Can we get a show of hands of who’s been living in their rompers this summer? These little one-piece contraptions have taken over summer fashion, leaving us wondering what we’re going to do once the temperature dips and autumn takes the helm. Though the thought of colder weather and the inevitable return to textbooks and research papers may be cramping your style vibe right now, there’s good news! If you can’t bear the thought of giving up the one-piece look, you don’t have to. Full-length jumpsuits are fall’s biggest trend; talk about the easiest way to look chic at your 8 a.m. (remember when you thought that class was a good idea?)! 

Not sure how to wear a jumpsuit without looking like an astronaut? Don’t worry – they’re super easy to dress up or dress down. These are a few of our favorite looks for fall. 

1. Brunch with your little

2. In a rush to get to class

There is substantial proof (based on our personal experience) that the worst part of the day is when your alarm goes off in the morning. On those days when an early class seems like the most terrible place to be, take comfort in the fact that getting dressed for school doesn’t have to be a huge to-do. Pair a printed jumper with some trusty sandals and a denim jacket. Your casual accessories will dress down an otherwise fancy look and leave you totally prepped to tackle your morning chem class. Toss your textbooks and laptop into a backpack and head on out (just make sure to eat some breakfast first). 

3. Dolled up for date night

4. Out with the girls

You’re back on campus with your favorite roomies in the world, and it’s Friday night. Could there be a more perfect scenario? Whether you’re going on a fancy roomie date to dinner and a movie or you’re hitting your favorite watering holes now that you’re all finally 21, this outfit is sure to be a hit. Get ready for the, “oh my gosh, you look so cuuute!”s in this chic (yet comfy) jumpsuit. We love it paired with trendy heels in a surprising color (this rich blue is magnifique) and a complementary clutch. Finish off the look with a swipe of red lipstick, and you’ll be ready to go!

See, putting together an outfit starring your newest fashion obsession is way easy! No matter where your adventures take you this fall, know that a chic outfit is literally only one step (and one piece) away. Tweet us (@HerCampus) pics of you in your fave jumpsuit so we can see how you’re styling your back-to-school outfits! 

In our dream world, we’re able to change our iPhone’s case as often as we change our outfits; we want our tech to look just as cute as we do, and even better, to match our entire ensemble!

Okay, so that dream world may not be a reality anytime soon, but dressing up your iPhone is about to get a whole lot easier! Show your personality with a custom Otterbox iPhone case from Rendi, designed by you to flaunt your favorite style! The best part: if you enter to win below, you could score a custom case for free!

Two lucky winners will get to design their own custom OtterBox iPhone case, choosing from over 81 pattern and color combinations. Designs range from sophisticated to trendy to suit your style, and you can personalize your pick with a colored label and your name, initial or monogram. The cases are super easy to customize and fast to ship, so your iPhone won’t be stuck wearing a drab old case much longer!

What are you waiting for? Dress up your iPhone ASAP; enter below to win!

Picture this: A room jam-packed with college students, reeking of Natty Light and sweat. A little grinding action in the corner and a girl dancing in the middle of a table, thinking she’s the hottest thing since sliced bread. Boys who look barely old enough to have finished high school wearing neon green shirts that say “sober monitor,” holding the key to popularity and new friends in their hands—aka warm keg beer. The latest hits playing in one room and body-thumping techno music blaring in the basement. Failed attempts to pick up girls and drunken PDAs with complete strangers. The beer pong champ running the table and a floor so disgusting you wouldn’t dare take off your shoes. Welcome to your first frat party.

We want you to enjoy new freshman experiences, but we don’t want you to look like an amateur (There’s nothing worse than a group of upperclassmen pointing at you and chanting “FRESHMAN!”) —so here’s a guide on how to navigate the frat party scene like you’ve been there for years.

DOknow which frat house you are at.

Chi Psi, Chi Phi, Phi Psi, Psi U—it gets a bit complicated when they all sound the same. “There’s nothing worse than calling a fraternity by the wrong name,” says Alaine from Miami University (OH). Also, make sure you know how to pronounce the name (Sigma Chi is pronounced Sigma Kye, not Chi like a Chia pet), and are familiar with the frat’s nickname (Sigma Phi Epsilon is usually referred to as Sig Ep).  Ask a friend which house you’re going to before you actually get there.

DON’Twear a “new student orientation” lanyard around your neck or carry around a campus map (eek!).

I know it’s convenient to put your room key and ID card in a plastic holder hanging from your lanyard, and this is perfectly acceptable during the day (at least during the first week), but put these important items in your pocket or purse when you go out at night.

DOdress for the theme but don’t go overboard.

Wear something versatile so you can easily party-hop. Think a bright shirt for an 80’s themed party that can double as a glow-in-the-dark shirt at a highlighter party. Do not wear a full sexy cop or bunny costume. Not only will you look out of place if you go to another party, but you will also be a perfect target for real cops looking to catch underage drinkers. Sarah from the University of Michigan says,“My best friend and I once went to a formal themed frat party, but accidently walked up to the wrong frat house and saw everyone wearing pajamas. We thought they had told only us to wear fancy dresses as a joke, but luckily realized the party we were looking for was down the block.”

DON’T go alone. 

The last thing you want is to be alone when that creepy senior offers you a mystery drink he got from a closed room. You will probably feel awkward in a huge party setting all by your lonesome, anyways. At the same time, don’t go out in a huge group. Megan, a recent University of Michigan graduate, says, “Don’t go with, like, 17 people. Go in pairs.”

DO pick one or two friends to go to the party with you.

If you don’t want any trouble at the door, make sure these friends are girls. Or guys that are willing to say they are rushing the frat— brothers usually won’t let in guys who aren’t part of the frat. Alaine says, “Don't try to bring a lot of guys with you to a fraternity house... HINT: they're trying to meet girls.”

DON’T go home with a guy without at least telling your friends first.

If you decide to “hang out” at a guy’s place, let your friends know who the guy is, where he lives and when you expect to be home. If this “hang out” turns into a sleepover, be prepared for the morning after.

DO wear cute, classy clothes and dress for the weather—and the walk.

If it’s 20 degrees and the party is across campus, don’t wear your brand new 4-inch stilettos. I also suggest you invest in a party coat—something cheap that serves the purpose and isn’t a black North Face. I know this from personal experience: I’ve set my North Face down one too many times at frat parties only to find that it’s missing at the end of the night. This will happen when there’s a room full of 20 identical coats. To avoid this, try putting your coat in a secret spot like behind the couch or in a random closet (but don’t forget where you put it!).

DO pick a wing-woman and mingle.

Feel free to talk to new people even if they don’t approach you first. If you want guys to approach you (and trust me, they will), make yourself look available and interested by standing in an area that is somewhat open with music that isn’t too loud. Before you know it, two guys will be heading your way to talk to you and your friend. Just hope you both don’t have your eyes on the same guy! Allie, a senior at Princeton says, “Try not to hang around with more than one or two other girls so guys will feel more comfortable talking to you! Even if you arrive to the party with all of your girls, don't feel the need to stick with them – branch off with a friend to go get a drink. This will make meeting new people a lot easier.”

DON’T ask a random guy for a drink.

Ben Kassoy, a recent graduate of Emory University says,“Do some searching or strike up a conversation before you immediately request alcohol.” If you choose to drink, be safe about it: Don’t put your drink down and come back later and drink from it, don’t take a drink from the mysterious punch bowl and don’t let anyone else get your drink for you. The only way you will know exactly what you’re drinking is if you watch where it comes from and never leave your glass unattended. Your best bet is to drink a can of beer that you open yourself (or of course even better would be to not drink at all).

DO know the house rules for beer pong and flip cup. 

These are great party games—when you know how to play the right way. Ask for the next game and wait around for your turn so you don’t miss out. Alaine suggests “enlisting the cute guy nearby to play with you.”  If you’re nervous about drinking when you play these games, no one will know if it’s just water in your cup.

DON’T wander into a random person’s room.

Sometimes it’s nice to get away from the crazy party and hang out in one of the brothers’ rooms, but only do this if you consider the guy to be one of your friends, not just one of the frat bros. It’s smart to bring one of your girl friends with you too. If you do get stuck alone in a room with a guy and feel uncomfortable, tell him you have to go to the bathroom and then leave.

DO bring tissues, hand sanitizer and emergency tampons in your purse. 

Frat bathrooms are gross (imagine puke in the sinks and pee in the showers), and you don’t want to be unprepared so make sure you have these items handy. “Few frat house bathrooms are always stocked with TP,” Alaine says. If you are friends with one of the brothers, ask to use another, cleaner bathroom. I’m not making any promises, but there’s usually a more sanitary bathroom reserved for girlfriends, frequent attendees of the frat and the brothers themselves.

DON’T give out your number like it’s water. 

Be selective with who you give it to. Not every bro is worthy of your digits. What should you do if a guy asks for your number and you don’t want to give it? Allison from the University of Michigan says, “Normally I’d just give him the wrong number or act like I need to leave really fast and tell him I’ll let him know it when I come back and then never come back.” Looking for a different approach? Allison uses the following line on boys:“How about you give me your number and I’ll text you with mine.” But she doesn’t actually text them her number. Sneaky!

DO use knowing the brothers to your advantage

... whether he’s your closet guy friend from high school, your older brother’s best friend or your roommate’s boyfriend. This will get you VIP treatment at the party: no waiting in line, special mixed drinks and a place to store your coat. If you’re the lucky girl who personally knows a guy in the frat, call or text him when you arrive so he can come to the door and let you in. “At one of my first frat parties, I walked to the front of the line and named some guys I knew who were in the frat and friends with my older sister in hopes of getting in. This didn’t work, so I called one of the guys I knew and he came right out and let us in,” says Maddie* from Michigan State University.

DON’T be the first one to arrive or the last one to leave. 

It’s weird if you show up right at the Facebook event start time and realize you are the only guest there besides the guys in the frat. Instead, show up about an hour into the party and stay for a maximum of two hours.

DO be nice to upperclassmen girls.

Chances are they know the guys in the frat, and if these girls get a bad vibe from you, they will tell the brothers. Befriending upperclassmen girls will help you learn the ins and outs of the particular frat, including which guys are winners and which guys are losers. “Nothing will ruin your night like pissing off one of the guy's girlfriends,” Alaine says.

DON’T stick around if the cops show up.

It’s rare, but it’s happened before. Don’t run away either. Instead, casually leave without drawing attention to yourself and make sure you leave your drink behind if you had one. Never walk along the streets with a red plastic cup in hand.

DO have a DW (designated walker).

If you and your friends choose to drink, it’s safe to take turns being the semi-sober one so there is always someone to look after you and your friends.  The DW should make sure everyone gets home safely at the end of the night and have the number to a reliable taxi in case someone needs to be picked up.

DON’T flirt with multiple brothers. And don’t get caught making out with every guy that comes your way. 

This is an easy way to get a bad rep and you don’t want that, especially not on your first week on campus.

DO have a good time and enjoy your first of many curfew-less, party-filled nights!

I hope these tips help you survive your first frat party. Stick to our dos and don’ts and you will never make any of the usual first-year party-going mistakes. Every HC girl deserves to be in the know and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Good luck!

If only we devoured all of our required reading like we devoured The Hunger Games. We’re super jealous of the students at American University in Washington, D.C., because our literary dreams are their reality—The Hunger Games: Class, Politics and Marketing is being offered as a class at American this fall semester!

The course will be led by Stef Woods, a professor from the department of history who has previously taught courses on Fifty Shades of Grey (that’s a whole ‘nother can of… whips?) When Woods read Suzanne Collins’s breakout trilogy, she realized its themes—“from food justice to reality TV”—were ideal for the classroom, according to Teen Vogue.

Instead of analyzing The Hunger Games as literature (you know, “What does the arena symbolize?” kind of thing), Woods and her pupils will use the novels as springboards for topics of discussion including feminism, marketing strategies related to readership and Lionsgate's decision to try to stop Oxfam's Hunger Is Not a Game campaign.

Along with The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay, the class will read 40 other books, from texts on political theory to the feminist magazine Ms.

Although it doesn’t sound like an easy A, it does sound fascinating. We hope that other universities follow suit and start offering Katniss-themed courses as well, because we’d be happy to burn the midnight oil studying the gender roles of The Hunger Games (and, let’s face it, the relative merits of Peeta vs. Gale).

Would you take this class, collegiettes? Tell us in the comments!

Sunday night's star-studded Teen Choice Awards 2014 was filled with music, fashion and maybe even... fraud? We all grew up voting for the TCAs each summer, and we couldn’t wait to see our favorite stars take home the surfboard. To everyone's surprise, it was revealed that it isn’t necessarily the public votes that determine the winners. The terms and conditions of the voting state that "Teenasaurus Rox Inc had the right to determine the winners from among the top four vote getters of the nominees in each of the 88 categories. Ultimate choice was determined by the producers,"Cosmo reported.

Wait, so does this mean that we don't actually have a say in which man candy takes home the Choice Male Hottie award?! Maybe we're confused, but wouldn't it make more sense to have an audience of young fans make the pick rather than older media reps sitting behind the curtain? Come on, FOX!

It was also discovered that some of the awards were given out before the live broadcast on FOX Sunday night. One Direction fans noticed that the video of the band accepting their award appeared to have been pre-taped from almost two weeks ago. Teens took to Twitter to retaliate against the award show by Tweeting out their frustrations using the hashtag “TeensDontHaveAChoiceAward.”

It makes sense that the producers have a large influence on the results since the winners always seem to be the ones present in the audience; maybe we should have realized this before. Many fans feel as if they wasted their time voting and are angry that it really didn't matter whether or not they took the time to vote for their "favorite song of the summer." TCA executives have not chosen to comment on the scandal just yet, but it seems they have some explaining to do before next year's award show.

The 2014 Teen Choice Awards were on Sunday night, and like always, the outfits on the blue carpet ranged from fabulous to funky (and not the good kind of funky). We’ve rounded up the best and worst ensembles from the night—because if a celebrity wears something and no one discusses it, did they even wear it at all?

Best Dressed:

Shay Mitchell

Can crop tops be classy? Shay Mitchell proves that yes, yes they definitely can. Her Misha Collection two-piece perfectly walks the line between gorgeous and sexy, which is an even more impressive accomplishment than finally getting Ali to come home in Pretty Little Liars, if you ask us (Side note: we totally wouldn't be surprised to see one of the Liars rock this outfit at Rosewood High, heels and all).

Kendall Jenner

Kendall Jenner took a risk with this ivory Oriett Domenech jumpsuit, and it totally paid off. Sheer panels? Asymmetrical cuts? A COWL-NECK?! So many ways for this to go wrong, but Kendall looked both ethereal and stunning. We see why she just scored a solo September cover for Teen Vogue.

Taylor Swift

TSwift is all about the two-piece ensembles lately, and while we would normally worry about her outfit choices becoming too one-note, you have to admit that her dedication to both trends and ladylike style is totally admirable. This mint tweed Novis number is really chic, and we’re loving the unexpected color of those Charlotte Olympia heels. Dear this outfit: You Belong With Us. In our closets.

Demi Lovato

To host the event, Demi Lovato chose an Elisabetta Franchi dress, gold jewelry, a gold clutch and gold pumps (all gold err'thang). The Midas Touch continues with the gold chain on her neckline, which in our opinion is a genius, uh, touch. If Demi keeps this up, her reputation as a fashionable celeb will be—you guessed it—golden.

Zendaya

Zendaya debuted a new haircut and an amazing custom-made Material Girl dress to the awards ceremony. The hot-pink shade of her frock means we’re pretty much obligated to love it (hello, HC and pink go hand in hand!), but the adorable bow and elegant silhouette seal the deal. This 17-year-old has sartorial wisdom beyond her years!

Worst Dressed:

Bella Thorne

Bella Thorne, the star of Shake It Up, went with a floral Johnny Wujeck for Candie’s dress and cobalt blue Christian Dior heels. Her futuristic floral ensemble doesn’t wow us; it just makes us really nervous, since it looks like it’s moments away from a nip-slip. Public exposure would “shake up” the ceremony, but probs not in the way anyone wants.

Ian Somerhalder

Really, Ian? Denim?! We know that Yves Saint Laurent said he wished he had invented blue jeans, but in this case, a YSL suit would have been much more appropriate. Let’s save the casual clothes for lounging around the Salvatore boarding house, shall we?

Victoria Justice

Quick, someone call Jo-Ann’s: we found out where all of their missing doilies went! Not only is the fabric of Victoria Justice’s Rebecca Minkoff dress a little too grandmother’s-living-room for us, but we are also, frankly, bewildered by its mysterious mid-thigh unraveling. Not even grandma’s stitching can save this one.

Sasha Pieterse

We guess even Rosewood’s teen queen has her off days! Pretty Little Liars actress Sasha Pieterse chose a Vera Wang Collection dress, and between the weird fit in the chest, prairie-esque pattern and awkward frontal draping, we’re more than ready to launch an “A”-status take-down.

Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande’s calves are killer—but her outfit is not. C’mon, how many times have we seen the go-go pony hairstyle and the long-legs-and-high-heels combo? We’re more than ready for this Disney star to break out of her red carpet rut and surprise us. 

What do you think, collegiettes: were our favorite and least favorite looks completely on target, or we were more wrong than Ian's decision to wear jeans? Let us know in the comments!

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

I was dumped out of the blue by a guy I was dating for about a year and a half. Everything seemed fine. He told me he knew that I loved him and that he simply didn't love me back. I was devastated. We go to a very small school, so I see him every day. Because of this, I have tried really hard to keep things civil and peaceful between us. 

When he dumped me, my best friend since my first year totally ditched me and started hanging out with him exclusively. They went on outings alone and she would lie to me about being with him. It caused me to move out of the apartment that she and I shared. He claims that he was unaware of her lies. The next year, they moved in together.

I don't know what to do. I miss the presence of my ex in my life (even just his friendship), but I wonder if friendship can ever work out based on all of the inconsiderate choices he and my ex-best friend have made. I can't imagine a life without him in it. I can't seem to get over the breakup. Are either of them worth my time? –Sadness at Skidmore

Skidmore,

There’s a quick, simple answer to your question: No.

Neither of these people are worth your time, and it actually frustrates me that they would put you through this situation.

First things first: If this girl was actually your friend, she wouldn’t have ditched you to hang out with your ex. Moreover, she wouldn’t have lied about it, and she definitely wouldn’t be moving in with him next year.

Second, your ex can shove it. While I totally understand the feeling of wanting — and sometimes even needing — the presence of your ex, I can tell you from experience that this feeling will eventually pass. You’ll meet other people who will take your mind off of him (or, in my case, her), and you’ll end up dating someone who will show you how awful your ex was. It’ll take time, Skidmore; that much is certain, and, as much as I hate clichés, I promise that time will heal that wound.

Third, you need to consider the option that your “best friend” and your ex were fooling around behind your back for a long time. Honestly, I see no other reason for them to be moving along in their relationship so quickly unless they had already been doing something else beforehand. It’s an insanely crappy thing of them to do, and I’m sure that it’s not something you want to be true, but I feel like that’s the only explanation for their behavior. That’s on them, though, not on you, and their consciences will eventually get the better of them.

As for the small school and always seeing him thing — be the bigger person. Seeing your ex all the time is a gut-wrenching experience, and you’ll want to cry and throw up and slap him all at once. At the same time, you need to hold your head up high and ignore him. Pretend he doesn’t even exist, because neither of those people deserves to exist in your life after the way they treated you.

A friendship with either of these people probably isn’t possible, and frankly, I don’t see why you’d want to be friends with them after this. Cut them out of your life and move on. Find better friends and keep your head up. It’ll get better.

Ever receive a cryptic text from a guy?

"Hey..."

What the hell is that supposed to mean?!

Honestly, to a guy it probably just means, "hey." But to us females, it could mean anything. We’ve all been there, overanalyzing the simplest text and inadvertently driving ourselves crazy. Check out these seven texts guys send that leave us wondering and our minds reeling.

1. What he says:

“Haha”

What you read:

“You’re not funny, and this conversation is physically painful for me.”

2. What he says:

“u up?” (3:04 a.m.)

What you read:

“No one else on the planet answered my text, so tonight is your lucky night, babe.”

3. What he says:

“Sorry I didn’t answer before, I passed out early”

What you read:

“Sorry I was out with girls way prettier and more interesting than you so I didn’t feel the need to waste my time answering your text.”

4. What he says:

“Idk”

What you read:

“I care so little about this conversation that I didn’t even read what you just texted me.”

5. What he says:

“My friend’s having a party tonight, you should come.”

What you read:

“I want all of you, forever, you and me, every day.”

6. What he says:

"heyy" (9:21 p.m.)

"sup" (9:26 p.m.)

"r u ignoring me" (9:34 p.m.)

"????" (9:47 p.m.)

What you read:

"Hey girl, answer my texts so I can murder you in your sleep later."

7. What he says:

“Want to come over, watch Netflix and get takeout?”

What you read:

“I love you, will you marry me?”

Depending on where you go to school, joining a sorority may or may not be an all-access pass to a huge group of friends, awesome parties, and an active social life. If you’re on the fence about rushing a sorority (or even just a little curious), get some insight into going Greek with these stories from collegiettes who have been through it all.

Pro-Greek

Whether they grew up knowing they’d go Greek or rushed with a friend just for fun, these girls have fallen in love with sorority life.

“I joined Kappa Kappa Gamma my freshman year and I've never been happier. Going into college, though, I was completely against Greek life. I didn’t want to deal with the competition of rush. And growing up with two older brothers, I prefer to hang with guys much more. But my experience with my sorority at Emory has been more than amazing.” - Erica Petri, Emory University  

“I'm going into my 4th year in a sorority, and I think it is a very positive experience for girls to be involved with. Not only do you meet friends with similar interests to you (most girls in sororities tend to be social, academic, and very well-rounded overall), but you realize that you meet friends who are all so different and special. Every girl in my sorority (Kappa Kappa Gamma) is so different and unique—I have friends who play lacrosse, who sing, who work for the school council program board, who are studying for the LSAT, etc.” - Elizabeth Wagmeister, UCSB 

“It might sound trite or even dramatic, but joining a sorority has been the single best decision I have ever made. I'm...the [former] Vice President of Programming for Delta Zeta, an executive board member of All Greek Council and have been active in Panhellenic [the organization that represents all Greek organizations on campus] in the past. These organizations have allowed me to acquire and hone skills essential to my chosen career in PR, like leadership, time management, teamwork, conflict management, event planning and organization skills. Above all the skills I've obtained, being in Greek life has really boosted my confidence and given me the drive to go after what I want in life.” - Amber Strazzo, Millersville University of Pennsylvania 

“I wasn't totally sure about being a ‘sorority girl’, but it totally changed my college experience in an awesome way. I was contemplating transferring, but being in Delta Gamma finally gave me a group of girls who understood me and accepted me. I really believe that there is a place for everyone in the Greek system, and I love love LOVE my sisters... Bucknell without DG would be much less fulfilling and enjoyable.” - Jenni Whalen, Bucknell University 

“I'm in a sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta, and I was totally unsure what to think of it at first. I went through recruitment last year, and I ended up receiving a bid. Since then, it's been a lot of fun, and I've met some of my closest friends. There's rarely a time when I feel completely alone and don't know anyone around me, and it's all because of Greek life. All in all, I would definitely recommend it to girls who are looking for a solid network of friends, especially transfer students who are having a hard time connecting and finding a niche at school."- Bianca E. Ortega, Belmont University

“I've only been an initiated member for a couple of months, and already I've made a ton of friends, become way more involved on campus, and gained experiences that I wouldn't have otherwise. In fact, I only learned that Her Campus was joining Virginia Tech because one of my sisters brought it here. I even became her co-Campus Correspondent!” - Caitlin Fernandez, Virginia Tech 

Anti-Greek

Some collegiettes have never felt the urge to become part of the Greek system, and they swear they’re having just as much fun (if not more) as the girls in sororities.

“I never wanted to join a sorority and never did. I picked a college that was only about 30 minutes away from my high school, so I already knew a ton of people when I started college. I feel that I have a more diverse selection of friends than I may have had if I had gone Greek. I have male and female friends of all different ages, and I think that maybe I would not have some of the friends I do today had I been in a sorority.” - Lauren Conrad, University of Kentucky

“I rushed freshman and sophomore year and didn't end up joining a sorority. I got asked back to all of the houses I ranked the lowest on my list. I think the rush system is flawed because I didn't get asked back to a single one of my top 5 houses, not even for the second round out of four. I've still gone to date parties and done other fun ‘sorority’ stuff without being in a house. I don't have to dress the same as 40 other girls or go to a particular frat each weekend. I can do as I please without having to fit the stereotype of a few Greek letters.” - Erica, University of Michigan 

Mixed Feelings

Not everyone’s feelings about sororities are so black and white, and many girls are left with mixed emotions after going through the Greek process.

“I think sororities make sense at large institutions because they are a wonderful way to make friends and network. They provide a great foundation for getting to know your school, and Greek parties do have a reputation for being the best. However, one of my friends who went to a small school that had sororities was in one, and now that she has graduated she confided in me that she feels like all the friends she made were fake. They don't keep in contact, even though some of them live just a few towns over. My impression is that at smaller schools their main function is as a party house, where as at larger schools they become networking tools.” - Allison Lantero, Boston College 

“I always knew I wanted to rush! I thought the girls in sororities were so pretty and happy all the time and just lived the life of the party. I love my sisters to death, but sometimes I feel like I could have gone through college without joining. Greek people can be so stereotypical sometimes. During rush they tell you to narrow down your favorites, but I didn't get into my first OR second choice, so really it's just about them picking you. I am happy I have a group of friends who are not Greek to keep me balanced or else I feel like I would be stuck in high school forever.” - Anonymous

“I know this is so clichéd, but I really think it depends on the school. I have friends who go to school in the South (e.g., Tulane and Vanderbilt) and are in sororities, not so much because they wanted to but because it's a major aspect of their school's social scene. At my school (Boston University), however, it's not a necessity to go Greek: there are so many other clubs and ways to meet people and get involved on campus.” - Kelsey Mulvey, Boston University

“[At] Emory Greek life is pretty big here, but I knew early on that sorority life wasn't for me, so I didn't even rush. In retrospect, I wish I had gone through the experience of rush because it's only something you experience in college and I would urge everyone to do it! I don't regret not being in a sorority, though — it hasn't hindered my social life in any way.” - Alice Chen, Emory University 

“I've always thought that I would never join a sorority, but working at Her Campus...has made me consider at least rushing to see what it's like (I'm going to be a freshman at Northwestern). I still don't think it's very likely I would actually join one, but it's interesting that the people in my life are automatically against it even if I'm not.” - Katherine Mirani, Northwestern University  

Whatever your decision…

Don’t feel pressure to rush or not rush once you’re at school. If you’re curious and want to see what it’s like, go for it! If anything it will be a new experience, which is what college is all about. And if you’ve never felt the need to go Greek then there are a ton of other ways to meet people, like clubs, sporting events, class, your dorm, and more. 

Did you rush a sorority, or are you planning to? Why or why not?  Sound off in the comments below!

The Teen Choice Awards are always a hot spot for fabulous hair and makeup, and this year was no different. The stars hit the carpet looking their very best and rocking decidedly autumnal trends like tousled side braids and bold brows, getting us even more excited about the coming months (More trends to rock on campus? Yes please!). We've broken down our favorite beauty looks by category with all the insider tips you need to recreate each look so that you can put your best face forward this fall!

Best Skin: Chloë Grace Moretz

Brooklyn Beckham's rumored girlfriend rocked flawless and radiant skin on the red carpet, sticking to an age-appropriate beauty look made jaw-dropping by the addition of glowing skin. According to Chloë Grace Moretz's makeup artist, the look was achieved using foundation followed by NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard ($29 at Sephora). To recreate this look at home, try using Revlon ColorStay Makeup for Combination/Oily Skin ($9.98 at Walmart) for flawless-looking skin. This foundation is designed for combination/oily skin, so you'll be left with a soft matte finish, just like Chloë's!

Best Hair: Nina Dobrev

Nina Dobrev has been on a total style roll lately, and the the look she rocked at the Teen Choice Awards was no exception. We're completely obsessed with her tousled side braid and sombré (subtle ombré!) strands. Before you try to recreate this look at home, run Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Texturizing Cream ($5.99 at Ulta) through damp hair and blow dry. For the actual rope braid, Nina's hairstylist Riawna Capri started by separating the hair into three sections and twisting each section clockwise. She then braided the twisted sections together counter-clockwise and secured with an elastic, pulling at the braid to loosen it and give it added texture. How cute would this be for a festival?!

Best Liner: Debby Ryan

We love that Debby Ryan went with a retro, '60s-inspired look for the evening, and we especially loved the contrast of the bold, graphic liner with her platinum-blonde updo. Debby's makeup artist used the Kevyn Aucoin Precision Liquid Liner in Black ($34 at Bergdorf Goodman), but a more affordable (and equally high-performing!) option is the Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner in Black ($7.99 at Target). Using a felt-tip pen or a gel liner on an angled brush, draw a line along the upper lashline, thickening the line as you go along. At the outer corner, flick the line up to create a bold and flirty wing.

Best Bold Lip: Shay Mitchell

We don't know about you, but Shay Mitchell's tousled locks and deep burgundy lips definitely got us in the mood for autumn! This look works because Shay kept the rest of her makeup super simple with a soft eye and fresh skin, making the wine-colored lip the standout. To achieve this look, first line your lips using a liner like the e.l.f. Essential Long-Wear Lip Liner Pencil in Bitter ($1 at e.l.f.) to keep the color from fading or feathering. Using a lip brush, apply a deep wine lipstick, like the Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick Pearl in Black Cherry ($8.99 at CVS), and blot with a tissue to get this vampy matte lip. 

Best Bronze Glow: Jennifer Lopez

It's a testament to her beauty that Jennifer Lopez did not look a bit out of place at the Teen Choice Awards, rocking a glossy orange lip with her signature bronzed skin. While J. Lo has been #blessed with a gorgeous glowing complexion, we can all achieve her bronze-goddess look using a good bronzer and highlighter, like this Urban Decay Naked Flushed Palette ($30 at Sephora). Sweep the bronzer along your cheekbones, temples and across the bridge of your nose for a sunkissed effect and finish off with the shimmery highlighter along the tops of your cheekbones for a pretty glow. 

Best Brows: Lucy Hale

Bold brows are still all the rage, and we're willing to bet we'll see a lot more of this trend as we get into autumn.Lucy Hale is the teen queen of brows (well, her and Lily Collins), and though her eyebrows are naturally quite full, it's possible to recreate her look even if your brows are sparse. Using the e.l.f. Studio Eyebrow Kit ($3 at e.l.f.), start with the darker wax on an angled brush and define and shape your brows, making them slightly fuller at the front and creating a soft arch. Switching to the lighter powder, fill in any sparse areas of your brows and set the wax in place. Now go rock those diva brows!

Best Pale Pout: Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez's makeup always looks flawless, and we love that she paired her edgy pony and black liner with a sweet, pinky-nude gloss. This lip look is super easy to recreate using the NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Pink Frost ($5 at NYX). To start, prep your lips with lip balm and fill in your lips with a pale pink lip liner. Swipe on a few coats of gloss and, voilà! Instant Selena chic.

What were your favorite (or least favorite!) beauty looks from the 2014 Teen Choice Awards, collegiettes? Which are you willing to try? Let us know in the comments!

What a relief it was when you got that “fat envelope” in the mail three years ago signaling your acceptance into college! Now it seems like you’re going through that excruciating process all over again for graduate school, except this time, it’s a lot more competitive and financially draining. You can’t go in with an undeclared major like you did before—now, admissions officers want to know that you’re focused, you’re professional and you know exactly what you want to do. To help you through the process, here are seven steps for nailing every application!

1. Finalize your list of schools.

Researching schools can be overwhelming, but asking questions is usually a good place to start. Debra Kelly, the director of The Career Center at The College of New Jersey, says many universities have online chat sessions where you can speak to administrators and alumni from a specific program. Stanford University and the University of Pennsylvania are just a few examples of schools who have done this.

If you’re looking for more personal advice, Kelly suggests using your network. “You’d be surprised what could happen if you just said [to people you know], ‘Oh, I’m thinking of going to [this] university but I don’t know much about it; I wonder who I could talk to,’” she says.

Once you know which programs are best aligned with your interests, you can start narrowing down your choices. Here are a few practical questions to ask grad school faculty that will help you decide if a school will meet your needs:

• What will my class schedule look like?   
• How many years does the program take?
• How does the living cost of this city compare to others?
• Can I enroll part-time if I need to work?
• Can I find a job at the university? 

Finding a job at your university can provide great financial support, because many schools will cover your tuition if you’re an employee. That’s what Erin McGee, a M.A. in human rights candidate at Columbia University, is aiming to do when she starts school this fall.

Since graduate programs are very specific, you might find yourself filling out fewer applications than expected. However, there’s no reason to worry, because it means you’re focused on the ones that are right for you! 

2. Mark your deadlines.

We all know that once classes start, the temptation to procrastinate will hit hard (there are so many House of Cards episodes on Netflix to watch, after all). Here’s where you really need to do your research, because application deadlines can fall anywhere between January and March.

Kristi Ramos, senior assistant director of New York University’s Graduate School of Arts & Science, says it’s important to remember that the deadline isn’t just for the online application, but also for the other components, such as recommendations and test scores.

“One common mistake is that students don’t register to take the GRE until very close to the application deadline,” Ramos says. “Students should take their tests at least four to six weeks before their deadline, if not sooner.”

If staying organized isn’t one of your strengths, plan out your application process on its own calendar to minimize distractions. Start by marking the hard deadlines for each application, then set personal goals, such as dates for finishing essays. Color-code each university’s deadlines so it’s easier to track your progress. Lastly, remember that other people need time to write your recommendations, so be sure to consider their schedules as well!

3. Study for the GRE.

While taking the GRE early is vital, the hard part is getting that stellar score! The GRE, or Graduate Record Examinations, has a general test, which costs $195. It’s comprised of verbal reasoning, analytical writing and quantitative reasoning (in other words, reading, writing and math). The difference between the SAT and the GRE is that the GRE is administered on a computer, your score is valid for five years and you can take it every 21 days for up to five times every 12 consecutive months. There are also subject tests at $150 each for students applying to programs in the sciences, English and psychology.

Hannah*, who will be a Ph.D. candidate in physical sciences at Stanford University starting this fall, says she paid special attention not to make any careless mistakes in the first few sections of the test, because the GRE is adaptive. That means your performance at the beginning determines the difficulty later on. If you get harder questions, you’ll likely get a higher score.

To get the best score possible, Kelly suggests making use of a variety of resources, such as test-prep classes, books and online materials. Start with the free practice questions that Educational Testing Service, or ETS (the GRE testing agency), provides online for the general test and the subject tests. There are also test-prep books such as Kaplan and The Princeton Review.

Many of these organizations, such as Kaplan, also provide free evaluations based on an online practice test you can take, as well as test-prep courses. While these courses may be a little pricey, ranging from $500 to $2,000, Kelly says since the test itself is already a huge investment, taking a course to be as prepared as possible is something students should consider.

Programs put different values on test scores; the sciences weigh them more heavily, while the humanities tend to consider other factors, Ramos says. Whatever program and budget you’re working with, the important part is to give yourself plenty of time to figure things out and study hard!

4. Ask for recommendations.

Most schools will request at least two letters of recommendation, preferably from professors who have been impressed by your academic skills and work ethic. Kelly suggests setting up a meeting with a professor by sending a professional email expressing your interest in graduate studies (be sure to attach your resume!).

“The reason why you want to have a conversation with them is that you want to know if they’re going to give you an excellent recommendation, not just a [medicore] recommendation,” Kelly says.

If you’re applying to a field that’s different from your undergraduate major, Kelly suggests asking academic advisers, coaches or supervisors from organizations you joined. However, if you have professors or academic-related people who can give you recommendations, it’s still best to focus on those, because graduate school admissions officers are primarily trying to evaluate your academic potential.                                                                                                    

5. Do some graduate-level work.

To get a sense of what graduate school will actually be like, consider writing an honors thesis or taking some graduate courses senior year. An honors thesis is an extensive paper usually written during senior year for which work under the guidance of a faculty adviser (often a professor you’ve had a course with) to research a topic in your field. At the end of the year there’s a defense, where you present your research in front of a panel of professors who will evaluate your work. It can be a challenging process, but it’s the perfect opportunity to get a feel for what you’ll be doing in graduate school. Also, if your professor’s impressed by your work, writing a thesis is a great way to secure a stellar recommendation letter!

Most schools require students to submit thesis proposals before the fall, so check with your department to see if there’s still time. Take the same steps Kelly gave for securing recommendations: Set up a meeting to express your interest in writing a thesis.

If a thesis isn’t a commitment you can fit into your schedule, Ramos suggests taking a few graduate courses senior year.  “A lot of students take a few graduate courses as a non-degree student [to] show that they can handle the coursework,” she says.

Not only will these courses demonstrate your academic skills to admissions officers, but they’ll also help you decide if staying in school for another two, three or even more years taking these courses is something you realistically see yourself doing.

6. Write your personal statement.

Some schools might ask you to submit both a personal statement and a statement of purpose, one for life experiences and one that’s purely professional. Whatever the format, make sure you proofread your work! Ramos says more often than you’d expect, students write the wrong school name in the essay. When Hannah wrote her essay, she took care to be clear and concise because she was applying to a research program, which values students who can articulate themselves well.

In terms of content, it’s important to not just repeat your resume. “Where I think people make mistakes is that they don’t tell their story,” Kelly says. She often sees students writing what they think admissions officers want to hear, which makes them sound less authentic. To stay both believable and interesting, find connections between your experiences and your interests. For example, maybe a love of learning led to reading a lot of nonfiction books, which gave you a passion for history that resulted in a history internship. Kelly says that since admissions officers are reading thousands of these essays, you can stand out by creating a cohesive narrative.

7. Establish a rapport with the faculty in every program.

Unlike college admissions, where decisions are made by a central office, graduate students are admitted by the specific department that they’re applying to. The upside to this is that there are more opportunities to get to know the specific administrators, students and professors in your field. If you’re waitlisted, the best way to get off a waitlist is to act professionally early on and continue to show your enthusiasm for the program throughout the process.                                                                                    

“When a student is in touch with a department, they should be on their best behavior and have excellent questions before they call and start asking things that might be easily available on a department’s website,” Ramos says. Here are some questions you could ask to avoid sounding like you haven’t done your research:

• I’ve read these articles you wrote, and I was surprised by ____. Could you tell me a little more about your work in this area?
• As a double major in college, I want to combine my interests. How would someone with my background fit into this program?
• I’m interested in working at ____ organization someday, and I noticed that you did some research there. Could you tell me about your experience?

Just like with your personal statement, it’s always good to share your story because it makes your questions unique and personal, and it’ll help professors provide better answers if they know where you’re coming from.

To summarize our advice in two words: Start early! Graduate school is all about finding the right fit. The application process is different for everyone, so give yourself plenty of time to do some serious research as well as soul-searching!

*Name has been changed.

Are you a queer student heading back to school who wants to know about your history and community? Or are you just an ally who wants to be better informed about the issues and struggles LGBTQ+ individuals face? More and more schools and campuses are becoming inclusive and offering LGBTQ+-related courses. Here are just a few interesting courses being offered across the country that we wish we could sit in on.

1.Victorian Sexualities (Syracuse University)

Wait, LGBTQ+ individuals even existed before the 21^st century? Contrary to popular belief, being queer or trans* isn’t some sort of phenomenon that occurred right at the beginning of this century. This course teaches students about gender identity and sexuality during the Victorian period, finding many surprising connections between that period and our own. This course also covers a broad range of Victorian literature, so this is the perfect class for those who love history and reading!

2.Are We Still Fabulous? Queer Identity in Contemporary Drama (DePaul University)

We bet you’ve never put any thought into why “fabulous” is a word widely claimed by the gay community. It turns out that the explanation can take up an entire class! Born out of ACT UP and the AIDS militant movement of the late 1980s and early 1990s, “fabulous” became an important term that really referred to queer identities, specifically in plays, dramas and other forms of media where stories about LGBTQ+ lives were told. More recently, dramas have become less about making a political statement and more about one’s identity and love. This course analyzes queer dramas, leaving students to decide what their take on being “fabulous” is and what it means to them.

3.Gender, Sexuality, and Popular Culture (University of Colorado Boulder)

Super into pop culture? This course explores just about every medium of it! From zines to blogs and films to music videos, this course analyzes gender and sexuality as they intersect with class, race, religion, ability and imperialism.

“I really enjoyed this course,” says Christina*, a student at CU-Boulder. “I’ve always liked analyzing many forms of media and how important it is in terms of representation for LGBTQ+ people, so this course was just perfect for me.”

4.Transnational Sexualities (Mills College)

Have you ever been interested in learning more about gender and sexuality outside the Western point of view? This course has it all. It covers topics such as “globalization and sexual cultures, queer diasporas, sex work, sex trafficking, sex tourism, the politics of AIDS, militarism and sexual violence and transnational social movements” so students can get a different outlook on sexuality in the world around them.

5.Gender Performance (Queen’s University)

This course addresses the many meanings of gender performance in our society. A large variety of media, including novels, plays, poems, films, magazines and cartoons, are analyzed. This course mainly focuses on and explores the topics of gender identity, beauty and the body and individuals in the trans* community. If you’re a student interested in queer and feminist theory, this is a course for you!

Stewing in jealousy yet? Fortunately for you, more courses and programs are being added to schools around the country, and nearly every college or university offers courses on queer theory and gender studies. Happy studying!

*Name has been changed.

When most of us hear the term “shoulder pads,” we immediately conjure up images (read: nightmares) of the giant hair and crazy neon prints of the 1980s and '90s. Did we ever think we'd consider donning that trend ourselves?

Yet in recent years, enhanced shoulders have been spotted on catwalks, celebrities and eventually even the mannequins of local department stores. Luckily, unless you’re Lady Gaga, shoulder pads these days are much more toned down than their ’80s and ’90s counterparts, so much so that you might not even notice them at first. The subtlety of today's shoulder pads make them a perfect way to define the shape of your torso and look totally in charge.

Since it's Throwback Thursday, we thought we'd share some easy way to integrate shoulder pads into your wardrobe (without looking like you walked right off the Clueless set)!

1. At your internship

Maybe the concept of “power dressing” is worth revisiting. Let your office know you mean business!Be powerfully professional at the office during your internship with Modcloth’s Documentary Filmmaker Blazer, on sale for $20. Style it with:

• Wallis Blue Soft Collar Wrap Top, $56
• PacSun Bullhead Low Rise Skinniest Starry Black Jeans, on sale for $29.95
• ModCloth Follow the Arrow Flats, $29.99
• Ann Taylor Peacock Stackable Rings, on sale for $44.99
• Aldo Beetz handbag, $50

2. At brunch

Pretend to be sophisticated (hey, you're at a fancy brunch after all!) while simultaneously consuming your weight in pancakes. Be bold at brunch in an Anthropologie Canace Blazer, $118. Style it with:

• Charlotte Russe Strappy-Back Tribal Print Romper, on sale for $22.99
• Chicnova Vintage Multiple Color Diamond Decorate Sunglasses, on sale for $11.05
• Charlotte Russe Nubuck Crisscross Platform Wedge Sandals, on sale for $19.49
• Mango Patent Cross Body Bag, $44.99

3. On date night

Be daring on date night while rocking an Akira Draped Front Long Sleeve Dress, $40. Make a statement when that random guy on Tinder cute baseball player from class asks you to dinner! Style it with:

• ASOS Heart Choker Locket Necklace, $11.61
• Kate Spade Mini Bow Stud Earrings, $48
• Neiman Marcus Vixon Crystal Skull Envelope Clutch, on sale for $39
• JustFab Isabeau heels, $54.99

Shoulder pads have clearly undergone a major makeover--and our attitudes about them have too! What do you think, collegiettes? Do shoulder pads deseve a second chance?

Nominate another Throwback Thursday to be featured on the site in the comments below!

Forget about first exams and getting to know your randomly picked roommates… one of the most intimidating things to navigate as a newly enrolled freshman collegiette is the on-campus dating scene. In high school, it was easy to meet guys who already lived in your hometown. But in college, the dating rules are different, and it’s not always so easy to meet guys. Where can you find these collegents? How do you impress them? How do you avoid being dismissed by them as just another frat party-hopping freshman girl? We’ve asked girls and guys across the country about the first-year college dating scene to bring you this tell-all guide on how to meet guys as a freshman girl(and how not to be that freshman).

Where to meet him:House parties

Maybe it was his slick dance moves or his mad flip-cup skills, but whatever it was, it’s thrown you head over heels for this Campus Cutie. So how do you get his attention? Katie King from Western Michigan University says that steering clear of the row upon row of frat houses and opting instead to hit up house parties can be a great way to meet older college guys and stand out from crowds of freshman girls. “A ton of freshman girls go to the frats, but that is what kind of makes you stick out as a freshman,” Katie says. “Talk to tons of people and try to go out with them. House parties are usually the best place to meet older guys.” House parties tend to be a more intimate setting for meeting guys: there are usually fewer and therefore, it’s easier to chat up that cutie!

How to impress him

Be fun and flirty! Just remember that there’s a fine line between being the life of the party and being “that party girl” (LiLo, anyone?). Zachary from Wake Forest University says you should be careful about hooking up with too many guys too quickly or you’ll end up with a reputation that reaches all the way to the upperclassmen. “I guess if hooking up is what you’re all about, then have at it,” Zachary says. “But it doesn’t make you look good when you’ve hooked up with all my friends by the end of fall semester.” In other words: keep it classy, collegiettes!

Where to meet him: Tailgates and games

Sure, we’re all swooning over the quarterback of the football team or the captain of the ice hockey team, but what about that cute friend of a friend you meet while tailgating? Tailgates and sports games can be the best places to meet guys (the ones who aren’t sweating up their uniforms)!

How to impress him

If there’s one thing that guys love to talk about, it’s sports, so why not strike up a convo about the game, the teams playing, and the players on the field? Even if you know zip about the sport, take that as your opportunity to chat him up for info like Emily from the University of Mississippi did. Emily met her freshman year boyfriend through her sorority sister at a tailgating party. “Tailgating is big down here at Ole Miss,” Emily says. “But it’s funny, because coming from New England, I really didn’t know a whole lot about Southern football teams. So he tried to explain what was going on out on the field, we ended up talking for the whole game, and he asked me out. We’re still dating three years later and now, tailgating is our favorite thing to do!” If all goes well, you'll have a date for next game! And even if he’s from another nearby school and you’re rooting for opposite teams, that only brings up the opportunity for you to use this perfect betting line: “If my team wins, you’re taking me to dinner!”

Where to meet him: Dorm halls and study lounges

If you’re looking for guys, what better place to start than with the guy next door? Kema Christian-Taylor from Harvard University says that the common room in the dorm was always a hotspot for scoping out hotties. “I would always go down to my dorm's common room, no matter what the hour!” Kema says. “It was rarely ever empty, and def a hot spot on Friday and Saturday nights after everyone had finished partying, but didn't want to go to bed yet!”

How to impress him

The great thing about dorms – and especially dorm lounges – is that there is always something happening right down the hall, whether a group of your guy hallmates are watching a movie or playing a video game (in which case, you can show off your mad gaming skills at Mario Kart playing as Yoshi)! Dorms are a great way to meet, get to know, and hang out with other guys who are living in your dorm.

Where to meet him: Classes and labs (or in-between)!

If that broodingly handsome cutie in your chemistry class is making eyes at you across the lecture hall, spark some chemistry of your own by approaching him in class. Amelia* from the University of Michigan says that even waiting in between classes can be a perfect time to approach guys. “I would grab a quick bite to eat in between classes sometimes and random guys would come sit by me,” she says. “One time I was reading a magazine and a guy approached me and said, ‘[T]alking is more fun than that, right?’ I laughed and let him sit with me. Although it never went anywhere, I did enjoy talking to him.”

How to impress him

There are plenty of ways to approach a guy in class. Nab him as your lab partner, work on a group project with him, or, as Claire from Ohio State University suggests, “Ask for his notes!” Offer to study for the upcoming exam with him. While you’re at it, offer to meet him for coffee post-cram sesh or pre-lecture. As girls, we can be intimidated by asking a guy out, but being upfront and confident is always sexy. “There’s no harm in making the first move, ladies!” says Bill Feldman from Emory University.

Where to meet him: Student clubs and off-campus activities

You might be the shy type, or maybe you’re not into the party scene on campus. It’s still easy to meet guys thanks to student clubs, sports teams, and other extracurricular groups. Odds are that you’ll want to start writing for your college newspaper, or maybe you’ll want to try your hand at juggling – either way, there are countless different groups for you to join, and freshman year is the perfect time to do so!

How to impress him

Joining as many social organizations as you can is the best way to meet guys who already share the same interests as you. You’ll know that you’ll have at least one thing in common and you can impress him with your skills. Even if that first date with him doesn’t work out, you at least found a group where you can do something you enjoy (and possibly where you can meet other guys who love dancing, foreign films, or kayaking just as much as you do).

What’s most important to keep in mind about freshman year is that as a freshman, you should experience all that the college dating scene has to offer. When there’s so much to discover about being a new collegiette on campus, serious boyfriend-hunting shouldn’t take a big priority. And if you do snag a Campus Cutie your first year, don’t be distressed if the relationship doesn’t work out. It can be limiting being tied down in a relationship, anyway, and college can be the best time in your life to live it up as a single lady!

*Names have been changed for anonymity.

Thank goodness that Michael Cera is at it again. We loved watching him grow up on Arrested Developmentand swooned when he sang with Ellen Page in Juno. Now, à la Beyoncé, Michael Cera has dropped a surprise album of what The Guardian calls "lo-fi bedroom pop." You can listen to the whole album, called True That, on his Bandcamp website here. The album consists of 18 short tracks, with the longest running three minutes 26 seconds and the shortest at just 46 seconds. We would describe the album as the kind of music you would want to listen to as you cook spaghetti on a quiet winter night or when you're reading a really good novel. 

The world found out about Cera's musical genius from Jonah Hill's tweet, according to The Guardian.

My great friend Michael Cera not only is a brilliant actor, he also makes great music. Check it out: http://t.co/lbc8sDcSco

— Jonah Hill (@JonahHill) August 13, 2014

If Jonah Hill loves it, we love it. We can totally get into this indie folk vibe for you, Michael. 

What do you think of the album, collegiettes? Share your thoughts in the comments!

If you're recently single after a difficult breakup, you know that it can be hard to think about anything else. You may stare at your phone waiting for a text, have trouble sleeping as you try to figure out what went wrong or change your routine to avoid an awkward encounter with your ex. If this sounds familiar, we're here to help with things you can do post-breakup to keep your mind on your new single life – not your former relationship. 

1. Make some cash

Why not use some of your newfound free time to make some pocket money? The great thing about being a student is that it's possible to find a job on campus with flexible hours. Check your school career center's website to see if anyone on campus is hiring, or try working at a restaurant near campus. They're happy to have the help, and working will keep you busy and give you some extra cash for the weekend. 

"I didn't realize how much time I spent with my boyfriend until we broke up," says Hannah, a junior at the University of Miami. "I suddenly had so much free time that I didn't know what to do with, so I got a job answering phones on campus."

Hannah also ended up meeting some of her best friends in addition to making extra money. "I never would have met these amazing people if that breakup—which seemed so unbearable at the time—hadn't happened,” she says.

2. Work out

Working out is a great way to stay fit year-round. It’s also proven to make you happier! Rather than lying around analyzing the last conversation between you and your former SO, go for a run or lift some weights.

"When I'm upset, I don't really want to move or do much of anything, and [I] feel really tired," says Willa, a sophomore at Tufts University.  After a breakup, Willa decided to hit the gym with her roommates to get out of her slump and found that she had a new favorite hobby.

Like this collegiette, when you're going through a hard time like a breakup, it can be hard to motivate yourself to get moving. To solve this, ask a friend to be your workout buddy, or pay for a class ahead of time to motivate you to go. 

To make your workout even more fun, try a fitness app to switch up your routine!

3. Spend more time with your friends

While everyone needs some alone time, surrounding yourself with people who make you feel good will distract you from your breakup, which will help you in the long run. Going out with your girls is always fun, but spend time with them during the day, too! Take a drive to the town closest to your campus, go to the mall or do something else that you wouldn't normally do. Put a positive spin on this breakup by using it to create great new memories with your girls that you may not have been able to make before.

"When me and my boyfriend broke up, I was devastated," says Ariana, a senior at Lehigh University. "I stayed in bed for a week and I couldn't sleep, so it was really all I thought about. My best friend surprised me by taking me bowling. I hadn't done that since I was a little kid, and it was so much fun. We go once a month now."

If you want to get over a breakup, “you want to surround yourself with people who love you unconditionally,” says Dr. Wendy Walsh, relationship expert and host of Investigation Discovery’s Happily Never After.“These would be long-term, historic friends; sisters; other close friends—people who will remind you how lovable you are.”

4. Embark on an adventure

Maybe you didn’t take advantage of travel opportunities in the past because you didn’t want to leave your relationship behind. Being newly single is a great time to see new sights, eat new food and meet new people. 

Take a look at your school's study abroad opportunities. Going to a foreign place while still having the comfort of being with college students will give you an unforgettable experience that will help you leave your breakup behind.

“I went abroad for my school’s winter session and coincidentally had been broken up with three weeks before I left,” says Jamie, a junior at the University of Delaware. “Spending time in an incredible new country with no one to text constantly at home or check in with really helped me move on and fully experience the country I was in.”

If getting on a plane doesn’t fit into your plan, going on a mini vacation or even a day trip with your besties can be the perfect way to take your mind off of the breakup. Going to a new place for a few hours, days or weeks will allow you to stay busy and constantly interact with new people.

5. Try a new hobby

What’s more exciting than accomplishing a new goal? Redirect your passion into something new and exciting. The great thing about starting a new hobby is that it's totally on your schedule and can be as big or small as you want it to be. By choosing a new hobby to take up, it's all about you: Doing it your way on your time. 

When starting something new, having a short- or long-term goal to go with it will make you more determined to stick with it and accomplish that goal. For example, if you want to go abroad to Argentina for a semester, doing something such as learning Spanish or taking tango dance classes is something that will distract you in the moment and help you long-term as well. You’ll not only feel accomplished after you conquer a goal, but you’ll likely end up feeling more confident in general, too. 

Consider doing something physical, like starting to run on a regular basis. For collegiettes who aren't exactly in marathon shape, try easing into it with the Couch to 5K program. If you want an athletic hobby that’ll also allow you to meet new people, see what intramural sports teams are on your campus. If athletics aren't your thing, try becoming a craft queen and tackle some DIY projects.

Still lost on where to start when it comes to finding a new hobby? Try keeping a daily journal. Along with this being a hobby in itself, looking back on your best and worst moments of the day can help you figure out what you like and want to do more of. 

6. Treat yourself to a makeover

The end of a romantic relationship means the beginning of new chapter in your life. Take advantage of this time by taking a risk and making a change that you've always wanted to make. Whether that means redecorating your room, dyeing your hair or adding some new pieces to your wardrobe, a positive change can help you feel good about moving forward.

“People change their external self or external environment as a way to signal that they’re changing internally,” Dr. Walsh says.  She adds that while this can be a useful coping strategy, you’ll make the physical change when you’re beginning to change internally.

Dr. Walsh adds that changing your external environment is a way to get rid of reminders that will trigger memories of your relationship. “If you had a certain cuddly duvet that you were always in with him, change it out,” she says. Redecorating your room is not only a way to cleanse away some of the unwanted reminders of your relationship, but also a way to give yourself a fun project to keep your mind off of the breakup as well.

7. Study hard

After all of those years of our parents nagging us to crack down on the books, they may have been right. Going above and beyond in the classroom will help you the long run (hello, internships) and give you a productive way to think about other things besides your split. Spend the hour between classes that you'd normally spend with your ex in your professor's office hours or preparing for an exam that may be a few weeks away.

“Being single allowed me to really dedicate myself to my friends and my classes,” says Rachel, a sophomore at the University of Maryland. “It was not only a great way to stay busy, but my GPA went up after it had gone down a little bit the previous semester.”

Spending a couple extra hours per week doing some reading or practice problems will get you ahead in many ways and also keep your mind on your classes instead of the breakup.

8. Share the love with your community

Doing some community service can make someone else’s day better and will put you in a better mood. Walsh says that altruism is one of three things proven to boost happiness (along with exercise and surrounding yourself with good people).

One of the best parts about community service is that it benefits both you and the cause you’re helping. If you’re super busy, try dropping off some canned food or old clothes at a shelter near campus. If you’re new to volunteering and don’t know where to start, try VolunteerMatch, an organization that helps match you with a cause you’re interested in. Who knows, you may discover a new passion!

Staying busy with any of these activities is a great way to pull yourself out of that post-split slump. No matter what your interests are, find something that you love to do and redirect your energy towards it. It will make you happier and help you to move on.

Exercising daily is a sign of becoming a real-life adult. Sometimes you have to get creative to find a way that makes getting into shape fun and effective. That doesn't mean that it's always rainbows and butterflies, though. Prime example: spin class. 

It’s 5:45 a.m. and my alarm is going off either because I set it while I was drunk or because I have spin class. 

Let me just put my stuff into this locker and then I’ll be on my—oh my God there is a naked lady in the locker room. 

PSA: Don't ever be that person who gets naked in the locker room.

I’m never really sure if I’m supposed to eat before these classes. Like, will I faint? But is that better or worse than puking? I have all the questions and none of the answers. 

Gotta find my assigned bike…

Some girl is standing right by it. That’s my bike. 

"I'm sorry that you seem to be confused. It belongs to me. The. Bike. Is. Mine."

(Side note: Imagine if Brandy and Monica sang in all of your inner monologues.)

Alright, let me just get on this bike. Be graceful. Be graceful - okay, nevermind. 

It’s like I’ve never been on a bike before. 

Oh, okay girl in the corner warming up - okay.

Maybe I should warm up…

“Alright, let’s get started!”

How is this instructor so peppy?  Did he put Red Bull in his coffee this morning? 

But at least he's not like,

Alright, the class is just getting started, but...

Put up your resistance = pretend to turn your knob and then move your legs slower, right? 

Thanks, Oprah!

Jumps? Who do you think I am? Superwoman?

How in the world is everyone keeping up with this class?

Okay, I officially feel like I'm drowning in my own sweat. 

I’m gonna be so fit when this is all over…

FINALLY DONE. Are my legs supposed to feel like this? 

Wait, aren’t I supposed to feel great? 

SO. HUNGRY. MUST. EAT. 

Whatever, I earned it. 

Even though tomorrow I'll wake up like this:

And realize that this is all I really want, 

Eventually I'll learn to love spin calss. 

I've just got to remember my seat cushion next time.

Welcome Week can be the best part of your freshman year... or the worst. Most schools designate about five days to be a crash course in starting college. You probably won't have classes scheduled during Welcome Week, which means your days with be jam-packed with moving in, meeting your roommate, adjusting to campus life, and attending fun events! You’ll experience your first taste of college parties and have a few sleepless nights as you anticipate the start of classes. While your first week on campus can be a blast, making peace with your roommate, finding friends, and the dreaded FOMO can make it pretty stressful. With our tips on maximizing the fun and limiting the stress, you'll navigate your first week on campus like a pro.

DO plan ahead.

Your college will offer a range of Welcome Week activities. The Italian Studies department might throw a pizza party, student government might offer an outdoor movie screening, and the gym might hold free Zumba classes. You can look up the schedule for these activities ahead of time on your college's website. Plan to attend one or two activities a day. Not only are the activities fun, but they're a great way to meet new people!

“While it was weird to do activities with a bunch of people I didn't know, it ended up being a great icebreaker for making new friends!” says Rachel, a recent graduate of Butler University. “Everyone was doing goofy charades together, scavenger hunts, and obstacle courses. A few weeks later when classes started, it was a relief to see someone in class or around campus and recognize them from an event where you'd met them before.”

If you're nervous about attending events by yourself, invite your roommate to come along. But there's no reason to worry about walking in solo; college is a clean slate for everybody, so no one will judge you for not having a posse on day one.

DON'T schedule every minute of the day.

While it's great to take advantage of school- and club-sponsored events during Welcome Week, you don't want to cram your calendar with events from morning till night. The first week of school can be exhausting; it's totally fine to head back to your room occasionally for some downtime. Remember, you'll have to be in class in just a few short days – make the most of your naps while you don't have a five-page paper hanging over your head!

Another reason to keep your schedule open? New friends! Keep a few hours clear every day so you can explore campus or chill out in the dorms with people you meet during Welcome Week.

DO make the most of the club fair.

One event you definitely can't miss is the club fair. Each club on campus will have its own table. As you walk through the fair, you can learn about each club, sign up for the email listservs of clubs you're interested in, and scoop up freebies, like candy, T-shirts, and pens.

“It's a good idea to at least get your name on the club [list-serv] and attend a few meetings during the first few weeks of the semester,” says Annie Pei, a recent graduate of the University of Chicago. “The first few weeks as a freshman aren't super busy, so take the time to look at the different organizations and decide if they're for you. That way, you can get a good feel for what each club is like and you won't end up regretting not going in and trying them out.”

Not 100 percent gung ho about a certain club? Sign up anyway. It doesn't hurt to attend the first few meetings, and you can ask to be removed from the club list-serv at any time.

DON'T sign up for a million clubs.

On the flip side, you don't want to sign up for more clubs than you can handle. If you have zero interest in water polo, there's no point in signing up just to impress the cute swimmer who explained the club's practice schedule to you. It's great to break out of your comfort zone, but stick to clubs that you can reasonably expect to participate in and enjoy.

Beware: sign up for too many clubs and you'll spend the rest of your college career bombarded with emails about the meditation club's next meeting. It will be stressful (oh, the irony).

DO put yourself out there!

You've probably known the majority of your high school class since kindergarten. It's been a long, long time since you've had to make an entirely new set of friends, which can make the prospect of meeting new people in college seem a little intimidating. Luckily, everyone else wants to make friends right away, too, so be as friendly and open-minded as possible.

“Meet as many new friends as you can,” Annie suggests. “You're probably not going to keep in touch with a lot of them, but one of the awesome things about college is the diversity and variety of people you meet. So in the end, it won't hurt to really put yourself out there, because that way, you'll get to meet all sorts of interesting people.”

Some schools have an open door policy, which means you have to keep your dorm door open during the day (or at least during the first few weeks of school) to facilitate making friends. That's an easy way to get to know people; just introduce yourself as you walk by someone's room!

Most people are ultra-outgoing during Welcome Week, but it becomes a little tougher to make friends a few months down the line. So seize the opportunity to form friendships now!

DON'T worry about finding your new BFF right away.

Some people instantly click during Welcome Week and remain friends for the rest of their college careers (and even afterwards). That's sweet, but it's not always the case for everyone. You might take a few weeks, months, or even semesters to find your college best friend, and that's totally normal. In the meantime, though, just enjoy meeting new people. The girl down the hall might not be your best friend for life, but in a pinch, she'll be there when you don't want to go to a party alone.

DO have fun!

Aside from move-in day, you don't have a ton of other responsibilities during Welcome Week. Once the semester really begins, you'll be caught up with classes, clubs, internships or jobs, and more, so appreciate how much freedom you have this week.

Want to explore the gorgeous scenery around campus? Go ahead, take a long walk and bring your camera. Want your dorm room to look like the cover of House Beautiful magazine? Spend the whole day making DIY crafts from Pinterest. At night, go out and get a taste of your new school's social scene. During the hectic exam period, you'll want to look back on this week fondly!

DON'T let FOMO get you down.

It's easy to get caught up in the notion that you have to have The Most Epic Freshman Year Ever. You've heard about how crazy awesome college is for years, so you might feel like the pressure is on to dance until the bars close down every night and hook up with the hottest guy on campus.

While college can be totally awesome, you'd be surprised by how many people struggle with FOMO, the fear of missing out, during their first semester. If you end up without plans one weekend, don't meet your best friend on move-in day, or clam up around a cute guy, take a deep breath; it's totally normal. You have a full four years to experience college – there's no need to cram all the highlights into your first week!

DON'T party too hard.

Even if you went to a few wild parties in high school, there's nothing quite like the college party scene. We don't advocate underage drinking, but if you choose to do so, be safe. There's nothing nastier than waking up the next morning with a horrible hangover and a lack of concrete details about what exactly you did last night. If you choose to drink, make sure to eat a filling dinner to avoid drinking on an empty stomach (a recipe for blacking out) and alternate every alcoholic drink with a glass of water.

Finally, know that it's always smarter to call your university health center if you or a friend has had too much to drink than to try to deal with it alone. Alcohol poisoning is dangerous. If you're worried about getting in trouble, know that many schools have policies against punishing you for reporting a potential health hazard, like having too much to drink. The phone number for your university's health center may be written on the back of your ID. If it's not, go ahead and program it into your phone before you head out for the night.

With the right combo of planning ahead and going with the flow, Welcome Week will be a breeze. Before you know it, freshman year will have zipped by and you'll nostalgically watch the Class of 2019 do it all over again. Have a blast!

Girls want them. Boys drool over them. Magazines worship them. Big boobs are kind of a big deal, and their reign shows no signs of deflating anytime soon. In this cleavage-obsessed society, bigger certainly seems to be better.  

But for busty collegiettes like Megan Sweet, a junior at Michigan State University, having big bra buddies isn't all that it's made out to be. In fact, it can be downright suffocating; having big girls can be a pretty weighty problem. Glamorous bra shopping? Forget it. Boyfriends lined up at the door? Only if you like being objectified all day, every day. Running along the beach in slow motion à la Kate Upton? First of all, good luck finding a swimsuit that's both supportive and not absolutely hideous. Second of all, running? Very funny. Oh, and don't even get us started on button-down shirts and sagging.

For Megan, dealing with all the hassles of being bigger-chested was simply a part of life; she had been one of the first girls to start developing in middle school and had been busty ever since. However, she soon realized that she had to do something about it —having 36Fs was inhibiting her ability to run and play sports, and it made finding cute clothes that would fit nearly impossible.

"It was always annoying being bigger than my friends, especially when we would go shopping and nothing would fit over my chest," Megan says. "I'm a very active person, but if I tried to lose weight, I could never lose it from my chest. The bigger I got, the harder it was to run and play sports. Being so big was limiting my activity level, comfort and self-esteem."

Plus, the attention she was drawing was not the kind she wanted, and it made her feel uncomfortable in her own skin.

"I felt that all guys looked at was my chest, and I hated how everything I wore turned into major cleavage," Megan says. "Some people think that girls with bigger breasts enjoy the attention, but I've never felt that way. When I started college, I was very uncomfortable with my body, and I relied on wearing sweatshirts to hide my chest."

Megan had had enough. So, after a lot of contemplation, she decided to get breast reduction surgery during her sophomore year of college. And ever since, it's been like a weight has been lifted off her chest (you guessed it, pun intended!).

What is breast reduction surgery?

Breast reduction surgery, or reduction mammoplasty, is a common procedure performed to lift and reduce the size of breasts through the removal of excess breast tissue, skin and glandular tissue. The nipple and areola, which may need to be reduced to match the smaller breast, are also moved up to a more suitable position on the breasts as part of the procedure. According to Dr. Dana K. Khuthaila, a board-certified plastic surgeon, women who experience serious discomfort and struggles with everyday activity as a result of the increased weight of their breasts are good candidates for breast reduction surgery.

"Most women who have very large breasts complain of back, shoulder, neck pain and bra grooves on their shoulders from the weight of their breasts," Dr. Khuthaila says. "In young women, that could affect their posture and make it very difficult to engage in sports or exercise. In extreme cases, some women experience rashes in the folds underneath their breasts, especially in extreme heat." 

For many young women, being bigger-chested affects not only their physical comfort, but also their social, emotional and psychological well-being.

"If the breasts grow too big too fast in a young woman, it could affect their confidence and self-esteem as they become more withdrawn and less likely to be social or outgoing," Dr. Khuthaila says. 

In 2013, over 62,000 women in the United States underwent breast reduction surgery, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Experts suggest women wait until they reach physical and emotional maturity to get the surgery, but there is actually no age requirement. Breast reduction surgery performed on healthy young women specifically has few risks and has a high satisfaction rate.

Even with the many pros of getting the surgery, however, deciding to get breast reduction surgery wasn't easy for Megan. Now she realizes that it was the best thing she could have done for herself.

"I was very concerned with what others would think or say if I got the surgery," Megan says. "Then, all of a sudden, I just realized that I didn't want to live like this anymore, in a state of constantly feeling uncomfortable with how I looked. So I approached my family and some of my best friends, and they were very supportive."

During the surgery

Megan took the leap, but not without being aware of the risks first. Breast reduction surgery, like any other type of surgery, doesn't come without its own risks and shouldn't be taken lightly. The procedure can result in unevenly positioned nipples, unequal breasts, potential permanent loss of feeling in the nipples or breasts, permanent skin pigmentation changes, deep vein thrombosis, loss of skin and tissue, inability to breast-feed after surgery and damage to the breasts' blood supply. The actual surgery itself is usually two to five hours long and involves making cuts in the breasts, getting stitches and possibly using liposuction depending on the surgeon's methods and the patient's body type, which can increase swelling post-surgery. 

"The actual surgery itself was pretty invasive, but it only took about two hours," Megan says. "Don't get me wrong, it was awkward and I felt very exposed, but I knew in the end I'd be so much happier. I spent one night in the hospital and was on a high dose of morphine."

Recovering from surgery

The recovery process can be tedious. Immediately after surgery, the incisions are covered with gauze and the breasts are wrapped in a bandage or supported with a surgical bra. Although recovery differs for every person, patients will need to take at least a week off from work or school post-surgery. Most women experience breast pain and discomfort for a week or longer, along with swelling and bruising for several weeks. Specific instructions will be given by surgeons about care for breasts, medications, concerns and follow-up appointments, but patients will typically be advised to walk and move around as soon as they can to prevent swelling and blood clots, but to avoid lifting anything over five pounds and raising anything over the head until they are released for activity. For Megan, her recovery went relatively smoothly and she could even tag along to the grocery store with her mom only three days after her surgery, but she still experienced plenty of discomfort and difficulties.

"The overall level of pain after the surgery was never unbearable; I would take Tylenol and that numbed it fine," Megan says. "It was really only the first couple days that the pain was bad, then it was just uncomfortable due to the swelling. The swelling is definitely the most annoying part, as it takes months to fully go down."

A lot of the things that people normally take for granted, like showering and washing hair, became Olympic trials that required a tremendous amount of effort as Megan was confined to couch duty for a while after the surgery, unable to lift her arms above her head. Plus, she had to ice like crazy and wash the incisions daily, among many other things, like monitoring her temperature in case of infection.

But the biggest issue for Megan was sleeping—she had to sleep upright on her back for two weeks. To make up for the restless nights, during which she repeatedly woke up to stop herself from turning onto her side, she took a lot of naps. Talk about uncomfortable!

After Megan hit the five-to-six-week mark, however, things were almost completely back to normal. Typically, patients resume normal work and social activities within a couple of weeks of surgery, avoiding more vigorous exercise and strenuous activities until about three to four weeks after surgery to allow for adequate healing. Most regain full range of motion between six to 10 weeks after surgery.

One thing that is permanent, however, is the scars. While some incision lines can be concealed in natural breast contours, others will be visible on the surface. Although these scars on the breasts can almost always be covered by a bra or swimsuit, they won't ever disappear completely. But, as Megan puts it, "I have scars, but they will fade and I don't care what anyone thinks about them because I did this surgery for myself and no one else." And while the size of the scars will vary depending on the type of incision performed, surgeons will try to achieve the desired results with the shortest scar. Plus, improvements in surgical techniques are now allowing breast reduction surgeries to leave less of a mark on patients.

"With the newer techniques, now we can perform breast reduction surgery with minimal scarring," Dr. Khuthaila says. "The scars are around the areola and go vertically down on the breasts, which make them inconspicuous. This is called the vertical technique, or the lollipop incision." 

Is breast reduction surgery right for you?

With the increased ease and prevalence of procedures that focus on improving women's well-being, it's very likely that breast reduction surgery has crossed just about every busty collegiette's mind at one point or another. But if you find yourself repeatedly coming back to the idea, it might be time to seriously consider getting a breast reduction. How do you know if it's right for you? According to Dr. Khuthaila, it's useful to read up on the procedure from reputable websites like the ASPS website.

Your decision should also depend on being able to find the right doctor to perform the surgery. "I advise them to do their due diligence in choosing the right doctor who is board-certified in plastic surgery and has extensive training in breast surgery and is familiar with the new techniques to minimize scars," Dr. Khuthaila says.

It’s also important to consider money. Usually surgeries can be huge hits to the bank account, but fortunately, breast reduction is covered by insurance in most cases because it’s often considered medically necessary. That being said, you should pay special attention when following the procedures set forth by your insurance carrier's policy.

"Some breast reductions are covered by insurance depending on the size of the breasts relative to the body," Dr. Khuthaila says. "They would need to get preapproval."

To get preapproval, your surgeon may need to take photos of your breasts and detail physical symptoms caused by large breasts to show that the surgery will be performed to relieve medical symptoms. The amount of tissue being removed can also determine whether the breast reduction surgery will be categorized as medically necessary. Start communicating with your carrier early so that you understand exactly what the carrier will cover, like lab costs, anesthesia fees and post-surgery garment costs.

And, as with all big decisions in life, getting second or third opinions can be just the voices of reason that you need. While breast reduction doesn’t have quite the same stigma as breast augmentation surgeries, it can still be difficult to avoid the influence of peers and social expectations. Listen to the advice of a few trusted friends and family.

Above all, however, the decision to get breast reduction surgery should be a personal one.

"It doesn't matter what other people say, because being happy with yourself is more important," Megan says. "The best thing about it is that you don't have to tell anyone you don't want to, because it's your decision. People notice that I'm smaller, but they assume I just lost some weight."

Dr. Khuthaila also believes that every women deserves to feel comfortable in her own body and should have access to procedures that can potentially help her live more easily and more fully. "Bigger is not always better," Dr. Khuthaila says. "Breasts should be proportionate to the body and should be an appropriate size for a woman's lifestyle."

Megan made a personal choice to get breast reduction surgery for herself. She hasn't looked back since, because now she can finally see the landscapes rolling by as she goes for a nice jog and find racks of cute clothes that actually fit when she tries them on. And while she’s still in the process of adjusting to being smaller-chested, her life has expanded with opportunities and changed for the better.

"Everyone I know who has gotten the surgery always says they wish they had done it earlier, so I'm so glad I decided to get it at a young age," Megan says. "I am so much more comfortable in my skin. I do not regretting getting the surgery at all. I can finally run and wear cute clothes, and I'm so much more confident now."

So if your girls are a substantial burden to you, you don't have to let them be a pain in the back and weigh you down forever. Breast reduction surgery certainly isn't for everyone, but for some collegiettes, downsizing might be just the thing to get you back on the sports field, in bathing-suit tops and to your confident, beautiful self. Boobs are kind of a big deal, but we know the real deal: bigger isn't always better.

This year, we’ve decided that everything is changing.

1. We’re going to sit in the front row of every class and take notes that everyone’s going to want to borrow.

2. We’re never going to sleep through a class…

…because we’re going to be just so excited to learn!

3. We’ll stop procrastinating on all our assignments,

and we won’t save that 10-page paper for the night before it’s due.

4. We’ll support our team at every sports game…

5. …and we’ll be careful not to tailgate too hard beforehand.

6. In fact, this is the year we’re finally going to cut back on our drinking.

Who’s going to be the drunkest girl at the party? Not us, that’s for sure!

7. We’ll finally decide it’s time we stop hooking up with that guy we know is bad for us…

8. …and we’ll open ourselves to guys we would have never considered before. 

9. We’re finally going to get up the nerve to talk to that guy we’ve been crushing on since freshman year, too. 

10. We’re going to be totally fun and thoughtful roommates…

…and we’re going to be so neat that our friends will start to wish we were a little, well… less neat.

11. This year, we’ll always go to bed at a reasonable hour,

12. put ourselves together nicely every morning,

13. and hit the gym every day.

14. We're even going to stop eating fried food at 2 a.m. every weekend.

15. We’ll join new clubs, and we’ll meet a bunch of new friends that we may have never met otherwise.

16. We’ll start to figure out the skill sets we have (or don't have) to put on our resumes…

17. …and we might even start applying to some internships.

18. We tell ourselves that this year is going to be our best year yet!

Even though we’ll probably be back to our old ways in a week.