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The Best Works of Latte Art

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We've all played around with the foam on top of our Starbucks order, so it's no surprise that it's now become an established art form. Latte art is way of decorating espresso-based drinks using milk foam, and sometimes syrup, cinnamon, and cocoa powder. More advanced artists, such as Kazuki Yamamoto (who has some work featured below), take the average milky swirls to the next level by using intricate designs and 3-D effects. In case you needed an afternoon pick-me-up, we've collected the best examples of this espresso-inspired expertise for your viewing pleasure--because what's more rejuvenating than a dressed-up cup of joe?

While you've probably seen many simple and pretty designs like this:

There is an entire realm of undiscovered latte art like this:

From internet sensations...

...to contemporary and modern art you would find at MoMA,

latte art tackles all kinds of artistic expression.

You can use latte art to show your fandom of a video game...

...or your support for a politician....

...or your admiration for your role model.

Seeing your favorite things in latte-form is like watching a movie originating from your favorite TV show...

...in 3-D!

Latte art pushes the boundaries...

...and completely transcends them!

So take some time to appreciate this adorable and edible artform before taking your first sip!

Maybe you'll even try your hand at latte art the next time you stop at your local coffee shop on your way to your internship! If you do, be sure to share your creation with us, no matter how simple it is!


Kean University Offers a 'Death Class'

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Kean University, a public university in New Jersey, offers a "death class" in which students visit both convicted murderers and dead bodies in the morgue.

This Death in Perspective course, taught by nurse and professor Dr. Norma Bowe, is the most popular class at the university with a three-year waiting list. Students take field trips to funeral homes, cemeteries, hospices and prisons, and even view a live autopsy. Homework assignments include writing goodbye letters to dead loved ones, bucket lists, and their  own wills and eulogies. 

"If we can respect death as inevitable, instead of ignoring it for as long as we can before the health problems set in, we can live with a renewed sense of passion and wonder,"says Bowe. "The world around us can be a truly amazing place." 

The course gained national attention when journalist Erika Hayasaki read a student newspaper article about Death in Perspective and began sitting in on classes. She wrote a front-page article about Bowe's class for the LA Times and published a book called The Death Class: A True Story About Life, which details her experience with the course and the students she met there over the years.

According to Hayasaki, there are thousands of death classes all over the U.S., including a philosophy course at Yale University simply called Death

To find out about other bizarre college classes, check out this article about the coolest majors you didn't even know existed and this article about a Miley Cyrus class! Needless to say, Death in Perspective is one of the craziest college classes we've ever heard of. Who says college classes have to be boring?

Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino Arrested After Brawl in Tanning Salon

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Gym. Tan. Get arrested?

Mike Sorrentino, better known as "The Situation,"was arrested and released from jail on $500 bond on Tuesday after being involved in a brawl in a New Jersey tanning salon. Because where else would it be?

The 31-year-old former Jersey Shore cast member was getting his (fake) tan on at Boca Tanning Salon in Middletown, NJ, which he and his family co-own, when police responded to a report of a fistfight.

Interestingly enough, The Situation got into a fight with his own brother Frank, telling a photographer of Splash News that Frank “was not running the store correctly, so I had to go in there and clean house, in more ways than one.”

The Jersey Shore star and his family opened the salon back in March and are scheduled to appear in their own upcoming reality show on TV Guide Network titled “The Sorrentinos.”

Sorrentino, who left the fight with an interesting situation under his right eye (pun intended) in the form of a bruise, has been charged with assault. 

Target Announces New College Registry Program

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Every wedding movie has a scene in which the hyper-enthusiastic bride-to-be drags her extremely bored husband around Williams-Sonoma or Bed, Bath, & Beyond, zapping every coffee maker, Panini press and tea-kettle in sight.

Now picture that scene, but replace the bride with a college student. According to Target’s blog, the chain is launching a college registry program, which will go live this June. Unfortunately, it doesn’t yet include registry guns.

Instead, students will use Target’s website to register their school essentials from a variety of categories, like bedding, décor and storage. Their list, which they can update at any time, will be searchable by name. That way, your relatives (and ultra-generous family friends, if you happen to have them) can help you cover the costs of all your must-have college items.

So if you’re tired of getting gifts from Grandma that you never use… this may be the perfect solution.

9 Things Gay Girls Are Tired of Hearing

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By now, we’re all more than aware of the fact that sometimes, straight people say some pretty dumb things to lesbians. From questions about “the guy in the relationship” to inquiries about a threesome, lesbians have heard just about everything. Here’s a list of some of the most outrageous (but all-too-common) things gay girls are sick of hearing.

1. “If you don’t want to date me, just tell me—don’t lie about being gay.”

There are some things in life people lie about, like saying you did the class reading or that you don’t have any Nickelback on your iPod. Saying you’re a lesbian is generally not one of those things.

2. “Have you ever been with a guy, though?”

Have you ever been with a girl, though?

3.  “If you date girls who look like boys, why don’t you just date a boy?”

Attraction isn’t just physical, so whether or not someone looks like the opposite gender based on your rigid views of gender and sexuality is irrelevant.

4. “Who’s the guy in the relationship?”

Hopefully neither. I mean, we are talking about lesbians, right?

5.  “Can I watch?”

Yes, and the cost of admission is that of seeing an IMAX movie (popcorn not included). Still interested? Yeah, didn’t think so.

6. “Threesome?”

Two’s company, three’s not something I want to do with you, ever.

7. “So, like, how do you two have sex?”

Hang on, let me just whip out this handy diagram I have on me at all times to answer this question.

8. “That’s so hot.”

So is pizza.

9. “You’re way too pretty to be a lesbian!”

Wow, I should consider myself lucky. Most lesbians end up being forced to live under bridges and tell riddles for a living, but since I’m a pretty one, I get to live in society with everyone else!

 

Whoever said, “there’s no such thing as a stupid question” has clearly never been asked any of these.  Have any other questions we should add to this list? Let us know in the comments below!

 

The 9 Guys You’ll Meet After College

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In college, it’s easy to identify the kinds of guys you meet on a daily basis. There’s the frat guy, the bookworm, the sports nut, the partier, the philanthropist, the class clown and countless others all surrounding you wherever you go.

Post-graduation, however, you can’t just identify a guy by which fraternity he’s in or which classes he takes. The dating pool after college is a whole new ball game with completely different kinds of guys and completely different rules. Scary, huh?

So what types of guys should you expect to meet once you leave your university for the real world? This list will help you find out!

1. The Guy Who Can’t Let Go of College

After graduation, there’s always that one guy who just can’t seem to let college go. Once he wakes up and realizes that a Keystone Light with breakfast, lunch and dinner isn’t really acceptable anymore, he might go through a serious phase of denial that leads him to do things like attend his old frat’s weekend parties and continue to hook up with college sophomores on the reg. Even though his university days are behind him, it may seem like he never left college at all (and never will).

The Guy Who Can’t Let Go is living proof that old habits die hard. It’s totally acceptable to beer-bong your coffee in the morning before work, right?

When it comes to the dating game, he’ll probably also be stuck in the college mindset. In his world, taking a girl on a date is too much of a commitment, and long-term, serious relationships are the furthest thing from his mind.

2. The Big-Shot Career Guy

After graduating with a degree in finance/marketing/international business and scoring a job at a major company, The Big-Shot Career Guy has a killer salary and the ego to match. You’ll probably find him during his morning Starbucks run wearing an expensive suit and talking loud on his Blackberry, ignoring the people around him.

Expect him to take you on dates to flashy, expensive restaurants, where he’ll be rude to the waiter and pre-order the wine without asking you if you prefer red or white.

3. The World Traveler

The first few years after college can be a great time for expanding your horizons and engaging in a little self-discovery. Cue the adventurous World Traveler, because you’re bound to meet at least one of them post-graduation.

The World Traveler is that one guy who just got back from backpacking through Europe or taking a road trip across the USA after taking a year off after college to do some exploring. The fact that he doesn’t have a job or a real-life plan won’t seem like that big of a deal because he has so many interesting stories to tell and a huge culture-induced ego.

He’ll probably counter all of your stories with, “Well when I was in Italy…” and correct your pronunciation of  “gyro” whenever you guys go out for Greek food.

4. The Guy on the Rebound

As graduation slowly approached, The Guy on the Rebound had to make a big decision: stay with his long-term college girlfriend, or break things off in return for some personal freedom and a fresh, new start. He chose the latter, and now he’s torn between his desire to hook up with as many new girls as possible and his nagging regret that MAYBE he shouldn’t have broken things off with his ex.

He’s bound to mention his ex at least once when he’s hitting on you at the bar – upwards of five times if he’s had a little too much to drink.

5. The Major Player

While the frat guy with a big ego may no longer have his fraternity to lean on for help picking up chicks, that doesn’t stop him from chatting up every attractive girl he sees at the bar. He has his pick-up lines down to a T and is so charming that you might actually end up falling from his cheesy one-liners and creepy, sporadic winking.

Don’t expect the player from the bar to pull a Jacob from Crazy, Stupid, Love and fall madly in love with you, though. In reality, he’ll probably never call you back, and then you’ll find out that he’s dating your coworker Rachel (AND your other coworker Natalie).

6. The Guy Who Lives With His Parents

While The Guy Who Lives With His Parents is really just being practical, he’s probably not the kind of guy you want to date after graduation – the biggest reason being that hooking up in the room next to his parents’ master bedroom is so weirdly a throwback to high school. (And you thought squishing two people onto that tiny dorm bed of yours was bad…)

Fair warning: Going back to his place for a nightcap will probably involve an awkward 20-minute convo with his mom that involves browsing through all of his old baby pictures.

7. The Hipster

After graduating with a degree in art history/social justice/environmental studies, you’ll find this tortured soul haunting every Starbucks on your route to work. He’s sensitive, he’s deep, he just got back from his time with the Peace Corps and he has a ponytail that gives yours a run for its money.

You’ll probably date him until you realize that his skinny jeans are skinnier than yours and you decide that if you have to go to one more vegan restaurant, you’ll completely lose it. That’s when you know it’s time to switch back from herbal tea to Diet Coke and move on with your life.

8. The Guy Who Has No Idea What He’s Doing With His Life

This guy has absolutely no clue where he’s going with his life. He changed his major at least five times when he was in school. Now, he has a job at Target to pass the time while he decides if he really wants to put his psychology degree to use or if he should just stall a little bit by going to graduate school.

This guy has a lot of hypothetical plans for the future, like, “Maybe I’ll go to law school,” or, “I’ll probably just work at Starbucks for a few years and get my master’s,” or, “I should totally get a bartending license,” but none of these plans ever seem to pan out. Expect the same for his dating game: He’s definitely the guy who will bail last-minute and leave you dateless to your friend’s big New Year’s party. Skip it.

9. The Older Guy

When you’re in college, a freshman dating a senior isn’t exactly unheard of, but it’s definitely not the norm. After graduation, however, a four-year age gap isn’t really that big of a deal. That means the hot guy from work who sits a few cubicles down from you is totally fair game, even if he does have more than a year or two on you.

Instead of a morning trek to the dining hall, he’ll take you to fancy brunches. Forget about walk-of-shaming past his roommate in the morning, because he has his own apartment. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal, right?

Beware, though, because dating The Older Guy can make you feel a little bit like a child. He might lecture you about responsibility when you *accidentally* blow your entire monthly paycheck on new shoes and Chinese takeout, and there’s a good chance that you’ll feel totally out of place when you go to dinner with all his sophisticated thirtysomething friends.

Even though the dating pool is a little more limited than your college days, don’t let that get you down. Yes, you’re bound to date some weirdos, and you’ll definitely have a terrible first date or two, but eventually you’ll find that guy who’s right for you.

Until then, bask in the glory that is adulthood – date the hipster from the coffee shop. At least you’ll get a lot of free Starbucksout of it.

The 11 Most Influential Hollywood Women for Twentysomethings

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There's nothing twentysomething women love more than badass, influential women in Hollywood who tackle everything from body image to sexuality, finding a way to enlighten us on the important issues. We’re counting down the 11 most influential women in Hollywood who give all twentysomethings something to applaud and look up to. 

11. Emma Watson

We practically grew up with the girl and her endearing role as the ultimate kickass magical nerd, Hermione Granger, and we love her even more for the ultimate kickass Hollywood woman she has become. Perhaps one of the most recognized movie stars ever, Watson remains among the most humble. After Harry Potter, she decided to lay low and get a super incredible college education at Brown University. And, even with all of her fame, she stays down to earth and keeps it real as she branches out into newer, more challenging roles in Hollywood while pushing young women to do whatever it is they dream to do.

10. Lauren Conrad

This girl is perhaps the most noble ex-reality-television star ever. After becoming famous for the most dramatic display of California teenage life and relationship problems on Laguna Beach and The Hills, Conrad took a more sophisticated road and built her own realm of fashion. She has eight published books, two fashion lines and a well-known website.

In October, she introduced her newest project focusing on – yep, you guessed it – women. The Little Market, which she started with her friend Hannah Taylor Skvarla, sells fair-trade products made by artisan groups that employ women. The two came up with the idea as a way to combine two things they love—hunting for unique items and supporting the women who make them. 

Conrad empowers every twentysomething by offering her famous advice on friendships and relationships and providing a solid example of building success at a young age.

9. Demi Lovato

After a highly publicized meltdown in 2010, Lovato has become an advocate against self-harm for girls all over the world. After completing rehab, she opened up to the public about her private battle with anorexia, bulimia, bipolar disorder and self-harm. To help promote awareness and help girls with similar struggles, she collaborated with Seventeen magazine to promote the "Love is Louder" campaign. The campaign was started by The Jed Foundation, MTV and Brittany Snow to support anyone feeling mistreated, misunderstood or alone. Lovato teamed up with the movement when she went public with her struggles. 

The singer, songwriter and actress remains an open book about her road to recovery and has brought undoubted awareness to important mental health topics within the female community.

8.  Ellen Page

We already loved the 27-year-old eccentric actress thanks to her memorable role in Juno, but she gave us even more of a reason to look up to her when she came out as gay at the Human Rights Campaign Foundation Time to THRIVE Conference in February. The pint-sized Canadian actress made an honest and emotional speech to the crowd, moving many – including herself – to tears. In her speech, she spoke candidly about what she has learned about love through her sexuality, saying:

“What I have learned is that love—the beauty of it, the joy of it, and yes, even the pain of it—is the most incredible gift to give and to receive as a human being. And we deserve to experience love fully, equally, without shame and without compromise. There are too many kids out there suffering from bullying, rejection or simply being mistreated because of who they are. Too many dropouts. Too much abuse. Too many homeless. Too many suicides. You can change that, and you are changing it."

Her deep compassion for human rights not only proves Page to be intelligent and empathetic, but also proves her to be someone women – no matter their sexual orientation – can look up to. 

7. Mindy Kaling

What we love most about this hilarious comedic genius is her honest ability to discuss the fact that she's a woman and racial minority in an industry notoriously dominated by white men. But she doesn’t stop there. Kaling makes a powerful statement about body image in the entertainment industry by going against narrow beauty standards.

Kaling shared her body-image wisdom with Parade magazine in September, telling Shawna Malcom that she refuses to let expectations about what women in Hollywood should look like affect her sense of self-worth. She told the interviewer:

"I always get asked, 'Where do you get your confidence?' I think people are well-meaning, but it's pretty insulting. Because what it means to me is, 'You, Mindy Kaling, have all the trappings of a very marginalized person. You're not skinny, you're not white, you're a woman. Why on earth would you feel like you're worth anything?'"

Later, in a March interview with Vogue, the writer and actress spoke about how she handles body insecurity and the pressure to be thin, especially as a woman in Hollywood. She told interviewer Sandra Ballentine she doesn't want to be skinny, but instead wants to focus on self-improvement. 

Between her hit show, The Mindy Project, and her bestselling memoir, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns), she proves to women that intelligence and humor are the true things that define real beauty.

6. Jennifer Lawrence

It was the quote heard ‘round the world: “It should be illegal to call somebody fat.” In a December 2013 interview with Barbra Walters, the witty and sarcastic Hunger Games star spoke about the harsh realities and pressures for women in today's society. She has begun a new body image crusade across Hollywood, forever changing the way females both perceive themselves and the women they admire. In fact, the star revealed in a November 2013 interview with Yahoo! CEO Marissa Mayer that she did not want to lose weight for her role as Katniss Everdeen because she feared the message it would send to the young female audience.

Not only does she say what she thinks, but she says what everybody else is thinking, too. Is there anybody in this world who doesn’t love JLaw?

5. Lena Dunham

Unless you live under a rock, you've definitely heard about (or religiously watched) HBO’s Girls in all of its unmasked and controversial glory. Not only does Dunham star as the lead character, Hannah Horvath, a quirky and confused twentysomething navigating New York City, but she also writes and produces the award-winning series. She shies away from mainstream twentysomething television comedy topics and focuses on real, more daring topics with incredible depth and humor.

Her intelligence is uncanny, and she has created a show women can actually relate to and learn something from. USA Todaynoted, "Dunham is clearly a talent to be reckoned with."

4. Shailene Woodley

The 22-year-old Divergent actress has been candid about her thoughts on feminism, especially concerning women in Hollywood. What’s most important about Woodley’s strong opinions is her confidence in saying what needs to be said. She takes an inspiring angle on the whole feminism quarrel and breaks it down to what is really important: women finding power by learning how to respect and support ourselves and one another. In an interview with TIME magazine, Woodley said:

“My biggest thing is really sisterhood more than feminism. I don’t know how we as women expect men to respect us because we don’t even seem to respect each other. There’s so much jealousy, so much comparison and envy. And 'This girl did this to me and that girl did that to me.' And it’s just so silly and heartbreaking in a way.”

On top of being an advocate for lady power, Woodley is also passionate about living a very natural lifestyle. Instead of letting the limelight turn her into a diva, she stays super chill; she even confessed in an interview with People magazine that she refuses to wear anything but used clothing unless it's for work.

As if we don’t already love her enough, Woodley also keeps us engrossed with her outspoken thoughts on taboo topics such as the female body and all things sex. Check out our favorite quotes from the actress!

3. Beyoncé Knowles

She’s not bossy; she’s the boss. We don’t have to even say it, because TIME magazine already did: Beyoncé graced the cover of the magazine after she landed a spot on the 100 Most Influential People list. She has completely redefined the music industry when it comes to the power of women, declaring that girls run the world. We can’t argue with that, can we?

Even Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg, an activist for women herself, commended Beyoncé for her well-earned spot:

“Beyonce doesn’t just sit at the table. She builds a better one. Her secret: hard work, honesty and authenticity. And her answer to the question, ‘What would you do if you weren’t afraid?’ appears to be ‘Watch me. I’m about to do it.’ Then she adds, 'You can, too.'"

2. Laverne Cox

The African-American transgender actress has moved mountains in Hollywood with her advocacy for the transgender community. The LGBTQ advocate is best known for her racy role in the popular Netflix series Orange Is the New Black, for which her character, Sophia Burset, was named TIME magazine’s fourth Most Influential Fictional Character of 2013.

She has spread the empowering message of moving beyond gender expectations to live more authentically, and her insights have gained major attention as she has tackled many firsts in the transgender community.

Cox is the first trans woman of color to produce and star in her own television show, VH1's TRANSForm Me, which was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award. Cox is also the first trans woman of color to appear on an American reality television program, for which she accepted the GLAAD Award for Outstanding Reality Program. Another huge first?  Cox was the first transgender individual on the cover of TIME magazine for the June 9, 2014 issue.

Her honesty and confidence in her gender identity has helped challenge us to move past gender expectations.

1. Lupita Nyong’o

In just one year, Lupita Nyong’o has made a place for herself in Hollywood as an influential and honorable role model for girls and women of all ages. Not only did she snag an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in 12 Years a Slave, but she was also honored with the Best Breakthrough Performance Award at the ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood 7th Annual Luncheon.

As she accepted her award at the luncheon, she read a letter from a young African-American girl who said she prayed for lighter skin until she saw Nyong'o on her television screen. The actress made a moving speech that touched on the narrow beauty standards women live by today, addressing the young girl who wrote the letter:

“I hope that my presence on your screens and in magazines will lead you, young girl, on a similar journey. That you will feel the validation of your external beauty, but also get to the deeper business of being beautiful inside. There is no shade in that beauty.”

The actress is also the very first black female brand ambassador for French cosmetic company Lancôme. She has become a fresh reminder to every woman of every age about where the true standards of beauty lie.

How to Take Care of Your Tattoo in the Sun

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Even though the sun is marvelous, it can really hurt us, especially our skin. Our tattoos are no exception to the rule: they need to be protected from the sun too!

It really isn't difficult to take care of your tattoos in the sun. Your tattoo artist should have told you how to take care of it, but sometimes we all need a little reminding.

Use sunscreen!

Lather it on! “Just as too much sun exposure leads to premature wrinkling, not protecting your tattoo from the sun will make it fade quickly,” explained one licensed dermatologist HC consulted with. UV rays damage your skin and drain your tattoo’s life.

If your tattoo regularly sees the light of day, use a body lotion with SPF in it, such as Kiehl’s: Crème de Corps Light-Weight Body Lotion with SPF 30 or DeVita’s Solar Body Moisturizer with SPF 30 so that you're always protected. Arm and leg tattoos are great examples of places that usually see the sun. If yours does not, such as a small back or side tattoo, any sunscreen with at least SPF 30 will keep your tattoos looking bright and brilliant for decades to come.

But, if you just got your tattoo, a different set of rules apply to you.

Keep it covered!

Seriously though. “The skin where the tattoo is can blister and get infected if you allow too much sun to come into direct contact with it. Most people recommend keeping the tattoo hidden for about 4 weeks, but I say 6 weeks, especially if you decide to get it in the summer,” Marshall, a tattoo artist, explained to HC.

“I see lots of young people coming in to get their tattoos done for the summer, but I always tell them to wait for winter because it is easier to take care of it in the winter where you don't need to worry as much about keeping it dry and out of the sun.”

When your tattoo is done healing, feel free to show the world, as long as you have your sunscreen on!

You can find sunscreens at your local drug store, even including sunscreens that were catered for the tattoo’d person, such as Coppertone’s Tattoo GUARD Continuous Spray


6 Movies You Need to See Before Freshman Year

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Heading off to college? We know you’ve got a long to-do list to cross off before move-in day, but before you pack your bags and head off to school, be sure to check out these six must-see movies! From road-trip comedies to heartfelt stories of friendship, these six films are an essential part of your college prep.   

1. Mona Lisa Smile (2003)

In this movie, Katherine Ann Watson (Julia Roberts), a liberal graduate student, takes a job teaching art history at Wellesley College, a conservative women’s college. In the traditionalist milieu of the 1950s, Watson inspires her students to reevaluate their priorities and to aspire to something greater than marriage and domestic life.

This film about a life-changing class with an extraordinary teacher is the perfect preface to your freshman year. Although it’s set in 1953, this notion of a college professor changing students’ lives rings true today. Who will be your Ms. Watson?

2. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005)

When four best friends have to leave one another for the summer, they rely on a miraculous pair of pants—a pair of jeans that somehow fits all four of them—to hold their friendship together. By sending the pants to one another, they keep one another close despite their distance. 

This movie is the ultimate finale to your friends’ going-away sleepover. A testament to the power of friendship and the possibility of maintaining bonds overseas, this film is the perfect end to one last night of baked goods and guy talk with your high-school besties.

3. Accepted (2006)

This portrayal of college life defies all standards. When high-school prankster Bartleby Gaines (Justin Long) doesn’t get into a single university he applied to, he refuses to bow his head. Instead, he makes up his own college: the South Harmon Institute of Technology, also known as S.H.I.T.

This comedy follows the far-from-average adventures of Bartleby and his friends as they create their “ideal” university experience. While your school probably won’t be offering classes like telekinesis, this movie offers a compelling—and entertaining—take on the college experience.

4. The House Bunny (2008)

When former Playboy Playmate Shelley Darlington (Anna Faris) gets kicked out of the Playboy Mansion, she makes her way down to a nearby college’s sorority row, befriending the unpopular, not-so-girly ladies of the Zeta Alpha Zeta house. She teaches them her tricks to landing campus cuties, and they help her impress her nerdy crush.  Hilarious and heartwarming, this movie is a future-sorority-girl favorite.

5. Animal House (1978)

Despite being set in 1962, this quintessential college film tells a timeless story about an unpopular fraternity’s mission to wreak havoc on their school and its antagonistic dean. After getting rejected from the coveted frat on campus, Lawrence "Larry" Kroger (Tom Hulce) and Kent Dorfman (Stephen Furst) turn to the Delta Tau Chi house, embarking on a series of hilarious adventures in an effort to save it from expulsion. This classic is a must-see for incoming college freshmen (and everyone else!).

6.Good Will Hunting (1997)

Will Hunting (Matt Damon) is a young janitor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is also a genius with a talent for mathematics. When Professor Gerald Lambeau chances upon Hunting solving an immensely difficult equation, he takes him under his wing and encourages him to turn his life around.

This award-winning story about a young man recognizing his talents and coming to know himself is a must-see. It will inspire you to follow your talents and reach your potential, making it a perfect movie to watch before college.

Watching these six films is a great way to usher in your college career. Whether it’s a story about friendship or a life-altering experience, each of these movies has something to share about the possibilities of college life. 

How To Find a Gym in a New City

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Summer is the season for a fresh start! The sun is out, classes are over, and many collegiettes are working internships or jobs in new cities across the country. While exhilarating, moving to a new city creates a lot of challenges, including maintaining your fitness regimen. But even in unfamiliar territory, Her Campus has your back! Here is your comprehensive guide to finding a gym or a workout routine that will work for you, no matter where you are in the world.

Decide What Kind of Workout You’re Looking For

Are you a passionate Pilates enthusiast? Do you get bored easily on one cardio machine? Or are you just trying to work the treadmill until you build up a sweat? Keep these preferences in mind as you browse gyms in your neighborhood. If you are likely to only take group fitness classes, a studio that specializes in your course of interest—be it yoga, pilates, barre, or kickboxing—might be a better option than a gym membership. The instructors there have more expertise in their field, more variation in their classes, and more frequently offered classes throughout the day.

For example, Barre Bee Fit (a barre studio in Chicago, Ann Arbor, Pittsburgh, Dallas, Detroit, Milwaukee and Indianapolis) offers classes about every half hour from 5:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and then again from 4:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., making it easy to fit your fitness class into your schedule. An additional benefit is that while many gyms charge additional fees for studio classes on top of the membership costs, specialized studios charge only per class. Most studios also have a variety of packages. Barre Bee Fit and most other barre studios allows you to buy classes individually, in packs of five, in packs of twelve, or a month-long pass, allowing you to pay only for how many classes you plan to attend.

On the other hand, if you aren’t too particular about your workout as long as you can hop on a machine and get a good sweat going, you might want to think about joining a smaller, non-chain gym. You will save a lot of money by not paying for the excess amenities that you won’t be using. If you need a constant change in your workout to stay motivated, a larger gym offering both classes and machines in addition to a pool and a track could be the best choice for you. Before joining a gym, consider exactly what you’ll be using it for, and make sure its amenities match your needs!

Search for Gyms or Studios in Your Area

In a city, there will be a plethora of gyms at your fingertips! Courtney Kabbes, a recent grad of Indiana University, says living in a larger city for the summer increased her gym options. “I'm interning in Chicago this summer and was excited about all the new fitness opportunities available to me,” she says. “I've been wanting to try barre classes for a while (a combination of yoga and ballet) and I finally have the opportunity.”

For a quick search to see what’s available in your area, check out Gym Locator. Just enter your city and it will generate a list of the names and addresses of all the gyms, health clubs, and fitness centers in your area.

If you’re interested in a studio, many disciplines have their own studio locators online. For example, Yoga Finder and Everything About Pilates can be used to find a yoga or Pilates class near you.

If you live or work near a university with a gym or recreation center, they may provide local resident passes for an affordable price. For example, Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., offers student rates for their gym passes for $250 a semester, and New York University offers membership rates to visiting students. Some schools even run intramural seasons during the summer!

Think About Proximity

We all know how important motivation is to getting your workout in. During the summer when you’re running from job to social event, it can be even harder to convince yourself that your gym trip is worth the time! Finding a gym that’s conveniently located can be a game changer for whether or not you get your money’s worth out of that gym pass.

Think about what time in the day you are most likely to work out. Do you need to go straight from work before you hit the couch and lose steam? Or would you prefer to go later in the evening, once you’ve had a chance to relax? If you’re a proponent of the former, a gym near the office might work best. The latter? Look for a gym closer to home. It’ll be much easier to motivate yourself to get to the gym if it isn’t a 10-mile trek away!

Look at the Schedule

Before buying a gym pass, make sure the hours fit your schedule. Try visiting the gym at the time when you would be going to see how busy it is—some gyms will be packed right before and after normal working hours. You don’t want to get your workout fighting someone for the elliptical! If you’re interested in taking group fitness classes, make sure they’re offered at times that you will actually be able to go.

Ask About Trial Passes

If you can, ask for a trial pass or buy a guest pass to test out the gym before committing to a membership. This will allow you to make sure it meets your standards for sanitation, has your desired amenities, and provides a workout environment that you enjoy. It helps to know exactly what you’re getting before you invest!

Lindsay Geller from Emerson College suggests keeping an eye out for trial classes in studios as well. “A lot of studios that do group classes offer a free first time trial class, so I would suggest [looking] for these offers in order to find a fitness class that works,” she says.

Be Mindful of Memberships

Many gyms require yearlong commitments for memberships—not super useful to an intern only in the city for the summer! If you join a gym with a yearlong contract, look to see if there are locations in other cities that you can access from home or school, and be sure to check that your membership can travel with you when you leave. For example, a membership at LA Fitness, a fitness club chain with locations across the country, gives you access to any of their locations, wherever you are. Otherwise, look for a gym that offers month-to-month memberships.

Save with Social Discount Sites

Another great way to find gym passes for affordable prices is to check out discount sites like Groupon. Groupon allows you to search and find discounts on great deals in your city, because they’ve already negotiated a “group” rate for you. The trick is that the “groups” are comprised of distinct individuals using their site all across the city, allowing individual buyers to access a group rate. The website has a whole tab for “Health & Fitness” that can be narrowed to reflect workout deals in any city. There are often great discounts available for gym passes in your area.

Jaclyn Turner, a collegiette from the University of Maryland, used Groupon to find a month-long membership to a gym over her winter break and highly recommends the site. “It was a 30 day pass for $15, and the club had amazing Zumba classes,” she says. “Since I was in town for such a short time, the gym pass made it easy for me to stay in shape instead of having to pay the almost $80 my old gym wanted me to pay to reactivate my membership.”

You can also use Groupon to find more creative ways to stay in shape outside of the gym. Along with gym pass discounts, the Health & Fitness tab includes everything from salsa dancing classes to rock climbing, all at a discount. Lindsay used Groupon to a deal on group fitness classes. “I used a Groupon purchase to buy 10 Zumba classes at a local Zumba studio in Boston, and I absolutely love it!” she says. “I also tried a Life in Synergy fitness class and was immediately hooked, so I bought their 10-class package, too!”

LivingSocial also offers some great fitness opportunities under their “Sports and Fitness” and “Events & Activities” section, such as mud runs and dance classes. The site provides yoga classes and gym passes under their Events & Activities tab as well, but be careful that you aren’t distracted by the beer tours and Cirque du Soleil tickets strewn in!

Didn’t Find a Gym You Liked?

If the gym pickings are slim, don’t worry—there are alternatives that can keep you in shape this summer!

Free Workouts

Running: Even if you’ve never been too keen on the treadmill, like Katrina Kairys from McGill University, you might find running a pleasant alternative to an expensive or inaccessible gym. Katrina explains how she was turned on to running after trying a forest running trail near downtown Montreal on recommendation from a friend. “It's a great escape from the busy city and all the exhaust fumes,” she says. “It really feels like you're miles from civilization and it's a great way to de-stress! I suggest running as far away from street lights and intersections as possible, and I can guarantee you'll love it more.” If you’ve never ran before but would like to try it, try a run/walk program like Couch to 5K to get you started.

Walking: If running isn’t your cup of tea, try a long walk through the city or a power walk through the park. The benefit here is that you can bring a friend along or call your friends back home for a nice catch-up!

Runs and walks can also be a great way to explore a new area while getting a workout in. Check out Google Maps to look for parks or running trails in your area, but be sure to run or walk during the day and make sure your path is safe first! Another great way to find good routes in your city is Map My Run. It allows you to search by run length and location to find paths other people in your area have done and recommended.

At-Home Workouts

If you have a really tight schedule and can’t seem to make it to the gym or a class, working out at home is still a great option. With the resources of the Internet at your fingertips, home workouts have never been easier! You can use Pinterest, YouTube channels like Fitness Blender or Victoria Secret’s VSX Sport: VS Angel Workouts. Even yoga is available online now, through YouTube videos or specialized programs like One World of Yoga.

In addition to fitness videos, there are countless fitness blogs you can get effective at-home workouts from, like The Fitnessista and meals & moves. Or, check out Her Campus’s Dorm Room Workout.

Hit the gym, the road, or the mat, and then enjoy the fruits of your hard work when you hit the beach with your friends!

To Scrunch or Not to Scrunch: Are Scrunchies Back in Style?

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News flash for '90s girls: there is an account on Instagram called “ScrunchiesofInstagram.” No, this is not a drill! As it turns out, its description is as follows: “SCRUNCHTASTIC! Championing the return of the scrunchie, one scrunchie at a time...” But wait, 'scrunchtastic'? 'The return of the Scrunchie'? Are banana clips coming back, too? Assuming many of you are like me, with your head in the proverbial clouds about which trends from the ‘90s are coming back in fashion, you’re probably really confused as to why this Instagram account even exists, right? Yeah, me too.

Topanga from Boy Meets World rockin’ a '90s scrunchie

Now, I haven’t worn a Scrunchie since I was six years old, at least. And I have to say I have my qualms about this sloppy slip-up from the ‘90s making its way back in, but I did find a couple of really cute new styles with this aging trend. Albeit dated and a little frumpy, there are some pros to wearing this “new” (but really quite old) Scrunchie trend.

The Pros: Because it doesn’t have any metal, the Scrunchie doesn’t pull your hair. To be fair, though, neither do the new “fabric hair ties,” which are quite a bit sleeker and more “polished,” if you dare. Still, the Scrunchie certainly makes a statement. When doesn’t a large chunk of cloth protruding from someone’s hair cause eyebrows to raise? If you’re into the whole “'90s throw back grunge” fashion, or if you’re really just lazy, a regular scrunchie might be just fine. Finally, when browsing through the ScrunchiesofInstagram page, I did find some really cute varieties of this “new” scrunchie. Some had little bunny ears and, let’s face it, bunny ears are always adorable.

The Cons: Let’s face facts: no matter how many cute bunny ears these things adorn, they’re still potentially to much of a throwback. You’re better off getting a regular scrunchie and using it as a make-shift sock bun, to be completely frank. Not to mention, of course, the fact that girls with shoulder length hair or shorter never had a chance with the Scrunchie, and those are the styles that are the most “in” as of late, so what’s the point? Finally, scrunchies are also outdated in the sense that they just don’t work like today’s “no-slip grip” and “no-pull” hair ties. Whether I want a sleek, polished pony tail or a messy bun, a scrunchie is the last thing I’d reach for.

The Bottom Line: Though there are cute and “no pull” varieties, scrunchies are outdated and, if you're a fan of simple style, a little bit gaudy. I'd like to reserve this trend for those over thirty -- the people who popularized the scrunchie in the first place.

What do you think? Are scrunchies a definite beauty "don't," or are they a great way to rock your vintage style? Tell us in the comments below!

4 Success Tips for Introverted Interns

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Being thrown into a new professional environment can be scary, but for collegiettes who are introverts, it can seem almost impossible to thrive. There’s nothing wrong with being an introvert in the workplace. With that in mind, there are some struggles introverts may face when they start a new internship. It’s important not to let your fears get in the way of your overall experience. You don’t have to be a total chatterbox to make a good impression! In fact, there are tons of ways to be successful as a shy intern.

1. Don’t let nervousness control you

Being nervous at the start of an internship is normal, but when you let it affect your work, it becomes a problem. Expressing that you feel nervous may actually help you feel more relaxed. Everyone is nervous on his or her first day, and your coworkers will probably expect you to be overwhelmed at first.

When it comes to dealing with nerves, Suzanne Dagger, director of career services at Hofstra University, says, “Try and develop a mentoring relationship with your direct supervisor or a co-worker. Share with them your worries or concerns, and see how they can help.”

Isabel Fontana, a junior at Albion College, had to shake off her nerves to get the job done. My internship involved calling people I didn’t know on the phone, which was very awkward and made me uncomfortable,” she says. “Once I forced myself to call, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.” Sometimes you may psych yourself out in preparation for the absolute worst outcome—don’t do it! Instead, envision a positive result.

2. Introduce yourself to one new coworker a day

Walking into a room where everyone else knows one another can be intimidating. Even if you’re shy, making a point of introducing yourself to your coworkers is extremely important.

“A more introverted or reserved individual may hesitate when being asked to go to the weekly happy hour. However, there are other ways to make connections,” Dagger says. “Find one other intern or a coworker and see if you can make plans for lunch, or, even better, ask them questions about their career path, educational preparation, their goals and what they like and don't like about the industry.”

Imogen Hawley, a junior at the University of St Andrews, found a way to make conversation while waiting at the copy machine. “It was awkward to stand around at the copier by my coworkers’ desks in silence, so one Friday, I made the effort to ask people about their weekend plans,” she says. “Knowing things about my coworkers made me feel more relaxed in a new place and more confident to ask them about their experiences.”

Making connections with people and learning about their lives will make you feel more comfortable in a new environment. There’s no use in hiding at your desk, so instead start slow by trying to talk to one new person per day.

3. Prepare your questions before you ask them

Asking questions can be scary for an intern who is shy. However, “keep in mind, most supervisors want you to check in with them and ask questions, because if you are doing it wrong, you are wasting company time!” Dagger says.

No matter how simple the question may be, you’ll be better off asking for help rather than getting frustrated on your own. If you’re uneasy about asking a question, it will help to plan out exactly what you want to say beforehand. Be sure to explain how you tried to solve the problem yourself first. This will show that you are dedicated to the project and focused on doing a good job.

4. Accept that you will make mistakes

An introvert may be more scared of making mistakes at her internship. Kaley Schwind, a recent alumna of Indiana University, dealt with the fear of messing up at her internship.

“I did not want my boss to think I was unintelligent or not ready for the internship,” she says. “However, as an intern, it's almost impossible to NOT make any mistakes. You have to get past the ‘feeling like an idiot’ part and take each mistake that you make and learn from it.”

Don’t spend your time worrying about making mistakes, and instead remember that internship coordinators create these opportunities for people to gain experience. If you mess up, don’t be scared to admit it. You’re not expected you to know absolutely everything about that particular job field and do every task flawlessly all the time! Try to approach this internship opportunity with a positive attitude, and don’t get down on yourself if you mess up. Look at any mistakes you make as lessons that will benefit you in the future.

Don’t let the fact that you’re more reserved than others stop you from doing your best work. If you put yourself out there and take a step out of your comfort zone, you’ll not only feel more comfortable, but also, you’ll feel accomplished. Remember that the internship coordinators chose you for a reason. Even if you identify as an introvert, you can use this opportunity to take risks and reinvent yourself any way you’d like. The professional skills you’ll learn during an internship will help you in future jobs, so don’t hold back!

7 Subtle Ways to Let Girls Know You Like Girls

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Almost every queer girl has been in this situation: You meet a cute girl, and she seems totally into you. You get attached and maybe even ask her on a date… only to find out she was just a friendly straight girl all along. You can avoid this by letting girls know you like girls from the get-go, but it can be awkward to tell a girl you're queer upon meeting her, and even more awkward to ask her if she is. Unfortunately, there's no secret lesbian handshake or queer sonar, so here are a few tips for subtly letting girls know that you like girls.

1. Bring up LGBTQ+ pop culture icons in conversation

Mentioning queer pop culture icons is a great way to steer the conversation in the right direction so that your personal sexual orientation just may happen to come up. For example, "That was so brave of Ellen Page to come out!" is a great prompt to get the convo on the topic of lesbians. If you're talking about TV shows, ask her if she watches MTV's Faking It. The show has drawn in a big queer audience, so there’s a good chance that if she likes it, she likes girls, too!

2. Compliment her... a lot

A compliment and a flirtatious smile go a long way. If she's interested, she'll probably do it right back. Tell her you like her hair, her clothes or anything about her, as long as you mean it! This can create a great start to a friendship or even a relationship. However, there is a fine line between flirting and mere friendly compliments, so make sure your compliments fit into the flirtatious category. And remember, eye contact is key!

3. Mention other girls being hot

Girls call other girls hot all the time, but it can put ideas in someone's head. Talk about some female celebs you think are particularly attractive. Talking about a famous person instead of some random girl will make it so she won't get jealous in case she is interested in you.

4. Wear some pride gear

Wristbands, lanyards, T-shirts... you name it, you can put a rainbow on it. Hopefully she'll get the hint based on your flamboyant fashion, and you won't even have to say anything! Some good places to buy cute pride gear are Spencer's, Hot Topic and American Apparel. You can also try specialty pride stores or websites like Rainbow Depot and MyPrideGear.com, which both have an extensive collection of rainbow items from bow ties to lip appliqués.

5. Add her on Facebook

Who can resist checking the "about" page of her new Facebook friend? If your "interested in" section says "women," she'll undoubtedly take notice. Of course, you can also check out her page and see what her "interested in" section says!

6. "Come out" casually

Burlesque performer, writer and lesbian extraordinaire Eveleena Fults (aka Ivy Les Vixens) recommends coming out as frequently as possible in casual conversation to ensure girls know you're interested in girls. She urges queer girls to say things like, “Oh, yeah, music is cool. My ex-girlfriend was a musician. Her band sucked, but I pretended to be supportive.” It's an easy way to come out without all the dramatics and awkwardness, and it works especially well for femme queer girls like Ivy who don't have the stereotypical lesbian image.

7. Subtlety is key... or not!

Just tell her! If she has a problem with it, do you really want to associate with her anyway? Be more straightforward if you're interested in a girl. Life is too short to waste time beating around the bush. It can be a little awkward, but who cares? Let your rainbow flag fly!

You can still let girls know you like girls without reliving the awkwardness of "coming out." Just remember to never compromise who you are for the sake of a girl. Be yourself and don't feel discouraged if your new friend turns out to be straight or just not interested. There are plenty of fabulous female fish in the sea!

12 Foods That Will Keep You Healthy All Summer Long

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Memorial Day marked the unofficial beginning of summer with barbeques and pool openings, and with the hot weather, there’s no denying that the season is here. With the warm weather comes a number of deliciously refreshing fruits and veggies that you can incorporate into your diet. Mary Hartley, a registered dietitian, says that young adults need six to nine servings of produce a day, and there is good reason for that! Some of the benefits of a diet rich in produce include lowered blood pressure, decreased risk of heart disease, stroke, digestive problems and some cancers. Fruits, vegetables and other fresh produce can also help you maintain a healthy weight because they are naturally low in calories, but they still fill you up. Need more convincing? You might be surprised at all of the individual health benefits that these foods provide, so kick-start this summer with some recipes that include these in-season foods.

1. Cucumbers

Sliced or diced, cucumbers can help make your hair grow and your skin glow. The silicon and sulfur found in cucumbers help stimulate hair growth, and there is a long list of vitamins in cucumbers that can help keep your skin looking great. Cucumbers are also 95 percent water, so you can simultaneously enjoy a tasty treat while increasing your H2O intake. “Most Americans do not drink or eat enough water, so cucumbers are a great choice to stay hydrated in the summer,” Hartley says. “Water is essential for cooling the body through perspiration.” Try this simple and flavorful recipe for a hydrating snack:

Cucumber-Feta Boatsvia veggylicious.blogspot.com
makes approximately 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 cucumbers (about 1 pound each)                
  • 2 ounces crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt                                            
  • 1 teaspoon fresh parsley or dill, chopped
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste                       

Directions

  1. Cut the cumbers into boats: Gut them lengthwise, then cut a small strip off the bottom side so that the cucumber half will set level, without falling over.
  2. Use the cucumber that you cut out of the middle to make the boat filling: dice into ¼-inch pieces.
  3. Combine the diced cucumbers with feta cheese, dill, salt and pepper, and olive oil. Divide the mixture between the two cucumber “boats.”
  4. Slice into 1 ½-inch pieces.

2. Celery

It’s easy enough to pick up a bag of chips for a quick afternoon bite, but the next time you’re looking for a snack, try munching on celery instead. Unlike salty, dehydrating chips, celery has water that can rehydrate your body. It is especially important to stay hydrated during hot summers because you are more likely to lose water when you sweat. But let’s not forget about the other perks of this crunchy treat! Hartley says that celery contains large amounts of phenolic acids that relax and soothe the muscles that surround blood vessels. As a result, blood pressure can be reduced. Try eating this veggie alone, with hummus, or with the dip of your choice. You can also top off the celery with some “ants” for some extra flavor.

Ants on a Logvia Allrecipes.com         
Makes 10 logs

Ingredients

  • 5 stalks of celery
  • 1/2 cup of peanut butter (cream cheese works, too)
  • 1/4 cup raisins

Directions

  1. Wash the celery and cut the stalks in half.
  2. Spread peanut butter into the celery.
  3. Top with raisins. You can also experiment with other spreads and toppings to find your favorite combination.

3. Watermelon

Nothing says summertime like slicing up a watermelon at an outdoor barbeque. But this snack is good for more than just having a seed-spitting contest! You can fight damage that is caused by the sun thanks to the many antioxidants that are found in watermelon. Hartley says that this fruit is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, which protect the skin from sun damage. One serving also has 18 grams of natural sugar, so when you want something sweet, reach for this fruit instead of an ice cream or a popsicle that is overloaded with sugar.

Watermelon Salsavia Food Network
Makes 3 cups

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons lime zest (from about 1 lime)
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (from about 3 limes)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • 3 cups seeded and finely chopped watermelon
  • 1 cucumber; peeled, seeded, and diced
  • 1 mango, peeled and diced
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
  • 1 small red onion, finely chopped
  • 8 fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
  • Tortilla or pita chips, for serving

Directions

  1. Stir together the lime zest, lime juice, sugar, and 3/4 teaspoon pepper in a bowl.
  2. Add the watermelon, cucumber, mango, jalapeno, onion, and basil and toss gently.
  3. Chill the salsa until ready to serve.
  4. Add the garlic salt just before serving. Serve with chips.

4. Zucchini

As a member of the squash family, zucchini is a great vegetable to add to your summer cooking repertoire. Even though it only has 20 calories per cup, zucchini packs in a lot of good stuff. It contains no saturated fats or cholesterol, but it supplies your body with potassium, fiber, and B vitamins, which can help metabolize fats and protein. Hartley also says that zucchini helps protect your eyes from the risk of getting cataracts because of the antioxidants that support blood vessels in your eyes. “Excessive exposure to sunlight increases the risk of cataracts,” Hartley says. “Wear sunglasses outside and eat zucchini to reduce your risk.”

Marinated Zucchini Saladvia Martha Stewart Living
Makes 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil              
  • 1 small red onion, halved and thinly sliced
  • 1/3 cup red wine vinegar                    
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • Salt and pepper                                  
  • 6 medium zucchini, thinly sliced (You can also substitute the zucchini for yellow squash – another healthy summer veggie!)

Directions

  1. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté until translucent (about three minutes).
  2. Add vinegar and sugar and season with salt and pepper.
  3. Transfer to another bowl. Add zucchini and toss. Let marinate at room temperature 30 minutes.

5. Spinach

If you’re a salad junkie, then you are in luck. Use green summer veggies like spinach as a base for your salad and then toss in your favorite toppings for a well-rounded meal. By using a variety of greens, like dark green spinach and lighter green lettuce, the dish is full of fiber and antioxidants. The fiber in spinach aids in digestion, and Hartley recommends mixing vegetables with a variety of color to get the maximum amount of vitamins. So no matter what else you choose to put on top of your salad, you can feel confident that you’ve picked a healthy choice. For a creative way to combine summer veggies and summer fruits, try this simple recipe:

Spinach and Strawberry Saladvia Allrecipes.com
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds                           
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  • 1/2 cup white sugar                                        
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar                       
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce                
  • 1 tablespoon minced onion
  • 10 ounces fresh spinach; rinsed, dried, and torn into bite-size pieces
  • 1 quart strawberries; cleaned, hulled, and sliced
  • 1/4 cup almonds, blanched (without skin) and slivered

Directions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the sesame seeds, poppy seeds, sugar, olive oil, vinegar, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and onion. Cover and chill for one hour.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the spinach, strawberries, and almonds. Pour dressing over salad, and toss. Refrigerate 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

6. Almonds

Chopped, sliced, skinless, or whole, almonds should be your go-to snack on the run. Whether you toss them in trail mix or just eat them by themselves, this is an easy, protein-filled treat to satisfy your mid-day (or night) need for a crunch. Almonds pack a lot into their tiny oval shape: calcium, vitamin E, and folic acid are just a few of the nutritious perks. In simpler terms, these nutrients may help prevent diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and the calcium keeps your bones, teeth, and hair strong! If you want to get creative with almonds, try out this recipe, or go for chocolate covered almonds or almond milk for an easier way to incorporate this nut into your diet.

Almond and Cranberry Coconut BreadviaTaste of Home
Makes 32 servings (2 loaves)

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flaked coconut
  • 1 cup slivered almonds
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 cup (8 ounces) vanilla yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 can (15 ounces) cream of coconut
  • 1 cup dried cranberries

Directions

  1. Place coconut and almonds in an ungreased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. pan. Bake at 350° for 10-15 minutes or until lightly toasted, stirring occasionally. Cool.
  2. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in yogurt and extract until blended. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Add to the creamed mixture alternately with cream of coconut, beating well after each addition. Fold in the cranberries, coconut, and almonds.
  3. Transfer to two greased and floured 9-in. x 5-in. loaf pans. Bake at 350° for 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. 

7. Berries

No matter your preference, any kind of berry can turn your summer diet into a super diet. According to Hartley, berries like strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries are all superfoods that are bursting with nourishing vitamins. “Berries are loaded with fiber, vitamin C, and many trace minerals. They also have anti-carcinogen, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial properties,” Hartley says. That’s a lot of health talk, but to sum it up, she says that berries help reduce the risk of disease, and blackberries contain the most antioxidants to fight cancer. Summer also presents the perfect opportunity to pick your own fruit. Kaitlin Noe, a recent grad of William & Mary, loves to pick her own strawberries and add them to pies and smoothies, or even just eat them by themselves. “They’re fresher, taste so much better, and it can’t get more natural than that!” she says.

Triple Berry Smoothievia On Sugar Mountain
Makes 1-2 servings

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup rolled oats                 
  • 1/2 cup low-fat yogurt
  • 1 cup low-fat milk                 
  • 1/3 cup strawberries, sliced
  • 1/3 cup blueberries                 
  • 1/3 cup raspberries
  • 1 large banana, sliced              
  • 1 tablespoon agave (or honey)

Directions

  1. In a blender, pulse oats for 1-2 minutes until broken down. In a separate bowl, whisk together milk and yogurt.
  2. Add yogurt/milk mixture, along with all berries and banana slices, to the blender, and blend until smooth. Add agave or honey and pulse a few times to evenly incorporate.
  3. Pour into glass and serve immediately. Incorporate different berries to taste.

8. Salmon

Add some animal protein to your summer palette with this fishy favorite. Salmon offers a large serving of omega-3 fatty acids (two grams per four-ounce serving!), which are heart-healthy fats that are great for boosting metabolism and lowering blood pressure. But the health benefits don’t stop with the omega-3s. Salmon also packs protein and amino acids that provide protection for joint cartilage, reduce inflammation and promote skin, eye, and hair health! And not only does salmon have some super health benefits, but it’s easy to cook, too. Even if you don’t consider yourself a pro chef, there are plenty of recipe variations that you can use to cook salmon, whether you’re at home with a fully stocked kitchen or living on your own with limited supplies.

Salmon with Lemon-Mint Dressingvia MyRecipes
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
  • 1/8 teaspoon plus 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
  • 1/4 cup and 1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
  • 1 tablespoon finely minced shallot
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
  • 4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets
  • Garnish: fresh mint sprigs

Directions

  1. Whisk together lemon zest, lemon juice, sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl; slowly whisk in 1/4 cup olive oil. Stir in shallot and mint. Set aside.
  2. Sprinkle salmon with remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
  3. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté salmon 4 to 5 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Drizzle with dressing. Garnish, if desired.

9. Corn

When you take a bite out of fresh corn on the cob, did you know that you’re also doing wonders for your digestive system? As an excellent source of fiber, corn has very well-documented digestive benefits, and it also helps support your immune system, according to Hartley. “Corn supports the growth of friendly bacteria in our large intestine,” Hartley says. “These bacteria communicate with our immune cells to protect the entire body.” To boost your digestion and your overall health, chow down on some classic grilled corn on the cob, or try something new by incorporating corn into your breakfast with healthy summer fruit!

Corn Hotcakes with Blackberry Syrupvia CHOW
Makes 12 pancakes

Ingredients

   Blackberry Syrup

  • 1 pint blackberries
  • 1 1/2 cups maple syrup

   Corn Hotcakes

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup yellow cornmeal, preferably stone-ground
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh corn kernels (cut from about 3 ears corn), divided
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • Vegetable oil, for the griddle
  • Softened butter, for serving

Directions

  1. To make the blackberry syrup, combine the berries and syrup in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring often. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the berries are tender and have given off their juices (about five minutes). Remove from the heat and keep warm.
  2. To make the pancakes, preheat the oven to 200°F.
  3. Whisk together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl to combine.
  4. In a blender, process 1 cup of the corn kernels and the milk until the corn is pureed. Add the eggs and pulse to combine. Pour into the dry ingredients and stir just until smooth. Fold in the remaining 1/2 cup corn kernels.
  5. Heat a griddle over high heat until the griddle is very hot (when a sprinkle of water evaporates immediately). Lightly oil the griddle.
  6. Using 1/4 cup batter for each pancake, pour the batter onto the griddle. Cook until the tops of the pancakes are covered with bubbles (about 2 minutes). Turn the pancakes and cook until the undersides are golden brown (about 1 minute). Transfer to a baking sheet and keep warm in the oven until all of the pancakes are cooked.
  7. Serve hot, with the syrup and butter on the side.

10. Mango

Even if you can’t vacation on a tropical island this summer, you can still eat like you’re there! Mangoes might not get the same hype as other “super fruits,” but this juicy fruit provides plenty of helpful nutrients. Just one cup of sliced mangos supplies about 25 percent of your daily dose of vitamin A, and the vitamin C helps lower cholesterol. Hartley also says that the combination of minerals, antioxidant vitamins, and enzymes that are found in mangoes may help prevent sunstroke. No matter how you slice it, this sweet treat is not one to pass up.

Mango PopsiclesviaDesserts for Breakfast
Makes approximately 8-12 popsicles

Ingredients

  • 2 cups ripe mango, chopped              
  • 1 1/2 cups Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup milk                                       
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • Big pinch of ground cardamom
  • Big pinch of salt

Directions

  1. Combine the ingredients in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth.
  2. Pour the blended mango mixture into the popsicle molds and freeze until solid, preferably overnight.
  3. To unmold, run hot water around the outside of the molds for a brief time until you can easily pull the popsicles out.

As an added bonus, check out this refreshing drink recipe. For collegiettes who are 21+, switch out the coconut water for tequila to make it a true mango margarita!

Mango Margaritavia The Lunchbox Bunch
Makes 1-2 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 shots coconut water (1 1/2 ounces) *or substitute one shot tequila
  • 1/2 cup freshly diced champagne mango cubes (any mango will work, but champagne mangoes are the creamiest)
  • 3 limes, juiced (about 1/4 cup fresh lime juice)                      
  • 1/2 banana, frozen
  • 1/2 cup organic peaches, frozen (add a few more slices for a frostier blend)
  • 1/3 cup ice

Directions

  1. Slice mango in half and cube. Reserve a few cubes for garnishing. Add remainder of mango to blender (about 1/2 cup cubes).
  2. Add lime juice, frozen peaches, frozen banana, ice, and coconut water to blender as well. Blend until smooth.
  3. Garnish with fresh mango, plentiful lime slices, and fresh lime zest on top.

11. Cherries

When we say cherries, we don’t mean those sugary, bright red cherries that you find in jars. We mean the au naturel summer cherries that are packed with healthy goodness. “Cherries are loaded with natural melatonin, a hormone made by a small gland in the brain that helps to regulate sleep and wake cycles,” Hartley says. “Melatonin calms down nervous system irritability to help relieve insomnia.” If you’re having trouble getting out of a not-so-normal college sleep schedule, then give this treat a try. Who said dessert couldn’t be good for you?

Cherry Pievia Allrecipes.com
Makes one 9-inch pie

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup margarine       
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar              
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup rolled oats     
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour       
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 1/2 cup white sugar    
  • 2 cups fresh cherries, pitted

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
  2. In a medium bowl, cream together margarine, brown sugar, and vanilla. Stir in oats, flour, and water. Then press mixture into 9-inch pie pan. In a medium bowl, stir together the cherries and sugar. Pour into the crust.
  3. Bake in preheated oven for 12 minutes, or until crust is golden brown.

12. Peaches

There is no magic remedy that adds years to your life, but peaches might be a good start. Hartley says that peaches contain certain compounds that help control genes that effect obesity, inflammation, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Stone fruits, like peaches, plums, and nectarines, have been known to promote a long life and increase your lifespan. For a healthy dessert, pull together all of these summer fruits for a complete summer medley.

Summer Fruit Saladvia Yummly
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 plums (pitted and sliced)                
  • 2 nectarines (pitted and sliced)
  • 2 peaches (pitted and sliced)             
  • 2 1/2 apricots (pitted and sliced)
  • 1 cup blueberries                                
  • 1 cup blackberries
  • 2 teaspoon honey                                          
  • 1/3 cup fresh orange juice
  • 1/2 cup mint leaves (fresh)

Directions

  1. Toss ingredients together in a large bowl. Let sit at least 15 minutes before serving.

There are many other healthy summer foods that you can add to your diet this season to fuel your body, but Hartley suggest that no matter what you choose, you should incorporate a variety of produce into your diet. “Eat produce with every meal and try new fruits and vegetables regularly,” she says. “Eat fruit on cereal and in pancakes, baked into quick breads and muffins, in smoothies, salads, salsas. Eat vegetables in salads, on sandwiches, on pizza, roasted, in soups, stews, and omelets.” So go all out this summer and find your favorite seasonal dish!

Facebook Unveils New Snapchat-esque App

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Facebook is probably the last place you’d post anything that you may someday want to disappear. However, that may all change with Slingshot, an app that the social network unveiled this morning which lets you send pictures and videos that go away after being viewed. Sounds like Snapchat, right?

But there’s one twist, and it’s a big one: to access the images or videos they receive, users must send their own message in return. So when a notification pops up for a message from a friend, the user has to record or snap his or her own to send before gaining access to the incoming message. Basically, if you’re tired of being the only one of your friends to send goofy selfies or random pics of your dogs, this may be the app for you.

“With Slingshot, we wanted to build something where everybody is a creator and nobody is just a spectator,” the app’s creators said in a blog post. “When everyone participates, there’s less pressure, more creativity and even the little things in life can turn into awesome shared experiences.” 

Critics are divided as to whether Slingshot will be a serious competitor for Snapchat, which currently has around 30 million users and refused an acquisition offer from Facebok last fall.

“It’s frustrating, not exciting when a friend sends you a shot and you can’t immediately view it,” wrote Ellis Hamburger of The Verge. “Slingshot is a new and strange example of a messaging app that raises barriers instead of tearing them down, and increases the friction to viewing a friend’s photo instead of reducing it. But perhaps Slingshot isn't the 'messaging' app we all expected it to be."

Also unlike Snapchat, there’s not as much urgency.

"What we found is that you don't feel the need to respond immediately,"app designer Joey Flynn told Mashable. "It's more [like], I want to share what I'm up to whenever I can, and then they're going to feel almost no pressure to share back whatever they're doing because it's a shared experience." 

The app is available for both the iPhone and Android and does not require a Facebook account.

So what do you think, collegiettes? Will you stop Snapping and start Slinging? Tell us in the comments!


Being Home for Summer, as Told by 'Modern Family'

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Your friends are teaching English in Thailand, vacationing in Mexico and interning in brand new cities. But you, however, find yourself sitting on the couch in your living room, watching Bachelorette reruns after your internship or job. Whether your internship is in your city or you’re spending the summer working to save up for that Eurotrip (or you're just watching Netflix), here are some unavoidable—and utterly Modern Family—aspects of being home.

Your younger siblings have grown up a little bit... or not.

Your parents have become interested in a few new things...


You suddenly have to remember how to drive again.

No one from home understands your sophisticated college style.

No one is as excited as you are to hear the neighborhood gossip.

Certain family stories resurface.

It's time to plan (or endure) the family vacation.

Your pita chips disappear from the pantry in a matter of hours.

You get to look through family photos again and are constantly reminded of your less-than-perfect seventh-grade bangs.

Your parents develop new texting habits.

And they're a little confused about the "cool-kid lingo."

Sometimes you feel a little unproductive spending your fifth Saturday in a row watching TV.

But in the end, you know there's no place you'd rather be.

9 Celebs Who Are Bi & Proud of It

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Bisexuality and pansexuality are often dismissed as not real, sometimes even within the LGBTQ+ community. People who are attracted to more than one gender are often told that they’re greedy, indecisive or even untrustworthy. Some of our favorite celebs, however, are becoming role models for bi and pansexual people everywhere and slashing those stereotypes. Check out our favorite famous women breaking the stigma around bisexuality!

1. Margaret Cho

“I think I would like to call myself bisexual more frequently because there is much invisibility for the ‘B’s in the LGBT community,” Cho said in a an article on The Huffington Post. “Gays and lesbians might assume that we are not homosexual enough, and straight people might assume that we are in porn.”

2. Amber Heard

The actress came out publicly in 2010 and told ELLE magazine, “I'm not, and wasn't ever, ashamed."

3. Anna Paquin

This True Blood star doesn’t want to be defined by her sexuality, but has defended her bisexuality from critics who dismiss it: "It’s not being greedy or numerous other ignorant things I’ve heard at this point. For a bisexual, it’s not about gender. That’s not the deciding factor for who they’re attracted to."

4. Azealia Banks

This rapper, also known as Yung Rapunxel, is open about her sexuality but doesn’t want to be defined by it, saying, “I have people say to me, ‘Oh wow, my friend is gay, too,’ and I'm like, ‘Yeah, so?’”

5. Angelina Jolie

The Maleficent star has always been open about her relationships with women, but said she was “surprised” when she first had feelings for a woman that she “always had for men.”   

6. Sapphire

The author of Push, which the film Precious is based on, knows the importance of representation and openly identifies as bisexual.

7. Evan Rachel Wood

This actress, who struggled to come to terms with her sexuality, came out in 2012 so she could “help another struggling, terrified 12-year-old know it’s okay.”

8. Kesha

This pop star isn’t interested in labels and says, “I don't love just men. I love people. It's not about a gender. It's just about the spirit that exudes from that other person you're with.” She is also passionate about preventing LGBTQ kids from being bullied.

9. Drew Barrymore

Barrymore came out in 2003, saying she loves women and men. “I think a woman and a woman together are beautiful, just as a man and a woman together are beautiful,” she said. “Being with a woman is like exploring your own body, but through someone else.”

 

Without role models in the media, it can be difficult to accept who you are. That’s why these women are so important; they give collegiettes everywhere the confidence they need to flourish, no matter whom they love!

Pantene Launches Much-Needed #NotSorry Campaign

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Pantene is proving yet again that it's more than just your ticket to gorgeous, glossy hair.  The company has just launched a new video for their Shine Strong campaign that is focusing on the problem that pre-professional collegiettes know all too well: over-apologizing. 

You know exactly what I’m talking about.  You and I have both seen it written in magazine pages such as MC@work or in web articles à la Jezebel. It’s time to face the music, ladies.

Watching Pantene’s video made me cringe; it’s definitely a huge wake-up call. The women in it are apologizing constantly for no reason! I couldn't help but wonder; are we really that bad?

“Sorry, can I ask a stupid question?” “Sorry, do you have a minute?” “Sorry.” “Oh! Sorry.”

“Sorry.”

“Sorry.”

“Sorry.”

Get the message? I realized I was over-apologizing last year when I was driving in Atlanta with my friend.  Suddenly, a reckless driver cuts me off, and guess what popped out of my mouth? Yep. I just apologized. To who? To me, the other driver, my friend? Apologizing has sadly become second nature to women, but why?

In a 2010 study, researchers analyzed how many times 66 subjects apologized over a 12-day period. These were self-reported offenses, and the interesting thing is, it’s not that women necessarily apologize more then men; it seems that women just think they have more offenses to apologize for.  Perhaps gender inequality has trained us to think apologizing for everything makes us seem more likable and polite instead of (and I hate this label) bossy. Hence the "Ban Bossy" campaign.

In fact, Pantene already addressed the problem of labels against women in their first Shine Strong video last year.

Pantene’s empowering message also has another facet to it: according to their website’s fine print, “[The American Association of University Women] and Pantene will join forces in the 2014-2015 academic year on a new program designed to challenge women student leaders… to initiate change and tackle biases and stereotypes…” Also, the campaign added a new “Pantene Shine Strong Fund” that provides education and resources to help women overcome bias and stereotypes that are holding them back and to celebrate strong women around the world.

Come on, we can’t apologize for existing. Instead, I’m challenging you, my dear collegiettes (and myself),  to stop saying “sorry” for meaningless things. Next time a late student walks into lecture and awkwardly has to shuffle him or herself over your legs to get to a seat, don’t say sorry. It’s not your offense. Next time you ask a question, don’t say “Sorry, but could you…” Just ask. You are a strong, capable woman; don’t undermine yourself before you even begin to show the world what you’ve got. As Pantene says, #ShineStrong.

Tell us collegiettes – how will you tackle habits of over-apologizing? Sound off below!

5 Signs Your Friends-With-Benefits Relationship Isn’t Working

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For collegiettes looking for a more casual fling without wanting to feel like a booty call, a friends-with-benefits setup can feel like the perfect solution. You can hang out with your guy during the day like you normally do and hook up occasionally without the stress of a committed relationship.  But what happens when this “casual” hook-up with one of your friends creates jealousy, fighting or unwanted drama?

Because you’re hooking up with a friend and not someone you don’t know as well, you may keep hooking up with him long after you realize you’re not happy in the situation, which can potentially lead to the end of your friendship.

Friends with benefits can seem like a great option, but there are times when it just doesn’t work. If any of the following signs sound familiar, it may be time to call it quits with your FWB.

1. There are jealousy issues.

While it’s not exactly fun to see a recent hook-up out with another girl, if you find that hearing about your FWB’s late nights with someone else is effecting your own relationship with him or even effecting your self-esteem, it may mean you want something more than the casual label you currently have.

“During my sophomore year, I started hooking up with someone I had been friends with for a while,” says Anna, a senior at the University of Delaware. “We had agreed that we wouldn’t be anything more serious than what we were doing, which was hooking up casually on weekends and hanging out with our friend group during the day, but one night, I saw him hooking up with another girl and started crying. I knew I was more invested in him than I expected to be and that he didn’t want anything more, so we decided to just go back to being friends.”

2. You have different definitions of your relationship.

Do you consider a FWB situation to mean you talk or text more than normal? He may not. Your partner may think that a FWB means you hook up frequently, while you may see it as a once-in-a-while deal. If you’re both on different pages about things such as how you much you talk or hang out, what you’re “allowed” to do with other people or how you act when you’re around your other friends, unwanted problems can arise very quickly.

“When a friend and I started hooking up consistently, I thought that it would be casual because he told me he wasn’t interested in anything more, and I wasn’t either,” says Mary, a junior at the University of Maryland. “I assumed that we would hook up when we saw each other at a party, but he wanted it to be more of something that we did during the week. We were on completely different pages of what FWB meant, but once we talked about it, we were able to agree that in order for us to keep it casual, we had to both see other people.”

While it helps to establish these boundaries before you get too deep into a FWB fling, if you’re still unhappy with the way things are going, have that conversation. The difference between him and other casual hook-ups you may have is that he’s a friend, so it’s probably easier to bring up those topics without feeling awkward and uncomfortable. If you have the conversation and you still feel like FWB means two very different things to you both, consider going back to the “just friends” route.  

3. You only hook up on his terms.

Even if hooking up isn’t necessarily hurting your friendship, if one of you holds significantly more power over the mechanics of this FWB situation, it’s not a healthy relationship.

“When it is based on his terms, it is never going to work,” says dating coach David Wygant.

Kaley, a senior at Hofstra University, experienced this firsthand when she was hooking up with her best friend last year. “It started to get on my nerves when I would text him to come over and he would ignore it or say he couldn’t, but when he texted me to do the same, I was always there,” she says. “It made me feel like I was his last choice, and I finally decided that anyone, especially a friend, shouldn’t be making me feel that way. I got really frustrated, and eventually we just went back to being friends.”

4. It’s ruining your friendship.

If you were friends before you started hooking up and suddenly you only hear from him after 1 a.m, you’re being treated more like a booty call than a FWB.

“I knew I didn’t want a boyfriend, and I loved the idea that [my best friend and I] could still hang out during the day and hook up at night when we wanted to with no strings attached,” says Maria, a senior at the University of Maryland. “The problem came after about a month of us being friends with benefits. Soon he started only texting me at night, and we never hung out during the day anymore. When I finally confronted him about it, he said he didn’t want me to get the wrong idea about what he wanted.”

If the hook-up is truly casual, then it shouldn’t disrupt the friendship you had beforehand in a negative way.

“It has taken an unhealthy turn when he doesn't contact you for two weeks, and all of the sudden, he contacts you, comes over, has sex and leaves immediately,” Wygant says.

While many casual hook-ups take this form in college, hooking up with a friend shouldn’t mean that your friendship goes out the window. If hooking up becomes more important than the friendship in a way that feels uncomfortable to you, it may be time to stop and go back to being just friends.

A crucial part of making a FWB relationship work is ensuring that you can actually stay friends. While it’s expected that your friendship will change as you move into the FWB stage, if hooking up is causing noticeable problems in your friendship that didn’t exist beforehand, it’s time to evaluate why that’s happening and if you should continue down the road you’re on.

“I thought casually hooking up with my best friend would give me the best of both worlds,” says Ariana, a senior at Lehigh University. “It was great for a few weeks until we started fighting and there was a lot of unwanted tension between us. It got so bad that we stopped speaking for a few months, so it definitely wasn’t worth going down that road. I wish I had stopped hooking up with him before it got to that point.”

If you truly consider this guy a friend, it’s important to keep that in mind and figure out if the benefits are worth the problems they may be causing.

5. You’re hooking up to hold on to a friendship.

So you started hooking up with one of your friends, and now you’re not that into it anymore. However, you’re scared that if you stop, your friendship might stop, too. This is a problem many collegiettes face when they enter a FWB situation.

If you’re casually hooking up with a friend and find that, for whatever reason, it’s not what you want anymore, continuing to hook up to avoid friend drama will end up creating more trouble for yourself in the end.

Because this hook-up is relatively casual, having a conversation with your friend to either fix what you don’t like about the situation or to end it altogether and go back to being friends shouldn’t have the dramatic aftereffects that a serious breakup would have.

“What you need to do is you need to end it, and end it fast,” Wygant says. “I've seen many girls [and] many women literally continue these things for two years. And it's literally like driving around a cul-de-sac; you're never going to get out, you're never going to get in, you're never going to get anywhere.”

To avoid getting stuck in an unwanted situation, let your FWB know that you think you both were better off as friends. If he saw the relationship as casually as you did, this should be a drama-free exit.

While the idea of going home with your go-to movie marathon partner can be incredibly appealing, it may not work the way you planned. If you find yourself struggling to deal with the hook-up, it could mean that it’s no longer working for you. You should either move forward to something more serious or eliminate the “benefits” aspect altogether.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Landing a Killer Recommendation Letter

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You worked hard all semester finding and landing the perfect summer internship – researching, networking, applying, and polishing up your resume. Now that summer is here, it’s time to dip your toes into the professional world (and hopefully a pool). After putting in the hours at the office this summer, you can make your internship work for you by gaining valuable contacts and a killer recommendation letter from your supervisor. Follow these steps to make a great impression and turn your hard work into the best recommendation letter ever!

Pre-Internship

Research your employer

Making a good impression begins before you even step into the office. Christy Dunston, a career counselor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, encourages students to research the company they will be interning at so that they can be as prepared as possible on their first day.

“Look to see what new projects are taking place or if the company has been in the news, and research information about the industry to see what trends are taking place,” Dunston says.

Researching your company and industry is the best way to learn the lingo, and being able to “talk the talk” as early as your first day is a surefire way to get your employer’s attention.

“I use Twitter and LinkedIn a lot to see what is going on in my industry—higher education—that way I can talk shop with other professionals,” Dunston says. “If a student was talking with me and referenced an article… about higher education, I would be very impressed.”

Don’t wait until your first day to start learning from your internship! Make sure to browse the company’s website, social media, and any relevant news stories so that you know your stuff and talk the talk before you even find your cubicle.

Make your social media profiles professional

You landed a great internship – fantastic! But as with any job, getting hired is only half the battle. Don’t let your social media presence make a bad impression for you before you get the chance to make a great impression in person. “It is important to monitor or censor your social media posts and pictures, even after you have landed the internship,” Dunston says.

According to Forbes, about two in five employers screen their candidates’ and employees’ social media profiles. Of those employers, most say they use social media to see if their potential employees are professional or not. You may be dying to document the end of finals and the beginning of summer on your social media accounts, but your employer isn’t dying to see those crazy drunk selfies or tweets.

But it’s not just those scandalous pictures that can get you into trouble. It’s also important to refrain from posting anything negative about your internship on social media, as companies sometimes monitor these posts as well.

“Some companies monitor social media sites to see when their name shows up for anything, good or bad, on the Internet,” Dunston says. “As an intern, if you wrote something bad about the company, you wouldn’t want it to get back to your supervisor.”

Whether your employer screens your social media presence or not, you should always think before you post. You never know what your next employer will do, but if you monitor your posts, you can control what they see! As Dunston says, “it is best to think about anything you post on social media, because once it is online, you can’t take it back.”

First Day

Get there early

This one should be a no-brainer, collegiettes. Being punctual, especially on your first day, is essential to making a good impression. Set a back-up alarm (or three) and give yourself enough time to maneuver through morning rush hour.

“I would suggest for an intern to arrive at least 10 to 15 minutes early,” Dunston says. “Arriving early allows you to have some buffer time if you get lost or miss a bus or anything that can happen unexpectedly.”

Additionally, it’s a good idea to maintain that level of punctuality throughout the summer. Don’t push the minutes a few weeks into your internship. Try to find a morning routine early on that gives you enough time to get ready, eat a good breakfast, commute safely, and arrive on time.

Dress appropriately for the office

It can be hard to determine the level of professional dress at your internship when you haven’t actually been there yet. Do they expect a full-fledged pantsuit, or will a sundress and a blazer suffice? To avoid confusion and a potentially awkward situation on your first day, Dunston encourages interns to ask about the dress code before showing up for the job.

“That way, you will dress appropriately,” she says. “Different work environments have different dress codes, so it is always better to ask before you get there.”

Once you know what type of attire is expected, make sure to stick to that dress code! As always, it’s important to look as appropriate and professional as possible on the job. To put together the perfect professional look, check out HC’s internship-friendly wardrobe choices.

During Your Internship

Ask for more responsibilities

If your internship seems to be teaching you more about Xerox machines than your future career, you should consider asking your supervisor for a more active role in ongoing projects.

“I think it is okay to ask for more responsibilities as an intern,” Dunston says. “I think being specific about how your skills could help with a specific project or assignment could help your supervisor realize the benefit you would bring to the team.”

Asking for more responsibilities also shows your employer that you are motivated and enthusiastic about the job. Even if you can’t help with the specific project you suggested, your supervisor may think of you when another assignment comes along.

“If you ask and your supervisor says no, then that’s alright,” Dunston says. “The next time a new assignment or project comes around, the supervisor may think of you and ask you to be a part of the team.”

Only send work e-mails at work

Texting and tweeting are obvious no-nos for your internship etiquette, but so is sending personal e-mails from your professional account.

“I would not send personal e-mails from a work account because you may send something that is supposed to be personal, and it goes out to your work colleagues instead,” Dunston says. “It is important to understand the company policy about e-mailing and use of social media on the job before sending out personal e-mails from your work account or getting on the Internet.”

Whether your employer screens your e-mails or not, don’t get too comfortable mixing business and pleasure—especially not if you expect a professional recommendation down the road!

Post-Internship

Thank your supervisor and colleagues

Before you head back to school in the fall, make sure you say your goodbyes at work. Thank your supervisor for the experience you have gained, as well as any colleagues in the office who helped you along the way.

“At the end of my internship, I wrote a thank-you note to my supervisor and gave her a personal gift,” Dunston says. “I sent a mass thank-you e-mail to all of the people in the department, and I walked around to everyone in the office and said a personal thank-you as well.”

Dunston explains that it is up to you as an intern to determine the most appropriate way to thank your employer and colleagues. Each work environment is different, and in some cases it may not be practical to walk around the entire office saying thank you.

“For your supervisor, though, a thank-you note, particularly a hand-written note, is always appreciated,” she says.

Thanking your supervisor and colleagues can also lead to a helpful professional network down the road.

Keep in touch

Throughout your internship, you are sure to meet all kinds of professionals in your industry, and networking with them in this way is vital to your future career success. In order to use your new arsenal of professional contacts to your advantage, you have to build a relationship with them that extends beyond the initial introduction. Reach out to your employer and coworkers even when the internship has ended so that you can maintain a professional relationship with them and stay current on the inner workings of the industry.

“LinkedIn is a great resource to use to stay in contact with the professionals you met during the internship,” Dunston says. “Also, you can e-mail your supervisor or coworkers about your professional updates or information you are learning in school related to the industry.”

Ask for a recommendation

Another no-brainer – if you want a recommendation letter, you have to ask!

Dunston explains that recommendations can take many forms, such as a LinkedIn recommendation or a formal letter for a grad school application, and the rules for getting each type can vary.

“If you have a LinkedIn profile and would like the employer to make a recommendation on LinkedIn, then you could ask before you leave the internship,” she says. “If you need a recommendation letter for another internship, scholarship, or graduate school, I would suggest waiting to ask until you need that specific letter.”

As always, make sure to give your supervisor plenty of notice for the recommendation letter, including details about any criteria you have and the deadline. “I would try to ask, at the minimum, four weeks before the due date for a letter of recommendation,” Dunston says.

 

From before you start to well after you finish, the work you do and the relationships you build during your internship can take you from intern to employee and beyond with the help of a great recommendation letter. Good luck, career-minded collegiettes!

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