Babysitting during the summer can be an awesome gig - you get to channel your inner third-grader, go to the pool and eat macaroni and cheese guilt-free. But sometimes the kids you babysit aren't everything you hoped they would be. Here are a few types of kids who may be a little, um, challenging to babysit.

1. The Driving Student

Her mom hired you so that she could practice her driving with you when you go to the pool or the supermarket. In other words, you're the one who has to tell her that yes, dear God, that's a one-way street.

2. The Fibber

Did his mom really say that he could watch four movies today? You just can't get the truth out of this little, um, bundle of surprises.

3. The Messy One

This is the kid you'll follow around all day with hand sanitizer, Febreze and a mop. Well, on the bright side, she doesn't get embarrassed easily. 

4. The One With the Friends Who Are "Bad Influences"

When these friends are over for a playdate, you know they'll get in some kind of trouble. Hide the matches - now.

5. The One You Have to Bribe

You can't even get her out of bed without offering to make her chocolate-chip pancakes. The problem is that you're running out of things with which to bribe her. There go your earrings.

6. The Accident-Prone One

You can't let him near a playground, animal or kitchen without fearing for his life. If you have to tell him to get his fingers away from the electrical socket one more time, you might just lose it.

7. The Attention-Seeker

No matter how many times you tell him that his younger sister has to eat, he won't stop doing whatever he can to get your attention, no matter how much it upsets her.

8. The Nay-Sayer

She just can't do anything you ask her to, from eating the lunch you diligently prepared to getting in the car to go to her friend's house. "Don't make me call your mom!" is losing its power. Fast.

9. The One Who Needs a Translator

What is she saying? What does she even mean? Sometimes you just have to smile, nod along and put those chicken nuggets in the microwave.

Babysitting can be the perfect summer job for people who love kids, but sometimes we're all thankful that these aren't the kids with whom we have to spend every day. Maybe we'll grow to love them... in a few years.

Do you love to shop? Do you love to be organized? Does staring lovingly into your closet make you feel a strange sense of accomplishment? If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions, you're in luck. The fashionistas at HC recently discovered an amazing app that will help you get the most use out of the clothes in your wardrobe and put together outfits based on the pieces you own; think of it as your own person Polyvore! Introducing Stylebook, an app designed to catalogue your entire wardrobe on your iPhone or iPad for easy access.

The basic idea of the app is to catalogue your clothes, so you start by taking a photograph of an item of clothing against a solid, contrasting background (a black background would work for a white shirt, for example). Once the photograph is uploaded, you can delete the background and use your finger to erase any extra edges around the item of clothing (think Photoshop). If that's too much of a hassle, the app has a "Shop" section where you can scroll through over 7,000 fashion retailers to find pictures of clothing, shoes and accessories you can upload directly to your Stylebook closet.

Once you've uploaded your clothes, they will appear in your "Closet", where you can arrange items by type and sub-type (shoes can be divided into sandals, boots, and so on). Then comes the fun part! You can add individual items of clothing from your closet to the "Looks" section, which acts as a collection of individual outfit boards. You can mix and match clothing, shoes and accessories to create the perfect outfit, even changing the size of items and having them overlap to create a tucked-in or layered look. These are a few of our favorite outfits, taken right from our closet: 

Any fashion-crazed collegiette knows what it's like to buy the cutest top and then have it get stuck between a zillion others in your closet, never to be worn again. One of the biggest draws to Stylebook is the "Style Stats" feature, which tracks your most and least worn items and makes the user more aware of what's in her closet. The cost of the app is $3.99 but think of how much more value you'll be getting out of your clothes if you actually wear them all!

Stylebook has tons of other amazing features, including the option to create inspiration boards with looks taken from blogs, street style or runways. As Type A fashionistas, our favorite feature has to be the "Packing" section, which allows you to put together a virtual packing list of all the outfits you'll need to look fabulous on vacation. We're totally guilty of over packing but with this app, we can be sure to only pack exactly what we'll need to complete each outfit.

We're always down to try any app that feeds our fashion obsession, but Stylebook really does feel like it was made just for us!

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 have liked this one guy for a few months now. We have several mutual friends, and I considered us friends before I started liking him. After a few weeks, I told him how I felt at a party we both were at. We left together from the party back to his fraternity house and had sex. The next morning, we talked about our personal lives for quite a few hours after waking up, and it got quite deep. We kept texting afterwards, and I went to his fraternity on my birthday a few days later to hang out with him and some friends. The next day, I left for summer and I hugged him goodbye. It's been about two weeks since I saw him, and we really haven't communicated at all except a few messages here and there. I can't tell if it's just the distance or if something else is going on. What do I do? – Summertime Sadness at Syracuse

Syracuse,

Distance is super fickle. On one hand, as I’m sure you’ve heard, “distance makes the heart grow fonder.” And sure, that’s definitely possible. Being apart from someone gives you the chance to miss that person. On the other hand, distance can also complicate matters, especially when it comes to communication.

You’d think that in this era of texting and instant messages (email, even), keeping in touch with someone wouldn’t be that difficult. Type a few letters, hit send, wait for reply — it seems simple enough, right? And yet physical distance can also make us feel emotionally distant somehow. You can’t actually hear a person’s laugh in “lol,” and you can’t actually see a person’s smile in an emoji.

I think it’s safe to say that the distance itself may be causing the strain you’re feeling. Distance makes things difficult, and figuring out how to make things work over the miles can be even more difficult. You go from hooking up, having deep talks and hanging out to being however many miles away from each other, and suddenly you aren’t sure how to get things going again.

My advice to you is go beyond a simple text or Facebook message and give this guy a call. Messages are great for when you’re busy or just sending something simple, but if you want to have an actual conversation with him — if you really want to make sure things are okay between the two of you — you’re going to need to pick up the phone and tell him what’s on your mind. If you aren’t certain about what’s going on, you owe it to yourself to clear the air.

I wouldn’t advise opening a conversation with questions like, “What are we?” or, “What’s going on between us?” but you might try easing into those areas by asking him how his summer is going, asking if he wants to see you or just telling him something you saw that reminded you of him and made you want to talk to him. 

Summer is fast approaching, which means many days of being tempted with Netflix marathons, lounging poolside, and gorging oneself at the corner ice cream store. And after a year packed with studying and schoolwork, nobody can judge you for indulging in these things now and then. However, instead of spending another summer catching up on celebrity gossip and napping to no end, try spending these next couple months making memories that will last longer than any tan line. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. Get a summer job

Summer fun can be expensive! Concerts, amusement parks and trips to the mall add up. Even if it’s only part-time, making some cash will help you afford all the exciting things you want to do while the weather is nice. Hint: double up on tanning time and a paycheck by getting certified as a lifeguard!

2. Find an internship

Internships are a great way to prepare for the big-girl life you’ll one day be living, plus they look awesome on resumes. Check out the app Dapsity to start the search!

3. Travel

Pack your suitcase; it’s time for sightseeing! Traveling is a wonderful way to make memories and create new experiences. If you’re on a budget, try traveling by train or bus (they’re usually cheaper). Hostels provide a cheaper alternative to pricey hotels, and if you have relatives that live somewhere you’d like to visit, hit them up for a free bed - they might even make you breakfast, too! 

4.Volunteer for a local organization

Volunteering will give you those warm fuzzy feelings that are usually only achieved by watching YouTube videos of kittens sleeping. Besides that, donating your time and talents to others is another way to build your resume if you go somewhere that deals with a career you’d like. If you love animals, see if the local shelter needs help, or if you’re pursuing a nursing degree, sign up for a volunteer shift at a hospital. Just try not to volunteer as tribute, for obvious reasons.

5.Take a summer class

“Summer school” isn’t all that bad - think of how much easier it is to study if you’re floating on a pool chair with a lemonade in hand. Plus, taking a class at a local community college is really a money-saver, and many credits will transfer if you’re headed somewhere else in the fall.

6. Have a summer fling 

For those who just aren’t ready to give up the nonstop fun, finding a cutie to spend some late nights with by the fire is another option. Just don’t catch real feelings - come August, it’ll only make saying goodbye that much harder. 

No matter how you end up spending your summer, do it big and make it one to remember. Don’t let the warm days slip by while you’re napping in the hammock!

You're supposed to love your summer internship, but why are you finding yourself with your head in the clouds all the time, dreaming of what you would be doing if you were at your actual dream internship? Maybe you weren't lucky enough this year to land your number one internship. Maybe your internship isn't turning out to be what you thought it would be. Or maybe you just didn't start your internship off on the best foot and are seriously struggling with your assignments.

If the first half of your summer internship didn't go too well, Her Campus is here to help! Check out these five tips for turning your internship experience around and ending on a fabulous note.

1. Put it in perspective

Before you decide to spill all your troubles to your supervisor, take a step back and look at things objectively. Ask yourself why the internship isn't going that well. Why aren't you liking the work? Is the internship different than what you expected? Is your supervisor hard to work for?

Also, be aware of the things you’re doing at the internship. Maybe there are improvements you could make that will help you leave a better impression at work. Should you come in a little earlier every day so you seem more eager? Maybe you're a little bit too quiet and you need to take more initiative. It's helpful to pinpoint the causes of your negative internship experience and to see what you can do to change your situation before going to others for help.

Better yet, jot down these questions and answers in a journal, since research shows that writing can be therapeutic. Try to work through your problems on paper. A helpful first step to turning any bad internship experience around is identifying the problems and their sources. Then, write down possible ways to work through these issues on your own. Maybe you need to do more research to better complete the tasks at hand, or maybe you need to work on your Excel skills in order to finish your assignments. Whatever it is, it can be figured out on paper!

2. Take Initiative

Tired of making batches of coffee every day or organizing folders until your head hurts? That would make even the most patient of interns frustrated! Spice up your internship by taking initiative and finding meaningful work for yourself. Ask your manager or other people around the office for more work and experience, offering to help with tasks that no one else has time for.

"Ask around; maybe someone in another department has more interesting work for you to do," says Amanda Lee, a peer career advisor at Ithaca College. "Staying busy helps the time pass, and you might gain some new connections or knowledge along the way."

If you're having a hard time with your assignments, there's no need to pull your hair out in frustration. Actively seek out help from mentors and supervisors. Ask for critiques and ways to improve. More often than not, they'll be more than happy to help you do better, and they'll be impressed by your determination to succeed!

Taking initiative doesn't even have to be confined to your workplace. There are plenty of ways to improve your internship experience outside of the nine-to-five trudge. "You could try to fill whatever time you’re not spending at the internship with more enjoyable experiences," says Leonie Cohen, a career peer advisor at Swarthmore College. "If you’re not learning what you had hoped to learn from the internship, buy some books and read them in your free time. You can really learn a lot from the leaders of your field."

How did Barbara Corcoran turn $1,000 into a billion-dollar real estate company? For the entrepreneurs at heart, check out her autobiography, Shark Tales. Curious about how Banana Republic was created? Give Wild Company by Mel and Patricia Ziegler a try. Wonder how Apple became so wildly successful? Try Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. These leaders would never let a bad internship experience get in the way of their goals, so why should you? You can create opportunities for yourself to learn and grow, even if you're currently buried in mountains of papers to copy and folders to file.

3. Bond with your coworkers

Liking the people you work with contributes so much to a positive internship experience, so if you're finding yourself not really clicking with the people with whom you work closely, take the time to get to know your other coworkers better. Reach out to fellow interns and suggest grabbing lunch. Maybe even throw an intern party on a Friday night and keep things casual with pizza and some movies.

To get to know other employees beside your fellow interns, consider participating in professional activities outside of the office, like going to after-work meals, joining an office-organized sports team or even participating in that office scavenger hunt HR keeps bugging people to join.

"Develop and manage relationships with colleagues that may end up being advocates and/or serve as references for you in future internship and job searches," says Kimberly Gustafson, an assistant director and career counselor at Bates College. "Aspire to identify a mentor that can offer helpful guidance in the future."

Of course, coworkers are not for gossiping or complaining to, even if they are your friends. No matter how much you need to vent about your work troubles, remember to always stay professional. Words seem to have a way of getting around in the office—even to your boss! Instead, talk about the things you're learning at work, interesting projects and common interests. "Do not vent [about] work to colleagues; confidentiality is often not upheld," Gustafson says. "Confide in and seek advice from trusted mentors, your career adviser, family members, friends."

By networking, you'll gain learning opportunities from professionals, stay active at your internship and connect with your coworkers. You'll also feel like you're in a more supportive environment. Bonding with people makes any experience better, and having a few more friendly faces at work can do wonders!

4. Speak with your supervisor

Of course, if nothing you're doing is really helping, don't hesitate to talk with your internship supervisor. Often a negative internship experience has very little to do with the intern herself and more to do with the working environment. It's important to be on the same page as your supervisor in regards to your responsibilities and expectations, and if you feel like there might be some kind of miscommunication between the two of you, take the time to reconnect. 

"If [your supervisors] are not staying true to what they had promised when they offered you the position, remind them of their promises," Leonie says. "Talk to your mentor and see if you can reach a compromise. You want to find a balance between representing yourself and remaining respectful."

Be honest with your supervisor about your concerns and do what you can without overstepping your boundaries. Sometimes a small reminder is all your supervisor needs to make some changes to your work description. If your internship doesn't meet your expectations, ask to meet with your supervisor to go over any learning contracts or position descriptions that were made at the beginning of the internship and your progress in following them.

If you're looking for more challenging tasks, maybe say, "I noticed X area could really benefit from Y; would you like me to look into it?"

If you're not doing too well with your assignments, ask your supervisor for critique and suggestions for improvement. "Communicate openly but diplomatically with your supervisor and colleagues," Gustafson says.

If you're really unhappy with your work, however, you could suggest spending half of the week interning with another part of the company or ask your supervisor if there is another job they could have you do. Try something along the lines of, "I'm having a really hard time with my current position because of X, Y and Z, but I would definitely like to work something out and maybe try something different and continue working at this company. What would you suggest I do?"

No matter what, remember to always be diplomatic, positive and professional.

5. View your internship as a learning experience

It's pretty hard to plaster on a smile when you feel like you're just being used for manual labor, but it's all about attitude and professional behavior. Staying positive and demonstrating professionalism, even if you're having trouble doing well on assignments or staying awake through the never-ending barrage of menial tasks, is so important for turning your internship around.

"Demonstrate professionalism at all times, even as you are struggling to keep smiling," Gustafson says. "Showcase your impeccable work ethic and unwavering dedication by cheerfully taking on any task that comes your way, menial or otherwise."

Instead of getting frustrated at the difficulty or the pointlessness of it all, try to view your internship as a learning experience, and you can't go wrong. "Maybe you didn’t land your dream internship this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t try hard now," Amanda says. "The experience itself may provide for some new adventures; you might learn about a new field that interests you or find someone new to network with. Stay curious and ask questions, which shows initiative, and remember that there’s always more to learn."

To stay positive and upbeat, try exercising during your lunch breaks to release endorphins in your brain. Maybe pack some of your favorite healthy snacks to keep you going through the day. Or, put in some headphones and crank up some happy tunes as you go about your tasks ("Happy" by Pharrell Williams was made for this!). Do whatever you need to do to focus on the positive aspects of your internship experience.

"Stay positive and look for opportunities to both contribute and learn; it is possible to spin a positive story to tell in future networking conversations and interviews," Gustafson says. "Exercise tolerance and do not let your challenges affect your attitude and productivity."

Learning what you don't like to do is also a great takeaway from a negative internship experience. Use that newfound knowledge to avoid similar work situations in the future and narrow down your list of potential careers.

"Inside, you may be thinking, ‘I never want to do this again’; use that as motivation," Amanda says. "If you’re stuck at a boring summer internship, recognize and reflect on your own interests and use that to figure out some things you might want to do next summer."

Hang in there! The beauty of summer internships is that they only last a couple of months, so you're already in the final stretch. "No matter what, there are always more opportunities for you to have in summers and years to come, and there is something you can take away from any experience," Leonie says. Stay positive and keep these tips in mind, and you'll be turning your drab internship into a fab internship in no time!

As Sandy and Danny will attest, there is nothing like summer love. Summer is a time of casual Fridays, spontaneous travel, and eating ice cream in the street—everyone feels more free. So how do you tame your summer fling into a fall boyfriend? Collegiettes weigh in:

Keep it casual—at first.

No one wants to hear a profession of love a few weeks into dating! Summer romance is fun because it’s carefree. Mayssa, a recent graduate of New York University who was abroad in Rome last summer, told HC that it’s important to keep a “summer boy” guessing. “Don’t move too fast,” she says. “You have to leave something to look forward to!” Mayssa found this play-it-cool strategy to work particularly well with Euro boys.

To do: Plan a date a week in advance, not a month. (If you MUST get concert tickets ahead, don’t mention them to him until closer to the date of the show.) By keeping things light and making plans on the fly, you’ll show your summer boy that by staying with you, he would guarantee himself a fall semester that’s anything but boring.

Introduce him to one or two of your friends.

While he’s not a serious boyfriend yet, it’s important that he get to know your life outside of the summer situation you have going on. What you don’t want to do is overwhelm him with your six best girlfriends. Pick one or two of your friends who sit on the “chill” side of the spectrum (be honest, you know who they are) to meet him before everyone else. Once he starts to meet your friends, he’ll feel more connected to you, get to know you better, and be able to picture what dating you (past the summer) would be like.

To do: Schedule happy hour or casual bowling and invite him to stop by. It’s a no pressure situation!

Take his cues.

Is he texting you every single day to meet up? Or is he only asking what you’re up to on weekends? It’s important to notice how he’s acting towards you—guys are pretty obvious creatures, no? “My summer boy last year only texted me late at night at first,” says Sarah, a recent graduate of Colby College. “But I knew when he asked me out during the day that he was getting more serious about dating!” Once you get the vibe that the guy is more serious, it is okay to make your intentions known.

To do: Let him know that you like what he’s doing. For example, say, “I love getting your texts at work! Makes the day go by so much faster,” or “I really appreciate you checking in with me before I go to bed.” It’s important to compliment his good deeds so he knows to keep doing them. The more he communicates with you, the more he’ll think and learn about you. Soon he won’t be able to imagine not talking to you and texting you, and that’s when he’ll decide he would rather stay with you than lose you.

Have “the talk” before the end of the summer.

Mayssa says it’s important not to leave things murky when you leave each other in August: “Don’t leave it open-ended so that you have to sort it out when you’re away from each other.” While you don’t need to bring up long-term plans in June, you will want to know what you are to each other before you go back to school. She and her boyfriend talked two weeks before she had to leave Rome—and they decided to stay together!

To do: Decide what you want before the talk and let him know, specifically. For example, say, “I’d like to continue dating, and I think if we visit each other at least once a month, it could work.”

Taming a summer boy doesn’t have to be a chore. Play it cool in the beginning and let him into your “real,” non-summer life little by little. By fall, it will be clear to both of you that the relationship is worth continuing if you’re still having a ton of fun.

How did you tame your summer boys? Or are they better left un-tamed? Let us know in the comments!

After slaving over endless tests, papers and projects, it’s good to reward yourself with beach trips and binge watching Orange Is the New Black or re-watching Gossip Girl (for the 10th time). But take the laziness level too far and you’ll be walking into class in September looking more like Crazy Eyes and less like the sophisticated, intelligent collegiette you really are. If you’re looking to sharpen your mind this summer and make sure that you enter class ready to learn, check out HC’s tips to keep your noggin in tip-top shape over the summer.

1. Cuddle up with a book

It’s easy to forget that you have time to read for pleasure. Gone are the days of reading that organic chem textbook that left you longing for your bed while you were pulling an all-nighter. You now have the time to pick up any book that piques your interest and read it at your leisure. Unleash your inner bookworm!

“With so much more downtime in the summer, it's the perfect opportunity to lose yourself in several books, and reading is an awesome way to expand your vocabulary, boost your creativity and keep your mind thinking,” says Sarah Desiderio, a junior at Penn State majoring in journalism. “Watching Netflix is essentially mindless, so reading allows your brain to actually be put to use and learn about different things. Plus, it’s super relaxing and the perfect laying-out pastime.”

Reading for pleasure can improve writing ability, text comprehension, grammar, vocabulary and confidence in reading abilities. Who wouldn’t want to read a good story while gaining all these classroom advantages?

Turn your backyard into your library and read in a pool float or a beach chair on the grass (check out waterproof cases like Lifeproof to protect your iPad from the treacherous pool water). It’s a million times better than your late-night study sessions slumped over a desk, and it’ll help you look relaxed and tan by the time you head back to campus (always remember the sunscreen, ladies!).

For some more fun, see which hot books are being adapted into movies next year so you can read an awesome book and have plans with your girlfriends to see the film when school rolls around. A good story and guaranteed girls’ night out plans? Sounds good to us! Just like you rushed to read The Fault in Our Stars this summer, you need to read Gone Girl, The Giver and the latest Nicholas Sparks sob fest, The Best of Me, to be ready for all the new film adaptions on the horizon.

2. Learn a new language

If the World Cup is giving you the itch to travel (Olá, Brasil!) and you’re realizing that a lot of what you learned in your high-school language class has slipped away, pick up your phone and learn something new. Free apps can walk you through the basics of common languages and help you regain some of what you may have lost since high school.

“I love languages, so I love trying out new languages over the summer,” says Brooke Robbins, a sophomore at Columbia University. “It's a useful life skill and keeps my mind sharp.”

Duolingo is a free app that can be downloaded for iOS and Android that lets you play games as it gives you what it defines as a “college-quality” language education. You can improve your existing skills or learn new languages (Duolingo offers Spanish, French, German, Italian and Portuguese for English speakers). “It makes language-learning a type of game, and is actually pretty effective!” Brooke says.

Whether you’re picking up some new phrases for fun or for a dream vacay down the road, learning a new language is the perfect way to keep your mind active and walk into class in the fall already having learned something new.

3. Play mind games

No, we’re not telling you to mess around with your boyfriend’s head. Playing fun word games is a great way to exercise your mind and have some friendly competition with your friends and family at the same time.

“My family is big on word games, like BOGGLE, which we play a lot when I'm home over the summer,” says Shira Kipnees, a senior at Franklin & Marshall College. “Since we're all very word-oriented people, it can be fun and it definitely teaches me a lot of new words and helps keep my brain sharp. Oftentimes we may institute certain rules (e.g., words must be four letters or more), which can make it more challenging.”

More old-school activities, like crossword puzzles and Sudoku, can be stimulating for the mind and are great time-fillers if you’re on the go commuting to a summer internship or on a summer road trip.

“I do a lot of free crossword puzzles (or get the crossword puzzles that are known to be hard, like from The New York Times) and see how much I can solve,” Shira says. “I'll also do them with my parents so that we can fill in what the others don't know and also keep our minds sharp. It's easier to do the puzzles when I'm home during the summer because they are great to do when you're commuting each day to work.”

Katie Piscopio, a sophomore at the University of Pittsburgh, agrees. “I like to do a lot of Sudoku during the summer,” she says. “I usually buy a puzzle book from the bookstore and do it every night before bed. It's supposed to be beneficial for memory and the brain, and I just find it fun to do!”

Games like Boggle and crossword puzzles are proven to help keep your mind at the top of its game. Games can boost your vocabulary, your memory and your problem-solving skills. With that said, get playing!

4. Get back to the basics

Remember in elementary school when you got little rewards for being a good listener, memorizing an important fact or using your reading comprehension skills? You may be an old collegiette now, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need a refresher on those skills!

Brush up on your long-lost lessons with apps like Elevate, which are designed to help you regain the most basic skills needed in the classroom. Elevate is free from the App Store and Google Play and calls itself a “personal brain trainer” that lets you picks the skills you want to work on and gives you a personalized program to get better. Lumosity works similarly. You can use it on a desktop or for free from the App Store and Google Play and get started on scientifically designed games that challenge you on skills you select. These apps put the “fun” in fundamentals, as they’re both game-based!

5. Unplug for the day

On top of using cool apps to reenergize your brain, Claudia Dimuro, a senior at New York University, recommends doing something outlandish to most college women – unplugging from technology.

Sometimes you need “technology-free time where you abstain from using your phone or computer in order to build up your focus elsewhere,” Claudia says.

Taking a break from the constant onslaught of screens and social media, even just for a day, can help you unwind and have some much needed “me time” before the chaos of the semester starts up again.

Summer is the time for relaxing and Netflix bingeing, but don’t forget that class will start before you know it. Make the adjustment back into the classroom easier on yourself and start prepping your mind now for your return into the collegiette swing of things.

For most of us, summer means getting a killer tan. However, the first time laying out since last summer usually leads to a nasty sunburn. When you’ve sunbathed a little too much and your skin is feeling red and tender, try one of these six ways to get some relief in the comfort of your own home—with ingredients you probably already have in the house!

If your skin is blistering or if you have flu-like symptoms, call your doctor right away before trying any of these at-home treatments.

1. Take a vinegar bath

Draw yourself a lukewarm bath and add three cups of regular or apple cider vinegar to the water. You’ll need to sit in the bath for at least 15 minutes for the vinegar to balance out your skin’s pH back to a normal level. According to Bonnie K. McMillen, a college health nurse at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, the vinegar helps promote faster healing and can prevent your skin from forming blisters and peeling. Play some ocean sounds while you soak in the bath to remind yourself of the good ole days when you weren’t burnt.

2.Slather yourself in plain yogurt

Spread a generous amount of plain yogurt on your burn, put on your favorite Real Housewives spin-off and sit still for 15 to 20 minutes while you marinate. New York City dermatologist Francesca Fusco recommends using a thicker yogurt, like Greek yogurt. She recommends applying aloe to your skin after washing the yogurt off to further restore your skin. We recommend doing this when you’re not expecting company!

3.Make aloe vera ice cubes

Aloe vera is probably the most well-known remedy for sunburn. Rather than just spreading it on your skin and hoping for the best, try making these cool (no pun intended) aloe ice cubes!

Pick up a bottle of aloe vera from the grocery store or pharmacy (or, if you’re really fancy, cut open a leaf from an aloe plant) and freeze the gel in an ice cube tray. Once it freezes, wrap one of the cubes in a paper towel and rub it on your sunburn. You’ll feel relief like never before.

4.Make a cucumber paste

Slice up some cucumbers, freeze the slices and then pop them in the blender to make a cooling cucumber paste for your sunburn. Dermatologist Dr. Cynthia Bailey recommends this method because cucumbers have natural botanical properties that are ideal for relieving pain and providing antioxidants. The cooling from the cucumber paste will feel great on your burn, and it also smells really refreshing.

5.Try a milk-soaked compress

This is a great idea if your back is burned and you’re having a hard time contorting yourself to reach your sunburned skin. Soak a hand towel in cold milk (any variety will do!), pop it in the freezer for a few minutes to make it a little colder and then lay on your stomach with the milk-soaked towel on your back for 20 minutes. Fusco says that the milk’s protein, fat and pH have a calming, anti-inflammatory effect on the skin.

6.Make a tea-soaked compress

Steep about six or seven bags of any black tea in a pot. Just like the milk, grab a towel and let it soak in as much tea as the towel can hold, then stick it in the freezer to cool it down. Lay the towel over your back or wherever else is hurting and let the tea soothe your skin while you unwind for around 20 minutes. YouTube beauty guru Michelle Phan highly recommends this method because of the tea’s high antioxidant levels and its tannic acid, which is a key ingredient in fighting sunburn.

Don’t forget to drink a TON of water! When you’re recovering from sunburn, it’s so important to stay hydrated so your body can work on healing itself. Also, be sure to stay out of the sun if possible because you don’t want to make your burn any worse. The next time you lay out, use sunscreen (and don’t forget to reapply!) so you don’t permanently damage your skin!

After a bittersweet graduation and an extensive job search, budgeting may be the last thing on your mind. But despite what your college lifestyle may have led you to believe, the dance floor is not the last place you’ll be hearing about dolla dolla bills — in fact, you’re more responsible for your finances now than ever. Your post-college expenditures won’t just consist of late-night library vending machine raids and beach week martinis, but also rent, utilities, insurance, and, well, everything else. It may sound scary, but have no fear — Her Campus has tips on how to create and perfect your very own post-collegiette budget.

Count your money. The first step to creating a budget for the future is to evaluate your current financial standing. First, figure out how much you have and if you’re in any debt at this instant by calling or checking online to view the numbers in your checking and savings accounts, and pulling out loan statements and deadlines. Then factor in how much money you’re bringing in, which means combining your salary with the money you receive from any part-time jobs, internship stipends, tips, and any other supplementary income. “It is vitally important to take a holistic view of both your personal ‘balance sheet’ [a spreadsheet of] assets and liabilities, otherwise known as ‘what you own and what you owe,’ as well as your personal income statement — income and expenses — when creating a budget,” says Chris Bumcrot, a financial researcher and a partner at Applied Research & Consulting in New York City. Bumcrot credits the importance of being conscious of your financial standing to avoiding debt, but it’s essential to structuring your budget, too — even if you’re in the clear!

Do your homework. As independent and free-spirited as you thought you were at 18, Mom and Dad still took the brunt of worrying about expenses. And while you can easily calculate your savings and spending, it’s impossible to know how much certain necessities cost without asking around or looking it up. Once you move in to your apartment, your bills will show you how much you’re spending, but there are a few things you can do between graduation and move-in day to make sure you’re in for no surprises: call up your utility companies — the guys who supply stuff like your water and electricity (they don’t arrive by magic) — and the landlord of your apartment complex. If you’re using a broker to find your new apartment — someone who helps with the apartment in exchange for a certain cut of a year’s rent — find out what percent he or she charges and calculate your expenses based on your rent. Even if you’ve been moved in for a while, be smart about the way you estimate your costs. Look over credit card statements from previous months and calculate the average amount you spend on an item monthly. Factor in important details, like how much of your salary is eaten up by taxes each month, so that your estimates are as accurate as possible.

Don’t just research your costs — read up on ways you can pay them, too. Consult your parents to figure out just how much they are willing to support you, if at all. Search for alternative ways of paying off significant costs like student loans. “One of the things that the federal government has done is offered different options for paying student loans; they recognize that students have bills to pay and may be in transition,” says Craig Daugherty, director of financial aid at Kenyon College. “There are certainly some loan repayment options: if you go to graduate school, for example, or if you serve in the military. My advice to any student would be to stay in contact with your lender and to see what options may be available.”

Use a toolkit. The web is full of budgeting instruments that are enormously helpful in tracking your financial standing and compiling information about your savings, checking, investments, car, and living expenses into one online account. Mint.com, for instance, has gained incredible popularity for a reason: among other features, Mint allows you to determine your “net worth” by calculating all your assets and liabilities in one place, categorize your expenses, create micro-budgets within those categories, and know when you’re approaching a budget limit or deadline through reminders, alerts and color-coded bar graphs. LearnVest.com is another fantastic online budgeting resource; founded by a Harvard Business School dropout, LearnVest connects its members with financial experts who assist in developing a budget as well as a long-term plan. The site also publishes tons of useful articles and tips on how to budget and save effectively. Other budgeting sites that include similar features include Buxfer.com and moneyStrands.

Not ready to take the dive into a membership, but still looking for information? Bumcrot recommends checking out other public resources like FeedThePig.org, provided by American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), and SaveAndInvest.org— Provided by Financial Industry Regulatory Advisory (FINRA) Investor Education Foundation, both of which provide helpful information, quick tips for financial stability, and savings calculators. Other informative sites include CNN Money’s Debt Reduction Planner, NetQuote.com for free insurance quotes, and BankRate.com to look up bank, mortage, auto loan, insurance, tax, and other rates.

Fill in the blanks. Now that you’ve gathered enough information about your expenses, list them on the “what you owe” side of your balance sheet. Don’t forget to consider the costs of starting out on your own. Sites like the ones listed above not only help you organize your budget, but also add items to it that you previously overlooked. Daugherty sees many recent graduates who fail to factor in invisible costs: “When you start a professional career, there are several start-up costs,” he says. “In an office setting, for instance, you need to update your wardrobe — a few new suits, for instance.” Bumcrot agrees that many young adults should be thorough with their budgeting: “The most commonly overlooked expenses by young graduates when budgeting are insurance and taxes,” he adds. “Make sure you account for health insurance, auto insurance, federal and state/local income taxes, Social Security tax, and Medicare tax. Some of these will be taken out of your paycheck automatically, but you still must account for them in your budget.” Here are some of the most common costs for recent grads:

• Rent + broker’s fee
• Utilities (air conditioning, heat, hot water, gas, electric)
• Transportation (parking, gas, public transportation passes, maintenance fees)
• Food (groceries, meals out)
• New clothes (for moving to a new climate or professional setting)
• New furniture (bed frames, couches, TV stand, drawer sets, dining table, chairs)
• Electronics (TV, cable or satellite, Internet, music, cell phone and landline plans)
• Student loans (federal and private)
• Memberships and subscriptions (gym memberships or classes, magazines, newspapers)
• Medical expenses (prescriptions, over-the-counter medications)
• Insurance (auto, health, dental, property)
• Taxes (local, state, federal)

Cut down. If your budget isn’t looking as swanky as you’d like it to, look for ways to trim costs, even if it means sacrificing some freedom right now. Take Liz Refsnyder, for example. She graduated from Kenyon College in 2010 and now works as a paralegal in Baltimore, Maryland, but not before getting a master’s degree close to home to save up: “I lived at home and worked part-time while going to school to avoid taking out anymore student loans. This turned out to be beneficial in the long run because I was able to save money and travel before going out on my own.” Your parents can help in ways other than giving you a place to crash, too. Under the Affordable Care Act, for example, you can be eligible for your parents’ health insurance plan until the age of 26. The philosopher Plato once said, “Let parents bequeath to their children not riches, but the spirit of reverence,” but hey, why not both?

Remember that Mint.com and LearnVest.com also have newsletters and helpful tips sent to their members daily, so take advantage of that information if you’re looking for creative new ways to trim your budget.

Leave some wiggle room. Remember when you kept a stash of chocolate bars in your dorm room in case of a bitter break-up or painful all-nighter? Put that kind of thinking to use and create a similar fund for financial emergencies. “It’s a great idea to establish a rainy day fund if you have any extra money at the end of the pay period [the amount of time between each paycheck],” says Daugherty. “It’s tempting to use the remaining amount of money for leisure, but for instance, if you’re experiencing a severe heat wave in the summer, air conditioning bills can climb in the summer. In the winter, the heating bills can do the same. It’s good to have a cushion so that you can prepare for those types of situations.” Liz remembers to save by refraining from spending her bonuses: “I overestimate monthly expenses and do not depend upon any salary bonuses for safe measure,” says Liz. “Saving a small amount of money for unforeseen expenses, like emergency travel or car care, will help you stay within your means.”

Save! Also set aside a portion of your income for — gasp — the future. You are probably only responsible for yourself right now, but at some point you’ll probably be buying a mortgage, supporting children, and eventually retiring, all of which require serious financial preparation. “Consider putting money away for a retirement account, especially if your employer is willing to match what you put in,” says Daugherty. “It’s hard for young people to talk about retirement, but contributing even a little bit of money in your 20s can amount to a lot in your 60s or 70s.” Liz agrees: “I would highly recommend that new grads participate in employer 401k programs,” she says. “Planning for retirement might sound strange to a 21-year-old, but these programs allow employees to divert a certain percentage of their earning into a retirement fund. Employers will often match employee contributions up to certain percentage, which means free money to help pay off student loans.”

“The bottom line is to allocate at least some of your income to savings in a systematic way,” says Bumcrot. Your budgeting toolkit can help with this, but beyond tracking your expenses, try to establish money-saving habits that can have serious long-term benefits and build you savings for the future. Bumcrot suggests, “one trick is to take any windfalls you receive (e.g., cash gifts from parents and grandparents, bonuses from work, inheritances) and put them into savings.”

Track your spending and stick to your budget. Lists and spreadsheets can help you organize your thoughts, but only determination and willpower can actually keep you from exceeding your budget. So exercise self-control and resist the impulse to make it rain like Lil’ Wayne after every paycheck (or if you can’t, be sure to pick up the cash when you’re done and invest it somewhere useful). Sticking to a budget on your own is a challenge at first and you may feel inexperienced, but learning to channel your undergrad experiences into this one can help: “Having a job [in college] and my parents encouraging me to pay for certain things with my own money helped me learn budgeting — when I could spend money and when I should save it,” says Sharmila Kulkarni, a graduate of Michigan State University and a third year medical school student at the University of Toledo College of Medicine.

“Before accepting my position [as a paralegal], I created a budget for myself to ensure that my expenses would not exceed my earnings,” says Liz. Like many of her peers, she uses Mint.com. Put your own Mint.com or LearnVest.com registration to use, and check out other sites specifically designed for controlling your urge to splurge and save money for what really matters. Since most purchases are made away from home or on the go, though, we tracked down the app for Mint, plus a few more of the best budgeting apps for your phone — all of which are totally free:

• iSlick— Consolidates coupons from sites like Amazon and Groupon and notifies you of them in real time so that you can stay up-to-date on all your deals and steals by checking just one source.

• PageOnce— Allows you to not only track your spending, but also to pay your bills from your iPhone or iPad and to receive reminders and alerts of upcoming due dates and suspicious transactions. 

• PocketMoney LITE— Includes a set of money-tracking features, plus tools like budget limits and auto-complete to speed up transactions. One of PocketMoney’s coolest functions is its ability to process international currency and its ability in more than 15 languages — perfect for budgeting your adventures and purchases while studying abroad

If you opt not to rely on the web for your finances, though, be sure to keep track of them in some other way, no matter how silly you feel recording how much you spent on fruit snacks at the grocery store. Despite what the items on your receipt might suggest, remember that you are a responsible adult.

Pay your bills on time. Whether you keep track of your bills on paper or online, make sure you’re well aware of upcoming deadlines — and how important it is that you meet them. “Make sure that you are paying down any high-interest debt you have as quickly as possible,” says Bumcrot. “It is equally important to be sure that you never fall behind on any of your debt payments, whether low-interest or high-interest. The reason for this is that missed debt payments will adversely affect your credit rating, which will cause financial trouble for you in the years ahead.” Daugherty agrees that good credit should be a priority for every fiscally conscious college grad: “Establishing good credit is helpful for when you mature and want to purchase a car or a home, or support a family,” he says. “What you do now can definitely affect the interest rates you’ll experience down the road.” Liz finds this principle most relevant to paying her credit card bills: “Grads should be forewarned that credit cards are your best friend or your worst enemy,” she says. “I pay my balance off in full every month to avoid paying ridiculous interest rates. If you have to carry a balance, pay it off as soon as possible!”

So you understand how important it is to be a punctual payer. The real question is, how do you remember when your bills are due and make sure you pay them on time? Try setting up personalized alerts: sign up for emails or texts from your bank that notify you when your bills are due, your checking account balance is running low, a payment has been posted to your account, your money has been withdrawn from an ATM, or your credit card activity has exceeded a certain limit, among other options. Don’t forget to use the alerts in your toolkit, too; Mint, for instance, offers alerts and reminders when bills are due. On top of using those scheduling instruments, regulate your cash flow in a convenient way by choosing your credit card bill due date wisely — a date in the month you’ll remember.

Make smart adjustments. Some costs are variable, so be sure to review and revise your budget on a regular basis. Even if your income or overall expenditure isn’t changing, consider transferring money from one category to another. “A budget is a working document,” says Daugherty. “Every few weeks or every month, you may want to revisit it so that the amounts still seem relevant and are working effectively.” And when you do, be sure to update your Mint, LearnVest, or other budgeting tools accordingly!

What are your tips for maintaining a post-grad budget? Share in the Comments section below!

Sometimes you see a picture and you just have to ask, "What were they thinking?!" These totally embarrassing, cringeworthy pics definitely fit the bill. Here are the 13 most awkward family photos of all time!

1. 

Looks like someone didn't get the dress-code memo. 

2. 

This photo takes family bonding to a whole new level. 

3.  

We don't know what's better, the matching turtlenecks or the fact that the guy in the middle is TheJersey Shore's Mike "The Situation." 

4. 

Nothing like a little subtle bragging about your kids.

5. 

The '80's called; they want their cell phones back. Not to mention, this picture. 

6. 

What better way to show how much you love your family than stacking on top of one another? 

7. 

This photo is just like a car crash; it's horrible, yet we can't look away. 

8. 

It's 50 percent cheesy, 50 percent super creepy. 

9. 

Who thought this would actually be a good idea?

10. 

We don't even want to know. 

11. 

The girl in the front is "literally so done." 

12.

"Sitting on a huge tree branch is a great idea for a family photo!" said this family and no one else in the world.

13. 

The family that hunts together stays together. 

Studying abroad can be one of the best, most fulfilling experiences you’ll have in college. After all, it’s one of the only times in your life when you’ll get the opportunity to spend months exploring another country! However, with the costs of tuition, applying to the program, flights and living expenses, making the decision to study internationally can be a hefty financial investment. Luckily, there are several different ways to make your semester abroad more affordable, whether you’re headed for the streets of Paris or the cliffs of Ireland. Your bank account will thank you!

Apply for scholarships

Free money to study abroad? We’ll take it. There are tons of online databases that have scholarships available specifically for students who are studying abroad, such as IIEPassport Study Abroad Funding, StudyAbroad.com and All Abroad. If you already know where you’re going to study abroad, you can narrow down the huge lists of scholarships by searching by country or program.

One of the best study-abroad grants out there is the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, which is very competitive but offers scholarships up to $5,000! More than 2,300 scholarships are awarded through the program, and the average award amount is $4,000. If you receive a Pell Grant or will be receiving one at the time of your study abroad program, this scholarship is definitely worth a shot.

Many study abroad program providers also offer scholarships to students who are participating in one of their programs. For example, AIFS, a leading study abroad program provider with programs all over the world, awards more than $600,000 each year in scholarships and grants for both summer and semester programs.

Your school can also be a valuable resource when searching for study-abroad scholarships. Grants offered through your university will usually be easier to get, given the smaller number of applicants. A quick visit to the study-abroad office is a great way to find out about school-specific scholarships, as well as other outside resources. Your school’s study-abroad website will likely have a list of all the available scholarships as well as information about how to contact a study-abroad adviser and find the study-abroad office on campus.

Be sure to check out academic department scholarships as well, as you may be eligible for aid based on your major.

“When it came down to funding my trip, I looked at scholarships first, and luckily I was able to receive a $750 scholarship from my theatre department,” says Travis Bihn, a junior at The Ohio State University. “Because of my dual major, I was able to apply (and later receive) a $2,500 scholarship from the psychology department for travel abroad expenses.”

Make sure to start your research early, though, because study-abroad scholarships for the coming year often have early deadlines! In general, spring program deadlines fall during September and October, while autumn program deadlines are in March and April.

Talk to a financial aid adviser

Your financial aid adviser is one of the first people you should talk to before jetting off for your semester overseas. If you already receive aid from the government, such as a Pell Grant, chances are that that aid can be applied to your semester abroad as well. In some cases, your school may even be able to give you extra money to cover the extra costs of studying at a foreign institution. Make sure to add up all of the expenses ahead of time to find out exactly how much your semester abroad will cost you and how much extra funding you may need.

Before making an appointment with an adviser, be sure to come up with a list of good questions to ask, such as:

• How much will it cost to study abroad, including housing and extra expenses?
• Will my financial aid be applicable to my semester abroad?
• Can I extended my financial aid package to cover the extra costs of studying abroad?
• Will I pay my home university’s tuition, or the tuition of the foreign institution?

You could also consider taking out a loan to help pay for your tuition, whether it’s government-funded or through a private bank. Study Abroad Loans is a website that offers loans specifically for students studying in another country. Although taking out a loan means dealing with those pesky interest fees, it can also be a viable way to make your study-abroad dreams a reality.

Start a fundraiser

Fundraising is a great way to make some serious cash, and with today’s technology, there are a million ways to do it. One way is to create a crowdfunding campaign on websites like GoFundMe and GoEnnounce. First, set a financial goal and explain your cause (i.e., why studying abroad is so important to you and how it would allow you to accomplish X, Y and Z). Then get the word out to friends and family through social media and watch the donations roll in!

If asking for money online isn’t your thing, there are other ways to get financial support, such as reaching out to close family members and friends with personal letters, asking people to donate to your travel fund in lieu of giving you birthday and holiday gifts or even seeing if someone you know with tons of frequent-flier miles would be willing to donate some of their miles to help pay for your plane ticket overseas.

Get a part-time tutoring job 

While studying abroad, you’re going to want to have some extra money for going out to dinner, weekend trips and other necessary expenses (read: drinks with the girls). What better way to prepare for your upcoming semester in Paris (and make money while you’re at it) than to tutor lower-level French students?

First, head to your student employment office to find out if there are any tutoring jobs available on campus. Virtual tutoring is another great option to consider, as it’s flexible and allows you to tutor from the comfort of your own room. Websites like Tutor.com and TUTORCARE will pay you to tutor students on your own schedule, which means that it won’t get in the way of your classes and extracurriculars. By the end of the semester, you’ll have vastly improved your language skills and boosted your bank account!

Studying abroad is far from cheap, but with a little research and creative fundraising, your once-in-a-lifetime adventure in another country doesn’t have to be out of reach! Using these tips, you’ll soon be well on your way to that dream semester or year.

Is there ever a good reason to be friends with benefits? [Your Tango]

15 things our generation will be the #last2see. [I Want Her Job]

What the perfect LinkedIn profile looks like. [Savvy Sugar]

11 things top trainers wish they’d known before their first workout. [Greatist]

Judy Blume is writing a book for “grown ups.” [Newser]

What to say instead of “I’m sorry!" at work! [The Muse]

76 reasons USA is the greatest. [BuzzFeed]

Stop erasing women from tech history! [Medium]

The architecture of abortion. [Fast Company]

Ruining The Notebook. [Jezebel]

You’ve been spinning on the exercise bike for less than 5 minutes when Sweaty McSmellerson plops down on your right. The odor is too much, but you can’t just leave or else everyone will judge you and think you’re a wimp, right? Case in point, Ms. Going-for-the-Gold on your left has clearly been cranking out the calories long before you got there. So you lean away, you lean back, you turn your head to the left to take in gulps of air until you finally give up appearances and get up, letting Sweaty McSmells win.

Deep breath, let it out: you hate the gym.

Who can blame you? Let’s be honest here, the gym can be gross—unless you’re a germaphobe who actually uses the disinfectant cloths to wipe down the handlebars. It’s also intimidating considering that most of the people there belong in a photo shoot alongside Jennifer Aniston (seriously, can we get a copy of her workout plan?). If you’ve decided to give up on the gym, and—like me—you’re not even into running, then read on—HC has 7 solutions for you to stay fit without setting foot inside the gym!

1. Don’t Take That Elevator

We’ve all tried our best to avoid climbing the stairs. Last year, I lived on the third floor of a dorm where the elevator only stopped on even floors, so instead of saving time and working my thighs, I would take the elevator to four and walk down. No matter how fit you are, there’s a reason why you feel like you need to be breaking through a marathon ribbon around the third flight: stairs are a fantastic workout. Depending on your weight, you can burn anywhere from 7 to 10 calories a minute climbing up. Plus, instead of making you large and bulky, climbing stairs gives you definition, and your buttocks, quads, hamstrings, and even abs will thank you for it. Decide how many stairs you want to conquer each day, and then increase the number as you build your strength. Once you start seeing the results, you’ll wonder why you spent all that time waiting for the elevator.

2. Get Dance Fever

Guess what? Those Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights you spent rocking out to a floor-filler actually do pay off (and hopefully help to balance out the calories from those shots). According to LiveStrong.com, “for every 15 minutes of club dancing, a 105-pound person may burn 60 calories, a 125-pound individual may burn 71 calories, [and] a 150-pound individual may burn 86 calories.” Translation? Burn fast and have a blast.

If the party scene isn’t your thing, try anything from a Dance Central video game to a one-woman rager in your room. Put together a fun, upbeat playlist—or if hard-core, no-nonsense is more your style, blast some Jay-Z or Eminem—to really get yourself going. You can even venture outside of the house for some fun classes—anything from Zumba to beginning Jazz, salsa to belly dancing. Grab a few friends and get low!

3. Burn It Up With Bikram

While a 100+ degree room and horror tales of people passing out during their first class may seem daunting, the benefits of hot yoga far outweigh the initial obstacles. The heat allows your muscles to warm up, decreasing the chance of injury, while simultaneously increasing your metabolism and cleansing your body of toxins. According to LiveStrong.com, you can burn up to 800 or 900 calories, depending on your current weight.” But before you race into that overheated room, remember that it’s important to hydrate well before and after your first class. It’s normally recommended that you drink about 16 ounces of water prior to attending a class.

A former fencer at Harvard and current fencing coach, Nadia Eldeib says that hot yoga is “an amazing way to get in shape, but be warned that it’s anything but a day of relaxing downward dog. You’ll want to drink water, water, and more water beforehand, and bring a towel and water bottle in addition to your mat.” She adds that beginners should “know that it’s totally okay to take breaks the first time you go; it’s difficult to keep up in the heat, and although I’m an athlete, I still needed to sit down a couple of times and take a break during my first Bikram session.” Despite the initial obstacles, Nadia still strongly recommends this challenging workout. “It’s a hot and sweaty way to work out, but so worth it. After an hour of Bikram and a shower, you’ll feel refreshed and ready to take on the world!”

Be sure to research Bikram guidelines before you sign up, or, to be extra-safe, ask your doctor for input. And most importantly, do what you’re comfortable doing! That means if you start to feel nauseous or lightheaded during a class, step out and get some air!

4. Swim Like a Butterfly

If hot yoga isn’t your thing, cool down by jumping in the pool. Swimming itself is already a great way to stay fit, but the butterfly stroke is the technique that burns the most calories: 150 every 10 minutes to be exact. But before you burst out of your couch cocoon, take caution: this is the hardest stroke of them all, and if you haven’t mastered it well enough, you could injure your back and shoulders. According to Olympic silver-medal winner Sharon Davies, it’s important to make sure you’ve really got the freestyle, breaststroke, and backstroke down before you attempt the butterfly. And, hey, while you’re in the process of practicing all three, you’ll be sweeping away some serious calories.

5. Invest in Cankle Killers

I keep a pair of ankle weights—or cankle killers as I like to call them—everywhere I move, from my college dorm to a summer apartment. Ankle weights are the best ways to trim your legs, making it easier to target those outer and (ever evasive) inner thighs. As an added bonus, using ankle weights also strengthens your abs. As with any weight-lifting regimen, proceed with caution. Weldon Armelin, former fitness trainer at the Houston Texas YMCA, says the right way to use ankle weights depends on the person. “Choose the weight that is comfortable. Someone who has had a previous injury shouldn’t use heavy weights because that would mess up the ankle joints,” he says.

So if you feel like you’re putting too much strain on your body, stop and switch to lighter weights. For amazing cankle killer workouts, click here.

6. Park Your Car Far, Far Away

…Because you’ve got some serious power walking to do. Whether you’re in the classroom or the cubicle, you probably sit a lot every day. While all that mental energy spent cranking out essays or researching on the computer can really wipe you out by the end of the day, continuing to sit down once it’s all over is detrimental to your health. According to an article in the New York Times, “Stand Up While You Read This!” it doesn’t matter how much you exercise: “if you spend most of the rest of the day sitting… you are putting yourself at increased risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, a variety of cancers and an early death.” Morbid, I know, but if we measure our health by how often and how long we exercise, then our inactivity should be tallied in the same way. It’s important to decrease the hours you spend in the chair any way you can. For example, if you’re driving to the grocery store, instead of attempting to find the parking spot closest to the entrance, make a game of finding the one farthest away, and then walk. Instead of forwarding an email to your coworker down the hall, get up and deliver the message the old school way. If you have extra time during your lunch break, take a walk. Try power walking for at least 30 minutes a day!

7. Rollin’ In The Rink

That’s right, it’s time to hit the roller rink because according to LiveStrong.com, you burn more calories rollerblading than weight lifting: in one hour, a 160-pound person skates off about 913 calories. Not to mention this activity can be turned into a social event, unlike weightlifting when you’re only capable of communicating in cavewoman grunts. Make sure you have the proper safety gear (helmet, elbow pads, knee pads, etc.) before you go for a spin.

And as a last extra tip, be sure to drink! Nope, we’re not talking about sipping from that red solo cup: say hello to a nice, hot ceramic mug of green tea. When paired with caffeine, the catechins (high levels of antioxidants) in green tea increase metabolism, according to a study in The Journal of Nutrition. So bottoms up, collegiettes—try not to break too much of a sweat on this one.

With these tips you’ll be on your way to looking just as fit as the gym class heroes out there.

Share your anti-gym regimen with us in the comments below!

There's no better way to beat the summer heat than with a delicious, icy-cold popsicle. Check out these seven recipes that are guaranteed to make your mouth happy!

1. Nutella Popsicles

Because, duh. 

2. Rainbow Pudding Pops

Summertime calls for colorful treats!

3. Coconut Water Popsicles

Now you can stick to your summer diet while still satisfying your sweet tooth. 

4. Watermelon Summer Fruitsicles

How adorable are these watermelon-shaped pops?

5. Pineapple Orange Banana Popsicles

Pretend you're on an island getaway with these tropical treats.

6. Pink Lemonade Popsicles

Three kinds of lemonade in one icy-cold dessert? Pure genius.

7. Watermelon Mojito Poptails

Popsicles + alcohol = poptails. 

I have never thought of myself as a feminist; I love wearing dresses, I want to be a housewife, I spend more time finding recipes on Pinterest than I do on my calculus homework, I have never voted in an election, I’m pro-life, and I believe that the guy should always make the first move. But I do think I have the right to say no to a guy. And for the past three years I have been denied that right.

When I was 15, I began dating Ben. He was never late to our dates and called me every night. I was convinced I had found “The One.” Well, I was until I met Bobby. Bobby was funny and charming; two characteristics that Ben did not have. Bobby quickly won me over. The week before Halloween, I finally got the courage to leave Ben for Bobby. I assumed Ben would be mad or upset, but never assumed he would hold a grudge against me for three years!

Over the next week I got over 100 text messages and phone calls from Ben asking me to give him a second chance or to try to work things out. Although his messages were annoying, I didn’t pay that much attention to them. I figured if I ignored them long enough, he would go away.

As time went on, Bobby and I started to get what I like to call ‘high school-serious.’ I spent Christmas at his parents’ house, and one day, we put pictures of us together up on Facebook. The next morning when I woke up, our Facebook photos had been erased and I had two text messages: one from Bobby saying that he was breaking up with me, and one from Ben asking if I was okay from the break-up. Strange coincidence that Ben knew so quickly, but I only assumed that he was just quick to find out about the break-up; I never thought he might have caused the break-up. I found out after New Year’s that Bobby had received an anonymous message saying I was still involved with Ben, which had caused him to break up with me.

Over the next two years I had bad luck with all my relationships. Andrew cheated on me with his ex-girlfriend, James drunk-texted me saying how he was secretly into other men, and the list went on. And throughout every relationship, Ben was right there, still texting and calling me. My family even relocated across the country to Boston for my parents’ job, and although I was over 700 miles away from Ben, nothing changed. It would always go like this: I would meet a guy with whom I was happy and everything was going great, and then, suddenly, something would change; he would act weird and never talk to me again. I still had not made the connection between Ben and all my failed relationships. I assumed all high school boys were immature and didn’t know how to have real relationships.

Finally it was time to go to college. I was excited because this meant I would have a whole new pool of guys to choose from. Immediately, I met Marc; he was sweet and kind. The day we posted our official relationship status on Facebook, Marc started getting harassing texts from a number he didn’t recognize claiming that I was still “in love with my ex-boyfriend.” I checked the number, and sure enough, it was Ben!

I was furious. I angrily called Ben and informed him to stay away. I was not going to let him ruin this relationship. Unfortunately, Ben didn’t stop; he continued to text Marc constantly with new ways to break us up; he once even pretended to be another girl and texted me saying Marc was cheating.

Things took a very dramatic turn when I went on a weekend trip to the beach last January, over three years after Ben and I had broken up. I turned off my phone for the weekend, hoping to take a break and enjoy myself. When I came home, I found my relationship with Marc had been blown to shreds. Marc had not only broken up with me, but was convinced that I was a liar. I was devastated; I had no idea what had even happened. I immediately called one of my best friends, Victoria, who offered to find out what had actually happened. After talking to Marc and then Ben, Victoria, being the sexy and exceptionally smart, redhead detective that she is, found out that Ben had been texting Marc all weekend from my number creating a plan to break us up. Ben had planted a virus in my phone and was able to access anything on my phone through his computer. Ben had used technology to completely destroy all of my high school relationships, and then, as his final act, he destroyed my relationship with my college boyfriend.

The next few months were a complete whirlwind. I spent my days talking to detectives and lawyers about what had happened. Finally, I had enough evidence to press charges. Ben was arrested for aggravated stalking in the 3^rd degree—a felony that could cause him to serve two years in prison. He was also charged with planting an illegal spyware device in my iPhone which enabled him to read all my texts, access all my social media accounts and completely control my life. Even today, I am still waiting for the court date which will formally sentence him to years in prison. I have not heard from him since he was arrested, and even when he is released from prison, I’ll feel safe knowing I have a good restraining order in place the protects me and my friends. I am finally relieved knowing that my next relationship can be ex-boyfriend free.

I initially thought I could blame myself for letting all of this happen. I may have been too mean when I broke up with Ben, and I ignored the serious warning signs. But what I’ve realized is that it’s not my fault; I have a right to say no. So while I may never be a true “feminist,” I do support a woman’s right to make relationship decisions. It’s my life, and I want to have control over whom I share it with.

Do you have a story to share? Submit your story to Her Story! 

Are you a smart and savvy pre-collegiette looking for answers to some of your most personal questions about college? You know, the ones about boys, classes, roommates and parties that your school’s guidance office can’t help you with? Jen is here to answer those questions! Whatever your concern, she’ll do her best to help you so you can make sure you don’t just survive college, but rock it!

Is college anything like it's portrayed in the movies, like Legally Blonde? –Alondra

Alondra,

From the movies that I’ve seen about college, I’d think it’s safe to say that most don’t accurately depict every part of college life, but some aspects can be totally true.

However, I go to a private Christian college where the party scene is nothing like what you’ll see in the movies since we have strict rules when it comes to behavior and discipline. Due to that, I’m definitely a bit biased! My friends who do go to “party schools” have said that the ragers are pretty intense, so I guess movies accurately depict that part!

When I think about Legally Blonde specifically, the scene that stands out to me is when Elle is sitting in the circle with the other law students when they’re giving their awkward introductions. During your orientation week, you’ll definitely experience too many weird group “get-to-know-you” games that will embarrass you regardless of whether or not your dog is a Gemini vegetarian.

Another part of Legally Blonde I enjoyed that I’ve found to be true is when she ends up becoming good friends with people she didn’t get along with in the beginning and ends up saying deuces to Warner, the reason she wanted to go to Harvard in the first place! I think it goes to show you that you never know whom you’ll meet in college, and your relationships will definitely change throughout the years as you learn and grow.

I also want to point out that you really are going to have to work your butt off to do well in your classes. Have you seen movies about college where the students literally do absolutely nothing besides partying and still seem to have good grades? This is so not a reality. You’re going to have to know when to turn up and when to buckle down so that you don’t lose your scholarship or fail a class.

One last thing: think back to before you started high school and ask yourself if all of the movies about high school were true. If you found them to be pretty accurate, then you might feel the same way about the comparison between college and the movies. If you thought that they hyped up high school life too much, then you might feel that way about college-based movies, too.

The best part of it all is that no matter what happens during college, you’ll find a way to make it entertaining and memorable. Your own experiences and memories that you’ll make when you’re at college will prove to be better and more exciting than any other movie out there, because it will be your journey, and it will be amazing.

From The Devil Wears Prada to Sex and the City to The Hills to Ugly Betty, the jobs and internships at fashion magazines have been glamourized onscreen over and over again. Key word: glamourized. You might imagine a fast-paced office full of Proenza Schouler-clad waifs who skip meals and go to fancy charity galas, leaving the grunt work to their interns, but that's actually far from your typical fashion magazine experience. Read on to see what fashion magazine internships are really like – plus advice on how to land one from interns who have done it.

What types of fashion magazine internships are available?

Not everyone who works at a fashion magazine necessarily works directly with fashion. Here are a few common types of internships and responsibilities:

• Fashion closet interns: Track clothing samples, pack and unpack for photo shoots, and create storyboards
• Beauty closet interns: Call in products, organize the beauty closet, and update press contact lists
• Editorial interns: Do research, transcribe interviews, and pitch story ideas
• Web interns: Research, interview, and blog exclusively for the magazine's website
• Photo interns: Do research, scout locations, and purchase props

Editorial makes up one of the largest sections of most magazines. The department is responsible for the cover story, other long stories (called “features”), interviews, as well as shorter FOB (“front of book” – the first few pages of the magazine) pieces. Features interns are typically assigned to an editor who covers just one or two topics, like health or love.

You're more likely to get hired if you specify exactly which section of the magazine you'd like to intern in, so make sure to think carefully about your interests before you apply for a fashion magazine internship.

What does a typical day look like?

A typical day at a magazine begins at about 9 or 10 a.m. Most magazines group interns by department, so fashion closet interns will work in or near the fashion closet, features interns will sit at desks together, and so on.

You'll start the morning by checking your e-mail to see if any editors or other staffers need help with a project right away. Keep a close watch on your e-mail throughout the day so you don't miss any urgent messages about assignments or meetings!

The bulk of your day will be spent assisting your editor with any tasks that need to be completed. These tasks vary depending on your type of internship, but expect to be juggling several projects with different deadlines at once. For example, a features intern might start a research project that's due the next day, but then suddenly be asked to transcribe an interview due at 2:00 that afternoon. Before she can finish the transcription, she might be asked to run an errand to pick up a vase for an upcoming photo shoot. If it sounds hectic, well, it is. Magazine internships are fast-paced; the environment isn't conducive to slacking off.

“The office was very chaotic (when we had samples being delivered), but I learned so much in the short amount of time that I worked there that it was worth it,” says Itopia Mills, a Florida A&M University grad who interned in the fashion closet at O, The Oprah Magazine.

Midday, you'll be given a short break for lunch. Interns can eat in the magazine's cafeteria (imagine a super chic version of your college's dining hall), grab takeout from a nearby, cheap lunch spot, or bring their own lunches. Some days, you'll be able to hang out at lunch with the other interns. Other days, it's probably best to eat lunch at your desk in order to keep up with tight deadlines.

Worried about becoming your editor's personal Starbucks assistant? Don't sweat it – of the half-dozen interns Her Campus talked to for this article, only one said she ever had to get coffee... and that happened exactly once.

Your day will probably end around 5 or 6 p.m., although you might be asked to stay a bit later on busy days, like right before an issue closes to be shipped.

What did past interns do at their internships?

An internship is a big commitment. Before you apply, get the scoop on how four former magazine interns spent their days:

• “I did a lot of research for articles and interviewing professionals (such as doctors, nutritionists, and sex therapists) on different topics,” says Dani Most, a recent Florida State University grad who interned in the features department at Cosmopolitan. “I also spent a lot of time around NYC getting stories for sections like the 'guy confessions' or doing polls to accompany articles. That was a little scary at first, but it always ended up being a fun thing to do, especially since we did those in pairs with another intern. We were encouraged to pitch ideas to the appropriate editors whenever we had one and we almost always got a response.”
   
• “No day was really the same,” says Marissa Barker, an NYU grad who interned in the fashion closet at ELLE. “There were days where I stayed inside all day to make sure everything was there for style shoots and to e-mail PR companies and fashion houses to deliver whatever we needed for the issue. Other days, I would go to a shoot to help out with whatever they needed, or run errands all day. There were times were we would stay there until much later than everyone else in the magazine because things needed to get done. It wasn't work that we could get done at home, like I imagine the editorial team doing.”
   
• “As an entertainment intern, I would research celebrities, TV, music, and movie news for the magazine, write memos for the staff on entertainment news and the important news of the day, transcribe interviews, do general administrative tasks like organizing and archiving for the editorial team, and occasionally help other sections of the magazine with research,” says Aubrey Nagle, a Drexel University grad who interned in the features department at Seventeen.

But not all interns had such wholly positive experiences.

“When I first started my internship in the fashion closet, the magazine was working on August and September shoots. Translation? It was absolutely chaotic,” says Anna*, who worked as a fashion closet intern at a Hearst magazine. “Most nights, I didn't leave the office until 10:30 p.m. Most of the editors would go home, but the interns had to stay… organizing the closet. Since I was commuting during that time, I wouldn't get home until midnight. Whenever one of the editors asked who could come in an hour early the next morning, I felt obligated to say yes—a good intern doesn't say no! As a result, I would go to bed around 1 a.m. and wake up at 5 a.m. so I could [catch] a train. Since we were so busy, and I was the newest, I felt like I shouldn't take a break.”

Anna says her crazy schedule caused her to lose sleep and skip lunch breaks. Sounds like a certain movie, doesn't it...?

Does the experience ever feel like The Devil Wears Prada?

A few tips from former Runway assistant Andy Sachs for your first day as an intern:

• Know how to spell Dolce & Gabbana.
• Understand the subtle differences between blue and cerulean.
• Learn to identify an eyelash curler.

We're joking—no one in the office will be as mean-spirited as the “Clackers” Andy encountered at Runway. But in general, it's probably a good idea to learn as much as you can about your section of the magazine before you arrive for the first day of your internship. That means knowing the section of your magazine inside and out (do they call it “Fashion” or “Style”?) and being familiar with the subjects your section covers often. Fashion interns: be prepared to talk about your favorite trends from the 2014 Fall Fashion Weeks. Health interns: know the difference between SoulCycle and CrossFit!

The magazine industry is small—really, really small. Everyone knows everyone and word travels fast, so there's no room to be unfriendly—it could come back to haunt you in the future. Also, especially at women's magazines, the staff tends to be mostly young (twenties and thirties) and female. They were interns not too long ago themselves, so they're inclined to be as warm and helpful to you as possible.

“Everyone who had seen movies about magazines joked with me beforehand that it would be terrifying, but it totally wasn't!” says Aubrey. “Everyone [in the office] was so sweet and helpful.”

Dani adds, “Everyone was well-dressed, but not as outrageously as I had expected. Not everyone was super skinny, either. The office wasn't full of intimidating, model-esque people.”

While you definitely won't be expected to don size zero Chanel head to toe, it's important to consider dressing professionally. That doesn't necessarily mean full suits—there’s a lot more leeway in the media industry. This guide is a good starting point for thinking about your professional wardrobe. While short shorts, flip-flops, and crazy low-cut tops aren't office-appropriate anywhere, you can (and should!) experiment with fun wedges, bright dresses, and cool accessories at a fashion magazine internship. It's fine to wear heels to the office, but always keep a pair of comfortable flats with you in case you're asked to run errands.

How are interns compensated?

Compensation is a touchy subject right now in the magazine industry. Historically, magazine interns have been unpaid. Recently, however, interns have brought class action lawsuits against Hearst, Gawker, and other companies, stating that the tasks they completed at their unpaid internships were equivalent to entry-level paid positions, and they should have been compensated as such.

According to the United States Department of Labor, unpaid internships must meet the following six legal criteria:

• The internship has educational value.
• The internship is for the benefit of the intern.
• The intern should not displace regular employees.
• The employer does not receive any immediate benefit from the intern.
• The intern is not necessarily entitled to a job following completion of the internship.
• Both the employer and the intern understand that the internship is unpaid.

The majority of fashion magazine internships are unpaid and require you to receive academic credit, although there are occasional exceptions.

How can you land a fashion magazine internship?

If you've ever looked into applying for a fashion magazine internship, you probably noticed a frustrating catch-22: internship listings often ask for you to already have internship experience on your resume.

“If you're trying to get into a national magazine, you should have previous magazine experience,” says Aubrey. “You don't need to have interned at Vogue – just have a regional magazine or at least a campus mag on your resume.”

To beef up your resume, considering starting at your school's Her Campus chapter (If there isn't one, start your own!). You can also get involved with your school's newspaper or magazine. Take on leadership roles (like editing and managing positions) whenever possible to get the most out of your experience.

If you've done awesome work at a regional or campus publication and want to apply for an editorial internship, don't be afraid to show off: attach clips (writing samples) to your application to highlight your strong writing skills! It's tough to stand out in a sea of nearly identical resumes and cover letters, but a colorful, well-written story with your name on the byline will set you apart. Similarly, attach the link to your fashion blog if you want to intern in the fashion closet, or the link to your photography portfolio if you want to be a photo intern.

For more on how to land the job a million girls would kill for, check out this guide to getting a magazine internship.

A fashion magazine internship can be thrilling, miserable, and chaotic, all in the span of one day. Yes, you'll have to put up with The Devil Wears Prada jokes from your friends. Yes, you'll have to deal with crazy minutiae the average reader of your magazine would never guess. But in the end, is it worth it? According to Dani, it is.

“The internship exceeded my expectations,” she says. “I was expecting to just answer phones or run errands, but I feel like I really got the experience of the corporate fashion magazine world.”

*Name has been changed.

Some of the best things about summer, like endless hours splashing in the ocean and long days floating at the pool, can be tough on our hair. Swimming around and lying on a windy beach with your hair long and loose can result in some nightmarish tangles and issues, so why not keep your hair back and look trendy doing it? Braids are a hot hairstyle this summer, having been rocked by celebrities likeKim Kardashian, Nina Dobrev and Beyoncebecause they’re not only stylish, but practical as well. With these five braid ideas, you’ll have the best beach ‘dos (and your hair will thank you later).

1. Side Braid

Side braids are a simple and pretty way to keep your hair back. They’re so easy, you don’t even need a mirror to do them!

What you’ll need

• Brush
• Root lifter
• Hair tie
• Finishing spray

Directions

1. Dellaria Salon’s owner and master stylist, Franco DiRienzo, suggests starting with a root lifter, like KMS Add Volume Root and Body Lift ($16.99), to create some volume. DiRienzo says to spray this “to the top of your head and back-brush [your hair] to create a little volume, and then lightly smooth it back with fingers; you’re not going for perfect.”
2. After parting your hair on a side, “gather hair to the opposite side of your part, low and off to the side,” DiRienzo says.
3. Split your hair into three chunks and braid it all the way to the end, securing it with a fun-colored hair tie.
4. Tug the braid horizontally starting from the top and going to the bottom to get a wider and messier braid.
5. Finally, DiRienzo says to use It’s a 10 Miracle Finishing Spray ($10) to make your hair shiny and help resist humidity.

2. Fishtail Braid

Where else would a fishtail fit in better than at a beach?

What you’ll need

• Brush
• Root lifter
• Hair tie
• Finishing spray

Directions

1. To achieve this gorgeous look, start the same way you would a simple braid: spray a root lifter on your hair, back-brush your hair, somewhat smooth it and give yourself a side part.
2. Pull your hair low to the side and divide it into two sections.
3. DiRienzo says, “work your way down by taking a thin piece from the outside right section and joining it with the left. Then do the reverse: a thin piece of hair from the outside left and join it to the right.”
4. Once you have about an inch left, stop and secure your hair with a hair tie.
5. “I personally like loose, undone … braids the best,” says celebrity hair stylist John Francis, who has worked with celebrities such as Blake Lively, Hayden Panettiere and Hilary Duff. To give your hair a messier look, pull the braid horizontally all the way down. Then, spray a light coat of Bumble and bumble Shine On Finishing Spray ($28).

3. Halo Twist Braid

A halo twist braid is a great way to get your hair up and look like a goddess at the same time.

What you’ll need

• Brush
• Clear hair elastic

Directions

Chell Love of Ted Gibson Beauty takes us step-by-step on how to achieve this look:

1. Starting in the back of your head, make a middle part.  
2. Create two sections of hair (a right and a left section).
3. Begin to twist the right section along with the left section and cross them over each other.
4. After crossing the sections, pick up another small section, intertwine it with the right section and cross again.
5. Continue to pick and twist using the right section to intertwine the hair, moving the twist braid around your whole head. Use an elastic at the end and tuck it into the twist.

4. Braided Ponytail

Braided ponytails were once sporty and are now chic, thanks to celebrities like Emma Stone and Blake Lively. These braids are so easy, you don’t need a YouTube tutorial to learn how to do one.

What you’ll need

• Brush
• Hair tie

Directions

1. Use a brush to give yourself a smooth, high ponytail.
2. From there, you can decide what kind of braid to do. “A braided ponytail in the traditional three-section braid is always a staple, being a sophisticated and sleek look,” Francis says. Or, you can mix it up by doing a fishtail braid down to the bottom. Fishtails “give a unique two-texture look,” Francis says.
3. Secure the bottom of the braid with a clear hair tie, ribbon or colorful cloth hair tie for a fun summer look.

5. Braided Bun

Buns are so in these days, and they’re even sturdier and more beach-ready when braided.

What you’ll need

• Brush
• Bobby pins
• Hair tie (optional)

Directions

1. Brush your hair back into a smooth ponytail and secure it at the top of the back of your head.
2. Braid the ponytail down until there is an inch left of hair, and secure it with a clear hair tie. “Braid tightly for a smooth sleek look, or braid loosely for a bigger, softer look,” says DiRienzo.
3. Wrap all of the braid around the ponytail’s base and secure it with criss-crossing bobby pins. You can also add a hair tie around the whole bun if you need the added support.

The five types of braids are both stylish and smart. You’re protecting your hair from the summer elements and looking so good while doing it. With these tips, your hair will be the envy of all the other beach bunnies. Happy braiding!

Name: Ashlyee Hickman
Age: 25
Job Title/Description: Founder of MyEveryzine; Administrative Assistant at YouTube
College/Major: Pepperdine University/Broadcast Journalism and Advertising
Twitter Handle: @MyEveryzine 

What was your first entry-level job in your field and how did you get it?

Ashlyee Hickman: My first job in the entertainment industry was an assistant position at Sony Pictures Television. During my senior year, I interned with the international marketing team. At first, I was expecting the whole “get my coffee” routine, so I braced myself. But the people on the team were spectacular. They taught me so much; I got a front row seat to see and work on the amazing things they were doing with Sony’s portfolio of channels and shows.

After I graduated, it was a little bit of a rollercoaster: I got another awesome internship working with the team that works on TheEllen Degeneres Show, and I would interview for full-time jobs almost every week. I kept on hearing the same feedback: “You’re great! So bubbly! But you’re so young.” That got frustrating, so I told myself, “Okay, I’m going to be a barista and CEO.” I got a job at Starbucks and turned my focus on MyEveryzine.

Shortly after, I got a job at Pepperdine and stayed at Starbucks because I enjoyed learning how such a great company operates from the inside. Six months later, my former internship supervisor asked me if I’d be interested in an open position in their department; four months after that, I earned the position supporting the senior vice president. When it comes to the professional world, “No,” really means, “Not yet.” [This scenario] also taught me to make every situation work for myself. When I worked at Starbucks, I’d practice my broadcast news voice when announcing the lattes I made. I loved seeing how Starbucks handled internal communications and it helped give me a reference for my own at MyEveryzine. I am thankful for every step in my career.

What’s a typical day like for you? What does your job entail?

AH: My day job changes every day, but it usually involves managing mountains of information, emails and instant messages and condensing it into bite-sized chunks or action items. Overall, this job is cooler and [more] fulfilling than any other conventional job I’ve had because it has so many more responsibilities associated with it: I’m an accountant, the human version of Google Now, producer, event planner, travel agent, graphic designer and more, all in a day’s work. I also like to take 10 minutes to see what’s hot on YouTube.

After work [at YouTube], I start working on ME: getting a pulse of trends, revamping the site and reading high school required reading for some things we are working on for TutorME. Somewhere in there, I stick in going to the gym, completing business school applications and watching Scandal on Thursdays and Girls on HBO Go.

What is one thing you wish you knew about your industry when you first started out that you know now

AH: I don’t think this is specific to my industry, but one of the most valuable things I learned quickly is this: Navigating work politics is just as key to your success as having an excellent work performance. That’s why I’m so passionate about high school. It’s basically our first foray into making autonomous decisions and social interactions. I believe if you learn how to interact with the bully or wallflower in high school, you’ll refine the skill in college, you’ll be prepared to identify the archetypes in the workplace and you’ll ultimately come out on top.

Is there a quote you live by?

AH: “The world is full of infinite possibilities.” These are the exact words Mr. Tuttle, my history teacher, used to start the first day of class during my freshman year of — you guessed it— high school. These seven words have guided me every day since then.

When I told myself I wanted to start a business, I heard, “The world is full of infinite possibilities.” When I decided I wanted to work at Google even though I didn’t know anyone who did, I heard,  “The world is full of infinite possibilities.” I want to spend the rest of my life helping people hear the same and do amazing things.

What is the best part of your job?

AH: The best part of my job at Google is the empowerment. I am empowered to develop myself and empowered to make our company a better place. Google puts information to the world’s fingertips and it does the same when it comes to information and opportunities for development. I love learning, even if it’s information I will never use— just this morning I found myself asking my dentist how he performed a procedure. It’s even more fulfilling to learn something I can execute in my job the next day.

Culture is extremely important to the company, so I love to find ways to support the value. After putting a sharper focus on my finances and knowing people tend to do the same in the new year, I brought Alexa von Tobel from LearnVest to speak to our offices about [becoming] financially fearless. It meant so much to me that Googlers contacted me to share how much that event helped them. I love having the power to make a difference.

The best part of MyEveryzine is the impact. My favorite part is having the opportunity to visit classrooms and hearing the goals students have for themselves. We use the time to work through them and create a framework to achieve them. I love that MyEveryzine gets to be a resource for teens as they navigate one of the most important times of their lives. The fact that we do work that can help an entire generation succeed is incredibly humbling and gives me the steam to press on.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Do you have a dream job?

AH: I’m finding ways to make any job my dream job, but I am in love with the stories brands tell on YouTube. From Dove’s “Selfie” to Nike’s “Possibilities”, I think it is such a cool way to interact with the brands and products we love, and I’d like to work on making it more of a common place. It’s pretty epic that YouTube is the only place people go to watch commercials on purpose.

I’m also very excited about MyEveryzine working with schools to create programs that make the things learned in books come alive. In addition to having extracurriculars like band and journalism, I was fortunate to have amazing core programs that integrated language arts and history to put students in the center, rather than the stale pages of a used textbook. I believe these experiences shouldn’t be a luxury, and I look forward to making sure they are not.

What advice would you give to a 20-something with similar aspirations?

AH: Take Tim Gunn’s words to heart: “Make it work.” Take the opportunity to make every situation one that is mutually beneficial, and remember it’s always in your best interest to be excellent, even if you think no one is watching.

I’d also say, manage your expectations and keep your financial burdens light. After I graduated from Pepperdine, I had grown accustomed to a certain lifestyle that Starbucks tips wouldn’t support. I have finally come to peace with the fact that these are supposed to be the grind years so we have something to work up to. I spent the first part of my 20s maintaining a lifestyle I expected. One day I had a depressing thought: What if these are the best days of my life because I’ll still be paying for my 20s when I’m 40? That helps me keep things in perspective, although nothing will ever keep me away from Kate Spade (treat yo self)!

The last piece of advice I’d give is [to] use your imagination to dream an amazing future for yourself and pursue it despite any doubt—the last thing you ever want to do is shut a perfectly good door in your own face.

When you went on your first college tour, you were so pumped to be there.

Then you get to college ready to have the best grades, social life, and dating life ever.

But the campus is enormous.

And you think your dorm is going to be like,

But really, it’s the size of a jail cell.

Not to mention, sometimes you walk into your room and your roommate… isn’t alone.

And you’re just like,

Oh, and the dorm showers are freezing.

And you get to the dining hall and the food is like,

But somehow you manage to gain the Freshman 15 anyways.

At the beginning of the semester, you couldn’t be more excited about your classes!

But then you get one of those professors who’s like,

Or one who is terrifying.

So you try to take notes in class like a good student.

But all of a sudden you get a bunch of papers and exams all at once.

So you prep for your exam like a boss.

…Even when your friends distract you in the library.

And you walk in confident that you’re going to pass.

But you get your grade back and you’re like,

So you go to the professor’s office hours and you’re like,

But your professor is just like,

And then there’s the dating scene in college.  In high school, you couldn’t wait to meet college guys!

You expect college dating to be like,

But really it’s full of frat guys.

You try to flirt with a guy and think you look like this,

When really you look like this,

And there’s always that girl who tries to steal your guy and you’re just like,

There’s that guy who only sends you booty call texts…

…and you respond anyways.

And there’s the guy who doesn’t text you at all and you’re like,

So you find another guy.

And this time he’s a keeper (if you’re lucky).

Frat parties were a mystical thing in high school.  You think they’re going to be all like,

And you walk in the house all dressed up ready to get your flirt on.

But frat parties are really like,

And there’s always that one creepy guy hitting on you

And you’re just like,

And after a little too much Jungle Juice, you walk home like,

And then all of a sudden it’s your senior year, and people start asking you what you’re planning on doing with your liberal arts major.

And you’re just like,

And then you start worrying about finding a job after graduation.

To quote Jane…

And then you actually have to graduate, and you have no idea where the time went.

It turns out, between the tiny dorms, the nasty dining hall food, those crazy classes, the parties, and the dating snafus, you made a lot of great memories in college.

Do we really have to graduate?