, make sure there aren’t other items that will help you on your road to internship success. Sending an email a week before will give you plenty of time to get any materials they ask of you. Being prepared will show how serious you are about this internship, and it also means you won’t be without a trusty calculator if the situation calls for it.

How to word it:

“Is there anything besides the basic necessities that I will need for this internship?”

6. Will I be expected to work overtime?

Bosses can expect a lot of an intern, and sometimes that means adding extra hours to your week. “The fact that I would be working overtime was never discussed,” says Carmen, a student at Brown University, of her internship experience. “Once I started working, though, I found myself working overtime every week, and I wish I would have asked so I could have organized my time better.”

Asking a few weeks ahead over email to see if you will be expected to work overtime can help you plan out your week, and you’ll see if there could be extra money in your future.

How to word it:

“While I have been asked to work these hours for this internship, will there be a possibility of me having to work overtime? If so, how many more hours would you expect me to work?”

7. What time should I arrive in the morning?

Being late is obviously unacceptable, but arriving three hours before you’re supposed to get there is awkward and doesn’t leave enough time for your supervisor to prepare for your arrival. Most employers will have you arrive around the time your supervisor does, but double-checking can’t hurt. Call HR the week before and ask (especially if your boss wants you in her office with a fat-free, half-caf latte as soon as she walks in).

How to word it:

“What time do you arrive in the morning? Would you like me to be in the office at that time, too?”

8. Is there parking available?

If you’re driving to and from your internship, parking four blocks away is going to be a little annoying after a few days. Ask over email if the company has parking for interns, and if not, ask if there is parking nearby. Make sure to check if it is free or if you need to pay a small fee. This way, you don’t have to drive around the block for 20 minutes looking for a spot on your first day.

How to word it:

“I am planning on driving to the internship. Does the company have parking available for me, or is there parking nearby that I can use?”

9. How does my lunch break work?

Are you expected to eat inside the office? Can you leave? Make sure you know how your lunch break works so you can pack a lunch or bring money with you if you need to.

Also, in your email, ask how much time you get for lunch. Lunch breaks can be used for other things such as appointments or phone calls, so find out how much time you have. “We worked all-day shifts, so if we wanted to make appointments, we had to do them during lunch,” says Elise, a Syracuse University student.

Tiffany, another Syracuse University student, had the same situation. “I called my supervisor before I started my internship and asked if I could have appointments during lunch, and he said as long as I came back at the correct time he was fine with me spending my lunch however I wanted,” she says.

How to word it:

“I know I have a lunch break at this time, and I’m wondering how that works. Am I allowed to leave the office to eat? Also, would my lunch break be an appropriate time to make appointments?”

A small reminder: Your emails and phone calls should be as few as you can make them so you don’t overwhelm your supervisor’s inbox and voicemail. Send multiple questions in one email if possible, and have a list of your questions prepared for when you call. Success comes from being prepared, and with the answers to these questions, you’ll be ready to take on anything your exciting new internship throws at you! You already have the internship (thank goodness!), but now it’s time to really wow your supervisor with your initiative by asking a few questions.  

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

Breakfast yesterday morning was a piece of toasted sesame Ezekiel bread topped with a fried egg and a little salt and pepper with a side of berries. 

Lunch

I was running errands with my mom yesterday afternoon at Legacy Place in Dedham, Massachusetts, so we stopped for lunch at b.good, a burger chain in New England that emphasizes serving fresh food - "real food fast," rather than "fast food." Their menu is filled with gems ranging from burgers and sandwiches to salads and quinoa bowls. And don't forget the sweet potato fries or milkshakes! I opted for the Harvest Kale salad, which comes with marinated kale, brussels sprouts, Manchego cheese (a Spanish cheese, one of my favorites), sunflower seeds, beets and garbanzo beans. It tasted even better than it looks. Fast-casual done right.

Dinner

For dinner, I had rosemary lemon roasted chicken with tzatziki (Greek yogurt sauce). On the side, I had a kale and quinoa cake, which I got from the prepared foods section of the grocery store. It was good; it kind of tasted like a combination between spinach pie and corn bread. The chicken was also really good and was much easier to make than I would have expected. I almost never make chicken at school. I either only eat it when I go out to restaurants, or I buy pre-grilled or baked chicken at the grocery store. But with more time (and space in the kitchen) to cook at home, I thought I'd give it a try. My mom has an amazing lemon chicken recipe, but it's slightly complicated because it involves using a whole chicken, and I'm not quite ready for that endeavor. So I found a recipe online that just uses chicken breasts and sounded relatively simple to make. It turned out really well; it was juicy and flavorful. Follow the recipe below for a satisfying lunch or dinner! You can eat it on its own or add it to a salad or sandwich. 

Rosemary Lemon Roasted Chicken 

Recipe from: The Slow Roasted Italian 

Serves: 4 

Ingredients

• 1-2 medium lemons, sliced
• 2 sprigs rosemary
• 2 garlic cloves, quartered
• 1 pound uncooked boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Directions 

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.  Layer half of the lemon slices and 1 sprig of rosemary on the bottom of a baking dish.  Scatter half of the garlic around the pan.
2. Season both sides of chicken with salt and pepper.  Lay chicken on top of lemon rosemary bed.  Place remaining lemon slices on top of chicken breasts.  Place rosemary sprig between the chicken breasts.  Sprinkle with remaining garlic.  Drizzle chicken breasts with olive oil.
3. Bake for 40-60 minutes until chicken is cooked through (1 pound takes about 40-45 minutes, 5 pounds takes 60 minutes).  Cover with aluminum foil for 5 minutes and let the chicken rest.  Serve and enjoy!

It’s no secret that the girls at HC love to travel. We suffer from a serious case of wanderlust, just like a lot of you! Our travel bucket list gets longer and longer every day (literally), but we’re confident that it can all be accomplished. In case you were wondering what’s on our travel bucket list, here it is—and be sure to read through the end to find out how to cross these off your own bucket list!

1. Cuddle with a koala

Come on, is there any animal cuter than a koala? As far as we know, there aren’t many places to see these little balls of fluffiness, so to Australia we go! While there, why not surf at Bondi Beach or climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge like the Olsen twins in Our Lips Are Sealed? We can dig it.

2. Eat gelato in Rome

Just imagine sitting on the Spanish Steps, nomming on some delicious, real Italian gelato. Afterwards, a long twilight walk to the Colosseum would top off a perfect day. Maybe a cute Italian boy will ask us to a pasta dinner, if we’re lucky.

3. Go to a Full Moon Party in Thailand

On the night of every full moon, a party takes place on the island of Ko Pha Ngan in Thailand. It doesn’t end until the sun comes up, and it can attract as many as 30,000 people. This craziness occurs once a month, and it sounds AWESOME. While in Thailand, other must-sees include the Grand Palace, amazing beaches and the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar. Let’s go noooooow!

4. Swim in the Mediterranean Sea at Cinque Terre

The coast of the Italian Riviera is probably one of the most beautiful areas of the world. Cinque Terre, or “The Five Lands,” is full of colorful buildings and pristine, blue Mediterranean water. Swimming in the Mediterranean is definitely bucket-list material, as is eating pesto (which was originally created in Cinque Terre!), drinking the regional wine (which is apparently to die for) and mingling with the locals.

5. Ride bikes through Amsterdam

In Amsterdam, there are more bikes than people. On this bucket-list trip, in between trips to the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum (both must-sees), we’re dying to bike along the canals… only to stop into Amsterdam’s awesome boutiques every now and then. It just seems so romantic (even if we’re not sharing the moment with a foreign cutie).

6. Celebrate St. Paddy’s Day in Dublin

Is there anywhere in the world more wild on St. Patrick’s Day than in Dublin? To get the real Irish experience, it’s a no-brainer that Dublin is the place to go on March 17. Since it’s a public holiday in Ireland, every man, woman and child is out celebrating, and we want to be one of them!

7. Climb a glacier in New Zealand

Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier in New Zealand are several miles long and basically the perfect places for an adventurer. It’s pretty incredible that glaciers exist at all in such a southern climate, but that just means that post-hike we can go lay on the beach. It’s the best of both worlds!

8. Watch the sunrise at Angkor Wat

We’ve heard that the best time to see this Cambodian temple in all its glory (and without thousands of other tourists suffocating you) is at sunrise. How gorgeous does that sound? Sunrise may seem pretty dang early, but it’s totally worth it. Plus, that leaves the rest of the day to see all the other amazing things Cambodia has to offer.

9. Go shopping at Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar

Winding down 61 blocks, the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is chock-full of cool trinkets and cheap buys. There are over 3,000 shops that sell everything from spices to shoes. Yep, you read that right—shoes!!

10. Make perfume in Paris

There are several perfume-making workshops in Paris, which is maybe the number one city to visit on our bucket list. After creating our own signature scent, a lunch of baguettes and Brie cheese in front of the Eiffel Tower is basically a necessity. Ooh la la!

11. Ride a donkey in Santorini

Ever since we saw The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, our greatest desire has been to go island hopping in Greece. When we make it to Santorini, don’t be so silly as to think we won’t be traveling everywhere via donkey. And eating our weight in gyros. And searching high and low for our own Kostos.

12. Kayak the Amazon River

The Amazon runs from Peru through Brazil, so we’re not sure we have what it takes to kayak the entire river (it takes experts almost a month), but we’re not afraid to try it out for a smaller portion of it. Just think of all the animals that can be seen (hopefully no piranhas, though.)!

13. See the Northern Lights in Norway

Nowhere in the world are the Northern Lights more vibrant and glorious than in northern Norway. The best time to go is in the winter, so bundling up in cute sweaters will be a necessity, but we’ve heard the view is so worth it.

With all these amazing, crazy, waaay faraway places to see, figuring out how to pay for all of these adventures can seem a little, well, impossible. Luckily for HC, our friends at Contiki are always willing to help us out! They have fantastic travel packages and deals for 18 to 35 year-olds, which makes our dreams of seeing the world a real possibility!

Right now, by entering a six-second Vine video into Contiki’s #EmptyTheBucket contest, you’ll have the chance to win one of six Contiki trips! Life is short, so why not live with #NoRegrets and enter to win? We sure want to! 

• 8 Reasons Why We Love Our Moms

Nobody can resist a beautifully decorated cupcake after a meal (and it's so small, you can consider it an appetizer for your real dessert!). But icing swirls and sprinkles are not cutting it anymore. Cupcake designers are thinking outside of the box to create the newest and strangest treats. From cupcakes that look like other foods to ones that scream danger (really), this list rounds up the 18 craziest cupcake designs we've ever seen!

1. McDonald's should consider putting these on their dollar menu.

2. We don't want to know how much butter went into this recipe.

3. You know what they say: an apple a day keeps the doctor away... well, maybe not one of these apples.

4. We hope the yarn texture is just for looks (because fuzzy flavors are at the bottom of our must-eat list).

5. This is perfect for days when you literally just want half a cupcake.

6. We are never leaving our houses to go get food ever again.

7. Our hunch is that these are knockoffs - that, or designers are really branching out these days.

8. Our growling stomachs say we don’t have the time or patience to make these.

9. Who said you couldn't make a meal out of dessert?

10. Now you can satisfy your caffeine addiction and sweet tooth simultaneously!

11. One of these things is not like the others... (it's totally the front cupcake! Where's its wrapper?)

12. Whoever made these cupcakes really killed it—just look at that craftsmanship!

13. These delightful cupcakes are making us reconsider the sushi diet.

14. A moment on the lips, forever in the emergency room.

15. Our taste buds are confused (happy, but confused).

16. This is one of those food DIYs that always ends in disappointment and a feeling of inadequacy in the kitchen.

17. Everyone celebrates with cake, but pie deserves some recognition, too! These cupcakes are paying tribute to their tasty dessert cousins.

18. "Hungry Eyes" was not just a song in Dirty Dancing.

We have so much to thank our mothers for. They're the ones, after all, who taught us how to be independent, kind and wise, and they've shown us everything from how to curl our lashes to how to fend for ourselves in the real world. In honor of Mother's Day this weekend, here are some of the best pieces of motherly advice we've ever received, as told by our favorite TV mom, Lorelai from Gilmore Girls.

1. Pretty is as pretty does.

2. Never show up at someone's home empty-handed.

3. Roll with the punches.

4. Don't let others determine your worth.

5. Take pride in your appearance.

6. Don’t put anything on the Internet that you wouldn’t want your future employer or children to see.

7. Organize your thoughts and feelings before speaking.

8. Allow yourself to have your own dreams and chase them.

9. Don’t give away what you cannot afford to lose emotionally, physically or financially.

10. Happiness is a choice.

11. Honesty is the best policy.

12. Envy is a natural but wasted emotion unless it makes you inspired or motivated.

13. Always say please and thank you.

14. Set your own boundaries and stick to them.

15. This too shall pass.

16. Not everything has to be perfect; sometimes "good enough" is good enough.

17. Don’t judge others; it only reflects on you.

18. You can’t get respect unless you give it first.

19. Have faith in something or someone and keep your heart open.

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've been trying to get this particular guy to notice me for a while. I haven't really had a conversation with him because we only have our large lecture courses together. He always sits a few rows behind me, so I have no idea how to approach and talk to him! What’s your best advice? – Lecture Love at LSU

LSU,

Sometimes I have a problem with approaching people, so as easy as it would be to just say, “Go up to him and say hello,” I know deep down that for some people, that simply isn’t possible.

But hey, you’ve got options!

If you are one of those people who can muster up the courage to walk up to someone and initiate conversation, I’d say to go for it. I think a line like, “Hi, I was wondering if you’d want to grab lunch and help each other study for the next exam” would work fairly well.

If you’re not one of those people, then I would advise upping your “creep game” (which is apparently what all the kids are calling it these days. I prefer the title of “super sleuth”). Nothing overly dramatic or stalker-y of course, but I’ve heard from various sources that taking note of what he’s wearing or talking about and showing your interest in those things can help. One of my friends said that when she was in a situation similar to yours, she took note of the fact that he talked about hockey. The guy was apparently cute enough to make her Google what he was talking about and bring it up in conversation, then keep the conversation going through the suggestion of a coffee date.

In her case, she did actually enjoy hockey — she just didn’t know much about the player he was talking about in particular. Needless to say, I don’t advise faking common interests. Relationships are built on honesty, and if you’re basing your dating life on a lie, then things aren’t going to end well. At the very least, listen in for common interests — even if those interests are only slightly related — because then you can get your foot in the door.

That being said, you definitely have other options.

One: you could change seats and sit closer to him. It’s a bold move, but at the very least you’ll be able to ask him for a pen or ask him if he knows what the professor is talking about. It’ll force you to interact with him, more or less.

Two: if he says something in class (maybe the professor asks him something, maybe there’s a discussion going on—I won’t pretend to know how your class works) you could chime in after him and spur further discussion. After doing that, look back and give him a sly little smirk and introduce yourself after class.

You’re not totally out of luck, LSU, but I understand your dilemma. Hopefully one of these methods will help you take this in-class crush out on an actual date.

A few months ago, the guys of Hot Chelle Rae chatted with Her Campus about everything from tips for single girls to the most romantic things they've ever done. At the time, the guys — Nash Overstreet and brothers Ryan and Jamie Follesé — had just released their new song, "Don't Say Goodnight."

Today they're sharing the brand new video with HC, just in time for the ultimate in college don't say goodnight moments: graduation. So turn it up and do like the boys tell you and "Don't Say Goodnight" as you enjoy your last few days of school (or, if you're lucky enough, just the last few days of this semester).

There's no doubt that networking has huge benefits, but networking shouldn't be limited to professionals or even “adults.” Some of the most valuable connections you can make are with people your own age—after all, some day we will be the ones in charge! Whether they can put you in touch with the internship coordinator at your favorite company or help you find a place to live in a new city, there are plenty of benefits to networking with peers. Here are some creative ways to network with people our own age.

Join a professional club

A campus organization that focuses on your career is a great way to network with your peers who share your major or area of study. There are likely plenty of options on your campus, from professional fraternities to competitive clubs like Mock Trial.

Alexa Harrison, a recent grad of UMass Amherst, was the president of a networking club on campus called Ed2010. "Ed2010 is a community of people who are interested in working in the publishing industry, specifically the magazine publishing industry," she said. "One of the main purposes of Ed2010 is networking, both with peers and with industry professionals."

Alexa’s chapter housed workshops and "happy hours" where journalism students would swap magazines and network. These types of clubs and events make it easy for you to meet others who are pursuing the same career as you and can help you create lasting relationships with your peers.

Add People You Know on LinkedIn

It can never hurt to have too many connections on LinkedIn! "You can use LinkedIn as a tool to learn about each other and stay in touch," says Andrea Nierenberg, the author of Networking for College Students and Recent Graduates. So add everyone you know—high school friends, college classmates, fellow interns, sorority sisters, etc. Connecting with someone on LinkedIn is much more professional than Facebook, and it shows the person that you're willing to maintain a professional relationship. 

Rather than blindly searching your friends' names, make your job easier by joining groups that you're interested in or that your peers may be involved with. For example, join the group for your university, your college, or your sorority.

Another great place to look: After you click "Connect" on anyone's profile, LinkedIn sends you to a "People You May Know" page. Take a minute to scroll through--you might be surprised how many people you'll find that you know! Finally, look through a classmate or coworker's connections to see whom you know and can connect with.

Reach Out Online

You don't necessarily have to limit your networking to people you know. In this high-tech era, it's easy to network with strangers online. Of course, you don't want to network with just anyone!

First, you may want to reach out to recent graduates from your school whom you never got a chance to meet. They'll likely be happy to chat with a student from their alma mater. Try connecting on Facebook or LinkedIn, or just send them an email. Play the college student card and say you're trying to learn as much as possible. Especially if you've never met before, be sure to ask a few specific questions so they have something to say in reply.

If you're searching for an internship or job, try reaching out to other college students or recent graduates who held the position in the past. They might be able to give you great advice on what to expect from your upcoming internship.

Alayna Burton from Stetson did just that. "A company I wanted to intern at for the summer was a company one of the alumni from my school interned at," Alayna says. "Even though I didn't know her all that well, I went out of my way to email her and ask her for a name of anyone she knew to see if they were looking for interns. She totally helped me out and I got the internship! Point blank: don't be afraid to ask for help!"

Go to Collegiate Conferences

While networking with people at your school has benefits, meeting people from around the country can be even more helpful. Attending a national or regional professional conference can give you the opportunity to connect with students from other colleges.

As part of Drake University's Student Alumni Association's executive board, Dan Pfeifle had the opportunity to attend a national leadership convention hosted by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. While he was there, he networked with plenty of students from other college, but kept it casual. "Remember that, while they are being professional, everyone there is a college student, so you can connect on other levels besides what you are at the conference for," he says.

To get to know new people at the conference, try going to workshops or sessions on your own—not with other students from your own college. It'll force you to talk to new people. Or, try connecting with people on Twitter. If the convention is using a hashtag for the event, see who else is tweeting the hashtag. Then tweet them asking if they want to meet up!

Keep in Touch with Upperclassmen

If you got involved in extracurricular activities right after starting college, you have probably met a few upperclassmen who share some of your interests. "I keep in touch with upperclassmen that I see are driven and career oriented--those interested in progressing and not just landing a job," Kenyatta Giddings from UT Austin says.

If you really admire someone and if they're doing great things, Nierenberg suggests creating a Google alert for their name. "Google Alerts acts as your own news aggregator, and when you see something they are doing, it’s a great time to reach out and touch base." You can shoot them an email or a Facebook message saying you saw an article about them, for example, to start a conversation. "Never bombard people," Nierenberg warns. "Stay in touch, simply and consistently, to add value to the other person."

When talking to recent graduates, remember not to make it all about you. Even if you're seeking their help in finding a job or internship, it should be a two-way street. Nierenberg suggests giving something--like a piece of advice, a suggestion, or any opportunities you know of--and taking something away, like a referral or introduction.

Of course, these aren't the only strategies for networking with your peers—even just meeting new people on campus can count as networking! "You can find networking opportunities everywhere in life," Nierenberg says. "Take classes in your areas of interest, go to events and lectures, and be open to meeting people. Keep building relationships and friendships." But with these extra strategies, you'll be a networking queen in no time!

College is a crucial time for developing your own personal style. Whether you’re fashion-obsessed or you tend to throw on the closest thing in your closet, your style is a reflection of who you are as a collegiette. There’s just one problem: sometimes our college duds don’t always look appropriate after we graduate. Her Campus is here to help with which looks you should leave behind once you graduate and what to replace them with to keep your style in check with the “real world.”

1. Crop tops with shorts

Pairing a crop top with shorts is a go-to look for collegiettes for nights out or warm days. However, showing off too much skin in your day-to-day life outside of campus can get you a totally different reaction than you’re used to.

But entering the “real world” doesn’t mean you have to ditch the crop-top look entirely! “To downplay the look and avoid exposing too much of your belly, definitely shop for this look as an outfit, rather than pairing two separate pieces on your own,” says freelance stylist and consultant Elizabeth Kamm. “Designers intentionally have paired tops with bottoms, whether it be a full tea-length skirt or high-waisted pants.”

Kamm’s advice to ensure this look stays classy? Keep the exposed portion of your stomach to about an inch thick, and the upper part of the torso exposed (which means your belly button should be hidden).

“My favorite look in this trend is a high-waisted pencil skirt paired with a matching sleeveless or short-sleeve top,” Kamm says.  “The entire look is uniform, except for the exposed skin.  It's as if a dress was cut in two.”

If you want to try the crop top in your professional life, Kamm advises pairing it with basics such as a chic blazer, but she warns that it’s important that collegiettes are “being careful that it is neutral or complimentary enough that it makes sense with your outfit.”

For daytime, try this Short Sleeve Floral Print Crop Top ($16.99 at Charlotte Russe). For a night out, wear this Glamorous Textured Crop Top ($18.81 at ASOS).

2. Too much sheer fabric

Sheer dresses and shirts have become popular with collegiettes for events ranging from a night at the bar to a formal function. This look can be sexy and classy, but when it’s overdone, it can often look tasteless.

To avoid overexposure, Kamm recommends picking one small area of your body, such as your arms or the hemline of a skirt, to be covered by sheer material. “The idea behind this look is to convey delicate femininity, not necessarily putting everything on view,” she says. “As such, this is a trend which is very appropriate for the real world because it is really about fabric and texture, making you noticeable by adding just a little bit of flair to your outfit.”

To make a casual look more edgy, try this Sheer and Solid Longline T-Shirt ($52.68 at ASOS). For a look that’s both sexy and classy, try this Semi-Sheer Maxi Tube Dress ($15.99 at Forever 21).

3. Leggings as pants

While we may wear them with long sweaters, with baggy tees or standing on their own as pants, unfortunately, off of a college campus, leggings-as-pants can be perceived as inappropriate because they’re often sheer and always tight. If you’re not ready to give up this look completely, go for a different material, such as these On The Edge Faux Leather Leggings ($22.80 at Forever 21) or try jeggings, like these Stella Jean Leggings ($79.90 at Express) that allow you to keep the comfort of leggings without the overexposure.

The key to rocking leggings in the real world is to make sure that they go under something to make sure you’re not showing people more than they want to see. Playing with layers, material and color can help make your look stand out for the right reasons.

4. Sweatpants

Being forced to reverse a sweatpants habit is some collegiettes’ worst nightmare. Their comfort and convenience makes sweatpants extremely popular everyday wear. However, off of your campus, wearing sweatpants in public may make you appear sloppy and careless.

Don’t think that once you leave your campus you have to leave comfort behind as well! Ditch your sweats for a more put-together yet cozy look such as harem pants. These offer the same type of comfort while giving you the chance to show off your personal style.

If you want to stay with a basic design, try these Soft Woven Harem Pants ($19.80 at Forever 21), or go for a more funky design with this Band of Gypsies Side-Slit Harem Pant ($39 at Urban Outfitters).

5. Bodycon Skirts

For a night out at a party or even a more formal function, many collegiettes turn to the bodycon skirt, which can enhance your legs, butt and hips. While you’re probably rocking this look weekend after weekend, it can be hard to look classy in something so infamously short and tight.

To go for a look that keeps it classy while also showing off your assets, try a pencil skirt or a midi skirt. If you’re thinking that these looks are strictly professional, try out these super-cute modern versions!  

Contrast Knee Length Skirt, $13.80 at Forever 21

High-Waisted Midi Pencil Skirt, $18.99 at Charlotte Russe

No matter what your personal style may be, now that you’re leaving school, it’s time to make sure you’re expressing yourself in style. Start shopping, collegiettes! 

Name: Alex Smith

School: UNCW

Year: 2016

Hometown: Fogelsville, PA

Major: Marine Biology

Relationship Status: Single

Activities on Campus: Treasurer of Water Ski Club, Environmental Concerns Organization (Eco) Club, Intramural sand volleyball, and Ultimate Frisbee

If you have not been to the new Student Recreation Center, stop on by and visit our Campus Cutie lifeguard, Alex Smith. He loves water skiing, snow skiing, surfing, going to beach, working out, and longboarding. He can also play some tunes on the ukulele!
 

HC: What qualities do you look for in a girl?

Good sense of humor, athletic, outgoing, but not overly talkative, intelligent, and she must like the outdoors!

HC: What would be your ideal first date?

We would go to a nice but casual restaurant of her choice and end the date with a walk on the beach.  

HC: What is one piece of advice you would give to girls?

Guys have a need to fix things so don’t get mad when we try to fix problems.

HC: What is your favorite food?

Chicken Enchiladas with green salsa.

HC: Who is your celebrity crush?

Jennifer Lawrence. She’s extremely attractive, funny, and fit.

HC: If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would buy?

I would first pay off college debt, then I would buy a really nice sail boat and 'ski in and ski out' house in Colorado.

HC: What is at the top of your bucket list?

Swimming with sharks and sailing around world.

HC: If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

I would like to live in Northern California because there are many great research opportunities around the San Francisco Bay area.  

HC: What is your most embarrassing moment?

When I was seven, I got close lined by my neighbor’s mailbox as I was running with my eyes closed.  I thought running with my eyes closed would make me run faster.

HC: What is your favorite memory at UNCW?

Playing Oozeball with friends was a lot of fun and I like playing volleyball!

Picture him working as a lifeguard on weekends and in the weekdays being a regular student strolling around campus; maybe you have seen him, a muscular  guy with a remarkable smile that will drive all UPRM girls crazy! Meet this week campus cutie, Gabriel Sánchez. Well known for his good looks, sportsman and great sense of humor, it is not surprising that Gabriel is this week’s Campus Cutie.

Name: Gabriel Sánchez Barreras

School: UPRM

Age: 20

Class Year: Third

Hometown: San Juan, PR.

Major: Animal Science

What made you choose that as your major and what do you like most about it? I chose this mayor because of the idea that I could help someone or something.

Single or taken? Single

Do you have a Job? Lifeguard at “El Balneario de Carolina”

Any celebrity crush? Allison Stokke

Sport: Volleyball

What is the first thing you notice in a girl? Smile

What’s your best UPRM memory?  I  was on my first year in Mayagüez, the time we went on the senior caravan on the back of a pick-up.

Any hidden talents? I’m a pretty good cook.

UPRM girls are best because… they have it all!

Meet Cutie Dan Reynolds!  You might see this guy lifeguarding at the Conn pool or wearing a Patagonia walking confidently around campus.  He also lifeguards at Hammonasset Beach, and has even saved someone’s life… kinda. 

Name: Dan Reynolds

School: Conn Coll

Class Year:  2017

Major: Undecided

Hometown:  Wallingford, CT

Relationship status:  Single

Dorm:  KB

Extracurricular Activities:  Research Efficiency Fellow for the Office of Sustainability, club soccer, club tennis, SOAR, UMOJA, MOCA, lifeguard at Conn pool and at Hammonasset Beach

What’s your favorite movie?

Taken

Who’s your celebrity crush?

Mila Kunis

What is the sweetest thing you’ve done for a significant other?

She thought we were just going out for Thai food, but I surprised her with cashmere gloves and pearl earrings.

What’s your most embarrassing Conn moment?

Recently when I was walking down to the AC, there was a sheet of ice, and I wiped out in front of some people.

You’re always so nicely dressed, what’s your go-to outfit?

In the winter, I like to wear khakis, a J-Crew pullover sweater, and a Viking blue Patagonia jacket.

What’s a cool thing on your bucket list?

Parasailing

What oceanic creature best describes you?

A manatee. Hahaha joking!

Where would someone find you on a Friday night?

Chilling in a friend’s room in Plant.

What’s been your favorite cro dance theme? 

Neon Dance. I liked the Kap Slap concert too though.

What’s your go to order at Oasis on a Saturday night?

Pizza slice and a glass of water.

What is something people at Conn don’t know about you?

I have a twin sister who goes to Middlebury!

Tell me about a time you saved someone’s life lifeguarding at the beach.

A man was swimming out to a buoy, and he was getting too far out so I whistled at him.  He started slowing down, and some people on the beach screamed, “oh my god he’s drowning!”  I did the emergency action plan, and paddled out to reach the man.  But, when I got to him, I realized it was low tide, and the man could touch the ground.  He grabbed the board, and I just said, “Touch the bottom.” And he was like, “ohh…”

How do you feel about being campus cutie?

It’s an honor.  Who nominated me?!

Name: Patrick Lynch

School: Emerson

Year of Graduation: 2016

Major: Film Production

Hometown: Harpswell, Maine

Relationship status: Single

Zodiac sign: Sagittarius

Dream Job: Director of Photography on an awesome film

Favorite Thing About Boston: The huge amount of colleges in this city means there's a lot of cool people around!

Organizations Involved with On Campus: Developed Images, FPS, NBS, and the Boylston Berserkers

5 Random Facts:

1. I have artwork hanging in the tunnels of Congress
2. I'm a lifeguard
3. My favorite food is a twice baked stuffed potato
4. I love adventures
5. My best friend goes to Northeastern

Name: Greg Steltenpohl

School: Auburn

What’s your major?

 Geology

What year are you?

Junior

What is your favorite thing about Auburn?

Football season!

What is your favorite thing about Auburn women?

They're pretty and smart

What do you look for in a girl?

Sense of humor and good music taste

Would you ever date a girl from a rival school?

Not even a kind of

Describe your perfect date

Cooking dinner and watching a movie

What was your favorite memory of Freshman year?

Living in the dorms and meeting awesome people

Boxers or Briefs?

Boxers

What is your biggest goal for this year?

All A's

What was your favorite memory from the summer?

Lifeguarding at the pool and going to concerts

Who is your celebrity crush?

Taylor Swift

What is your favorite part about yourself?

 My beard

What can a girl do to get your attention?

Make the first move

Name: Scott Sellers

School: Davidson

Class: Senior

Fraternity: SAE

Major: Environmental Studies

Minor: Economics

Hometown: Chapel Hill, NC

Relationship Status: Single

Activities: President of the Environmental Action Coalition, SAE Representative for the Patterson Court Sustainability Council, SAE Sustainability Chair and Service Co-Chair, member of Omicron Delta Kappa

Our cutie: an environmental heartthrob who never stops smiling.

I waited for him in the college student union. Flocked by some of his lady admirers, I saw Scott Sellers walk in, clad in blue Vans and a Tar Heels T-shirt. While Scott knew he was meeting me for an interview, the blond-haired pescatarian flashed a wide smile upon finding out he had been selected as Davidson College’s first campus cutie.

What’s your favorite part about yourself?

I like being balanced. I try to make schoolwork a priority without excluding having fun and going out. I’ve learned to be patient with people but not too patient.

What do you find attractive in a girl?

Sense of humor is probably one of the top things. I like a girl who is comfortable being able to laugh, not just a little snicker.

What’s your favorite item to have in a grilled cheese other than cheese?

Basil.

Why are you a pescatarian?

One, I don’t approve of factory-farmed meat. I think it’s largely detrimental to society and our environment. Two, health-wise, I feel more energetic and livelier without meat (particularly red) in my diet. And lastly, I watched the documentary Vegicated on factory-farmed meat processes this past summer and was blown away. You won’t want to eat meat after that film. I also lived in Davidson’s eco-house this past summer, so I learned a lot about eating environmentally there.

What are all the nicknames you’ve ever been called?

“Scottydoesntknow” was a middle-school favorite that got pretty annoying after a while. Sometimes people call me “Scottysells” or “Scotty.” My friend Keith has grown a habit of calling me “Softshell Taco,” so that’s interesting, too.

What is the weirdest place you’ve ever kissed someone at Davidson?

In the guest house by the piano.

What’s your ideal place in Davidson to take a date?

Flatiron.

What’s your favorite form of social media?

Instagram, for sure. I follow a bunch of environment accounts like “nature” and “natgeo” that makeup nearly 95 percent of my News Feed. 

Awesome! Now what else can I find on your phone? What songs are on your 25 most played iTunes playlist?

“Tin Man” by Future Islands, “Dill” by Band of Horses, “King of Spain” by The Tallest Man on Earth, “Office Musik” by Dwight K. Schrute vs. Weezy, “Latch” by Disclosure and “Breakdown” by Jack Johnson are some of my top jams.

And what would be your ultimate song to bump and grind to at a court party?

“I just don’t ever grind.”

This soft-spoken and self-proclaimed “French-toast” kind of guy is definitely a keeper in our books. He is lifeguard certified, stands on Davidson’s campus as the 22nd relative in his family to go here and has a killer sweet tooth. Ladies, start whipping up the cupcakes.

Name: Seán Swords
School: Emerson
Year of Graduation: 2015
Major: Production Stage Management
Hometown: Port Jefferson, NY
Relationship status: In a Long Distance Relationship
Zodiac sign: Aries

Dream Job: Production Stage Manager for ABT or on Broadway

Favorite Thing About Boston: The Charles River

Organizations Involved In On Campus: Emerson Stage/Arts Emerson, I don’t have time for anything else.

Plans for The Summer: Don't know yet, hopefully having a job, going on vacation.

5 Random Facts:

1. I'm a lifeguard
2. I was all league in HS track all four years
3. I don’t read books
4. I pronounce water, woter due to my "long island accent."
5. I am a dual citizen of America and Ireland

Name: Alex Ward

School: Elon

Sophomore Psychology Major from Raleigh, NC

HC: So what are you involved in on campus? 
AW: A lot! I’m in Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, and I’m also part of Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. I work as a lifeguard for Campus Recreation, and I was an Orientation Leader this Fall.

HC: Wow! What you love most about Elon?
AW: The size, the professor/student relationships, and of course, the guy to girl ratio!

HC: So everybody wants to know, are you Single or in a relationship?
AW:Single

HC: What do you look for in a girl, and what impresses you most?
AW: I’m drawn to girls who are fun, outgoing, willing to try new things, and honest.

HC: What's the biggest turn off? 
AW:A girl who always complains!

HC: Who is your celebrity crush? 
AW: Emma Watson with long hair

HC: Describe your "perfect date":
AW: Anything where we can both have fun and be ourselves, no stress.

HC: What’s your best pickup line?
 AW:You must be going to hell cause it’s a sin to look that good.

Other stuff about Alex:
His favorite candy is Reese’s and his favorite movie is Anchorman.

Stats

Name: Josh MacDonald

School: UBC

Year: 4th

Major: Physical Geography

Hometown: White Rock, BC

Fun Facts

What people don't know about you: I can spin my arm around really fast, I sail, I lifeguard, I have my ARCT in piano, and I love Taylor Swift...

Favorite hangout on campus: Geography lounge

Favorite sport/s (to watch/play): Tennis

Dream job: What Paris Hilton does

Favorite movie: Up!

Favorite song right now: '4x4' by Miley Cyrus ft. Nelly

Biggest celebrity crush: Taylor Swift

Biggest pet peeve: When someone orders the same thing as me at a restaurant

Love/Relationships

Taken/Single? Single and looking to mingle

My ideal guy would... : Make me laugh a lot - but also find me funny!

The most attractive thing in a man: His smile

Biggest turn-off: Douchiness

Ideal date: Having a bottle of wine (or two) on the beach!

Name: Mike Boyd

School: Illinois State

Photos By: Lindsay Nardini

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The semester is winding down, but this isn’t just any semester—it’s your final semester. You and your boyfriend bought your caps and gowns, and you’re ready to graduate!  The problem is, you’ll be grabbing your diplomas and walking off stage in totally different directions—you’re moving to different cities. Here’s a guide on how to know if you should stay together, what to expect once you part, and how to make it work.   

Should you stay together?

The first thing to note is that there is no time requirement. You don’t need to have been in a relationship for the entirety of your college years to justify staying together once you graduate!

Katie*, a 2010 graduate of Boston University, said she and her boyfriend hadn’t been together that long when they chose to make their relationship work after graduation. “We had started dating the summer before senior year, so we hadn’t been dating for years and years like some couples,” Katie says. “But we didn’t really think about breaking up.”

The second factor is being confident enough in your relationship to know that you can handle some temporary time in different places to pursue your ambitions. Katie’s boyfriend stayed in Boston to go to med school after graduation, while Katie followed her career in the media to New York City.

“I think the whole idea was to proceed with our lives knowing we’d just be in other cities, and understanding we’d both be busy with our new lives (mine in New York and his in med school),” Katie says. “If it became too difficult, we’d address it then.”

The third—and potentially most important—consideration is how seriously you both take your relationship. Long distance relationships take a lot of work, so it’s important to know that you’re both in it for the long haul, with a finish line in mind (a finish line where you’re both living in the same place again!).

Hannah Rex from Boston University says that she and her boyfriend intend to stay together after graduation. “As of now, we haven’t really talked too much about the specifics, but my future is very flexible while his is more set in stone,” Hannah says. “That’s where communication comes in. It’s inevitable that things will change within the next year, so it seems silly to make a set plan for something that’s a year away. But if we keep talking about the ‘finish line’ as the year goes along, I think both of us will be much more prepared and on the same page when we get there.”

Katie could feel the difference in this relationship, which is what made her confident to stay with her guy after graduation. “He wasn’t really like any of my past boyfriends, which felt like a fling or temporary,” Katie says. “I took our relationship seriously, and I think we both thought about each other as long-term partners who just needed to be in different places for a while in order to pursue our futures.”

Julie Tran from UMass Amherst says that choosing to maintain her relationship post-graduation was simple. “We both cared about each other a lot, so it was easy deciding to stay together. We just weren’t ready to end our relationship.”

If your relationship with your boyfriend passes these important tests, then it’s likely that the two of you are planning to stay together after graduation despite moving to different cities—so you should probably prepare yourself.

The signs that your relationship will (or won’t) work

Hannah says that she and her boyfriend only started seeing each other last winter, but they know they want to stay together after graduation. “We always knew there would be the inevitable problem of distance,” Hannah says.

This past summer, Hannah was in Boston while her boyfriend was in LA, then she studied abroad in Paris in the fall. “He really wants to make things work next year, and I realized that if we could make it through all that then it would be dumb not to at least try staying together after graduation, because we had already made it through so much harder stuff.”

If you’ve been somewhere away from your boyfriend since you started dating and you were able to get through the time apart, that’s a big indicator that you’ll be able to handle the distance post-graduation!

“We’ve done it before, and we’re both committed,” Hannah says. “I think going through the long distance stuff before, especially abroad distance, has made our relationship stronger and we know we can trust each other.”

Trust and communication are two of the biggest factors of any relationship—Hannah says that if you stop making time to talk, that’s a big warning sign. “If you stop communicating well, then that’s just a recipe for disaster,” Hannah says. “It shows total disregard for a relationship when someone makes no effort to communicate.”

Julie agrees. “If you find yourself not really missing your significant other, I would call that a red flag,” Julie says. “If calling or text them becomes more of a chore, that’s a sign that it’s not working.”

What you should expect

Long distance can be rough regardless of the situation—for instance, when you left for your first year at college, you probably missed your family and your friends at home, and that may have made your first few weeks away at school hard until you adjusted to the transition. Moving away from your boyfriend after college will be kind of like that.

Katie found some emotions typical after moving away from her boyfriend. “[Common emotions include] loneliness or desire for companionship when you remember what it would be like if you two were in the same city, frustration when you can’t see them immediately, and doubt at times if you’re doing the right thing,” Katie says.

“It’s mostly not being able to see and kind of live with each other day to day,” Katie says. “I miss the random Wednesday night dinner dates we used to have!”

Hannah agrees that not being able to be in the same room is rough. “Although you can talk as much as you’d like, physical stuff is important, too, even if it’s something as small as holding hands,” Hannah says.

Katie also mentioned that temptation can be a pretty common emotional response to this situation, though she’s rarely felt it herself. “I won’t say I’ve never felt this,” Katie says, “but my boyfriend and I have immense trust in each other and are very secure in our relationship. Breaking that would never be worth a casual hook-up.”

“There are also insecurities that come from LDRs,” says Julie. Some girls in long distance relationships find themselves worrying that their boyfriends don’t miss them as much, or that they’ll find a girl to replace them while they’re gone. It’s important not to let these feelings overwhelm you! If you can’t stop worrying, that could be a sign that the relationship isn’t the right choice for you.

Finally, one of the big issues some girls face after choosing to stay with their boyfriend post-grad is a twinge of jealousy as they watch their single friends go out with all kinds of different guys, and anxiety that maybe you’re not living your life to the fullest.

“I’ve seen my friends go on dates after dates, and while at times I’ve questioned if I’m not living up to what I perhaps ‘should’ be doing in my 20s, which is dating around, dating different and several men, I know they are looking for what I have,” Katie says. “And when they do find that relationship like mine, yes, I am jealous that they’ve found what I have IN the city they live in!”

Not every emotion you experience as part of a long distance relationship will be bad, though! “The best part is having that extra freedom to discover yourself as an individual,” Julie says. “Also, reunions with your significant other are always special!”

How to make it work

Communicate (and often!)

Although you may not be able to wake up next to each other every morning, there are ways to maintain the intimacy of your relationship despite the physical distance between the two of you! First and foremost, it’s important to know the emotions you can expect to struggle with, as outlined above, so that you can be prepared when loneliness or frustration hits and know how to handle it.

Then, of course, technology comes in! While ages ago long distance was a nearly impossible hurdle to get over in a long-term relationship, now your boyfriend is only a text, phone call, or Skype session away.

“Communication is key!” says Julie. “We talked or texted every day once we were apart.”

“Even if you are crazy busy, a quick message or text can go a long way,” Hannah says. “We became pros at finding times to talk or just let each other know how we’re doing, despite time difference past times that we were apart.”

Katie and her boyfriend make sure to stay in consistent contact throughout their week to keep feeling close to one another. “We talk every day, usually on my walk to or from work and then usually before bed,” Katie says.

It’s important to get into a routine so that you have something to look forward to throughout your day. Whether it’s a good morning text, a lunch break phone call, or a before-bed Skype session, knowing that you’ll get a chance to connect with him throughout your daily life will motivate you to maintain your relationship!

Schedule visits

Beyond making up for not actually being able to see one another, you should make time to actually see one another! Depending on how far away from one another you are, this could be kind of difficult. MegaBus, BoltBus, Amtrak, and long car-rides will become much more bearable as you travel back and forth from wherever he’s located, and vice-versa!

“A bus ride makes this type of long-distance relationship workable,” Katie says. “We try to visit each other at least once a month. In my relationship, if we were across the country, this might not have worked after graduation because we weren’t in a position to financially make it work often enough, but I would say it doesn’t hurt to try if you think it is the best thing for your relationship.”

You can go the extra step and set up a Google Calendar, enabling it so that you and he are both able to edit it to add your academic, professional, or social commitments. This makes it even easier to figure out when you’re both free so that you are able to schedule visits! 

Hannah and her boyfriend have made preparations to visit each other once they part. “We plan on seeing each other a few times, either in Boston, New York, or maybe somewhere in the middle like Chicago,” Hannah says. 

Work together to plan trips to one another so that you don’t go crazy! If you have a trip to look forward to where you know you’ll be able to physically be next to him, you’ll be much more optimistic in your daily interactions rather than dwelling on how much you miss him.

As long as you’re both a hundred percent invested in your relationship, and are both interested in staying together for the long-term, the big thing is to remember how happy your relationship makes you, and how invested you are in what you have.

“The best part of it is having someone who is equally committed and dedicated to this relationship despite the long distance and obstacles we may face,” Katie says. “I think you need to know yourself, and understand that you need to know how to make yourself happy before you can commit to someone else, whether it is a long-distance relationship, or a regular same-city relationship. I think trust and security come together from two people who are happy individually, but know they are happier together.”

 *Name has been changed