This past Tuesday, the Police in Claremont New Hampshire confirmed that his department is investigating an incident involving a group of young teenagers who allegedly assaulted an 8-year-old boy, attacked him with racial slurs and attempted to hang him by an old tire swing rope while playing in their neighborhood in late August, the Root reports.

Valley News reports that the boy — who is biracial— was playing with a group of teenagers around 5 p.m. on August 28 when the playing stopped and racial slurs began being hurled at the boy. They allege that the teens threw rocks and sticks at him before they wrapped an old tire swing rope around the child's neck and pushed him off a picnic table until he was able to pull it off. 

The boy's grandmother, who constructed an account of the incident based on some of the children present, told Valley News, "One boy said to (my grandson), ‘Let’s do this,’ and then pushed him off the picnic table and hung him. If it was an accident, that boy or anybody there wouldn’t have left him. I believe it was intentional [due to his biracial heritage].” 

His mother, Cassandra Merlin, uploaded a picture of her son's wounds to Facebook, writing, "So my son is being flown to Dartmouth after a 14-year-old kid decided to hang him from a tree. I don’t care if this was a so called accident or not. My son almost died because of some little shit teenage kids...Keep him in your prayers”. 

According to his grandmother, the boy is recovering well and was able to attend his first day of school last week. She does, however, cite concern towards his emotional health, saying, "He won’t speak about the incident or express his emotions".

While the police claimed they couldn't comment further due to confidentiality laws protected the minors involved in the alleged attack, activists are concerned that this racially charged incident won't get enough attention and that justice may not be served for the young boy. Further, the incident is drawing attention to how much protection children of color are given in the eyes of the law compared to their white peers.  

“I am upset and saddened and angered about how the police and city officials have chosen to play this,” Kendra Colburn of the Upper Valley chapter of Showing Up for Racial Justice told Valley News. “[They] all seem like they do not want media attention on this story, and I am concerned about that. I am really concerned that we can’t change what we don’t know about or refuse to look at.”

It remains to be seen whether any charges will be filed.

Following Texas Senator Ted Cruz's deeply uncomfortable Twitter faux-pas on Monday night that gave night-owls a TMI/NSFW look into his alleged pornographic tastes, there were plenty of reactions from across the Internet. However, one person who is always the most valuable resource for all things Cruz is his college roommate — Craig Mazin, who lived with him for one glorious freshman year in 1988 at Princeton University. 

Mazin, an accomplished screenwriter who wrote both "Hangover" sequels, has regularly roasted his former roomie on Twitter at nearly every opportunity available. So, the late-night shenanigans on Monday were some low-hanging fruit for the seasoned pro. 

In response to all the porn jokes, Craig invited Twitterers to go on a terrible and uncomfy journey to imagine being up-close and personal with Cruz's, uh, Teddy-time. 

"Now imagine Ted Cruz is doing this four feet below you in the bottom bunk bed," Mazin wrote. "Yes, my misery very much appreciates your company." 

He went on to criticize his porn taste, saying "Sadly, the fact that Ted Cruz jacks off to mediocre porn spam is the most human thing we can say about him. This is actually his high point."

But, then, confronted with the reality that the Pandora's Box of scenarios that brought Ted Cruz to favorite a pirated porn video (late at night on September, 11, no less), Mazin found it in himself to pity the uninitiated and the innocence they had lost. Well, almost. 

"I never wanted this for any of you. I thought maybe I'd feel better if two or three people knew. Not six billion," he wrote.  "That said? I FEEL BETTER."

Meanwhile, Politico reports that Cruz said on Tuesday that the fave was totally the fault of a staffer and that there's nothing more to see here.

"There are a number of people on the team who have access on the account. It appears that someone inadvertently hit the like button. When we discovered the post, which was I guess an hour or two later, we pulled it down," Cruz said.  "It was a staffing issue. And it was inadvertent, it was a mistake. It was not a deliberate act. We're dealing with it internally, but it was a mistake. It was not malicious."

However, the real and true take-away from Mazin and Cruz's relationship is that you should probably consider being exponentially nicer to your freshman roommates. 

When the new school year starts, everyone is excited to be back on campus and see their friends again. Everything seems fun and new — until you’re a month in and your nose starts feeling stuffy, or your body starts to ache. Now what do you do?

Almost all students will at some point suffer through some of the most common illnesses in college; which range from the stomach flu to the common cold to strep throat, according to Dr. Christina Johns, senior medical advisor for PM Pediatrics.

So how do you cope when you have a test to study for but don’t feel like leaving your room?

1. Use preventative measures

Even better than getting treatment for an illness is preventing yourself from getting sick altogether.

“The best defense against common college campus infections is a good offense,” says Dr. Johns.

Simple measures that you’ve been taught your whole life, like washing your hands and covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze, still apply even though your mom isn’t there to remind you all the time.

Illnesses often thrive on college campuses because everyone is living in such close proximity with one another. If one of your friends is coming down with something, they will definitely understand if you keep your distance for a couple days until they get better, or at least carry around some hand sanitizer to kill any lingering germs.

“After class always make sure to wash your hands since you were sitting at a desk that you do not know who was sitting there before,” says Dr. David Greuner of NYC Surgical Associates. “Many times in college people always seem to be sharing things from utensils to drinks to toothbrushes even...I think the most common mistake is sharing items like water bottles, lipsticks, utensils, clothes, etc. If your friend is sick make sure to not share items with them.”

This gives BYOB a whole new level of importance — who knows how many germs can be lingering in shared Solo cups or bottles being passed around at bars and parties?

Above all, getting enough sleep and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, both for your body and your mind, are the best way to prevent illnesses.

“The biggest mistake by far that students make that results in sickness is letting themselves get run down,” says Dr. Johns. “Not getting enough sleep and eating poorly really plays a huge role in how well the body manages the inevitable occasional sickness that transpires from routine contact with circulating germs that cause illness.”

Stress also plays a huge role in staying healthy.

“Give yourself a break when life gets stressful,” says  Timothy Jaconette, college admission consultant and founder of Advanced Admit. “Very little in college is a life or death situation; constant stress and worrying can make your more prone to illnesses that will hamper your academic performance.”

2. Practice good hygiene

This doesn’t just apply to your hands, but where you live, too!

Keep your living area clean to keep yourself feeling healthy. Dirty clothes and sheets are a great way to let germs linger, and therefore increase your chances of getting sick.

“Do laundry regularly so that more germs aren’t hanging around in sweaty, dirty workout clothing,” says Dr. Johns.

Wash your sheets regularly, and don’t forget your pillowcases, too.

Additionally, be cautious about the cleanliness of anything you use around or on your eyes, like makeup or hand towels. Pink eye is extremely common on college campuses, so keeping anything that touches your eyes germ-free is your best bet to avoid it.

Besides just washing your hands, carry around hand sanitizer to use after class, before eating at the dining hall, and after working out. Popular communal areas like classrooms and rec centers have so many people (and therefore so many germs) flowing in and out throughout the day, so it’s important to arm yourself against potential illness. It goes both ways, though — make sure you’re leaving spaces clean for the next use, like wiping down any gym equipment you use.

3. Take advantage of your student health center

Most campuses have student health centers catered towards taking care of their students’ health and well-being. Depending on your school, the services could include doctors and nurses for walk-in appointments, pharmacies to fill prescriptions, or even mental health counseling. Investigate your resources before you get sick so you’re prepared for whatever cold and flu season throws at you.

In addition to student health centers, some dorms have programs to help you get well soon, too.

“Some dorms, such as those at UC Berkeley, have offered ‘health workers’ to students,” says Jaconette. “They are usually pre-med students who can help you out if you fall ill. Ask your RA about programs like this before you catch a cold.”

Even if your dorm doesn’t have a program like this, reach out to someone in the closest dining hall to you — they’ll usually give students “care packages” that include hot soup, cough drops and more.

4. Deal with your symptoms quickly

Once you start feeling under the weather, it’s important to figure out what exactly is wrong with you in order to properly treat yourself.

“Infections caused by viruses, like the common cold, mono, regular flu and stomach flu are all treated with just comfort measures and hydration alone,” Dr. Johns says. “Specific illnesses that are caused by a bacterial infection, like strep throat, need antibiotics.”

Don’t make the mistake of thinking you have to power through an illness on your own. The sooner you start treating your illness, the sooner it will run its course.

“Your body has already been pushed to the limit, or you were exposed to someone with a mean virus and that might be why you are sick,” says Dr. Ian Tong, Chief Medical Officer at Doctor On Demand. “Once that happens, slow down and don’t hesitate to see a doctor. Most viral illnesses are self-limited [meaning it will go away on its own] and need to run their course, but seeing a doctor and treating your infection early for flus, UTIs, meningitis and sexually transmitted infections is critical to preventing further spread and getting you to feel better faster.”

Be sure to visit your student health center or a local doctor as soon as you start feeling sick!

At some point in your college career, you’re likely going to find yourself feeling too sick to go to class or even get out of bed. Feeling sick is bad enough, but don’t prolong illness by not taking the appropriate steps to prevent, shorten, and get rid of whatever’s got you down. If you start feeling a little under the weather, take a moment to slow down, and make sure you get some rest. Your body and your friends will thank you!

Having a crush at age six is super cute, and it's probably over by recess. Having a crush at 20, on the other hand, is super annoying, awkward and seemingly never-ending. You meet someone new in a class, at a party or from swiping on Tinder, and you notice those familiar warning signs that tell you your worst nightmare is coming true: You’re developing a crush on this person. Having a crush is actually the worst, and here are 17 reasons why.

1. It makes you feel like you’re in middle school all over again

And no one wants to go back to middle school.

2. You don’t see the crush coming until it’s too late

You never notice it in time to stop it. One day, you think, “Yeah, I guess they’re kind of cute,” and the next day you’re fantasizing about them asking you out.  

3. And when you finally see it coming, you try to deny that it’s even happening

How could you have a crush on that person? You barely know them. It’s not a crush; it’s just a tiny attraction. You’re just acknowledging that they have a nice smile. And nice eyes. And a nice laugh. And a nice everything. That’s all.

4. You can never tell if they’re flirting back or if they’re just being nice to you

Are you even flirting with them? What if they think you’re just being nice? You’re not cut out for this life.

5. And when you actively try to flirt with them, it comes out like this:

A for effort, F for execution.

6. Checking out their profile turns into you downright stalking them and looking through posts from 2011

While praying you don’t accidentally like anything.

7. You can actually feel yourself annoying other people with how often you talk about them

No one else cares that they changed the part in their hair and it really frames their face nicely, so why do those words keep coming out of your mouth every time you talk to one of your friends?

8. Your friends try to hype up your crush but just end up embarrassing you

Yes, you saw that your crush is here. No, you don’t need each of your friends to physically point them out and push you in their direction.

9. You lose every bit of cool whenever you’re with them

Your crush: I love Chipotle.

You: *blurts out* Chipotle gives me gas.

10. To the point where interacting with them gives you an actual panic attack

Texting someone first or saying "hi" to someone when you see them on campus shouldn’t make you this nervous, but it does. Butterflies in the stomach are a real thing when you have a crush.

11. You’ll use any excuse to start a conversation with them or invite them somewhere

“It’s my roommate’s cat’s birthday today. Do you want to come to his party?”

12. And when you inevitably make a fool of yourself around them, you regret everything

Why did I send that GIF of a talking llama at 3 a.m.?

13. Your social media presence pretty much turns into you trying to impress your crush

And you drive yourself crazy waiting for them to like your picture or watch your Snap story.

14. You change your routine to try to see them more and risk turning into an actual stalker

There’s a fine line between trying to orchestrate a few “accidental” run-ins and learning their entire schedule and showing up everywhere they go.

15. And when you actually do run into them accidentally, you look like absolute garbage

Of course you run into them at the grocery store when you don’t even look like a functioning human. If it was anyone else, you wouldn’t care, but how are you supposed to make them fall in love with you now?

16. When they talk to you first, you have to try not to act too excited and usually fail epically

I won’t respond immediately this time. I’ll wait an hour and play it cool.

Your crush: *texts you*

You: *responds .5 seconds later*

17. You won’t know if they like you back unless someone finally makes a move  

There are only two ways this ends: Either you find the courage to tell them how you feel, or you wait for them to make a move they might never make. So basically, there’s no good way out of this, and you should avoid putting yourself in this situation at all costs.

Edith Windsor, the LGBTQ activist and plaintiff the the 2016 case United States v. Windsor, which lead to the legalization of same-sex marriage in the U.S, died at the age of 88 on Tuesday, The New York Times reports.

Following the death of her first wife Thea Spyer in 2009, Windsor was forced to pay a $363,000 inheritance tax on the money Spyer left behind for her — a burden that, at the time, was not placed on heterosexual married couples when one spouse died. In response, Windsor sued the federal government for not recognizing her marriage. United States v. Windsor made it to the Supreme Court in 2013, and the court voted 5-4 that the Defense of Marriage Act, which defined "spouse" as a relationship only between heterosexual couples, was unconstitutional. 

"I cried, I cried,” Windsor reportedly said in 2013 after SCOTUS made the ruling on her case. "Children born today will grow up in a world without DOMA. And those same children who happen to be gay will be free to love and get married ― as Thea and I did ― but with the same federal benefits, protections and dignity as everyone else. If I had to survive Thea, what a glorious way to do it and she would be so pleased."

Windsor's case was not only a landmark decision, but it helped pave the way for SCOTUS to legalize gay marriage in all 50 states in 2015. Windsor received a personal call of congratuations from President Obama (#goals), and she was even a runner-up for Time magazine's person of the year in 2013.

Following her death, former POTUS Barack Obama told the Times, "I had the privilege to speak with Edie a few days ago, and to tell her one more time what a difference she made to this country we love," he said. “Because people like Edie stood up, my administration stopped defending the so-called Defense of Marriage Act in the courts."

Prior to her career as an activist, Windsor kept her sexuality a secret from friends a coworkers for years, even briefly marrying a man before meeting Spyer in 1963. Windsor is survived by her second wife Judith Kasen-Windsor, who she married in October 2016.

This year just might be the year of the unicorn. 2017 has brought us everything from unicorn toast, unicorn poop (totally real but mostly glitter), and I know you remember those crazy few days the unicorn frap existed. Rightfully so, the unicorn hair trend is at this party too. Being that I am obsessed with any and everything colorful and unicorn related, and of course, have dyed my hair pink already, I had to add a few more colors to my life (and insta), and found the best way to do so was to continue to lean into the unicorn trend.

I had previously bleached my hair towards the bottom and had used semi-permanent Lime Crime Unicorn Hair Dye ($16) in Chocolate Cherry. After a couple months of fade from this color, I knew it was time to add new ones to brighten my hair up. For this unicorn hair experiment, I used Joico Instatints ($10) in six different shades: Mermaid Blue, Sapphire Blue, Hot Pink, Pink, Light Purple, and Orchid. 

I figured out a couple things while doing this experiment. One thing I learned is that you have to spray lightly. I started to spray too much and my hair got a little too crunchy and that made it difficult to style. The color will still show up bold af. Another is don't forget to lay a towel down over the surrounding surfaces! I almost sprayed the white bathroom door pink, purple and blue (sorry mom and dad!!). Finally, definitely don't brush your hair after you've sprayed the colors in because that will just take the color out.

It was so fun using these! I loved how bright the colors came out and it was so easy. I just sprayed a little here, sprayed some on there and poof! I was a unicorn. I’m truly living my best life here. Joico Instatints are great too because they come out after one wash in the shower. So, I can be a unicorn Friday night, a mermaid Saturday, and then who knows? Maybe I’ll pull off Rihanna-red on Sunday. The limit does not exist. Definitely check out Joico Instatints for all your #HairGoals.

In addition to the 15 (and counting) states that have already sued the Trump administration over its decision to repeal DACA, the University of California has also announced that it filed a lawsuit against the White House on Friday.

According to The Los Angeles Times, the university is suing the Trump administration for unconstitutionally violating the rights of immigrant students on, "nothing more than unreasoned executive whim." Among the 10 campuses in the UC system, there are an estimated 4,000 students who are in the country illegally and would be affected by the Trump administration's decision. 

Janet Napolitano, UC's current president, served as U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security from 2009 to 2013, and was one of DACA's creators. In a statement, Napolitano said the lawsuit was filed as a way to defend the University of California students that are among the 800,000 undocumented immigrants affected by DACA's repeal.

"Neither I, nor the University of California, take the step of suing the federal government lightly, especially not the very agency that I led," Napolitano said. "It is imperative, however, that we stand up for these vital members of the UC community. They represent the best of who we are — hard working, resilient and motivated high achievers. To arbitrarily and capriciously end the DACA program, which benefits our country as a whole, is not only unlawful, it is contrary to our national values and bad policy."

Applicants for the Obama-era program are only approved if they have or plan to graduate high school or college, are in the military or were honorably discharged. They also cannot have been convicted of a felony or major misdemeanor. UC's complaint against the White House says that the repeal of DACA violates due process guaranteed under the constitution, and that U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions arbitrarily ended the program without a reasonable explanation.

While it's unlikely that many of the lawsuits regarding DACA's appeal will be successful, hopefully they will at least delay the process so that Congress has enough time to pass a replacement. 

At this point, we've basically accepted that moving back onto campus and living in small spaces with tons of roomies means we're bound to get sick pretty quickly at the beginning of fall semester — but let the latest yucky disease circulating Harvard University's campus be a reminder to keep up those healthy habits.

According to the Harvard Crimson, several cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease have been reported on campus — and it's about as gross as it sounds. Symptoms of the virus include a fever and sore throat, which sound about like your average 24-hour bug, until you factor in the mouth sores and skin rashes that also often come along with HFMD.

While it normally affects infants and young children, when you think about it, going to college is basically like swapping germs with everyone in your kindergarten class for the same time, so it makes sense — even if HFMD sounds less than desirable at best.

The bright side? Harvard's Health Services department says that the virus, "ordinarily isn’t debilitating and passes after a few days."

But as always with a new school year, let's just let this be a gentle reminder to wash our hands and take a Clorox wipe or two to the bathrooms we share with roommates every once in a while.

College is most notably known as the best four years of our lives. It’s almost seen as a weird limbo where you have the freedom to live on your own and be who you want, while still having your parents to come to the rescue if you can’t figure out if that shirt goes in the “whites” pile while doing laundry. In reality, though, college isn’t all fun and games. The imminent stress that comes with higher level education, the pressure to figure out your future life and career and the desire to find your own personal niche can be overwhelming.

We’ve all heard that the college you go to will ultimately determine the course of your life (a little dramatic, I know), but we never really think about how the actual location of the college itself can impact our experience. It’s important to remember that each student is different and the environment that surrounds us can affect our study habits, moods and even our overall success. Here are some factors to take into consideration before you jump into applying to every school you see on the internet:

1. Make sure you can handle the weather

Although it may be a seemingly insignificant factor, it can have a much bigger effect on you than you may think. We know what you’re thinking—if it’s cold, I can just put a jacket on; if it’s hot, you wear shorts. Easy, right? Not always.

Things such as pollen count can also be a huge factor. Places that have a notably higher pollen count might not be ideal for those that are more sensitive to allergies. You don’t want to be the one with a running nose in class 24/7 and there’s only so much antihistamines can do to save you.

Actual weather is also a huge factor. Some people find rainy, cloudy weather soothing and rely on it to keep focus. For these people, looking for a college that fits this weather description is essential to their successes. On the other hand, if you are someone who loves natural light, sunny weather, clear skies and don’t mind the heat, move somewhere that doesn’t get a lot of rain. We know, it’s pretty self explanatory right? However surprisingly this is something most people don’t take into consideration because they get so distracted from the other factors. Nevertheless, it can have a huge impact on your overall happiness as well as your level of motivation. For people who thrive in sunny, bright environments, rain can have a detrimental affect on their mood.

For Marisa Pieper, a student from Arizona State University, this was the case. “I moved from cold, wet, grey Oregon to sunny, warm, desert Arizona because I would get seasonal depression in Oregon and wanted to get away from that for college,” she explains. “I do so much better in school and on a daily basis so living in the sunshine definitely helped me.”

Weather can affect people in very different ways. Some thrive in the rain because it provides a calming atmosphere, while some find their moods taking a hit because of the gloomy weather. Don’t ignore the kind of atmosphere that’s best for your own success—think about it when you’re doing research about colleges and visiting schools.

2. Do you want to move in-state or go out-of-state?

Depending on what kind of person you are, a school’s distance from home can also be a huge determining factor. Some collegiettes are eager to move hundreds of miles away from home, while others feel as if staying close to home is the best for them. One big thing to consider is whether you would like to stay in the comfort of your home state, or move far away to another state.

Keele Johnson, a student at Collin County Community College, says that going to a local community college might be a good choice for students who aren’t financially or emotionally prepared to go to a university. “I chose to go to a community college close to home for the first couple of years because I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do yet,” she says. “It’s a great way to save money and figure out what I really wanted to start doing before going on to the real deal.” Going to a college in your hometown gives you the ability to stay at home and avoid paying for rent while also being able to enjoy mother’s cooking. Sure, it may not be the “freedom” you’ve hoped for, but there are definitely still benefits. College can be a scary thing, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with easing yourself into the process into adulthood.

If you still want to move a good distance from home but want to escape outrageous out-of-state tuitions, you could always move to another city that you aren’t very familiar with within your state. For Doan Nguyen, a student at the University of Texas at Austin, moving to Austin was just the right amount of change she needed. “Moving to Austin was the perfect combination of getting the new experiences I was searching for without having to throw myself into the complete unknown,” she explains. “Austin is definitely a completely different city than my old suburban hometown of Plano so it allowed me to experience a whole different world without moving too far away from home.” Moving to another city can still offer you a completely different environment than the one you have at home even if it is within the same state.

However, if you're someone who can’t wait to go off on your own, maybe a college further away from home is better for you. For you, out-of-state colleges are probably more your cup of tea. For some people, a drastic change is what motivates them and allows them to strive to be their best and moving to a completely different state is just what they need.

If this is you, it’s important to consider that being far from home may mean that you won’t be able to come home for every single holiday. If this is something that’s holding you back, one solution is to look up the percentage of out-of-state students vs. in-state students the college has. If it has a high in-state percentage, there will be a higher possibility that you’ll meet in-state friends that will be in town for the holidays so you wont be as lonely. On the other hand, if there is a high out-of-state percentage you have something in common with most people. It could make meeting people a lot easier knowing that they’re just as lost as you; you just won’t be able to tag along to their family holiday dinners. Both have many pros and cons depending on what you’re looking for. In addition, out-of-state colleges won’t allow you to run home for emergencies or forgotten items. However, if that’s not a big issue, then going out-of-state could be a great new experience.

3. Think about whether you prefer a more urban or rural environment

This is definitely one of the most obvious factors to take into consideration when choosing your ideal college. Many colleges are either in the middle of downtown in a huge city—or in a small town in a more rural area. This can have a huge impact on not only your overall success, but your overall happiness as well.

For college graduate Sojin Kim, the location of the School of the Arts in Chicago was perfect for her because the campus was sprawled across downtown Chicago.

“I visited and loved the city and fast-paced environment,” she says. “I am not someone who likes quiet or slow paced things. I like to get things done quickly and efficiently. The city motivated me to graduate because I couldn’t wait to get a job in the downtown.”

If you’re someone who fast walks everywhere and loves the hustle and bustle of a city, you might enjoy the urban college environment. If you’re the type of person who can’t stand crowded transportation and getting lost because you took the wrong subway, you may want to reconsider.

However, other people love quiet, tight-knit college communities. The benefit of being at a smaller college in a more rural or suburban area means that you could bring your car and have more chances to drive around. However, if you’re not bringing your car, you may want to consider if walking long distances is going to be a problem.

Rachna Shah, an incoming freshman at Dartmouth College, said rural life was for her. “In the fall, I'll be attending Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire which is notoriously known for being ‘in the middle of nowhere,’ she says. “I'm really looking forward to engrossing myself in nature and the tight community, though, despite the fact that I've grown up near Chicago.”

Living in a certain type of environment all your life can allow you to realize what kind of surroundings are right for you. Maybe you want to go to school in a location similar to your hometown, or maybe you want the complete opposite.

4. How much of a college town is your town?

There is no doubt that some towns are more school spirited than others. Places like Austin, Texas, have burnt-orange street signs the moment you enter the city because it's where the University of Texas at Austin is. Other towns are not so “hyped” when it comes to college spirit. This is something that most people may not even consider. However, it’s important to remember that you are not only going to school there, but you’ll have to step off the campus every once in a while.

If you’re the type of person that loves school spirit, find a city that loves it, too. Having a city that makes a big deal about football games, basketball games, swim meets, academic decathlons or even just simple school events will allow you to feel connected to your community outside of the campus.

School spirit is definitely not for everyone. However, if it is your cup of tea, find a place that will fill your kettle!

Related Article: Where You Should Go to College Based On Your Zodiac Sign

Although college is only four years of your life, it is undoubtedly one that will provide you with the best memories. However, choosing the wrong college can lead you to feel lost, hopeless and unhappy. When choosing your college, make sure to take into consideration other factors other than just how prestigious the name of your college is—such as the location of the school and the type of environment you could be living in for the next four years. Choosing the perfect college is more than just one step. Therefore, visiting colleges and getting a feel of the area is vital to your overall opinion of a school. You never know—you may fall in love with the most unlikely places!

Breakouts are often an unavoidable consequence of busy lives, sensitive skin or genetic misfortune. However, even those who have mastered their skin care routine with top-of-the-line cleansers and exfoliating rituals can struggle with breakouts. The truth is, there are a lot of reasons why you may be seeing more acne on your face. The key to mastering your skin is to learn the triggers for those red, inflamed bumps, so you know how to stop them in their tracks. So here are 10 common reasons for breakouts; with a little planning, you’ll be able to keep your skin clear through sweat, sweltering heat and sleep deprivation. 

1. You’re using dirty makeup tools

It may seem like a no-brainer to use clean, sanitary tools anywhere near your face, but most of us probably have brushes, sponges, and applicators that haven’t been cleaned in weeks… or months... or longer. In fact, a 2015 survey from Anisa International reported that 39 percent of women cleaned their brushes less than once a month and 22 percent didn’t clean them at all. That’s a lot of gunk that ends up clogging your pores and causing breakouts.

The solution? Invest in a brush cleaner to gently wipe down your tools every few uses, and take the time to do a deep cleaning as often as you can. Gentle soap (such as baby soap) and warm water is the best way to keep your brushes clean and soft.

2. You’re not getting enough sleep

They don’t call it beauty sleep for nothing. A good night’s rest is essential for so many aspects of your health. When you don’t get a good night’s sleep, your stress levels are likely to be higher, resulting in the production of Cortisol, a hormone that can aggravate skin conditions. In addition, your skin needs to rest and replenish overnight, replacing dead skin cells with new healthy ones and draining inflamed blood vessels that can cause puffiness in the morning.

The solution? Rather than tossing and turning all night, be proactive about how you can improve your quality of sleep. If you have trouble dozing off, try some gentle exercise or yoga or treat yourself to a calming bath with aromatic oils like chamomile and sandalwood. Bonus: Propping up your pillow for a little extra elevation can also help prevent dark, under eye circles.

3. You’re not cleansing properly after a workout

No, you shouldn’t stop working out because you’re afraid of a few pimples. However, a sweat-sesh can mean your pores are soaking up added grime and oil that can lead to acne. This can be especially common on areas of the body other than the face, where tight clothing traps the sweat and oil in.

The solution? Wear loose-fitting clothing without synthetic materials to avoid irritation and promote air flow. After your workout, wash your face thoroughly with a cleanser that contains salicylic acid (try PanOxyl). This ingredient helps you achieve a deep clean for clear pores.

4. Your sheets are dirty

Jordana Mattioli, medical esthetician and beauty expert at CompleteSkinMD in New York, recommends changing your pillowcase at least once a week. “Hair products, natural oils on the hair and scalp, even your skincare products can all cause buildup on your pillowcase,” she says.

The solution? Keep your sheets fresh! “If you use a lot of hair products, I would change every two days, and flip it over to the fresh side on the second day,” says Mattioli. “Or try a head scarf!” This could also be a good opportunity to get in the habit of sleeping on your back, which will prevent your skin from rubbing against oily sheets.

5. Your boyfriend has a beard

Before you go telling bae that he needs to ditch the facial hair, know the real source of your skin sensitivities and what you can do to ease the pain. “Stubbly hair rubbing onto the skin can cause irritation,” says Mattioli. “The longer the facial hair, the less irritating it will be for their partner.” She also notes that beard oils can cause breakouts and itchiness.

The solution? Mattioli suggests a cold compress on the skin, gentle cleansing products and OTC cortisone cream if you feel your skin getting irritated. Of course, if the irritation is really bad, be honest with your guy and discuss the option of a clean shave.

6. You need to change your diet

You’ve heard it many times before, but when it comes to skin health, you are what you eat. A diet high in sugar and fat can lead to excess oil production and, therefore, breakouts. If you find that you break out or your skin feels itchy after eating certain foods, you may also be experiencing an allergic reaction.

The solution? Observe how your skin reacts to your diet, and if you notice a certain pattern in your breakouts, consult an allergist to nail down the problem. If you’re finding that you’re consuming an abnormal amount of processed foods, sugar or unhealthy fats, stop to consider where the behavior is coming from. Are you feeling stressed, sad or overwhelmed? If you still can’t nail down the problem, keep a food diary to share with a doctor or dermatologist who can further dissect your diet.

7. You’re using the wrong laundry detergent

When shopping for laundry detergent, it’s important to look for one that’s both effective and mostly natural. “So many detergents contain fragrances and chemicals that linger in clothes and can irritate the skin,” says Mattioli. “Fabric softeners and dryer sheets actually leave a coating on pillowcases.” People with sensitive skin can have especially bad reactions to laundry soaps, resulting in dry, red or extremely itchy skin. 

The solution? Look for a detergent that is approved for sensitive skin. Mattioli also suggests finding a detergent that is fragrance-free or has been certified by a dermatologist. Health.com rounded up a list of sensitive skin-approved detergents that are easy to find at your local grocery, drugstore or online retailer.

8. Your hair products are irritating your skin

Your hair products have an impact on more than just your lovely locks, and when hair touches the top and sides of your face, all those chemicals can irritate skin. “Most hair products, if they touch the face enough, will leave a film and harbor bacteria,” says Mattioli.

The solution? Make sure you’re cleansing regularly! “Wash your face every night and wash your face after conditioning your hair so none of it is left around the hairline,” says Mattioli. This is another instance where a head scarf could come in handy. It will keep oily hair off your clean face, and won’t damage your hair or scalp.

Breakouts are frustrating and uncomfortable, but as much as you wish your teenage skin would grow up already, the struggles of sensitive skin can last your whole life. Fortunately, there are ways to ease the pain, and it all begins with identifying the irritant. Once you know your skin, you’ll be able to get rid of those little annoyances in a cinch. 

While back to school season is such an exciting time, it’s also comes with a lot of stress. From balancing start-of-semester homework to feeling exhausted after a busy social schedule, you need a little time each week to relax, ground yourself and get a fresh start.

Thanks to our amazing partners Freeman Beauty, Bed Head by TIGI, L'Oréal Paris, Steripod, Aéropostale, Spindrift, HI-CHEW and Erin Condren, you can win the ultimate back to school survival kit so that every week of the semester can feel fresh and fun! Read below for the amazing gifts included, and enter for your chance to win! Have a great semester collegiettes!

• From Freeman Beauty:
  • Cucumber + Pink Salt Clay Mask
  • Manuka Honey + Tea Tree Oil Clay Mask + Cleanser
  • Detoxifying Charcoal + Black Sugar Mud Mask
• From Bed Head by TIGI:
  • Dirty Secret Dry Shampoo
  • Oh Bee Hive! Matte Dry Shampoo
  • Masterpiece Shine Hairspray
  • Hard Head Hairspray
• From L'Oréal Paris:
  • Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Towelettes
  • Sublime Bronze ProPerfect Salon Airbrush Mist 
  • Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care
• Steripod Toothbrush Protector
• Aéropostale assorted jewelry
• Spindrift Sparkling Water
• HI-CHEW Candy
• Erin CondrenHardbound Life Planner

Get a Fresh Start This Semester with the Ultimate Back to School Survival Kit

Whether it’s blasting country music while driving down an old dirt road or bumping and grinding at the club, good tunes set the mood for EVERYTHING. And that includes sex. Well, especially sex. With good music, you can go from not feeling it to ~really~ feeling it in a matter of seconds. Here is a list of the best 11 songs to play from foreplay to finish. And thanks to these tunes, we guarantee an eargasm isn’t the only 'gasm you’ll be getting… 

During Foreplay

1. “Kiss Me,” Ed Sheeran

It really doesn’t get any more romantic than “Kiss Me” by Ed Sheeran. So grab your partner close, look into their eyes and get ready to feel all the feels.  

2. “Sex You,” Bando Jonez

Oh, Bando Jonez you have won our hearts (and some other things). If you don’t feel your body seriously rocking with this song, then you need to turn it up. 

3. “Dance for You,” Beyoncé

Oh Beyoncé, Queen of love and sex, I declare this your official anthem. 

Related: How to Spice Up Your Sex Life in a Long-Term Relationship

4. "Thinkin' Bout You," Frank Ocean

Frank Ocean can do no wrong. Just move your body close to your partners and the song will do the rest. Mmm yes, please. 

While You're Doing the Deed

5. “Pony,” Ginuwine

Yes, this song will make you think of Channing Tatum, so what could go wrong? 

6. “Body Say,” Demi Lovato

If Demi can love her body in all the right ways, then you totally can too. This is a power house song that is perfect for some self-love with your partner. 

7. “Wicked Games,” The Weeknd

Literally, is there anything The Weeknd can’t do? No, the answer is no. This song=sex/love/passion all in one. 

Related: 4 Reasons Why You Should Masturbate Regularly

8. “Use Me,” Miguel

Two words: Yes, please. That’s all. 

9. “Ain’t No Fun (If the Homies Can’t Have None),” Snoop Dogg ft. Nate Dogg, Warren G and Kurupt

Regardless of what your thoughts are on some of the explicit language in this tune, it still has some great vibes. 

The Big Finish

10. “Dangerous” (feat. Joywave), Big Data

Once you turn on this song, you are officially ready to finish strong. This is the home stretch—this sick beat will make you want to groove in all the right ways. 

11. “Hands to Myself,” Selena Gomez

And last but not least, the song none of us can help but sing along to. So yeah, maybe not the best while you are in the middle of making out but can you just imagine climaxing and screaming, “I MEAN I COULD BUT WHY WOULD I WANT TO?”? Mic drop.

Enjoy, kids.

In Texas this past Sunday, a man shot and killed eight people at a Dallas Cowboys watching party.  The victims include the shooter’s estranged wife, Meredith Hight, 27, who was hosting the party.  The shooter, Spencer Hight, 32, was killed by a responding officer, according to The New York Daily News.

Meredith Hight and Spencer Hight had been separated for several months, and Meredith had filed for divorce in July.  The Dallas Cowboys watching party was supposed to be a symbol of Meredith’s new freedom and sign of her moving on from her difficult past.

 "It was officially 'out with the old and in with the new,'” Meredith’s mother, Debbie Lane, told WFAA on Tuesday. "It was her reclaiming her life, and she was thrilled to be doing that. It was the happiest she'd been in years. Years."

Lane says that the shooting was Spencer Hight’s reaction to Meredith moving on:  "I think he saw our comfort, ease, and happiness... and her embracing new life, and resented it to the maximum and responded the way he did.”

The shooting was reported at 8 pm on Sunday, according to ABC.  When officers arrived, victims were found both outside and in the home, and the shooter was still active inside.  The officer then fatally shot Spencer Hight. There was a total of seven deaths at the crime scene, and two more victims were taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Several of the victims and party guests were also friends of Spencer Hight.

According to Lane, Meredith and Spencer had met in 2009 when they both attended the University of Texas at Dallas and lived in the same apartment complex. They married in 2011, but when Spencer lost his job at Texas Instruments, they faced financial troubles that led to their separation.  Lane says that Spencer was violent to Meredith on two occasions, and that he had a drinking problem.

Domestic violence advocates and activists have argued that Hight's case is an example of the kind of pitfalls a domestic violence survivor or victim can encounter once they leave an abusive relationship or situation. After all, statistics show that 94 percent of victims of intimate partner murder-suicides are women. Per the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV):

• 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been victims of [some form of] physical violence by an intimate partner within their lifetime,
• 72 percent of all murder-suicides involve an intimate partners and 94 percent of the victims of these murder suicides are women.
• 20% of victims in homicides were not the intimate partners themselves, but family members, friends, neighbors, persons who intervened, law enforcement responders, or bystanders, according to a study of intimate partner homicides.

Additionally, it sheds light on the more complicated realities surrounding the "just leave him" narratives—and why it's so difficult for victims and survivors to make those choices. 

The investigation is ongoing with the Texas Rangers and Plano Police Department, but they are not pursuing any other suspects.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Tuesday that it will not be bringing charges against the Baltimore police officers involved in the death of Freddie Gray, CNN reports.

In a statement released by the DOJ, the department said that prosecutors and investigators determined that "the evidence is insufficient to prove beyond a reasonable doubt" that the officers involved in Freddie Gray’s death “willfully violated” his civil rights, according to NPR.

“Accordingly, the investigation into this incident has been closed without prosecution,” the department said, according to The Baltimore Sun.

Gray was arrested on April 12, 2015 in West Baltimore and, with his legs shackled and was handcuffed, was placed in the back of a police van without being restrained with a seatbelt, according to NPR. As a result, Gray suffered a broken neck during the transport and died a week later.

Gray’s death sparked protests in Baltimore against police brutality with the city ultimately being placed on a week-long nightly curfew, according to The Baltimore Sun.

Marilyn J. Mosby, the state’s attorney for Baltimore, ended up filing criminal charges against the six officers involved in Gray’s death, ranging from “misconduct in office” to “second-degree depraved heart murder”, NPR reports. However, all of the officers plead not guilty, and none were convicted.

Former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced on April 27, 2015 that the DOJ would conduct a criminal civil rights investigation, and “continue our careful and deliberate examination of the facts in the coming days and weeks” to conclude if the officers should be charged with violating Gray’s civil rights, The Baltimore Sun reports.

Now two years later, the DOJ’s decision means that none of police officers will be criminally held responsible for Gray’s death. However, this decision did not come as a surprise as proving a federal case is far more difficult than prosecuting under the local charges, according to NPR.

The DOJ’s decision, however, was still disappointing to many. Maryland’s Congressional members — Representatives Elijah Cummings, John Sarbanes and Dutch Ruppersberger and Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen — released a joint statement saying they were disappointed but not surprised, CNN reports.

“In light of this reported decision, we are once again calling on DOJ to actively support — not undermine —the consent decree and to provide Baltimore with all federal resources available to improve our police force. Doing anything less would be unconscionable,” the Congressmen said.

Kwame Rose, a Baltimore city activist, told The Huffington Post that the DOJ’s decision was not surprising. 

Police officers still continue to get a free pass to killing black people, and it’s especially not surprising under this [presidential] administration," Rose said. "Now it’s just becoming more and more apparent that … the issue of policing has to change from outside the system, as opposed to believing that the system is gonna change it."

On Tuesday night, the Supreme Court agreed to allow the Trump administration to continue to bar most refugees during the 120 day pause of the refugee program under the President's executive order. The Supreme Court blocked a ruling from a federal appeals court that would have restricted Trump’s travel ban and allowed as many as 24,000 refugees to enter the country by October.  

According to The Hill, the federal appeals court ruling “said the administration cannot ban refugees who have formal assurances from resettlement agencies or are in the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.”

Last June, the high court ruled that the travel ban could only go into effect for those who do not have a “bona fide” relationship with someone in the US, although the definition of “bona fide” is fuzzy.  The Trump administration objected to this most recent appeals court ruling by stating that the relationship between refugees and these resettlement agencies is not “bona fide.”  The Supreme Court agreed with the Trump administration on this but did not explain their reasoning.

According to CNN, it’s unclear whether this Supreme Court ruling should offer hope to supporters of the travel ban, or if it simply “[reflects] a desire on the part of the justices to maintain the status quo until the justices can hear the case next month.”

There has been a lot of push-back against this ruling since the executive order was first announced — especially from the state of Hawaii, which is currently suing the Trump administration over the travel ban.

The attorney representing Hawaii, Neal Katyal, said, “By the Government’s own admission, these refugees have already been approved by the Department of Homeland Security. It is therefore exceedingly unlikely that they represent a security threat.”

We will determine more about the future of travel ban next month (Oct. 10) when the Supreme Court will hear arguments in two cases arguing the travel ban.

Alexis Bledel won her first Emmy Award for The Handmaid's Tale almost a year after she made her return to TV as arguably our favorite character, Rory Gilmore, in Netflix's Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life.

Being the amazing Gilmore Girls mom she's always been, Lauren Graham (who plays Rory's mother, Lorelai Gilmore) took to Twitter to immediately congratulate Alexis for her win. "THIS IS SO AWESOME. Congratulations and love! xL," she wrote.

Bledel won Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series. Other nominees in her category included Cicely Tyson for How to Get Away With Murder, Laverne Cox for Orange Is the New Black, Shannon Purser for Stranger Things, Alison Wright for The Americans and Ann Dowd for The Leftovers.

It's nice to see nothing has changed between Lauren and Alexis and they're still supporting each other in their careers. Once a Gilmore girl, always a Gilmore girl.

Senator Bernie Sanders will be introducing his “Medicare for All” bill to the Senate on Wednesday, and it already appears that the bill has some major support in the Senate, NBC News reports. 

The bill, which is largely reminiscent of Sanders’ healthcare plan during his presidential campaign, would essentially call for a complete overhaul of the American healthcare system, according to The Huffington Post,  and would replace nearly all private health insurance with Medicare.

In an interview with HuffPost on Tuesday, Sanders said that he believes that Americans are ready for this ambitious change, adding, “The American people are catching on to where the Republicans are coming from, they see the limitations of the Affordable Care Act and they’re looking at the alternatives,” Sanders said. “And this is a rational alternative.”

And now, the bill has garnered a lengthy list of co-sponsors by some of the most popular and prominent senators. According to HuffPost, the list includes Senators Cory Booker, Kirsten Gillibrand, Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren, all of which are potential 2020 presidential candidates. Furthermore, Patrick Leahy, Sheldon Whitehouse, Jeff Merkley, Ed Markey, Martin Heinrich, Tom Udall, Brian Schatz, Mazie Hirono, Richard Blumenthal, Jeanne Shaheenand Tammy Baldwin have also joined to support the bill. To top of the list, according to The Hill, Senator Al Franken gave his support to the bill.

Sanders, during his interview with HuffPost, said he does not question whether Americans will support this bill, especially after seeing how quickly so many senators signed on to support the bill. “You’re seeing it in polling, you’re seeing it in town meetings, you’re seeing the American people waking up and demanding that we end this dysfunctional system and we join the rest of the industrialized world,” Sanders said.

In discussing what “Medicare for All” would look like, Sanders wrote in his op-ed piece for The New York Times that the transition would happen over a four year period. 

“The transition to the Medicare for All program would take place over four years. In the first year, benefits to older people would be expanded to include dental care, vision coverage and hearing aids, and the eligibility age for Medicare would be lowered to 55. All children under the age of 18 would also be covered. In the second year, the eligibility age would be lowered to 45 and in the third year to 35. By the fourth year, every man, woman and child in the country would be covered by Medicare for All.”

However, the bill does not specify how the new healthcare system would be financed. During his presidential campaign, Sanders said that his healthcare plan would be financed through an increase in taxes, but this time, Sanders has written a policy paper which outlines possible options to finance the healthcare system, HuffPost reports.

But with a call for such a vast change, opposition to this bill is inevitable. Asking Americans to give up their health insurance and possibly pay more in taxes is no easy feat. Then, of course, there will be political opposition by the Republican who have long fought to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and would more than likely not want to add any further government involvement in the healthcare system.

Additionally, it's expected that doctors, hospitals and the insurance industry would likely fight this bill. As HuffPost points out, doctors and hospitals won’t want to have to wait to be reimbursed by Medicare, which usually pays less than private insurance to hold down costs.

Still, with Americans frustrated with the healthcare system and its costs, HuffPost reports that Sanders is positive that the bill “is going to be won in communities all over this country, when people begin to stand up and tell their elected officials, ‘Sorry, the status quo is not working and we want all Americans to have health care in a cost-effective way."

Ohio couple Joseph Keith III and Stephanie Hughes recently got married at their local Planet Fitness. It may sound weird, but it's actually a beautifully unique love story. 

This video by Planet Fitness chronicles their love story which was first initiated by a series of interactions at the gym. It all began when Joe asked Stephanie if she was finished using a piece of the equipment, and the rest was history. "I was so nervous," Stephanie told Planet Fitness. Joe called it love at first sight, and honestly even the ~employees~ knew it was meant to be. "They would always pass one another, and I could always tell they had big smiles on their faces," said Planet Fitness staff member, Kristin Stanger. Workouts quickly turned into romance, and they eventually fell in love and had a darling baby girl! On the proposal day, Joe placed a bib on their daughter that read "Will you Marry Daddy?"

According to Stephanie, she always knew she wanted to get married in the Planet Fitness where they met, but never thought the gym would actually say yes. However, the staff made sure their wedding day was perfect, and even had a Planet Fitness employee officiate the ceremony on September 3! But the best part was hands down this wedding gift from Planet Fitness:

Brb while we head over to a Planet Fitness in the hopes of having an awesome gym wedding too!

Peter Kraus seemed like a no brainer to become the next Bachelor (even after he refused to get down on one knee in the finale of Rachel Lindsay's season of The Bachelorette). So the shocking announcement that Arie Luyendyk Jr. would take on the role left everyone confused.

Now, Peter has opened up to Entertainment Tonightabout why he didn't take the gig. "If the offer were to come up in the future, I could see myself doing it. At this stage in my life, I'm single, I'm happy, business is good, family is good. I'm ready for the next step again, and if that's what route it took, I'd be okay with that."

He went on to say that he needed more time to think about his future, which is consistent with what we've seen from him in the past. "It was such an emotional rollercoaster," he explained. "I didn't feel like I had enough time to process the season and After the Final Rose, and where I was at in my own life at the time…I needed more time for clarity. I'm the type of person who needs maybe too much time to process things when it comes to life and love…when I'm talking about my wife and my future, I want to take time to really think about it."

Arie is already gearing up for his season of The Bachelor, but maybe Peter will come around to having his own season one day.

Canadian judge, Justice Bernd Zabel, was given a 30-day suspension with pay after wearing the infamous red “Make America Great Again” hat made famous by President Donald Trump's campaign, The Hill reports.

The decision, according to The Hill, comes from the Ontario Judicial Council panel after holding a hearing to look into complaints received about the judge wearing the hat the day after Trump’s presidential victory.

The concern was, according to The National Post, that Zabel did not adhere to being impartial and nonpartisan, thus committing judicial misconduct.

“What would a reasonable member of the public think upon seeing Justice Zabel enter the courtroom wearing Trump’s signature red ‘Make America Great Again’ hat and state that he did so ‘in celebration of an historic event’?” the panel asked, The National Post reports. “A reasonable member of the public would think that Justice Zabel was making a political statement and endorsing Donald Trump’s campaign.”

Zabel did admit to wearing the hat as a joke, and has since apologized for his actions. However, several of his colleagues came to his defense.

Defense lawyer Michael Wendl, who testified at the panel’s hearing, said in defense of Zabel, “It is my view that Justice Zabel was joking. In fact, I was joking with him. It is my view that Justice Zabel’s conduct was likely just a byproduct of the collegial atmosphere that exists in Hamilton…,” The National Post reports.

However, in the end, it was Zabel’s track record that ultimately saved his job.

Retired Crown attorney Lidia Narozniak, who also testified at the hearing, said that she and Zabel worked together on a number of difficult cases, including sexual assault and domestic violence, and Zabel always “conducted himself gracefully” regardless of who was in front of him, The National Post reports.

"Whatever Justice Zabel may have thought about the U.S. presidential election, and however serious his actions … his record on the bench and his reputation with his judicial colleagues and the bar demonstrates that he is an entirely fair-minded and impartial judge who is dedicated to the highest ideals of his calling," the panel said, according to The Hill.

Now Zabel must wait 30 days before resuming his position.