Quantcast
Channel:
Viewing all 25628 articles
Browse latest View live

These Tiny Deodorants Look Exactly Like Lip Balms & I'm Highkey Obsessed

0
0

Don't you just love when you realize you forgot to put deodorant on, or when it wears off before the end of the day even when you do remember? It's impractical to carry around a big stick of the stuff and so obnoxious to apply in public. So, Secret is doing us a huge solid by creating on-the-go Freshies! These tiny deodorants totally look like lip balms, meaning they're easy to throw in your purse, car, backpack—anywhere!

Janine Miletic, the marketing director at P&G, says the idea came from "consumer feedback about wanting a more transportable stick" and that women told Secret "it was too difficult to shove a normal-sized deodorant underneath their shirts or around their necklines," according to Refinery29. We 100 percent feel that. Plus, these babies offer the same formula as the regular stick version, so they work just as well! 

The adorable little minis come in four fresh scents: Paris Rose, Cool Waterlily, Luxe Lavender and Chill Ocean. Look for them starting this March for just $5!


These 'Stranger Things' Actors Were Twinning at the SAG Awards in the Cutest Way

0
0

We don't know about you, but Steve and Dustin's relationship in season two of Stranger Things 2 gave us all the feels. So, it doesn't help at all that actors Joe Keery and Gaten Matarazzo totally rocked matching hairstyles at the 24th Annual SAG Awards.

Usually, Gaten steps out on the red carpet in his famous curls, but this time he took a page from the Steve Harrington book! Remember when Dustin goes to the snowball dance and Steve helps him with his hair to get that sleek look? Well, this red carpet twinning moment is just squeezing our hearts some more.

This meme explains all our feels. We can't wait for Season 3!

Dylan Farrow Used Twitter to Call Out Justin Timberlake on His Time's Up Hypocrisy

0
0

Celebrities that have worked with director Woody Allen like Timothée Chalamet, Greta Gerwig, Rebecca Hall and more have continued to distance themselves from him; some of them even donating their salaries they earned to the Time's Up movement.

Then there's celebrities like Selena Gomez and Justin Timberlake, who — despite publicly supporting Time's Up and having worked with Allen — haven't said anything about Dylan Farrow's sexual assault allegations against Allen.

Now, she's calling one of them out.

On Tuesday, Timberlake tweeted about how he didn't understand the saying, "You just want your cake and to eat it too."

This was more than likely just a joke, and not at all intended to spark a conversation about Time's Up or Allen. 

Farrow, however, quickly replied. 

"The saying means, for example, you can't support #TIMESUP and praise sexual predators at the same time," Farrow said. "You can't retain your credibility as an activist (i.e. - retain the cake) and, at the same time, praise a sexual predator (i.e. - eating the cake). 

Timberlake hasn't yet replied to Farrow's tweet, which as of 4:30 pm ET, has more than 1,200 retweets and 4,200 favorites. 

Wait, Alexander Skarsgård Could Be Coming Back to 'Big Little Lies'& I'm Confused

0
0

Warning: Spoilers for Big Little Lies season one below.

The end of Big Little Lies season one shook us all. The "death" the show had been leading up to turned out to be none other than Celeste Wright's abusive husband, Perry Wright (Alexander Skarsgård). 

But, was he really dead? It was definitely implied, but now I'm not sure of anything. 

According to TVLine, Skarsgård is "expected to return in some capacity." So, like in flashbacks, right?

Not so fast. Skarsgård recently told PEOPLE, "I don’t even know if I’m really dead or not. I feel okay right now but we’ll see." 

WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?

At this point, I can't tell if this makes me excited or concerned about season two. Although Skarsgård served a major purpose in the first season, I'm not sure how convincing a plotline about him basically returning from the dead will be. 

Then again, Big Little Lies was originally designed as a stand-alone. A second season is uncharted territory, without a book to rely upon. I suppose we'll just have to wait and see how everything works out! And we'll be waiting awhile, too — Big Little Lies isn't set to return until 2019

Attorney General Jeff Sessions Was Questioned By Special Counsel For Several Hours, Supposedly About Involvement With Russia

0
0

Last week, attorney general Jeff Sessions was questioned for several hours as part of a special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and obstruction of justice on the part of President Trump. This is the first time that the special counsel investigators have questioned a member of Trump’s cabinet, and it may imply that the investigation has reached advanced stages.

Of course, Trump has repeatedly denied any ties with Russia, and his lawyers have expressed their confidence that the investigation will end soon and Trump will be in the clear, according to NBC News.

Because of Sessions’ roles on Trump’s cabinet, as well as his role in the Trump campaign, it makes sense that he would be of interest in Mueller’s investigation. In March, Sessions faced great controversy when he reportedly lied under oath, stating that he did not have conversations with a Russian ambassador, despite claims from the Washington Post .

The content of Sessions’ interrogation last week is unknown, but it’s likely that it centered around his talks with Russia.

White House attorney Ty Cobb stated that “out of respect for the special and his process, and because of the privacy obligations we owe to potential or actual witnesses, the White House does not comment on witness appearances before the special counsel."

Jake Paul Finally Addressed His Brother Logan Paul's Controversial 'Suicide Forest' Video

0
0

It's been nearly a month since Logan Paul posted a YouTube video of him in the Japanese forest Aokigahara, more commonly known as the “Suicide Forest," which caused an outrage on social media. 

Logan apologized for the video, which repeatedly showed a person who hanged himself, but his brother and fellow vlogger, Jake Paul, has stayed silent for the most part — until Monday. 

In a YouTube video called "YouTube, Let’s Talk About Brother Logan Paul.." Jake discusses the situation, first explaining why he took so long to speak out. 

"I wanted to let the situation have some time to breathe," Jake said. "It didn't feel right to comment on it right away. But as his brother and as someone who knows Logan the best, I do feel it's necessary to say something about it."

 

Jake then spends most of the video defending his brother.

"I think what Logan did was very, very, very, very wrong, and he made a huge mistake," Jake said. "And not only is he paying for it, but he is learning from it. I think that in no way, shape, or form is suicide a joke or should be made fun of.”

Jake said he only hopes that Logan will be able to "bounce back" from the situation. 

Read more about Logan's original video here.

What To Do When You Disapprove of Your Cigarette-Smoking Friend or SO

0
0

It’s no secret cigarette-smoking is bad for you. However, some people, even ones close to you, might still choose to light up-like your significant other or best friend. If you disapprove, you may be hesitant to voice your concerns. While there’s no guarantee you can change their mind, it’s definitely worth a try. We’re here to help guide you through this difficult conversation.

Before the conversation

Ask yourself these questions: How often are they smoking? Why does the smoking bother you? Are you concerned for selfish reasons?

Write out what you’re feeling and why you disapprove. This will help you sort through your thoughts and you won’t be scrambling when it comes time to actually speak with the person.

Also, think about what you’re hoping to get out of the conversation. Do you want them to quit? Is smoking a deal-breaker for you? Would you be okay if they decided to keep smoking?

Do some research. It never hurts to have your facts straight and to be familiar with the subject of smoking. Here are some resources to check out:

Also, don't approach the person via text. Dr. Barton Goldsmith says “If it’s personal, you will get a better resolution by talking face-to-face.” Figure out a time that works for both of you when you both can give your full and undivided attention.

During the conversation

When it comes times to talk with your SO or friend, no matter what the topic, don’t start the conversation if you haven’t taken care of yourself first. Follow Dr. Goldsmith’s advice of “HALT if you are Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired.” If you’re feeling any of those ways, find another time to talk. If you don’t then you’ll be starting off the conversation on the wrong foot.

Things to remember:

  • Don’t judge
  • Ask questions
  • Listen

Approach the topic from a place of care. Make sure they know that you’re bringing this up because their smoking habits affect not only them but you as well. During the conversation, experts at Smokefree.gov suggest asking open-ended questions such as “what made you want to start smoking?” and “what things make you crave a cigarette?" and remember not to lecture them of their behavior. Don't count how many cigarettes they've smoked nor nag them about how unhealthy and terrible smoking is. Smokefree.gov says that doing so can actually cause the person to not come to you when they need help especially in regards to quitting.  

Here are some potential situations you might come across:

If they say that their smoking shouldn’t be your concern…

Preface by saying your primary concern is them; however, there are other legitimate reasons you’re worried — like secondhand smoke. Also, since they are an important person in your life, their health, as well as your health, are areas of your concern. You want them to be living their best life and to be healthy. The truth is that they just can't be the best version of themselves while smoking. 

Related: The Truth About Social Smoking: How Bad For You Is It?

If they say you don’t understand…

Ask them to explain it to you then. Be active listener while they’re talking and remind them that you do care and want to understand.

Don’t be afraid to ask why they smoke, too. Are they smoking because of other people they’re hanging out with? Did a parent or close relative smoke? Are they trying to deal with something else? Do they just not know how to quit? Getting down to the root cause of why they smoke can help you understand where they’re coming from.

If they say I just won’t smoke around you…

This might be the best compromise at the moment. Don’t say you’re fine with something if you’re not. Dr. Goldsmith says, “The problem is that if your mate finds out the truth, it will damage the core of your relationship: trust. Being honest up front can save you from a lot of pain down the road.”

Just because they aren’t smoking around you doesn’t mean it won’t still affect your relationship or friendship. The saying “out of sight, out of mind” doesn’t apply here. The smell of smoke will still be on their clothes, car and wherever they live. Even if they aren't smoking right in front of you, it doesn't mean that them smoking won't be an issue. 

If they say they want to quit but can’t…

That’s great that they actively want to be done with smoking. If they think that they can’t quit, the American Lung Association suggests telling them that you know they can do it and for you to not offer your own advice on how they should quit. If they’ve tried to quit before, ask what they did. While you can, of course, be there to support them, don’t take on more than you can handle. Help them find the right resources to try to kick the habit.

There are a lot of resources out there to help. Encourage them to sign up for SmokefreeTXT. It’s a texting service to help those who are trying to quit. People can call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for free support as well. The American Lung Association has a program called Freedom from Smoking which is worth looking into.

Quitting is not an easy task and they’ll need your support. Here are some ways that the experts at Smokefree.gov say you can be the person they need:

Plan smoke-free activities

  •             Have you both been dying to try that new restaurant down the street? Make reservations!
  •             Is their favorite artist coming to town? Go to the concert!
  •             Play tourist for the day. Who doesn’t love exploring?
  •             Get some friends together and have a game night.

Help them figure out ways to deal with cravings

  •             Chew some gum
  •             Eat veggie sticks or suck on hard candy
  •             Play a game; Smokefree has an app called Smokefree’s quitSTART app that features games and challenges to help distract the person from their cravings to smoke. 

The road to recovery will not be an easy one, so remember to be patient, celebrate successes and help them de-stress.

If they say thanks for telling me, but I’m going to continue to smoke…

While it may not be the outcome you were hoping for, be proud of yourself for having the courage to bring it up with them. If this is their response, vocalize how you don’t want them to be smoking around you then. Secondhand smoke is a serious health hazard and is known to cause cancer. According to the American Lung Association, secondhand smoke causes more than 41,000 deaths per year.

If smoking is a deal breaker for you, you might have to decide whether or not you want to stay in the relationship or keep this friendship. This is definitely a tricky situation. As much as you may wish that they would just stop smoking because you want them to, at the end of the day the only person who can make the decision to stop smoking is them. Before you make any decisions, take time to really think about what you want. 

When it comes down to it, if smoking is a deal-breaker for you it might be time to say bye to this friendship or relationship. 

After the conversation

Check back in with them. Conversation didn’t go how you hoped? Give it a couple days or even a week before broaching the topic again. If they said they were going to try to quit, hold them accountable and ask what you can do to help them.

While it might be a hard pill to swallow, at the end of the day it’s their decision to smoke. The important thing is that you spoke up. Open communication is key to any healthy relationship whether that be a relationship with your SO or BFF. If them smoking bothers you, bring it up. It’s important to talk about how you’re feeling. While part of you might think you should just brush it under the rug or to forget about it, odds are that doing that will probably bite you in the (cigarette) butt later.

A Shooting at a High School in Kentucky Has Left 2 Dead & at Least 17 Injured

0
0

Two students were killed and at least 17 were injured in a shooting at Marshall County High School in Benton, Kentucky on Tuesday, the New York Times reports.

A 15-year-old suspect, who has not been identified due to his age, was reportedly taken into custody at the scene. He has reportedly been charged with counts of murder and attempted murder, and could be tried as an adult for his horrific crimes.

According to authorities, the suspect reportedly walked into the school with a handgun at the beginning of the school day just before 8 a.m, prompting many students and teachers to run panicking out of the school and into nearby woods.

"You could see students dropping their bags and just start running, pushing past each other," Junior Taylor Droke told CNN. "Everyone in cars started turning around and driving away. Kids were jumping the fence around the school and running through the woods. Everyone just left their bags and ran, so people had no cellphones."

Two 15-year-olds identified later in the day as students Bailey Holt and Preston Cope were tragically killed in the shooting, and of the 17 people hospitalized for their injuries, five remained in critical condition as of Tuesday night.

The shooting at Marshall County High School happened only 24 hours after a 15-year-old girl in Italy, Texas — a small town similar in size to Benton — was shot by a classmate. Both shootings are only two of 11 recorded on school property throughout the U.S. so far in 2018 alone, the Times reports. Researchers say since 2013, school shootings happen on an average of once per week — and many fear the country is becoming numb to them as each one garners less and less national attention.

Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who became a gun control advocate after surviving a shooting in a grocery story in 2011, echoed these sentiments in a statement she released in response to the shooting on Tuesday, CNN says.

"The devastating news about the shooting in Kentucky this morning is the latest example, but just yesterday, while the nation's attention was focused on the government shutdown, school shootings were also reported in Texas and Louisiana," Giffords said. "Our nation has experienced 13 mass shootings already this year, and it's only January. We will never accept these horrific acts of violence as routine."


Tammy Duckworth Is Pregnant & She'll Be the First Senator to Give Birth While in Office

0
0

As the first Thai-American woman to serve in the U.S. Senate and a double amputee who served as a helicopter pilot in the Iraq War, we didn't think Sen. Tammy Duckworth could possibly be any more boundary-breaking — until she announced that she's about to become the first senator to give birth while in office.

On Tuesday, the Democratic senator from Illinois told the Chicago Tribune that she and her husband Bryan are expecting their second child, due in late April — making her the first senator to ever give birth while in office and only one of 10 women to give birth while in congress.

Duckworth already has a 3-year-old daughter named Abigail, and she's made it clear that being a working mother has given her the perspective that most senators (read: typically older white males), don't have.

"Bryan and I are thrilled that our family is getting a little bit bigger, and Abigail is ecstatic to welcome her baby sister home this spring," Duckworth said in a statement. "As tough as juggling the demands of motherhood and being a Senator can be, I'm hardly alone or unique as a working parent, and Abigail has only made me more committed to doing my job and standing up for hardworking families everywhere."

In her interview with the Tribune Duckworth also opened up with her and her husband's struggle to conceive through IVF, as well as the fact that she endured a miscarriage while she was campaigning for her senate seat back in 2016. Since being elected to office, she's sponsored bills for affordable child care and paid parental leave, and even spearheaded a bill to make sure airports offer private areas for mothers to breastfeed and pump.

As one of only 22 women in the senate, Duckworth is the perspective and voice we *need* under the current administration. Huge congratulations to Sen. Duckworth and her family!

I Only Ate Meals From Chrissy Teigen’s Cookbook for 3 Days & Here’s How It Went

0
0

This is the time of year that so many people have resolved to eat healthier. I’m not really into the whole New Year’s resolution business, but I always say to myself that I want to cook more. So for three days, that’s what I did. No fast food or takeout, just breakfast, lunch and dinner using the recipes from Chrissy Teigen’s cookbook Cravings: Recipes for All the Food You Want to Eat. Over the course of 72 hours, I made nine of Chrissy Teigen’s dishes. Some of them turned out great, others a total disaster (honestly, I could barely even eat one of them, so stay tuned). Here’s what went down.

Day 1

Breakfast: John’s Breakfast Sandwiches

This recipe seemed like a dupe for a McDonald’s Egg McMuffin (except it uses homemade sausage instead of Canadian bacon). I love a good breakfast sandwich, but honestly, I didn’t love this dish. The homemade sausage was just okay. I would make this sandwich again, though, but I would leave off the sausage. I would just make it an egg sandwich with cheese and Sriracha. But if you’re interested in an easy recipe for making your own sausage, then I would recommend this. Overall, though, it’s not my favorite thing I made from Chrissy’s cookbook.

Lunch: I Can’t Believe It’s Not Gardetto’s

By lunchtime, I was still pretty full from breakfast, so I made one of the snacks in Cravings. I didn’t know that Gardetto’s was a brand of snack mix (thanks, Mom), but it reminded me of a slightly spicier Chex Mix. It seemed promising. Until I burned the hell out of my homemade snack mix. Like I could barely eat it because it tasted so burnt and bitter. This would be a good time to mention that I’m in journalism school not culinary school. This was my bad, as I’m sure Chrissy knew what she was doing. I mean the snack mix smelled good when I put it in the oven, so I bet it would have been good had I not burned it. But things happen, you know?

via GIPHY

 

Dinner: Pepper’s Scalloped Potatoes

 

This! This. This recipe is actual heaven in your mouth. Thank god, because I’d really been feeling like I struck out on day one. Of all the recipes in Cravings, Chrissy writes that this is the one she would want you to try. And I understand why now. What really makes this dish special is that cream sauce that you smother the potatoes in. I was literally eating the streaks of cream sauce that didn’t make it into the dish with a spoon out of the saucepan. Shoot, I would’ve eaten that cream sauce with just some crackers and a spoon. Totally not healthy, but who cares? Her cookbook is about cravings not weight loss. And I appreciate that about her. Anyway, 10/10, would recommend. Seriously, if you have this book, make this recipe. Life. Changing.

Related: I Tried a 7-Day Cleanse from the Victoria's Secret Angels' Nutritionist

Day 2

Breakfast: Cheesy Cheeseless Scrambled Eggs with Burst Cherry Tomatoes

I make eggs multiple times a week, so I thought this recipe would be super easy. Girl, was I wrong. This dish was deceptively hard to make. The recipe itself is easy, but I cut down the proportions by two-thirds, so it took some trial and error to get that right. Overall, the eggs were a little bland but not bad. They were creamy as promised, and the chives on top of the eggs were an amazing idea on Chrissy's part. It added a subtle onion-y flavor without giving me bad breath. The tomatoes were good, too. I don’t love tomatoes but this was a fun way to cook them, as you basically just blister them in a burning hot pan. They lifted up the dish, adding an acidic note to cut through the creaminess of the eggs. Now that I know what proportions to use, I think this would be an approachable breakfast to cook before class. I would make it again, but this time I would add hot sauce on top.

Lunch: Sesame Chicken Noodles

If you’re tired of ramen, but want an Asian-inspired dish that’s easy to make, then this is the one. It’s spicy; this is not for beginners. But I like spicy food, and this dish, because to me, spicy generally means there's hot sauce involved. So the fact that this dish is spicy but has no hot sauce in it is a good kind of different for me. It’s very flavorful and kind of nutty from the sesame oil and tahini (aka sesame seed paste). Also, I don’t cook a lot of Asian or Asian-inspired food, so this was a lot of fun to make because it was different from what I’m used to. Plus, now that I have all of the oils used in this recipe (spoiler: there are quite a few flavored oils used here), this would be an easy recipe to add into my rotation.

Dinner: Spicy Italian Sausage Meatloaf

Another dinnertime success! It was so good. My dad, who can be a picky eater, particularly liked this recipe. It was an interesting take on the classic All-American dish because the sausage kept the meatloaf from getting dry. That and the sausage and red pepper flakes gave it some kick. The scalloped potatoes from the night before went perfectly with this meatloaf, too.

Day 3

Breakfast: Yellow Cake Baked Oatmeal

Cake for breakfast? Sign me up! This was one of the recipes I was most excited about because it’s literally cake mix and oatmeal coming together with peaches and raspberries on top. What’s not to love about that? I will say this dish was not nearly as sweet as I thought it would be, but it was still delicious. The next time I make this recipe, though, I want to try adding brown sugar to the quick-cooking oats, just to up the sweetness a little bit. This recipe is also super versatile. For example, in the winter months, an apple cinnamon version would be so good. In the summer, this peach and raspberry version would be perfect, though. A blackberry and raspberry version would be great, too. Ugh, so good!

Lunch: Pepper’s Pork-Stuffed Cucumber Soup

Before you say anything, let me just tell you this dish was shockingly good. Not that I don’t trust Chrissy with my tastebuds (I wholeheartedly do), but cucumbers? In soup? Like, a soup where cucumbers are the star? Unheard of. At least, I’d never heard of that before. Cooked cucumbers are surprisingly tasty, though, Especially when they’re stuffed with her soy sauce and minced garlic ground pork, which is bomb AF. That pork takes the dish to the next level. I had leftover pork, so I freestyled a little and cooked off some tiny meatballs while the soup was cooking, then I added it into the soup in the last 15 minutes. The broth reminded me a little bit of the soup you get at sushi places. And I love that soup. Honestly, I would make this recipe again just to slurp up that broth.

Dinner: Capon's Chrissy Burger and Onion Rings

Honestly, I didn’t even want to tell you guys about the onion rings because something very wrong happened. I’m not exactly sure what, but the onion rings turned out translucent. I don’t know what kind of sorcery was up in my parents’ kitchen with that, but my guess is that I miscalculated the ratios. Again. Listen, I’m not a math person. But I am a food person, so I pushed on and made the burgers. The burgers were pretty good. I’d never made a burger before (eaten plenty, though), so it was a little tricky making sure they were totally cooked through. The burgers were super juicy, and the burger sauce recipe that Chrissy advises you to make is a little like the sauce on Big Macs but a slightly spicier. Overall, not the most impressive thing I made from her cookbook, but the burger was definitely good. Those poor onion rings were far from what Chrissy would have expected, though. If Hannah Montana taught me anything, it’s that nobody’s perfect. Same goes for my sad, translucent onion rings.

Walking away from this experience, I have a newfound respect for chefs. Cooking all day is hard! I felt like once I had finished one dish and then eaten some of it, I was on to cooking the next thing. It was not as easy as I had expected it to be, but I did learn a lot about keeping an eye on what you put in the oven and doing the math correctly before you begin mixing things together. I also feel like I learned more about Chrissy Teigen by making these recipes. For instance, I now know that she loves spicy food and garlic, and her mom must be where she got her culinary prowess from because Pepper knows what she’s doing. I might not be a Sports Illustrated model or married to John Legend, but it was fun stepping inside Chrissy’s kitchen for a hot second or two.


Ruth Bader Ginsburg Has Her Own #MeToo Story

0
0

The Notorious RBG (or Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, for the uninitiated), has never been afraid to speak up on behalf of women in the past — and after sharing her own #MeToo story and her ~thoughts~ on why women need the movement right now, it's clear she won't be stopping any time soon.

In an interview with NPR at Sundance Film Festival to discuss RBG, the new documentary about her life, Bader Ginsburg opened up about that fact that even she had dealt with sexual misconduct during her days at Cornell University.

While taking a chemistry class as an undergrad, a professor told her he'd give her a practice exam — only to slip her a copy of the actual test, implying that he expected a sexual favor in return, Bader Ginsburg told NPR.

"I walked into his office and said, ‘How dare you? How dare you?' And that was the end of that," the Supreme Court justice recalls, proving she was standing up for women and taking names even before she was serving on the highest court in the land.

"The attention to sexual harassment was simply, ‘Get past it. Boys will be boys,'" she said of the time she spent in college.

So what does she think about the #MeToo movement? As you might expect (and as the rest of us feel), RBG says it's long overdue.

"I think it’s about time," she said in the interview. "For so long women were silent, thinking there was nothing you could do about it. But now the law is on the side of women or men who encounter harassment, and that’s a good thing."

"Let’s see where it goes. So far, it’s been great," she later added when asked about whether she worries about potential backlash against the movement. "When I see women appearing every place in numbers I’m less worried about backlash than I might have been 20 years ago."

 So there you have it — the Notorious RBG killing it again. And luckily for us, it looks like she won't be leaving the bench any time soon— meaning we'll be able to expect plenty more.

10 Reasons to Attend a College Far From Home

0
0

Choosing the right college is not an easy task. How could it be with all of the different school types out there? Think about all of the factors to consider--state or private, city or urban, big or small, close or far--and those are just a few! While the final decision is easy for some to make, it’s not that way for the majority of incoming freshman. If you’re still deciding between schools close and far from home, here are some reasons that current college students chose to take the leap and go to a school far from home.

1. You want to explore a new city

If you grew up in the same city, it may be time to broaden your horizons and explore a new town. For Fordham University senior Sarah Curcio, that was one of the biggest reasons she decided to go to a school out of state.

“I was torn between wanting a traditional college experience and wanting to be in a new city and immersed in different cultures,” she says.

While Sarah still misses her friends and family sometimes, she doesn’t regret her decision at all: “It’s helped me grow not only socially, but also professionally. Being in New York gave me so many opportunities to begin a career there.”

You might miss your friends and family, but the learning opportunities and connections you make might point you in the right direction for your future.

2. You want to make new friends

No matter where you go to school, you will make new friends. However, sometimes going to a school far from home means that you’ll know less people coming into school. While that may seem daunting at first, many student have found that it’s actually a great way to meet people you may not have met otherwise. Cara Beal, a senior at West Chester University, began her college experience at University of Rhode Island, a school much farther from home then where she goes now.

“As a freshman, being so far from home was overwhelming at first, but I really grew as a person and got to experience so much, including new friendships. I’m still in contact with my friends from Salve Regina University and plan to go back there after graduation,” says Cara.

At the end of the day, it may take some time to warm up to a new city, especially if it’s your first time moving far from home. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try though. After a few months, you’ll get the hang of it and start to meet new people.

3. You want more independence

Moving away from your parents is a big step. For many incoming freshman, their parents regulated their lives to some degree prior to living on campus. So when it’s finally time to try to hack it on their own, most college students jump at the chance. For Emily Schmidt, a sophomore at Stanford University, more independence was exactly what interested her in schools farther from home.

“I’ve lived in the same tiny town my entire life and have always been a homebody. However, for some reason when I wanted to apply to college, I applied to all out-of-state schools,” she says.

Somehow while going through the application process, Emily found out that she wanted to do more on her own. “Now having spent more than a year and a half across the country, I’ve developed more independence and confidence in doing things on my own,” she adds.

Going to a school far from home might be the push you need to try new things too!

4. You want a career in a specific city after graduation

Alumni networks are so important when it comes to networking for possible job opportunities after graduation. It’s no secret that it’s easier to get your “foot in the door” when you have a previous colleague or alumni network inside. Most schools have a career center, and some even have separate career centers for individual majors.

When you start your college search, it may be a good idea to browse the career centers and see which universities have alumni or resources that can help you making connections in cities where you’re interested in finding work.

Related: Ask a Collegiette: Adjusting to an Out-of-State College

5. You’d like to challenge yourself

Going to college is a great way to reinvent yourself, whether that be socially or academically or even personally. Mary Hilliard, a sophomore at the University of Notre Dame, knew she wanted to challenge herself to grow as a person.

“I knew I needed to get out of my comfort zone and branch out, and while it was intimidating at first to be the only person from my high school attending my college, it definitely forced me to be more outgoing and make an effort to form friendships,” she says.

If making friends is hard for you, moving out of your comfort zone might be that way to practice. For Mary, pushing herself to be more outgoing really changed her college experience, and it might change yours too.

6. You want to become more adventurous

If you’re someone who hasn’t traveled a lot, choosing a school far from home is a great way to start. Not only does it introduce you to a new state or country, but it also opens the door to so many road trips or possible traveling experiences you may not get going to a school close to home. Abby Piper, a senior at the University of Notre Dame, considers going to a school far from home a good chance to widen your circle and experiences.

“Leaving my hometown, I also feel like I'm more likely to move away after college,” she says. “It's easy to be comfortable and stay somewhere you're familiar with, but now I don't really feel like I have to go back to my hometown because I've already lived somewhere else.”

The more you travel, the more open you are to new experiences.

7. You are interested in a specific academic program

Some high school seniors already have their future careers figured out and a one-step plan to help them get there typed and ready to implement. If that sounds like you, choosing a school that’s far away might be a very real possibility if that school has the major or graduate school opportunities you’re interested in.

For Courtney Leverett, a graduate student at the University of South Carolina Pharmacy School, that’s exactly why she chose a school over twelve hours away from home.

“I was deciding between a few school closer to home and this program, and I ended up choosing a school farther away because I wanted to build a network not only in New York where I’m from, but other states as well,” she says.

If you’re set on one career path, taking the leap to attend a school far away for your program will be worth the gamble.

8. You want to move for the weather

If you come from a cold area, like New York or Massachusetts, choosing a school far away for warmer temperatures is common. For some, they make the move so they’re able to go to the beach year round, and for others, they decide to move to warmer weather cities because they can’t stand the snow. Whatever your reason may be, it’s always a good idea to get a feel for different weathers; you never know where your future career will take you!

9. You are interested in a particular athletic program

If you’re going to school for a sport, you may already know where you’re going before senior year. If this isn’t the case, finding the right athletic atmosphere might be a good reason to choose a school, which is exactly how Lauren Matchett, a senior at Notre Dame, made her decision.

“When I was looking for a school that I was going to row at, I knew I wanted a strong community both in and outside of my team, and I found that at ND,” she says.

For a lot of students, student life and the friendships they make along the way really impact their college experience. Finding a good athletic program that provides you with not only teammates, but friends can make all the difference.

10. You want a full student life

Aside from academic programs and career services, the quality of student life at college is a big factor for most students when deciding where to go. For some students, having the opportunity to join Greek life or being able to try out for a club team may be important. For others, being able to join a major or interest-related club is also a big factor. Regardless of the activity, it’s important to make sure the school you decide has some that interest you.

Choosing a college isn’t easy, and while it seems like this choice affects the rest of your life, it’s crucial to remember that this choice isn’t the determining factor on who you will be after graduation. Take from these current students; there are many ways your college experience ends up being different than what you expect.

15 Reasons to Celebrate Being Single, As Told By Phoebe Buffay

0
0

Valentine's Day, also known as Singles Awareness Day, is here. Some girls are preparing to celebrate the day with their significant others, while the rest of us are beyond ready for Chocolate-On-Sale Day (aka February 15), so we can treat ourselves. It's important to remember that being single doesn't automatically mean we're lonely. Take it from the independent, free-spirited Phoebe Buffay. You don't have to be in a relationship to enjoy life. You make your own happiness.

1. You can let your phone die without the worry of your SO trying to get ahold of you

Your friends probably know you're just binge-watching Friends and not lying dead in a ditch somewhere.

2. You can flirt with whomever you want

You can date around or not date at all. The choice is all yours.

3. Sweats all day, every day

The only person you have to impress is yourself. 

4. You don't have to feel guilty for not spending enough time with your friends

The perks of a nonexistent partner. 

5. More time for yourself

Whether you enjoy Netflix and curling up in bed with cozy PJs or sitting in your tub with a good book, you have more time to unwind and do something that makes you happy for you and you only. 

6. There's more time for self-discovery

Join a book group, go ziplining, do any new activity you've been wanting to try but haven't had the time or energy to do. Use this free time to your advantage and you may just learn something about yourself along the way. 

7. Trashy television shows

The Bachelor, Keeping Up With the Kardashians, you name it. Any show that would send a guy running, you can binge to your heart's content when you're without an SO. 

8. You save money

There's no need to worry about anniversaries and planning something special for your partner, a gift or a surprise date. 

9. You control the TV remote

Chick flicks, reality shows, whatever you're into, you're in charge. There is truly no greater luxury than this.

10. You get to treat yourself any time you want

Depending on yourself means there's no possibility for someone else to disappointment you. That new purse you've been eyeing for a month? Girl, buy it for yourself. You deserve it. 

11. The freedom to participate in no shave November any month out of the year

Although you can totally do this even when you're in a relationship (your body, your choice), there's more incentive to let your hair grow. No one's going to see it anyway.

12. Cuddles from your pets are really all you need 

Unlike SOs, love from a pet is unconditional.

13. You can crush on whomever you choose

You're not tied down, and there's something fun about discussing your latest crushes with your friends.

14. You have only yourself to answer to

Independence and freedom are your middle name.

15. More time to do those DIY projects you've been wanting to get to

Personal satisfaction is the best kind of satisfaction, so let those creative juices flow. 

HC Wake-Up Call: A Man Was Arrested for Making 'Fake News' Threats to CNN, People Are NOT Happy With Bank of America's Changes to Their Accounts & You Can Now Add GIFs to Your Insta Stories

0
0

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

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

Man Arrested for Making 'Fake News' Threats to CNN

A man was arrested on Tuesday after reportedly making threatening calls to CNN staff, telling them he was going to kill them and calling the network "fake news," the Huffington Post reports. "I am on my way right now to gun the f*ckin' CNN cast down," Brandon Greisemer of Michigan said in one of 22 calls to the network's Atlanta offices. Greisemer also made offensive comments about black and Jewish people during the call, and repeatedly called CNN "fake news"— likely as a reference to comments frequently made by President Trump. (Lovely.) If we needed another reason to justify why the way the president speaks about the press is incredibly harmful, this would be it.

Bank of America Is Getting Rid of Free Checking Accounts and People Aren't Happy

If your bank account is with Bank of America (like many of us) and you're a self-proclaimed broke college student (pretty much all of us) you're going to want to tune in: Bank of America has announced their ditching their only free checking account — and they'll be charging those of us who aren't making enough money to meet the minimum. As the Wall Street Journal reports, customers with a Bank of America checking account will now be charged $12 a month if they fail to keep a minimum monthly balance of $1,500 or receive at least $250 a month via direct deposit.

For obvious reasons, people are less than thrilled about the decision, which could prove to be a huge issue for low-income families and individuals. Luckily for college students, there is a way to defer this as long as you're enrolled in university and under the age of 24 — but now may be a good time to think about switching banks before graduation.

You Can Now Add GIF 'Stickers' to Your Instagram Stories

Sometimes there's no better way to express our true feelings than via the perfect GIF — which Instagram clearly gets. The app rolled out what it calls "GIF stickers" for Instagram stories on Tuesday, which are exactly as amazing as they sound — teeny animated GIFs you can add to your Instagram stories to your heart's content. (There's even one that reads"*applies to be adopted by Jay-Z and Beyonce*" so yeah, I know what my next Insta story is going to look like.)

What to look out for...

Today is Compliment Day — and TBH, we could all use some flattery as we head into the start of second semester (ugh). Don't forget to tell your bestie that she especially nailed her winged eyeliner today or let your S.O. know how much they mean to you.

Former 'Today Show' Anchor Ann Curry Disses Megyn Kelly for Her 'Meanness' in Feud with Jane Fonda

0
0

The infamous Megyn Kelly v. Jane Fonda feud continues — this time, with Ann Curry questioning Kelly's journalistic tactics.

Earlier this week, Kelly said she didn't regret asking Fonda about plastic surgery during what was supposed to be an interview about her upcoming movie. Kelly also claimed that Fonda had no right to say what is or is not an offensive question after Fonda's role in the Vietnam War as an outspoken opponent. She went as far to say that Fonda would "shame American troops" for fighting in the war. 

Curry then weighed in on the situation during an appearance on The View

"Journalists are not supposed to be the story," Curry said. "We're supposed to be humble. We're supposed to use whatever time we're given to shine a light on other stories," she continued. "There are so many stories that we're not covering, and to take time with this ... is not journalism. There is a... certain amount of meanness which we should not tolerate."

The drama began back in September, when Fonda and co-star Robert Redford were interviewed by Kelly during the first week of her show, Megyn Kelly TODAY, to promote their new film, Our Souls at Night. Kelly chose to ask Fonda about her plastic surgery, which Fonda has been open about in the past. 

“You admit you’ve had work done, which I think is to your credit, but you look amazing. Why did you say — I read that you said you felt you’re not proud to admit that you’ve had work done. Why not?” Kelly asked Fonda.

Fonda, looking caught off guard and stunned by the question, fired back by saying, "We really want to talk about that now?"

Kelly awkwardly asserted her reasoning for posing the question, claiming that women of a certain age admire Fonda's agelessness. 

Fonda then said, “Well, thanks. Good attitude, good posture, take care of myself. But let me tell you why I love this movie we did, ‘Our Souls at Night,’ rather than plastic surgery."

A clip from the interview went viral following the show, and many took Fonda's side.

In January, Fonda and her Grace and Frankie co-star, Lily Tomlin appeared on Today — this time with Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie. The feud was seemingly reignited as Tomlin joked about Fonda's facelifts while promoting the new season of their show, leading Fonda to reply, "Who are you, Megyn Kelly?"

What will happen next? I truly have no idea. 


OMG, Stop Everything Because Selena Gomez & Zayn Might be Doing an 'Aladdin' Duet

0
0

Zayn Malik and Selena Gomez might be following in the footsteps of the epic John Legend/Ariana Grande duet from 2017's Beauty and the Beast as they're rumored to be collaborating for the live-action Aladdin movie. 

According to Seventeen, the rumored duet started circulating on Youtube, and it picked up speed on Twitter. Nothing is confirmed, though! 

Fans are hoping that pair sings "A Whole New World," a duet that now divorced couple Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson sang when the original animated film had a new DVD release back in 2004.  

Twitter users, to no surprise, had the most epic reactions to the news. 

I'm with them — this NEEDS to happen. Here's to hoping! 

Jimmy Kimmel Imagines Melania Trump on 'The Bachelor'& It's Hilarious

0
0

On Tuesday’s episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! First Lady Melania Trump is featured in a hilarious spoof where she joins ABC’s The Bachelor in the race for the rose (and Arie Luyendyk Jr.’s heart).

In the edit, previous interviews of the first lady talking about her husband were strategically sliced to appear as if she were talking about Luyendyk.

“He’s a gentleman. We have a great relationship and I think that’s very important,” she said. “I don’t want to change him and he doesn’t want to change me.”

In the end, the relationship doesn’t work out and she doesn't receive Luyendyk's final rose. “Don’t feel sorry for me, I can handle everything,” she said. LOL.

The montage was inspired by recent news of the First Lady her canceling plans to join husband President Donald Trump on his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland — an annual meeting of influential financial leaders and business titans. Some suspect it may have been due to recent allegations that the President had an affair with porn star Stormy Daniels in 2006 only months after the birth of their son, Barron. However, East Wing communications Director Stephanie Grisham confirmed with CNN that the first lady canceled the trip due to “too many scheduling and logistical issues.”

Surprisingly, neither the President nor the First Lady made any public mention of their 13th wedding anniversary on Monday. It's safe to say it may have all been a coincidence, but Kimmel certainly doesn't think so.

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

Larry Nassar Has Been Sentenced To 40-175 Years In Prison, After Testimony From More Than 160 Of His Victims

0
0

Doctor Lawrence G. Nassar, the former U.S. Olympics Gymnastics doctor who was accused of sexually abusing more than 190 athletes (including several high profile Olympic athletes) throughout his career, was sentenced to up to 175 years in prison on Wednesday following a week of testimony from his victims, multiple outlets are reporting.

"It is my honor and privilege to sentence you. You do not deserve to walk about outside a prison ever again," Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, who presided over the case, said. "You have done nothing to control those urges and anywhere you walk, destruction will occur to the most vulnerable." Aquilina also said that Nassar's "decision to assault was precise, calculated, manipulative, devious, despicable."

Nassar, 54, had previously received a 60-year federal prison sentence in December for child pornography charges, as ESPN noted

Before his sentencing, the Former Michigan State University doctor addressed his victims, according to The Daily News: "Your words these past several days have had a significant emotional effect on myself. I will carry your words with me for the rest of my days," Nassar said. 

Judge Aquilina allowed more than 160 of Nassar's victims to address him and the court with their victim impact statements, sharing both accounts of their assaults and their aftermath. Prosecutor Angela Povilaitis said that Nassar's record of abusing his patients could count him as possibly the "most prolific serial sex abuser in history."

As The New York Timesnoted, this case is far from over just because of the sentencing. So far, USA Gymnastics has seen resignations from their chairman and several board members following the outrage in the sports community. USA Gymnastics also canceled an upcoming training event and has discontinued their relationship with the Karolyi ranch, a site in Texas where several incidents of assault were said to have happened.  Additionally, there have been calls for further investigation into the conduct of Michigan State University during Nassar's tenure and a number of civil lawsuits filed. 

In a statement from Kerry Perry, the new president and CEO for USA Gymnastics, Perry addressed the sentencing. 

“During the last seven days, more than 150 courageous women have shared their deeply personal experiences and how Larry Nassar’s despicable crimes impacted their lives. I am profoundly saddened that a single woman, a single girl, a single athlete was hurt. USA Gymnastics applauds Judge Rosemarie Aquilina for handing Nassar the maximum sentence of up to 175 years, in an effort to bring justice to those he abused and punish him for his horrific behavior," Perry said. “The powerful voices and strength of these survivors have left a lasting impression on all of us. Every day, their stories will impact my decisions as president and CEO."

Perry said that she will continue to prioritize "the safety, health and well-being" of USA Gymnastics athletes moving forward.

"We will create a culture that empowers and supports them," Perry said. "Our commitment is uncompromising, and it is my hope that everything we do going forward makes this very clear.”

Her Campus will continue to update this story as more develops.

Want more news? Follow @HerCampus on Facebook and Twitter for live chats! 

6 Pros & Cons of Being Someone’s First Love

0
0

How perfect does it feel to be someone’s one and only? We’d bet our entire savings that life feels like a Disney movie right down to little magic birds singing at you. It’s called first love, baby, and it’s got you under its spell.

Maybe you are both virgins to dating, discovering what falling for someone is like for the first time. Maybe you’ve already been through a serious relationship before and are currently your partner’s first real girlfriend. You’re the old, wise, ~experienced~ one, while your partner is new to, well, everything. When one person is experienced and the other is not though, first love can with come with challenges. Here are the best and worst parts of this situation.

Pro: You’re under pressure—in a good way.

We bet that to this day you can remember your first childhood crush. Whether his name was Jacob and you put love notes in his pencil box or their name was Sam and you held hands during recess, the same goes for your first serious relationship. For the rest of your partner’s life, you are going to hold a weight in their heart that lasts. That’s a lot of pressure, right? Hell yeah it is, but let’s make it a good thing instead of something that sends you running to the hills screaming.

Laura Parker, a senior at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, shares how the memory of her first serious partner lingers with her—in a good way. “My last boyfriend was my first love—and first everything else, too,” she says. “Although he wasn't the first person I've dated, he was considered as my first actual serious one. We aren’t together anymore obviously, but when I’m 80 and haggard looking I’ll still be able to tell my grandchildren every detail about the first person I loved because it just matters.”

First love is a sticky sweet knot in your stomach. It’s common to interchange “first love” with the feeling of “true love” (because it probably feels the same at the moment, tbh). It’s powerful because you are experiencing it for the first time. Maybe you took your partner’s virginity or are the first one they’ve brought home to meet their family. Even if your partner isn’t your first, cherish moments like these. They’re more meaningful than you know.

Con: Your partner may handle the relationship differently than you.  

Getting into the groove and routine of how to handle a relationship like a semi-functioning adult takes time, but it can be a rough process if your partner is completely new to the party. When you’re a seasoned dater, you’ve mastered the art of having chill. You’re pretty conditioned to how relationships work, and know you don’t need to be together every second of the day or freak out if your partner doesn’t text you back. Maybe your partner can’t quite grasp this yet, so it’s important to share with them what you’ve already learned.

Angie House is a counselor at Illinois State University and specializes in dating and relationships. She’s pretty much the life coach you’ve always wanted to have, but haven’t been #blessed enough to meet. Luckily for you, she shared some of her romantic wisdom with us. “Speaking from personal experience, my first love was immature and shallow compared to the love I have for my husband,” she says. “With your first love, there is an overwhelming set of emotions that you don't know how to deal with yet. The next time, and the time after that, and the time after that, you get ‘better’ at loving and being loved, and can develop those feelings more deeply and with better understanding.”

With first love, there’s a sense of immaturity, but that doesn’t mean the love won’t grow or be lasting. You need to grow and change together, especially in college. Every tough emotion and worry you and your partner have is valid (we all ride the romantic struggle bus), but as your life progresses, your sense of urgency is reshaped. AKA you get woke and develop chill. It’s literal relationship goals.

Related: 5 Signs Your Significant Other Really Loves You

Pro: You’ll be their first for so many special experiences.

Every little thing you do, down to eating a burrito, is magical and gets put on a pedestal. You brought them donuts in bed for breakfast? Wow, you are goddess. You are the first person they’ve ever brought home to meet their mom? That’s because there’s no one like you. We aren’t trying to be snarky, because it’s true. You are special to them, and being with someone who loves you harder than you’ve ever been loved is the most reaffirming, secure and blissful thing you can experience.

House again shares her personal experience with the pros and cons of first love. “I'd say that there really isn't another time you will have an experience like your ‘first love,’” she says. “However, you will grow to realize that the first isn't always the best. I dated a really sweet guy through high school. He was a great person and I loved him very much. We shared many ‘firsts’ with each other and much of that was the reason it took me a long time to get over him. Even now I look back on my time with him and I'm happy that we enjoyed each other.”

Whatever it is, they will forever hold dear that special moment between you and use it as a reference point of joy for the rest of their lives. Take all the personal growth you’ve experienced and evolve into your girlfriend megaform for the best relationship yet. After all, if you’re going to be remembered forever, shouldn’t you at least be thought of as Beyoncé incarnate?

Con: You can hurt them in a lasting way.

Do you remember how painful it was when your first boyfriend or girlfriend hurt you? They said something they shouldn’t have, left you feeling insecure and you cried for days saying you would never forgive them. Let’s face it––your first relationship left you a scorned, bitter woman with trust issues up the wazoo. (Or you’re lucky and haven’t experienced this yet, or your partner was literal a saint.) Even worse, can you remember the first time you were broken up with? Now imagine inflicting all the pain and suffering on someone else.

Myelle Lansat is a sex and relationships writer at Elite Daily and Jerk Magazine at Syracuse University. She understands just how sad your first serious partner can make you. “The one thing you can avoid by staying with your first love is the period of horror that almost everyone in the world who has lost their first love goes through,” she says. “They have cut off a limb and let it scar over. Now we all roll our eyes at the pain of someone experiencing that loss of a part of themselves for the first time.”

The second or third time around, your relationship not working out hurts a little less. Abandoning your dreams for a life with that person is painful AF. But as you do it more you get used to it. It’s not cynical, it’s just the truth. You become desensitized to loss, and it won’t feel like a mortal wound to have love end.

Related: 4 Ways Sex Changes the Longer You’re With Someone 

Pro: You have a partner who deeply loves you.

Umm, hello! You’re in a relationship! Do you know how many single ladies in the world are jealous of you right now? Seriously, you have someone to bring to your awkward family gatherings, eat food with and cuddle while you binge-watch Gossip Girl for the third time. Plus, your partner is low-key wrapped around your finger, and we’re sure you’ve never been loved like this before. Is this enough of a pro? Because we totally think so!

Real talk though, falling in love with someone who has only. loved. you. is the best thing ever.

Con: You probably won’t end up with them.

If you’re an experienced dater, you know the importance of breakups and growing from them. Dealing with heartbreak and binge-eating ice cream has helped shaped your love life and will eventually lead you to the end of your rainbow. You also know that you can love someone more than your first. You know the importance of being weathered, because it also makes you polished.

Laura Parker, senior from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, elaborates more on why first loves are likely to not work out. “The pros of dating someone who hasn't been with anyone else is that they have no other experience to compare,” she says. “But the biggest con (part of why he broke up with me) is that because they haven't had any other experience, they also may wonder what else may be out there or if there is someone better (especially when relationships get rocky).”

If you’ve had other relationships while you are your partner’s first, you have to come to terms with the fact that even though you’re ready to stay with this person, they might not be ready to stay with you. They haven’t had the chance yet to go through loss or emotionally and romantically challenge themselves like you have. Truly, everything is situational and you are by no means doomed. However, don’t shelter yourself from coming to terms with a disappointing possibility like this one.

The spell of first love is beautifully confusing, and no matter what happens, you’ll get your fairytale. True love means evolving into better people and lovers every day, and if your first love lets you do that, then it’s safe to say you’ve found your soulmate.

3 Theories of What Happens Next Time on 'This Is Us'

0
0

Speaking for all viewers of This Is Us, we are so close to what we’ve simultaneously been dreading and anticipating all season long. The saga of Jack’s death has begun and I don’t think my wee heart will survive. After last week’s episode dropped a major omen of Jack’s impending death, this week’s “That’ll Be The Day” crept toward the specifics of what exactly caused his passing. If we were on a rollercoaster right now, the end of this episode would equate to slowly ascending to the peak of the first big drop. Are you ready for this?

Yeah, me neither.

Although we learned that a faulty Crock-Pot started the fire in the Pearson home, we only caught glimpses of the family’s reactions in the next episode’s teaser. We now know that Kate watches Steelers games with her dad’s ashes out of guilt for missing that last game with Jack and that Kevin never saw Jack’s loving note to him, but we’re still left with some pressing questions. What exactly happens next? I definitely assumed that Jack would actually pass away in this week’s episode, but based on that teaser, this moment in time clearly isn’t as simple as it seems.

Until then, here are three of the biggest internet theories about what the post-Super Bowl episode may reveal about how Jack died.

1. Jack assumes Kevin is home and goes to his basement room to help him escape the fire

After he stored away Super Bowl snacks and turned off kitchen appliances (who else is afraid of their Crock-Pot now?), Jack left a note for Kevin saying that he loved him but that he still expected an apology for his behavior from him. Kevin spent the night at Sophie’s house and called Rebecca to let her know, but given the quick romantic turn of Mama and Papa Pearson’s night, telling Jack where Kevin was might have slipped Rebecca’s mind.

When Jack heard Randall coming home from his date, he thought it was Kevin, heavily hinting that he never knew his injured son was gone for the night. Plus, in the heat of the moment (no pun intended), Jack could have easily morphed into protective mode and instinctively went downstairs to find Kevin.

2. The family escapes safely, but Jack goes back inside when they realize the dog is still trapped

The entire season has danced around the exact role of the Pearsons’ dog in Jack’s death, but present-day Kate’s initial refusal to finalize her dog adoption basically confirmed that her first pet contributed to Jack’s passing somehow. The last we saw of the dog was him in his basket on the first floor, the same time that Jack was cleaning up the kitchen. Assuming that the dog was in that spot when the flames broke out, I would think that he either dove into a hiding spot or found his own way outside before the family even noticed the fire. Logically, the dog probably would have barked when the fire started, but given that we saw flames inch their way up the stairs and the dog was nowhere to be found, he might have escaped on his own. 

Perhaps teenage Kate panicked when she couldn’t find him and Jack tried to track him down, staying in the burning house too long. This would also explain why adult Kate said she feels responsible for Jack’s death. Jack dying because he tried to save the dog seems to be the internet’s most popular theory, which may mean that it’s incorrect and a way too obvious solution.

3. Jack sustains critical injuries in the fire that he later dies from

Since the teaser shows Jack actively working to help his family escape, this theory actually seems the most plausible to me. This Is Us loves a good fake-out, as we saw again this week with the reveal of who the old man George was. While Jack may not have died in the actual fire, it’s possible that he died soon after in an ambulance or the hospital.

In the Season 2 premiere, when we first learned about the fire, we saw Rebecca drive up to the house in the Steelers jersey she wore throughout this episode. Next episode’s teaser shows her still wearing it and gathering essential items before trying to escape the fire. Remember, she had a bag of Jack’s unharmed belongings in the car with her, suggesting that Jack emerged from the fire with only internal damage.

My guess is that he died very soon after leaving the house, as the premiere showed Kevin out with Sophie at the same moment that Randall and Kate were mourning Jack. If Jack was in stable condition at the hospital, Rebecca or one of the kids would’ve had the time to call Sophie’s house and tell Kevin. Maybe this was the case, since Kevin and Sophie were at that party in the woods and it’s possible that Kevin lied about Sophie’s mom being home to answer any phone calls.

However, even if her mom was home, this was 1998, and Mom couldn’t just send you a text asking where you were. Either way, things must have happened quick enough for Kevin to not know about Jack until it was too late.

Looking at the theories together, it’s totally possible that elements of all three are true. No matter what will go down, I think it’s safe to say that Milo Ventimiglia deserves all the awards for his heartbreaking performance, and Jack isn’t even dead yet! We’ll see what truly happens next in the new episode on Sunday, Feb. 4.

Viewing all 25628 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images