At the NBA All-Star game on February 18, Fergie performed the National Anthem in a way that I'll just call "unique." Her attempt to change up the tune came across as awkward and even sort of sexual. 

GIFS and memes of basketball player and celebrity reactions went immediately viral. 

Fergie responded to the criticism on Tuesday in a statement to E! News.

"I've always been honored and proud to perform the national anthem, and last night I wanted to try something special for the NBA," Fergie said. "I'm a risk taker artistically, but clearly this rendition didn't strike the intended tone. I love this country and honestly tried my best."

Her heartfelt apology makes it seem kind of mean how much she has been mocked from the performance. It seems like she really tried and just wasn't successful in impressing her audience. Fergie might not have brought it home with her performance this time, but she is still an astounding artist who is sure to come back from this!

Eventually, all collegiettes will have to make the big decision—do you move somewhere new after college or do you stay in a place you’re familiar with? One of the major catalysts for a big post-grad move is a job offer. If you’re stepping into your first full-time career, you may be wondering if your career goals align with your where-to-live goals. Well, we’re here to help. We’ve compiled five ways to help you determine what to do: go to a new location because of a career or change careers because of a location.

1. Throw ‘dream job’ ideals out the window

The semantics of moving can take its toll.  In the midst of the stress of the extra moving costs and thoughts of possible job advancement, it may be beneficial to take a step back and realize that the move, or the job, may not be permanent.

“Too many people focus on the dream job aspect,” says Jill Jacinto, a millennial career expert. “The best thing you can do is to take a chance and know that this job will not be the job you have for the rest of your life. Do not get hung up on climbing the ladder yet. This is the time to explore and immerse yourself in the career world to better understand what you like and ultimately want to gravitate to in the future.”

Most collegiettes, even ones that think they have everything figured out, should give themselves some breathing room when it comes to future plans. If you get caught up in adhering to a specific plan, you may block yourself off from new experiences.

2. If cost is an obstacle, evaluate other changes you can make

If you’re fresh out of school, chances are you have some financial worries. Some of us have loans and some of us have the pressure of how they’re going to afford rent without a school-secured job.

However, if it’s solely money that’s holding you back from making a location change, Jacinto recommends finding a balance between all of your anticipated future costs,  “If cost is a concern what about the price of flights/gas to come home and visit friends and family over the holidays?” She says, “These costs will add up much higher than a one-time move fee. Are you prepared to only visit a few times a year or forgo coming back for Thanksgiving?”

Ultimately, if you think that moving to a new location will make your career goals come true, then it would be beneficial to work out your finances in a way that will let you have the best of both worlds — financial stability and the career location you’ve always dreamed of. If that means going home to visit less, then have a conversation with your family about why you’re deciding to choose the big move.

3. Figure out if moving will improve your career options

Whether if it is for a specific job or not, moving to some locations may improve your ability to get a job in the field you want to work in. The number of available opportunities in a small town is incomparable to those available in a city.

Danie Roberts, a senior at Lasell College, has experienced this first hand. “I come from a small town in New Hampshire, and I’ve found that Boston provides me with more opportunities,” she says. “Whether you’re pursuing a career in writing, marketing, health care, or law … it may be worth it to move somewhere with more opportunities.”

Small towns often don’t work out if you want to work in an industry that’s city-based, like major parts of book publishing or certain production jobs. One of the easiest ways to break into your dream field is to meet it where it’s located. Remote jobs like being a personal assistant, writer or editor are becoming more common, but may limit your ability to fully be engulfed in the field.

Related: How to Successfully Prepare to Move Out Of State for Your Career

4. Investigate possible job locations

Job aside, you need to figure out if your prospective future home is one that you’ll actually enjoy. Working a job you love in a town you hate isn’t worth it. You need to figure out if you mesh well with the surrounding location. Do you love to cook and need a place with a thriving farmers market? Are you someone who craves a place with a good nightlife? Do you want to have friends or family near you? These are all important questions to consider.

“Visit the area you are about to live in. Reach out to your network to see if they have any contacts in the area they can connect you with and set up meetings with them,” says Jacinto. “Chances are these people will not only help you make the right decision but they might also become a part of your friend group.”

By talking to people who’ve moved for similar reasons, you’re opening yourself up to different perspectives and valuable feedback. By visiting the location you’re thinking about moving to, you’re allowing yourself to get familiar with the surrounding environments. Even if you’re moving to a popular location like San Francisco or New York, there are still nuances that don’t get talked about via word-of-mouth.

“Plan a trip and experience what it is truly like to live there,” says Jacinto. “I had a client who dreamed of living the LA life until she moved there and realized that her dream life consisted of her spending three hours a day in her car due to traffic. Had she visited she would have known that this was not the best choice for her.”

Visiting a location may cost extra money, but the cost of going somewhere to figure out if you want to live there bears no resemblance to moving somewhere and then having to turn back around because you’re unhappy. Do recon work, you won’t regret it.

5. Give yourself options

If you’re still applying for jobs, don’t limit yourself to just one location. Just applying to one kind of job or only jobs in one location both decreases your chances of getting hired and restricts your opportunities from the get-go.

“I think applicants should do their research first and choose 3-5 places they’d prefer to live in before just applying to every job out there,” says Lexi Hill, a senior at the University of South Carolina.

Pair down your options and broaden your location scope. If you find the perfect job, but it’s located in your dream city, take a chance and apply. You’ll lose nothing by giving yourself more options.

If you do decide that moving is what’s best for you, don’t forget to put in work that will make everything easier: plan. No matter what you decide to do, planning your next steps will make all the difference.

If you decide to make the move, “find an apartment, save enough money, and make sure you’re ready to move away from home,” says Danie.

Keep in mind that everything may not live up to your expectations. Your apartment may not be great, you may not immediately have the Carrie Bradshaw-esque female support group, but take heart — you’ve got this. 

After what has been a terrible week for the country, there's a light at the end of the tunnel.

Last week, a high school in Parkland, Florida suffered a heavy loss. Shooter Nikolas Cruz walked into Stoneman Douglas High School and opened fire. He killed 17 and injured at least 14 more. Kids were petrified and were hiding in closets, posting the panic on Snapchat to let others know that this is not okay. The suspect and former student of the high school bragged about his guns and how he would become a school shooter. This flagged authorities, but nothing was ever done. It's part of an epidemic that needs a resolution and change. It's a tragedy that we see far too often.

However, out of this tragedy, a beautiful moment has come to light. Peter Wang, who was 15 years old, was one of the sadly fatal cases of last week's shooting. He was a student hoping to join the military and attend West Point Academy upon graduating. Sadly, his life was cut short and his dreams could not come to fruition.

However, West Point Academy heard of his heroism during the attack. According to the SunSentinal, Wang was killed in his JROTC uniform Wednesday, holding the door open to allow others to escape as the gunman fired off rounds. "West Point conferred a letter of admission, along with honorarium tokens, to his family," a local alumnus told the SunSentinal.

Wang, along with two other JROTC members killed in the shooting, were also honored by the Florida National Guard a their funerals. 14-year-old Alaina Petty was honored at her funeral Monday, and Martin Duque, also 14, will be honored at his funeral Saturday. All three will also be receiving the Army’s Medal of Heroism, the highest honor for Reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadets who are, "involved the acceptance of danger and extraordinary responsibilities, exemplifying praiseworthy courage and fortitude."

It's a bright spot in the darkest of times. In the last moments of his life, Wang acted on instinct and did his duty. Even so young, he was a hero for his country. 

Our thoughts are with the families affected by this senseless tragedy.

Less than a week after a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, killed 17 students and wounded at least 14, the Florida House voted against a bill that would have banned assault weapons in the state.

As CNN reports, Florida House Rep. Kionne McGhee of Miami asked that HB 219, which had been filed earlier this year and was still in committee, but had never been scheduled for a hearing, to be expedited to the House floor a vote in light of the Parkland shooting. HB 219 would have banned AR-15 rifles, like the one Nikolas Cruz used in the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas, as well as other assault weapons and large capacity magazines.

"While this is an extraordinary procedural move, the shooting in Parkland demands extraordinary action," McGhee, who originally introduced HB 219, said to the House prior to voting.

Despite the past week's emotional pleas to lawmakers by students who survived the shooting, the Republican-controlled Florida House voted 36-71 to block the bill. As the New York Times reports, several students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas were present for the vote and one student broke down in tears as the results were announced.

"The next death of someone with an assault rifle here in Florida is going to be on them," Sheryl Acquaroli, a junior at Stoneman Douglas, told CNN after the vote. "It's going to be their fault."

Over the weekend, dozens more students from the high school are traveling to Tallahassee, the state's capitol, where they plan to make their voices heard by marching on the capitol and speaking to lawmakers about gun control. Hopefully, their accounts of the horrific tragedy they experienced — and the ways in which it could have been prevented — will force lawmakers to think long and hard about the way they voted on Tuesday.

While Chipotle doesn't exactly have the best track record when it comes to adding new items to its simple menu (it too a long time to get that queso right, and TBH, a lot of us are still skeptical), the restaurant is giving it another go — and this time, they're adding quinoa.

According to Business Insider, Chipotle rolled out quinoa as a rice replacement option in burritos and bowls at its test kitchen location in New York City on Monday.

"The quinoa is made with red and gold quinoa tossed with a little citrus juice, cumin, and freshly chopped cilantro," Chris Arnold, a Chipotle representative, told Business Insider. "We are recommending that added to a salad or in place of rice in another entree."

Okay so yes, quinoa is a delicious and ~trendy~ food item that we love adding to salads — but a Chipotle burrito or bowl-sized portion of the stuff? We're not so sure. I mean, that's a LOT of quinoa.

So far, reactions have been decidedly mixed:

Of course, it's worth noting that the company is only testing its quinoa recipe in its test location — meaning it could be awhile until we see it in every location (if ever). Hey, if you're looking to add a serious protein boost to your burrito bowl and the carnitas just aren't cutting it, this may be your thing.

Your senior year of high school is one of the most hectic and stressful times of your life. The panic of applying to college, and then choosing a college, all while keeping up with school and trying to make the best memories will pass by in a whirlwind. Before you know it, your last high school spring break is approaching, and with it, your last chance to take a breath and do something fun before the chaos of the end of the year sweeps you up. Whether relaxing means laying on a beach somewhere or just chilling at home, we’ve got some ideas to help you make the most of your last high school spring break! 

1. Go on a trip with your friends 

Chances are, once senior year ends you and your BFFs are heading off to different colleges. Social media and cell phones make it so much easier to stay in touch with long distance friends, but this is the last time that you and your high school friends are going to be together every day, experiencing the same things. Going on a trip together is great way to celebrate the end of your high school career. “My senior year, about 15 of my friends rented a big house in New Orleans. We made the road trip and had an amazing time,” said Rachel Petty, a recent grad of James Madison University. Going with a big group is a great way to keep costs low. Whether it’s a road trip to somewhere you’ve always been dying to go or a couple of nights at a friend’s beach house getaway, you’ll spend your spring break laughing with your best friends and making memories that you’ll never forget. If you’re looking to go somewhere a little more expensive, asking your parents to chip in is a great option for a graduation present. 

2. Have a staycation

If traveling just isn't in the cards for your spring break, you can still have a fabulous vacation at home! Have a spa day with your girlfriends, treat yourself to a mani-pedi, anything that makes you feel luxurious. By the time spring break rolls around, you’ve most likely just finished the colleges process, which is one of the most stressful times of your high school career. So take the time over spring break to rest and recharge so that you can make the most of the end of senior year.

3. Visit your favorite places around town

The closer you get to graduation, the more nostalgic you are going to get for the place that you’ve spent the last years of your life, so take some time to remember where it is you come from. Meet your friends for late night dinners at your favorite restaurants, spend the day at the local thrift store go for a picnic in the park you played in when you were little. Go for walks around the neighborhood you grew up in, and drive down the streets that are as familiar as the back of your hand. Little things like that are what you are going to miss when you go off to college, especially if you are going somewhere far away, so take some time to reminisce about the places you love. 

Related: 10 Reasons to Attend College Far From Home 

4. Go on a family vacation

The end of senior year can become very focused on making memories with friends, but soon you’re going to be living without your family, maybe for the first time in your life. “For my senior year, I knew I wanted to do something big for my last spring break. So I gathered up the fam and planned a trip to Disney!” says Emily Veith, a recent grad of California Polytechnic State University. “Disneyland was having an awesome discount for 3-day park tickets, and so we went to both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. It was so much fun, and I had great quality time with the fam before graduating.” Do some research on discount family trips (your parents are more likely to say yes if you’ve done the work for them!) 

5. Go somewhere you've never been in your area

Even when you’ve lived in the same place your whole life, there are often towns or cities a couple hours away that you’ve never explored or been to. An entire week of nothing to do is the perfect time to drive a couple hours away to visit somewhere new. You can spend the day in a random town and find out its best kept secret, or drive to the world-famous restaurant that’s just a couple towns over that you never had the time to try. Do the touristy things in your state that you never bothered to do before. 

6. Work 

It may sound boring compared to everything else listed above, but you’re not going to regret having some extra cash around if you work over spring break. “My senior year I worked at my job as a hostess all through my spring break,” said Caroline Bennett, a freshman at the College of the Holy Cross. “I was able to pick up a lot of extra shifts during the week that I was normally at school for. It was great to get a jump start on my summer savings, because obviously college is expensive and I knew I was going to have to save as much as a I could.” Working over spring break will give you a little bit of a safety net if you can’t find a job right at the beginning of the summer, or it can go toward funding something for the end of the school year like your prom dress or a cute pair of shoes for graduation. If you don’t have a job, ask around for some babysitting gigs, because if you’re on break then some parents in town probably need to watch their kids who are also on vacation.

Whatever you decide to do over spring break, focus on making happy memories with the people you love and care about. Your life is going to change come fall, and you’re always going to look back on spring break and the end of senior year with comfort and familiarity. So make the most of the last few months of life as you know it, and step outside of your comfort zone to try new things while you have the chance to!

Spring Break is a time of relaxation, throwing back a few frozen drinks and getting a nice tan, and while there are plenty of citiesin the nation that are extremely LGBTQ+-friendly, we can’t exactly soak up the sun in New York City this March. Instead, grab those sunglasses, some sunscreen and your partner and hit up one of these spring break destinations that are both warm and queer-friendly.

1. Houston, Texas

Home to numerous bars, hotels and restaurants, Houston is one of the top LGBTQ+ tourist destinations in the country year round. Texas is known for its young crowd and bar life, but Houston is where it’s at to have the perfect date night with your partner. Walking the streets of Houston, you’ll see that rainbow flag painted onto the sides of bars like Barbarella and Blur Bar, not to mention hanging out of businesses’ windows, too!

2. San Francisco, California

Any local of San Francisco can vouch for the city’s love of the LGBTQ+ community. Spending a week here might not be the wild party you would find yourself at in, say, Cancun, but the bar-hopping possibilities and scenic views make it the perfect getaway for two. Inns like the The Parker Guest House make their guests feel at home, with a judgment-free vibe and ideal location. Looking for some adventure? Go skydiving or go on the Golden Gate Bridge Walk!

Related: The Ultimate Spring Break To-Do List

3. Key West, Florida

As every collegiette knows, Florida is practically the definition of spring break. From Miami to Orlando, young people flock to these sandy beaches from all over the country. But where should you and your partner go to enjoy yourselves, completely stress-free? Alexander's Guest House is a great resort that is exclusively for the LGBTQ+ community! All around there are hotels, bars and restaurants that are 100 percent accepting of all couples so everyone can enjoy their vacations in peace.

If you’re looking for a romantic getaway, try a romantic sail around the shores of Key West! Or if you’re one of those couples that likes to be adventurous and active together, take the walk up the 88 steps of the Key West Lighthouse! 

4. Curaçao

Even though the flight can be measured in many Netflix episodes (read: it’s long), Curaçao is absolutely the best place for the LGBTQ+ community to go to this spring break! With its “live and let live” motto, Curaçaois one of the most encouraging and supportive vacation spots around. It wanted to show its support so much, many hotels and resorts are now proud members of the IGLTA (International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association). With so many activities to do in the Caribbean (like snorkeling, parasailing, scuba diving, etc.) and the happenin’ nightlife, anyone who doesn’t vacation here is missing out.

Maelous Molendijik, hotel ambassador for the Floris Suite Hotel, says, “We feel it is all about inclusion, like our Rainbow Lounge happy hour. Gay and straight getting along in harmony. The guests are very diverse and open-minded. One cannot necessarily pinpoint who is what. And that is just fine. It is all about inclusion and acceptance.” Sounds like a great time!

5. Panama City Beach, Florida

Panama City Beach is quite literally the Spring Break capital, so if you’re looking for that all-out rager with your partner, this is the place for you. Checking out the Tiki Bar at the Sandpiper Beacon and Coyote Ugly bar should top your list of things to do while spending your week there, but the list only continues! Between the numerous amusement parks and restaurants to choose from, you honestly couldn’t get bored. The Splash Bar, among many others, is known for its LGBTQ+-friendly service and feel-good, Spring Break vibe!

No matter where you decide to go, and whether you and your partner go with your friends or just go together, make your spring break memorable. Go the romantic getaway route or the Girls Gone Wild way – the choice is yours!

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.)

Trump Orders Justice Department to Create Bump Stock Regulations

Following last week's shooting that killed 17 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, the New York Times reports that President Trump has ordered the Justice Department to issue regulations banning bump stocks, devices used to semiautomatic guns into fully automatic weapons. In a tweet on Tuesday evening, Trump also called for Democrats and Republicans to work together to strengthen background checks — both of which are surprising coming from a president who has previously given his full public support of gun rights and organizations like the NRA. 

That being said, many gun control advocates see his apparent change of heart as relatively insignificant. The NRA actually supports some background checks for gun buyers, and some regulation on bump stocks — though not a full ban as described by Trump's reportedly proposed regulations.

Some Conservatives Are Trying to Use Conspiracy Theories to Discredit Shooting Survivors

After multiple teenagers who survived the Parkland, Florida shooting have taken to Twitter and cable news shows to plead with lawmakers, asking for stricter gun regulation, some conservatives have responded by attempting to discredit survivors using conspiracy theories. Among these "theories" are suggestions that liberal activists are using the students to push their left-wing agenda, and some, including an aide to Republican Florida state Rep. Shawn Harrison, have even gone as far as to accuse the students of being, "actors that travel to various crisis when they happen." To make matters worse, many took notice on Tuesday that Donald Trump Jr. had even liked some of these offensive theories that belittle the trauma these students have been through. Yikes.

Chloe Kim Posed With Her Dog on the Cover of 'Sports Illustrated'& It's EVERYTHING

We already knew we loved Chloe Kim just based on her *iconic* comments about not wanting to cry at the Olympics and ruin her makeup — and now we've found yet another reason to love her even more. The Olympic gold medalist appears on the most recent cover of Sports Illustrated, alongside none other than her favorite furry friend: her dog Reese. The best part? Reese is rocking Chloe's olympic medal, like the very good girl she is.

What to look out for...

Tomorrow is National Margarita Day, because it may not be summer just yet, but we can pretend like it is now that we have the perfect excuse to consume plenty tequila and frozen lime juice. If that's not a reason to make it to the end of the week, IDK what is.

After the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting last week in Florida that left 17 people dead, celebrities are coming together to promote the "March for Our Lives" movement that was created by survivors of the tragedy. The march will take place in Washington D.C. on March 24th, and the movement's mission statement is to "demand that their lives and safety become a priority and that we end gun violence and mass shootings in our schools today."

George and Amal Clooney were two of the first celebrities to express their emotional and financial support to the march, in a statement that George made yesterday.

“Our family will be there on March 24 to stand side by side with this incredible generation of young people from all over the country, and in the name of our children, Ella and Alexander, we’re donating $500,000 to help pay for this groundbreaking event," he said. "Our children’s lives depend on it.”

Echoing the Clooney's sentiments, Oprah — who sparked a possible presidential run back in January — tweeted last night that she would match the donation and she was proud of the high schoolers who are using their voices to enact change.

Director Steven Spielberg and his wife, actress Kate Capshaw, also matched the $500,000 donation and called those who started the movement, "an inspiration to us all."

Singer Justin Bieber expressed his support for the event, by mentioning the name of the survivor and high school junior Cameron Kasky who first announced the march on Sunday.

Other celebrities used their platform to talk about the march. 

You can donate to the movement or sign up to march by going on their website.

MTV is officially cutting ties with a Teen Mom husband.

After making news yesterday for revealing that she used drugs during her third pregnancy with daughter Ensley, Jenelle Evans is back on social media, this time defending a series of homophobic tweets allegedly posted by her husband, David Eason. 

Eason reportedly posted the tweets — which have since been removed — after a user urged him to limit the weaponry he has around his home for the safety of his young children.

"And just what makes you think you have the right to tell me how to be a parent? Because you think you know me?" Eason allegedly fired back in a tweet. "LMAO why don't you go tell the homo and transgender parents to start teaching their kids better morals? Oh I forgot, that's supposed to be normal."

Another user replied to Eason, asking him if he would teach his children to be hateful toward members of the LGBTQ+ community, based on his previous tweets.

"No, I'm going to teach them not to associate with them or be that way…if you lay down with dogs you get up with fleas," was his alleged answer.

After the tweets spread around social media, a petition was created to get Eason fired from the show, which Jenelle has been on for nearly 10 years. Over 9,000 people signed it, and MTV seemingly listened.

"David Eason's personal comments do not reflect the views of MTV. With six weeks left of production on Teen Mom 2, effective immediately, we are ending our relationship with him,"an MTV spokesperson told E! News. 

It's unclear as of yet if Evans herself will leave the show, which she has threatened to do in the past. She defended her husband to TMZ with a statement attempting to justify his comments.

"David didn't understand how offensive people would get or how Twitter even works. Now that he realizes his voice is very strong within media/tabloids he has deactivated his account. He agrees he will keep his comments to himself from now on. David doesn't hate people from the LGBT community. My old manager was gay and used to be one of me and Davids close friends. We attended Farrah's birthday in Miami with a lot of LGBT people there and he didn't act in any type of way. We went had a good time and left. We are sorry for the comments that were made," she said. 

Screenshots of all the alleged tweets are below.

Do we hear wedding bells for Justin and Selena? Not quite, but a relationship milestone was definitely met when Bieber brought Gomez along to his father’s nuptials on Monday.

Jeremy Bieber married longtime-girlfriend Chelsey Rebelo in Jamaica earlier this week, and love was definitely in the air for groomsman Justin and his date.

Daily Mail has photos of the couple, who were seen hugging, kissing and enjoying the romantic buzz of the wedding atmosphere with each other. They were even seen continuing the vacation on Tuesday, where they ended up in the background of a fellow beach-goer’s photograph.

"[Selena] and Justin ate lunch together and packed on the PDA," a source told E! Online. "They were kissing and hugging throughout the morning.”

After picking up Gomez in Texas in a private jet on his way to the Caribbean, Bieber donned salmon pink shorts and a matching bow-tie (with Gomez adorably matching in a flowing coral sundress) to celebrate his father’s wedding.

The two have been spotted together periodically since Gomez’s split from The Weeknd in October. Though nothing has been publicly confirmed yet, the couple has certainly not been keeping their reunion a secret, with sightings piling up as the months go on. Their latest tryst was on Valentine’s Day, when TMZ reported that they had dinner together at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

After dating (albeit, a bit gracelessly) for three years, Bieber and Gomez called it quits in 2014. When asked about the reasons behind trying out the relationship again, Gomez told Billboard,  “I cherish people who have really impacted my life.”

Now we’re left to wonder if Justin is getting any wedding ideas from his dad tying the knot.

Riverdale’s Camila Mendes is opening up about eating disorders and how the pressure to be thin has weighed on her throughout her life.

23-year-old Mendes took to Instagram on Friday to declare herself finished with dieting fads that she says have taken away from her overall happiness.

"I'm done believing in the idea that there's a thinner, happier version of me on the other side of all the tireless effort," she wrote in the post.

Mendes reveals that after speaking to a naturopath, a physician who specializes in natural, self-healing practices, about the anxiety and obsessiveness she feels surrounding food and dieting, she decided to take a hard look at the bigger issue.

"Somehow I had stripped myself of all the pastimes that brought me joy, and all that was left of me was my anxiety around food. My passion for education, cinema, music, etc.—all the interests that used to occupy my mind—had been eaten away by my desire to be thin, and it made me miserable," she continued.

This new outlook on health and nutrition comes after Mendes shared that she had joined Project HEAL in October, an organization that provides financial assistance to those seeking treatment for eating disorders. She shared that eating disorders aren’t a foreign concept to her.

"Growing up, I watched my big sister suffer from one for many years, and I've experienced periods of my life when I've suffered symptoms as well," she wrote.

Project HEAL was founded in 2008 by Liana Rosenman and Kristina Saffran, who met during treatment for their own anorexia. Understanding that not many insurance policies provide coverage for eating disorders, they founded a solution. Mendes is scheduled to attend the Project HEAL gala in San Francisco on Saturday, where she will auction a day on set on Riverdale to raise funds for the organization.

The hashtag #donewithdieting has been circulating social media, with fans thanking Mendes for the support to stay confident and determined in their own battles with eating disorders and nutrition.

Oh, I’m sure you know the feeling. You’re scrolling through your Instagram feed, and you suddenly stop your thumb-swiping at yet another inspiring, somewhat jealousy-provoking body transformation picture on Kayla Itsines’ Instagram. You stare at it for a bit, marveling at the breathtaking beauty that is six-pack abs and toned arms and legs, but then you have a realization: “That could be me! I could look like that… if I tried!” And now you’re here, with a curiosity on how to get started with the Bikini Body Guide (BBG), one of the most popular workout guides for women just like you, who not only want to look great, but who also want to feel empowered and confident.

Saying yes to the program is half the battle, so you’re already killin’ it. And with that motivation, here are some pointers before you embark on your new workout journey:

1. Make sure you have enough time in your schedule

The workout program is a pretty strict regimen to stick to if you want to achieve maximum results, so make sure you have enough time for it. Each week, you will be working out on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and each day will consist of eight different workout moves that add up to about 30 minutes of working out each day.

In college, it’s important to stay both healthy and on top of things, so make sure you’re staying sufficiently organized and hitting up the library before adding this program to your list of priorities!

2. You will be sore

Each day will have a specialization, such as “Arms & Abs,” “Legs & Cardio” or “Full Body Workout,” so you’re going to be putting your body through a lot! “I was sore almost every day while I was doing the program, but it worked and I began to see results in under four weeks,” University of Florida junior Sophie Philipp says. Some of the circuits will repeat, which makes them a bit easier the second time around, but they may be semi-brutal the first time you do them. Tons of different moves are also used throughout the program, so you may be working muscles you never even knew you had-- but have no fear! It’s a good kind of burn, as long as you listen to it.

“Pain must be your guide to what you do. If you’re in intense pain and you try to push through it, chances are you can do more damage than good,” says Melanie Ludwig, personal trainer and owner of Prestige Fitness. “If it isn't debilitating pain, it makes sense to try and move with a lower intensity and to stretch the area,” she says. “Self-myofascial release techniques (SMR) such a using a foam roller can also help release the tension.”

3. The program will be daunting at first if you’re not used to working out regularly

Just like with starting anything for the first time, it always takes some getting used to. If you haven’t worked out much in the past, you may feel like you’re going from zero to 100 upon starting this program. University of Florida junior Stephanie Smith* struggled with committing to it because she wasn’t used to having a workout routine. “When I would think about doing it, I just didn’t want to. I’ve restarted Kayla a bunch of times because I keep trying to get back into it, but it’s really hard to stick with,” she says.

But don’t let this stop you! University of Florida senior Sami Winder says, “If you aren't incredibly motivated to work out, I would encourage you to get friends to do it with you.”

It’s never too late to change up your lifestyle, especially if it’s something that will benefit your health!

Related: 6 Workouts You Can Do While You Study

4. To maximize results, you’ll need to modify your diet

Getting in shape means more than just exercising—it’s also about eating right! “I didn’t really see real results in my overall health and in my body until I changed my diet to healthier eating,” Sami says. “I was the unhealthiest person when I began the BBG, but the more I stuck with it, the more I saw that eating junk food made me more sluggish and tired, and I wanted to eat healthier and incorporate more veggies into my diet.”

Kayla Itsines also has a Healthy Eating & Lifestyle Plan, which has a 14-day meal plan and outlines how to eat properly and control portions (there’s a vegetarian guide too!).

However, you can make changes without buying the guide. “Eat more natural foods and avoid processed ones. MyPlate gives great recommendations for a well-balanced diet. For college women, I usually make one suggestion: start making one small change at a time,” Ludwig says.

5. You’ll thank yourself for taking on the challenge

Sarah Madaus, a sophomore at Temple University who has been doing the program for about three years, says “Kayla is a genuinely wonderful role model and inspiration. I've maintained toned muscles, gotten much stronger and increased my endurance by a lot.”

And the program offers more than just how to be healthy-- it can be life-changing. “Before I began the program, I ate badly, wasn't attending the gym every day and was not confident in myself. I am definitely much happier and way more confident now. I may not be the skinniest person but that’s not what it's about. I am happy with the way I look and the way I feel, and that is what is most important to me,” says Sami.

What sets this program apart from others is the body-positive community it creates. Sophie appreciates how Kayla doesn’t pressure her clients to lose weight or look like models, but she does comment on how happy and healthy they look.

So fuel up that self-love, and go get ‘em, tiger!

*Names have been changed.

Jennifer Lawrence has never been afraid to speak her mind. So, let’s just say no one was surprised when she shared her opinion on the dress controversy that has taken over the internet.

Yesterday, Lawrence and some of her male co-stars and co-workers were photographed at a press engagement for her upcoming film, Red Sparrow. In the photo, all of the men are pictured wearing coats and sweaters, while Lawrence is wearing a revealing dress.

Many on social media instantly called foul, saying that the picture was representative of how Hollywood is constantly objectifying women and holding them to a different standard than men. To be fair, they weren't criticizing her.

Well, today Lawrence took to social media to address the internet's comments. Lawrence posted on her Facebook page, “I don’t really know where to get started on this ‘Jennifer Lawrence wearing a revealing dress in the cold’ controversy. This is not only utterly ridiculous, I am extremely offended.”

Like any true fashionista, Lawrence continued, saying, “That Versace dress was fabulous, you think I’m going to cover that gorgeous dress up with a coat and a scarf? I was outside for 5 minutes. I would have stood in the snow for that dress because I love fashion and that was my choice.”

With her statement on the latest “controversy” the internet has blown out of proportion, Lawrence is highlighting an important aspect of women’s rights—each and every woman has the freedom and choice to do what she wants. I think JLaw can take care of herself, so let’s let her wear what she wants (even if she does look cold) okay?

Actor David Harbour became an overnight success after he took on the role of Chief Hopper in Netflix’s smash series, Stranger Things. Going from almost no Twitter followers to social media superstar has made Harbour a favorite among hardcore Stranger Things fans (I mean, he’s even admitted to reading Stranger Things fan-fiction!). And his dancing skills are legendary.

Well, David Harbour has once again managed to break the internet.

Last month, Harbour asked a very important question: how many retweets would it take to get him the opportunity to dance with penguins?

Environmental organization Greenpeace was quick to respond: 200,000. Harbour eventually got those retweets and has been patiently waiting for the last month for his opportunity to meet the adorable penguins.

Finally, he did! And being the fantastic guy that he is, he used his once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to highlight the importance of protecting the environment.

Even in promoting a good cause, Harbour didn’t lose sight of why he was there, and he eventually gave the people what they wanted: him dancing with penguins. Check out the video below!

If you’ve ever hung out with me for Face Mask and Chill, you know that fighting acne is kinda my jam. I’ve spent a lot of time, money, and energy trying to figure out how to combat stubborn zits, from testing out magnetic masks (yes, they’re real, and yes, they work!) to smearing acids all over my face (not as scary as it sounds, promise).

When my friends get zits, I’m a go-to skin counselor, because I can tell you exactly what product to pop on that pimple before it messes with your IG-game. My bedside table is straight up loaded with skincare products… and my bathroom counter… and my kitchen counter (well, only sometimes). But when it comes down to it, as fun as playing with dozens of products is, I love to have a few products that I know always, always work. Here are just a few of the acne treatments I turn to, and why I turn to them.

1. DCL Spot Therapy ($32)

I hate products that try to combat acne by drying the shit out of your skin. Nothing is more uncomfortable than having skin peeling off of your face, coupled with the stress of trying not to pick at it. So while this product has the classic two-percent salicylic acid you’ll find in many skincare products, what makes it different is that it also has Vitamins B3 and B5 alongside lavender to keep your skin nice and comfy.

2. Farmacy Honey Potion Mask ($38)

Gone are the days of dotting toothpaste on your zits. Or at least, I hope they are. Please don’t put toothpaste on your zits. Instead, turn to a mask like this one. I am a huge fan of honey and have been smearing it on my skin since I was like, 12 — and with good reason. Honey is an anti-bacterial, but in the most gentle sense of the word. While I love to use this mask all over, my secret is that whenever I get a huge patch of zits (sometimes they come with all their friends, who knows why?), I just lightly brush this mask across my skin, and leave it overnight. It’s self-warming, so it opens your pores to prep your skin for the magical soothe of honey. It’s a dream.

3. Mario Badescu Drying Lotion ($17)

This stuff is a straight up classic. Not only is the Mario Badescu meme one of my faves of all time, this stuff is so dang good, and it lasts about a million years. If you haven’t heard of this drying lotion, it’s basically a mix of alcohol and calamine lotion that is so strong it’ll burn your nose hairs and murder any zit overnight, yet somehow not mess up the skin all around it. Pro tip: Don’t go wild and put this all over your face, but rather apply directly to a zit as soon as you feel it about to pop up.

4. Uncle Harry’s Hemp Blemish Salve ($6)

This is by far the cheapest product on the list, and one of the most natural, so if that’s your jam, this is your guy. I love the texture of this product. It’s sleek and smooth, and it does no harm.

Want more skincare wisdom? Follow @HerCampusBeauty on Facebook, and tune into @HerCampus on Instagram every week for Face Mask & Chill! 

It's 2018, and thankfully the beauty industry is beginning to understand that everyone's skin color, type, and texture is different. We've already hailed Rihanna for her inclusive Fenty Beauty line and loved it when L'Oréal Paris included a hijabi model in their latest hair campaign, but we haven't seen much in the way of recognizing skin conditions like vitiligo and hyperpigmentation. Thankfully, CoverGirl is stepping up and taking the lead with their new campaign which stars Amy Deanna, a black model with vitiligo. While a harmless condition, it stops the production of melanin in certain parts of the skin. 

The campaign video features Deanna applying two shades of CoverGirl's TruBlend foundation – one to unify the skin around her chin, and a lighter shade to highlight the lighter areas around her eyes. As she completes her makeup, her voiceover reads, "Why try to blend in, when you can choose how to stand out?" 

On her experience with the campaign, Deanna told PeopleStyle that "being given a platform to [raise awareness] means so much. At the end of the day I am just like everyone else, I just happen to have spots. It’s a part of my identity, but it doesn’t define who I am. For there to be so many of us and so little representation, it’s truly disheartening. I work with CoverGirl; I’m a black woman; I have vitiligo. That is empowering.”

Here's hoping this small, but oh-so mighty step forward invites even more beauty brands to include and celebrate diversity of all kinds. 

In the latest bizarro beauty news, Christmas-tree brows have been put away until next year, and in their place fishtail brows have sprung up. What even are fishtail eyebrows? I'm so happy you asked. Enter Instagram user @skyzEditz, who seemingly originated the trend when they uploaded a digitally manipulated image of a model with the now infamous brow look. 

 Soon after, @hudabeauty herself posted a similarly edited pic, asking her followers what they thought about it. 

Once the trend caught on, people started posting their own, unaltered recreations. 

And unsurprisingly, the trend has been received with mixed opinions.

So what do you think? Is this the brow trend to end all brow trends, or will this one be ~sleeping with the fishes~ soon? 

After the Florida State Legislature voted against the ban on assault weapons yesterday, the Parkland shooting survivors are continuing to fight for lawmakers to do more than give their “thoughts and prayers.” While the legislature’s voted against HB 219, this only inspired these teenager survivors to take their activism to the Florida State Capitol.

CNN reports that as the young activists marched down the halls of the Capitol building in Tallahassee, Florida, they urged lawmakers to ban the weapons that killed their friends, classmates and teachers. Chanting, “Vote them out,” as they made their way down the halls,  it's clear these survivors know how to make an entrance — and make themselves heard.

While these students have been empowered from the tragedy at their high school to urge lawmakers to create more stringent gun laws, it’s clear that they’re protesting Florida’s Capitol to ignore their pleas. The Los Angeles Times explains that these survivors organized this #NeverAgain walkout to ensure that a mass shooting of this capacity doesn’t happen again.

As NBC News expands, approximately 100 students journeyed over 450 miles to the state Capitol, which gave them plenty of time to deliberate their speeches and fine-tune their messages.

A junior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Sheryl Acquarola, delivered a powerful message to CBS News, stating, “The next death of someone with an assault rifle here in Florida is going to be on them. It’s going to be on them, and it’s going to be their fault.” Clearly, Acquarola and her peers want to hold Florida lawmakers accountable for their decisions.

ABC News recorded another survivor’s compelling speech. Delaney Tarr says, “We’ve had enough of thoughts and prayers... so this is to every lawmaker out there... we are coming after every single one of you and demanding that you take action, demanding that you make a change.” Obviously, these survivors aren’t satisfied with the state’s decision.

Beyond point fingers, these survivors aim to advocate for stricter gun laws, so that students can attempt school without fear. And their battle to create a safer environment for students is just beginning, as NBC News reports that these survivors plan to take their protest to Washington on March 24.

On March 24, these survivors and their supporters will attend an event dubbed “March for Our Lives,” which has already gained the emotional and financial support of Oprah Winfrey, George and Amal Clooney and Steven Spielberg (just to name a few).

Though it’s poignant to see that a mass shooting ignited these young people’s passion for activism, to campaign for their beliefs, these survivors are substantial promoters of change, and hopefully, others will continue to join their movement.

A woman claims she was removed from her Emirates Airline flight after complaining about mild period pain, reports Bustle.

According to a report fromThe Sun, Beth Evans, 24, and her boyfriend Joshua Moran, 26, had boarded a flight in Birmingham, UK on Saturday and were on their way to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. A few minutes before they were scheduled to take off, Evans mentioned to Moran that she was experiencing some mild cramps because of her period. Both she and Moran claim they were forced to get off the plane before takeoff.

In a statement to the Sun, Emirates said that the captain “made the decision to request medical support and offload Ms. Evans so she could access medical assistance” in case going the entire flight without medical care would be “endangering” her condition.

There is also a dispute between the story Evans and Moran told and the statement released by the airline in regards to how Emirates became aware of Evans’ cramps. Evans says she was talking to Moran about stomach pains that came with her period and a flight attendant overheard her doing so. Emirates has said to a number of news outlets, including the Washington Post, that “the passenger alerted crew that she was suffering from discomfort and pain and mentioned she was feeling unwell.” Even though, when asked by the airline staff, Evans said she rated her pain as a “one out of 10,” she and Moran were still removed from the flight.

Moran claims the airline didn't actually have anyone look Evans over, but instead asked her a few questions and “contacted a medical team in the U.S.” who “said Beth couldn’t fly.” The couple allegedly had to completely rebook their tickets, which cost them an additional $350 each.

No matter which side ends up having the greater amount of truth in their story, this incident is a clear reminder that menstrual stigma is still very, very real. As an airline, or any company that takes a great deal of responsibility for consumers’ safety, making sure to cover your bases with a potentially unwell customer is understandable. However, listening to your customers is even more important. People with periods know when their own pain is irregular or indicative of something other than their usual pain.

What happened to Evans is also a reminder that women are often taken less seriously when it comes to their pain. Far too often, women are told they are “exaggerating” their pain or that it’s “all in their head” due to stress or some other outside factor. Evans’ incident shows that not only are women taken far less seriously than men when it comes to their own pain, but they are also apparently not trusted to know when their pain does or does not require medical attention. That needs to change.

Trust women about their pain and listen to them. Period.