Quantcast
Channel:
Viewing all 25628 articles
Browse latest View live

Two Are Dead in a Possible Murder-Suicide Shooting on the Penn State Beaver Campus

0
0

Two people were killed in a possible murder-suicide shooting on the Penn State Beaver campus on Wednesday, CBS Pittsburgh reports. None of the campus's approximately 700 students were involved in the shooting, but according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the shooting occurred outside the food services building in a parking lot, leading to an evacuation of the area and closing of the school.

The school sent out a warning about the incident before 4 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, The Times says. Initially warning others to stay away from the affected area and initiating lockdown procedures, the school soon clarified that the shooting was contained and that there was no threat to others on campus. Although the victims’ identities have yet to be released, Pennsylvania State police troopers told CBS that a female food services employee was shot outside by her estranged husband, who then shot and killed himself.

University spokeswoman April Johnston-Smith reported that all non-essential staff and faculty were sent home after the shooting, while Beaver County District Attorney David Lozier shared that authorities quickly gained control of the situation once emergency calls came in. According to the Times, the deadly incident appears to be the only official case of “negligent manslaughter” and other violent crime scenarios on the Beaver campus since 2013, which is the earliest available year in the federal campus safety's records. 

A message from Penn State Beaver Chancellor Jenifer Cushman appeared on the campus's Facebook page, reading, "A police investigation is underway and additional details will be released as they become available. We understand that this is a traumatic event for our campus community. Students, faculty and staff who may be in need may contact counseling services."

The campus will reportedly remain closed until Thursday morning, but all finals scheduled for Thursday have been postponed to Friday. Our thoughts are with our friends at Penn State Beaver during this frightening time. 


Meghan Markle Will Officially Spend Christmas With the Royals, & Here's Why That's a Big Deal

0
0

The possibility of Meghan Markle spending the holidays with Prince Harry and his family was rumored last week, but now it's officially safe to say that she should find a place for her stocking at the Queen's country house. PEOPLE has confirmed with a Kensington Palace spokeswoman that Meghan, as well as Prince William and Kate Middleton, will join the royals at their annual Christmas celebration at the Sandringham estate. 

Although it's admittedly tough to spend your first Christmas with your fiancé's family, Meghan now faces the extra pressure of being the first unofficial partner of a royal to spend the special day at Sandringham. Previously, a "spouses only" rule has been in place, and the tradition was so strict that, in 2010, even Kate, William's college sweetheart, spent the couple's last Christmas before marriage with her own family. Sources expect that the rules were bent for Meghan because she doesn't have any family in the U.K. Now, it appears that we'll receive the gift of seeing our first sisters-in-law fashion show with her and Kate! 

"You can expect to see the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry and Meghan on Christmas Day," the palace representative said, referring to the royals' traditional walk to and from services at St. Mary Magdalene Church, which is near Queen Elizabeth's estate. 

This year marks quite the full house at Sandringham—last year, William, Kate, Prince George and Princess Charlotte celebrated with Kate's family, while the rest of the royals appeared at church without the Queen, who was recovering from a bad cold. With the entire family expected to greet the public on this Christmas morning, there's also a possibility of Meghan and Harry staying with William and Kate at their own home on the estate. Um, I want to be the fly on the wall when George and Charlotte are opening their Christmas presents. 

What with a royal wedding and a royal baby expected in 2018, I'm psyched for the family's Christmas appearance to top off this exciting past year.

A Kentucky State Representative Accused of Molesting a Teenage Girl Dies From 'Probable Suicide'

0
0

After refusing to resign amid accusations that he molested a teenage girl, Kentucky State Rep. Dan Johnson has died from a "probable suicide," Louisville news network WDRB reports. According to Bullitt County Sheriff Donnie Tinnell, Johnson, 57, shot himself on a bridge in Mt. Washington, Kentucky, on Wednesday night.

Earlier on Wednesday, Johnson posted a now-removed message to his Facebook page, writing, "The accusations from NPR are false. God and only God knows the truth...America will not survive this type of judge and jury fake news." Johnson also referenced his love for his family, the 9/11 attacks and "PTSD 24/7," writing, "16 years is a sickness that will take my life, I cannot handle it any longer. It has won this life. But heaven is my home."

Johnson, a Republican, recently gained attention from various state leaders, who called for his resignation after the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting (KyCIR) published allegations on Monday of Johnson sexually abusing his daughter's then-17-year-old friend, The Washington Post reports. The Kentucky House Democrats released a statement saying that Johnson's alleged actions "demand resignation," while Kentucky Republicans also called for Johnson to step down. 

KyCIR's report consists of a seven-month investigation including more than 100 interviews suggesting that Johnson's public facade has masked his ties to "sexual abuse, arson and false testimony."

Johnson's unidentified victim, now 21 and a member of his church, claimed that he was like a "second dad" to her and that she knew of risque parties Johnson often threw at a hall next to his Heart of Fire Church known as the "Pope's House." After a New Year's Eve party in January 2013, the girl was having a sleepover with Johnson's daughter, and she helped a drunk Johnson climb stairs. During the exchange, the politician allegedly slipped his hand up her shirt. Waking up on a couch later that night, the victim saw Johnson above her, later reporting that he groped her, forcibly tried to kiss her and inserted his fingers into her vagina. The victim then pled with Johnson to go away as much as she could without waking his daughter, and he eventually retreated. 

At a press conference on Tuesday, Johnson confirmed his connection to the victim, saying, "I don't want to blast this girl. I have a lot of compassion for her. I'm very sorrowful that she's in this dark place in her life." However, according to the Louisville Courier Journal, he said he believed that her allegations were politically motivated. "This allegation concerning this lady, this young girl, absolutely has no merit," he said. "These are unfounded accusations, totally. This is an assault on all real people, there's no perfect people and you get into office and, all of a sudden, political hacks come against you and start accusing you after you're in office."

At the same conference, Johnson claimed that he didn't remember what happened between him and the victim because he was "drugged," but later said that he did actually recall the night's events and was never in the same room as the sleeping teenager. 

Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin took to Twitter after news of Johnson's death broke, writing, "These are heavy days in Frankfort and in America...May God indeed shed His grace on us all...We sure need it."

Johnson was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2016.

Why Hate Sex Might Not Be So Bad

0
0

Some people call sex “making love,” but sometimes – a lot of the time – you don’t love the person you’re hooking up with, you might even hate them. That’s where hate sex, or sex with someone you’re not exactly fond of, comes in. In an ideal world, maybe we’d all have sex exclusively with people we like, but the world is a big place, and sometimes there are just people we don’t like. But liking someone’s personality and sexual attraction don’t always go hand-in-hand, and sometimes a girls gotta just give in, but does giving in have repercussions, emotionally and physically speaking? After all, sex is sex, right? Right?

Pros

The big-O

It’s not like orgasms always hinge on your feelings for the person. Emotions are an important part of sexual experiences, but sex itself is also physical act, and not everyone has to feel all warm and fuzzy about someone in order to feel good having sex, i.e. orgasms.

A potential new SO

You never know what you’ll learn when you have sex. First impressions say a lot about a person, but snap judgments can also be wrong. There’s a chance you choose to sleep with someone you think is a total d-bag, but then somewhere along the line you realize you may have made a mistake.

“I once had hate sex with this douchey guy I had a class with because I think I wanted to prove that he wasn’t as hot as he thought he was but then his whole attitude changed,” Marisa Pieper, Arizona State University ’20, says. “He started being super nice to me, wanting to take me out on dates and we ended up being together for about a year! I definitely wouldn’t recommend using hate-sex as a flirting technique but it was pretty funny that that’s how it ended up.”

Not saying you should be that girl that tries to change bad guys into good ones, but sometimes once you get to know someone you might realize they’re not as bad as you initially thought. And sex is definitely one way to get to know someone.

Passion

As long as you’re okay with casual sex, hooking up with someone all seen rom-coms where a huge argument leads to *steamy* sex, and if hate sex is half as good as they make it look in the movies, giving it a try might not be so bad. Honestly, it’s probably more likely hate sex pans out than trying to make our love life like a Nicholas Sparks movie.

“There's something about releasing your anger when your having sex with someone you hate. It's passionate and just hotter,” senior Christina* says. “Then you can go away afterward with no feelings.”

Cons

Long term benefit might be less likely

Some people do not mind having totally casual sex, no strings attached. Others enjoy sex because of the physical and emotional connection and the potential that it will make you closer with said person. "I’m not really at the point yet where I can sleep with someone without hoping something comes of it. Anyone I have sex with I am genuinely interested in to some degree," Wren*, a senior from the University of Notre Dame says. "I don’t think I’d really get anything out of it if I f***ed someone just because I thought they were hot, especially if they were someone whose intentions are to just hit it and quit it." 

Related: 8 Signs They’re Not Looking for a Relationship

Pleasing the person you hate

Even if you enjoy the sex and are totally down for it, this person you don’t like also probably enjoyed the sex. It might be petty to not want them to enjoy it, but hey, no one’s perfect. Also, if whomever you’re sleeping with genuinely isn’t a good person, why should they get the satisfaction of sex with you?

“I hooked up with an ex who treated me like s***,” Kristen* from Mizzou says. “Looking back, that was dumb.”

Just something to think about. 

The chance that you’re not going to be satisfied

If the person you’re sleeping with doesn’t like you either, they might not even care if you leave the experience together thoroughly pleased. Sometimes it’s hard for girls to have an orgasm, so if they couldn’t care less about your needs (maybe justifiably since you don’t like them either) they might just call it quits when they’ve gotten what they came for.

Emotional carnage

Depending on who you’re sleeping with and who your as a person, the fact that you dislike them might make you feel a little empty at the end of the experience. Even Christina*, who said she’s had good hate sex, admitted she doesn’t always feel great afterwards. “There have been a couple of times where I cried to be honest because I was kind of mad at myself for giving the guy what he wanted,” she says.

Should every girl try out hate sex? Probably not. But if you’re emotionally prepared, wanting to try something new in your sex life, and really and truly okay with it, give it a go.   

Here’s How Much Your Class Rank Actually Matters

0
0

You’ve spent your entire high school career studying your butt off to get straight As. Maybe you invest so much effort into academics because you think doing so will help you stand out among your classmates. Heck, maybe you even dream of being valedictorian! But does class rank actually make you better? 

We reached out to three education experts to discuss everything you need to know about the high school ranking system. Here’s the scoop on how it works, what it means and whether or not getting good grades will get you into your top-choice college. 

1. Your rank is a result of your GPA

When it comes to class rank, the most crucial factor is the strength of your grade point average. This is due to the fact that your specific rank is based on how you compare to your classmates.

According to Sally P. Springer, Ph.D., Associate Chancellor Emerita at the University of California, Davis, and co-author of Admission Matters: What Students and Parents Need to Know About Getting into College, several ranking methods exist. “The most common way is to calculate a student’s weighted cumulative GPA and then order students based on that GPA,” she says. 

That makes sense, but what’s the deal with weighted grades? Missy Rose, the director of college counseling at Laurel School, explains that certain courses carry more weight. “If grades are weighted —that is, AP and honors courses are assigned extra points— then the rigor of the curriculum makes a difference in addition to the actual grades earned,” she says. Essentially, these classes end up being worth more because they’re designed to be more difficult than other options. 

2. Many schools have stopped ranking

If you’ve ever searched for your rank and struck out, know that you’re not alone. “Few independent schools rank these days,” Rose says. She adds that the school she works at has abandoned the system entirely. 

Similarly, Judi Robinovitz, a certified educational planner and founder of Score At The Top, says “most Florida schools do not rank.” This is important to know because it could leave you with one less thing to worry about. If your school happens to be one that doesn’t rank, then the time you would’ve spent stressing about the system can now go toward focusing on your essays, resume and other parts of your college applications.

The ranking system is experiencing a plunge in popularity because of the fact that so many high schools do it differently. This makes it challenging for colleges to compare applicants. Although, Springer shares that college admissions officers like having access to your class rank because it allows them to evaluate your overall academic performance.

“It can be harder to earn a high GPA at some schools than at others,” she says. “For example, a cumulative GPA of 4.4 at School A does not necessarily reflect stronger academic performance than a GPA of 4.1 at School B. The 4.1 student at School B may be ranked number one in her class, while the School A student may have a class rank that is much lower.”

In short, the inconsistencies of class rank come from the lack of curricular consistency among high schools across the country ––because the same course could be taught by two teachers in two completely different ways, it becomes much more challenging to say a grade assigned by one teacher carries as much weight as a grade assigned by another. 

3. Straight As don’t guarantee success

Yes, being the crème de la crème of your graduating class is a tremendous honor. And yes, obtaining that honor does make you a more desirable college candidate than that guy who wrote his Lord of the Flies essay on a used Starbucks napkin. But, it is not a surefire sign of success.

“Being number one in your class does not determine [college] acceptance,” Robinovitz says.

Rose agrees with this. “Every year, places like the Ivies deny hundreds of valedictorians,” she says. “If grades are unweighted, then students taking the easiest courses and earning all As can rank higher than students taking extremely challenging courses who may not have even one A-.” 

You may think that sticking to a relatively easy schedule is a good strategic move, especially if it’s senior year and you feel like you’re so over hard classes. Unfortunately, colleges can—and will—sniff out this type of suspicious schooling and count it against you because it gives them the impression that you may not be as motivated as other applicants.

Loading your schedule with honors and AP courses that are too challenging is also the wrong way to go, so strike a nice balance by signing up for interesting classes that aren’t too intense to handle.

Related: 4 Things Admissions Officers Are Looking for in Your Interview 

4. Colleges want you to be well-rounded

Earning a report card that is worthy of your parents’ refrigerator is an amazing accomplishment. As you chase your class’s top spot, though, keep this in mind: there needs to be more to you than your GPA.

Robinovitz, Rose and Springer all agree that class rank isn’t the primary piece that colleges take into consideration. The real MVP is, as Robinovitz puts it, “The totality of your transcript.” Rose says that admissions officers want to see that you’ve challenged yourself throughout high school. They look at the combination of your past and present courses and the grades you got from them. Springer adds that this is “generally cited as a very important factor in the admissions process.”

Of course, your transcript isn’t the only factor. “If there was a way to quantify how strong someone’s extracurricular commitment is, then colleges would likely use that,” Robinovitz says. Solid grades and test scores do matter, but she tells us “it’s who you are as a person that really makes the determination.” 

In order to get a sense of how successful you could end up being at a certain college, many admissions officers check out a group of factors that aren’t necessarily grade-based. Springer says the group may include extracurricular involvement and leadership, letters of recommendation, essays and challenges you have overcome. In addition to this, both Robinovitz and Rose indicate that having an interest or talent that fits the needs of a particular college could also give you an edge in the admissions process.

Don’t be afraid to give yourself a pat on the back if you cracked the top 10 percent of your class. You’ve earned it, girl! However, do remember that school isn’t just a numbers game. While great grades are definitely worthy of celebration, spotting potential success in college requires more than just a simple glance at your rank—if your school even assigns one to you. College admissions officers aren’t interested in the 4.0 GPA you may have earned by snoozing your way through easy classes. They’d rather see a transcript full of tough courses, a resume full of involvement and a personality full of passion for school and life. 

HC Wake-Up Call: Minnesota Lt. Gov. Tina Smith Replaces Al Franken in the Senate, PBS Suspends Tavis Smiley After Sexual Misconduct Allegations & Yoplait Announces Girl Scout Cookie Yogurt

0
0

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

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

A Woman Will Replace Al Franken in the U.S. Senate

Immediately after being named as Al Franken's temporary replacement in the United States Senate, Minnesota's Lt. Gov. Tina Smith announced that she would also run for the position next fall, The New York Times reports. The 2018 election will focus on who represents the state for the remaining two years in Franken's unfinished term. While many Minnesota residents are obviously pleased that a woman replaced Franken, who left office amidst sexual harassment allegations, they are also concerned that Smith is not a big enough name to win the future election for the Democrats. 

Although she has time to improve others' recognition of her, Smith powerfully summed up why the current climate of political, film and sports industries, among others, is important, saying, "I think in some ways, this sea change is being led by young women who tell women of my generation that maybe some of the things we put up with during our lives we shouldn't have to put up with."

PBS Host Tavis Smiley Is Suspended After Sexual Misconduct Allegations

CNN reports that PBS has suspended its distribution of the show Tavis Smiley after the titular host has found himself at the center of "troubling allegations." Smiley has run his interview show on the network since 2004, often covering social justice topics, but as PBS does not produce his show, he doesn't actually work for the public television network.

"The inquiry uncovered multiple, credible allegations of conduct that is inconsistent with the values and standards of PBS, and the totality of this information led to today's decision," a statement from PBS said. 

No further details about the accusations against Smiley were shared, other than the investigation including interviews with witnesses.

Your Favorite Girl Scout Cookie Flavor Will Now Be Available in Yogurts

I may have traumatic memories from the pressure of selling Girl Scout Cookies, but I love nothing more than a Thin Mint or a Samoa cookie. Now, we could possibly indulge in these special flavors all year round. Yoplait has announced that it will debut three new flavors inspired by the most popular Girl Scout cookies. Thin Mints, Peanut Butter Chocolate (Tagalongs) and Caramel Coconut (Samoas) yogurts will permanently join the brand this month, with Thin Mints and Peanut Butter Chocolate coming in the whipped, mousse-like formula and Caramel Coconut appearing as a regular yogurt. Sign me up for a dozen!

What to look out for...

I don't mind wacky-sounding holiday if they're an excuse to celebrate Christmas a little earlier, and seeing as today is Roast Chestnuts Day, I'm taking the time to play my favorite versions of the "The Christmas Song" and find an actual fireplace. After all, I have to celebrate by having chestnuts roasting on an open fire, right?  

To Honor All the Women Who Have Come Forward About Sexual Misconduct, the SAG Awards Will Feature Only Female Presenters This Year

0
0

After this past year pulled the cover off of the pervasive problem of sexual assault in Hollywood, the Screen Actors Guild responded by having women present all of the awards at this year's show. All thirteen awards, save the award for outstanding performance by a cast, which will have one male and one female presenter, will be presented by a unreleased line-up of women. 

Kathy Connell, the executive producer of the SAG Awards, made the decision in response to the spotlight on women in the industry and how they've empowered themselves this year. 

"Women stepped forward in such a huge way in this last year," Connell told The New York Times. "I want to salute women who are coming forward to speak at a very difficult time about very difficult subjects at great risk to themselves."

Also historically important, the SAG Awards will have a host for the first time ever. Kristen Bell will be leading the show. "I’m not the first female host," she told The New York Times. "I’m the first host. The fact that a female was chosen to be the first one means my genitals become irrelevant."

Award shows have become more politically charged in the Trump-era, as individual actors like Meryl Streep and Julia Louis-Dreyfus have used them to speak out, but it's nice to see an entire organization taking it upon themselves to celebrate women during this pivotal moment. 

"An awards show is not as serious as the conversation deserves to be," Bell told NYT. "And this night will celebrate women more than any other SAG Awards has, and possibly more than any other awards show has."

Bella Hadid Courtside Is Every Sports Fan When They're Hype AF

0
0

Bella Hadid went to the LA Lakers vs. New York Knicks on Tuesday night, but rather than just sit there and look perfectly poised like a lot of celebs do when they know they're being photographed, she let her emotions show...all of them. And we're living for it. 

On her Instagram she posted some of the more chill moments of the evening. The caption read, "Lakers vs. Knicks My hometown vs. my new home what a game @nike." I guess basketball games are even more exciting when you're kind of rooting for both teams. 

But throughout the night she had many, many other moments. Ranging from finger guns and excited cheering to posing in a crouched position on the court itself, the range of emotions was difficult to keep up with, but super entertaining. 

Of course, even though her facial expressions were all over the place, she still looked absolutely flawless the entire time. We hope to see Bella courtside some more this basketball season, because it's incredible.


7 Major Lessons Your First Real Job Will Teach You

0
0

One of the most invaluable teaching experiences of your life will be your first job. Although you may think your inexperience and naiveté are overwhelming and insurmountable obstacles, they’re actually blessings in disguise. If you keep an open mind and a positive outlook, you’ll find that your first job is actually a gold mine for major life lessons that will follow you wherever you go. Here are a few of the most important lessons you will learn.

1. It’s okay to ask questions

Nobody expects you to know everything at your first job! Provided you were honest on your resume and in your interview, your boss is well aware of your professional background or lack thereof and is most likely willing to help you navigate the newly discovered working world.

Cindy Chu, director of engineering at Polyvore, says, “It’s important to recognize in your first job that you’ll begin cultivating knowledge in the shape of a ‘T.’ Focus on having a broad yet shallow understanding of many different areas,” and work upwards, specializing your knowledge and expertise.

The only way you can truly learn is by abandoning the fear to ask questions about tasks or policies that you don’t understand. Your uncertainty will only frustrate you further and hinder your overall performance. Asking for help doesn’t make you less competent, rather more self-aware and committed. Just be sure to ask the appropriate individuals and to commit your newfound knowledge to memory so that you don’t ask the same questions repeatedly.

2. Always be humble

As a new employee, it’s important to recognize the value of humility and gratitude when completing your everyday tasks. Regardless of your feelings about the company or your position, you have been afforded the opportunity to work as a member of a team and you should extend the same level of courtesy to everyone you interact with.

Lucy Wallace, lead engineering campus recruiter for Bloomberg LP, says, “I live by the idea that it’s nice to be important but more important to be nice.” She adds, “Whether your first job is a one-month contract or two-year placement, seize every opportunity, be prepared to learn every single day and be gracious to everyone you meet along the way.”

It’s OK (even encouraged!) to be confident in your work, but don’t let that get in the way of your ability to recognize room for improvement or to be receptive to constructive criticism. Remember that we’re all works in progress and in every experience, we’re evolving.

3. Seek out meaningful relationships

We cannot stress enough the value of getting to know your colleagues as a newbie in the workforce. After all, you’ll be spending a considerable amount of time with them. More than just networking for professional gains, you will learn to listen to the people around you as they share their experiences, opinions and wisdom with you.

Wallace advises, “Invest time and effort in getting to know people—not only because they can get you somewhere, but also because you can learn from them.”

If your interests in connecting are genuine, people will be more receptive. Your work relationships will be less anxiety-inducing and more organic and you may even develop a few long-lasting relationships in the process. Chu reminds us that whomever we work with is just as important, if not more, than our job responsibilities.

4. You still need a mentor

Speaking of getting to know your colleagues, it’s also a smart idea to identify a mentor—someone who understands the difficulties of your transition from student to working professional. Beth Derrick, author of The Organic Catalyststresses the importance of learning from someone who has been with the company far longer than you have. You may have identified someone in a leadership position whose level of professional success you aspire to achieve. It’s not unusual or inappropriate to approach this person for advice.

To initiate the connection, try asking them to meet with you briefly or invite them to lunch. Express your admiration for their accomplishments and why you think your own goals mirror theirs. Your first job will inevitably teach you that there’s no shame in asking for help.

5. Say yes more often 

As a new employee, seize any and all opportunities for more exposure. The lessons you learn and experience you gain will be invaluable. Derrick’s advice? Don’t be afraid to do the unpleasant tasks. “File endless boxes of papers? Yes. Run an errand for your boss? Absolutely. Make 100 copies and have them neatly organized and filed within half an hour? Of course, I’d be happy to.”

Kyomarys Figueroa, a junior at Texas State University and an aspiring writer, recalls having to make major sacrifices when she secured her first retail job at age 17. "I started working right before the holiday season and I honestly hadn't known what to expect." Upon her manager's request, Kyomaris worked extended shifts, even on Christmas Eve. "It sucked because that's an important night in my family. But I learned quickly how to work under pressure and that tough manager taught me to be meticulous with everything I do," she says. 

The moral here is that, regardless of what you do, you should always strive to be good at it and learn as much as you can. Derrick adds, “How you do one thing is how you do everything, so give it your all, always!” Let people know that you are happy to be there and that they can count on you; in the end, the benefits will be mutual.

6. Success is not instantaneous 

One of the biggest misconceptions about entering the working world is that it signifies the end of a journey when, in reality, it’s just the beginning. You will not be immune to first job disappointments but you shouldn’t let these derail your ambition.

Caroline Beaton, kununu’s millennial career expert, says, “My first job out of college was so disillusioning that I considered drastically lowering my ambition of being a full-time writer. But I’m so glad I didn’t, because what I realized over time is getting what you want takes, well, time.” According to Beaton, for millennials, developing a career is more long-term than anything else we’ve ever dealt with. “Our lives up until our first jobs are composed of short-term milestones, but our lives after college become more about resilience and sustained effort,” she says.

Your first job may come as a rude awakening, like Beaton’s, and you might wonder if this is all you’ll ever be able to accomplish. But it’s important to keep the bigger picture in mind. “Don’t give up on your dreams just because you haven’t accomplished them one or even five years out of college,” Beaton warns. Your first job is not necessarily your forever job!

7. You are in charge of your own professional direction

Perhaps the most important lesson you can learn at your first job is that you are responsible for your own destiny—a liberating but simultaneously terrifying realization. Unlike high school and college where a path may be laid out for you, the working world expects you to develop this path on your own.

Beaton says, “High school and college outline some general, critical goals for us: good grades, prestigious work experience, extracurriculars. But, in the real world, nobody cares what you’re doing. It’s up to us to decide what we want to do.” She explains that once she figured this out, she felt open and ready to pursue things that actually mattered to her.

Like Beaton, your most valuable asset in this process will be your self-awareness; your first job will help you identify your strengths, weaknesses, likes and dislikes, allowing you to alter your professional roadmap with every new realization. 

Related: 6 Steps to Get Ahead on Job & Internship Applications Right Now

Landing your first real job is a major accomplishment! You’ve proved that every bit of your hard work has paid off and that you’ve earned your spot within the company. It’s important to remember that regardless of where you are on the hierarchy of employees, your first job is exactly that—your first job. There is so much left to learn and experience. Your journey has only just begun.

How to Make the Most of Your College Study Group

0
0

This article has been syndicated from The Blonde Lifestyle, an InfluenceHer Collective Member. Read the full post here.

Study groups can be a true blessing or your worst nightmare. Creating study groups may help you with a certain class or subject, but without the right guidelines or processes in place, they can end up being a disaster! My freshman year first semester I had a study group for an astronomy class. There were things we did that worked, while other things not so much. Being a journalism major, I have to work with multiple different people in different areas. I’ve worked in a lot of study groups and a lot of group projects so I know what works! Here are some things to think about when making the most productive study group!

Find Your Group

This may possibly be the hardest choice of your college career which is making the ultimate choice of who is going to be in your group. Although you may want to include your best friends, if you don’t study well together, I wouldn’t suggest it. Try looking at the people who sit around you, or the people you know who are good students in the class. By scoping those people out, you know they’re going to know the most information and help you get the best grades.

Keep the Group To a Good Size

Another thing to think about is keeping your study group to a minimum size. Not enough people limits the knowledge from other sources you’re taking in, while too many may distract from the ultimate goal: studying and trying to get a good grade. I recommend about 3-6 people for a study group to ensure the best academic growth.

Gather Contact Information

It’s important to take down everyone’s contact information for the study group just so everyone can communicate regularly and let people know of any plan changes. Either creating a text group chat works well, a Facebook group or GroupMe are the best ways I’ve found to communicate with other people.

Create a Schedule

How often is the study group going to meet? What’s going to be discussed? What is everyone going to be working on? Creating an agenda keeps everything for the group organized, and keeps you from wasting time deciding on what to work on.

Some ideas of things to work on in study groups include:

  • Reviewing class notes together
  • Discussing unclear information
  • Ask questions you couldn’t in class
  • Working on homework
  • Quizzing each other to prepare for the test
  • Complete study guides

Find an Appropriate Location

Now is the time to set up the meeting location. Depending on where everyone lives, finding the easiest accessible place for everyone is key to getting the most done. You want to make sure everyone can get to the location easily and won’t put them out of the way or at a disadvantage compared to other members. You also want to think about if the space can fit everyone so they can work at their highest potential. I suggest your college library, student union, or another member’s house.

Read the full post here

Salma Hayek Says Harvey Weinstein Sexually Assaulted & Threatened to Kill Her

0
0

Over 50 women have come out against Harvey Weinstein with assault allegations and Salma Hayek has just detailed her experiences with the producer in an op-edfor The New York Times. Titled "Harvey Weinstein is My Monster Too," Hayek recalls her experiences filming the movie Frida, where Weinstein threatened to kill her and forced her to film a sex scene. 

The op-ed details her entire experience working with Weinstein, but it becomes especially scary when she gets into the creation and filming of the movie Frida. At one point, Weinstein demanded a sex scene with full-frontal nudity from Hayek. "He offered me one option to continue," Hayek said. "He would let me finish the film if I agreed to do a sex scene with another woman. And he demanded full-frontal nudity."

The day the scene was supposed to be shot, Hayek recalled taking a tranquilizer to get through filming. "My mind understood that I had to do it, but my body wouldn't stop crying and convulsing. At that point, I started throwing up while a set frozen still waited to shoot. I had to take a tranquilizer, which eventually stopped the crying but made the vomiting worse. As you can imagine, this was not sexy, but it was the only way I could get through the scene."

Her narrative continues to get worse, detailing Weinstein's rage against her for the success of the film despite his attempts to keep the movie from the box offices. "Even though Frida eventually won him two Oscars, I still didn't see any joy. He never offered me a starring role in a movie again. The films that I was obliged to do under my original deal with Miramax were all minor supporting roles." At one point, Weinstein threatened to kill Hayek after dragging her out of the gala for Frida at the Venice Film Festival. "The range of his persuasion tactics went from sweet-talking me to that one time when, in an attack of fury, he said the terrifying words, 'I will kill you, don’t think I can’t,'" Hayek recalled.

Hayek concludes her personal experience with the question: "But why do so many of us, as female artists, have to go to war to tell our stories when we have so much to offer? Why do we have to fight tooth and nail to maintain our dignity?" She includes some statistics about men and women in the film industry and how we need to fight for equality and stop allowing women to be devalued.

After the publication of the op-ed on Wednesday, Harvey came forward with a statement to PEOPLE magazine denying the allegations Hayek illustrated. In the statement, Weinstein, "denies all of the sexual allegations as portrayed by Salma."

Weinstein also mentions the sex scene Hayek claimed was forced. "Mr. Weinstein does not recall pressuring Salma to do a gratuitous sex scene with a female costar and he was not there for the filming,” the statement said. “However, that was part of the story, as Frida Kahlo was bisexual and the more significant sex scene in the movie was choreographed by Ms. Hayek with Geoffrey Rush." 

Weinstein concluded the statement saying, "All of the sexual allegations as portrayed by Salma are not accurate and others who witnessed the events have a different account of what transpired." 

There are so many claims in Hayek's narrative that are similar to those of other celebrities that have come forward. I hope Hayek feels more relieved that her story is out in the open and Weinstein is aware of the way his actions impacted yet another woman on his list of victims.

This Is the Best Dating Advice Arie Luyendyk Jr. Says He Received From a Former Bachelor Before His Season

0
0

It's been a minute since Arie Luyendyk Jr. competed for Emily Maynard's heart on season eight of The Bachelorette in 2012 — so naturally, he turned to a former Bachelor and close friend of his for advice before his own season. (And TBH, it's advice all guys need to hear.)

Despite things not working out with Emily, Arie says one good thing did come out of his time on The Bachelorette: his friendship with Sean Lowe, who you may better remember as season 17's Bachelor. According to Arie, Sean was the first place he went for advice when he found out he'd be appearing on season 22.

"I sort of leaned on Sean because I know Sean from my season," Arie tells Her Campus. "We’ve kept in touch all through the years, and he has such a success story with Catherine."

Considering Sean Lowe has been married to his Bachelor winner Catherine for three years, and the couple has one child together and a baby on the way, his dating advice is pretty much golden in the Bachelor Nation world — so what was the best advice Arie got from Sean?

"I think the best piece of advice was just to be present in every conversation and really make the person who you’re talking to in that moment feel like they’re the only one there," Arie says. "I think that was really important for me, just to make sure I was a good listener and that I was involved in every conversation, and made them [the contestants] feel like they weren't just one out of 29."

He has a point — I mean, just a guess here, but when you're trying to date 29 women at once on live television, it's probably difficult to not get distracted. And even when you're dating IRL, you should always make sure you're taking the time to give your S.O. plenty of love and attention — even if it means not tuning them out when they're venting about that one professor they hate for the third time this week.

The FCC Voted To Repeal Net Neutrality & Here's What That Means For You Right Now

0
0

Quartz Media has just confirmed that The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), directed by Ajit Pai, has voted on Thursday, December 14th to repeal the Open Internet Order, ending Net Neutrality. Essentially, what this means is that internet service providers such as AT&T, Comcast and Verizon have the power to dictate what consumers can access online, and potentially for a price, according to Reuters.

Considering that your Twitter feed over the last few days was probably filled with urges to save Net Neutrality, this vote comes as an extreme shock. However, just as the internet was quick to campaign to save Net Neutrality, media sites are already showing the various ways in which this vote can be undone—because Net Neutrality will not go down without a fight. 

As Quartz Media reports, there are options available to undo the FCC's decision. One way is through Congress, as Quartz Media explains that Legislators in the House and Senate could pass a law that takes the power of Net Neutrality's fate out of the FCC's hands. However, considering everything else on their plate, this option is not very likely. So, enter the Congressional Review Act (CRA). 

Basically, under the law of the CRA, Legislators of either voting party can push to reverse agency rulings, following the pass of a "resolution of disapproval" and a majority in the Senate, according to Quartz. In this scenario, the CRA could permanently reverse the vote by the FCC. Although only one reversal successfully resulted from the CRA before 2016, as Quartz notes, this law may be the best shot at saving Net Neutrality. So, if you're in need of some good news right now, Senators are already planning to focus on using the CRA to bring back Net Neutrality. 

According to a snippet of a press release (shared by The Daily Dot's Andrew Wyrich), Senator Edward J. Markey and 15 other Senators have "announced their plan to introduce a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution that would undo today's action by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and restore the 2015 net neutrality rules." The release goes on to feature quotes from Senator Markey, who believes that Trump's FCC made a "historic mistake" with their vote today. 

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has, on multiple occasions, penned letters to the FCC with concerns over millions of fake comments being submitted (using Americans' identities and information without their consent) that allegedly "corrupted the public commenting process." He also announced on Thursday his intention to sue to "stop the FCC's illegal rollback of #netneutrality." 

"The FCC's vote to rip apart net neutrality is a blow to New York consumers, and to everyone who cares about a free and open internet," Schneiderman said in a statement. "The FCC just gave Big Telecom an early Christmas present, by giving internet service providers yet another way to put corporate profits over consumers. Today's rollback will give ISPs new ways to control what we see, what we do, and what we say online. That's a threat to the free exchange of ideas that's made the Internet a valuable asset in our democratic process."

On The Fifth Anniversary Of The Sandy Hook Shootings, Jake Tapper Once Again Dedicated His Twitter Feed To Victims

0
0

It's difficult to believe that five years have already passed since the horrific Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings. Fortunately, Jake Tapper, the Chief Washington Correspondent for CNN and anchor of the weekday television news show "The Lead With Jake Tapper", is once again using his platform to pay tribute to the victims on his Twitter feed—ensuring that their memory will never be forgotten. 

Today, Tapper's feed is filled with photos of the children and adults who were killed in the Sandy Hook shootings, along with retweets of posts shared by the victims' loved ones. And if that's not heartbreaking enough, Tapper also includes a short blurb accompanying each photo, talking about the life of the children and their final moments. 

Tapper starts off the series of Tweets with an article compiled by the CNN staff remembering the 20 children and six adults killed in the shooting. The tweets that follow, all including the hashtag #SandyHook5yrs, will simply bring tears to your eyes — with thoughtful insights into who the people (some of them so very young) killed in the shooting really were. 

In one tweet, Tapper remembers Jesse Lewis, who was learning how to ride a horse.

In another tweet, Tapper includes a quote from the parents of Jessica Rekos, who say she was "a beautiful 6-year-old girl who made us laugh every single day."

Tapper also takes a moment to remember the teachers and staff who were killed in their attempts to save the children. One photo features Principal Dawn Hochsprung, who was killed while trying to stop the shooter.

If you haven't already grabbed for some tissues, you'll certainly need them while looking at the rest of Tapper's Twitter feed. December 14, 2012 was certainly a day that brought grief to the nation, and I commend Jake Tapper for using his platform and dedicating an entire day to pay tribute to the victims of Sandy Hook. 

Khloe Kardashian Might Be Announcing Her Pregnancy on an Upcoming 'KUWTK' Episode

0
0

Dedicated fans of Keeping Up with the Kardashians know that it’s pretty difficult for the family to keep any secrets. After months of speculation and questions surrounding Khloé Kardashian and whether or not she’s pregnant, it looks like viewers may be given an official pregnancy announcement as hinted in a teaser clip released by E!.

In the promo, the family are seen gathered at what appears to be a party where they all begin excitedly exclaiming over some unheard news.


Kris Jenner is in tearful disbelief while Khloé’s friends and sisters happily squeal and embrace the suspected mom-to-be.


There have been several reported sources that have confirmed Khloé’s pregnancy, and that she will be expecting a baby boy with her boyfriend Tristan Thompson.

Although the Kardashian clan has yet to publicly comment on the matter, all signs in the latest midseason finale video point to a probable pregnancy.

Along with the Khloé’s likely news, the clip previews other dramatic moments and is notably missing the presence of Kylie Jenner, who is rumored to be expecting a baby girl with her boyfriend Travis Scott.

There is no confirmed reason why Kylie is absent from the video, and she is only mentioned when Kris answers her phone. She can be heard saying, “Should we have her arrested?” pointing to a bombshell that has yet to be revealed.

The episode will air this Sunday, where viewers will finally get to see if their suspicions and speculations about Khloé are correct. 


Why Kim Kardashian West's Recent KKW Beauty Casting Call Isn't As Inclusive As You Think

0
0

On Tuesday, Kim Kardashian West released a casting call for her KKW Beauty brand. While call has no max age limit, many people noticed immediately that the casting call is looking for women specifically––and that excludes a lot of people from this opportunity.

Hello Giggles reports that although KKW Beauty has yet to explain why the brand is only looking for women, a lot of people still have mixed reviews about the open casting call. James Charles, a popular beauty vlogger, was quick to voice his concerns. “Sister @KimKardashian! There are thousands of boys in cosmetics who love you & I’m sure would be honored to slay a photo shoot for you! This is disappointing,” Charles wrote on Twitter.

Though Charles has since deleted his tweet after some tried to claim he was "slamming" Kim and KKW Beauty, it’s clear that Charles is trying to let Kim know that her makeup brand is overlooking a key demographic in her search for the next beauty babes. While it’s refreshing to see a beauty brand who’s open to casting models beyond a certain age, KKW Beauty has obviously excluded not only men from their search, but also members of the transgender community who might be gender fluid, genderqueer or agender.

After all, women aren’t the only ones who enjoy cosmetics, and searching for solely female models reinforces the stereotype that only women can be feminine. Hopefully KKW Beauty will address this dilemma soon, so that the beauty brand can showcase talented models of any gender.

Rep Image: Kim Kardashian West / Instagram

A British Surgeon Was Straight-Up Tagging People's Livers & This Is What Nightmares Are Made Of

0
0

Wait, what?! You read that right.

Yesterday, in Birmingham crown court, surgeon Simon Bramhall pleaded guilty to branding his patients livers with his initials during transplant surgeries. 

During one of his surgeries in 2013, one of his colleagues noticed a small "S.B." written on the patient's liver. His actions were then brought to the attention of his superiors. Bramhall had a disciplinary meeting, but “was not dismissed.”

However, he later resigned and said the situation was “A bit raw.” (That’s an actual quote. Perhaps as raw as his initials in his patients’ organs?)

In February, the General Medical Council issued Bramhall a formal warning which stated the situation “risks bringing the profession into disrepute and it must not be repeated.Whilst this failing in itself is not so serious as to require any restriction on Mr Bramhall’s registration, it is necessary in response to issue this formal warning."

With Bramhall’s pleas, it has become clear “that which he did was not just ethically wrong but criminally wrong,” said Tony Badenoch, who was prosecuting the case. The judge ruled that the case concerned the physical damage to the livers, not the emotional damage to the patients themselves.

Of course, many medical professionals (and human beings in general) are severely freaked out and appalled by someone writing their name inside another human's body without their consent. As Joyce Robins, one of the founders of Patient Concern, said, “This is a patient we are talking about, not an autograph book.”

But, one former patient, Tracy Scriven, had a differing opinion: “Even if he did put his initials on a transplanted liver, is it really that bad? I wouldn’t have cared if he did it to me. The man saved my life.”

If you also think being branded isn’t too bad of a fate, check out some other ways doctors in the U.S. have carved their names into patients. Yep! No matter where you live, you can get some crazy surgeries.

Images: (1) (2) (3)

Anna Kendrick Was Not Happy About Being Told to Dress 'Sexier' in 'Pitch Perfect 3'

0
0

Anna Kendrick will be reprising her role in the highly anticipated Pitch Perfect 3, the third movie in the successful film franchise that’s set to release on December 22nd.

The Bellas are adored by fans for their quirky, offbeat charm, and it’s one of the main reasons why Kendrick was annoyed when she was told that their costumes should be ‘sexier.’


In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, the actress said, "It’s funny ― whenever we do the wardrobe fittings, I feel like we get notes from the top saying they should be tighter and sexier and show more skin." She continued, "And I'm like, that's not why people are coming to see the movie. They definitely aren't showing up because of our sex appeal."

Known on Twitter for her outspokenness and wit, Kendrick doesn't shy away from addressing problems like this request. Her admonishment regarding the sexist wardrobe notes made by executives is refreshing, as it is one of the many issues that is often overlooked surrounding the inequality seen in Hollywood.

Kendrick went on to say that, "It’s nice that audiences are interested in seeing a movie of misfits and girls of different shapes and sizes."

This is a comforting statement to hear, especially considering the unneeded attempts that were made to sexualize our favorite group of hilarious acapella singers. Kendrick also expanded on how she’s already seeing changes with people taking sexual harassment “more seriously,” since dozens of sexual assault allegations have been brought to light in Hollywood. 

Hopefully, Kendrick’s statements and disagreement with these unnecessary clothing suggestions are taken seriously. The trend of sexualizing women in whatever role they’re in has become an unfortunately common aspect of too many movies.

Fenty Beauty Lovers Are Matching Nail Art to Their Favorite Products & It's True Manicure Inspo

0
0

By now, we’ve established that people everywhere are obsessed with Fenty Beauty––and they have every right to be! Since its launch this fall, the brand has been constantly releasing hit after hit, garnering high reviews and becoming insta-favorites. According to Refinery29, fans have started to show how much they love Fenty through unique nail art that matches some of the best selling products. 

Galaxy Collection Nails 

To get a similar out of this worldlook, use larger sequins (like these ones that are $1.99 at BeautyBigBang) on top of acrylics, then sprinkle glitter on alternating nails for a custom look. 

Perfect Packaging 

This nail art matches the iconic Fenty packaging perfectly. To get this look, draw an upside down heart starting at the tip of your nail with the Sally Hansen Nail Art Pen in black ($9.64 at Amazon).

Glitter Ombré

Check out this Her Ccampus at Illinois State article on how to get perfect ombré nails!

Trophy Wife Inspired 

DIY this look using Essie Nail Polish in Rock at the Top ($8.96 at Walmart).

One thing is for sure—if you want nails that are guaranteed to be chic, bring something Fenty to the nail salon for inspiration. 

Joe Biden Comforting Meghan McCain Over Her Father's Cancer Diagnosis Is Heartbreaking But Necessary

0
0

Joe Biden, the lovable former vice president, recently lost his son Beau Biden to brain cancer. Biden was featured on "The View" on Wednesday (Dec 13) to discuss his new novel, Promise Me, Dad, which is about his son's death, according to Hello Giggles.

The conversation took an emotional turn when Meghan McCain, the show's new conservative point-of-view co-host and daughter of Senator John McCain opened up to Biden about how the book has helped her come to terms with her father’s recent brain cancer diagnosis.  

Hello Giggles adds that Biden took her hand and consoled her. He talked to her about his own struggles, but how she needs to remain strong and have hope in this time.

“So there is hope," he said. "And if anyone can make it, your dad – her dad is one of my best friends. I know if I picked up the phone tonight and called John McCain and said, ‘John, I’m at Second and Vine in Oshkosh, and I need your help. Come,’ he would get on a plane and come. The thing that I found – and Beau insisted on, your dad is going to insist on – is you’ve got to maintain hope. You have to have hope."

Meghan McCain later tweeted out her to gratitude for Biden’s comforting and supportive words. What a heartwarming moment caught on live television.

Viewing all 25628 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images