The summer has a bit of a magical element to it. The air is sweet, the sun is hot—and is it just us, or do the boys look cuter? It’s the perfect recipe for a sexy whirlwind romance free of hassles, commitment, and drama! Read on for tips on how to snag the kind of summer fling that you thought was only possible in the movies.

1. DO get rid of that old flame who has been holding you back.

Whether it’s an ex-boyfriend or a love interest that just doesn’t seem to be heading anywhere, now is the time to do away with anything that may be holding you back from having a carefree summer fling. Cut the cord on these stale romances and explore other possibilities. Nicole, a collegiette from the University of Pittsburgh, did just that. “I wasted half the summer before I realized that we were just stringing each other along with no future in sight,” Nicole says. “It was fun for a little, especially during the boring winter months, but I knew it was time to end it when I looked at all my friends meeting new guys and having fun.” Don’t keep a guy around who’s dragging you down when there are so many other opportunities out there!

2. DO finally make a move on the guy you’ve had your eye on for a while.

We all have that one guy who has always caught our attention, but for some reason, things have never gone too far beyond, “Hey, how’s it going?” According to Molly, a student from Duquesne University, there’s no better time than summer to change that. She had always been a little nervous and hesitant to get too close to Richie* until one hot night in June when she found herself hanging out with friends on his back porch.

“We were talking, listening to music, and the weather was perfect,” she says. “I decided that there wasn’t ever going to be a better time or place to put myself out there, so I finally hinted that I was interested in him. It paid off because we definitely took our relationship to a new level after that!”

Summertime is for relaxation, so it’s the perfect time to let go of your nerves and put yourself out there. Who knows; he could be waiting for you to make a move!

3. DO go out with a guy who isn’t your usual type.

We all saw how well it turned out for Allie and Noah, didn’t we? This summer, don’t be afraid to give that random guy you met at the Kenny Chesney concert a chance! It’s good to get outside of your comfort zone a little every now and then, and you may find that you’re pleasantly surprised when you do.

4. DO use the warm weather to your advantage.

This may seem obvious, but don’t forget to take advantage of the summer heat! Instead of just sticking to your standard dinner-and-a-movie date night agenda (yawn), head out to the outdoors. Think drive-in movies, outdoor bars, hiking, kayaking, and stargazing. Being outdoors together is a different bonding experience than being indoors, so grab your guy and go on an adventure. On a sexier note, higher temperatures can make for a hotter hook-up, so get a little frisky in the park or take a nice (skinny) dip in the lake together.

5. DO keep it a little mysterious.

If you’re lounging around by the pool or having a boring day at work, it can be tempting to pull out your cell phone and text your summer fling for some idle conversation: “Hey, what are you doing?” or “Work is so slow today!” It seems harmless, but it’s best to reserve these texts for your friends. Staying in constant contact with your guy will zap the mystery out of the relationship, and when you do finally get to hang out, you won’t have much to talk about since you’ve already told each other about your entire days! Keeping each other guessing will keep things exciting, so let him wonder what you’re doing all day; he’ll be anticipating the moment when he finally hears from you.

6. DON’T blow off group outings in favor of alone time.

During the winter months, it’s okay for you and your guy to hole up over the weekend for a few lazy movie nights. It’s cold, you have a ton of schoolwork hanging over your head, and half the time you’re too tired from studying all week to do much else. But the summer is a time where you should be letting loose and being social. Instead of spending so much alone time, go out in groups and spend time with his and your pals. After a night out with friends, he’ll be even more excited to get some one-on-one time with you.

7. DON’T have long-term expectations.

Expectations are the root of all disappointment, so your only expectation for your summer fling should be to have fun. While it’s fine to be open to the possibilities of where things could go, you shouldn’t be holding out for a certain outcome. Summer flings are all about physical chemistry, mutual respect, and the recognition that things are most likely short-term. You can always wait ‘til the end of the summer before you think about if you want to keep things going in the fall—for now, just have fun!

8. DON’T feel pressured to DTR.

The summertime is about relaxation and enjoying life, so don’t feel like you need to have everything figured out. Instead of stressing over what your relationship status on Facebook should be, just enjoy spending time with your guy. Allow the relationship to naturally progress, and as the summer winds down, you should have an idea of where things are heading.

Kayle, an alumna from Kent State University, did exactly that and couldn’t be happier with how things turned out. “I met Justin* at a bar at the beginning of last summer and immediately fell for him. We never really had a discussion about exclusivity or ‘dating’ or anything; all we knew is that we loved spending time together,” she says. “Once the school year rolled around, it was so natural for us to be around each other and everything just felt right. We eventually made things official, but there was never any forced ‘what are we?’ talk. I feel like if there would have been, it would have just put unnecessary pressure on both of us.”

Remember: the most important “do” of a summer fling is to have fun! Try out these tips and get ready for your hottest, most unforgettable summer yet!

*Names have been changed.

We all love summer, especially when it means a break from noisy dorms and biology exams. But we all have those times during summer break when we yearn for the never-admit-we-actually-love-it macaroni and cheese at the dining hall and the hot-and-crowded-but-fun campus parties. Here are a few signs that, as great as summer is, you're looking forward to going back to school.

1. Your house doesn't satisfy your dietary needs like the local late-night eatery does.

2. Your productivity at your summer job has reached an all-time low.

3. And you realize that having a "real-person job" means getting up early - every morning.

4. You think your fitness routine would benefit from the free boot camp classes offered at the school gym.

5. Your laptop gives you the blue screen of death, and suddenly you really miss that computer science major who lived down the hall from you.

6. Your dance moves are getting a little rusty.

7. As are your social skills.

8. You've exhausted all of the new TV shows on Netflix.

9. You're getting a little old for the things you loved to do at home as a kid.

10. You and your parents need a little space from one another.

11. Just thinking about seeing your friends in the fall makes you feel like this:

You love summer; sunshine, vacation, exploration and hometown friends all make for an amazing few months. But sometimes you realize why summer is only three months long and school is nine.

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

I started hooking up with this great guy during the last week of school. We haven't hung out that much, but enough to know I like him more than just a hook-up. Unfortunately, we are in different places for the summer, and I don't know how to go about communicating with him in a way that suggests I want things to continue next year. When texting him, how frequently is too frequent? How do I know if he feels the same way?– Crushin' Hard at Colgate

Colgate,

I don’t know who came up with this “if you text too often he’ll think you’re crazy” theory, but I can’t say I wholeheartedly agree with it.

Of course, there comes a certain point where too much texting can be off-putting, but I feel like it’s only off-putting if it’s one-sided. Recently, with one girl, we would send each other funny GIFs and make fun of people around us via text — and we did that for most of the day, whether we were at work or not. But with that situation, it was two people texting each other frequently, as opposed to one person texting another person every other minute to say something inane.

What’s worrying is when a girl texts me to say something, and if I don’t respond within a certain time frame, she sends me another text asking if I got the first one (or something similar), and then another one asking why I haven’t responded, and another asking what’s wrong, and so on and so forth. Avoid being that girl and I think you’ll be safe. Your best bet — if he doesn’t text you first — is to shoot him a “Good morning” text and see where conversation goes from there.

Don’t force conversation if it isn’t there. Don’t pressure him into responding if he doesn’t answer within minutes. That’s a common mistake that both men and women frequently make (myself included). Don’t text him every hour unless you really need to discuss something important. Above all, Colgate, don’t feel like you have to text him all the time out of fear that, if you don’t, he’ll think you aren’t interested.

Every hour is too much. Every day, depending on the topic, can even be too much. I think every other day or every few days (again, this totally depends on what your relationship is like) is a safe bet. So long as conversation isn’t one-sided, I don’t see an issue with frequent texts.

Communication is key, Colgate. If you want to find out if he feels the same way, there’s no secret tip. Coming from a guy, the best way to find out if he’s interested in pursuing something more than a hook-up is to just ask him. Tell him how you feel, and see if he reciprocates those feelings. Don’t judge his interest in you based on his texting habits, because those aren’t always 100 percent indicative of his emotions. Some people keep those areas of life separated, and sometimes people just really dislike texting!

Remember the good old days when summer meant no work and all play? When being done with school meant hours at the pool and sleeping ‘til kingdom come? Unfortunately, when you’re in college, summer isn’t all fun and games anymore. In today’s job market, finding work after college is hard enough. That’s why during the summer, many college students are looking to gain some work experience. Without classes bogging you down, summer is the best time to dive into a full-time internship. But for a college student with minimal experience, chances are that if you score that dream full-time internship, it won’t be paying.

Unpaid internships are sufficient if you have no expenses and don’t mind a relatively non-existent social life. But for those who actually need money to live, don’t fear. There are great summer jobs that can work with your internship schedule and put some cash in your pocket. As long as you know what to look for, making money doesn’t have to interfere with planning for your future. Follow these guidelines and it’ll be easy to make money this summer.

Pick a job you know will work with your schedule (waitress, retail, barista)

Go for a job whose hours you know won’t conflict with your full-time internship. If you’re a morning person, pick up a few hours before work at a local coffee shop or breakfast restaurant. Many shops open at 6 a.m. or earlier, so if your internship starts at 9, ask about opening a couple days a week. There won’t be many people fighting you for those shifts. Work a few nights a week as a waitress or a hostess. Megan Sloan, a recent grad of Colorado University, interned at Ligit Networks and also worked weekends at a local restaurant. She says the restaurant was family-oriented, so they needed extra help on the weekends. “I made great money for a college student,” Megan says. Even if you can’t work very many hours in the service industry, the hours are convenient and the tips you’ll pick up will add a nice bonus to your paycheck.

Opt for a seasonal job (catering server, party company, lifeguard)

Even if your full-time internship makes it nearly impossible to socialize, summer is the optimal season for get-togethers, weddings and extravagant parties. That’s why many catering and party companies hire part-time workers over the summer. Maddy Foley, a recent grad of Kenyon College, worked as a caterer while she interned full-time. “Because it's an event-based job,” she says, “you work, for example, one 10-hour event instead of operating around a set schedule that spreads hours out across the week.” Maddy says that she was making over $100 per week and only working one or two events. Companies that hire seasonal workers are a perfect fit for busy collegiettes. Even summer jobs like lifeguarding or a summer day-care are often looking for workers on the weekend during the summer break. Plus, if you do a good job, they’ll be looking to hire you back next summer.

Make your own hours (tutor, babysitter, house-sitter)

When you’re interning every day from 9-5 p.m., having a job where you can dictate your own hours is a blessing. Ask your neighbors if they need a babysitter or sign up at an online service like SitterCity. If changing diapers and pushing strollers isn’t your thing, tutoring is also a great opportunity for college students. Natalia Lehaf, a recent grad of New York University, worked tutoring jobs while interning at Saturday Night Live. “I chose the jobs because they worked around my internship schedule,” says Natalia. “The hours [at SNL] are ridiculous.” She says that having a job where she can make her own hours was a great way to make money without cutting into her interning time. You can even sign up through your university to tutor other students. Ask your counselor about what opportunities your school offers. Jessica Johnson, a recent grad of the University of Alabama, adds that one of the best places to look for odd jobs is at your internship. “Make it known, without being too obnoxious, that if anyone in the office is going out of town you will house sit or pet sit.” That way, your unpaid internship just may result in some much-needed cash flow.

No job at all (garage sales, eBay, blogs)

Who says you need a weekly paycheck to make money? Try selling some of those old prom dresses on eBay or finally cleaning out that storage room and having a garage sale. It’s a great way to get rid of stuff you don’t need and make a large sum of money with minimal effort. Also, try to pick up a few freelance jobs here and there. Alexandra Churchill, a graduate of the University of New Hampshire says, “Finding freelance work while you intern can be a great way to make some extra cash on the side.” Jessica Johnson agrees, saying, “Always be on the lookout for chances to make some freelance things work for you.” Jessica says last summer she was paid to go “celeb spotting” for a night. Talk about easy money! Check out Craigslist or ask around in your neighborhood or at your internship. If you’re looking for something more consistent, you may find companies are that will pay for ads on your blog or website if you have ones. If you like fashion or photography, start your own blog. If you sign up with a company like Google AdSense, they will post advertisements on your blog and every time a viewer clicks the link, it’s money right into your pocket. Keep an eye out for odd jobs or easy money here and there. Even if it doesn’t make much, a little cash here and there can add up fast.

How do you make cash while juggling an internship? Tell us in the comments sections below!

Emergency contraception has come onto the market over the past several decades with many supporters and critics alike. However, you may be wondering how exactly pills like Plan B work and if there are any other brands out there. Luckily, Her Campus is here to give you the lowdown on how emergency contraception works!

What is emergency contraception?

At its simplest, emergency contraception involves measures you take after having sex to prevent pregnancy in the case of unprotected intercourse. Typically emergency contraception is used if other pre-coital preventative measures (like the pill, condoms or other birth control methods) failed.

Emergency contraception doesn’t just come in the form of the pill; contraception such as an intrauterine device, or IUD (T-shaped coil inserted into the uterus), also works, but it may not effectively prevent pregnancy depending on when you have it inserted after having sex.

How does the morning-after pill work?

First off, it’s important to note that you don’t have to wait until the next morning to take the morning-after pill! If you had unprotected sex (for example, you didn’t use a condom, or the condom fell off or broke) and you worry you may become pregnant, you are absolutely allowed to take it right after intercourse.

Additionally, you can take the morning-after pill within three to five days after having unprotected sex (depending on the pill you use), though its effectiveness decreases the longer you wait after three days. Taking Plan B within 24 hours of having unprotected sex is 95 percent effective; it’s still around 90 percent effective if taken within the first 72 hours. If you’re worried about how long Plan B will work based on how long ago you had unprotected sex, feel free to check out Plan B’s calculator.

What’s the science behind the pill?

One of the biggest misconceptions about the morning-after pill is how it works. “The hormones act to delay ovulation (release of the egg from the ovaries), thereby preventing sperm from fertilizing the egg,” says Dr. Thomas McLarney, medical director of Wesleyan University’s Davison Health Center. “However, if ovulation has already occurred, the morning-after pill would not be effective.”

Dr. McLarney also makes an important distinction about how emergency contraception works. “Some of my patients will ask me if the morning-after pill induces abortion,” he says. “The answer is no. If fertilization has already occurred, the morning-after pill will most likely not affect the pregnancy.” Thus, the morning-after pill cannot be used as an abortion pill.

What emergency contraception is out there?

Believe it or not, Plan B is not the only emergency contraception pill on the market! There are a couple of major brands to look for, all of which have small nuances that make them different from one another.

Plan B

Plan B is the most well known of the emergency contraception brands and can be found in most drugstores in the family-planning aisle. It is an over-the-counter pill (so you do not need a prescription to buy it), and you should take it within 72 hours of having unprotected sex.

Additionally, anyone regardless of age can buy the pill without having to show ID. Plan B costs around $40 to $50 depending on where you buy it.

Another huge source of confusion amongst collegiettes is the difference between Plan B and Plan B One-Step. Both are actually the same thing, with “Plan B” just being an abbreviated name for Plan B One-Step.

Next Choice One Dose

Next Choice One Dose is a generic form of Plan B (though just as effective) that can also be bought over-the-counter. It is also typically cheaper than Plan B, costing around $35 to $45.

The big difference with Next Choice One Dose is that you may have to show a pharmacist a government-issued ID (like a driver’s license) to prove that you’re 17 years or older; otherwise, you need to have a prescription to buy it.

My Way

My Way is another generic form of Plan B that runs in the $35 to $45 range. Like Plan B, you may need to show your ID to prove you are 17 or older or have a prescription from a healthcare provider if you are younger than 17.

One other feature that My Way has is the My Way Pharmacy Request Card, which you can use if you’re on the go or embarrassed to talk about emergency contraception at the pharmacy. All you do is download the app and show the card on your phone to the pharmacist (without having to verbally ask for the morning-after pill), and he or she will process your order.

ella

Another emergency contraception brand, ella, is suggested to be more effective and better tolerated (i.e. less likely to make you sick) than Plan B and its generics because it uses different mechanisms to prevent pregnancy (it suppresses progesterone, keeping your body from ovulating, making it so no eggs can meet sperm). It’s important to note, though, that this efficiency comes at a price; ella typically runs around $55 to $60, and you need a prescription from a healthcare provider to get it.

However, if you don’t want to go into your doctor and pharmacy to get a prescription, there are online pharmacies that will require an online diagnostic consultation before you order the pill online. It then comes to your door the next day in discreet packaging.

Side Effects

Dr. McLarney notes that side effects may vary from person to person. “The major side effect of the morning-after pill is nausea, and to a lesser extent, vomiting,” he says.  “If someone vomits within two hours of taking the pill, they should take another dose. Side effects of oral contraceptives in general include breast tenderness, bloating, alteration in menstrual bleeding and mood changes.” Dr. McLarney also says that these side effects are typically short-lived.

Julie*, a rising junior at the University of Florida, used Plan B after her birth control failed and says she felt extremely nauseous for several days afterward. “I couldn’t do much other than lay in bed and watch TV,” she says. “Part of this was physical, but I think I was also emotionally exhausted from the whole situation.”

Jordan Gross, a trained sexual health advocate at New York University who educates students on campus about contraception, notes that college women should also seek a support system (like a doctor or therapist) or have medical assistance on hold in case side effects last longer than a couple of days. “Figure out who can take care of you if you have a bad reaction to the morning-after pill or are feeling emotionally drained,” she says.

What should you know before using emergency contraception?

Her Campus spoke to several collegiettes about their experiences taking emergency contraception so that you can know what to expect when buying and using a morning-after pill.

Have a plan before you need to use it

Mary*, a junior at Wesleyan University, encourages collegiettes to think in advance about what they’d do in a situation where they’d need to use emergency contraception.

“When I had an incident where my original method of birth control failed (the condom broke), I was so perplexed about what I was supposed to do,” she says. “I think all college women should think about what they’d do in a situation of accidental unprotected sex so that there’s an ‘action plan’ in place.”

Gross adds that there are many factors to consider in the case of an incident. “Where would you purchase the morning-after pill—in an actual pharmacy, or online?” she asks. “Would you tell your partner, friends or parents? How will you make sure you’re not pregnant? These are things that college women should consider before they end up in a situation where they need to use a morning-after pill.”

Know who shouldn’t be taking the pill

It’s just as important to understand why you should not take the pill as why you should. Dr. McLarney notes that reasons not to take any form of oral hormonal contraception (daily birth control or the morning-after pill) include pregnancy, breast-feeding, coronary artery disease, liver disease, thromboembolic disorders (since blood clots caused by these can be fatal), certain cancers including breast cancer, hypertension, certain types of migraine headaches and liver disease.

Emergency contraception is not regular birth control

Gross also strongly recommends never using emergency contraception as a go-to method of birth control. “The morning-after pill can make you feel really sick, and it’s just not healthy to be taking every time you have unprotected sex,” she says. “Emergency contraception is meant to be just that: used in an emergency.”

While Plan B and other emergency contraception providers don’t spell out specific guidelines for how often you can take the morning-after pill in a given period of time, all of them echo Gross’s sentiments that emergency contraception is only meant to be taken in urgent situations and that other birth control precautions should be taken regularly.

It doesn’t protect against STDs

Gross also notes that morning-after pills like Plan B do not protect against STDs or STIs; they are strictly trying to prevent pregnancy after sex. “Make sure you’re still using other forms of protection to prevent disease or infection, like condoms!” she says.

Talk to someone at your college’s health center

If you’re not sure whom to talk to about emergency contraception, Julie also recommends talking to someone at your college’s health center. “The director of sexual health there gave me all the information I needed on what to expect when I took the pill,” she says. “It made me feel so relieved to know that my side effects (like nausea and headaches) were normal, and I also felt much better knowing that there was someone I could turn to if things weren’t going well physically or emotionally or if I had other questions.”

Overall, Dr. McLarney notes that emergency contraception has evolved over the past several decades (especially over the last couple of years). “Emergency contraception has added such an important facet to reproductive health,” he says. “It is simple to take (most regimens are a single dose), effective, low side effects and available over the counter. It had been significantly underused in the recent past. That appears to be changing with education and easy availability.”

Collegiettes should consider in advance what they’d do in the event they need to take emergency contraception. Think about it beforehand, and always try to take preventative birth control measures before sex.

There's been a lot of recent debate on the subject of “voluntourism,” a term coined to describe week-long volunteer escapades to developing countries.  I myself have been on two of these so-called “voluntourist” trips and feel that it's my duty to defend their purpose.

There will always be people making disparaging, saracastic comments about the trips and how they can “completely change a woman’s Facebook profile picture,” but in my mind, a picture does not belittle the experience.  If anything, pictures are good; they share the experience on various platforms and encourage others to volunteer.  I highly doubt that anyone would spend thousands of dollars on a trip just to change their profile picture to one surrounded by poor children.

I have traveled to both Costa Rica and Jamaica on service trips for various purposes, namely to volunteer and to travel, hence “voluntourism.”  I see absolutely nothing wrong with this.  If I want to spend my money to travel abroad while volunteering and sightseeing, so be it.  Enjoying a vacation does not make the volunteer work mean any less.

This past spring break, I traveled to Petersfield, Jamaica with Amizade Global-Service Learning and stayed with a host family.  The director of the program in Jamaica, a man named “Mr. Brown,” repeatedly told us how grateful he was for our attendance.  When he was young, he explained that the town was named “Killersfield,” and that he “would have never dreamed about touching a white man.”  Village tourism, as he called it, helps their community grow.  It provides income for the host families and provides assistance to the limited teaching staff in Jamaica.

I did, in fact, change my profile picture upon returning to the U.S.; however, it was not one surrounded by children I did not know.  It was a picture of me and a young girl who was attached at my hip for the two days that I worked at her school.  She followed me around, making flower jewelry and crowns for me to wear.  She always had a smile on her face and I felt a connection with her.  I will always have that memory.

Bringing an iPhone or camera on a service trip is not a sin. From my experience, the children love taking pictures.  People spend money on service trips to explore themselves while helping others. Ultimately, the trip is about themselves, but this does not mean they are helping the community any less.  People travel to lose themselves and discover things they may not have known.  They want to remember the experience and be able to look back on it and share it with their family and friends.  I don’t see a problem with that.

The next time you hear someone call global voluntourism “narcissistic,” explain to them that #InstagrammingAfrica does not belittle the service; it simply spreads the word about volunteer trips that can change people’s lives (as well as their profile pictures).

Calling all aspiring fashion designers--and Kardashians! Who would have thought that checking Twitter could lead to career opportunities? On June 22, Kim and Khloe Kardashian both tweeted, “Looking for experienced window display interns @DASHBoutique Fashion students welcome! Must live in NYC contact careers@shopdashonline.com.” The sisters are seeking someone to design the windows for the Manhattan location of DASH Boutique.

According to the Huffington Post, Kim and Khloe have 32 million Twitter followers combined, which means that we feel very badly for whoever has to sort through all those applications. The Huffington Post called these tweets “a move that will not exactly weed out the disqualified.” 

Would you respond to a Twitter job ad, collegiettes? Next time you're hard-pressed to find a part-time job for school or an internship for the summer, maybe Twitter is the place to look!

It’s the middle of summer, and we wouldn’t blame you for being unconcerned with anything that’s not related to sun, sand or sandals. However, fall will be here before you know it, and you don’t want to forget to snatch up your school-year essentials before the first day. Here are our top three things to bring to college this upcoming autumn: the ultimate must-haves that will make or break your semester!

1. Souvenirs from Home

 If you’ve already completed a year or more at school, you’ll understand how quickly homesickness can set in — and pre-collegiettes, you’ll just have to take our word for it.

Fortunately, you can seriously lessen your longings for your pets, friends and comfy bed (okay, and your parents, too) by bringing a bunch of cute reminders from home for your dorm room or apartment. For example, if you’re from Boston, pick up a cute stuffed lobster or a Red Sox poster. Or if you’re a small-town girl born-and-raised, buy postcards of your hometown from those racks at the drugstore or post-office for a home-y feel in your new dorm.

Also, don’t forget pictures. Hanging up snapshots of yourself with your friends and family is an easy, inexpensive and sweet way to decorate your room.

Even with all these keepsakes, you’ll still get homesick every now and then at first. It’s natural, and it goes away as you get adjusted. But that’s okay, since you have a stuffed lobster to hug!

2. Cool Weather Clothes

Temperatures are annoyingly high right now, but at most places in the U.S., they’ll be plunging soon after you arrive on campus. Don’t be caught without a coat! We advise stocking up on your autumn essentials now. That way, you won’t have to resort to buying something you don’t like at the last minute just so you don’t freeze.

If you’re going to school in a brand-new climate, do some extensive research on which wardrobe additions to make. Puffer coats and warm winter boots are essential on the East Coast, but if you’re going to school in California, the most you’ll require is a pea coat and some rain boots.

For the girls who are already well acquainted with the weather, think back to what pieces were missing in your wardrobe last year — thick socks? layer-able sweaters? fun hats? — and pick them up now.

3. Microsoft Office 365       

Between going to class, studying, sleeping, eating and showering, you barely have time to do a calming “yoga breath,” let alone get to the fun stuff like hanging out with your friends or taking a fitness class at your college gym. Good thing Microsoft Office can help you make your crazy life more manageable. Whether you’re preparing for college this fall or a current student, Office 365 makes for a great companion to help you study smarter, stay more organized and manage your social life efficiently. With the ability to access all of your information whenever and wherever, you’ll always be set up for success. 

A subscription comes with all the apps you know and love, like Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote. You get access to those, along with all of your work, on up to two devices and multiple smartphones — even if you’re offline. So the next time you’re dashing from your dorm room to the dining hall, you can scroll through your notes on your phone! Major efficiency points. Plus you get cool goodies like 20 GB of online storage (that’s a lot of selfies) and 60 minutes of Skype calling time per month.

Learn more about Office 365, including how eligible students can qualify for special pricing through Microsoft Office 365 University.

So can you forgive us for talking about fall when everyone else is all summer-obsessed? Trust us, your future self will thank you for being so prepared when you get to school with these essentials in hand. See you in September, collegiettes!

First she revolutionized the dress, now she’s going after glasses.  Diane von Fürstenberg and Google Glass have just rolled out a collaboration, and while the results aren’t exactly what we’d call “versatile” (read: they will not go with everything in your wardrobe), they’re seriously awesome. Introducing: DVF | Made for Glass.

Even by itself, The Glass is lust-worthy. With a simple, “Ok, glass,” you can take and share photos, make calls, surf the web, get directions and live-stream your world… and that’s just for starters. They’re known to be a little geeky, but we’re guessing DVF’s classy, fashionable influence will change that.

For a cool $1,800, you can pick up The Glass, a DVF frame, a detachable sunglasses shade, mono earbuds and the case. 

Although the frames come in a variety of colors, they’re only available in one style. “They flatter every face shape,” promises Net-A-Porter.

So what do you think, collegiettes? Is it kind of ridiculous to pay $1,800 for glasses, even if they’re made with smart technology and lots of designer love? Or would you gladly fork over that much cash to be one of the first “Glassholes” with a DVF pair? 

New cars usually don’t come cheap off the lot, nor are they cheap at the pump. Paul Elio of the new automaker Elio Motors, however, hopes to make driving more affordable with his plan to produce cars that are under $7,000, get 84 miles per gallon, and, yes, have only three wheels, according to Yahoo. Elio Motors hopes to keep this price down by using parts that are already in existence in other factories.

That’s not everything that’s unique about Elio’s new prototype vehicle. With only three wheels, you may need a motorcycle license to drive it in some states. Elio hopes to get a 5-star crash test safety rating, despite its status right now as a vehicle that isn’t a car; technically, it's a motorcycle. In terms of its unique shape, the new Elio Motors vehicle “optimizes aerodynamics by cutting way down on frontal area and giving the car a nearly ideal 'teardrop' body," according to WIBW.com.

Want to make sure you’re in on the trend, collegiettes? Go to Elio’s website and reserve your car today! While it may not hold all of your college essentials (good luck moving yourself back into your dorm room this fall!), it could be an inexpensive, environmentally-friendly way to get around town!

First dates have loads of potential to be either rewarding… or disastrous. It takes a confident collegiette to take this first step toward a relationship! Some would say that the benefits of going on a first date aren’t worth the potential risks: awkwardness, incompatibility, or extreme nervousness. However, taking the plunge and going on that date is definitely HC-approved. It may not go as swimmingly as you like, but you won’t have to live with regret and always be wondering, ‘What would’ve happened if I went out with that guy?’

Despite the possible gains, one of the major date deterrents for collegiettes remains the fear of the Bad Date. The Bad Date nearly always has an uncomfortable ending, as these collegiettes will attest:

“Bad dates are awkward all the time, but the endings are the worst, especially if he drove and is dropping you off at your house. I just cross my fingers and get out of the car and into my door ASAP so he doesn’t try and make a move!” – Briana, University of Missouri-Kansas City

“At the end of a date there’s always the inevitable, ‘So, will we see each other again?’ question hanging in the air. If the date sucked, then it is so awkward to know in the back of your head that you don’t want to pursue anything else with him.” – Emily, DePaul University

No doubt, a bad first date beginning makes for a less than pleasant bad first date ending. Luckily, it is possible to make your thoughts on the date and on your future – or lack thereof – with the guy clear without coming across as a mean girl or completely crushing his heart. And it’s important to remember that although ending the date is initially awkward, it WILL have an end and tomorrow will be the start of a new day (a day when you don’t have to redo your date).

But to make it easier before you get to the point when you’ve said your goodbyes, check out HC's 6 ways for you to make the exit of your bad first date smooth without seeming stone cold!

During the Date

Yes, the key to a graceful exit begins before you reach your doorstep. If you follow your intuition, you will most likely realize that the date isn’t going well pretty quickly. Conversation will feel forced. You’ll be noticing some red flags. You’ll find yourself disagreeing with a lot of things the guy is saying. In general, you will just feel some unease as opposed to some spark. To have an un-dramatic exit from this situation, you can’t lead him on!

1. Keep Some Things To Yourself

To explain simply, don’t over-share or open up more than you would to a casual acquaintance. If you sense the date isn’t going well, don’t bring up intense things about your past or talk about all of your hopes and dreams for the future. Here’s why:

• When you don’t want to go on a second date, he will just be confused. Why did you seem so comfortable talking about emotional topics if you weren’t connecting on a special level?
• If he does take the fact that you’re not interested in a second date harshly, he will have loads of personal information about you to use against you. He may try to take something you say and twist it into a nasty rumor! (Which would be more proof that he wasn’t worth your time…)

There’s nothing wrong with making conversation. But, you may want to be on your guard with what you share—especially if you feel the date heading south. Stick to lighter topics like hobbies and favorites before you delve into family life and career aspirations.

2. Don’t Be a ‘Yes’ Woman

This goes for any date, not just a bad one. If you were talking to a friend and he or she said something that directly challenged your beliefs or opinions, you’d be honest with her about how you felt. Chances are if you’re on a good date, most of the things he will say won’t contradict your views. If you’re on a bad one, the odds of this may increase: “On one first date with a guy I went to church with, he asked me straight up about my feelings regarding gay marriage and abortion and told me all about how he felt. I’m sorry – to me those are really personal things to ask about on a first date. I just felt uncomfortable.” –Briana, University of Missouri-Kansas City

Obviously, getting defensive or angry when this happens is not the way to go if you want to avoid awkwardness. When you find yourself in this situation, be honest but not aggressive. Here’s a short and non-serious (unless you’re really intense about your ‘90s boy band allegiance) dialogue to give you an idea about how to respond if this happens:

Him: “*NSYNC was clearly the best boy band of the ‘90s. I honestly don’t get how anybody could listen to The Backstreet Boys. Their CD players must have been broken.”

You: “Well, I actually preferred The Backstreet Boys when I was younger. I think everyone just has his or her own music preferences though. I don’t have anything against *NSYNC fans!”

Though you’re unlikely to end up butting heads over pop music of decades past, the same principle applies: by being honest about your opinion, you aren’t leading him on to believe that you’re meant for each other. Plus, if it is meant to be, the fact that you don’t agree on everything wouldn’t be a turn-off for him.

3. Avoid Physical Contact

This one is pretty obvious. If you don’t feel that you have chemistry with a guy, don’t be overtly flirtatious. This means, don’t hold hands or put your hand on his arm when you’re talking with him. What’s the point of this besides leading him on? Physical contact is a sign that you’re enjoying yourself, so be careful not to lead him on when you aren’t!

If he’s making contact with you when you aren’t feeling the spark, chances are your night will only get worse. You didn’t sign up for this kind of discomfort when you agreed to go on the date but it’s easy to neutralize the situation. If he’s crossing that boundary, make him aware of it. Move your hand away or say something like, “I’m sorry, I’m just not comfortable with this right now!” and give him a smile to let him know that you don’t plan on biting his head off for attempting to hold your hand. It may be awkward in the moment, but you shouldn’t have to increase your discomfort just to get through the date.

At The End Of The Date

So, you’re on a date that’s winding down and you followed the previous guidelines: you didn’t get too personal, you were honest about your feelings, and you avoided bodily contact. He clearly wasn’t reading your signals and says:

"I had a great time… When can I see you again?"

If he still asks about a second date at the night’s conclusion (or even the next day via call or text) you’re going have to give him some tough love. You don’t have to go out with him again, so here are some ways to alleviate the awkwardness and make sure he gets the hint:

4. Say: You Don’t Have Time to Devote To Him

At first glance, this may seem counterintuitive because you made time to go on the date. But if you felt that the date was rough then you truly don’t have time to devote to him. You may not be too busy to go on a first date, but you ARE too busy to go on a bad second date. “In the middle of the semester, I really value my free time. If I were to go on a bad date, I would honestly consider it time wasted. Why would I go on another one that I knew was probably going to be bad when I could be hanging with friends or out looking for a new guy?” –Kylie, University of Kansas

How do you use this reasoning to escape your date with ease? Use these points to craft a good reason why the end of this date should be a permanent ending:

• You put a lot of focus and effort into what you are involved in (e.g. your friend/family relationships, your work, your grades, your outside activities).
• It is important to you that you maximize your time with the things you focus on.
• So, you don’t think that you have the time to fit him into your life.

You don’t have to make it about him personally, but you don’t have to lie, either. He’s not important enough to you to justify carving time out of your busy schedule to go on another date. Worded nicely, he should understand.

5. Say: You Aren’t Looking For Commitment

Again, this reasoning could seem like a lie based on the fact that you went out on a date. But the fact that you aren’t looking for commitment WITH HIM is not a lie. Here are a few different things you can say to make this point in a nice way:

• “I think you are a really great person, but I think that I might not be ready for the kind of relationship that you are looking for. Dating right now isn’t feeling as natural as I think it should feel.”
• “I don’t know if I’m in a place right now that I would feel comfortable committing to dating you regularly. Based on my life right now, I want to approach dating casually so that I can decide if   I’m ready for something more.”

“When a guy that I’d had a rough date with texted me about going out (again) a few days later, I told him, ‘Going out with you was a great experience, but I’ve realized that I just don’t see myself committing to this right now. I’m sorry and I hope we can still be friends!’ I felt bad, but I was being honest. I did not see myself in a relationship with him and hopefully he appreciated the fact that I wasn’t playing games.” –Kylie, University of Kansas

6. Say: You Don’t Think That You Are Compatible

Of all of these date-dodging options, we like this one the best. Why? Because it is the most straightforward. If you want to be graceful about ending your date, you’re doing him the biggest favor by being direct. If you don’t want to see him again, it helps to be honest about why. You weren’t comfortable because you lacked compatibility. If you can help him to see this too, he can use this as a learning experience when he asks someone else out next time (and so can you)! Next time you find yourself not clicking with the guy next to you, follow the advice of this collegiette:

“I'm a big advocate for not playing games and just being an honest person. Too often, people think honest and rude are synonyms, but as long as you're nice, most guys will find honesty refreshing. I went on a date this past Saturday and when he asked me out again at the end I said, ‘I've really enjoyed hanging out with you, but in the future I'd like to hang out as friends.’ I know from lots (and lots) of experience how frustrating mixed signals can be, so I would never want to do that to someone else.” –Michelle, Emerson College

And what if you follow these tips (making it clear you don’t want to go out again) and he STILL goes in for a kiss at the end?

“A guy I was on a horrific date with tried to kiss me when he walked me back to the door. I think some people would’ve just let it happen, but there was no way I was going to do that. You shouldn’t have to kiss someone and be super uncomfortable just because you don’t want to hurt their feelings. Dodge it! I just said something like ‘I’m sorry, I don’t feel comfortable with that.’ If he isn’t a jerk, he will respect that.” –Emily, DePaul University

There you have it, collegiettes! If you keep these six things in mind on your next date (which hopefully won’t be horrible), you won’t have to deal with an even-worse second date. The key is to make sure you aren’t leading him on. If he still isn’t getting it at the end of the date, it’s important to be honest and direct about the fact that you aren’t interested in seeing him again. If he’s a good guy, he will understand and you both can move on to find your own happily ever afters!

While your friends are working their summer internships or studying abroad, you’ve found yourself back on campus taking summer classes. Campus has a different vibe during the summer that only summer-school students understand. From empty bars to busy classes, here are nine things summer school students experience during the not-so-normal semester.

1. Having to deal with freshmen who are new on campus and think they own the place.

2. Not having to worry about long wait times for the elliptical at the gym or finding a seat in the dining hall because campus is basically dead.

3. Feeling like the clock has actually stopped ticking while sitting through a three-hour lecture.

4. The total agony of realizing that you have a 10-page paper due... the first week of class.

5. Your favorite coffee place on campus being closed for summer, forcing you to brew your own in the morning, which is one of the biggest struggles of all.

6. Your friends on campus always having an open invitation to lie out and day-drink after class.

7. Not having to wait in line for happy hour at the bars.

8. Going out hoping to meet some new, cute guys only to realize that it’s the same frat boys as last week.

9. Not having to worry about the cops being out to get you because parties are a lot more laid-back and tame. 

The struggle is real when you’re stuck on campus all summer, but just remember that taking a summer semester can be a great way to get ahead in your major, even if it isn’t the most fun way to spend your break. Good luck this semester, summer-school collegiettes!

We love comfy maxi dresses, crop tops, high-waisted shorts and bright skater skirts for summer, but staying stylish comes at a price. Many of us collegiettes don’t have the means to fork out $60 for those adorable palazzo pants or that cute little romper, so we found some wonderful collegiette-budget-friendly stores to keep your summer wardrobe hot (and affordable!).

1. GoJane

GoJane has an absolutely adorable clothing selection at low prices. This fun Aztec crop top is only $14. GoJane features some pretty daring styles, like this twisted cut-out maxi dress ($36.50), so if you’re not afraid of showing a little skin this summer, GoJane is definitely the store for you. For those less-daring collegiettes, we’re loving this color-block maxi dress ($19).

2. UrbanOG

UrbanOG has offers the cutest of cute fashion trends at really affordable prices. We love their artistic prints and bold colors, especially on this fun floral romper ($32.50). We can’t help but lust after these metallic leg-wrap sandals ($12.40)—you could say they’re our Achilles heel! And let’s not forget this gorgeous crochet cover-up ($27.20) for after the pool.

3. White Plum

We first fell in love with White Plum for their winter leggings, but summer’s here, and it’s all about the palazzo pants now. They have a fantastic selection of palazzo pants that come in some amazing funky prints! We’re loving these pink diamond chevron palazzo pants ($33.99) for comfy days lounging at the house. White Plum’s dresses can be a little pricier, but this Larissa day dress ($53.50) is just to die for.

4. Boohoo

We’re loving the “Style Steals” section of this UK-based shop, where you can get a heck of a deal on some amazing clothes. Boohoo has some really killer basics at a pretty great price, like this cap-sleeve skater dress ($16) for a summer date night or just going out with friends. Boohoo also has really awesome plus-size and petite options! This plus-sized ponte miniskirt ($12) is perfect for a day of shopping with the girls, while this petite contrast waistband maxi skirt ($16) is so comfy for those long festival days.

All of these sites have a great selection of on-trend clothing at awesome prices. Such adorable clothing at a collegiette-friendly price just can’t get any better, can it? 

You’re a college graduate now—hooray! Along with your diploma comes a whole new dating scene. The guys haven’t magically transformed into perfect gentlemen, but you’re not so different from your crazy college self either—for now at least. Living alone in a big city for the first time with a real job and a whole new selection of men isn’t as simple as it seems. Here are eight things to be prepared for in the post-college dating scene:

1. Booty calls/hook-ups are not relationships

You might have followed the “we’re together” mentality in college even if you were just hooking up and not going on actual dates. But after college, you should expect him to take you out if he’s serious about being with you, not just take you back to his apartment. If he doesn’t, you’re probably not in a relationship.

“I thought hooking up was the be-all end-all of dating since that’s all that I knew in college, but this all changed after graduation when I met a guy at work. Our first date consisted of dinner and a walk in the park, not hooking up and sleeping at his place,” says Rachel* from Grand Valley State University. It’s true that he might not be able to afford an expensive date on his new limited budget, but if he’s actually interested in dating you, expect to go on more dates than you went on in college.

Post-college dating dare:

Make sure your first date with a new guy happens outside of your apartment. Let him know from day one that you are not a booty-call by refusing to spend the night too soon.

2. Casually dating multiple people at once is the norm

You’re in a new city surrounded by tons of people. It’s just like freshman year, but the guys are more mature and you’re more prepared for dating (thanks to this guide!). Now’s a perfect time to date a few men at the same time so you can figure out what you’re looking for in a partner and determine which one actually likes you. Marissa from the University of Michigan likes to have fun with dating and keep it casual. She understands that she shouldn't let anyone make her feel guilty for going out with one guy for a while and then changing her mind. “It’s not leading someone on; be honest and carefree as you take dating day by day; remember, you’re meeting lots of people, and only one will stick,” she says.

It’s smart to casually date multiple men so you can carry on the most promising relationship and say goodbye to the guys who just don’t fit what you’re looking for. And remember, the guys are likely dating multiple girls at the same time, too. So be careful not to jump to conclusions about the status of your relationship without having "the talk".

Post-college dating dare:

Schedule more than one date in the same week. Having a full social calendar always feels great. (We all deserve the chance to feel like we’re on The Bachelorette every once in a while.)

3. Dating with a larger age difference is acceptable

It’s okay if your new post-college guy is 5+ years older than you; really anyone in their 20s or early 30s is fair game. As far as dating younger guys goes, don’t venture too far into cougar territory. Most of the guys you meet post-college will be older anyways.

If you’re going to date a 30-year-old and are only a year out of college, realize that you’ll have to adapt to this huge age difference. Since you aren’t in your college bubble anymore, be careful about whom you do decide to date. You could meet a creepy old man who pretends to be younger—and that is definitely not the guy you want to date.

Post-college dating dare:

Say yes when the cute guy who’s 8 years older than you asks you out for coffee.

4. Guys will want to talk on the phone

In college, you usually text because it’s convenient and because you’re so used to communicating in that way. After college, talking on the phone becomes more of the norm. “I realized texting was stupid because the other person can’t really tell how you’re feeling. My college girlfriend would always read my texts the wrong way and get mad at me, so when I graduated, I vowed to make more calls and send fewer texts. I met a cute girl through a mutual friend and decided to call her and ask her out on a date. A few dates later, she said how impressed she was that I had called her,” says John from Saginaw Valley State University. See, good things come to those who call. Now that you’re a college graduate, you can’t revert back to your high school texting relationship days; calling is way more meaningful.

Post-college dating dare:

Call him just to talk. It might feel weird at first since you rely so much on texting, but hearing each other’s voices is way better than typing into a tiny screen and sending a few too many emoticons and “lol”s.

5. Tons of people do online dating

For whatever reason, all of my college friends seem to laugh at the idea of online dating. But post-college, the Internet is just one more way to meet a guy, especially when there isn’t a huge pool of single men in your area.

“I graduated last year and am living at home in my parents’ house. Sometimes I feel as if I'm back in high school. Sure, as a 23-year-old woman I don’t have a curfew, but I also have a nearly nonexistent social life. After being in college for four years surrounded by thousands of people my own age, I feel like there is no one my age around here!” says Megan from the University of Michigan. Online dating is a great solution for people like Megan who move back home after college and are struggling to find love. “Since I work in a female-dominated field, I was having trouble meeting guys my first year out of college so I decided to try out OkCupid, says Leslie* from Wayne State University. Even though I didn’t meet my future husband, I did go on a few good dates and met a lot of guys.” Erase all of your preconceptions about online dating and you just might find your future boyfriend in cyberspace.

Post-college dating dare:

Explore different online dating sites and set up a profile. Even if you don’t end up pursuing any of the dating opportunities you find online, you’ll get a self-esteem boost as you see your inbox fill up with new messages from cute, available guys.

6. Guys have more baggage

Maybe he’s been engaged or married, maybe he has a child, or maybe he’s had a live-in girlfriend. Whatever his baggage is, be prepared to handle surprises that you never had to deal with in college. His baggage isn’t always bad; it just means he’s had different life experiences than you. As long as you go into it with a positive attitude and an open mind, you should be able to handle these little challenges.

Post-college dating dare:

Be patient and understanding if and when he exposes his baggage. There’s nothing you can’t handle. Unless he’s done something seriously wrong that makes you question his character or your safety, try not to judge him for his past.

7. Some guys are still stuck in college

You might feel like you’re still living on campus by the way some guys act. Carrie* explains how she thought things would change when she started med school, but found a lot of the guys wanting to hook up with her from day one. Be on the lookout for guys who want to be independent bachelors and repeat freshman year all over again—one hook-up after the next. “I moved to Chicago to start an internship after college and discovered my new guy was also dating another girl who lived in our apartment complex,” says Amanda*, a graduate of Princeton University. If you’re ever in a situation like this, ditch the guy immediately and tell him you will not put up with his childish games. There’s a difference between dating around and dating all of the neighbors!

Post-college dating dare:

Promise yourself that you won’t be the girl who’s stuck in college by refusing to make any of the dating mistakes you made during undergrad.

8. Some guys are looking to settle down

After college, most guys realize life isn’t one big party with a new girl to choose from each night, which means they might be more open to the idea of a serious relationship. Your dating life will start to feel more real and less like a game. “I’m in a new part of my life and feel more ready to find a serious girlfriend,” says Peter from Florida State University. This is music to my ears!

Before you get too excited, remember: just because he’s ready for a girlfriend doesn’t mean he’s the perfect guy for you. Make sure you find someone whose relationship goals align with your own.

Post-college dating dare:

If a guy tells you he’s ready to take things to the next level and you’re not feeling the same way, tell him how you feel. Just because you found someone who’s finally ready to settle down doesn’t mean you have to be ready for him. Remember, you don’t have to marry the first guy you meet.

Dating after college has its ups and downs – in some ways it’s much more cut-and-dry than dating in college, but in other ways the extra responsibilities and life experience can make meshing with your man more difficult. Try these post-college dating dares to make the most of the new scene and you could find yourself surrounded by cute 20-somethings before you know it!

We love our parents, but sometimes the things they do make us want to crawl into the nearest hole and hide. Here are the 13 most embarrassing things that our parents are all guilty of doing! 

1. Commenting on your Facebook photos - or, even worse, your friends' Facebook photos.

2. Yelling at you in front of your friends.

3. Posting photos online of you in your awkward stage.

4. Trying to be funny.

5. Telling embarrassing stories from your childhood at family reunions.

6. Singing and/or dancing in public.

7. Asking about your love life.

8. Then, trying to set you up with someone.

9. Posting selfies online.

10. Trying to be the "cool parents." 

11. Meeting your SO for the first time and asking a million questions.

12. Being affectionate in public.

13. Using text slang.

Between working on big projects, asking thoughtful questions and, yes, making that clichéd coffee run, it’s easy to forget you should be getting more than just experience and a line on your resume from your summer internship. Along with your everyday tasks, you should also be focused on the bigger picture: how this position can build your reputation in the industry, earn you connections and further your career. Here’s what to do so your internship will keep working for you long after you’ve written all of your thank-you notes and had your last feedback session. 

1. Ask questions

For unpaid internships, your “salary” is your in-office education. Ensure that you’re learning as much as possible by asking questions! Requesting advice or information from your supervisor doesn’t make you annoying; on the contrary, it shows that you’re invested in the internship. Ask about concepts, terminology, the roles different employees play, what technology and software the company uses, etc. However, there is such a thing as a bad question, so be strategic.

“Do your research first,” says Lisa Chau, the founder of marketing and PR consulting firm Alpha Vert. “Don't ask anything that can be easily answered by searching online.”

You should also be careful about when and where you quiz your boss. If he or she is stressed or crunched for time, you probably won’t receive the most detailed or complete response. Unless your question is extremely time-sensitive or context-relevant, write it down for when your boss has an uninterrupted, calm period of time to answer it.

2. Take notes

Always have a pen and paper on hand—you never know when you’ll need it!

“This sounds so basic, but I can’t tell you how frequently my twentysomething clients come to meet with me and have nothing to take notes with,” says Allison Cheston, author of the blogCareer Connector. “Not only is it impossible to keep everything in your head, but writing down important points shows you’re interested and focused.”

You should definitely show up to your first day with a notebook and a pen ready, but don’t get lazy and start leaving them at home as your internship progresses! Write things down all summer long whenever you learn a new procedure, task or requirement. Not only will this seriously improve your learning curve, increase your credibility and help you avoid asking how to do the same task twice, but at the end of the summer, you can organize your notes into a handy booklet for your replacement. Ding-ding-ding: that’s the sound of intern points racking up.

3. Ask people to lunch or coffee

We’ve all heard that networking is essential, but how exactly do you do it? After all, it’s not like playing tag — you can’t walk up to someone, introduce yourself and bam! Call him or her a connection. 

Lauren Berger, aka The Intern Queen, suggests making a list of people both inside and outside your department whom you’re interested in meeting. You can even include people who don’t work at the company but work in the same city. After you’ve compiled a list, send personalized emails to each person asking for an informational interview.

“Maintaining a sense of professionalism, introduce yourself in one to two sentences and explain the purpose of the meeting,” Berger says. “For example, ‘I’d love to sit down with you and hear about how you got started and get your advice.’”

Berger suggests keeping the entire email to eight sentences or less. She also recommends reaching out early in your internship so that you can schedule appointments with even the busiest employees.  “If you don’t hear back in one week, send a follow-up email,” Berger says.

However, it’s probably not possible for you to meet with every single professional you’d like to talk to — but that doesn’t mean you can’t still build useful relationships.

“People have really busy schedules, so I relied on talking to people in the halls and at their desks and then sending follow-up emails with little details like, ‘Good luck on your presentation!’” says Tansu Phillips, a sophomore at Chapman University who just finished interning for Ryan Seacrest.

If you want even more advice for networking at your job, this article has some great tips.

4. Maintain the connections you’ve made

While it’s fantastic to get face time with people who can help you in your career, that face time won’t mean anything if you don’t keep in touch with those resources.

“Definitely keep a comprehensive LinkedIn profile to stay involved with the company,” Chau says. “That will allow you to maintain your connections.”

These connections can “recommend” you for various skills they saw you use during your internship, such as social media, blogging, editing and so on. This dramatically increases your credibility and will be super helpful during the job hunt! LinkedIn is also a great way for the people you met during your internship to stay current on your career without any effort on their part. When you accomplish something cool or start searching for a position, they’ll automatically see it on their newsfeeds.

Even if you don’t use LinkedIn, make an effort to keep in contact with the people you meet during your internship. Once again, email is your best friend. Send the people you worked closely with messages once a semester, taking the time to make the messages personal. You should comment on some sort of growth, change or achievement in their professional lives (“I saw that the company was mentioned in a Huffington Post article, congratulations!”) and include an update on you (“I just finished up my first semester of sophomore year and have been freelancing for two design websites.”). Staying in touch ensures that if you need their help or advice, it won’t seem like you’re just using them.

5. Build a portfolio

At the beginning of your internship, ask your supervisor for his or her permission to keep or make copies of the work you have completed, such as papers, projects, presentations or reports. You may also want to include records of positive feedback or any other proof you have showing that you did a great job.

“For example, a PR intern could include press releases they wrote, press materials they created for a client, media hits they secured and a letter of recommendation,” Berger says.

An internship portfolio is incredibly helpful in demonstrating to potential employers your growth, the skills you learned, the personal and career goals you achieved and your work ethic.

The next time you’re powering through 10-page report or helping with your company’s social media accounts, don’t forget that an internship is about more than just the day-to-day experience. Use these five tips to make your internship the experience that keeps on working for you!

Just because you don't exactly have 20/20 vision doesn’t mean your glam has to suffer. By following a few simple tips, you can look as, if not more, fabulous than your sans-lens self. Read on to learn how to banish your four-eyed insecurities and enhance your pretty peepers!

Define Your Brows 

Since your eyebrows are one of the few facial features that are actually visible while rocking frames, make sure they stand out. First, tweeze any pesky, stray hairs (but never over-tweeze!) and shape your brows with Anastasia Beverly Hills DIPBROW Pomade ($18). To keep unruly brows tamed all day, set them with e.l.f. Wet Gloss Lash & Brow Clear Gel ($1). 

Avoid Mascara Mayhem

Between breaking a sweat at the gym to sipping a hot beverage, or simply cooking, your lens can get foggy, which often translates to runny mascara. And, in general, glasses magnify the smallest of clumps. Fear not: the solution is to coat your lashes with a waterproof mascara like CLINIQUE Lash Power Mascara Long-Wearing Formula ($16). Wiggle the wand in horizontal motions at the root of your lashes (leaving your tips alone). Your lenses and lashes will never clash again. Now, feel free to bat your lashes with confidence.

Your frames attract added attention to your eyes. To deflect the spotlight, swap bright eye shadows with a strong lip: paint your pout pretty with a bold color like neon pink or bright red. Not only will the shade offset the frame of your glasses but it’ll make your teeth appear whiter. Gotta’ love a double beauty whammy.

Keep It Simple

Pair a bold lip with soft eye shadow shades: light and dark browns, flesh-toned neutrals and bronze tones. On days you want a subtle pop of color, use a eye shadow primer that has a pearl finish, like MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Bare Study ($20), a soft beige with gold pearl.

Bifocals tend to accentuate the under eye area so opt for a lightweight concealer that won’t cake. An all-in-one product like Laura Mercier Undercover Pot Under Eye Concealer ($34) comes with a silky translucent finishing powder that will banish dark circles and bags while illuminating your complexion.

 

 

What other beauty tips do you have for wearing glasses? Share with us, below!

What happens when the same photo is Photoshopped in 25 different countries. [The Huffington Post]

The 31 most accurate Tumblr posts about being a woman. [BuzzFeed]

Why can’t you remember being a baby? [Vox]

An idea of what college was like with Emma Watson. [xoJane]

Examples of attention-grabbing cover letters. [The Daily Muse]

Innerthigh workouts. [PopSugar]

5 sangrias to get you through summer. [Spoon University]

This woman makes running look really easy. [The Washington Post]

The most ridiculous celebrity name changes. [Betches Love This]

Trendy foods that should not exist. [Jezebel]

Every collegiette remembers her first time seeing a classmate’s engagement announcement on Facebook. As we move towards graduation and beyond, many of us are faced with the potentially terrifying task of attending a peer’s wedding. It’s no longer an aunt or your former babysitter - things just got real. Compiled here are tips for understanding the invitation, dressing appropriately, keeping a positive attitude, and ultimately conquering the social behemoth that is your first “real” wedding.

My own matrimonial revelation came this past semester. As I scrolled through my newsfeed during a Finals Week procrastination session, the picture of an engagement ring and the words “WE’RE GETTIN' HITCHED” suddenly appeared on my computer screen.

I'm sorry, what?

Who were these happily “hitched” adults and what had they done with my friends? A mix of jealousy, inadequacy, and rom-com-level sappiness washed over my sleep-deprived brain and I promptly burst into tears. After spending the next hour hiccupping Vitamin C lyrics to my roommates, I finally accepted the fact that we are young adults - with a growing emphasis on the “adult” part. Shoulders back and head held high, I decided that if there was a way to "win" as a wedding guest, I would be on the awards podium with a gold medal. Thanks to HC’s breakdown of everything you need to know before your friend’s big day, you can be, too.

Invitation Translation

Their formal language and font can strike fear in the bravest of hearts, but despite their flowery shells, invitations are both harmless and informative, providing the essentials for acing a wedding.

An invitation will either contain a separate card for the reception or will have the reception information included alongside the ceremony details. Oftentimes, there will be a date provided by which you should RSVP. Do both yourself and the bride’s family a favor and answer immediately, or as soon as you are able to. You do not want the bride’s mother calling your house and asking plaintively why they never heard from you. Ultra-embarrassing, so not adult-like, and, all joking aside, inconsiderate. RSVPs allow the couple to calculate the amount of food, place cards, wedding favors, and chairs to order in addition to allowing them to construct the seating arrangements. Bottom line: respond promptly.

With a rough economy and looming student loans, the concept of a “plus one” for single guests is becoming increasingly rare. If it isn’t explicitly stated on the invitation, meaning either "[Your Name] and Guest" on the envelope or simply "Plus One" on the reception card, it isn’t an option. Don’t fret - as Tristan Coopersmith, love-life guru, points out, this means there will be a contingent of unattached guests looking for dance partners and impromptu dinner dates. Coopersmith suggests the following pick-up line, applicable to 100% of the reception’s population: “How do you know the bride or groom?”

Dressing to Impress

Oftentimes a couple will indicate on their invitations the dress code for their special day, but for those of us who spend the majority of our time in jeans, interpreting "The Wedding Dress Code" can be a bit of a headache. After consulting Diane Forden, editor-in-chief of Bridal Guide magazine, I created cheat-sheets for every dress request:

1. White Tie: While these events are rare, particularly with the current generation of young brides, White Tie weddings are the pinnacle of formal dress codes. We're talking floor-length gowns (black is your safest bet—never white!), your nicest heels, and that pair of mega-watt earrings you've been saving for your dream wedding to Prince Harry. You want to aim for conservative elegance, though, rather than outright glamour, so leave the cleavage-bearing tops and mini-dresses at home.

2. Black Tie: You know that "Little Black Dress" that every woman is supposed to have? Events like this are where it comes into play. Depending on how you accessorize it, a black, knee-length cocktail dress can function as the base for Black Tie, Black Tie Optional, Formal, and even Semi-Formal ensembles, perfect for a limited collegiette budget. If you don't already own one, J. Crew and  ModCloth has a specific section of their inventory dedicated to numerous variations on the LBD, as does Forever 21 have great options. Look for classic shapes, flattering cuts, and details understated enough to be dressed up or down. Don't be afraid to spend a little extra money on this wardrobe staple. Consider it an investment; the higher quality and better constructed the piece, the longer it will last.

Imagine Black Tie events as the slightly less conservative, slightly more glamorous sisters of White Tie, so pair your LBD with sparkly jewelry and some satin pumps. Have fun with your look, but keep in mind that Black Tie events are still very fancy, very classy affairs. Nothing too low or too short. If black is not your color, then Black Tie translates to either a floor-length gown or a knee-length cocktail dress in another bold shade - except for white. Do not show up to a wedding in a white dress. Regardless of your intentions, it will look like you are trying to upstage the bride.

3. Black Tie optional: If a couple is worried about guests feeling pressured to dress out of their comfort zone, they will oftentimes provide a "Black Tie optional" dress code. Along the same lines as "Black Tie," this slight variation leans more towards cocktail dresses than gowns. In terms of accessories and and dress-length, follow the Black Tie guidelines.

4. Formal/Cocktail: Again, Formal or Cocktail attire is essentially the same as Black Tie, though it presents the opportunity for dressy separates. In the past, this meant suits; for a more current look, it applies to a high-waisted, knee-length pencil skirt, heels, and a blouse in a high-end (or faux-high-end) fabric. Or, if you’re one of those women who can pull off the tuxedo look, a slimly-tailored suit is another example of separates.

5. Semi-Formal: Pairing your LBD with a pair of bright flats and understated makeup makes for an elegantly casual look. Dressy separates or a slightly above-knee dress in either a fun print or a more understated fabric are also appropriate options. Tone down the overall glamour of your look and choose either a single, sparkly piece jewelry or satin heels, rather than both. Note: Semi-Formal does not mean jeans, shorts, t-shirts, or sneakers.

As an overarching theme, Forden suggests keeping in mind the time of day and location of the wedding, as these elements can oftentimes alter your clothing decisions. For example, evening weddings tend to be, on the whole, slightly dressier, while daytime events require more toned-down, casual looks. Though they're still uncommon, brunch receptions are gaining popularity, and these events are more casual and dressed-down than their afternoon and evening counterparts.

If you're attending a destination wedding, the dress code will often reflect the location. "Resort Formal" can mean an above-the-knee dress or a long, flowing maxi dress and dressy summer sandals. If you know you'll be outside, plan your footwear accordingly; wedges are the safest bet, as they're less likely to sink into grass, sand, or gravel.

Whatever you do, wear what makes you feel the most confident. If you’re going to be stressed, let it be about interacting with people you haven’t seen since middle school, not about your outfit. Keep in contact with other people who are attending the wedding; you’d check to see what your friends are wearing to a party on campus, right? Same thinking applies.

Gift-giving

What you won’t find on the invitation is information about gifts. A wedding, as you may know from the movie Bridesmaids, is not a single-day event; there are oftentimes several gatherings before the actual big day, though most of these are reserved for relatives and members of the wedding party. If you're a friend of the groom's, it’s very possible you’ll just be asked to attend the wedding ceremony and reception – meaning you’ll only be expected to purchase a single gift. If you’re one of the bride’s friends, however, it’s likely you’ll be invited to the bridal shower and thus responsible for two gifts: one for the shower and one for the actual wedding.

A bridal shower is an event in which the female guests come together to celebrate the bride’s impending union and to pillage the couple’s Gift Registry site. Information about the registry is often included on the shower invitation, and as Jodi R. R. Smith of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting explains, shower gifts “tend to be more of the everyday (toasters, sheets, towels, mixing bowls) and gifts given for the wedding tend to be special-occasion-oriented (china or crystal). Some showers are specifically for the kitchen (or the bedroom!).” If the shower does have a particular gift-theme, it will be noted on the invitation. Just remember that the bride’s mother and older, female relatives will likely be present, so don’t give anything so risqué that you’ll die from embarrassment should it be opened in public.

Gift giving on the actual wedding day is slightly more tricky. If you attended the bridal shower and have already given the couple an item from their Registry, then giving the couple money as the second gift is perfectly acceptable. There will likely be some sort of box at the reception for envelopes. Another option for bridal shower attendees is to give two gifts that function together within a theme, like candles for the shower and candlesticks for the wedding reception.

Physical gifts should be mailed 1-2 weeks prior to the wedding date. When brought to the actual wedding reception, gifts have a tendency to get lost or damaged. They’re also an added strain on the couple and their families who have to try to transport them all out of the venue. Attach a note with your first and last name and a message along the lines of: “[Bride’s Name], I am just so thrilled for you and John. I look forward to celebrating with you next week. Best, [Your Name]”

If the prospect of purchasing 100 sets of crystal makes your wallet quake in fear, keep in mind that nobody is expecting you to shop out of your means. If there are no affordable items on the registry that speak to you, consider purchasing a Tiffany picture frame or making a donation to your shared alma mater in the couple’s honor. Advises Ms. Smith, “Follow the lead from the shower invitation or the wedding registry, but remember these are a guide. Invitations are not invoices.”

And now you have arrived...

Okay, you made it to the reception - now what? For the meal portion, receptions will usually have assigned seats at assigned tables. Hopefully the bride and groom put you at a table with friends, or at least other singles. Even if they didn’t, it’s rude to immediately drag your chair over to another table, especially if you were asked to choose an entrée in advance. Having worked as a catering server, I can speak from experience that the chef and the wedding planner are on the verge of a shared anxiety attack ensuring that the correct plates are sent to the correct seats. Don’t make them suffer.

If there is a band or some sort of music in the dining room and people are dancing in between courses, feel free to flit away for a moment or two to mingle, but be sure to return to your spot until dessert is over. After that, you can find your friends and never look back. Until then, practice your small talk skills. Everyone in attendance is somehow connected to at least one-half of the couple, and thus you have at least one guaranteed conversation topic. Lighten up, relax, and get your mingle on.

If you’re worried about prying questions regarding your own social life, come prepared with one or two lines that will provide an answer but no details, making it clear you’d prefer to keep your private life private. For example, in response to the question, “How is someone as fabulous as you still single?” Tristan Coopersmith suggests saying, “I’m holding out for someone equally as fabulous.”

Ultimately, it is imperative to keep in mind that weddings are, at their core, celebrations of happiness. Marriage is a big deal: your friend has decided that she is so madly in love that she wants to spend the rest of her life with her partner. That’s pretty awesome, and incredibly brave. Be proud of her! And if you end up leaving the wedding alone and misty-eyed over your own fate, remember these words of wisdom from Coopersmith:

“The most important thing to do is to think of your dating life not as a means to a marriage end (which lands a lot of people saying ‘I do’ to Mr. Wrong), but rather a journey in self-discovery that will help lead you to your forever guy. Be confident that your time will come when you are truly ready, not a moment before.”

As difficult as it may be, don’t apply yourself to someone else’s timeline. If you were, as I was, content with the pace of your own life before hearing of the wedding, you should be equally content afterwards. View your peers’ weddings as a positive, if informative, experience; you are witnessing what will become one of the happiest days of their lives, and meanwhile you can evaluate the elements in a relationship that make you happy and be the perfect guest.

Although I was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa at the age of 16, I can’t ever remember being comfortable in my skin. Take the second grade play, for instance. All I can remember is comparing my arms to the girls next to me and feeling like the largest one in the room. Someday, I thought. Someday I will be as small as they are. It was all I wanted.

That day came when I was a sophomore in high school. I was never overweight, but had enjoyed my fair share of Twix bars and vending machine delicacies upon entering high school, and I could feel it in my body. When I went to the doctor for a physical, I was told to get on the scale, and I refused. “If you don’t get on the scale,” he said, chuckling, “I’m going to write down that you weigh 140 on this chart!” Well, lo and behold, I stepped on the scale, and those digitized numbers staring back at me reflected his words. At 5’7”, I was far from being overweight. But as someone who had always been on the low end, this number terrified me.

I can’t describe it, but it was like a switch in my brain flipped. Diet and exercise became everything that I lived for; they were a part of me. It only took three months, and I had lost a significant amount of weight; enough weight to completely lose my period, which I wouldn’t get back for four years, and enough weight for my family, friends, and teachers at school to become increasingly worried. While I strived for balance and health in the beginning, my food choices became limited. Granola became too fattening. Tuna became too protein-filled, and because protein is related to muscle enhancement, I became scared of that, too. Apples were good, but due to their high fiber content they left me bloated and feeling large, so they had to go. Breakfasts became eliminated, lunches involved iceberg lettuce (and pretzels, if it was a good day), and dinners consisted of pushing my mom’s cooked meals around my plate to make it look like I had eaten. With my purse sitting beside me at every meal, I would slip food into napkins and place it in my purse so I could throw it out later.

This life made me miserable, but I found a way to rationalize every hardship. Oh, you can’t fall asleep because your stomach is ravenous? That’s okay. Look at the self-control you have! Everyone else doesn’t have the willpower to abstain like you do; you’re so strong. And look at this body you’re getting! Keep it up.

My parents sat me down one day and told me this couldn’t go on any longer. Despite my rationale for every disordered item they mentioned, they wouldn’t budge: I was going to the doctor. I knew I had a problem, but I wasn’t expecting to be diagnosed with anorexia. Maybe I was in denial, but when the doctor said that word, I nearly choked. Me? Don’t they see how big I am? I’m just trying to be healthy. No one understands: they just want me to be fat. Everyone is just jealous that they don’t have the self-control that I do. It’s ridiculous, really.

The doctor suggested weight gain and therapy, although therapy never happened. My parents pushed for it, but while clearly sick and struggling, I was the master manipulator, and I made sure to meet the minimum weight gain my doctor had set for me. Through this, I gained enough trust back from my family to avoid therapy and attend college that fall.

Everything started falling apart the second that my parents left me at school. The disorder wiped away any sort of healthy mind that I possessed and stripped me of all control. The perfectionist in me still managed to maintain a 4.0 GPA, but other than that, I can’t remember any joys of my freshman year. I picked up a job and worked late nights to busy myself so I wouldn’t want to eat. Eating in general became difficult, as I would not allow myself to eat anything that wasn’t prepackaged with the exact calorie label on it. I had joined a sorority and was talked about: Do you see how thin she is? Why doesn’t she ever want to come to the dining hall with us, or hang out at all? I had completely isolated myself, spending nights locked away in my dorm room, studying in hopes of lessening the demanding food-related thoughts that were so conflicting."Eat, you are so hungry," was combated with "You don’t need to eat; you had a serving of carrots this morning and probably snuck in extra, so you actually should cut back. You don’t want to get fat." I knew I had lost more weight, but when I visited home and was forced to step on the scale, I discovered that I weighed barely 100 pounds. My concerned parents told me that I would not be able to return to school if I didn’t start getting my act together.

Two months into my sophomore year, my older sister called me one night and told me she wanted to have a sisters’ weekend: a getaway for us to veg out and spend time together. She came down on a Friday, and we spent the weekend together. But when I went to say goodbye to her that following Sunday, my parents walked in the door. My concerned sorority house mom had contacted the school, and an administrator called my parents and told them I was not medically fit to be enrolled in classes. My parents packed up my things after staging an intervention and drove me six hours home, checking me straight into the hospital and eventually into an eating disorder treatment facility.

I can’t even put words to the overwhelming emotions that were running through me. I wanted to cry, yell, scream, fight, do anything I possibly could to avoid what was in my future. But at the same time, there was an underlying part of myself that felt this incredible weight being lifted off of my shoulders. I was living a sad and miserable life, but actively asking for help required fighting against the power of my eating disorder, which, at the time, I didn’t feel strong enough to do. Having my ability to choose completely taken away meant that I didn’t have to fight against the voice in my head telling me to stay sick, so it made the initial process easier on myself but harder on my family due to the anger I pushed towards them.

The day I entered treatment changed my life forever. I knew things had gotten bad, but seeing the number on the scale that day and realizing that my heart was beating 33 beats per minute sucked the air right out of my lungs. I was in shock. Yet, still, I fought. I exercised in my room, hid food at meal times, did everything I could possibly think of to fight the help people were trying to give me. With time, however, I realized that I wasn’t necessarily fighting treatment, but that the disorder was fighting with the healthy part of my brain that was trying to breathe life into me. Many months, buckets of tears, and 35 pounds later, I was discharged. I entered my life again: a life in which I promised myself to choose recovery every single day—a promise I am still keeping now, an entire year later.

Recovery is not easy. I wish I could sit here and say that I’m healed, fixed, cured. But it’s not that simple. The negative thoughts lessen with each passing day, but they still exist to some degree in the corners of my mind. Recovery isn’t something you cross off a pretty list and move on to the next task; it’s the most time-intensive and hardest thing that you will ever have to choose, but you must choose it. It is something I have to actively pursue every second of every day. Recovery is the greatest gift I have ever given myself. I have gone back to college and, due to the intense course load I took on while ill, I will graduate in the standard four-year time period. I have been able to go on dinner dates and be engaged in conversation, to order midnight pizza with girlfriends, to drink a glass of wine—all things I never could have even imagined being part of my life before. I have finally remembered what it’s like to be me.

Treatment is scary, but do you want to know what’s even scarier? Asking for help. Reaching out goes against everything that the disorder stands for: that part of your brain that longs for you to call it your best friend, longs for you to stay sick. But people CAN recover, and can give themselves the life that they deserve. Whether it’s you, your sister, your friend, or your cousin, eating disorders affect us all. Strip away its power; strip away its control. Choose recovery; choose you.

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