The Lettered Company, a sorority jewelry line, is holding a fundraiser for the families of the UCSB Delta Delta Delta shooting victims.

Two members of the USCB Delta Delta Delta chapter were killed in last month’s Isla Vista shooting, with an additional member hospitalized. In their honor, The Lettered Company will donate $4 for every piece of jewelry sold between now and June 7, 2014.

The money raised will go towards helping the families of the victims with hospital and funeral costs.

“Although we cannot bring back those who have been lost, we can unite in support for all those affected by this tragedy,” Samantha Levin, founder of The Lettered Company and Kappa Kappa Gamma alumnae.

Although the line has a specific Delta Delta Delta collection, all jewelry on the website is eligible for the fundraiser to encourage Greek unity during this time.

There is also an option at checkout where customers can donate any amount of their choosing.

The Lettered Company’s jewelry runs from $22 to $28 and is available here. 

Did you hit it off with a professor, boss or professional this year? Congrats! That means you’ve already made the first step towards developing a professional relationship that will help you in the future. Now, the next (and most important) step is maintaining those relationships—ones you formed with professors, an internship supervisor, the other interns in the office, professionals you met at a conference. You should never underestimate the importance of staying in touch with these people, because you never know where your connection will lead you in the future.

The easiest way to make sure these new connections don’t forget about you after the semester is over is to simply keep in touch. Keeping in touch isn’t hard—ask anybody who uses email or social media. That’s the whole point of these tools of communication! As long as you know which communication tools to use and how to use them appropriately, you’ll be golden. Here are the top three ways to keep in touch:

Communication Tool #1: Email

Email is the most efficient way to stay in touch with people; these days, busy lifestyles mean less time to sit down for casual chats. Sending a quick email to touch base, ask for advice, or mention a relevant article is all it takes. The key is not to turn these emails into essays; mention briefly what you’re up to, but keep it short and sweet.

In regards to asking for advice, professionals, supervisors, and professors are willing to help, but don’t go overboard. Ask advisors about internship and job opportunities, ask internship supervisors (or co-workers) what they found helped them get where they are today, ask professors for advice on which classes to take. Chances are, they’ll appreciate that you trust and respect their opinion. Be sure to keep your email to one or two questions, maximum. Brittany James, account executive at Hunter Public Relations, warns that any more than that, and you can easily go from enthusiastic to annoying. James says that even though she knows that more questions usually means more curiosity and interest, “everyone is just so busy these days.”

Sending relevant articles to a previous employer is a great way to stay in touch, too. These can be interesting articles about the industry you worked in or a client the company has—articles that show that you’re still involved in industry on-goings and interested in how the company is doing. The same goes for professors; realizing that students were listening in class and are able to relate the real world back to their course material reinforces you as a dedicated student in their mind.

To reiterate: don’t go overboard. James agrees that you should find a balance between too much and too little. “Depending on your relationship, every once in a while,” James suggests. “I have a former intern supervisor that I talk to all the time.” Such emails came from James’s Gmail account, not her work account—another piece of information to keep in mind. Sending emails from your personal account (not your college email address) gives professionals a way to contact you once your college email expires.

Communications Tool #2: Social Media (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter)

Social media sites like Twitter and Facebook also help students and professionals stay in touch, but can be controversial. Some professors may see your friend request as a bit too personal, and that’s a line you don’t want to cross. While you may have hit it off at work, it’s not the best idea to friend professors or internship supervisors/bosses. “As long as you trust someone, I don’t see any harm,” according to James. However, if you have to second-guess whether or not it’s okay to friend them, it’s better off not to.

Joseph Catrino, assistant dean of career services at Quinnipiac University, advocates using social media to share updates between students and professionals. “Social media has provided the greatest opportunity to engage in networking,” Catrino says. “I typically keep in touch with students after graduation through email and LinkedIn.”

LinkedIn can be tricky, since you have the option to add someone as a “Friend,” “Colleague,” “We’ve Done Business Together,” etc. Regardless of what you add someone as, use the personal message box to your advantage. This way, you can connect with an internship supervisor without having to hum and haw over the “How do you know…?” question.

Even better, LinkedIn offers categories for “Groups” and “Companies” as a way to find and connect further with people you’ve worked with. Dean Catrino encourages his students to be fully engaged in LinkedIn, since connecting with previous supervisors, bosses, or mentors provides a simple and easy way to touch base, share updates, and even help your peers in the future. When one of his students finally “linked in” her internship supervisor, she was able to help another student seeking an internship in the same field connect with the supervisor as well—which resulted in an internship for her peer! Make a point to connect with professionals on LinkedIn and use the “company” category to your advantage. Sometimes, it really does go to show it’s about who you know!

Communication Tool #3: Face Time (No, Not iPhone Style)

If possible, visit your contact face-to-face. Dropping by on a whim just to say “hi” won’t be effective since professionals in the working world are extremely busy. Instead, reach out through email to suggest catching up over a lunch or coffee. Have an interview in the city and know an alum from your school or former co-worker in the area? Shoot them an email asking if they’re free that day and can grab a quick bite to eat; don’t be offended if they say they’re too busy, and ask for a good restaurant suggestion instead of not responding and letting the connection fade.

Keep in mind that you should suggest these get-togethers at least a week in advance. This time frame gives professionals or professors time to see the email, respond, and mark their calendars. Less than a week isn’t enough time, and two weeks is too much time for their schedules to fill up and take priority. Going this extra mile to arrange a meeting will pay off in the end!

“I was almost too nervous to get in touch with an alumnus I met at an event last year, but I changed my mind last minute,” Kelley Sullivan from Marist College admits. “I had an interview in the city and it turns out she was more than thrilled to let me come by, tour the office, and gave me great advice for my interview. It must have helped, because I ended up getting the position!”

Kelley’s visit didn’t last more than 30 minutes—and that’s including her hike up to the 40th floor of the building! Keeping it short and sweet gave Kelley time to catch up, learn more about the alumnus’s job, and get some tips regarding her interview. “I asked her what I should be prepared for, and she told me to make sure I had questions for the interviewer. Having questions showed my interest in the company, which definitely made it clear I was serious about the position.”

Remember that if you establish these connections and don’t follow up, it’s going to be harder and more awkward to re-establish the connection in the future. These connections can provide letters of recommendation, lead to your next internship, or help secure a job in the future. It’s never too early to start making these connections and you never know where they’ll take you. Not keeping in touch with one person now runs the risk of missing out on other possible, stronger connections. Remember that most professionals have been in your situation before and know what you’re going through. You formed a connection for a reason, and whether dealing with classes, internships, graduation, or jobs, they want to help you just as much as you want their help.

Your college experience will be some of the best four years of your life. But on move-in day, the sea of unfamiliar faces can feel really intimidating.

Don’t know any students at your school-to-be? No worries—we’ve got you covered. Here are a few easy ways to get to know some friends before your freshman orientation.

Join the admitted students Facebook group

Join your Class of 2018 Facebook group! Often, these Facebook groups will not only be open to accepted students from your incoming class, but will also include a few upperclassmen who are there to help answer your questions. They will usually post something to introduce themselves, saying their major and what extracurriculars they are involved in.

Don’t be afraid to message these students! These students want to help you—they wouldn’t have posted if they didn’t. If you’re interested in what they’re studying or have questions about an extracurricular group they’re involved in, you can definitely ask for their advice or even just to hear more about their experiences.

In addition to connecting with upperclassmen, these groups allow you to virtually meet members of your own class. Iris Goldsztajn, an international student who is a sophomore at UCLA, joined her class’s Facebook group to get in touch with her school from far away. “At first I didn't really expect anything from it and just used it to ask questions, but soon enough, people started friending me and talking to me,” she says. “I had some awesome conversations and some of these people have become really close and valuable friends!”

That said, be careful about how much you’re posting on the group page. Remember that the school’s staff will likely also be able to see every post that goes up; there aresome clear no-no’s, so don’t post anything you wouldn’t want a school administrator to see.

Attend a regional meet-up

One great way to meet people from your class is by attending a meet-up in your area. Sometimes universities or their official alumni organizations will put together official meet-ups around the nation for new students.

Katie Barr, a sophomore at Barnard College in New York City, attended an alumni-hosted meet-up close to her home in New Jersey the summer going into her freshman year. “It was really nice to feel like I knew people going into college,” she says. “It made going away feel a lot less stressful.”

If there is no official meet-up taking place in your region, plan one yourself! Posting on the Facebook group is an easy way to set a date and place and to reach out to other incoming students who live in your area.

Take it from Sarah Wainschel, a sophomore at Gonzaga University who is originally from Southern California. She and other incoming students from her area planned a big beach bonfire before heading off to school.  “It wasn't anything official put on by the university, but it was still a great way to meet people,” she says. “I'm actually still friends with a few people that I met at that meet-up!”

Whether or not you end up sustaining the relationships you make with your classmates before school, attending a meet-up is a great way to relieve anxiety about going off to college. Plus, it’s fun, and chances are you all have something in common if you chose the same university!

Reach out to your high school alumni

What if you come from an especially small town or can’t organize a meet up in your region? One option is to reach out to alumni of your high school who attended or now attend your university.

If they are current students, meeting them for coffee on campus or staying for an overnight visit is a great way to be introduced to some of their friends and to start the year with at least a few familiar faces.

Even if a particular alumnus or alumna has graduated from your future school, he or she may have friends who are still in school. Although it can seem like a faulty connection—a friend of a friend of an old high school acquaintance—even a seemingly distant relationship can feel like an anchor in a sea of unfamiliar faces. One of the hardest things about college is stepping into an entirely unfamiliar environment, so any connection is a valuable one!

There are a couple of things to keep in mind when meeting with a stranger. First, make sure you meet up in a public place and someone knows where you are. Second, don’t worry too much about making a good impression. If you’re so caught up in what the other person is thinking about you, chances are you won’t really be listening to what he or she has to say. So relax, be yourself and enjoy the opportunity to hear from a student firsthand!

Third, be polite. While it’s great to ask current students or alumni general questions about student life and academics, avoid asking questions that could make them uncomfortable. For example, asking for their personal opinions on specific sororities is probably not the best idea. And asking them about their grades is definitely a no-no.

You might feel hesitant to reach out to someone you don’t know personally. But attending a university tends to bond people together, and even distant friend-of-a-friend connections can help link you to students who, after all, are now also your classmates!

Most students will be more than happy to usher you into your school community, whether that be taking you around campus or just answering a simple question about housing selection or meal plans.

So don’t be afraid to reach out to friends of hometown friends or your sister’s best friend’s cousin. Meet them for coffee or lunch before classes start, or if you live close to your university, you can meet them over the summer. It might sound intimidating, but trust us: meeting people from your university before you start school can really help ease the transition into college life. 

Instead of working that nine-to-five you’ve always dreamed of after graduation, you might be starting a job that isn’t exactly a perfect fit for you. Maybe you have few responsibilities, long hours or a lengthy commute—but don’t worry, it’s not the end of the world! Besides making money to pay off those troublesome loans, here are a few more reasons why it’s okay you didn’t land your dream job right away as well as some tips from experts on how to work towards it.

1. You’ll be able to gain helpful work experience for the future

Although it may not be your number one choice, your current job can serve as an opportunity to gain experience in your field. If you didn’t have enough time to balance an internship while taking classes during the school year, this is the perfect time to gain the hands-on experience you need to get the job you want. Most employers typically want job candidates with a year or two of previous work experience in the field, whether it’s for an entry-level position or higher. This job will give you a chance to build your resume, and since you’ll have more time on your hands, you can take on more tasks to improve your skills within your desired field. You’ll be ready to wow your dream employer with what you’ve learned in no time.

2. You’ll have the opportunity to network effectively

Networking at your current job is important for many reasons. Just knowing the right people can help you advance your career by opening up job opportunities or landing you a great recommendation. Lesley Mitler, president of career coaching service Priority Candidates, Inc., says you should definitely take the time to get to know your coworkers and participate in any events you can. Holiday parties, sports teams and volunteer work with your coworkers will help you establish relationships you can count on in the future. “You can learn something of value from everyone you work with and work for,” she says.

Marcy Williams, CEO of Commonwealth Management and Consulting, says “in order to obtain your dream job, you should surround yourself with people that already have what you desire.” Attending work functions will help you create contacts and introduce you to people in your field and possibly a job opportunity. “Oftentimes, your dream job is waiting for you, but you need to be in the ‘know’ in order to know,” Williams says. Who knows, maybe one of your newly found contacts has a friend at your dream company who can help you out!

3. You can define your dream job more narrowly

You might have an idea of what your dream job looks like, but oftentimes the reality is different from the image you have in your mind. Your current job can help you figure out exactly what you want and what you don’t want in your dream job—whether that means the size of the company or its structure. You can also learn about your preferred specifics, such as travel time, location or career advancement opportunities.

“There will be aspects to any job that you enjoy and other parts that you find less enjoyable,” Mitler says. Not only will you learn what is important to you when you search for your dream job, but you will also learn more about yourself. For example, what type of management style do you respond to best? What are some of your strengths and weaknesses at this type of job? By figuring out which tasks you do well and which ones need work, you can gear yourself towards a specific job within the career you want.

4. You’ll have more opportunities to move up in the future

Your first job right after college can be the first step in moving up the ladder of success. Sometimes starting out at the bottom end of a company is the perfect way to prove you belong there, even if it’s at a different department or branch. “No matter what job you are in, your goal should be to excel and impress,” Mitler says.

While you may not be doing exactly what you want to be doing, this is the perfect opportunity to show employers what you can do. Working hard at your current job can help you get noticed and maybe even promoted, but it’s also a good idea to take on more responsibilities outside of your job description. By helping out another team or department, employers are sure to notice you!

5. You can polish your skills

This is your chance to acquire the necessary skills in your field in order to perform better at your dream job. Research the required skills of the company in which you want to work and perfect them in order to make you a better candidate. Use your current job to show potential employers that your skill sets align with what your dream job requires. Take advantage of opportunities at your current position to learn new leadership or time management skills you will need in the future. Asking for extra responsibility can help you become more knowledgeable in the field. Mitler says you should understand the skills you need to transition to your dream job and build them at your current job.

6. You’ll be able to earn a higher salary in the future

Since some salaries are based on work experience, your current job can actually help you when it comes to making more money! More work experience after graduation could potentially mean you’ll be earning a higher salary when you do finally land your dream job. Employers usually want job candidates who really know what they’re doing, so what you learn from your current job will give you more room to negotiate your pay.

Landing your dream job right out of college is definitely challenging for many collegiettes in today’s economy. If you have a job but it’s not exactly what you wanted, remember to always do your best work while continuing to work towards your goal. Sometimes your current job can actually benefit you in your search 

Just because school is over doesn’t mean you have to stop meeting cute guys every night. If you hit the right spots and know how to work a hot summer outfit you can meet plenty of beaus. Whether you’re back home, interning in a city, or staying at school over the summer, you can meet cute guys during the next few months by following these 6 tips.

If you’re at home

Don’t be down in the dumps because you’re bored at home. Your town is probably full of hotties, and you don’t even know it. Even if you don’t live in a huge, bustling town, young college-age guys are always taking summer trips—and one of their stops may just be where you live.

Make the most of the outdoor party scene.

Go to every available cookout, 4th of July party, backyard get-together, weekend BBQ – the list goes on. Summer is prime time for this sort of family, friend, and neighborhood event. If you’re invited, go. Make an appearance in your cute new summer dress or shorts-and-wedges outfit; you never know who you’ll meet. That annoying neighbor next door may actually have a cute brother. Or cousin. Take her up on that offer for drinks and grilled veggies with her fam next time. Just in case.

Find a dog to walk.

It doesn’t matter if it’s yours, your grandma’s, or borrowed from the local shelter – get a dog and get a leash. People (guys included) are more willing to stop to talk to someone who has a cute (make sure it’s friendly, too) pup on their arm. Take the dog to the local bike or walking trail, around your neighborhood, or for a longer hike in the woods. If you run into a guy with a dog, let the dogs be the icebreaker while you mingle. If he doesn’t have a pooch but you still want to chat, walk your dog closer towards him (not too obviously though), and let the dog take care of the rest. Oh what’s that? Muffin’s tail is wagging? Cue, “Hey, I think she likes you.” Success.

If you’re staying at school

First of all, keep your eyes peeled for athletes – they’re crawling on university campuses during the summer. Secondly, there might be fewer guys around, but there are fewer girls, too – so if you’re looking at ratios, the game’s still on.

Go where the sports are.

Hit up the tennis and basketball courts, the golf course, or the fitness club in your area. Dudes love waking up early, putting on a polo (it’s a golf course rule to dress up a little), and drinking some brews on the green. Sports are the perfect make-me-feel-like-a-hotshot guy activities. What could be a better time to do a little flirting than when he’s feeling confident and strong and is in his best well-dressed gear? It doesn’t matter if you’ve never picked up a club (or racquet) before either—guys love to teach. When you get to the clubhouse to get balls, ask about a lesson. Nine times out of 10 you’ll get a 22 year-old hottie who’s home for the summer to coach, same as he’s done since high school. We won’t say we told you so. No golfing greens or athletic clubs? There’ll be sporty boys at the gym, too.

Work at the local hotspot.

You know those town favorites that turn into meeting grounds during the summer months? Maybe it’s the café on Main Street or the homemade ice cream shop. These are the hangouts for locals, and people are generally in a feel-good, chatty mood when they stop by. Get hired at one of those and you’ll be sure to exchange a few numbers. Give a smile to any cutie you serve; he might come back for a second vanilla cone or just for a chat (hopefully he leaves a tip)! This works both ways, too – visit these local places to see what cuties are working there this summer. Kelsey, Boston University ‘14, worked up the courage to give her number to the stud working at the frozen yogurt place in her town. “We ended up texting!” she said. Hey, it’s a start. Lauren, Penn State Berks ‘15, also exchanged numbers with a guy at work. “I work at PINK at my mall and he works at the Starbucks there, so I would always be going there for coffee on my breaks.” She said. After weeks of smiling and making eye contact with each other, she finally asked for his name. Eventually, she says, “I came in for a refill on my break and he said ‘we should hang out sometime’ and asked for my number!”

It might not be a “hotspot,” but an outdoorsy or workout-related store will also do wonders. Try a bike shop, an active apparel store, or a kayak rental shop. We can guarantee that more than one 20-something guy will walk through those doors.

If you’re in the city

If you’re used to all college guys all the time, being in a city around older guys can be a little overwhelming. If you want to meet a gem, though, we vote you up your game on the flirting during the day and leave the late-night scene for pure fun with the girls – it can be tough to find a good guy when everyone has too many drinks in their system.

Find everyone’s weekend go-to.

In New York City, one of these go-to spots is Sheep Meadow in Central Park. If NYC were a university, Sheep Meadow would be its quad. Find out the equivalent of this in your city. You want a spot where, on sunny weekend days, everyone gathers to hang out, read, tan, play soccer, have mini parties, etc. Grab a few friends—or just a book—and a blanket. Pick a spot near your next guy target or let him come to you.If you don’t get a number, at least you’ll enjoy the sunshine! Don’t switch up your location every weekend, though (sure, every once in a while is OK, if the fish really aren’t biting). Maybe that guy who spent all afternoon eyeing you will go back next weekend hoping you’ll be there – so you better be!

Go to happy hour.

Sure, you can hit up the bars after 11:00 pm, but we suggest going out earlier for Happy hour. Those young guys interning at the accounting firm? Happy hour. The boys who just got hired at J.P. Morgan? Happy hour. They’ll be in a good mood since they’re out of work, but they won’t be slurring their words (not yet, at least – if you stay long enough... maybe). Don’t bother going home to change first, though. Stay in your cute work outfit since they’ll still be in their button-ups and ties. If you’re lucky enough to have good bars in your neighborhood, pick one of those to try – you might find a guy who lives within the same few blocks. At the very least it will give you something to talk about.

There are so many other ways and places to meet cute guys than the ones we’ve listed here. Wherever you are this summer, the most important first step is to leave your house or apartment. You’ll never meet a man if you’re just watching movies alone, waiting for him to arrive!

What’s one of the coolest ways you’ve met a guy over the summer? Tell us in the comments!

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

The guy I've been exclusively seeing for five months told me his ex is coming up for a few weeks this summer because she has a vacation home near our hometown. He says he's going to hang out with her when she comes up, but I don't feel comfortable with this situation, mainly because I just don't see the point in being friends with an ex unless there are still feelings there, and they were serious for over a year.

Do I have a right to be concerned, or am I being crazy? He claims that she has a new boyfriend and he has me so there's nothing to worry about, but I know that while she was here over spring break, she hit him up wanting to hook up with him and sneak out of her house while her boyfriend was in her bed. So clearly she still has feelings for him. I don't want to be controlling because I do respect him and I want him to do what makes him happy, I'm just having a very hard time deciding what to do. -Ex Trouble at Emory

Emory,

You’ve got to draw your boundaries. A relationship is, or should be, built on trust and understanding. On one hand, unless he’s done something previously to lose your trust, then you should trust him to hang out with someone and not screw around. On the other hand, he should understand your unease about the whole situation.

I’ll be straight with you—I’m on your side here. I’ve never thought that hanging out with an ex was a great idea unless there was a friendshipthat existed before a relationship. Sometimes friends date, break up and move on to better things — that’s fine. But at the same time, I think hanging out with your ex when you’re in a relationship with another person is kind of a crappy thing to do.

You’ve got a right to be wary, and if after communicating your feelings to him he still doesn’t (or won’t) understand your stance, then maybe you need to reexamine the relationship. Like I said, a relationship is built on trust and understanding. If one party is uneasy about something, the other party should take that into consideration.

He’s with you now, and hanging out with an ex (especially one whom he was with for that long) isn’t going to help anyone move forward. Moreover, the fact that you know she was willing to cheat on another guy to hook up with your boyfriend tells me that you have every right to be upset if he wants to see her so badly.

Show him you respect him by communicating your feelings with him; otherwise, he’s going to be equally as upset when he goes to hang out with her and you’re suddenly angry. Give him a heads-up as to how you’re feeling, and while he may not be totally understanding, if he cares at all about being with you, I think he’ll realize that hanging out with an ex is probably not the best idea.

You’re in the right, Emory, but you need to communicate with this guy. Otherwise, it’s going to get super messy. 

Nothing pairs quite as well with summer as country music, and the stars of country music were out in full force Wednesday night for the CMT Music Awards. Hosted by the beautiful Kristen Bell this year, she rocked the show solo this year and set a tone for some serious girl power and a fun night for all. If you didn't catch her hilarious opening to the awards ceremony featured on Entertainment Tonight that showed her futile attempts to get a cohost, she decided she didn't need a man to carry the show. And in her opening monologue, Bell praised the powerful and highly capable women in country music and the gorgeous ladies of country did not disappoint.

Breakthrough Video of the Year and winner of The Voice, Cassadee Pope, shared a sweet moment with her former coach, Blake Shelton, who presented the award. Carrie Underwood truly owned the night as she won the coveted award for Video of the Year. Other notable wins of the evening were couple Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert respectively taking home Male and Female Videos of the Year and Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie's with CMT Performance of the Year.

Of course the night was packed with killer performances and this year country wasn't the only genre. Jason Derulo, ZZ Top, Florida Georgia Line, and Luke Bryan rocked out to a memorable and booty droppin' mash-up of "This Is How We Roll" and "Talk Dirty." However it was Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert's amazing performance of "Something Bad," that really stole the show.

It was a fun and exciting night for all the stars of country and fans alike. Watch a recap of the 2014 CMT Music Awards here!

It was easy to work out at school—the rec center was a few blocks from your dorm and you always had a gym buddy to shake it with you at Zumba. You got familiarized with the equipment and were finally really enjoying the gym. Or at least the gym eye-candy.

Now that it’s summer, you’re back home and want to continue your workouts to keep feeling great, but a gym membership is expensive. We’ve got your solution: work out at home! Working out without a gym takes some adjusting, but it can be just as gratifying and save a lot of money.

Here are 8 forms of exercise that you don’t need to pay for to get the payoff.

1. Hiking

Group Fitness Instructor and collegiette Mallika Rajan likes to break out of the gym for an early morning hike to beat the heat.  “I try to do it everyday I'm at home,” says Mallika. The inclines will tone your thighs and butt while you snap Instagram-worthy photos of the scenery.

Don’t know where to hike? Find a great trail near you here.

2. Swimming

If you have access to a pool, swimming is a great way to work out and beat the heat. Swimming laps is great cardio—a standard crawl can burn upwards of 700 calories in an hour—and the motions give you all-over toning. If you're not confident in your strokes, many health clubs and community centers offer lessons and classes, so check out the ones in your area.

Simply doing laps of whatever strokes you’re comfortable with for 20 minutes to 1 hour is good exercise, but if you want to take it up a notch by alternating speeds to build endurance, then try some of these swim workouts.

3. Running

Who needs a treadmill when you have the great outdoors? With hills and changing scenery, you’ll burn mega cals without getting bored! You can find local trails on sites like Map My Run, allowing you to explore parts of your neighborhood you may not usually go to.

Thinking about participating in a race this year but don’t know where to start?

Summer is the perfect time to follow a training plan and ramp up your running endurance.  Beginning runners can use plans like Couch to 5K to map out workouts and track progress.

4. Dancing

If you like dance-based workouts, videos of full Zumba classes are available on Pinterest and YouTube. Video games like Just Dance or the good ol’ Dance Dance Revolution can provide a cardio-intense, hilarious workout. Grab a few friends and get the dance party started.

5. Lower Body Resistance Training Circuit

To get lower body (buns ‘n thighs) definition, repeat this circuit three times and feel the burn. 

• 10 Burpees
• 10 Lunges (per each side)
• 10 Squats
• Pulse in low squat for 30 seconds
• 10 Plié Squats
• Pulse in low plié for 30 seconds
• 1 minute wall sit

6. Textbook Arm Workout

For the weight-lifting lovers, a textbook is the perfect, free medicine ball. Instead of buying a weight set or other expensive equipment, use your schoolbooks.

This blog has come up with great “textbook” workouts that work your whole body, including elevated pushups, squat and lifts, jump up and overs, squat with torso twist, and toe-touches.

7. Abdominal Circuits

To get bikini ready in a jiffy, burn through this circuit three times per week.

• 25 normal crunches
• 25 side crunches (each side)
• 25 left knee touches (twist your torso to bring your right elbow to bent left knee)
• 25 right knee touches (twist your torso to bring your left elbow to bent right knee)
• 25 crunches with legs flat on ground
• 25 butt-lift crunches (lying on your back with legs at a 90 degree angle from your body, pulse butt upwards)
• 30-second plank

Repeat 3 times.

8. Yoga

Is your job or internship stressing you out? Practicing yoga can help you stay calm, and it can also improve your balance and flexibility. Flexibility prevents injury in other workouts, and provides long, lean muscles that look great in swimsuits or cut-offs.

Hulu, Netflix, and On Demand provide great, free yoga workouts for beginners, so get on your Lululemons, dim the lights, and start practicing.

No matter which exercise you choose (and you should definitely mix it up!) enjoy the savings from skipping the gym and the results of a good workout. With these at-home workouts, you can have your cake and eat it too.

When you’re running around in the summer heat, there’s one thing you don’t want to have to worry about: your perfectly applied makeup running down your face. Your best bet to look amazing in the summer sun? Go for a natural look with minimal makeup! HC is here with a guide of the best products to use for a natural summer glow that won’t melt away in the summer heat.

Foundation

Kendra Richards, celebrity makeup artist and creator of Heir Atelier Ultimate Make Up Prep www.HeirAtelier.com, says humidity can make it difficult to keep foundation on unless it’s waterproof. If you’re going out for a brief period of time, a light powder foundation like Laura Mercier Foundation Powder ($40 at Macy’s) is great because while it may feel like you don’t have much on, it gives full coverage.

However, if you’re looking for all-day coverage, Richards warns, “to get a foundation to last, it needs to be a bit of a serious foundation. ‘Light and long-lasting’ doesn’t really exist.” She suggests trying a heavier foundation put on sparingly, such as Lancome Teint Idole 24 hour ($45.50 at Sephora) because it’s “a long-lasting foundation that, if you apply with a makeup brush, will look most natural and blend well.”

For oily skin, try using an oil-free foundation, such as Clinique Stay-Matte Oil-Free Makeup ($23 at Stage Stores), or a tinted moisturizer with SPF, like Aveeno Positively Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30 ($17.49 at Ulta).

No matter what makeup you wear this summer, it’s important that you protect your skin from the sun. A light foundation such as Maybelline Wonder Finish Clean Powder Finish Foundation ($9.99 at Buy Me Beauty) is not only oil free, but also has SPF 15 to make sure your skin always looks great and stays healthy.

Concealer

When blemishes, dark circles or sunspots appear, concealer can be a collegiette’s best friend. While we know makeup tends to fade quickly in the summer heat, that doesn’t mean you have to give up on concealer.

“NYX makes an affordable stick concealer that is waterproof [$5]... you can use that sparingly under eyes or to cover redness or discolorations, and it will hold up better than a regular concealer,” Richards says.

Blush

While powdery blush feels light on the skin, it probably won’t last long against the sun and sweat that come with long summer days. If you want to add a pop of color to your cheeks without piling on a creamy blush, Richards recommends using a cheek tint like this one by Benefit. ($30)

Mascara

With extreme moisture in the air or hot days causing you to break a sweat, wearing mascara in the summer can feel like you’re inviting it to run down your face. To avoid this dilemma, Richards recommends using Blinc Kiss Me Mascara ($26) because “it forms tubes around the lashes and comes off easily with water and pressure, not just one or the other.” This waterproof mascara forms tiny “tubes” that bind to your lashes instead of the typical mascara that paints lashes. The tubes allow you to go through your daily summer activities with no fear of smudges, clumps or flakes.

Lip Color

Whether you’re spending your days eating at a barbeque or working long hours in the office, a heavy lipstick isn’t likely to survive. Instead of a creamy lipstick or sticky gloss, opt for a long-lasting lip stain in the summer color of your choice. Try brands such as CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain ($7.84 at drugstores) or e.l.f Studio Lip Stain ($3) for strong color that won’t fade no matter what you do this summer.

Eyeliner

You spent time perfectly defining your eyes with your favorite eyeliner, leave the house feeling your best and return only to discover that the lines that sat so perfectly on your eyes in the morning are now smudged and all over the place. We’ve all been there, but that doesn’t mean you have to be this summer!

If you love liquid eyeliner but worry that it can’t stand against the summer humidity, go for a waterproof product such as Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner ($20 at Zappos).

Don’t want to break the bank keeping your eyes perfectly defined? Try Maybelline Unstoppable Smudge-Proof Waterproof Eyeliner ($4.99 at Buy Me Beauty) for an eyeliner that stays in place all day and won’t fade in color.

Eye Shadow

With a variety of color and textures, eye shadow is a great go-to product for perfecting any look. Making it last in the summer can be tricky, but it’s definitely possible.

If you want to wear your favorite shadow this summer without worrying about it fading, use a primer such as Urban Decay Primer Potion ($12 at Sephora) to hold your shadow in place without any creasing.

If you want an eye shadow that will have lasting power on its own, try a brand with a whipped gel texture, such as e.l.f. Studio Long-Lasting Lustrous Eyeshadow ($3).

Stay gorgeous this summer, collegiettes!

For collegiettes, there’s nothing worse than feeling like you’ve really hit it off with a guy… only to have him pull away or stop speaking to you for what seems like no reason. Or perhaps you have trouble getting guys to even approach you in the first place. We talked to 10 college guys to find out what their biggest turnoffs are when it comes to girls. Check out our guide below to see if you’re turning off possible boyfriends without even realizing it.

1. “Girls that are overly emotional. If they’re clingy, have mood swings often, or [get] upset easily, I can’t handle it.”––Adam, Davidson College ‘13

Public freak-outs, blowing issues out of proportion, and crying often aren’t only red flags for guys, but they should be for you as well.

“When a girl is dissatisfied with a relationship, she's more moody. So, moodiness becomes a red flag, warning the guy that she's angry at him for something but is holding it in for now,” says Carol Lieberman, M.D., psychiatrist and author of Bad Girls: Why Men Love Them & How Good Girls Can Learn Their Secrets. “In other words, moodiness tells him to run for his life.”

If you find yourself feeling moody or emotional often in a relationship, you’re probably not that happy with it to begin with. Remember, your happiness should be your priority, and it’s important to look at your relationship in the “big picture” context, paying close attention to how it’s making you feel on a regular basis.

2. “If I don’t get the vibe that the girl is someone I could trust, I usually won’t pursue her. Trust and honesty are very important to me.”––Lawrence, Georgetown University ‘14

This one may seem obvious, but you could be giving subtle hints that you’re not trustworthy without meaning to. Do you text other guys while out on dates? Or do you have a tendency to be flirtatious with other people while you’re out, even when you’re with someone you’re interested in? While there’s nothing wrong with a little mystery and playing the field, if a relationship is what you’re after, keep in mind the overall impression a guy is getting from you during your first interactions. “A girl can inadvertently show that she’s untrustworthy by hanging too closely around exes or by how much she cares about and respects her friends and family,” says Lieberman. Although it’s boys who tend to have a bad rap when it comes to trustworthiness, collegiettes can also be just as guilty of coming off as sketchy or dishonest, even if that’s not their intention.

3. “Girls who get way too drunk on a regular basis. When I see a beautiful girl acting sloppy and ridiculous, it’s a huge turnoff and, honestly, a disappointment.”––Alex, Salisbury University ‘13

We’ve all known that one girl who can’t seem to control her alcohol consumption. While she’s great sober, once she reaches the point of no return, her “fun night out” turns into a drunken mess that often results in bad decisions and blackouts. Not only is this behavior dangerous for a number of reasons, but getting super sloppy certainly doesn’t help one’s chances with the opposite sex. Instead of having great conversations with quality guys, collegiettes who are too drunk too often just end up hanging off them and speaking incoherently—definitely not a charming way to become acquainted with someone.

Perhaps Dr. Lieberman sums up best why drinking heavily and attracting a good guy don’t mesh well: “Girls who binge drink around guys do so because they feel awkward and undesirable, but they are ultimately asking for trouble,” she says. “Guys who are attracted to girls who are drinking a lot are only out for one thing––and it's not a relationship!”

4. “I hate it when girls dumb themselves down. Smart really is sexy; that’s not just a saying.”––Ryan, University of Maryland ‘13

We know you collegiettes have beauty and brains, so make sure you’re showing the intellectual side of you off to the gentlemen in your life! Being able to carry on an intelligent conversation with someone is a lot more appealing than you may realize, and it helps show potential partners just how much you have to offer.

“When a woman ‘serves’ a man by trying to downplay her intelligence, it's a turnoff,” explains Alison Chace, creator of relationship advice site Pink Wisdom. “However, when a woman expresses her desires clearly and allows the man to serve her pleasure, it's a turn-on for a guy.”

While some gals want to avoid coming off as too serious or intimidating, we have a feeling that more guys than just Ryan are attracted to girls who prove they’re more than just a pretty face. And if a guy isn’t into your intelligence? Odds are he’s not worth being into in the first place.

5. “[The] biggest turnoff for me has to be smoking cigarettes. Maybe if it's at a party or something that's fine, can't say I haven't done that, but if you're one of those girls going out for a smoke between classes—yuck.”––Andy, San Francisco State University ’13

We hate to break it to you, collegiettes, but this is kind of a no-brainer. Not only is smoking harmful to your lungs and overall health, but it’s pretty much regarded as disgusting by the majority of the male population. Do your health (and your dating life) a favor and just don’t smoke. If you use smoking to relieve stress, try hitting the gym instead! A study completed by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America found that “aerobic exercise has been shown to decrease overall levels of tension, elevate and stabilize mood, improve sleep, and improve self-esteem.” Not to mention it’s actually beneficial to your health, unlike smoking.

6. “Appearance is important. A big turnoff is girls who wear too much makeup or don't take care of themselves.” ––Matthew, University of the Sunshine Coast ‘16

Alright, collegiettes, we know when you hit the town on Fridays and Saturdays you look amazing, but what about the rest of the week? Unfortunately, the guys you meet at the bars are also the guys on campus Monday through Friday, and sweatpants four out of five days of the week are just not a good look. We know when you’re hungover or tired from studying it’s hard to find the time to worry about your appearance, but dressing nicely on campus can give you a valuable self-esteem boost as well!

Conversely, if you find yourself going heavy on the eyeliner even before the gym or reapplying your foundation every hour on the hour, it may be time for a makeup intervention. Not only do you want to avoid coming off like you’re trying too hard, you could be wearing too much makeup because you’re not comfortable enough in your own beautiful skin, and you should be! Don’t hide behind loads of makeup; let your natural beauty show through. Looking your best starts with feeling your best, and there’s no denying that confidence has and will always be a gal’s best accessory.

7. “A girl’s gotta have class. No class, no shot.” ––Stephen, Salisbury University ‘13

There’s a reason women like Audrey Hepburn, Jackie O, and Grace Kelly are still such prevalent icons today (and we bet Ke$ha won’t be in 50 years). When a girl acts with poise and dignity, she can’t help but attract quality guys! However, in today’s world it’s difficult for classy collegiettes to hold to their standards without coming off as prudish or disinterested.

We talked to Kim Olver, author of the award-winning book Secrets of Happy Couples: Loving Yourself, Your Partner and Your Life. “The way a person dresses, the makeup she wears, table manners, and how she communicates all contribute to first impressions,” she says. “Guys will rarely turn down something easily accessible—but they may not want to be seen with you out in public afterwards.”

In other words, becoming mindful of the way you’re presenting yourself when you’re out at bars and social functions (yes, even after drinking) will help prevent potential partners from getting the wrong idea about you. Nothing wrong with a little flirting, though! “A guy has to know that there is at least a possibility of getting intimate in the future,” Olver adds.

8. “My biggest pet peeve is when a girl can’t hold her own around my friends. If she’s clinging to me the entire time or annoyed that all of my attention isn’t on her, that’s a huge red flag.”––Paul, Montgomery College ‘14

Remember that no matter how much your guy likes you, he’s probably also very invested in his relationships with his roommates, teammates, and fraternity brothers. It’s important to be independent and show him that you can have a good time while letting him do his own thing when you’re in the same social situation.

“Becoming clingy may indicate your own level of security,” Olver says. “I would recommend that when in large groups you leave your guy to talk to other people and check back in from time to time.” Along with this, she also warns against taking this too far and talking to other guys with the intention of making your man jealous. “That’s never healthy for relationships,” she says

9. “If I can’t see myself being friends with her then I definitely can’t see myself wanting to date her. I like a girl that can be herself around me and isn’t afraid to show her sense of humor.”––Chris, University of Pittsburgh ‘13

With what seems to be thousands of rules, tips, and tricks when it comes to approaching and conversing with guys, its no surprise a lot of girls freeze up for fear of doing something “wrong.” However, being yourself around guys not only keeps you from coming off as aloof or stand-offish, but shows them your true, brilliant, interesting, and hilarious self, and who would want to miss out on that? If your goal is to find a boyfriend, making sure you two are compatible in friendly conversation is the first step towards ensuring a healthy relationship.

You’ve taken your last college class, finished your internship and finally walked across the stage to accept your diploma. Now you can celebrate with all your closest friends and family, because you are officially a college graduate!

Although the journey to graduation herds seniors along a similar path, post-graduation plans aren’t always set in stone. While some lucky seniors are boasting about multiple job offers or are heading off to grad school, many graduates find themselves in an “oh crap” moment of realizing that they still have no idea what they’re doing with their lives (which is totally okay). And thanks to abundant family phone calls and dinners celebrating your graduation, the same old questions pop up over and over again, haunting you for answers you don’t have. Ignore the disapproving looks from Aunt Jane and take advantage of these tactful answers to the six most annoying questions posed about your post-graduation life!

1. “What’s your plan?”

What you should say:

 “I’m going to enjoy my summer and use this time to figure out which direction I want to take my career in.”

Good news: You’re not alone in your post-graduation joblessness. Bad news: You still don’t have a job. “It’s a nosy question that assumes you should have it all figured out in your early 20s,” says college alumna Kayla.

These are your last moments as a young adult without any life-changing obligations or important career choices. Live it up! Travel with your friends, volunteer abroad, take an internship or just chill, and then designate a time during the day that you’ll devote to the job hunt.

2. “When are you two getting married?”

What you should say:

“We’re only 22 years old and are just enjoying being together and living in the present,” suggests University of Iowa alumna Colie Lumbreras.

Getting married is a huge decision, and if you’re not ready for it, don’t let your family pressure you. People love an excuse to dress up, drink champagne and eat cake. Plus, the grandparents want little grandchildren to bake cookies and knit sweaters for. Remind them that when it happens, it’ll happen, and you will definitely send a wedding invitation their way when it does.

3. “Are you thinking about grad school?”

What you should say:

“Grad school is not currently in my plan. I’m focusing on finding a job, but I would still consider furthering my education.”

You would think that after spending a gazillion dollars on a college degree, people would commend the option to start making money instead of spending it on more school. If you’re not thinking of going back to the books just yet (or ever), acknowledge that grad school is a realistic option, but also emphasize that you are working on standing on your own two feet before going for a higher degree.

4. “Why are you working there? Is that what you went to school for?”

What you should say:

“I’m working toward where I want to be, even though circumstances don’t allow me to take the traditional route,” suggests Kenyatta Giddings, an alumna from the University of Texas at Austin.

So you’re working as a barista instead of at your dream company. Good for you to have a job to begin with! Even if your current job title doesn’t reflect it, tell the people who ask what kind of career you hope to have. You never know where it will lead!

Although she hated it, Bustle writer Erin Mayer says she’s glad that she worked in retail after graduating because it taught her that nothing lasts forever, including having not-so-great jobs. “If I hadn't spent those months biding my time in a retail position, I wouldn't have come across the internship that allowed me to pursue my passion for a living,” she says.

It may suck, but it’s steady money, there’s room for growth and the customer service skills you acquire will help your resume and serve you well in the future!

5. “Why are you moving back home?”

What you should say:  

“I’m moving back in to save up money for an eventual move and get secure within my job industry before taking the next step on my own.”

So what if you move back home? Yeah, you might have to deal with pesky siblings, nosy parents and little privacy, but it saves you a ton of money and helps you get a solid footing before moving out on your own. Plus, you still get mom’s good ole home cooking, family vacations and free laundry. Emphasize these perks and explain that being around the people you love is the best environment to foster your making the next big decision in your life.

6. “Are you ready for the real world?”

What you should say:

“I can’t wait to see what the next chapter in my life has to offer!”

It’s impossible to be 100 percent ready for life after college. Suddenly your closet consists of blazers, button-downs and slacks instead of cute tank tops and jean shorts; you go out to eat at fancy restaurants instead of eating cereal for dinner and you stay home on Thursday nights cause you’re too tired from a full day at work. Growing up happens! You may not feel totally ready, but you can still take on the next step with excitement.

Remember to take every question thrown at you as an opportunity to challenge yourself and prove that what you learned in your four years at college was worth it. Answer with pride and respect (and maybe throw in a little hair flip, too). 

Our playground days of PB&Js may be long gone, but sandwiches are still the perfect lunch to pack in your bag or briefcase. After all, what other food is so filling, portable, delicious and easy? Here are some grown-up versions to take to your internship or job this summer. Don’t worry, anything that will make your coworkers gag — like tuna fish sandwiches — is not on the menu.

1. Greek Salad Pita Pockets

While we can’t give you a Greek getaway (or a Greek guy…), here’s a Mediterranean-inspired dish that will hit all of your food groups. You'll get whole grains from the pita pocket, healthy fats from the Kalamata olives and olive oil, calcium and protein from the feta cheese and tons of veggie goodness.

Recipe adapted from Food.com

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon chopped Kalamata olives
• Squirt of lemon juice
• 1 cup greens of your choice (try spinach or romaine)
• Handful of diced red onion
• 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
• 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1 whole-wheat pita pocket

Directions

1. In a bowl, whisk together the first three ingredients.
2. Add the next four ingredients and toss to combine.
3. Put the mixture in a small container and pack your pita in a plastic baggie.
4. Once at work, fill the pockets with the salad.

2. Peanut Butter and Fruit Sushi

While we love the taste of sushi, the fishy breath you get afterwards? Not so much. Traditional sushi can also be loaded with sodium, mayonnaise-based sauces and nutrient-stripped white rice. Not only is this recipe full of protein, whole grains and fruit, but it's adorable as well! If you're missing some of the ingredients or you feel like experimenting, this would also be delicious with peaches, mango, blueberries and/or nuts.

Recipe adapted from The Kitchn

Ingredients

• 2 slices whole-wheat bread
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter
• 1 chopped apple or banana
• 1 tablespoon raisins
• Dash of cinnamon (optional)

Directions

1. Spread a tablespoon of peanut butter on each slice of bread, making sure the bread is completely covered.
2. Add your desired fillings horizontally to the bottom third of each slice.
3. Roll from the bottom of the bread up.
4. Slice into 5 or 6 pieces and pop into a plastic container.

3. Turkey, Brie and Apple Croissant

This gourmet sandwich is a delicious fusion of sweet and salty. Plus, it's incredibly easy to put together, and when you only have five minutes between curling your hair and swigging down coffee in the morning, every second counts. If you’re vegetarian, this would be equally good sans the turkey — just substitute some fresh pear slices. Because the croissant and brie make it a bit decadent, choose a relatively light side dish, like baby carrots.

Recipe adapted from FITNESS Magazine

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• ½ tablespoon honey
• 3 slices deli turkey
• 2 ounces Brie cheese (or cheddar or Havarti)
• ¼ green apple, thinly sliced
• 1 croissant, halved

Directions

1. In a small bowl, mix together the mustard and honey.
2. Apply a thin layer of the spread to both pieces of the croissant.
3. Layer the turkey, the Brie and the apple slices on the bottom croissant half.

4. Hawaiian English Muffin

Remember when your mother used to make you pizza English muffins with watery tomato sauce and greasy pepperoni slices? Well, sorry Mom, but our taste buds have gotten a bit more sophisticated since then. The protein in the ham and cheese will give you enough energy to power through the second half of your workday, while the fiber from the English muffin will keep you full and prevent over-snacking in the afternoon.

Recipe adapted from Parenting.com

Ingredients

• 2-3 slices deli ham
• 1/3 cup diced pineapple
• 1 slice mozzarella cheese
• 1 tablespoon teriyaki sauce
• 1 whole-wheat English muffin

Directions

1. Halve the English muffin and top one side with the ham, the pineapple and the cheese.
2. Drizzle the teriyaki sauce on top.
3. Top with the other side of the muffin.

5. Veggie Burger Collard Wrap

The great thing about this wrap is that it’s vegan and vegetarian friendly! This recipe is also full of good-for-you ingredients: hummus, which helps lower your cholesterol; avocado, which has lots of healthy fats and tomato and collard greens, which both contain many essential nutrients. Make sure you choose an unprocessed veggie burger made primarily of grains and/or legumes.

Recipe adapted from Eating Bird Food

Ingredients

• 1 collard green leaf (or a butter lettuce leaf if you don’t have collard)
• 1 veggie burger
• 1 tablespoon hummus
• ¼ an avocado, sliced
• Diced tomatoes

Directions

1. Place the leaf on a flat surface.
2. Using a knife, shave down the thick vertical stem until it’s approximately the same thickness as the rest of the leaf.
3. Spread the hummus over the leaf.
4. Add the rest of the ingredients and wrap up like a burrito.

Even if you’re no Top Chef, you’ll have no problem quickly putting together these nutritious and tasty sandwiches. Bonus: you won’t get afternoon regret from falling prey to the vending machine’s temptations. Bon appétit! 

You snagged a remote internship, meaning that you get to work from home and spend your entire summer with family and friends! But as fun as that sounds, you still need to work and complete all your intern responsibilities… with all the distractions at home.

When you have a remote internship, how can you stay focused and make sure you’re getting things done? We’ve got five easy ways to do so for you!

1. Plan out and stick to a work schedule

To fight all the distractions that can take you away from work at home, come up with a work schedule to stay organized! Lay out all your responsibilities for the day or week, and then map out time blocks that you’ll use to complete each. That way, you’ll stay on track and fight the temptation to be unproductive, which happens a lot with remote internships.

“I set out a work schedule every week and a daily quota based on that schedule. This helped me reach my content goals every week and kept me on track,” says Megan Fink, a senior at Southern Mississippi University. “To make a remote internship work, you've got to be naturally task-oriented and organized. No one is holding your hand anymore.”

If you do find yourself straying away from your schedule, you may need to alter your agenda a bit or create an incentive for you to get back on track. For example, you can extend your lunch break in your schedule so you can recharge more, or you can let yourself chat with friends for a half hour, but only after you finish a large task. There are many ways to keep yourself to a schedule, so think of ways that will work for you!

2. Get rid of any distractions

At a normal internship, you’d put away all your music, stay away from social media during work hours and make sure you weren’t watching any shows or surfing the web except for work purposes. But when you’re working from home, having no supervisor to watch over you could make you feel like you can get away with doing all those things. While you can definitely keep Facebook open and the TV on without anyone knowing, you need to be sure that you won’t get distracted, which means taking away anything that can detract from your productivity!

Some suggestions, according to Lesley Mitler, founder of career counseling service Priority Candidates, Inc., include shutting off the TV and your access to any websites that normally hurt how productive you are. This also means turning off chat programs!

3. Check in with your supervisor regularly

A good way to stay on track is to check in with yoursupervisor regularly, just as you would with a regular internship. Constant communication with your supervisor is a great motivator since you’ll not only need to let him or her know how much work you’ve completed, but it’s also a way to get you more tasks that will keep you focused.

“I asked to Skype or Google Hangout with multiple members of the team… even though I couldn't physically go to work all day,” says Wesleyan sophomore Lily Herman. “It does take a lot of your own personal initiative. However, I've found that the more I've asked for, the more I've received, and I've had a totally enriching and fulfilling experience!”

Establishing this level of communication with your supervisor is also essential in a remote internship since you’ll have less of a chance to build connections with everyone at your office. This way, you get to really cement your work relationships even while working from home.

“It really depends on the internship, but I think you can get a lot more experience if you just ask for things,” Lily says. “I've taken on more projects and happily offered to work on some other pieces that weren't originally assigned to me so I had more of a chance to interact with the company.”

4. Dress business casual

Part of feeling like you’re at an office is dressing like you’re at an office, and the same goes when you’re interning at home. Putting on a hoodie instead of a button-down could take away the edge you feel while at work, so you want to avoid wearing outfits that are too casual. You need to dress sharp to work sharp!

“I would always put on a nicer outfit like I was actually going somewhere and do my hair and makeup. You never know when your boss might want to Skype,” says Ohio State junior Aurora Stromberg.

So when you wake up in the morning, put on a blouse instead of a T-shirt, a pencil skirt or dress pants instead of your jeans and brush your hair instead of leaving it all disheveled. You’ll feel a lot more professional and ready to work that way!

5. Change up where you work

Working at home can get tedious, which can make your productivity drop. Home is great, but being cooped up in your own house for too long can bore you, and next thing you know you’ll be giving in to the all the distractions you’ve been trying to avoid.

If that starts becoming the case, pack your bags and go find another location that you can count on to keep you working harder. This can be your local café, a library or another study space that’s fairly quiet and doesn’t have too many distractions. That’s one great thing about remote internships: you’re not cooped up in the same office all day!

6. In the end, act like you have an on-site internship

Remote internships should be treated and approached the same way as regular internships, and all the tips and suggestions we just gave will help you do just that. Your main motivation should still be to build connections and impress your supervisor just as you would with an on-site internship. This means that you need to find ways to imitate an office work environment, which involves making sure that you stay focused and organized and acting as you would if your supervisor was nearby.

“Staying focused is difficult, as is any online course or job, but I think the biggest thing to remember is that no matter where you do your internship, you're getting incredible experience,” says Laura Bauman, a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. “So when you have a really difficult task or project to push through, think of how you might do it in an ‘on-location’ setting, and remember that even though it's difficult, it's so worth it!”

Summer "vacation," for many ambitious collegiettes, is just an excuse to intern or work and, inevitably, to store up some serious stress.  Whether it's a date with the city or a week on a beach, here are 50 reasons why you—yes you, with the unstoppable resume and the less-than-adorable bags under your eyes—deserve a little summer vacation.

1. It's one of your last.

2. You survived finals.

3. You have your whole life to work long hours.

4. The dark circles under your eyes are begging you to sleep.

5. The complete series of Sex and the City is just WAITING to be watched…in full...again...

6. You could use another crazy summer story.

7. Your friends are going!

8. You can catch up on your summer reading.

9. You don't want your piggy bank to overflow and break, so you should probably spend some money on a trip.

10. You’re not going to look cute in a bikini forever!

11. Even your favorite TV shows are taking a summer hiatus.

12. You'll feel stupid returning to campus without a classic summer story.

13. Vitamin D is good for your health.

14. That sundress that's just too short to wear to work needs to make a public appearance before the end of the season.

15. You put up with the loud guys next door all year.

16. You'll come back to your job rejuvenated and ready to work even harder!

17. You could run into a celebrity.

18. Sand exfoliates your skin.

19. You just spent 6 months in a library.

20. Stress is a silent killer.  Or, at the very least, it will lead to wrinkles.

21. You deserve time to cook more than oatmeal for dinner.

22. You need a new picture of your girlfriends to frame, and it's not going to take itself.

23. You'll be able to write witty Facebook statuses about sleeping in and laying by the pool that will make all of your friends jealous.

24, You can't spend a whole summer without working on your beachy glow.

25. You need an excuse to wear your cute sunglasses (or, if you're really cool, that amazing hat you bought and haven't worn).

26. Cheap bus fares and airlines specials don’t let you play the "It's too expensive!" card.

27. You deserve quality time with some people that you love. 

28. Imagine a weekend without your Blackberry or iPhone... in a good way...

29. Your boss is taking one! 

30. Eating lunch outside does not count as sufficiently enjoying the beautiful weather.

31. Renting bikes and walking to the pool burns calories!--you’re taking a vacation for your health!

32. Ice cream. Period.

33. You still have half a bottle of unused sunscreen.

34. Waves crashing—just picture it. 

35. You could enter into a steamy summer romance.

36. You don’t want to feel left out when everyone else is comparing weird flip-flop, sock and sunglasses tans.

37. Your cubicle needs a vacation, too. 

38. Staring at a computer all day is bad for your eyes.

39. Summer movies are the best.

40. Taking a vacation is an excuse to go vacation shopping.

41. “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.”-Mark Twain. Try to argue with that.  

42. Bathing suit styles are actually cute this season.

43. Your roommate will love you for giving her the place for the weekend.

44. You might be able to cross an adventure off your Bucket List.

45. A vacation will look good on your resume. (That’s not true, but it got your attention, Ms. Workaholic!)

46. I’m sure that your parents, grandparents, or third cousins twice removed would love a visit, if the five-star Italian villa falls through.

47. Picnics prevent heart disease.  (That’s my theory, at least.)

48. Remember what it felt like to nap?!

49. You know you need a vacation when even your social life has become a job.

50. You’ve always wanted to write an auto-reply “out of the office” email.

And a bonus reason... You deserve it.  And you’ll thank us on Monday!

From killer sunburns to sometimes resembling a vampire, the life of a fair-skinned girl isn't easy. Here are the 11 worst things about being naturally pale.

1. Being mistaken for a Twilight cast member.

2. Going to the beach feels more like a war with the sun than a vacation. 

3. Listening to your friends go on about how they can't wait to tan this summer and being like, 

4. You've tried every self-tanner on the market and have been unable to find one that doesn't make you look like an Oompa Loompa.

5. When you blush, everybody knows it and proceeds to call you on it... which only makes you blush harder.

6. Wearing 100+ SPF sunscreen (yes, it exists) and STILL getting burned.

7. Working out turns you so red and blotchy that people actually ask if you're okay.

8. Bikini-shopping as a pale girl? 100 times worse.

9. Trying to take a selfie with the flash on, only to look like you have no face.

10. Wearing dark lipstick - expectation:

11. Reality: 

10 things you didn’t know about ‘N Sync [Your Tango]

Life after college: expectations vs. reality. [The Politesse]

28 lessons Disney sidekicks taught us about friendship. [TresSugar]

What I learned when I gave up alcohol. [The Greatist]

Is‘comfort food’ just a myth? [Newser]

Amazing time lapses from around the world. [BuzzFeed]

The extremes people go through to quickly pay off student debt. [The Huffington Post]

Could you imagine going13 years without missing a day of school? [USA Today College]

10 people who were ahead of the curve. [Thought Catalog]

How to handle embarrassing social media posts. [Betches Love This]

One of the perks of studying abroad, aside from having the opportunity to live in a foreign country, is having the freedom to be able to travel.  Some of my favorite memories from my past semester in London have been of exploring new cities—from Copenhagen, to Prague, to Dublin, to Amsterdam, to Paris, I’ve fallen in love with each of the cities that I’ve visited.  As exciting as traveling may be, though, you can only truly appreciate a new environment if you feel safe in it. 

Preparation for travel is crucial to ensuring a safe and stress-free (or, at least, stress-reduced) trip.  Before you go anywhere, follow these steps and take note of these suggestions to make sure that you’re fully informed about your destination and prepared for whatever circumstances may arise:

What to Consider When Booking a Hostel

Read reviews of your accommodation before booking:  If you’re a student, then chances are that you’ll be staying in a hostel.  Don’t underestimate this timeless rule:  you get what you pay for.  When it comes to hostels, this rule couldn’t be more accurate.  I’m a huge proponent of Hostel World; its rating system is reliable and the comments are invaluable.  A couple months ago, I didn’t take the comments about a hostel in Copenhagen seriously enough, and ended up on the same street as several prostitutes and drug dealers—this is a safety DON’T.

Be wary of hostel cleanliness:  When reading reviews, steer clear of any hostels that have had reports of bedbugs or any sort of rodent or insect problems. Only book hostels with high sanitation ratings.  Even if they do have high sanitation ratings, though, hostels aren’t hotels, so their standards of cleanliness are much lower. A couple of my fellow abroad-ees got nasty cases of scabies in Venice from their accommodation.  Do yourself a favor:  bring flip-flops, a towel, a pillowcase, and even a sleep-sheet (basically just two sheets sewn together like a sleeping bag).  Emily, a junior at WashU, studied abroad in London and highly recommends investing in a sleep-sheet: “After I purchased my sleep-sheet—also known as my sleep cocoon—I slept much better in those $10 hostels.”  It may seem like an unnecessary cost, but a few pro-sanitation investments really go a long way when you’re staying in a hostel—you’ll thank yourself when you come home scabies-free. And lots of hostels will charge you for towels, a locker, even sheets and a blanket, so it saves money too!

Make note of the hostel’s operating hours:  Like I said before, hostels aren’t hotels.  This simple yet significant fact applies to the operating hours of the hostel as well as to its cleanliness.  Hostels often do not have a reception desk or a concierge, meaning that—you guessed it—they aren’t open 24/7.  There are a couple exceptions out there, as some hotels have their own hostels that are actually part of the same building, but it’s safer to assume that your hostel has limited operating hours and to not only find out what they are beforehand, but also to make sure that your flight or bus arrival and departure coincide with them.  Sarah, a student at Boston College, studied abroad in Aix (in the South of France) this past semester, and is unfortunately all too familiar with being unaware of operating hours: “Always check in with your hostel about their hours.  We got back at 5:00 am after being out in Norway and our hostel was closed.  We had our room-key but were locked out of the actual hostel.  We ended up freezing outside until they finally let us in at 8:30 am.”  Sarah was lucky that the temperature was her only discomfort; depending on the hostel’s location, her safety could have been jeopardized.  To avoid any sort of discomfort, simply make note of the hours before your trip begins. 

What to Bring with You & How to Plan for Your Travels

Make photocopies of your important documents:  The State Department has a useful website on safe travel for study abroad students that’s definitely worth taking a look at before you take off on your adventures.  One of the most important pieces of advice that the website offers regards making copies of important documents: “Leave a copy of your passport identification page, airline tickets, driver's license, the credit cards you're taking, serial numbers of your travelers' checks, insurance information, as well as the addresses and phone numbers of the places you'll be,” the site explains.  Making these photocopies is not the only crucial step you need to take to ensure that you have all of your bases covered, though—you also have to make sure that your family and friends have copies in case of an emergency. Make enough copies so that you, too, can have copies with you on your travels.  Remember:  keep the photocopies separate from the originals, so that if you lose your bag or have any of the originals stolen you’ll have something to fall back on.

Familiarize yourself with the local customs and laws of your destination: Nothing is worse than embodying the stereotype of the ignorant American by offending the locals.  Observing local customs can be just as crucial as local laws in terms of safety.  The State Department makes note of how crucial law and custom consideration is in their study abroad travel advice for women: “In some countries, wearing the wrong clothes can get you arrested or lead to a dangerous situation.  What you think is casual may actually be considered provocative or unacceptable in other cultures.  Know before you go, and pack accordingly… Stay away from anything too revealing or tight.  Don't wear excessive makeup, and keep jewelry to a minimum to avoid attracting attention.  Any fashion statement you DO make should show consideration for the country you are visiting.”  Although it may be hard to leave that brand new mini dress at home, looking your best should fall second to staying safe.  Make sure to research the customs of the country you’re visiting before you decide what to pack.

If traveling to a non-English speaking country, look up important phrases beforehand:  Many major cities, especially in Europe, are filled with English-speakers, but relying on this will make you extremely vulnerable if you find yourself in a situation where you are unable to communicate with people.  Sarah dealt with language barriers while in France: “If you don’t know the language, don’t assume people understand English.  Bring a mini dictionary or look up a list of essential phrases before you go and keep that on you at all times.”  If you don’t have a mini dictionary, I recommend HowtoSayin for basic translations of common phrases.  Like Sarah suggests, it’s important to keep a list of these phrases with you at all times so that you’ll be much better equipped to communicate with natives.

Make a trip itinerary:  Yes, I’ve gotten made fun of for being uptight by doing this, but I’ve never once regretted it.  Creating an itinerary allows you to think through each step of your trip, even details as apparently minute as how you’re going to get from your apartment to the local airport.  Although these details may seem unnecessary—they are so much less fun to plan than sightseeing—these are the details that will cause you the most trouble.  Amanda First, a Cornell grad, has a friend who didn’t think to look up buses from the airport in Paris beforehand and ended up having to pay 140 euro for a cab to her accommodation.  It will save you both time and money if you give yourself enough time to plan out the details before you leave.  Try TripIt, which allows you to create an online, printable itinerary, complete with daily weather forecasts and maps of each of your locations. 

How to Stay Safe While You’re There

Pick up city and public transportation maps from your destination’s airport or train station: Although you should already know how you’re getting from the airport or station to your accommodation beforehand, you should also pick up maps as soon as you arrive.  Even though I try to plan out every detail of my trips in advance, I can’t tell you how many times while traveling I find myself checking maps or rechecking a transportation route.  There’s no harm in being over-prepared, and being aware of your surroundings allows you to be in control.  It may be your responsibility to prepare for your transportation ahead of time, but you should also accept that there are some situations that might require you to unexpectedly splurge on a cab, especially if you are feeling unsafe while walking.  Elyse advises, “It’s always better to spend the extra money for a cab if you feel unsafe at night or are alone.”  It’s worth sacrificing a fancy dinner or a few souvenirs to feel comfortable and stay safe. 

Take out money in the local currency as soon as possible:  Your first opportunity to do this will probably be when you land at your destination’s airport.  Take out as much as you think you’ll need while you’re on your trip right away.  If your credit card is stolen or lost while you’re there, you need to make sure that you still have enough money with you to cover your expenses (also, taking out a lot of cash at once saves you from having to pay multiple ATM fees as well as allowing you to avoid foreign credit card fees).

Beware of Pickpockets:  Laura, a collegiette from WashU, was in Greece last summer and had this story to share about her pickpocket catastrophe:  “On my first day [in Greece]…I noticed I didn't have my wallet. That's when I realized there was a giant knife gash on the side of my purse. Without me feeling anything…someone had cut a hole and reached in my purse for my wallet.”  To save you from being a victim of pickpockets, Laura suggests, “[W]ear a leather purse that you can wear across your body…It will be much harder to cut through…[and] keep money in a side pocket in your purse. A bulky wallet is an easy target…[T]hese people pickpocket for a living so they are amazingly good at it. I promise you, you won’t feel a thing!”  A cross body bag or leather purse will definitely help, but the best way to keep your money and important documents away from pickpockets is a money pouch, which sits against your body, under your clothing, and out of sight from pickpockets!

Keep all crucial contact information on your body at all times:  Write down the local emergency phone number (911 only works in the U.S.!), your accommodation’s address and phone number, and anything else that might be pertinent in an emergency situation.  Make sure that your family and friends have a way to reach you and that you have a way to reach them, and, especially if you’re traveling alone, be sure to communicate with them as much as you can so that they know where you are and that you’re safe. 

The most important thing to keep in mind is that you’re not just taking a fun trip with your friends—you’re also entering into a foreign country.  You can’t expect to be able to simply show up and figure things out from there—if you do, you could unknowingly put yourself and whomever else you’re traveling with in unpredictable, dangerous, or even life-threatening situations.  Attackers rely on their victims’ vulnerability and ignorance leads to vulnerability.  Educate yourself, be aware of your surroundings, and come prepared; this way, once you arrive, you’ll be able to focus on enjoying the vacation that you undoubtedly deserve! 

Sources:

http://studentsabroad.state.gov/index.php
http://studentsabroad.state.gov/smarttravel/packing.php
http://studentsabroad.state.gov/smarttravel/forwomentravelers.php
www.hostelworld.com
www.howtosayin.com
www.tripit.com
College women from across the country 

College gyms are full of lots of different characters, from the fitness enthusiast to the grunting frat bro. Check out these 11 people that you'll probably see during your next workout!

1. The weight-lifting frat bro

This muscular, frat tank-wearing bro can be seen preening in the weight room and making loud, caveman-like grunting noises to make sure that everyone notices how much weight he can lift. 

2. The girl who doesn't actually work out

Her perfectly coordinated outfit and fully made-up face make it pretty clear that she's more interested in catching the attention of a weight-lifting bro than working up a sweat. 

3. The competitive racer.

While you're doing your thing on the treadmill, it becomes apparent that this person next to you feels the need to run in a full-out sprint to prove his or her athletic prowess. You weren't judging before, but you definitely are now.

4. The girl who looks better than you do

She has a perfect body, wears cute workout clothes and makes you feel like a sweaty hippo by comparison. 

5. The Zumba enthusiast

If this person isn't currently Zumba-ing the day away, they're excitedly telling you about how Zumba "like, totally changed my life." 

6. The person who listens to music at full volume

Sorry, but the last thing we want to hear while working out is the sound of someone else's power metal blasting from his headphones. 

7. The person taking gym selfies

If you don't take a selfie at the gym and post it on every social network, did you really go to the gym? 

8. The person who doesn't know how to use the machines.

Please do us all a favor and STEP AWAY FROM THE ELLIPTICAL. 

9. The Kanye West

This person's sole purpose in going to the gym is to spend hours gazing at his or her own reflection in the mirror because he or she is really, really ridiculously good-looking.

10. The yoga guy

Right, we're sure you're taking a class full of girls in yoga pants because you want to "find your inner peace." 

11. The overly sweaty guy

If you don't bring a towel to clean up after this guy uses the bike, you'll be in for a wet (and entirely unpleasant) surprise. Lovely.

It’s a story as old as higher education. I was nubile, nineteen, innocent (sort of), still plagued by the hangover insecurities of adolescence, five feet and five inches. It was the May of my sophomore year of college, and I had developed a friendship with one of the graduate students who lived in my dorm as an academic advisor and quasi-authority figure. We became friends because we both were forced to take lunch at 11:30 due to afternoon classes and shared vaguely similar academic interests. He eventually friended me on Facebook, which I thought was a little strange, but brushed off because I assumed he was gay due to his plethora of vibrant, floral shirts and the gulf of a decade that separated us in age. He soon messaged me, saying I should come to a sushi and sake study break he was throwing in his room for the undergraduates in his entryway.

This invitation gave me a bit more pause. There are strict rules in force governing interactions with the RAs—they are not supposed to serve alcohol to underage students, and they’re certainly not allowed to boink their charges. If the latter happens, they’re expelled from the dorm within twenty-four hours and receive a mark on their records—so he wasn’t trying to seduce me, I reasoned. Since I—especially as a nineteen-year-old—never turned down an offer for sake on a school night, I happily accepted the invitation and went to his room the next night.

There, it was a study break typical of many of the ones I had attended in my own entryway, except everyone was a senior and boozed up.  I grabbed some sushi and a cup, mingling for a bit. The RA joined me on his couch to chat, while constantly, constantly refilling my cup. The party started to dwindle, and I made to go, but he suggested that another student and I join him in his study to view some art.

With the other student studying the painting, the RA started to snake his arm up my shirt and around my midriff, all while pontificating on the origins and meaning of the work. I immediately bee-lined for the restroom, wasted, and faced my reflection in the mirror, slurring to myself, “If you stay, you will get naked. If you stay, you will get naked.” I reemerged, the other student had left, I stayed, our clothes were torn off, we made out on the couch, he carried me to his bed, we touched each other; I decided in my consensual yet drunken haze that sex was a bad idea, and he complied.

I returned to my dorm room on cloud nine—drunk on sake and proud that I had finally caught the unicorn of undergraduates: I’d gotten naked with an RA. I spilled all to my roommates, who did not react the way I had imagined. Instead of incredulity and high-fives, I received incredulity, disgust, worry, and judgment (directed mostly at the RA, but a little saved for me). They also essentially forbade me from seeing him alone again.

There was a catch in that plan, as I had left my favorite necklace in his room amid the flurry of undressing. He texted the next day to suggest a return of the necklace over a drink at a bar—one that was too fancy to be swarming with undergrads to spot us. I agreed, and met him there, only to be turned down due to being nineteen. We returned to his room to chat—a trek full of espionage and fire stairs to remain unseen—and I noticed a slew of text messages from my roommates. He was explaining the finer points of necessary discretion in this affair when his phone began to buzz. Evidently my roommates, in a bout of motherly, well-intentioned over-protection, had tracked down his cell number, demanded to know where I was, and harangued him for being ‘creepy’ and in violation of his academic authority. Apologizing profusely, I fled his room to be met with the greatest shout-down of my life, where my roommates insisted that I must be an idiot (perhaps correctly) for putting his and my academic careers at risk. Understandably, I never returned to his room after that humiliation, and as he graduated that year and took a post-doc in a different city, I assumed I’d never see him again.

Fast-forward to my senior year, when I received a Facebook message from him stating that he’d received a job as a professor and lived down the street from the dorm we used to share. He asked me to meet him for a drink—at this point I was finally twenty-one, newly single, and in desperate need of a distraction from the Great Job Hunt. I met him that Friday at an out-of-the-way bar, where we consumed a multitude of Dark and Stormys before returning to his apartment. Sitting in his well-furnished place, drinking port and listening to some Nat King Cole, I felt like a f*cking grown-up and again full of hubris. He pushed me up against the wall, took of my clothes, and banged me all over his apartment. I stayed over, happy to not be sleeping in a twin extra-long, and he took me out to breakfast the next morning, happy to be sleeping with someone who showed a little more class the next day than your typical frat bro.

The affair continued until graduation in much the same fashion: out-of-the-way bars, fun nights over, breakfasts at cafés. This time around I went without telling my roommates, instead only confiding in a couple discreet girlfriends and using an elaborate system of code. There were never any romantic feelings, but he was an intelligent and amusing conversationalist—and we continue to catch up whenever he comes through my new city. In fact, we grabbed drinks (just drinks) last night.

Summer is the time to kick back and relax. It’s the time to go on vacation, the time to meet a summer fling, and the time to soak up the sun. There’s probably only one thing better than the season itself—and that’s spending summer abroad. Unfortunately, the costs of studying abroad over the summer can add up fast. HC’s tips will help you make the most of your money and have the best summer of your life… without spending your entire bank account.

1. Check for discounts at monuments and museums

Research monuments and museums to determine what you want to see most and which offer discounts to determine which are worth paying for. Some famous sites you just have to see no matter the cost, but for other monuments, it may be better to just take some selfies outside and avoid the high costs of actually going inside.

In any event, always, always, always flash your student ID and ask if there is a student discount, because many museums and monuments offer student discounts even when they don’t advertise them. Your student ID will get you discount entry to the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, the Sainte Chapelle in Paris, and the Tower of London, to name a few.

For attractions that don’t offer student discounts, there are also some that offer cheaper prices if you brave the stairs instead of taking the elevator—try this when visiting the Eiffel Tower or the Duomo in Milan (you’ll save about 5 euros for each). Just be sure to take it slow and bring a water bottle so you don’t get dehydrated while climbing in the blazing summer heat.

Other attractions offer discounts to the public on certain days or at certain times. For example, the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums offer free entrance on the last Sunday of every month before 12:30 p.m., and The Louvre offers free entry on the first Sunday of every month. If you visit the Palace of Versailles after 4 p.m., you’ll pay 6 euros instead of 15.

2. Walk it out

Walking is free (plus, it saves you a trip to the gym!) and there’s no better time than the summer to be outside. Since you’re in a new country, figuring out how to walk places early on will give you a better feel of where you are living. “Whenever [it was] easy and quick, I preferred to walk from place to place, not just to save money but to see more of the cities,” says Julie Schecter, a collegiette from Boston University who studied abroad in Madrid. “Walking from place to place was also great way to see things you normally would not while on public transportation.”

Walking saves you from spending money on transportation passes, which could save you hundreds of pounds a month on a student rail pass in London (depending on the zones you’re traveling in) or 35 euros a month on a transit pass in Madrid.

3. Cook your own meals

It’s no secret that shopping at grocery stores and cooking your own meals is cheaper than eating at restaurants every time, and it still holds true while you are abroad. In the summer it should be fairly easy to get fresh produce from markets or local vendors to cook with. Since you’re in a new country, consider incorporating your country’s traditional foods into your diet and trying to cook the local cuisine.

Jill Hogan, a recent grad of Boston University who studied abroad in London, says how she approached buying food abroad was slightly different than buying food in the US. Because she lived in a homestay that provided her with meals, Julie cooked only when traveling. “I would also make sandwiches for lunch with my purchases from the grocery stores,” she says. “It was easy to make the sandwiches in the morning and then take a quick break in the day to eat.” You can save money when traveling simply by not eating out for breakfast and lunch—and besides, nothing says summer more than a picnic lunch, especially if you are at a beach or a famous park!

Making your own meals and splurging for a few great dinners can be the perfect balance. Michelle Ortega, a student from Boston University who studied abroad in London, watched her budget on most meals, but splurged on occasion. “On each trip… I did go to one nicer and more expensive restaurant to have that experience as well,” she says. “I planned on that expense when planning for each trip.” Using sites like TripAdvisor and Yelp can help you find cheap yet delicious spots to eat.

4. Don’t drink away your bank account

It’s all fun and games until you’ve spent 50 euros on sangria in Barcelona. When you’re abroad, the casual drinks—a mojito on the beach, a sophisticated glass of French wine for dinner, and a Guinness at a pub—can cause major damage to your bank account when repeated multiple times a week throughout the summer. To cut down on costs, avoid buying a few drinks throughout the day just because. “Some nights a pint will do it, and at any rate, you don't want to be hungover all weekend when there is so much to explore and so little time,” advises Jill. She suggests that the best way to save money is by looking for local places that offer deals. “Stay away from the tourist hubs, like Picadilly Circus [in London], as much as possible. We found better deals and cooler people in local areas,” she says. “Some places have college nights with deals; some clubs have promotions.”

Often, going out on off nights like Mondays and Tuesdays can score you the cheapest deals. Off nights may be busier in the summer than during the regular school year because more people are traveling, relaxing, and simply trying to have a good time, so you and your friends won’t be the only ones in the bar having a great time! In Madrid, on many Wednesdays Gabana and Orange Café  offer free admission and drinks early in the night, yet can cost well over 10 euros on other nights. Similarly, Madrid’s seven-floor mega club Kapital can regularly charge a 15-euro cover, so it’s best to go on Thursdays before 1:30 a.m. and find a promoter (they swarm the streets around Kapital and are likely find you before you find them) who will give you a coupon to get in for free. You can often find these promotions on club websites, Facebook events or simply by asking around. “Learning where to go when for the best deals is sort of trial and error. Get recommendations from your local friends or people you meet out and about,” says Jill.

5. Book travel tickets in advance

It’s important to plan trips in advance because prices tend to spike the closer it gets to the departure date. Michelle planned ahead and booked her trips around ticket prices, which allowed her to pick the cheapest deals. “I was able to find cheap train tickets and flights on major airlines so long as I was flexible with when I wanted to visit cities,” says Michelle. When planning a trip, it’s important to research prices for every mode of transportation in order to find the best deals. You may be surprised to find cheaper flights than buses! Here are a few tips for getting the most bang for your buck out of each travel option:

Airplanes: If you’re traveling in Europe, chances are you’ll get to know the infamous Ryanair, a budget airline that often offers roundtrip flights for as low as 10 euros. But don’t forget to compare Ryanair’s prices with easyJet, another budget airline. “I used easyJet and Ryanair,” says Jill. “The flights are noisy and crowded, but they're relatively short. Expect some delays and show up early because some of them are first-come, first-served with seating.” Just be careful to triple check that your carry-on baggage is compatible with their strict size restrictions by checking the guidelines online, or else you’ll be slammed with extra fees at the gate (40 euros for easyJet and a whopping 60 euros for Ryanair).

Additionally, budget airlines usually fly into airports that are located outside city centers, which might actually make it more expensive to fly into them once you add in the cost of transportation from the airport to the city you are going to and then back again (beware of London Stansted Airport and the Paris Beauvais-Tillé Airport!). This is why it’s important not to overlook standard airlines—they can occasionally offer deals that can be just as cheap as flights on budget airlines. To easily compare prices of multiple airlines, use sites like eDreams, KAYAK and Skyscanner.

Trains: High-speed trains can be just as expensive as airplanes, so look into buying a country, or even multi-country, train pass. These are better deals than buying multiple tickets individually, but aren’t worth it if you are not doing a lot of traveling, so make sure you predetermine how much traveling you plan to do in order to get what best fits your needs. The types of pass and prices offered vary greatly from country to country, so it’s a good start to search train options online; click for passes in France, Italy and Spain.

Buses: If you’re just traveling for a weekend, spending eight hours on a cheap bus ride may seem like a waste of the little time you have. However, the grueling journey won’t seem so bad if you find an overnight bus because you can sleep the entire trip, and you’ll save even more because you won’t have to spend money on a place to sleep that night. Two great budget bus lines are Eurolines and Busabout. Eurolines’s best deal is a 30-day pass for 385 euros in July-August that offers unlimited rides between 51 cities. Busabout has similar multi-route deals but is slightly less flexible because it requires you to travel along predetermined loops.

6. Choose cheaper lodging

Hostels can be a budget lifesaver because they provide travelers with cheap lodging accommodations. Somewhat of a cross between a hotel and a dorm, hostels provide the bare necessities you’ll need for a night at a backpacker’s price. You can use sites like Hostelworld and HostelBookers to find the cheapest lodging options for your destination. Look for a multiple occupancy room (a single room that strangers share that has multiple beds) because they tend to be the cheapest, and be sure to research what each hostel offers in advance. Some hostels include free breakfast or free dinner with the price of your room, which can help you cut back on food costs as well. 

When perusing Hostelworld and HostelBookers, check out the hotels listed as well. Sometimes hotels are actually cheaper than hostels because hostels are priced per person, while hotels are priced per room. If you are traveling with four friends, it may seem like 25 euros per person per night is a great deal for a hostel, but there are usually lower-end hotels you can find for less than 100 euros per night that could offer nicer amenities than a hostel.

You can also try Couchsurfing. With Couchsurfing, you can stay with hosts in any country in the world for free. Just be sure to make sure the person has good ratings and never couchsurf alone.

7. Make a list of priority purchases

In the end, make a budget and decide what you want to spend your money on. Do you want to spend your money on souvenirs, cute foreign clothes, eating out, going out, or traveling? You can’t buy it all (although you may try), so you should decide ahead of time what expenses matter most to you in order to determine where to cut back in your spending.

“I was scared about spending money in the beginning, especially with the conversion rate being so terrible right now,” Jill says. “I allocated money to the things that were most important.” It may be difficult, but avoid little costs like buying an iced coffee or gelato every day. Besides, cutting the calories will help you look just that much cuter in your new bathing suit on a spur-of-the-moment weekend trip to the Canary Islands!

With a little planning and a lot of sunscreen, you can easily have a great summer abroad even on a tight budget.  Bon voyage, collegiettes!