When I was 16 years old, I had this absurdly romantic idea of what a writer should look like. Imagine a woman sitting in a wooden straight-backed chair, her wispy bun held in place by a fountain pen. She would be surrounded by piles of loose papers and leather-bound books stacked high and she types furiously on a pristine black typewriter. The click-clack of the keys sounds like a train as she produces page after page of pure poetry. If I wanted to be a Pulitzer Prize winner by the time I graduated college, my romantic teenage self thought a typewriter would get me there.

Even though I had to wait four more years, I finally received a typewriter for an early birthday present. When I least expected it, a group of my college and high school friends all chipped in to buy me a 1940s Underwood typewriter (Best. Friends. Ever.). In exchange for the gift, I had to promise to use the typewriter to unearth my secret British tendencies to write the next Harry Potter series and dedicate the books to my friends. While I definitely planned on working toward that Pulitzer Prize, my more logical college self realized my term paper wasn’t going to finish itself.

No matter how far ahead I plan, I always succumb to the power of procrastination when I write. I’ve tried turning off my WiFi signal, using innovative mobile apps and even writing drafts by hand. My friend suggested disabling my social media accounts completely, but I don’t think I could go a few days without scrolling through memes. While trying to solve my procrastination dilemma, I remembered my parents telling stories about using typewriters in college. The exact moment I connected my own typewriter with procrastination prevention, I jumped up from my dorm floor and mentally thanked the universe for finally granting me (at least what I hoped would be) a good idea.

Here’s what I learned from typing four pages of my 3,000 word essay on a manual typewriter:

Writing a sentence actually takes time

Being a speedy typist is something I’ve taken pride in since the day I became the fastest typist in middle school computer class. The skill allows me to transcribe my thoughts before I forget what I want to say. When I started to use the typewriter, I had to slow down my speed because I discovered pressing the keys too quickly jams the strikers. Sometimes the letters come out too light, so you have to backspace and go over the words again in order for the sentence to be legible. One of the good things about writing slower is you can make your language more precise and pay closer attention to structure and vocabulary.

You can’t worry about mistakes

When I realized the backspace key on my typewriter doesn't actually erase a typo, I gave up on using it at all. Instead of typing the correct letter over the mistake, I just kept typing because sometimes I’d type over the wrong letter and have to backspace again. It was an endless, time-consuming cycle. If my draft was graded for formatting, I’d fail automatically. It took at least a half page to stop alternating between single and double spacing. The margins also ranged from half inch to one inch on every page. It looked like I typed the draft with my eyes closed.

Distractions still exist and will tempt you

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about myself during writing sessions, it’s that I get very easily distracted. Preventative procrastination measures I usually take include shutting the door, turning off my phone and putting earphones in. Even though the typewriter doesn't have access to internet, I found other distractions on my desk, in the hallway and outside my window. They were everywhere. Because typing my essay took much longer than I anticipated, my mind started to wander after the first hour.

Your hands will hurt afterward

I played the piano for almost eight years, so I know how achy your hands get after practice. The position you have to hold your hands on a piano is similar to a typewriter. Unlike a laptop, there’s no place to rest your wrists when typing. You’re forced to keep your wrists straight so you can strike the keys like you’re playing staccato. After multiple hours of typing, my hands were more sore than if I wrote the draft by hand for the same amount of time. However, I think with more usage my hands will get used to the position and heavy striking.

The Takeaway

Despite the mental and physical effort it takes to use a typewriter, I definitely will continue to utilize it for creative projects. I’ve never enjoyed writing essays, so I think the entire experience felt like a chore. To match the romantic image of a writer I had when I was 16, I need to leave the school work for my laptop. This way, when I'm writing my prize winning novel, I can lose myself in the rhythmic click-clack of the keys and let the world fade out around me as I produce what I love.  

Rape culture is still alive and well, and in case you needed any proof, look no further than the signs someone put up around the Indiana University campus on Monday.

Teen Vogue reports that a person anonymously created and posted flyers designed to look like they came from the university that call consent a "buzzword," and say that, "sexual assault occurs when attention whores (eg: you) need extra sympathy and decide to cry raep [sic]." 

The posters also accused victims of withdrawing consent after sex and of using assault as an excuse for cheating on their boyfriends, amongst other awful things. They were even marked with the #ItsOnUs hashtag and featured a link to a website that reportedly downloads malware to computers.

Students reportedly found the posters in multiple buildings throughout campus and began posting images of them to social media on Monday. After photos of the posters were spread, IU released a statement Monday night saying the posters were both fake and offensive.

"Sexual assault is not a laughing matter," IU said in the statement. "Sexual assault is an endemic issue facing college students nationwide, and one that we are actively trying to eradicate from our campus and community."

Junior Toby Klein, director of outreach and education at IU's student organization Raising Awareness of Interactions in Sexual Encounters, told the Indiana Daily Student that the attacks made in the posters weren't a surprise to her, despite the fact that she was horrified by them. "These opinions have long been held by a lot of people," Klein said. "This is absolutely appalling and disturbing, but it's not a surprise."

The Indiana University Police Department is investigating the posters, though they have yet to get to the bottom of who is responsible for them.

At some point or another, most of us have felt average in high school. Whether your wardrobe lacked the latest winter trends or your chemistry grade pulled down your GPA more than you anticipated, you’ve probably experienced the universal sluggish feeling. When college application season rolls around, it’s almost impossible not to feel subpar as your classmates compare test scores and count off the number of awards they’ve received. You might even question sending your applications to more selective schools because you’re convinced admission officers would just toss it in the rejection pile. If this how you feel, here are several ways to make your application stand out from the rest.

1. Turn your application into a story

While the analogy may be cliché, comparing life to a book with many chapters is true. High school isn’t just one chapter of your life; it contains good and bad experiences that shape your perspectives of things from love to work ethic. Admission officers are interested in how you’ve changed as a person throughout high school. Ashley Olszanski, a sophomore at the University of Vermont, believes that you can reveal more about yourself through the power of creative storytelling.

“Personally, I used my college application essay to tell a story,” she says. “Instead of listing positive aspects about yourself, pick a time in your life that you can make into a story and within that story, highlight the qualities that make you the perfect applicant.”

Your story can also stretch beyond the essay. Look at your application as a whole. Are your activities and leadership roles linear? Do your classes increase in rigor? Do your grades stay consistent or improve? If you answered no to any of these questions, take advantage of the additional writing space at the end of the application. Your explanation can help connect the dots of an incomplete picture, one that if completed, can work in your favor.

2. Convey who you are beyond your resume

Have you ever thought about how strange the college application process is? Strangers read about you on paper and decide your future based on how well you present yourself in less than a dozen pages. Without the essays, you’re literally a series of grades and achievements. This is why it’s crucial that you use the essays to communicate what makes you tick. Peter Van Buskirk, author, speaker and consultant of Best College Fit, stresses the importance of not letting your resume define you.

“So often students applying to college know themselves by their resumes: the activities they been involved in, the places they’ve been, the people they know, the positions they’ve held and their score history,” he says. “It’s a very visible reminder of who they are to the world. Schools want to know about the person behind the numbers, behind the data. Who is the invisible person?”

With a long list of extracurriculars, a perfect GPA and dozens of volunteer experiences, you’re more than qualified to attend most colleges, but showing who you are takes more effort on paper. Take the time to do this because it’ll be worth it.

3. Add a little bit of humor

You don’t have to be a professional comedian to include humor in your college application. There are many opportunities to make the reader chuckle or even just smile at your words. If you’re a sarcastic person or have a dry sense of humor, show that in your essays. Write about the time you took 25 four-year-olds fishing by yourself or what you learned from accidentally shaving off your eyebrows. Even a serious writing prompt can be answered in a lighthearted way. Amy Ma, a freshman at Stanford University, says, “I wrote in my essay that one of the reasons I wanted to go to Stanford was because I wanted to be like Gabriella from High School Musical. I guess they thought it was funny!”

If you’re afraid your humor will fall flat, have multiple people read your essay or personal statement. Watch their reactions and tweak your writing based on the positivity of the reactions. Just know that everyone has a different sense of humor, so not everyone might enjoy your jokes (including the admissions officer). Sometimes written humor doesn’t have the same effect as spoken humor. One specific case is dark, conversational humor that’s more of an acquired taste for some people. Make sure you’re completely confident before you submit your application

Related: 5 Things That Don’t Matter on Your College Applications 

4. Be honest with your achievements

Let’s face it. It’s very tempting and easy to exaggerate on your college application, especially if it’s something as trivial as how many people were competing for a certain award that you won. While an admissions officer may not be able to fact-check everything you put on your resume, it’s assumed you’re being truthful. Min Son, a sophomore at Ursinus College, learned from personal experience that honesty stands out on an application.

“When I was applying to college, I only thought about impressing whoever was going to look at my applications. Being the first chair in an orchestra or winning a debate trophy as a sophomore wasn’t as important as I thought,” she says. “I realized that people who stand out don’t exaggerate. They take their life experiences to show who they have become, focusing on the process rather than the result.”

While Min’s achievements are admirable, she believes that writing about the hours of practice to become the first chair or the struggles of winning the debate trophy would’ve benefitted more in the long run. High school is a journey and colleges are interested in hearing about how you’ve been shaped by your achievements, not just the achievements themselves.

5. Focus on what you’ll bring to campus

Although many colleges don’t use quotas to fill spots in their new incoming class, they do look for students that will bring something new. Maybe they want a stronger theater culture or a greater diversity of intramural sports. If you’ve got a passion for something unusual, chances are the admission officers will like that. Even if you don’t believe it, your mad juggling skills make the campus melting pot more diverse.

Rachna Shah, a freshman at Dartmouth College, says, “One of the most important things to understand in your college application is that colleges are trying to see what you’re going to do in the future, both on campus and beyond. What’s unique about you? Whether it be an extracurricular or a personal trait or a hobby, it’s sure to make you shine.”

If you can’t keep track of how many schools you’re applying to, think about narrowing down that list. For each school, consider how your passion will impact student culture. Bringing something completely new to campus will ultimately help a college’s image and your chances of acceptance.

The college application process is one of self-growth and discovery. While you may feel defined by ordinary test scores and activities, you’re more than a list of items admissions officers use to compare you to other applicants. By showing them the unique qualities you’ll bring to their campus, your application will definitely have a better chance of being placed at the top of the acceptance pile.  

You’ve got your candy corn ready, you’ve already planned your Halloween movie marathon and now you’re ready to start costume planning. But, the first rule to an awesome costume is to make sure you’re not offending anyone you may pass while trick-or-treating or party hopping. With costume websites selling costumes like “Mexican Mistress”, “Sexy Indian Girl” and “Hawaiian Goddess”, it may seem as though these costumes are OK to sport. However, the nature of those costumes serve as disrespect to the cultures they are imitating. Skip the controversy and educate yourself about what to avoid this Halloween with these tips.

1. Do your research before you buy

You may think that gluing a few feathers to a headband and wearing a fringed dress seems like the “perfect” Native American costume, however, it’s actually everything but the perfect costume. Not only would you be perpetuating a stereotype, the Native American population is not there for you to mimic for your Halloween costume.

Alani Vargas, a junior at Northwestern University, puts it simply: “Basically if the type clothing was ever meant for something specific in a culture or from another culture, especially a minority one, it's a no-go.”

Instead of trying to play dress up with another culture’s traditions, appreciate them from afar. You may think it’s cute to throw on a kimono and put chopsticks in your hair so you can sport a “Geisha girl” look but geishas are Japanese entertainers and have had a strong history in Japan. Their makeup and dress is a part of a tradition in their country and shouldn’t be up for grabs at the Halloween store.

2. Don’t make yourself another “color”

Unless you’re dressing up as an Oompa Loompa or a Smurf, you shouldn’t try to use Halloween makeup to dress up as another race.

In the 1800s, white actors would paint their faces black and “play” African-Americans in shows and eventually on television. These minstrel shows portrayed stereotypes about the African-American community. The shows were highly offensive and are still marked as one of the biggest examples of cultural appropriation to date.

You may not have the same skin color as Beyoncé, but she has enough iconic outfits for you to DIY that people will instantly figure out your costume.

“If you have to participate in cultural appropriation or blackface to portray a certain character or person, you need to be more creative,” says Gloria Kimbulu, a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

With costumes like gumball machines, kegs and eggs and various Ninja Turtles, do you really need to offend another race to nail the Halloween game? No, you don’t.

3. Do make fun of yourself

 A zombie college student, a box of wine or a basic “witch” complete with leggings and a Starbucks cup are all costume ideas that make fun things in your life without offending anyone.

Juli Cehula, a sophomore at Saint Vincent College, says, “Stick to your own culture, no one can make fun of you for being you! Plus, laughing at yourself is the most grown-up humor there is.”

Are you constantly showing up to parties in sweatpants? Then laugh it up by adding vampire fangs and some fake blood. Do you find yourself constantly drinking the same bottom-shelf vodka? Dress up as the bottle, tease your hair so it looks messy and give yourself “last night’s makeup” to make it look like you’re hungover.

Related: What Halloween is Like in College

4. Don’t make fun of anyone’s sexual orientation

There was a major backlash when Halloween costume websites started selling a Caitlyn Jenner costume based off of her Vanity Fair costume, which was modeled by a man.

“[The LGBTQ+ community] has fought so hard to get where they are today and dressing up as stereotypes of lesbian women or gay men only makes you look ignorant and lets it seem like it’s still OK to push them away from society and it’s not,” says Abby Devore, a senior at Temple University.

Reinforcing stereotypes about the LGBTQ+ community only contributes to the oppression of this community and the people who identify with it.

An easy, overpriced Halloween store costume may seem like the quick fix to your Halloween costume problem, but when it uses somebody else’s race, religion or ethnicity as a pun or “joke,” it’s not a good costume. Get fun and creative with your next Halloween outfit and think outside of the box. You may just win “Best Costume” if you avoid the run-of-the-mill ideas. 

Good morning Her Campus! With a break-neck news cycle, there is no possible way for you to stay on top of every story that comes across your feeds—we’re all only human, after all.

But, life comes at you fast. So grab a cup of coffee and settle in for this quick and dirty guide to stories you might’ve been sleeping on (like, literally. It’s early.)

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Brought #TakeAKnee to the House of Representatives

Following Trump's remarks at an Alabama rally this past Friday, in which he referred to football players who kneel during the national anthem as, "sons of bitches," people are not happy — and congresswoman Sheila Jackson of Texas is one of them. On Monday night, after giving a speech about the racist undertones of Trump's comments, Lee knelt symbolically, saying it was meant to be in honor of the First Amendment and a stand against racism.

"I refuse to accept that as a standard of leadership for the highest office in the world,” Lee said of President Trump.

A Man Who Believes Homosexuality Should Be Illegal Just Won the Alabama Senate Primary

Roy Moore, who has a history of making some seriously racist and homophobic remarks, has won the Alabama Senate primary against the Republican establishment's favored candidate, Sen. Luther Strange, Buzzfeed News reports. He will run in the special election race in December against Democrat Doug Jones, who is a former U.S. attorney, to fill Attorney General Jeff Sessions's vacant seat. In contrast, Moore has been removed from the Alabama State Supreme Court multiple times throughout his career, and once suggested that 9/11 was a punishment to the U.S. for turning away from Christianity. So that's reassuring.

Don't Freak Out or Anything, but Coffee May Have a Cancer-Causing Ingredient

Starbucks lovers, take note: a nonprofit group in California is suing Starbucks and around 90 other coffee brands and companies for not posting warnings that their products could contain acrylamide, a possibly cancer-causing chemical that sometimes occurs as part of the coffee roasting process, Cosmopolitan reports. While the coffee industry has asserted before that the amount of acrylamide in coffee is so insignificant that it is outweighed by the benefits of drinking coffee, but the lawyer taking on the coffee companies said that the goal of the lawsuit is to motivate companies to remove it from their products entirely — which, TBH, would make me feel a lot better about my multiple-cups-a-day habit.

What to look out for...

Today is National Voter Registration Day— don't forget to register to vote if you haven't already so your voice will be heard in November!

On Tuesday, Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal told Politico that he’s “99 percent sure there will be some criminal charges” from Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

According to Blumenthal, Paul Manafort, Trump’s former campaign chairman, and Michael Flynn, Trump’s former national security adviser, “are the most prominent”, but “there may well be others” who are indicted.

The Hill states that the federal government “reportedly wiretapped Manafort during and after the 2016 election cycle.” The FBI obtained a warrant to surveil him last year. The FBI allegedly raided his home in July, and told him that he should expect to be indicted.

This is not the first time that Manafort has been under FBI scrutiny. He was monitored under a different warrant back in 2014, this time for his business deals with Russian businesses and his lobbying work for Russian political parties.

The FBI has also been looking at Flynn, who stepped down from national security advisor after he misled Vice President Mike Pence about his conversations with Russian officials. According to Business Insider, he recently came under scrutiny once again when House Democrats claimed that he “had failed to disclose a trip he took to Egypt and Israel in 2015 to pursue a joint Russia-Saudi Arabia project ‘to build nuclear reactors in the Arab world.’"Wall Street Journalexplains that ethics advisors from the National Security Council warned Flynn not to participate in this project, but he did so anyway.

Flynn has agreed to testify before congressional intelligence committees as long as he is offered immunity from prosecution.

Blumenthal says he is not as certain that Trump will be indicted, but there is a chance.

On Monday, Barack Obama reminded us that although he may not be commander-in-chief anymore, he he will always be America’s dad-in-chief.

At an event for the Beau Biden Foundation, Obama reflected on how difficult it was to drop his daughter Malia off at college this fall, according to CNN: “For those of us who have daughters, it just happens fast. I dropped off Malia at college, and I was saying to Joe and Jill (Biden) that it was a little bit like open-heart surgery.”

Malia is a freshman at Harvard this year, and her parents helped her move in the dorms just like everybody else. And, just like everybody else, her dad tried to play it off like he wasn’t emotional.

Obama spoke about dropping Malia off at college at a fundraiser for The Beau Biden Foundation. The foundation seeks to “ensure that all children are free from the threat of child abuse”, and reminds us all to educate ourselves on the signs of child abuse and what we can do to protect vulnerable children.

"I was proud that I did not cry in front of her. But on the way back, the Secret Service was off, looking straight ahead, pretending they weren't hearing me as I sniffled and blew my nose. It was rough," Obama said. Awww.

This is not the first time Obama’s been the Most Typical Dad Ever™ though. On Jimmy Kimmel Live, Obama said that Malia’s younger sister Sasha taught him how to use Snapchat, and when he started discussing the implications of social media, she took a video and sent it to her friends, apparently complaining about how boring the conversation was.

And, of course, there are all the times Obama wore dad jeans. But, more importantly than being a “typical dad,” Obama is a good dad — and helps us get our daily dose of emotional volatility out of the way. 

Twitter is well-known for its short, to-the-point posts —there's not essay from your friend from high school about her gushing over the guy she's only known for two weeks or a weird rant from the kid from your Philosophy 102 class. 

Well, all of that is about to change. Twitter proposed this past Tuesday that it's thinking of doubling its character count to 280 characters, according toThe New York Times. 

“When people don’t have to cram their thoughts into 140 characters and actually have some to spare, we see more people tweeting,” Twitter previously said in a blog post about the potential change. 

The reason for the longer tweets is so that users can post less and finish their thoughts in one concise tweet.

The 11-year-old social media platform — founded on the basis of brevity — has been thinking of ways to update their system without alienating old and new users. With over 300 million users, Twitter has struggled to attract new users. Just last year, Twitter updated to make the use of photos and GIFs in posts not count against character limit. 

The change will be rolling out in groups around the world, and even when it may hit your area, only a selected few individuals will receive the 280 character treatment. 

Not shave my pubic hair—isn’t that gross? If that’s what you’re thinking, you’re not alone! A lot of people believe that hair down there is dirty, gross or unattractive. If you’ve been thinking of putting down the razor and have wondered more than once, “Who am I really doing this for?” then you’re in luck, because most of what you’ve heard is probably either myth or personal opinion.

The fact is, like anything else from how you wear your hair to the style of your clothes, whether or not you shave (or wax or trim) your pubic hair is completely up to you. It’s an individual choice, despite the way it’s been historically gendered (when’s the last time you heard a bunch of guys wondering whether they could get away with not waxing before vacation?). We’re here to tell you that there are at least nine great reasons to let your pubes grow wild and natural.

1.You don’t need to listen to the patriarchy

Isn’t that reason enough? For real, though—who cares what anyone thinks? Whether or not your pubic hair is shaved, trimmed or completely waxed has no bearing on you as a person.

Making your own decisions about your pubic hair is a totally feminist thing to do, whether you decide to shave or not.

Also, “If it is acceptable for men to not shave there at all, it should be for women as well,” says Ariana*, a recent graduate of Marianopolis College.

Related: How to Shave Down There 

2. Your partner should be okay with either choice

Would you date someone who didn’t want to date you because you had short hair, or dyed it purple? If someone can’t get with who you are—and what choices you want to make about your own body—then they don’t deserve you, anyway.

As Robin*, a freshman at Emerson College, says, “If my partner doesn’t like it, well then, don’t put your face down there!” And if someone doesn't want to give you oral sex just because you've got pubic hair, then you may want to reconsider dating them, anyway. 

Kelly*, a senior at University of British Columbia, says that in the LGBTQ+ community, it tends to mean even less whether or not you shave ‘down there.’ “I'm a lesbian and there isn't as much judgment around pubic hair, or body hair in general, among lesbians and bisexual women as there is among straight people, in my experience,” she says.

3. Ingrown hairs down there really suck

If you’ve ever had an ingrown hair—which, if you shave parts of your body regularly, you probably have—you know how much they suck. Now imagine that in your pubic region. Yikes, right? No, thank you.

Lynsey G, a professional sex writer, says, “When I shave, especially my pubic hair, I get itchy, raised bumps that refuse to go away for days or sometimes up to a week, and sometimes ingrown hairs. Not sexy, and uncomfortable, too.”

4. The growing-back period can be so excruciating

A lot of people experience itching and discomfort when the hair is growing back, which can prompt them to shave it again hastily—leading to ingrown hairs. It’s not a fun cycle.

“Every time I shaved it just got incredibly itchy,” says Robin.

If you’veexperimented with shaving and you find it’s uncomfortable every time, why keep doing it?

5. And razor burn? Please say no.

Thought razor burn was impossible in the pubic region? It’s absolutely not.

Ashley*, a recent graduate of Westfield State University, only trims and shaves some of her pubic hair for this reason. “I hate razor burn. I don’t get it as bad in the places I do shave,” she says.

6. It keeps you comfortable.

Your pubic hair is designed to protect you from infections and bacteria, but also just from regular run-of-the-mill uncomfortable scenarios. Think of like a protective shield against the world! Your pubic hair is basically a superhero.  

“I feel protected when I leave all my hairs as is,” says Ariana.

Kelly agrees completely. “To be honest, I love my pubic hair. It's nice and comforting to have. I think without it I would feel very exposed.”

And if you’re going commando? It’ll keep you warm in the winter!

7. You like the way it looks naturally.

Maybe you’ve heard the awful myth that, as someone with a vagina, you’re not supposed to enjoy your pubic hair, and you’re supposed to think it’s gross instead. Well, that’s just what it is—a myth!

Plenty of individuals like their pubic hair. Why not? It’s just another place on your body where hair naturally grows.

“I like the way it looks,” says Katie*, a recent graduate of Sarah Lawrence College. “It makes me feel sexy and real.”

Sam*, a recent graduate of University of Washington, agrees. “For me, I feel much more powerful with a full bush,” she says. “I think it’s sexier. On me, and on others.”

8. You can save time and money.

Think of all the time you’ll save not hunkering down for a regular shave. You’ll also save money, especially if you were thinking of waxing instead of shaving.

“It's easier and more comfortable,” says Katie. “I don't feel comfortable getting it waxed—nor do I have the money to.”

Use all that extra money on a rainy day fund instead, and do something for yourself. You can get a manicure, a massage or a nice lunch from your favorite local café.

9. You don’t run the risk of getting a painful cut.

We don’t even want to imagine what this would be like. It’s scary enough to be reason enough all on its own. 

“I can't even imagine how horrible it would be to accidentally cut myself in my pubic region,” says Kelly.

If the idea of nursing a wound down there fills you with dread, it might be better to play it safe. After all, even careful shaving and following proper safety precautions isn’t foolproof.

And if you’re going to shave some or all? Be safe about it.

If you want to shave some or all of your pubic hair, you can still be as careful and as safe as possible while doing so, to decrease your chances of ingrown hairs, cuts and discomfort.

Jen*, a recent graduate of Whitworth University, says, “When I shave the bikini line, I go over with a razor in one direction and apply Neosporin to the area afterwards to heal. I learned from experience that shaving the hairs in the middle will always and immediately lead to itch!”

Although the same won’t be true for everyone, we recommend going slow and figuring out what irritates you, and what works. 

Honestly, there are so many reasons to let your pubic hair grow naturally that we could almost keep going forever. Love yourself, and love your body the way it is—and the way you want it to be. Don’t feel pressured to make a decision that doesn’t fit in with what feels comfortable to you. It’s your body, and yours alone, so you should be the one making all the calls.

By Emily Forbes 

Coils, kinks and waves. My hair has a generous combination of all three textures on any given day. But while wrestling to contain the curls with a flat iron or a scrunchie used to be my go-to routine, I have since abandoned the struggle. It might have something to do with aging and becoming more self-confident, but the decision happened quickly. I stood in front of the mirror one morning, bed head twisting every which way, and I had a coconut oil-ridden epiphany: I really loved my natural hair.

Growing up in a predominately white area, I felt pressured to conform to the styles around me. If I couldn’t have straight hair, I would be less beautiful. I wouldn’t be like everyone else. It took years, but after finally realizing my own unique differences, I learned to accept all the parts of me that made me who I was, especially those I had long buried in order to fit in. If you’re wrestling with your own hair identity, here’s how I came to love my own natural hair.

1. I did my research on hairstyles

If you’re like me, you have a Pinterest board for everything, and hair is no different. When I decided to go natural, the first thing I did was pin the heck out of some new hairstyles. What I found was an enormous spread of techniques and up-dos for every occasion. From French braids to buns, from a slicked-back do to rocking it afro-style -- there was no shortage of inspiration. The internet also has dozens of video tutorials on different styles and tips on mastering the methodology. Natural hair is gorgeous and unique with loads of styles yet to be executed. Learn to praise the versatility of kinks, coils and waves and use it to play up your own personal style. After some practice, you will be a natural hair guru in no time!

2. I learned how to properly care for my hair

Hair looks good when it's healthy, so taking adequate care of your luscious locks is important. When I went full natural, my hair required a completely different care routine. I switched shampoo and conditioner completely. In fact, I had to try a couple brands before I settled on one that fit. I had to do upkeep more regularly and started supplementing my routine with things like coconut and jojoba oil. I had a lot of information from blogs, hairstylists and friends about what was best for my hair, and after considerable trial and error, I settled on a regimen that suited my needs perfectly. There truly is a science behind taking care of natural hair, and learning the ins and outs of what makes up your curly strands will help. Let it be known that there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to hair care, so while input from others is great, it ultimately falls into your own hands to decide what products and techniques leave your hair strong and healthy.

3. I found support from other Naturalistas

Fortunately, many people have encountered the wonder and frustration of accepting natural hair, so there is absolutely no need to start from scratch. Anything is easier with a support group to back you up, and the internet gives us hundreds of options. Recently, natural hair enthusiasts have taken social media by storm. There are dozens of forums for naturals taking the plunge, and this was the first place I started. Hearing the stories of others is emancipating. Garnering support for your own journey is empowering. You can take comfort in the fact that you are not alone. Reach beyond Pinterest (as hard as it may be) and cultivate an archive of natural hair blogs. Styling hair is an art that can’t be perfected overnight. These naturals lived through the confusion and the hardship so you don’t have to. Learn from their mistakes and try to imitate their fresh, fab hairstyles for yourself!

My whole life, I have had a love/hate relationship with my hair. While the endless battle between humidity and frizz will no doubt continue, I have certainly changed my attitude on the subject. Embrace your natural locks. Embrace the originalities and quirks that make you who you are. For me, it was a process of baby steps, acceptance, and self-love. But if there is one thing I learned, it is that my hair is my hair no matter what. And falling in love with my natural hair was one of the best things that ever happened to me.

Too often students are quick to pawn off their financial woes on their future selves. I know that I’ve gone on a Goodwill shopping spree and told myself that the resulting bill would be “future me’s problem.” Though that tactic may work in the short-term, thinking about finances isn’t something that should pushed to the wayside.

According to the Institute for College Access and Success, “68% of seniors who graduated from public and nonprofit colleges in 2015 had student loan debt, with an average of $30,100 per budgeter.”

If so many collegiettes are taking out loans for school and acquiring debt, why aren’t we trying harder to save money?

Depending on your income, putting money aside into a savings account may not be easy. The first step in being able to do so is ultimately learning how to manage your income.

To help you learn some financial tips and tricks, we sat down with Anthony ONeal, bestselling author of The Graduate Survival Guide, to discuss actions that may be able to help you save money.

1. Start a budget

The word ‘budget’ can be scary, but it’s nothing to be afraid of. Essentially, making a budget is just a way to outline your spending habits. Even though the act of budgeting won’t explicitly save you money, it will make you aware of where you may be overspending or under-estimating the amount you think you’re spending.

“List all of your expenses ... – gas, food, movie tickets, rent, clothes, savings for a large purchase – everything you can think of,” ONeal says. “Subtract all of it from your income. When you finish subtracting from your income, it should equal zero. If the total of your expenses is larger than your income, find ways to cut back or figure out how to make some extra money.”

When making your budget, you may find that it’s easier to write out your expenses in a notebook rather than on a computer. Being able to tangibly flip through your expenditures helps get the point across. It can be easy to forget that you’re overspending if you can just close the computer document.

2. Think about your food expenses

One of the easiest ways to cut down on costs is paying closer attention to the amount of money you’re spending on food. If you’re going out to eat every night, chances are you’re wasting your money. Whether you’re on or off campus, eating at home will save you exponential amounts of funds.

If you’re in an on-campus apartment and your school lets you, ONeal recommends “opting out of the college meal plan, which is usually expensive and often underused,” adding, “Students don’t have to completely give up going out to eat. [They just need] to budget an adequate amount for groceries and a separate line item for restaurants.”

Another great grocery shopping trick is taking advantage of your local store’s bulk section.

“I like to buy in bulk because it cuts down on a lot of costs. Buying a one-pound box of name brand pasta is about the same price I pay for a month's worth in bulk,” says Stephanie Blair, a senior at Western Oregon University.

One of the largest expenses you may have is caffeine. Whether you like coffee, tea, or carbonated energy drinks, going out to buy caffeine is expensive. Five dollars may not seem like much, but if you’re regularly dropping money on drinks it’s bound to add up. Rather than go to a coffee shop every morning, make your coffee or tea at home and bring it in a travel mug to your classes. If you like fancier drinks, buy flavored syrups to add to your coffee before you head out! It won’t taste exactly the same, but it will save you loads of cash.

Related: 5 Tips Organizing Your Finances Before the School Year Starts 

3. Try and buy multi-purpose items

When spending money on household items, get the most bang for your buck by filling your shopping cart with items that can get more than one job done.

“Buying products that can be used for more than one purpose is life saving. You can buy eight different cleaners for your bathroom, kitchen, floor and whatever, or you can buy a big thing of baking soda and vinegar. Coconut oil is similar-- you can use it for cooking, and as a toner, as a lotion,” says Stephanie.

If you’re going to stock up on supplies to clean your apartment or even to cook with, there are most likely ways you can cut down on cost. Things like coconut oil and baking soda can be used for a myriad of different things and can prevent you from spending money on items that will get used once and then get pushed to the back of your closet.

4. Look into being an RA

If you’re spending too much money on housing, look into becoming an RA! Not only does the job look good on a resume, it also may come with some great money-saving perks.

“Being an RA is a lot like being a camp counselor, except the people they’re helping are their peers,” says ONeal. “It’s a great opportunity if the student enjoys giving guidance and support to others (and if they're planning to live in a dorm anyway!) why not look into it? Many colleges offer their RA’s either free or reduced room and board for their services."

If having a leading role in your school’s housing department seems appealing to you, ask how you can become an RA. While one of the most expensive parts of attending college is housing- it’s also one of the biggest places where you can try and save money.

5. Start paying off your loans early

Though it may seem like spending money is counter-productive when it comes to saving money, starting to pay off your college loans a little early can make a huge difference in the long run. Depending on what kind of loans you have, you may be acquiring interest while you’re in school. One of the best ways of minimizing the interest acquired is to start making payments it while you’re in college. Doing this will help you in the future by cutting down on what you’ll have to pay month-to-month once you graduate. The less debt you acquire while in college, the better.

ONeal sums this problem up perfectly, saying, “student loan and credit card debt and car payments are plaguing our country right now.  So many students are leaving college unable to step into adulthood with confidence because of thousands of dollars in student loans and credit card debt.”

If you go into the first part of your post-college adult life with mountains of debt, how are you going to have the freedom and piece of mind to really take control of your life? Paying off your debt while in college may limit your ability to maintain stress-free spending habits, but it will totally help you out.

6. Transfer money to your savings account at the beginning of the month

Once you’ve paired down your budget and streamlined your shopping, throw your extra money into a savings account!

“When I get my paycheck I immediately put some of it (half or a third or whatever) into my savings account. If you're in a pinch you can always transfer it back but it's just an easy way to make it less accessible” says Abby Piper, a senior at Notre Dame.

If you’re living off campus or if you have any bills to pay, putting that much money away may not be realistic. If you can’t manage putting away a third of your paycheck, evaluate the savings amount that will work best for you. One trick that I’ve found is transferring the money as soon as you get paid. If the money lingers in your checking account you’re more likely to spend it. If it’s somewhere that isn’t as easily accessible, you’ll feel less tempted to dip into the money.

If you don’t have a steady source of income, an easier way to stash money away is by filling jars of coins. “I saved an extra $30 a month just by not spending my spare change and filling it up in a jar. You can also have over $100 if you fill a 2 liter with dimes,” says Charlene Hendricks, Campus Correspondent for Brenau University.

Though it may take longer to save a large amount, saving change that you find around your apartment or dorm can definitely add up. 

Saving money may seem difficult and stressful when you first start out, but it gets easier once you get into the habit of making conscious spending choices. Though it may mean foregoing Thursday night drinks and karaoke or your morning Starbucks, your bank account will thank you.

Fighting cancer is a battle no one should have to endure – especially alone. This October, stand in solidarity to honor those who bravely fight cancer and raise money to help fight back with Be Bold, Be Bald!

Be Bold, Be Bald! is a national fundraising event held on October 20th where participants “go bald” by boldly wearing a bald cap (or even shaving their heads!) to support everyone who has been touched by cancer – and raise money in the process for their choice of over 50 cancer charities.

Her Campus is teaming up with Be Bold, Be Bald! to encourage you to put your vanity aside and rally your friends and family to raise money for this worthy cause. Start a team (or go solo!) and you and your teammates will each have the chance to win a beauty package worth over $250 courtesy of Yes To, H20+ Beauty, BRÖÖ, DOPE Naturally, and other amazing partners! The team that raises the largest amount of money per team member will be gifted with over $1000 worth of prizes from Harper Wilde, Her Campus, Alma Mater and more as a special thank you from Be Bold, Be Bald!&Small Army for a Cause.

Be Bold, Be Bald!

Looking back at childhood TV shows, it’s hard to imagine them being any other way than what we saw them as. Exhibit A: Adam Brody revealed that he auditioned to play Steve on Blue’s Clues, and I’m shook.

Refinery29 reports that Brody was reminiscing about some of his earliest auditions in an Entertainment Tonight interview when he spilled this juicy tidbit. Along with trying to land roles on Power Rangers and Dawson's Creek, Brody had the chance of a lifetime when a Blue's Clues audition came along. "[I auditioned] for Blue's Clues, to be the dude," he said. "I would have killed for that role. I was like 19, 20. I remember going, 'This would be an alright life, this dog and me, on this children's show."

Excuse me while I picture a pre-O.C. (even pre-Gilmore Girls!) Brody in that infamous green sweater. Maybe Steve going to college would've been a tad more believable if a fresh-faced Brody played the character.

In the same interview, Brody sidestepped a question about a possible O.C. reunion by wheeling things back to Blue's Clues. "For the right amount of money," he teased, "I'd do Blue's Clues." 

In the end, it's probably for the best that Brody didn't win the role and that Steve Burns was cast. After all, can you imagine life without him as Seth Cohen? 

When you predicted your schedule for the semester, the last thing it probably involved was going to a class at 8 p.m., during the opportune time for completing homework for other courses. Maybe you actually voluntarily signed up to take this class—probably because you have more important things to do during the day, like a real adult job. No matter which category you fall into, the experience of the night class student is definitely not one to sleep on.

1. Number one thing on your mind: to eat dinner before or after?

Cramming it all in before like…

2. The agony of not being able to use your laptop as a pillow

3. It's the only time you actually want to be doing your homework

Well, that’s still debatable.

4. The clock moves so slow, but when you're in your room, the time literally flies by?!?

HOW? Please make this end.

5. So close to bedtime, the brain is not meant to function when it comes to new lessons on derivatives

6. It’s so late not even Facebook, Twitter or Snapchat can keep you awake at this point

Nothing interesting is going on. 

7. This is the one time you actually dread watching a movie in class

Dark lighting when it’s already dark outside is a no-no!

8. You've been working hard tonight, so an online shopping trip is a good reward

Typing notes slowly turns into free shipping with a full cart. 

9. You still have to be prepared for the prof to call on you, whether or not you know the answer

Unfortunately, night class is still class!

10. You don't know many people in your classes

Because they somehow dodged this miserable nightlife. 

11. Trying to make sure that you stretch to stay awake while not making it look like you’re raising your hand

12. At least you have the most logical reasoning for wearing sweatpants to class

I'm going to bed right after this, ok?

13. Not being able to go out with your friends because you're still in class

Meet up with you later? RIP.

14. Regretting this schedule on the daily

15. What you plan to do after this class is over: SLEEP

16. What you know you'll have to do after this class is over: STUDY

Ahh, the life of a night class student is never boring (even if it’s only one class).

Whether you’re the one dealing with jealous feelings or you’re dealing with someone who’s jealous of you (though who wouldn’t be jealous of you, because you’re perf), nobody wants to be jealous.

Jealousy is something everyone has experienced at some point, unless of course you’ve finally master not giving a shit about literally anything or anyone. In which case, why are you even reading this article? We get it—you’re researching for a friend, right?

Even though jealousy within a relationship is a pretty common topic, jealousy about others’ relationships is kind of an unspoken topic that nearly everyone has dealt with every so often. Regardless, there are a few ways that you help yourself beat that couple envy.

Related: 5 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Compare Your Plans to Your Peers

1. Focus on yourself and your relationship (even if your current relationship is with Netflix)

It’s easy to be fixated on someone’s seemingly perfect couple-dom, a celebrity fling or even a fictitious couple.

However, you shouldn’t miss out on your own relationship because you were too busy fixating on another couple’s relationship.

You actually don’t even need to be in any form of relationship to be jealous about others’ relationships. However, you shouldn’t envy someone just because they’re in a relationship and you’re not. After all, being single is an excellent time to focus on yourself and your future.

Emily Schmidt, a sophomore at Stanford University, says, “I always deal with relationship jealousy by reminding myself that my guy is out there. I just have to be patient. Sometimes I’ll go and read cheesy quotes on Tumblr if I’m feeling especially angsty, but for the most part, focusing on myself helps a lot.” Whether you want to believe it or not, there is someone out there for you (even multiple someones), so you shouldn’t worry about being jealous of someone’s seemingly perfect bae.

2. Remember that every relationship is different

What works for the couple you’re jellin’ on might not work for you and your SO, so you shouldn’t obsess over other couples. Don’t try to be like another couple, just because that couple appears to be blissful.

Just because your bestie and her beau display an obnoxious amount of public affection, doesn’t mean you and your SO need to feel pressured into doing the same. Without sounding like a PSA against peer pressure, don’t force something that doesn’t come naturally.

Personally, I used to overtly hold hands and cuddle up on my former SOs, but I only did it because I saw so many other couples doing it. I thought it was just a natural way to show your SO that you like and appreciate them, but it just felt all sorts of awkward (mostly because I hate PDA).

So save yourself the trouble and focus on doing the things that work for you and bae.

3. Stay away from social media

First rule of the internet: nothing is true. Okay well, some things are true on the internet, but social media accounts represent the best of someone’s life. After all, who would want to document the worst (or even mundane) parts of their life or relationship?

John Remus, a senior at Iowa State University, explains, “You tend to obsess about random people on Twitter and Facebook, and it just becomes unhealthy because you’re so focused on what other people are doing in their relationship. If you stop following couple accounts or use social media less, then you can occupy yourself with your own relationship.” Seriously, someone’s social media account is not an accurate representation of themselves of their relationship.

Don’t strain your own relationship because you want to be like all the other Insta-couples.

4. Be happy for the other couple

We get it, it’s easier said than done, especially for us petty gals. However, you should try to focus your energy on admiring a decent and healthy couple.

Before you start photoshopping you and your beau’s face onto photos of your campus’ It Couple, take a second to appreciate that there’s a happy couple (even if they’re only smitten on paper Facebook). 

An anonymous alumna from Florida State University explains that she starting thinking more positively about other couples’ relationship. “I started going to student counseling when I was a student to try to get rid of my negative outlook. It was really affecting my relationship with my boyfriend and my relationships with my friends, because I was spending a lot of time becoming obsessed with relationships that I wasn’t even involved in.” After all, there is absolutely no shame in seeking therapy to help you learn how to process your emotions more effectively, especially if it helps strengthen your relationship with your friends and SO.

Even if you don’t feel like your relationship is the best relationship at the moment, it’s always inspiring to see that there are other couples that are thriving at the moment. After all, what’s life without hope?

Related: 4 Signs Your Friend is Jealous of You

5. Ask other couples questions

If you’re jealous about another couple or pining over someone else’s “couple goals,” you should try asking them questions about what works and what doesn’t work for them.

Even if you use this interrogation interview to overthrow this poster couple’s Insta-fame, at least you’re channeling your energy toward minimizing the couple rivalry, rather than forcing your SO to take 75 photos of your couple brunch for your shared Instagram account.

After all, if you’re jealous about someone else’s relationship in the first place, then you might need to work on something in your own relationship. And there’s nothing wrong with working on something, even if it isn’t “broken.” That is how maintenance works.

Instead, try to figure out why you’re jealous of another couple, and try to replicate that in your own relationship (but, you know, edit it to fit your relationship). For example:

• If you’re hating on another couple because they seem to spend a lot of time with each other, try spending more time with your SO. However, don’t chill with your SO just for the sake of hanging out with them—make that time meaningful so it doesn’t seem like an assignment.

• If you’re jealous that other couples know more about their respective SO, try learning more about your other half. Just don’t interrogate them. Whether it’s a game of “Never Have I Ever” or a goofy questionnaire that you found online, make sure you both are having fun learning about each other. You wouldn’t want it to feel like those awkward ice-breaker exercises during syllabus week.

• If you’re worried that you aren’t making your partner happy, talk to your SO. Seriously, don’t fill yourself with pseudo-doubt when you can have a conversation with your babe. It’ll be less stressful than your performance review at work, we promise.

• If Sharon and Bree got matching tattoos, but you don’t want matching tattoos, then try to find something you and your SO can share together. Perhaps you could start off with some matching temporary tattoos or some couple bathrobes.

• If your fav Insta-couple just went on a cruise together, but you and bae are broke AF (plus cruises are boring), do something different (but affordable) from your usual routine. Take a day trip to a state park or watch a steamy movie— you know, something low-key.

If you’re jealous about someone else, then you obviously want something that they have — or something that you think they might have. Regardless, you shouldn’t silently sulk about the dream relationship that you don’t have. Instead, gradually work on your own relationship. Your relationship is what matters, after all.

A Republican Congressman called his colleagues "eye candy" in a public statement and—shocker—the remark didn't go over very well. Teen Vogue reports that North Carolina Rep. Mark Walker, the chair of the Republican Study Committee, was making a statement outside the Capitol on Tuesday when the controversial moment occurred. 

"We must become more vocal and visible," Walker said. "The accomplished men and women of the RSC, and women—if it wasn't sexist, I would say the RSC 'eye candy;' we'll leave that out of the record—are not attention-seekers."

Perhaps Walker's comment would be a little less awful if the RSC didn't consist of only 16 women among 160 members. CNN says that the remark slipped during Walker's "3 Promises, 3 Months" speech in which he discussed the RSC's goals for the upcoming months. According to its website, the group aims to "bring like-minded House members together to promote a[n]...agenda that will limit government, strengthen our national defense, boost America's economy, preserve traditional values and balance our budget."

Walker apologized for his comments in a statement to CNN, saying, "I made a flippant remark meant to be light-hearted but fell short. I'm proud of the women who serve in our RSC leadership." 

Regardless of the apology, Walker didn't escape from some criticism on Twitter for the remark. 

Walker, who's currently in his second Congress term and first as the RSC chairman, is also a pastor. He may regret his words, but this is far from being an admirable leader in politics. 

Following Senate Republicans' decision to abandon the Graham-Cassidy health care bill, President Donald Trump has announced that he may sign an executive order on health care to bring about change, CNN Money says. Here we go again!

"I'll probably be signing a very major executive order where people can go out, cross state lines, do lots of things and buy their own health care, and that will be probably signed next week," he said to reporters on Wednesday. "It's being finished now. It's going to cover a lot of territory and a lot of people. Millions of people."

The potential order is reportedly inspired by Kentucky Senator Rand Paul's ideas on health care. Sen. Paul has proposed a solution allowing insurers to sell policies across state boundaries and buy coverage in groups. If permitted to sell insurance policies in several states, insurers would still only follow health care regulations in their home state. While the plus side of the idea would increase customers' options of what to do, critics have pointed out that having access to other states would increase insurance rates negatively.

"I believe President Trump can legalize on his own the ability of individuals to join a group or health association across state lines to buy insurance," Paul shared on MSNBC. "This would bring enormous leverage to bringing down prices. It would also bring protection to individuals who feel left out, hung out to dry, basically." 

Trump choosing to support Paul's proposal comes only a week after the president rebuffed it on Twitter. "Graham-Cassidy Bill is great!" Trump wrote. "Ends [Obama]care!"

BuzzFeed News reports that making the solution an executive order would prevent it from going through Congress. Paul has been working on his plans for six months and was one of the GOP senators who publicly opposed the Graham-Cassidy bill. 

Although Paul's plan seems far more reasonable than the Graham-Cassidy bill, I'll actually believe any health care changes once they're finalized. 

Greek life is the perfect way to meet all kinds of new people, especially within your sorority. In fact, we guarantee you've come across these 16 types of sorority girls.

1. The Preppy Sorority Girl

She is the typical sorority stereotype, but you totally love her for that. She is always sporting Lilly Pulitzer, J. Crew, Vineyard Vines or a combo of all three, and she makes it look fab.

2. The Legacy

Her sister, mother or grandmother was in this sorority, and she could not be more proud of it. She is even more enthusiastic than the rest of her new member class, and it doesn't hurt that she is absolutely adorable.

3. The Party Animal

She spends every weekend at the poppin’ parties, and honestly, you don’t know how she keeps up with it all. If you need to know the best party to go to on any given night, she is definitely the sister to ask.

4. The Mama Bear

She takes responsibility for younger sisters or sisters who need guidance, and everybody turns to her for advice. She might only have two littles, but basically, every girl is her little, you know?

Related: 19 Signs You're the Mom of Your Friend Group

5. The Little Collector

Whether she wanted a big family from the start or only planned on taking one little, she has earned the title of "the little collector." She has triplets, at least two g-littles, a gg-little. And—surprise!—she can’t wait to meet her ggg-little.

6. The Gym Junkie

She is always at the gym and makes you feel guilty about laying in bed, scarfing down a pepperoni hot pocket—which is the only physical activity you’ve done all day. Besides having a killer bod, she has an even better attitude; she is #goals all around.

7. The Grandma

She never goes to socials and can usually be found in her room crafting, eating and watching HGTV. Odds are if you can't find her at formal, she's hiding in her bed.

8. The Alternative Sorority Girl

She has at least three piercings, a wardrobe that is almost all black, the coolest hair color EVER and is unphased by others' opinions. She is fierce and fab, and that is just one of the reasons why you love her. Also, her Insta game is always on point, and her outfits are on fleek.

9. The Super Smart Cookie

She might as well move into the library because that's where she spends the majority of her time. She is probably your scholarship chairwoman…or at least on the committee. You can always count on this sister to monitor your study hours.

10. The Dude

She is always hanging out with her favorite fraternity and is already their sweetheart. When you're with this sister, you can let your inner dude out, and if you need somebody to eat wings and watch football with, you know she is always down.  

11. The Busy Bee

Of course your big is your role model, but this sister is a close second. She has an exec position, an exec position in another huge organization on campus and a part-time job. She's also super involved with philanthropies and is building up her resume. And somehow, she manages to stay sane.

12. The Sporty Sister

She participates in volleyball, flag football, softball and any other sport your sorority is involved in. Whether you're playing right alongside her or cheering from the sidelines, she appreciates the support.

13. The Freshman

Everything she owns has her letters on it, including her schoolbag, keychain, shirts, cups, and pens. She always boasts about her sorority with a twinkle in her eye and gets involved with a leadership position as soon as possible.

14. The Senior

She has fully adapted to the senior uniform of an event tee and norts. This sister always has coffee in her hand and is just trying to graduate. She spends her nights crying because she realizes that this is her last year; she's not ready to adult yet or leave her sisters to do so.

Related: 25 Life Crises Only Seniors Will Understand

15. The Standards Keeper

She is loved and adored as a sister but sometimes disliked as the standards chairwoman. Nobody likes being the person required to tell a sister that her picture certainly was not appropriate for social media or that her Snapstreak is trashy and needs to be removed immediately. But somebody has to do it and she does it with love. Plus, without her PR skills, the chapter would be in shambles.

16. The President

She is actually Superwoman and is always running around with a million things on her to-do list. You have no idea how she does it, all while maintaining a balance of friendliness and sternness. Let’s face it, the chapter would be nothing without Prez. 

Good morning Her Campus! With a break-neck news cycle, there is no possible way for you to stay on top of every story that comes across your feeds—we’re all only human, after all.

But, life comes at you fast. So grab a cup of coffee and settle in for this quick and dirty guide to stories you might’ve been sleeping on (like, literally. It’s early.)

Social Networks Will Testify in the Senate's Russia Investigation...

All social media, good or bad, can come back to haunt you. After Facebook's reveal that Russians has bought over 3,000 political ads on the website, Facebook, Twitter and Google officials have been asked to testify to the Senate Intelligence Committee on November 1. BuzzFeed News reports that Facebook hosted several fake accounts connected to a "Russian troll farm" that spent about $100,000 on political ads during the 2016 election season. To prevent these issues in the future, Democratic senators are reportedly discussing legislation that would lead to greater ad transparency online. 

Some of Russia's Ads Promoted Black Lives Matter

In a bizarre plot twist, not all of these social media ads were tied to what you'd assume they'd be. CNN reports that at least one Facebook ad purchased by Russians focused on Black Lives Matter and was targeted at Baltimore and Ferguson residents. Because of those cities' ties to racial protests, it's believed that Russian buyers' goal was to "amplify political discord," as other ads promoted more conservative issues such as gun rights. 

Say What You Want About McDonald's, but I'm Definitely Not Lovin' It

In a ranking of the top 25 U.S. fast food chains based on their usage of antibiotics, only two came away with straight As, while 11 of the restaurants received Fs. Chipotle and Panera Bread were at the top of the pack, meaning that those chains have ensured that their pork, beef and poultry are raised without antibiotics. You may want to wean off the Domino's for the time being after seeing this chart. 

What to look out for...

Today is International Safe Abortion Day, primarily promoting women's groups in Latin America and the Caribbean working towards the decriminalization of abortion in these areas. Take a moment to remember those who fight for bodily autonomy and safe and accessible healthcare worldwide. 

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

By Sofia Charania

Being a student is such an exciting time, but it also means living on a student budget. As a medical student and lover of cosmetics, I am all too familiar with balancing my desire to purchase expensive skin care regimens and beauty products with my need to live prudently while in school. That’s why I'm sharing some of my tips for cutting down the cost of your beauty routine while remaining put-together.

1. Shop at beauty supply stores whenever possible

These stores offer better prices on drug store products than drug stores do, and also carry many high-end beauty products for much lower prices than department stores. Inventory at these stores changes frequently, so you shouldn't rely on these stores to have your favorite face wash in stock every month, but if you just need makeup wipes and don't care whether they are Almay or Neutrogena brand, these stores will be your best friend. If you’re in NYC you might know Manhattan Beauty, Cosmetic Market or Ricky's.

2. Buy in bulk when your staple products are on sale

This one sounds obvious and requires shelling out at one time, but if you know that you love a certain product or that it matches your skin tone perfectly, get a couple when they go on sale. I swear by my Origins foundation, and last winter I had just started a new bottle when the company had a huge sale and was selling the foundation for half price. I didn't need a new bottle right then, but I went ahead and bought one anyway. I know I won't be switching brands and I knew they probably wouldn't have a huge sale like that again in the next few months before I would need a new bottle.

3. DIY services like manicures of facials

Again, this is obvious but so important. Companies like Sally's actually sell gel polish sets and gel top coats, and you can get a professional looking manicure at home SO easily these days. Practice makes perfect, of course, so the more you DIY the better your results will be. I've gotten good at giving myself a manicure, and I have no incentive to go to a salon anymore. I often do a better job than the manicurist!

4. Invest in products that last a long time

For instance, this might mean buying a metal nail file instead of the slightly cheaper cardboard ones that wear out after heavy use. Or it might mean something as simple as buying a washcloth or reusable makeup removing cloth rather than disposable makeup wipes every month. Again, this doesn't have to break the bank, but think about longevity when making purchases. It's often easier to go for disposable products, but reusable products are also more eco-friendly.

5. Don't buy makeup palettes unless you regularly use most of the colors

For some reason, people love buying makeup palettes even though they only use up a few of the colors. It's much cheaper to just buy the individual eyeshadow or blush in a color you know you will wear every day. Plus, you won't feel guilty about all the product you aren't using every time you open the palette.

6. Know which products to spend on, and which products to save up for

For most people, that means shelling out on skin care products or foundation rather than mascara or lipstick, but each person has their preferences. I recommend finding a skincare routine and foundation or concealer that works well for you, and saving on everything else. I've found that my eyelashes look pretty much the same regardless of which mascara I use.

7. Alternate between your more expensive products and your cheaper ones

I have been wanting to switch over to natural products, and have been using one of LUSH's soaps for my face. However, in addition to being pricey, the soap is a little mild for my skin, so I use the LUSH soap once a day, and I use a cheaper acne fighting soap once a day. Another example is using your favorite perfume only when you go out or dress up, and using a lighter (and cheaper) body spray after the gym, for instance.