You’ve taken your finals, the school year is over and summer is finally here—woohoo! But you've spent so many late nights cramming and early study sessions in the library that you forgot what it's like to relax. All you want to do is book an appointment for a full body massage and facial at the spa, but your bank account won't allow it. Here we have 10 affordable ways to decompress—something your body and mind deserve after a long, hard school year!

1. Read for pleasure

After months of sticking your nose in academic texts, you might have sworn you’d never read again. But reading for pleasure can be a great way to relax. Light fictional reads can help you escape the daily grind. Curl up on the couch with a good chick-lit (try A Paris Apartment by Michelle Gable), get lost in a mystery novel (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo series or Dan Brown novels), or even erotic novel (Fifty Shades of Grey, anyone?). Whatever the genre, some good fiction reads can transport you to another world.

2. Turn up the tunes

A McGill University study found that music can improve your mood, according to Best Health Blog. Not only that, but it also has the ability to improve your immune system and reduce pain and anxiety at the same time! So whether your musician of choice is Beethoven or Britney Spears or Drake, listen to music that you can enjoy.

There are many fun free music apps that you can download. There are apps like Slacker and Pandora, where you can stream music playlists by typing in a song by title or artist. Another cool one is Songza, which generates playlists for you based on your mood (some examples: sweaty dance party, bedtime, an afternoon stroll).

3. Cuddle with your pet

If you’re a pet owner, you’re in luck. Pets (particularly furry ones) lower blood pressure and reduce anxiety, according to WebMD.

Briana Morgan from Georgia College & State University relaxes with her two cats and two dogs after finals. “I run outside with the dogs and get [to] pretty much hang out with the cats; they’re not very playful.”

If you’re not a pet owner, you can still get your pet-related relaxation. Play with your friends’ pets, or offer to walk your neighbor’s dog. You could even volunteer at an animal shelter.

4. Take a bath

Forget the expensive spa—relax in the comfort of your own home! Sometimes a warm bath is all you need. Add in some bubbles or a bath balm and you’re good to go. You can even get them in yummy scents, or relaxing scents for some aromatherapy. If you’re of drinking age, bring a glass of wine to the bath and you’ll be in heaven (or close to it).

Why not make a party of it? Invite a couple of friends for an at-home spa, with DIY facial masks. Get out your nail polish collections and take turns giving mani-pedis. Make it a day of relaxation (and catch up on some gossip, too!).

5. Burn candles or incense

There’s something soothing about watching a flickering candle flame in a dimly lit room. If you want some aromatherapy, scented candles can be better. There are many candles out there in aromatherapeutic scents, but there are also candles that come in fun scents (such as cupcake frosting, honeysuckle or vanilla) that you may be more in the mood for.

Jocelyn Gollner, a collegiette at Douglas College, burns incense as a way to relax. “Incense, I find, is really relaxing, partly because it’s a strong scent so you are really aware of your breathing,” says Jocelyn.

6. Get out your yoga mat

There’s no doubt that yoga has many benefits for the body and mind. According to WebMD, one of its many benefits, besides relaxation and calming effects, is that it can improve your mood.

“I would definitely recommend yoga to others. It completely changes the physique of your body and is truly relaxing. When I'm stressed, anxious, angry, or just want alone time, yoga is my go-to,” says Erin Appenzoller from Emerson College. “The great thing about yoga, aside from the physical and mental benefits, is you can really tailor it to fit what you and your body needs. I'll never give it up!”

7. Write your way to relaxation

One thing Stacey Oswald, a student at Vanderbilt University, is excited about doing this summer is catching up on activities that the busy school year did not allow her to do, such as blogging. “My blog is [called] Simply Stace and it’s turning into an online magazine sort of thing. I love writing and during the summer and I always have withdrawals from HC writing, so this is kind of my outlet.”

Writing for pleasure, much like reading for pleasure, can be relaxing because you’re not stressing about due dates or grades; you’re just writing to express yourself. If you’re not comfortable writing for the online world, sharpen your pencils and keep a personal journal to record your thoughts. You might find that writing poems and stories is just what you need to unwind.

8. Get friendly with the kitchen

Put your Martha Stewart apron on! Cooking or baking can be comforting if you enjoy working in the kitchen. By cooking or baking for yourself, it takes the pressure (of coming up with a perfect result) off you, and instead puts the focus on enjoying the process.

Amanda Punshon, a recent Kwantlen Polytechnic University alum, cooks as a way to relax. “I guess it’s the order of everything that’s soothing. It’s a process. You know the outcome. I get really focused and forget everything; everything but what I’m doing [in the moment].”

9. Enjoy and appreciate nature

Sometimes we take nature for granted and don’t realize how soothing it can be to breathe in fresh air.

Hannah Orenstein from NYU is heading to Israel for a two-week trip.

“I can't wait to go sightseeing, swim, hike, and more. I'm not typically outdoorsy at all, which is one of the reasons I'm excited for the trip! I go to school in Manhattan and will be working in the city for the rest of the summer, so visiting a totally new culture and spending tons of time in nature will be a fun break from city life.”

But you don’t need to travel far. Wherever you live, you can still enjoy the outdoors. Visit a local park, a beach, or a forest. Take advantage of any places where you can go for a stroll, go hiking, go biking or go swimming (in a lake or ocean). Take pictures of plants or the clear sky. Now that it’s summer, you have no excuse to stay indoors!

10. Bring yourself to a familiar place

Sometimes coming back home after months of being away can be relaxing in itself. Just being in the presence of family and close friends can put you right at ease. Even familiar places that you frequent when in a calm mood can have the same effect on you when you return.

When Alexa Harrison from UMass Amherst came home after the school year ended, she put aside a few days to spend time with friends doing the things they love at familiar local spots (including beaches, restaurants and shopping centers).

“They helped me relax because I was having fun indulging myself in my favorite things,” says Alexa.

This is just a taste of all the fun ways to spend your well-deserved relaxing summer break. Got more suggestions? Let us know in the comments below!

All across the country, college girls are “literally almost dying” because they “can’t even.” Although this sentence probably wouldn’t make any logical sense to the older generation, these phrases are part of the average collegiette’s daily vocabulary. We’ve broken down some of the most commonly used college girl phrases to explain what we really mean when we say that we’re “so done.”

1. “I can’t even.”

What it means: This popular phrase can be used in a variety of situations to say, “I can’t even express how I’m feeling right now.” When there are no other words to convey how cute, funny or annoying something is, “I can’t even” (which forms a full sentence) is the appropriate response. Other forms include, “I literally cannot right now,” “I just can’t,” “OMG, stop” or the simple and efficient, “I can’t.”

Example:“Did you see that adorbs video of husky puppies playing in the snow? I can’t even.”

2. “I’m so done.”

What it means: When a girl says this phrase, you know that the situation has reached a seriousness above the “I can’t even” level. Stating that you’re “done” signifies that you have no patience or energy left to deal with something or someone. Other forms include, “I’m so over this” and “I’m 100 percent done,” which means that you have literally reached your limit.

Example: “This is the second time he’s ignored my text. I’m so done.”

3. “I died.”

What it means: Although a typical conversation between college girls may lead you to believe otherwise, the national death toll is not rapidly rising due to students “literally dying of laughter.” When you say that you died, it means that a situation was so funny or embarrassing that you couldn’t even handle it, and therefore it felt like dying. Other forms include, “I literally died,” “BRB dying” or the present tense, “I’m dying.”

Example:“You have to watch this hilarious Vine. I’m dying.”

4. “Literally”

What it means:“Literally” is used to exaggerate or increase the impact of what is being said. When a girl uses the word “literally,” she almost always means the exact opposite. Although she may say that she “literally died,” for example (see number three), it is meant in the figurative sense.

Example:“Losing my jacket last night was literally the worst thing that’s ever happened to me.”

5. “I’m crying.”

What it means: Much like the previous two phrases, this is an exaggeration. Chances are, if you text your friend to say that you’re crying, there are not actually tears streaming down your face. Instead, this phrase is meant to insinuate that something is so funny that you’re laughing hard enough to cry.

Example:“Look at what Dan drunk texted me last night. I’m crying.”

6. “Awkward...”

What it means: In the life of a typical college girl, almost anything can be described as being awkward. In most cases, “awkward” is the word used to describe a situation in which someone feels uncomfortable, socially awkward or caught off guard.

Example:“I made eye contact with my drunken hook-up in the dining hall today; it was so awkward.”

7. “Can you not?”

What it means: This phrase is used to express frustration about someone who is causing you annoyance. Essentially, it’s the abbreviated form of saying, “Can you stop what you’re doing?” and can be phrased as either a question or statement depending on the context. When these three words are uttered, they must be delivered with the maximum level of disgust and exasperation in order to achieve the full effect.

Example: “This guy kept hitting on me while I was trying to dance with my friends, and I was like, ‘Can you not?’”

8. “Just saying.”

What it means:“Just saying” is the college girl’s version of “no offense.” As long as a judgmental statement is followed by this phrase, no one can take offense to anything that was said. That’s just, like, the rules of feminism. Other forms include, “honestly” and, “let’s be honest.”

Example: “She could do way better than him, just saying.”

9. “What even.”

What it means: Why fully articulate what you’re feeling when you can shorten your sentences to three words or fewer? “What even” is a contraction of “What is even happening.” It is used in response to an absurd situation or when you’re extremely surprised or taken aback. Other forms include, “I don’t even” and “Like, what?”

Example: “I studied like crazy but I still got a C on my bio final. What even.”

10. “Seriously”

What it means:  “Seriously” can be used in three ways. The first is used to express shock or disbelief in response to something someone else said, i.e., “Seriously?!” The second is used to qualify a statement as truthful, just in case the seriousness of your hangover wasn’t fully understood. Finally, “seriously” can be used as a form of agreement, sort of like, “same,” or, “I know, right?”

Example: “Seriously, guys, I really want a bagel right now.”

11. “Basically”

What it means:“Basically” is one of college girls’ favorite words to say because it can be used in almost any context. It’s often used as a way to explain something without actually explaining anything, sort of like a synonym for “more or less” or, “pretty much.”

Example: “Basically, he was like, ‘I don’t want anything serious,’ and so basically, I told him that we were done. So basically, I’m single now. Like, what?”

Although a lot of our college lingo is exaggerated (just saying), we just can’t live without our literallys and can’t evens. After all, how else are we supposed to describe our inability to deal with finals week or adorable baby animals? 

This year, make your health a priority and celebrate National Women's Health Week May 11-17!  Her Campus is proud to be an official partner of NWHW for the second year in a row.

NWHW, led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health, empowers women and promotes the idea of being a "well woman," which is all about being as healthy as you can be. The Office on Women's Health invites you to take steps to improve your physical and mental health, which include:

• Visiting a health care professional to receive regular checkups and preventative screenings
• Getting active
• Eating healthily
• Getting enough sleep and managing stress
• Avoiding unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking, texting while driving and not wearing a seatbelt or bicycle helmet

As part of NWHW, The Office on Women's Health also promotes National Women's Checkup Day on May 12, which encourages women to schedule an annual well-woman visit. These visits include discussing your family history and health habits, scheduling necessary screenings and exams and setting important health goals. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, these annual visits are considered preventative, and must be covered by most health care plans at no cost to you! 

To celebrate NWHW, you can show your support for NWHW by pledging to be a well woman, sharing the NWHW message on social media and posting the NWHW web buttons to your website or blog. 

For more information about National Women's Health Week, visit the official website.

Name: Amy Phillips
Age: 32
Job Title and Description: Senior Editor, News at Pitchfork Media
College/Major: Columbia University/American studies
Website: http://pitchfork.com/
Twitter Handle: @pitchforkmedia

What does your current job entail? Is there such a thing as a typical day?

Amy Phillips: I run the news section of Pitchfork, one of the world's leading music websites. My job is to assign, edit and occasionally write news stories, as well as promote our content on social media. My day is spent editing and assigning, as well as looking for news and working with labels and publicists on stories. I spend pretty much the entire time bouncing between email, Twitter, RSS feeds and our internal content management system.

What is the best part of your job?

AP: I've always been a big fan who obsessively kept up with what was going on in the music world. Getting paid to do exactly that is a dream come true.  The nature of my job means that it never gets boring; there's always something new and exciting going on.
 
What was your first entry-level job in your field and how did you get it?

AP: My first jobs were internships during college. The first one was at the Philadelphia City Paper during the summer after my freshman year. I got it by sending them clips of my writing from my college paper. After that, I interned at the Village Voice and CMJ Magazine. I also worked at the record store Kim's in Manhattan (It's now closed.)

What is one thing you wish you knew about your industry when you first started out that you know now?

AP: I first started getting paid to write about music in 2000. We all knew that the Internet was going to bring changes to the publishing industry; we just didn't realize how drastic it was going to be. Most of the newspapers and magazines I used to write for are gone now. Most of the jobs I applied for when I was starting out don't exist anymore. I wish I hadn't let myself get so worked up about the jobs I didn't get.

Who is one person who changed your professional life for the better?

AP: There have been so many! Chuck Eddy, the former music editor at the Village Voice, who took a chance on my writing and me. Ann Powers, the legendary rock critic, who supported and encouraged me. Pitchfork founder Ryan Schreiber and former Editor-in-Chief Scott Plagenhoef, who hired me at Pitchfork eight years ago. Mark Richardson, Pitchfork's current Editor-in-Chief, who is a wonderful leader and even better writer.

But the person I'd really like to highlight is Dan DeLuca, music critic at ThePhiladelphia Inquirer. In eighth grade, our school had a career day in which each eighth grader shadowed an adult whose career they were interested in for a day of work to see what it was like on the job. Dan very, very kindly let me tag along at his office, and then took me to a Foo Fighters concert he was reviewing. That was the day that I knew that I wanted to be a music writer.
 
What words of wisdom do you find most valuable?

AP: "Don't read the comments" and "don't feed the trolls" are essential words to live by if you work on the Internet in any kind of elevated public platform.

What is one mistake you made along the way and what did you learn from it?

AP: For so much of my 20s, I put work first, at the expense of everything else in my life. And while I know that working hard is essential to getting ahead and meeting your career goals, there has to be a balance. In my 30s, I've learned to take more time for my relationships and myself. Not only has it made me happier, but it's made me a better worker and a better boss.

What has been the most surreal moment of your career thus far?

AP: Interviewing Björk in Iceland with less than 24 hours’ notice. I met her in a café near her house. She was wearing an amazing, outrageous, multicolored, rainbow-striped knit outfit. Nobody else in the café seemed to notice or care. I guess Björk sitting there in a crazy outfit is a regular occurrence to them.
 
What do you look for when considering hiring someone?

AP: It might look easy to an outsider, but writing Pitchfork news is very hard. You have to be a master of both speed and accuracy. It's very difficult to find writers who can both write quickly and get all of the facts straight. In addition to that, the people we hire need to be reliable, willing to work off hours and very, very knowledgeable about contemporary music. They also have to be constantly keeping up with what's going on in the music world.
 
What advice would you give to a 20-something with similar aspirations?

AP: Don't rely on any job in the music-writing world as being a guarantee. It is very, very unlikely that you will find work writing about music full time. As I mentioned before, the number of publications paying people to write about music has shrunk dramatically in the past decade since I started out. Diversify your interests and skills; do something else while writing about music on the side. Start a Tumblr to showcase your writing. Do a lot of freelancing. Make a lot of connections. Listen to everything you can and read everything you can.

Live Worldly sells fashion and accessories items from all around the world. A portion from each Live Worldly purchase is donated to a local nonprofit organization in the item's respective country. For example, proceeds from purchasing a colorful handmade scarf will help support orphanages in India. Buying beaded bracelets from Guatemala will help support education through the Starfish Foundation. With Live Worldly's jewelry, shoes, clothing and more, you're sure to find a stylish and unique item that fits your personality and satisfies your desire to do good!

Now that summer’s finally here, you’re free: free to sleep in, free to show off your tan in short-shorts, and—most exciting of all—free to find yourself a fine-looking man! Whether you’re a seasoned summer love vet or you’re fresh on the dating scene, you’ll need to know your options.

1. The Beach Bum

It wouldn’t feel right to talk about the boys of summer without first featuring the most summer-loving guy of all: the Beach Bum. Most often spotted sans shirt and shoes, the beach bum does exactly what you’d expect him to do: bum on the beach. Whether he’s surfing every morning, challenging unsuspecting strangers to heated games of volleyball, or even holding court as the lifeguard in the tall chair, this guy never seems to leave the beach. (And we mean never.) You look at him and you imagine you hear “Kokomo” playing softly somewhere...

What does this mean? First off, he probably has a killer tan. You might have a bit of a complex when you sit next to him–where have you been, hiding under a rock all summer? He also probably has some natural highlights that you find supremely adorable (provided you ignore the fact that they make him look like a Backstreet Boy). On top of all that, he has a beach-ready body (read: washboard abs, toned legs, and arms that could carry you comfortably into the sunset). Overall, he’s a good catch... for the summer only.

It’s all fun (and sun) and games with the Beach Bum during the summer months, when you always know where to find him. Chances are, however, that when it comes time to head back to school in September, you’ll find the Beach Bum out of reach. Unless your school happens to feature waterfront property, he probably isn’t going to show up on your campus. If he does go to your school or even attend one nearby, you might find that that he becomes a little, well, boring. When surfing is your life, what are you going to do when it starts to snow? Probably nothing. Enjoy him for the season, collegiettes, but keep in mind that all good summer flings must come to an end!

2. The High-Powered Intern

The beach is the last place that you’ll find this go-getter. The High-Powered Intern spends his days in a swanky office in the big city, attending important meetings and making tough calls on product development. In all honesty, he’s probably just working in some forsaken corner of the office with the other interns, but who’s to know? He wears nice pants and a tie, which means “professional” to you. We can guarantee that underneath those grown-up clothes, he has no tan whatsoever. This guy barely sees sunlight anymore.

Don’t expect any fancy dinner dates with this guy—he’s probably operating on an unpaid intern’s salary. Expect interesting conversation about his job (provided it actually is an interesting job) and about his hopes, dreams, goals... The best thing about the High-Powered Intern is that he’s driven and knows what he wants (which could be you!).

The downside is that the High-Powered Intern is generally busy for most of the time. Unlike your everyday average intern, he isn’t satisfied with just working the 9-to-5. This means that if you don’t have a full-time gig yourself, you may find yourself feeling a little lonely. Internships are also a lot more stressful than lazy summer days spent lounging on the beach, so don’t be shocked if he gets a little high-strung every so often. Help him blow off some steam by taking him to a theme park on a Saturday or catching a movie after work!

3. The Volunteer

The Volunteer is probably the most promising of the summer boy set, but don’t tell him we said that! The Volunteer gets involved because he cares about others more than himself, not because he wants to pick up girls! (If you find a Volunteer who actually is trying to get girls with his man-on-a-mission persona, start walking in the opposite direction and warn all women you pass.)

Whether he’s out every day working with children or settled in an office of a non-profit, the Volunteer is always doing what he does best: helping. You can’t quite put your finger on what it is you love about it so much. Is it his Superman-style, save-the-world attitude? His selfless refusal to accept pay for his time? Or is it that he just looks so darn cute playing patty-cake with little kids? Whatever the reason, the Volunteer is a definite “do.”

4. The Outdoorsman

It’s common knowledge: boys like to climb stuff. Your boy, however, doesn’t just climb stuff; he climbs trees, mountains, or anything else that is high enough off the ground that you’d faint if you tried to follow him.

No adventure is too grand for the Outdoorsman and you need to be up to the task. Afraid of heights? Don’t be surprised when he encourages you to jump from the high rock above the lake. Expect your days with the Outdoorsman to be filled with fresh-air nature walks, early morning hikes, adrenaline spikes, and a lot of jumping in general. Consider it extreme dating: the faint of heart need not apply! If you’re really attached to your summer sundress collection, you might want to reconsider; you won’t have anywhere to wear them if you hang around the Outdoorsman since all of his dates require hiking or gym clothes! (Fashion doesn’t exactly fit well with dirt, bugs, and relentless heat. Oh, and hello humidity, goodbye hair styling.)

If, however, you’re feeling like you can handle—and even enjoy—getting back to nature, you’re in for a treat! The Outdoorsman is a top-notch romantic. Whether you’re stargazing in a field or campus by a bonfire out in the woods, you’re getting quality one-on-one time with your man that would make any rom-com lover swoon. Roast some marshmallows, carve your names in a tree, or skip rocks at the lake; you’ll never want to go back indoors again!

5. The Summer Student

You might think that the Summer Student differs little from the typical college guy. He takes classes by day, does homework by night, and parties on the weekends, right?

Wrong. Sure, the guy’s still in the classroom and dealing with essays and the like. What makes the Summer Student different, however, is the fact that he’s probably only taking one or two classes. That, and the fact that, since it’s not an academic-year semester, everyone else he knows isn’t in the classroom anymore. One of three things will happen:

1. He’ll treat the summer like any semester, staying in to do homework at night, indulging in Breaking Bad marathons to unwind, and letting loose once or twice a weekend. Not bad, but not thrilling, either. Where’s that summer spirit?
2. He’ll be so filled with envy over your beach breaks and your lack of term papers and textbooks that he’ll get a little... bitter. He’ll complain, and after the fifth time, you will not enjoy listening.
3. He’ll choose to ignore the fact that he is currently taking classes and will treat every day like summer. (Homework? What homework?)

We admire his drive, but we’re still a little hesitant. The best part of the summer dating scene is the chance to find a guy who isn’t still afflicted with the frat bro mentality or still stuck in study mode at night. Assess the situation before striking up with the Summer Student; if he seems like a summer-loving guy who’s only taking a class on the side, give him a shot!

6. The Tennis Pro

Similar to the beach bum, but classier, preppier, and fully clothed. The Tennis Pro enjoys swinging a racquet so much that he does it all day long, even–gasp!–for pay. Since he’s earning money doing something he loves, he’s probably one of the happiest guys you’ll meet this summer, and happy guys make for happy summer loves.

The Tennis Pro spends his days in his natural habitat: the country club. He’s usually surrounded by a group of rowdy children or a huddle of overly affectionate older women. He’ll probably take you to lunch at the club once or twice, and–with any luck–give you a private lesson. Sure, he’s almost annoyingly preppy, and no, you’re not a fan of his sock tan. But the clothes don’t make the man, and neither do the tan lines!

As long as your guy likes to do something other than play tennis (playing golf doesn’t count), you’ll find common ground and maybe even make your summer fling carry on into fall. If he spends his nights watching ESPN and salivating over the Roger Federer/Rafael Nadal rivalry, however, you might want to find a guy who’s a bit more well rounded (and a lot less obsessive). You don’t really feel like competing with cougars, anyway.

7. The Bartender

He may not be doing what he loves, but the Bartender is also one of the few boys who’s making bank this summer. He won’t be stressing over funds, so he won’t be filling his free time with odd jobs. That means, he’ll have more time to hang out with you! Since he often works the night shifts, he can spend hours on end lounging in the sun, taking walks in the park, taking daytrips to the beach, and doing any other cheesy (but awesome) romantic summer activity that your heart desires, all without missing a moment of work.

The downside, unfortunately, has to do with your schedule: if you’re working a 9-to-5 and are only free at night, the only time that you and your night-shift-loving hook-up have available for hang-outs is midnight or later... fun, but not very conducive to an actual relationship. Sigh.

If, however, you’re only working part-time or he finds himself on the day-shift circuit, you’re in the clear! Which is lucky, since the Bartender is one of the best boys on the block. Not only does he have an employee discount and know how to make yummy drinks, but he also likely has a life (and interests, talents, skills, etc.) that lies beyond his working hours. We like a guy with a little depth to him – even if he’s only our summer fling.

Get ready to dive into the summer dating pool, collegiettes! Whether he’s a 9-to-5er, a surfer boy, or a first-time intern, you’ll know what to expect. Let the summer lovin’ begin!

In our day-to-day lives, we usually love being around and talking to other people. What can we say - we’re social beings! Sometimes, however, it blows our minds that people don’t realize when talking is either inappropriate or annoying. In these instances, all we want is to “mute” the obnoxious offender.

1. In the library

We’re trying to study over here! Talk about your plans for tonight somewhere else, please.

2. During class

Not only are you being super disrespectful to our professor, but I can’t focus on what he’s saying when you’re blabbing behind me.

3. At the gym

We’re already slightly angry that we're working out, so don’t make it worse by emitting obnoxious, dramatic noises when you drop your weights or trying to make conversation mid-five-miler on the treadmill.

4. In the middle of our favorite TV show

SERENA IS ABOUT TO TELL A HUGE SECRET STOP TALKING NOW.

5. In line at the DMV or some other generally unpleasant place

Being at the DMV already sucks, so shhh.

6. Before we’ve had our morning coffee

We aren’t human in the mornings, and we can’t deal with too much human interaction before being properly caffeinated.

7. When we’re trying to sleep

Just be quiet. Please.

8. When they're babies and they're crying

We love babies when they’re cute and smiley, but once they start screaming bloody murder, we wish we could make the noise go far, far away.

9. When they're excessively drunk

You think you're whispering, but you're not. You're just not.

10. The Kardashians, every day, all the time.

Explanation unneccessary. 

11. When people won't stop talking about their cats

You’re the only one who cares. Sorry to break it to you.

12. When they're talking loudly on airplanes, the subway or buses.

We’re just trying to survive traveling with hundreds of other people. If we’re going to survive the next 20 minutes (or 20 hours), you’re going to need to hush up.

13. When boys are talking about who can lift more

Nobody cares.

14. When boys are talking about bodily functions

Take that somewhere else. Far away from us.

15. When people are only talking about themselves

K.

16. When we’re shopping and salespeople try to get us to buy things

LEAVE US ALONE! WE JUST WANT TO SHOP IN PEACE!

17. When people are really cheerful in the morning

Back off, b*tch.

Trust us, we really do like people! But there are always those times when we just can’t take ‘em. 

Would you do anything to be popular in high school—even if it means pretending that you and your best friend are a lesbian couple? That’s the main question in MTV’s new hit romantic comedy series Faking It. And even better, Her Campus had the opportunity to sit down with the hilarious and excited leading ladies, Rita Volk and Katie Stevens, to chat about the show, the funny story of how they met and the super delicious food table (cookies, anyone?).

Her Campus: What’s the premise behind Faking It?

Rita Volk: Faking It is about two girls, Amy and Karma. Karma really wants to fit in at school and be popular and noticed, and Amy is more reserved and wants to just hang out with her best friend Karma. All she wants to do is go home and watch Netflix, and [she] doesn’t have to be popular. What ends up happening is their friend Shane outs them to the school as a lesbian couple and it catapults them to popularity, which Karma enjoys, and she convinces Amy to go along with this lie because it gives them celebrity status at school.

One thing leads to another and they kiss in front of the school, and in that moment, Amy realizes she might have some more feelings for Karma. It’s about Amy dealing with those feelings and figuring out what they are, and Karma trying to deal with this new popularity that she has, which is a little bit more than both of them can handle.

HC: How did you hear about Faking It, and what attracted you to working on this particular show?

Katie Stevens: I actually got the call from my agent three hours before I had to go to the audition. I tried to be as prepared as I possibly could, and I actually had friends in town, so I was making them read lines with me when we went out to breakfast just trying to get this role. [laughs] I read the script, and it was just a premise that I could tell was going to be something special. So I knew that I wanted to be a part of it from the start. I eventually booked the role, and it was just a dream come true. To be able to play opposite someone like Rita who is just super talented is awesome.

Rita and I actually met in the audition room when we both auditioned for Karma. During the last round when we were auditioning for the MTV executives, we both went in to audition for Karma. The head of MTV programming, Susanne Daniels, was talking to Carter Covington, the producer, about whom he liked for Karma, and he couldn’t decide because he liked us both. And then Susanne said, “Well, Rita is obviously Amy,” so they had Rita read the role right on the spot, she killed it, and her and I did a little chemistry read. And luckily, her and I had already talked in the audition room beforehand, so chemistry-wise, we were already there a little bit. It was just perfect, and we get to work on this amazing show together.

RV: I didn’t know much about it before, but when I read the script, I thought the concept was really original, and it was a project where you know it was going to make a lot of noise because of the concept. We got really lucky in that regard, that it’s very progressive and in and that people are going to react to it, whether they love it or hate it or are inspired by it. I knew it was going to be something special, especially for the teen demographic.

Like Katie said, I went in for Karma, and then during the screen test I read for Amy. It was fate; it was just completely the way it should’ve been. I’m so much like Amy in so many ways, and I’m so protective of her and I love this character, so there’s a reason those people in the MTV room are as successful as they are, and they saw me and Katie and saw who we both were and who we were best suited for. Everything turned out perfectly.

HC: What’s a typical day like on set?

KS:[laughs] Is there a typical day? I don’t think so. We were fortunate enough so that we filmed in Burbank and I live in the Valley, which is amazing. So when we had 5:45 a.m. call times, I could just get to set in a couple of minutes. But getting up early was not too bad, because as cheesy as it sounds, when you love what you do, it’s like going to Disneyland everyday. But when we’d show up, we’d go to get our hair and makeup done, which as a girl is really fun, because you wake up and go, “Wow, I look disgusting,” and then you’re pretty in an hour.

We do different scenes every day, so once hair and makeup is done, we get scripts for the scenes we’re doing on that particular day and we make sure we’re ready and prepared. It’s fun, because you get to do these amazing scenes for this incredible show, and the writing is so great. Oh, I also had a great time at the craft service table eating, and we have great catering. [laughs]

RV: I agree with the catering part, and if you ask anyone, I’m going to be the one at craft service eating. [laughs] But yeah, I don’t really know if there’s a typical day; you wake up, you get your hair and makeup done, you work with people on lines in your trailer, but after that, everything’s different. The energy on any given day is different, and that’s what makes it exciting. There are days when Amy and Karma’s relationship is lighthearted, and there are days like the season finale—which I can’t talk about at all!—where there’s a very special set of scenes and it was a totally different feel.

KS: And what’s really funny is that Rita and I, in the food aspect of things, would be stuffing our faces with chocolate chip cookies and were always at the dessert table. And everyone would always say, “Wow, it’s amazing seeing these actresses actually eating!”

RV: They’ll have to write in some weight change by season three at the rate we’re going. I’ve already warned the writers about that. We’ll need to write in a pregnancy or something. [laughs]

HC: What’s one thing about the acting industry that you wish you knew when you started out?

RV: It’s not just coming to set and doing the work. There’s a lot that you have to deal with, from auditioning to dealing with people to being on set. You’re not always working on a scene, as there are a lot of interruptions and stops. It’s very technical. There’s a lot more to juggle than people realize. It’s not that you just show up and act.

KS: I think it’s all stuff that I kind of knew going in that was later confirmed. It takes a lot of work, and you can’t give yourself another option. It’s a really difficult industry and you’ll get discouraged; you’ll face a lot of rejection. But I had to train myself to think that there’s a role for anybody. This role was meant for me, and Amy was meant for Rita. Now, when I go into audition rooms, what I say to myself is, “If this role is meant for me, it’ll be mine. And if I don’t get it, it wasn’t meant for me.” And that’s now how I face rejection. It’s not you or a reflection of your talent; you just weren’t the perfect fit for a role, and that’s okay.

And I also want to be a real person. In the industry, I feel like people put impossible standards on others, especially young girls, and it’s hard feeling insecure. That’s what I love about our show: it sets the standard for how it’s okay to be unique and genuine, and you’re beautiful the way you are. And I think that was the hardest thing for me to realize, that I shouldn’t be focusing on appearance or those little things all the time. That’s one of the things I don’t like about the industry, that it focuses on that. But I think the most relatable thing you can be is yourself.

HC: What can viewers of the show look forward to for the rest of the season?

KS: People need to be prepared to go through an emotional rollercoaster, because they’re really going to feel every emotion. They’re going to be angry with characters, they’re going to feel bad [for the] characters, they’re going to be crying and laughing and everything else. We watched the show as a cast together with our show runner Carter, and even though I already knew what happened, I felt myself really feeling for these characters all over again. If I feel that way and I’m in it, I can’t imagine how viewers are going to feel.

RV: Every character is going to grow, and every character has his and her own story lines. What’s really cool about the show is that it really, really tries to be an ensemble. I don’t think there’s any one character who’s just kind of there and you don’t see that much. Everyone has a storyline, and all the storylines eventually become intertwined in those eight episodes. So there’s a lot happening from episode one to that eighth episode when those characters have all really grown. We’re very, very proud of it, and I can’t wait for the rest of the season to come. And I think viewers are really going to like it!

Tune into MTV’s Faking It on Tuesday nights at 10:30 p.m. ET/9:30 p.m. CT!

As you probably learned during your first late-night girl-talk bonding session with your brand-new college besties, everyone comes to college with unique sexual experiences, and no two collegiettes are the same. Still, as you also probably found during that secret-spilling session, it can seem impossible not to compare your hot-and-heavy histories (or lack thereof).

And thus, “your number” is born: the number of people you’ve slept with. For some, it means almost nothing; for others, it can be a huge source of stress and overall insecurity. It can be especially difficult when you consider that many collegiettes feel self-conscious about their virginities, while others are subjected to sl*t-shaming for having active sex lives. We asked collegiettes and college guys to share their thoughts on the nature of “the number” and how it plays into their love lives. Check out what these ladies and gents had to say!

Do girls’ numbers matter to them?

According to the Anna Faris chick flick What’s Your Number?, the average number of partners that a woman has in her life (before settling down with “The One”) is 10.5 (although, according to a survey reported inThe Telegraph, the average number is closer to seven). To Anna – and many collegiettes on campuses across the country—this number seems low; it makes them worry that they’ve gone too far and been with too many different partners to find happiness in the future. Others might be shocked; 10.5 sounds like a heck of a lot of sex buddies if you’ve never had sex at all or have only ever been committed to one person. So, with all of these comparisons in mind, we asked collegiettes to share whether they actually care about their number. While they say it isn’t the be-all and end-all of their sex lives or self-esteem, they definitely do pay attention to it.

“My number is actually something I've thought about a lot, because somehow it got much higher than I would have wanted. I don't regret anything per se, but I think your number can really come to mean more than it should. When I first started thinking about it, I even asked my friends if it made me a sl*t! And I know very well that it doesn't; I just couldn't help but compare my number to others' and question my decisions.” – Alice*, a sophomore at the University of California, Los Angeles

“I think the number matters in context: hook-up sex vs. exclusive/boyfriend-girlfriend sex. Personally, I think your number matters less if it wasn't a random hook-up. Having sex with five different boyfriends is definitely 100 times better than having sex with five random dudes [whom] you can't even attribute a face to a name.” – Emma*, a sophomore at Duke University

“I get kind of self-conscious about having a low number... it’s because I was a virgin going into college and haven’t met any guys who’ve worked hard enough for me. But I feel like when guys hear you aren’t experienced, they freak out like you’re going to be clingy, so they run away. I’m proud that I haven’t had random sex, but I feel like it’s a double-edged sword.” – Hilary*, a senior at Skidmore College

“It depends on how long you’re in a relationship. My best friend that goes to Cornell has this thing where every time she or one of her housemates has sex with a new person, they text each other with a number. Just a number. Sometimes I get a text that says 13 or something like that. It doesn’t mean anything, but it’s kind of funny. Kind of makes me want to contribute...” – Liana*, a senior at Skidmore College

“My number definitely affects my sexual decisions. I have a boyfriend, but if I didn't I definitely wouldn't have one-night stands, because I really don't want it to go up! At the end of the day, I don't think numbers really matter that much, as long as you're being careful (using protection/birth control, etc.). – Megan*, a junior at Boston College

Is there an ideal number?

So, collegiettes are somewhat concerned with their own numbers, whether they’re high or low. Since collegiettes on both sides of the spectrum feel a bit insecure about their experience levels (at least, about how they think other people view them), we had to ask ourselves: is there such thing as “the perfect number”? We asked girls and guys to share their thoughts:

The guys say:

“I don’t think it matters to me. I don’t think a high number is a bad thing. There’s a double standard that way; if a girl has a high number, she’s stigmatized, but a guy with a high number seems like he’s pimping or something. But if I find out someone has hooked up with a lot of people before me, I feel less special.” – Miles*, a senior at Skidmore College

“If her number’s high, I’m just going to be imagining her hooking up with other guys. I don’t want to see that image. I don’t think there’s a perfect number... It’s probably more about how many were random hook-ups and how many were actually serious.” – Jorge*, a junior at San Diego State University

“There’s no perfect number. It definitely just depends on the person. It’s cool when she’s experienced. But if her number’s really high she’s been around the block, and that’s just kind of gross.” – Silas*, a junior at Middlebury College

“Obviously I don’t want to hear that she’s slept with a ton of guys, but if she’s sleeping with me, I have no reason to complain, do I? Who cares what her number is?” – Dave*, a senior at Brown University

“I like being in a relationship, so I guess I’d have to say I hope her number is low since that means she’s serious about who she chooses to sleep with. Maybe like five or under, I guess.” – Mike*, a senior at the University of Colorado Boulder

The girls say:

“No, I don’t think there’s such a thing as the perfect number. It’s personal for everyone.” – Leah, a senior at Skidmore College

“I feel like if someone had like 15 already during college, that’s a lot. I can’t really pinpoint a good number – I think it all depends on if you’ve dated someone or not. I don’t believe that people should just be with one person for their entire life, though... at least not without testing the waters with other people first.” – Salena*, a junior at Northwestern University

“Most of my friends are already seriously dating someone, if they’re not already engaged. So I guess a low number would be ideal because that means you’ve found guys, or the guy, who you want to stay with for a long time.” – Meredith*, a senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Clearly, there’s no consensus on an “ideal” number, and guys and girls don’t see numbers exactly the same way: what we see as gaining experience or testing the waters can come off as being promiscuous to the guys around campus. Still, that doesn’t mean that if a campus cutie you’re into comes along, you should avoid upping your number just for the sake of staying in the low side, and you definitely shouldn’t feel self-conscious about what’s happened in the past. First off, you can’t change what’s already been done, and second, the only person who needs to be happy with your number at the end of the day is you.

Plus, we had a feeling that girls were just as iffy about guys with high numbers, which means that the judgment is a two-way street – and also probably not an issue if you and that campus cutie really click. So we asked collegiettes to share their thoughts on a potential partner’s number. Check out what they had to say:

Does a potential partner’s number matter to girls?

Collegiettes certainly care a lot – if not more – about other people’s numbers than they do about their own, specifically potential partners’. Come on, you know you’re curious: has this new hottie in your life been around the block, or is he or she relatively fresh to the hook-up game (and ready to experience all those fun, new things with you)? Talking to your new partner about your past sexual history can be ultra-awkward, but these collegiettes say they’d rather know a partner’s number right off the bat regardless.

“I do put weight on a person's number, but I kind of hate that it matters to me. I know that a ‘number’ is a very rigid way of evaluating someone and that there is a lot of context behind how each person arrives at their number. However, I can't help but be put off by a guy who has a number that's through the roof! If a potential partner reveals a high number to me, I can't help but think he's just waiting for a girl – any girl –  to say yes. That doesn't make me feel special, and as a result, I am less interested in him.” – Connie, a senior at Carnegie Mellon University

“Talking with my boyfriend about our ‘numbers’ was kind of awkward, but I'm really glad that we got it out of the way. If I didn't know his, I would always be wondering, so it's better just to know. Plus, it wasn't as high as I thought it would be, so talking about it was kind of a relief!” – Megan

Unfortunately, this interest in other people’s numbers can backfire. While you’re fishing for background info on your crush’s nookie experience, he or she might be doing the same for you (if the quotes from the college guys above are any evidence). Plus, the unavoidable fact is that sometimes it seems like collegiettes can’t help but comment on each other’s numbers, too, which means that comparisons and even judgments abound – even if they come from within.

Alice says that this gossip-driven phenomenon is all too common. “What's funny is I would never judge anyone else for [her] number (okay, maybe if it was, like, 100), but I judge myself for it!” she says. “I've never felt directly judged for it and my friends have been mostly super reassuring, but sometimes they would make a subtle comment that hurt me a little. Everyone has a personal approach to sex and casual sex and dating, and somehow a concrete number can mean way more than it should within their belief system.”

Alice says that the college hook-up culture has led to her having a higher number than she would have expected, which may be to blame for many collegiettes’ insecurities about their numbers. She explains, “I think a big part of it is me searching for a relationship... and failing, because the dating scene is so messed up in college.”

Is there a double standard?

Alice isn’t alone in her reaction to having a high number. For many collegiettes, having a “high” number – which we know is completely relative and subjective – can be a huge source of insecurity. Plus, the differing social understandings of female versus male sexuality can make girls with higher numbers feel like targets or like they have to keep their numbers secret. Our collegiettes reveal that guys, on the other hand, tend to escape condemnation for fooling around with multiple ladies. Check out their thoughts on the double standard for sex:

“There's definitely a double standard when it comes to an acceptable number for men and women. I think that comes from the idea that men are generally more willing to have sex (lower standards, more promiscuous), so women who behave similarly and have an equal number are deemed ‘sl*ts’ because they've gone against the stereotype of what women should be doing (saving themselves for significant others, saying no).” – Connie

“I really do think there's a double standard, because when we say that a guy's number makes him a 'sl*t,' it's funny, and when we say it about a girl, it's shameful. I know deep down that your number doesn't matter in any way—it’s just a number!—but it can really hurt your self-esteem. My advice is to not let it!” – Alice

“There’s an obvious double standard between guys and girls. A guy who graduated when I was a freshman slept with over 60 different women. If he were a girl he’d have been treated differently. I want to say no, [numbers don’t matter to me], but that’s not true.” – Liana

“I think there's totally a double standard between men and women. Men with higher numbers, in my experience, are praised as true bros, while girls are usually labeled sl*ts. It's totally unfair!” – Megan

“I do believe there is a double standard; guys are expected to have a higher number than girls so that they can always be the more experienced one. People look down on girls if they sleep around too much, which I don't think is fair. If you're a sexual creature and you like the pleasure, you go do you!” – Emma

The double standard that still pervades college campuses today is not only biased and unfair, but also completely misogynistic. Fortunately, collegiettes aren’t taking this treatment any longer: ladies across the country are speaking out about their feelings on the issue, starting dialogues and continuously showing that they aren’t afraid to be themselves, no matter what their number. One notable example is the international SlutWalk movement, which aims to reappropriate the word “sl*t” and do away with the stigma often associated with women who have active sex lives or dress provocatively (the movement is especially concerned with the role that sl*t-shaming plays in rape culture and victim-blaming). At the end of the day, your number doesn’t define you; the definition of the number itself is only important if we allow it to be. If you really feel ashamed of your number, change the narrative: don’t engage in gossipy conversations about other collegiettes’ sex lives (yet another reason why the Golden Rule is always a good idea), and when a potential partner asks, share as much as you’re willing to and ask that he or she respect the fact that your past is in the past. The point is that you’re with this new potential SO now, and the last thing you want to do is worry about past experiences when something so exciting is happening now.

Sex—or a lack thereof—is a personal choice, and there’s no right or wrong amount of partners to have. Forget what Anna Faris’s What’s Your Number? character said; just do whatever (or whomever) you’d like!

When you’re applying for your dream internship or job, you know your resume has to be perfect so that you can stand out from the crowd.  You spend hours agonizing about every little detail of your resume.  You change “managed” to “led” (then back to “managed” again) in your job descriptions to give them the most oomph.  You interrogate friends, career counselors, and your parents about their views on 0.5-inch margins versus 1-inch margins.  All of this in the hopes of catching an employer’s eye when they look at it for the first time.

But what will really make a difference when an employer looks at your resume?  We asked Heather R. Huhman, career expert and founder of Come Recommended, a PR and marketing consulting company, about how employers actually look at your resume, what they look for, and what will make them throw it right in the trash.

How long do they look at your resume?

Here’s a depressing fact: despite all the hours you’ve spent creating and revising your resume, Huhman says that most employers will probably only spend “a few minutes” looking at it—possibly even less!  “Recent data shows many hiring managers and recruiters spend as little as six seconds reading a resume!” she says. “However, it depends on the size of the company and how many applications they receive on a daily basis.”

If you’re applying for an internship or job at a large company, it’s even more likely that the employer will only look at your resume for a few seconds.  To make sure your resume stays in the “yes” pile, use short bullet points in your job descriptions. Bullet points will stand out to an employer more, since they won’t have time to read through paragraphs of descriptions in just a few seconds.

What do they look for first?

“The first thing employers, including myself, look for in a resume is accomplishments related to the job for which I am hiring,” says Huhman. “When I look at a resume, I want to be able to learn what makes the candidate qualified for the position and why they would be the best fit for my company.”

When writing up your resume, tailor it to the specific job or internship you’re applying for—don’t create clutter (and lose the employer’s interest!) by listing experiences that aren’t relevant to the job description.  The more relevant the jobs and accomplishments you list are to the position you’re applying for, the more likely it is that an employer will want to hire you.

What specific elements catch their eye?

Huhman says employers look for keywords in your resume that are specific to the position for which they’re hiring.  Before you write up your resume, look at the company’s description of the job or internship you’re applying for and try to identify a few main points and keywords that you can incorporate.  You don’t necessarily have to copy and paste them, but if your experiences are similar to the tasks required for the position, the employer is sure to take notice!

“Employers look for leadership experience, team building, problem solving, and written/oral communication skills,” Huhman says.  Go through each experience you have listed on your resume and think about how you can best bring these concepts out.  Did you hold a leadership position in a club on campus?  Include that! Did you work successfully in a team to accomplish a goal?  Mention it!  Focusing on your accomplishments instead of just job tasks in your descriptions will make your resume stand out much more to employers.

What do they think about your resume layout?

You may only have six seconds to impress an employer with your resume.  So what you need to do is create a flashy, eye-catching design for your resume, right? Not necessarily.

“The appearance of a resume is an important element because employers expect to read a professional document,” Huhman says. “If a resume has hard to read fonts or distracting colors, the employer could toss the resume.”

When applying to most internships or jobs, it’s best to stick to the standard black Times New Roman font and ditch the fancy design elements. However, if you’re applying for a position in a more artistic field, such as graphic design, you may find it to your benefit to have a more creative resume.

What will make them throw out your resume?

Those six seconds an employer spends reading your resume could be cut even shorter if you include a deal breaker such as a typo in your resume. “Poor grammar and spelling will automatically cause an employer to throw out a resume,” Huhman says. “Resumes lacking relevant experience or skills will also be thrown out.”

Don’t trust solely your own eyes to review your resume—you’ve probably looked at it so many times that you’re likely to skim over any mistakes.  Instead, have a career counselor or a nitpicky friend (or, better yet, both!) look over your resume to make sure you don’t have any errors that could send it straight to the trash.

After all the work you put into crafting the perfect resume, it can be disheartening to think of it being looked at for only a few seconds or minutes.  But with HC’s tips, you can make those precious seconds worth it and get a call back from an interview in no time!  Good luck, collegiettes!

Are you a smart and savvy pre-collegiette looking for answers to some of your most personal questions about college? You know, the ones about boys, classes, roommates and parties that your school’s guidance office can’t help you with? Jen is here to answer those questions! Whatever your concern, she’ll do her best to help you so you can make sure you don’t just survive college, but rock it!

What's the hardest thing about transitioning from high school to college? –Emily

Emily,

I think that the hardest transition was learning how to manage my time. In high school, you’re in the same building all day for classes for a set amount of time. Then, you can choose to stay after school for extracurricular activities or sports practice, or you can just go straight home for the night. It’s a pretty set schedule.

Once you get to college, this routine totally changes. You have a certain number of classes, and they’re all at different times and are on different days of the week. Some classes you take might be back-to-back, which can sometimes get crazy in regards to your eating schedule. One semester, I had three classes in a row, so I always had to eat a late lunch. Make sure that you eat a healthy breakfast if you have a schedule like this; it will help to keep you on your A-game!

Most of the time, you’ll get a break in between classes. Sometimes this break will be an hour, and sometimes it’ll be for the majority of the day, so it’s super important that you make the most of it. Club meetings and sports practices can be at different times every day, so it’s up to you to manage your own schedule to make sure that you don’t miss a beat. Lots of my extra activities are conscious of this, so we often have meetings late at night, around 9:30 p.m. or later, to accommodate students who have night classes and sports practice.

The hardest part is learning how to make the most of those small breaks that you have throughout the day. It’s super tempting to surf the web, read a magazine or have a dance party in my room during these little breaks, but often I really need to work on an important assignment. There’s nobody around telling you to do your homework or to stop jamming out to Austin Mahone (am I the only one who does that? Maybe?), so you really have to be responsible for yourself. When you do, you’ll see an improvement in your grades, lifestyle and happiness. Plus, you don’t have to stop being a Mahomie to get good grades—just listen to Austin while you get your work done like I do if that’s your thing!

It definitely takes some time to learn how to stay on top of things, but once you master how to manage your time, you’ll feel like a total boss!

Finals week is one of the most stressful periods in a collegiette’s life, and it’s finally upon us. The prospect of studying in the library for hours can leave you with the urge to give in to fashion faux pas and slum it to your study sesh in a sweat suit. However, just because you’re stressed doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your sense of style! Read on for some stylish outfit options that we promise are just as comfortable as your favorite grungy sweatshirt-and-sweatpants combo.

1. Chic in Soft Pants

Soft pants are an effortless way to stay chic and comfortable. Stylist Katie Quinn says, “These are great pants because they’re almost like sweats but in a silk or rayon material.” The material makes the pants look a lot more fashionable and makes you look more put together than if you threw on a pair of sweatpants. The loose fit of soft pants means they’re perfect to lounge or study in.

Soft pants can be paired with anything from a loose tank to a fitted tee. This Printed Soft Pant from Piperlime ($59) could be paired with this Forever 21 Knit Crossback Tee ($12.80) or this ASOS Tank ($9.53). Throw on flats, such as these burgundy Wanted Persuade flats ($39.99), and you’ll be the best-dressed student in the library.

2. Marvelous in a Maxi

Maxi dresses are always a great go-to outfit when you’re trying to be stylish and cozy at the same time. They make for an effortless look because your entire outfit is only one piece of clothing! Quinn says maxi dresses are “really comfortable, really easy, and you immediately end up looking more chic than sweats or yoga pants.” Throw an oversized cardigan on top of the dress and add a pair of springy sandals or flats and you’ll forget all about your old, sloppy sweatshirt.

This maxi dress from H&M ($17.95) in pink is made from jersey, which means it’s super soft and comfy. With this ASOS Boyfriend Cardigan in Cream ($66.69), you’ll be cozy enough to curl up in your favorite study nook and read for hours.

3. No, Really, They’re Leggings

We college girls love our yoga pants for good reason – they’re so comfy and easy to throw on, but they’re not the chicest wardrobe choice. Your typical black yoga pants aren’t going to cut it anymore. If you’re a diehard leggings fan, try them out in a print instead. A print such as snakeskin will give you a more of a polished look than your usual solid black leggings, and with a long enough shirt, you might have people mistaking them for pants.

These Beige Snakeskin Skinny Pants ($33.99) are made of a lightweight cotton, making them easy to throw on. When you pair these pants with a simple black T-shirt, like this one from Charlotte Russe ($8.99), and this Faux Gemstone Bib Necklace from Forever 21 ($9.80), you might decide to save your yoga pants for actual yoga.

4. Rock a Jumpsuit

A pretty jumpsuit is a great, easy alternative to a sweat suit. “With spring here they’re much easier to find,” Quinn says. “They can look a little dressy, but they’re really comfortable and really easy since they’re one piece.”

If you’re going for a casual library outfit, stay away from silkier jumpsuits. A jersey jumpsuit has a lot more movement and will leave you feeling way more comfortable.

Pair this Dorothy Perkins Cobalt Jersey Jumpsuit ($39) with Forever 21’s Easy Open-Front Cardigan ($29.80) for a stylish study look.

5. Impress in an Embellished Sweatshirt

For those of you who just can’t study without a cozy sweatshirt, an embellished sweatshirt is the solution for you. These luxe options are basically dressed-up sweatshirts, but the detailing and embellishments make you look way trendier.

This Forever 21 Crocheted French Terry Sweatshirt ($19.80) paired with a comfy pair of jeans, like Forever 21’s Casual Friday Skinny Jeans ($32.80), and Gap’s Printed Espadrille Slip-Ons ($23.99) makes for the perfect relaxed, glam look.

The next time you’re tempted to just throw on a pair of gray sweatpants and call it a day, think again! These five outfit options are easy and effortless and will make you the most stylish girl in the library. And who knows, maybe dressing for success will give you some extra luck on that big exam– not that you’ll need it!