If you’re considering joining a sorority this year, enthusiastic Greek friends and relatives may have already bombarded you with advice about rush. In addition to being given pointers on how to dress and what to say, you may also have been told that you need to spend the summer acquiring letters of recommendation.

You might be thinking, “Letters of recommendation? I thought I was applying for a sisterhood, not a job!” We know it sounds weird at first, but don’t worry—we’ve put together a short guide that will make understanding and getting those letters of rec a snap!

What is a letter of recommendation?

Calling it a letter is actually pretty misleading. A rec isn’t an open-ended correspondence, but simply a form filled out by the woman recommending you for a sorority. These forms, which can be found on each sorority’s national website, require information about your grades, test scores, volunteer work, extracurricular activities and hobbies. They’re usually submitted along with two photographs (one headshot and one of your full body).

How to determine if you need letters of recommendation

Figuring out if you need to worry about getting recommendations can be surprisingly tricky. In general, if you are headed for the SEC or any school with a reputation for having a competitive recruitment process, you can assume that getting letters of recommendation for every house is basically essential. At schools without a competitive rush reputation, however, it can be hard to tell whether you should get them for every house, just a few houses or none at all.

Jessica Williams is the CEO of Phired Up, a company that works to grow Greek organizations. She says it’s important to remember that all schools are different. “The most important thing is to email the Panhellenic office on campus and ask if [letters of recommendation] are recommended or common,” Williams says.

You might think that it can’t hurt to get recommendations, even if it isn’t normal to do so. Yet surprisingly, recommendations can potentially be a waste of time or even detrimental to your rush aspirations, depending on the school and chapter. “At some schools, when recruitment chairs get them, they just throw them away,” says Williams, who also authored the book I Heart Recruitment. “If they aren’t common, you might stand out in a negative way. You need to know what the culture of the campus is.”

Rebecca*, a former member of Alpha Chi Omega at a university where letters of recommendation are not often used, says that rushees at her school who submitted recs were often held to a higher standard than they would have been otherwise. “With [only] 30 percent of students participating in Greek life, I have found that letters of recommendation are more of a hindrance than a help,” she says. She explains that recs “put [potential new members] under more scrutiny.”

Who to ask for a letter of recommendation

If you’ve determined that you do in fact need recs, the next step is to find women who can write them. Before you go off to ask a former teacher or boss, you have to remember that this isn’t your average recommendation. Letters of rec are sorority-specific, which means that the women who write you recommendations must be alumnae of the sororities to which the letters are sent.

We get that this is a little confusing, so let’s break it down: For example, if your college has a chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha, you can ask your mom’s friend, who was a Zeta when she was in school (even if she went to a different college!), to write you a letter of recommendation for that particular house. However, that recommendation cannot be sent, for instance, to your college’s Alpha Phi chapter—you’ll need an Alpha Phi alumna for that one.

Where to turn if you don’t have Greek connections

If you’re headed to a school where it’s important to get recommendations for every house on campus, it’s unlikely that you’ll know enough alumnae to ask right off the bat. Never fear! There are many ways to find women who will be happy to write you a recommendation. Tammy Neeb, author of the recruitment advice blog “Sorority Girl 101,” suggests several strategies for finding them:

• Use your network: Neeb advises looking wherever you can to find sorority women who could potentially recommend you. “Your friends, your parents’ friends, church... I actually had a girl who followed a woman [who looked like she might be Greek] up and down the aisles of a grocery store,” she says. (If you’re wondering—it worked!)
• Find a local Panhellenic Conference: Once you’ve contacted as many people as you can on your own, Neeb says your next step is to find out if there is a Panhellenic Conference nearby. A Panhellenic Conference is a group made up of alumnae of various schools and Greek organizations who live in the area. Reach out to see whether anyone is willing to write you a recommendation.
• Find local alumnae chapters: If there is no Panhellenic Conference nearby, your next move is to look up local alumnae chapters of the different sororities you are missing recs for.
• Contact sororities’ national offices: This should be your absolute last resort, Neeb says. “They’ll tell you they won’t do it, but you have to be persistent,” she says.

The dos and don’ts of asking for recommendations

Do take it upon yourself to reach out and get the recs you need.

Don’t assume you’ll get one. “Recommendations are not an entitlement from an alumna,” Neeb says. “A good rec is time-consuming, and some alumnae are extremely picky.” It’s important to be polite and accommodating, as well as to provide the alumna with the information she needs (information about you, where to send it, etc.).

Do feel free to ask for a rec from someone you don’t know.

Don’t ask someone to write it without talking to you first.  Getting a recommendation from someone you’ve never spoken to can do more harm than good. “One time I was at a chapter while they were going through letters of recommendation, and they got one that had the [potential new member’s] name misspelled in the letter,” Williams says. “That’s the only time when recommendations are problematic, when it’s very obvious that the person writing the letter has never had a conversation with the young woman. Why even get a recommendation when you can’t even bother picking up the phone?” Meeting with alumnae isn’t hard. Neeb suggests you “offer to meet them for coffee, or Skype if you don’t live close.”

How sororities use recs

Much like a college admissions team, sororities want to offer bids to a well-rounded group of young women who will improve the house as a whole. Especially at schools where rush is a competitive process, chapters use recommendations to figure out which girls they want to pay particular attention to when recruitment begins. “Recommendations are important because they put you on the radar,” Neeb says.

At less competitive schools, the simple act of submitting a recommendation might help you stand out. “It’s a good way to say that being in a sorority is important to [you],” Williams says. Remember, no sorority wants to offer a bid to a rushee who doesn’t want to be there!

When to finalize your recommendations

Sororities should receive your letters of recommendation prior to the start of recruitment. This means that summer is the time to secure your recs, so get moving! Exact timing varies by college, so make sure to check out your school’s Panhellenic website for the suggested date. The woman who is writing your letter is the one who mails it in, not you. When she agrees to recommend you, make sure to give her a large envelope that is stamped and addressed to the chapter’s recruitment chair.

Getting letters of recommendation might seem like a pretty overwhelming process, but with this guide, you’re already ahead of the game. You’ll thank yourself on Bid Day!

*Name has been changed.

Summer is coming to a close, and while the masses are cherishing the last few weeks before school starts and lamenting the days growing shorter, some collegiettes are secretly rejoicing that their least-favorite season is almost over. That's right, not everyone worships the sun, and between scorching temperatures and seemingly endless beach days, it's not so easy being a fall/winter person in summer.

You have to pretend to be excited about the start of summer, if only for your friends.

You're always, always too hot.

You own no summer scarves, only knit and plaid ones.

You have either thrown or have contemplated throwing a Christmas in July party.

You're tired of having to paint your toenails and you can't wait to hide them away in patterned socks and boots.

You start shopping for fall clothing way too early... like, mid-June early.

Every candle you own is holiday scented, yet you burn them all year round.

You struggle with wanting to snuggle up under tons of blankets but also not wanting to wake up covered in sweat.

Forget your friends' pop-filled summer tunes; your go-to playlist looks more like this:

You've started watching reruns of the holiday specials of your favorite shows.

You can't wait until you're no longer expected to be a bronzed goddess.

You're itching to ditch your coral lip balms and break out that vampy statement lipstick.

The snowflake twinkle lights never come down from your walls.

You set your computer background to some variation of this:

You've already planned your Halloween costume.

Your nails are perpetually black, navy or crimson... no neons here.

You're tired of having to make this excuse every time your friends ask if you want to go to the beach:

You cherish that first cool day in August when you can finally wear jeans.

You're tired of getting weird looks when you order a hot drink at Starbucks in July.

You actually can't wait to go back to school.

There's nothing quite like seeing that first green leaf turn orange.

What can we say, you're just a fall/winter person at heart! Which is why when your friends start complaining five months from now, being all like:

You'll be completely justified when you respond:

After years and years of the same standard ‘do, isn’t it time to make your mantra “new hair, don’t care”?  Celebrities and style gurus across the world are making it clear that the hottest new trend is getting edgy with your cut—forget play-it-safe waves. If you’re ready to stop living in the past with standard long locks, we’re here with five risky hairstyles and how to pull them off. Hairstylist and designer Medo Bajramoski of Roy Teeluck salon in New York City shared his secrets for the best new edgy ‘dos and how to make them work for your face shape.

1. Pixie cut

Celebs like Jennifer Lawrence, Anne Hathaway and Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting have all been rocking the pixie cut recently. While many collegiettes fear chopping off their hair, this look is easier to pull off than you’d think. Plus, because pixie cuts are so easy to maintain, you can say goodbye to the lengthy morning prep routine your hair probably requires and say hello to quick and easy styling. 

Round

The pixie cut is especially great for people with round faces because it helps to draw attention to your strong features, which can get lost with a soft jawline.  Add a little more length to this cut and make sure you’re trimming length, but not volume. 

Oval

For an oval-shaped face, Bajramoski recommends a bit more width to add dimension to the look to enhance your face in the best way possible. If you have a longer face, a pixie cut can make the length of your face stand out more than you may want. To avoid this, steer clear of middle parts and try adding waves to soften the look. 

Heart-shaped

Bajramoski says that the pixie is perfect for a heart-shaped face because, like with a round face, it can help highlight your bone structure. He recommends trying more of a square pixie to enhance your jawline. If you’re looking for a slightly less dramatic version, try a pixie with the addition of short, sideswept bangs to tone down the look and still elongate your face. 

Square

If your jawline is clearly defined, you may fear making it stand out too much with no hair to fall around it. However, Bajramoski says that people with square faces can rock the pixie as well as anyone else—as long as the cut is done correctly. “You want to create that softness, so a rounder cut would be perfect because it will pull out the cheekbone area and soften the square jawline,” he says. 

2. Bangin’ bangs

Who knew the hairstyle that dominated the elementary-school playground would make a massive comeback? That’s right, bangs are back, and you can pull this look off just like Nicole Richie and Jessica Biel!

Round

While bangs can often make a round face look fuller, the right cut can help elongate your features. Bajramoski says that when cutting hair for a round face, it’s important to have dimension in order to define the structure of your face. Having bangs that are a bit longer on the sides can actually make your face appear slimmer while giving a modern twist on a classic cut.

Oval

If your face is longer, you have the option for thinner, wispier bangs. Because standard bangs naturally shorten the look of your face, people with longer or oval-shaped faces can be a bit more flexible in their bang choice, so don’t be afraid to take a risk!

Heart-shaped

A heart-shaped face can often mean a super defined chin. If you’re looking for a style to draw attention to your other gorgeous features, try long, slightly sideswept bangs. If you’re set on blunt bangs that go directly across the forehead, make sure to go for a subtly curved shape to highlight your features.

Square

To soften the strong lines of a square face, opt for longer, straight bangs that go slightly below your eyebrows. If you want to switch up the standard look, opt for longer, sideswept bangs, but either way, keep them light!

3. Blunt bob

What’s old is new again—and the bob is no exception. Try the classic ‘20s look of a clearly defined cut with bold bangs, or make it more current by adding length or layers. 

Round

To avoid enhancing the roundness of your face, Bajramoski recommends a mid-lengthbob with a more square shape and defined cut. 

Oval

Because Bajramoski recommends adding a bit more width to longer faces, adding layers is the perfect way to rock this look. You can go for a more classic version or opt for choppy pieces to make this cut more edgy.  

Heart-shaped

If you’re not totally comfortable with the super-short look, the long bob (also called the “lob”) is on-trend on red carpets around the world—and this look is especially flattering on a heart-shaped face. If you want to make this look a bit more edgy, try an inverted bob, which is longer in the front and shorter in the back!

Square

For a square face, Bajramoski says that the key, like any cut with a square face, is to soften the look. Try a more rounded or angled bobfor a classic look, or play with volume and soft waves to highlight your features and draw attention away from a harsh jawline. 

These styles are definitely a risk, but they can highlight your best features in ways that your standard cut can’t. Before you decide to chop your locks, consult a hairstylist about the best look (and color, if you’re feeling extra brave) for your face. With a new school year just beginning, now’s the perfect time to take the plunge and make the cut for an even more stylish and edgy you! 

Two of the most exciting things about college are the possibility of a relationship away from prying parental eyes and a whole new world of college guys to forge your way through. From a high school perspective, college men are like a beacon of hope. Not every boy in the world is an immature loser who burps the alphabet and plays World of Warcraft! But there are worries, too: Are college guys only looking for sex? What will they expect from you? Not all these dreams and fears have truth to them, however. Here are some myths and realities to both ease your mind and help you prepare yourself for the four truly wonderful years to come!

Myth: Once high school boys enter college, they suddenly mature into men.

Reality: I hate to be the one to break it you, darling, but as the saying goes, boys will be boys. For the most part, guys will always think farting is funny, playing videogames is a valid use of time, and the more girls they sleep with the cooler they are. Upon leaving high school and entering college, the only thing that changes is that they no longer have parents around to make sure they’re clean, well-fed and not doing anything too stupid/dangerous. Add a bunch of new, equally immature friends and easy access to booze, and you have a perfect recipe for an even lower level of maturity in college “men.”  But don’t worry, you’ll keep up with the boys just fine as long as you can make a good “that’s what she said” joke every once in a while.

However, there are exceptions to every rule. Alex from West Chester University was impressed freshman year by how responsible some of her new guy friends were. “A lot of them were saving up money to live off campus in the coming semesters, or had their courses for the next few years all planned out to make sure they graduated on time,” she says. “I certainly didn’t have my act together yet at that point, but they did.” So yes, maybe guys enjoy a bathroom humor joke every now and then, but that doesn’t mean they can’t behave like grownups when necessary. Just don’t set your expectations too high, and let them surprise you rather than disappoint you.

Myth: All college guys just want to sleep around.

Reality: Okay, to be honest, there are a lot of college guys out there who really do just want to get laid many, many times by many, many girls. But not all guys are the same! If there is only one thing you keep in mind while dating in college, let it be this: everyone is different. Yes, some of the boys you meet won’t be interested in a serious relationship. Maybe even most of the boys you meet won’t be interested in a serious relationship. But there will be a select few who want to get to know you, date you and spend as much time as they can with you. So judge carefully.

Luckily for Sophie from Mount Holyoke College, she learned quickly her freshman year that not every guy who hit on her at a party wanted to get to know her: “I learned to weed out the bad ones and only take risks on the people who were worth my time. I decided to stop being offended if some guy was just looking to hook up – just because I’m not interested doesn’t mean he’s a bad person.” Accepting guys for the way they are rather than trying to make them something they aren’t is a big part of college. It’s also important to do if you don’t want to get your heart broken repeatedly.
 
Myth: If a college guy keeps pursuing you, he wants to be in a relationship.

Reality: Again, I hate to be the one to tell you this, but just because some guy is telling you he wants to be with you doesn’t mean he wants to be with JUST you. If his conversation is generic, his efforts typically restricted to weekend nights, and his hangout suggestions limited to drinking together, odds are he’s looking for something less than exclusive. “The guy I was into last semester kept wanting to spend time with me, but he kept telling me he didn’t want a relationship,” says Felicia from Penn State. “I ignored it and figured he wouldn’t keep asking to see me if he didn’t want more. But I was wrong.” In the end, she wishes she had listened to what he was telling her rather than reading the signs.

But not every guy is that open about what he wants. At University of Michigan, Leann’s now-boyfriend never told her what he wanted until she pressed him to be open with her. “Before I asked, we were just casually hooking up, and I thought he didn’t want more. But it turns out he thought I didn’t want the relationship, so he didn’t push it. But he wanted it all along!”

Myth: Fraternity guys make good boyfriends.

Reality: I don’t want to over-generalize, but stereotypes exist for a reason. And when it comes to the stereotype of a sleazy, d-bag frat boy who sleeps with a different girl every night, about 85% of the time(according to my anecdotal evidence) it’s spot-on.“I have yet to meet a guy at a frat party that wants to be anything other than a one-night stand,” says Hannah from Temple University. “On any given weekend night they have a house full of drunk girls to make moves on – seems like the last thing they want is to give up that freedom.”

The best way to avoid falling victim to jerks like this is to look for a relationship outside the fraternity scene. If you’re in a sorority, listen to your older sisters’ advice – odds are they know who’s spitting game and who actually has his heart in the right place. And some do – Kelly from UMass Amherst is dating a fraternity guy. But she admits she was uncertain in the beginning. In this situation, as with any guy, be careful, and don’t let that frat bro sweep you off your feet too quickly.
 
Myth: College guys are more experienced with sex, and therefore, have higher expectations.

Reality: Hold on – before I can respond to that, I need to stop laughing. Wow. Being older does not make anyone better at sex. It also doesn’t guarantee that you’re getting any action at all. Many girls enter their freshman year feeling pressured to be a rockstar in the sack but forgetting one thing: the guy they’re hooking up with probably isn’t as experienced as he’d like to appear. Here’s a little secret: guys like to embellish their sexual conquests. Sarah from Wellesley College can vouch for that: “I was a virgin when I got to college and for the longest time I was so scared of hooking up with someone who was better at it than I was. But when I finally did it, I realized he was just as clueless as I was, even if he had slept with someone else before me.”

Even if he didn’t embellish and really is a Casanova, you should never let a guy’s past make you feel insecure about your own level of experience. Take things at your own pace, and never let anyone make you feel inadequate. Besides, if any guy is experienced enough to criticize your level of skill, he’s probably pretty sleazy. Move on! 

That boy across the hall from you last semester was fine with a capital “F.” You had never made it official, but you went on countless movie dates, engaged in tons of cuddle sessions and walked around campus hand in hand. You had a blast, so it’s no wonder you miss him! In fact, you may even be interested in picking back up where you left off. After all, it’s never too late to reignite the flame, collegiettes!

Check out our tips for getting back with that cutie you just can’t stop thinking about once fall semester starts.

1. Acknowledge the communication lapse

So you both lost touch over the summer. That’s okay! NYC-based relationship and dating coach Lindsay Chrisler says that up-front sincerity is the best policy. “I would say that the best approach is to be honest,” she says. “Acknowledge what happened that had the communication fallout. Acknowledge that things may have changed since you last spoke.”

Whatever may have happened — he lives far away, you were focused on your internship, he studied abroad — don’t make it the elephant in the virtual room! Sending him a text like, “I know we lost touch this summer because my family went to London, but I’m hoping we can reconnect. Had so much fun with you last year!” is a fantastic way to break the awkward ice.

2. Send him flirtatious texts and photos

Now for the fun part: Flirty texts to spark his memory of the fun times you both had and could still have. Don’t overthink it; just be yourself! After the initial small talk, take measures to heat things up.

“Keep the communication light and fun,” says Suzanne Oshima, matchmaker at Dream Bachelor & Bachelorette. “Send fun, flirty texts or photos of something that reminds you of a time you were both out having fun.”

Shoot him a pic of you and your girls out on the boat (your cute American Eagle sundress will jog his memory real fast). If you’re at a BBQ, send him a photo of those prime ribs (What better way to bond with a man than by means of food?). If you once went on a sushi date together and happen to be indulging in some A+ rolls, text him a shot: “Remember this?” Guys are visual creatures, so by sending him awesome photos, you’ll (re)pique his interest. However, be sure not to overdo it — you don’t want to come on too strong. A couple pics here and there should do the trick!

3. Stay away from the “psycho girlfriend” stuff

Since you both left for the summer and didn’t make it official before the break hit, you definitely can’t hold any of his recent actions (read: romantic/sexy endeavors) against him.

“What's important to remember [is] that when you're contacting him, you are not his girlfriend,” Oshima says. “So you can't hold him to the same accountability as a girlfriend would.”

Basically, don’t get pissed about those Instagram pics in which he’s hugging some babe with a perfect beach body. And don’t creepily interrogate him about his whereabouts, either! Being clingy is a no-no.

“You want to stay on his mind, but not be overbearing,” Oshima says. “Which means no quizzing him on who that girl is he's in a picture with on his Facebook page, or asking him who he was out with last night.  If you do that, he's not going to want to see you when you get back in the fall.”

Keep your side of the conversation calm and relaxed. Even if you are jealous, don’t ever let your envy show — that would mean a serious subtraction in your sexy points.

4. Go on an easy date

If the conversations have been going well and he lives (somewhat) nearby, try planning a low-maintenance, no-hassle date.

“Send a friendly text to your crush suggesting sharing stories and catching up [on] how both of your vacations were over a cup of coffee,” says matchmaker, author and motivational speaker Marla Martenson.

Starbucks date = no pressure. And sharing snippets of your summers with last year’s cutie over Cinnamon Dolce Frappuccinos? Not bad. Not bad at all.

If he doesn’t live nearby, don’t fret. A “Catch up over ice cream when we get back?” text will do just fine. And make sure to follow up! Once fall hits and you’re both back at school, text him a reminder of the date and plan for a day and time.

It may take a while to heat things back up, but this cutie is probably worth a little time spent in the love microwave. Remember to acknowledge the communication break, send him flirty texts and photos, avoid the overbearing girlfriend crap (no guy is a fan of that) and plan for a sweet date. From there, anything’s possible, collegiettes!

Whatever happened to gURL? [New York Magazine]

Is this the future of college? [The Atlantic]

Beyonce is making denim skirts cool again. [SheFinds]

Robin Williams’ mostpowerful performances. [YourTango]

Affordable fall clothes you can wear now. [Racked]

This nail art gives a whole new meaning to “spirit fingers.” [PopSugar]

Career tips from fashion’s most successful women! [WhoWhatWear]

Nicole Richie– is she the voice of our generation? [BuzzFeed]

Which states have thebest colleges? [The Huffington Post]

The United States of bacon and kale. [BusinessWeek]

It feels like just yesterday you were throwing your graduation cap in the air and vowing to have the best summer ever. But believe it or not, many of you are only a few weeks away from becoming an official collegiette. While you’re so excited for the best four years of your life to begin, you’re probably starting to freak out about that first week at school. Between making new friends and navigating your way through campus, it can be a little stressful. With our collegiette-approved tips, the first week of school will be a breeze!

Day One

The day you’ve been waiting for is finally here: move-in day. Whether you hopped on a plane or packed up the car with your parents, today marks the beginning of your collegiette experience. Alas, your day isn’t limited to unpacking a plethora of boxes and decorating your side of the room.

Meeting your roommate

Some of you may have had that awkward, “I’m living with you and I’ll bring the T.V.!” conversation with your roommate. Others may have met up with your roomie over the summer (brownie points for your outgoing initiative). Whether you know your roommate or not, the anticipation is over – you’re officially living with her. While you may be nervous to live with a stranger, take this first day to bond. Break the ice by complimenting some of her pictures or even a book that’s lying on her desk. Not only are you showing a genuine interest in her life, you may also learn that the two of you have something in common. After the two of you unpack, suggest hitting up the dining hall. The two of you can bond over the delicious pizza or questionable chicken.

Introducing yourself to your R.A.

Chances are your RA – which is collegiette slang for Resident Assistant – will come to your room and introduce him or herself. Since your RA makes the rules and writes people up if a problem occurs (e.g. noise violations, possession of alcohol, etc.), make sure to get on your RA’s good side, stat! Get to know your RA by asking questions about his or her major, grade, and extracurricular activities. If you haven’t run into your RA yet, go to him or her! Usually, an R.A. will have a sign on his or her dorm room’s door, so this search will be no needle in a haystack. Unless your RA is busy, take this time to introduce yourself. Aside from being your floor’s king or queen, your RA is an upperclassman, so you can also take this time to get some of your questions answered.

Day Two

How was your first night in your dorm? Sure, you may not love your mattress pad yet, but you’ll get used to it. Get ready ladies: today is your first day as an official collegiette.

Matriculation

Matricuwhat? Soon after you move in, you’ll be whisked away to a grandiose ceremony that marks your transition from pre-collegiette to collegiette (hooray)! Your parents might stay for matriculation… and they’ll probably cry and/or take a ton of photos. At most matriculation ceremonies, there will be long speeches. A lot of long speeches. You may stop paying attention between the welcome speech and your Dean of Students’ monologue, and that’s okay! Instead of burying your face in your cell, take this opportunity to (quietly) introduce yourself to the people sitting around you. A simple joke about how long the speeches are could lead to a new friendship!

Bonding with your floormates

Although some say making friends on your floor is just like making friends at sleep-away camp, what are you supposed to do if cabins and friendship bracelets weren’t your thing? “Leaving your door open is a great way to meet people on your floor,” says Kimberly Horner from The College of New Jersey. Since everyone’s in the same boat, your RA will probably arrange a couple floor events so make sure you attend.

Day Three

Who knew that you can buy coffee with your dining points? Life is great! Speaking of coffee, where is the closest Starbucks?

Buying Books

If you haven’t already purchased your books, you may be tempted to follow the massive horde of people headed to the bookstore. However, we urge you to stray away from the pack. Not only will the store resemble Macy’s on Black Friday, but you can find better deals. “You can save so much money by using Amazon or half.com,” says Alaine Perconti from Miami University of Ohio. “The bookstore is easy and convenient, but books are so expensive so any money you can save is big!” To figure out which books you need, you can usually search your classes on your bookstore’s website. If that doesn’t work, wait until the first day of classes. “Sometimes the professors change the book or tell you that a book can be downloaded online for free,” says Erica Avesian from the University of Michigan. Since the first day of classes is usually filled with reading the syllabus, you can get away with not having your books right away.

Getting comfortable with your campus

Some campuses may be easy to navigate; others are a jungle. Instead of having a mild to severe panic attack on the first day of classes, spend a few hours exploring what your university has to offer. While some colleges offer tours the first few days, test your knowledge by going without a guide. Make sure to take note of major landmarks while you search for the following locations:

• Student health services
• Dining halls
• The nearest pharmacy or convenience store
• The gym
• Where your classes are located
• The student center
• The closest bus or subway stop

To make this event a million times better, bring your roommate along. That way, the two of you can laugh about that time you couldn’t find your way back to your dorm. Speaking of getting lost, don’t be embarrassed to ask for directions! Ask a student who seems to know where they’re going (bonus points if you ask a cute collegent).

Day Four

You made it to the gym and back in one panic-free piece? Congratulations! On your walk, you may have noticed all the welcoming banners. If the number of “Welcome Freshmen” signs haven’t proved that colleges go all out for incoming collegiettes, the slew of welcome week activities will! Don’t take these events lightly because they are prime opportunities to make new friends.

Making friends outside of your floor

As much as you love your new floormates, it’s imperative that you make other friends as well. After all, aren’t cliques so high school? Since everyone’s looking to make new friends during the first few weeks of school, unleash your social butterfly pronto. Easier said than done, right? Not necessarily. In fact, going to all your school’s welcome week events is half the battle. “You will seriously feel so much better connected to people on campus if you attend all orientation week events,” says Katherine Mirani from Northwestern University. Break the ice with that charismatic boy by telling him that you liked his “ice breaker” answer. Or compliment that super trendy girl on her sartorially superb sandals. From there, don’t be afraid to ask your new friends about hometowns, majors, and even residence halls. Once you’ve covered the basics, making friends is as easy as it was in kindergarten because, as in kindergarten, everyone’s looking to make new friends too!

Welcome Week Activities

While you now know that you’re supposed to make friends during welcome week activities, what does welcome week mean? Essentially, your lovely school organizes a plethora of events so you can assimilate into college. Though every school has a different agenda, specific academic programs usually provide a lot of scavenger hunts, barbecues, and seminars. Most likely, you will receive an email or flyer that’s inviting you to all the fun. If you were concerned there won’t be loads of corny icebreakers and free swag, don’t worry—there will be. But isn’t that the fun of college? Just remember to be outgoing, energetic, and enthusiastic!

Day Five

After a couple collegiette days, you’re starting to get really comfortable on campus! Social life? Check. Academic life? You bought the books, so you’re good for now. Extracurriculars? Uh...

Signing up for extracurriculars

Don’t be surprised if your new collegiette status prompts you to be as school-spirited as humanly possible: it’s completely normal. Side effects of school spirit may include buying tons of college apparel and, more importantly, signing up for a million extracurricular activities. Since the next four years is all about figuring out who you are, take a chance and sign up for a bunch of different clubs. You’ll never know how much you adore Quidditch if you don’t sign up for your school’s intramural! During the beginning of school, most universities have an extracurricular expo where you can learn about all the clubs on campus. Sign up for the ones that truly interest you. If your school doesn’t offer one of these club conventions, look on your school’s website and email the clubs you’re interested in about how to join.

Day Six

The term TGIF exists for a reason, collegiettes.

Party time! 

Now that your bustling social life is underway, the moment you’ve been waiting for is finally here: your very first party as a collegiette. It’s like a debutante ball, just without the Blair Waldorf-approved evening gowns (think skinny jeans, sultry party tops, and “to die for” shoes instead). Though you may want to dive right into the world of crazy college parties, make sure you don’t end up regretting your night of fun. “Don’t be ‘that girl’ the first week that has a drunken tragedy,” says Lauren Macmullen from Boston University. “You want to make a good impression.” Instead of cutting the keg stand line, take your first few outings to meet people. Speaking of socializing, make sure you adhere to the Buddy System. It may sound lame, but it’s definitely better to be safe than sorry (especially in an environment where drunk collegents only have one thing on their minds… and it’s not flip cup). With all that in mind, remember to have fun. It’s a party after all!

Day Seven

Is it just me or was your first week of college on fast forward? Time flies when you’re having fun. Unfortunately, this week of social outings and free swag will come to a screeching halt soon. Although college is still loads of fun, you do have to go to school.

Find a study spot

By now, you should know what kind of studying atmosphere you prefer. Are you the quiet library kind of gal or are you craving a chaotic space? Before classes begin, head to your desired study spot for a test run. You can learn all about the location’s food and drink regulations as well as WiFi access. Though your new home away from home may look deserted, finding a place to study early will allow you to focus on your work.

Final preparations for your first day

Though you already have all your textbooks (or have ordered them), there are a few things you need to do before your first day of school. Sure, classes don’t start until Monday; however, who really wants to wait until the last minute? Exactly. For a stress-free first day, there are some simple tasks you must do beforehand:

• Decide whether you should use notebooks, an iPad, or your laptop
• If notebooks are your thing, pick up some pens and paper
• Write down what building and room each of your classes is in
• Figure out how much time you need to get ready based on how far away your classes are from your dorm
• Print a copy of each class’s syllabus
• Pick out your first day of school outfit (I don’t care how old you are, it still matters) 

With school supplies, and a rocking outfit, how could anything go wrong?

So the first week is over, now what? We’re pleased to tell you that the most stressful part is over (well, except maybe for your first final). Sure, you’ll encounter some collegiette dilemmas; however, if you can survive your first week of college, there’s nothing you can’t do.

When I met her, I felt the feeling you see in movies but that you don’t believe truly exists. My heart jumped in my throat, my palms were sweating and every word I muttered sounded absolutely ridiculous. It wasn’t because she was stunning (though she was). It wasn’t that she was intelligent (though she most definitely was). It was her presence that made me want to take my heart out of chest and place it in the palm of her hand. And I did give her my heart – instantly, unthinkingly and lovingly. 


It was our first few days of college. She was my suitemate, and she was all I could think about. I did everything I could to get close to her. After just a few conversations, there was no denying our connection. The largest barrier seemed to be her sexuality. She identified as being “straight” and had only ever been with men. I openly identified as being attracted to a person’s heart: I would feel an emotional connection first, then, on occasion, the physical attraction would follow.

In the past, I had boyfriends, dated male athletes and had numerous hook-ups with gorgeous men who meant nothing to me. Then, one night after a party in high school, I made out with one of my best girl friends. In that hook-up, I felt my heart trying to break out of my ribs. Knowing how much we cared and loved each other created a sort of electricity that rushed through every inch of me. After that exhilarating night, I understood how my heart worked. I proceeded to pursue people who I emotionally connected with, both men and women, and repeatedly found myself having meaningful experiences. But none of those connections turned into real relationships before college.

Although my suitemate believed she was “straight,” there can be exceptions to any label. You love who you love, and I loved her. And with a little bit of alcohol, we let our guards down and gave into our feelings. 



Within the next few days and in the weeks after, our hearts flooded open and our pasts unfolded. I had never told anyone about my history of sexual abuse, among other traumas, in such detail before I told her. She taught me how to look her in the eyes, let myself crumble and feel understood for the first time in my life. It was incredible. She opened up to me, too. While she unraveled the darkest parts of herself, I found her more and more beautiful. It wasn’t because I’m attracted to people who are broken, but rather because I saw how large her heart was when she talked about the people she loved and the experiences that made her who she was. I promised in that moment that I would always be there for her.

For weeks, I couldn’t stop smiling. No matter what went wrong, I knew I would get to see her at the end of the day and we would sleep soundly in the same bed. I could leave her notes about how special she was in her notebook, hear about her day, buy her champagne or Bloody Mary mix (even though I found it seriously disgusting), make her CDs… I’d do anything I could to make her happy. 



But I wasn’t enough. I am not a man. I am not someone who a girl can take home to her conservative family, physically have kids with and marry in some states. I’ve never hated my gender so much than in the time I was with her. She was ashamed of me. The only people who knew about us were our roommates and my friends who I drunkenly told about our relationship.

There was a boy who could give her what I couldn’t. He cared about her, he was always around and her friends wanted her to be with him. She cheated on me with him and they started dating in what seemed like seconds. Her eyes turned cold. I watched them hold hands and kiss, and sometimes, when she would hook up with him, she sexiled her roommates into my room. I moved from my suite to a single across campus. 



I was devastated. I didn’t understand how she could care about me so deeply and then pretend we never were anything. Worse, I had opened all these gates to my past that I had kept closed for years, and she was the only one who I felt I could talk to. I went crazy. I texted her all the time, wrote letters and sent presents. I was pathetic and in an unbearable amount of pain. I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t sleep and I developed a benign tumor the size of a tennis ball from stress that I had to get removed. She did text me sometimes to tell me how much she cared about me and missed me… but she was never brave enough to do anything about it. Either that, or she never meant it. 


It’s been about three years since that fall semester, and maybe a year since her last text when I felt she cared about me. Now, she passes me on campus while looking the other way. It’s funny; she’s probably one of the only people in the universe to truly know my heart, yet she won’t acknowledge me. I wonder when and if that will ever not feel like a knife in my chest. However, I don’t claim to know her anymore either. The girl who walks past me isn’t the one I knew. 



I don’t regret my relationship with her. I loved this girl with all my heart. Even after the heartache, the depression and my episodes of insanity, I still believe love is infinitely beautiful. It takes vulnerability to let someone in the dark corners of your heart. Yet it’s letting yourself feel that gives meaning to life. It is what enriches your soul, and it is what will make you crazy in the worst and greatest of ways. Of course, the pain when it doesn’t work out isn’t a walk in the park, but you’ll heal and you’ll thrive in love again.

Since her, I’ve opened up more than I ever believed I was capable of. Obviously, getting here was a journey of introspection that took months; years even. But now, I am in love with the world, I am closer with my friends and family and I carry an appreciation for who I am. Maybe it took heartbreak for me to let people in, face my past and embrace the pieces I hid in the dark. Or maybe that’s just me trying to spin a traumatic experience into a positive one. All I know is that I believe in love. I am not afraid to get shattered. It’s in that uncontrollable free fall that my heart feels most alive.

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

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

I can't drink alcohol or do drugs because of medical reasons. How do I go to parties and hang out without sounding like goody two-shoes? –Tara

Tara,

I go to a private Christian school in rural Pennsylvania (read: not a party school at all), so I might not be the best person to answer your question.

On the other hand, I still know what that pressure is like based on other experiences I’ve had. Nobody wants to be that person who seems too good, innocent and inexperienced to drink or do drugs at a party where everyone else seems to be in no rush to turn down. This is because the social expectation is often for everyone to join in with whatever the behavior is in order to look cool and fit in.

That said, let me tell you something that’s super important to remember: you don’t need those worldly pleasures to have a good time. I’ve been to plenty of parties where I’m not the only one skipping the drink, and I still have a great time because I’m in good company and I’m not working on homework. True friends will respect you if you turn down a drink or don’t want to light up; it shows you’re respecting yourself by not giving in to the pressure, and self-respect is always appealing to others.

Since you said you can’t drink or do drugs because of medical reasons, I’d simply allow that to be your valid excuse. Some people just won’t let up if you keep saying no to a drink, but if you’re physically unable to accept it, you need to be confident in your decision and be honest. Just politely turn it away at first, and then if the pressure and repeated invitations get to be too much, you can just say that you have a medical condition that prevents you from drinking. This won’t make you seem like a goody two-shoes, since people will (hopefully) understand the fact that you need to protect yourself. 

You could even come up with your own unique answer to share with people if they ask you to drink and you know you can’t. Maybe you can say that you have a big exam to study for or you have to go to work the next day. Another idea is to simply change the subject with whoever is offering you a drink. Start talking about something else, or ask the person a question about himself or herself, since most people enjoy talking about themselves!

When all else fails, just hold the drink or whatever it is you’re offered, and don’t drink or smoke it. If people see that you already have something, they usually lay off since they think you’re covered. You can also get the heck out of there if you find that you’re being shunned for not joining in, or if being around all of that partying makes you uncomfortable. Anyone who gives you issues about saying no isn’t worth your time anyways, and there are plenty of other friends you can make in college who won’t ever pressure you!

Whatever happens, stay safe and always bring reliable friends with you who can watch your back!

The college dining hall is an unfortunately familiar scene on college campuses: unidentifiable meat, pizza every night and sky-high prices. Every day, you trek to the caf, grab the same boring food, and pray that the food poisoning your friend got a week ago was a fluke occurrence. You dream of the day when you’re no longer required to be on the meal plan, and you look forward to making delicious, fresh meals in your room.

But the first night of your plan-less living, you may stare inside your fridge (stocked with a mismatch of items) and come to a conclusion: there is nothing to eat.

For students who are used to home-cooked or cafeteria-prepared meals, living without a meal plan can seem difficult at first. However, there are many benefits to going sans plan — it’s often cheaper, and you’ll get more control over what you eat every day! But of course, preparing and shopping for food takes time. Here’s what you should keep in mind when living without a meal plan.

Get the Right Cooking Supplies

One of the best parts of living on a meal plan is the fact that the food is ready to be eaten the moment you scoop it onto your plate. Without a plan, you’re on your own. But that can actually let you be more flexible in what you eat!

Buy the Basics

There are a few customary supplies you should have before you can make your own meals. Here are the standard kitchen supplies that collegiettes recommend bringing, beyond plates and silverware:

• At least one pot and one pan
• Can opener
• Cutting board
• Knife sharp enough to cut veggies or meat
• Large spoon
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Microwave
• Mixing bowl
• Slotted spoon
• Spatula
• Toaster
• Tongs

Consider Specialty Items

Beyond the basics, you probably have favorite meals that require specific kitchen supplies.

“One of my roommates brought a panini maker, which also turned out to be a godsend,” says Kaitlin, a recent graduate of William & Mary. “We could eat paninis for every meal of the day, and sandwiches are easy because as long as you have bread, you can find any number of ingredients in your kitchen.” You could also make paninis on a mini grill, such as a George Foreman Grill, which will also allow you to cook meat, chicken and fish easily.

Collegiettes recommended blenders as well for easy smoothies. Torri, a recent grad of Penn State, says she loves her NutriBullet. “It's great, super-compact and easy to clean (which means easy for the average college girl on the go), and [it] can make healthy smoothies within minutes,” she says. “Low prep time, plus the mixer acts as a portable cup — I love it!”

For other high-quality cooking supplies, like blenders and combination toaster/coffee makers (so convenient!), try BELLA Housewares.

Just be sure to check with your housing department that you’re allowed to bring these specialty items before you pack them!

Save money on supplies

Looking to find affordable cooking supplies? Try unexpected places, like hand-me-downs from relatives. “In terms of cooking supplies, my housemates and I used pots and pans from grandparents, parents, older siblings who had already lived in apartments - pretty much anything we could get for free!” says Nicole, a senior at Marist College.

Shop Smart

Here are some things to keep in mind before you go grocery shopping:

Make a Budget

The amount of money you’ll spend on food will vary dramatically based on how much you eat, how expensive your chosen grocery store is and how often you eat out as opposed to cooking at home. Especially in college, it can be tempting to load up on snacks, which can raise your grocery bill quickly. “I spent about $70 every two weeks on groceries and tried to go to the store with a strict list so I wouldn't go overboard on junk food and snacks,” Nicole says.

Consider shopping once a week or once every two weeks and sticking to a budget so you don’t overdo it on food you don’t really need. If you set a strict limit for each grocery trip, that extra box of cookies will look a lot less tempting!

Scope Out the Cheapest Groceries

Many grocery stores near college towns will jack up their prices because of the proximity to hungry college students. Ask upperclassmen about the stores that carry the cheapest, best foods. Take advantage of any local farmer’s markets, too, which often carry great, in-season foods for a fraction of the price you’ll pay at a supermarket.

“I think it's way healthier and cheaper to stay in and cook versus eating out or meal plan, and you're learning some valuable life lessons (e.g. just because you're broke doesn't mean you have to starve or live off of Top Ramen),” Heather says. “I bargain shop whenever possible; I do my shopping between Trader Joe’s and WinCo.”

Eat a Balanced Diet

Sure, Ramen is cheap, but it’s not doing you in favors in the nutrition department. Make sure you’re eating a balanced diet of grains, veggies, fruit and protein.

“I usually either eat cereal or cook an egg (fried, scrambled or poached) and make toast for breakfast,” Heather says. “For lunch and dinner, I'll make a salad, pasta, rice dishes, quinoa, sandwiches, stir-fry, curry, noodles, potatoes, vegetables, you name it. Vegetables are not as expensive or difficult to cook as people think!”

Get Creative!

You don’t need a stuffed pantry to make good meals. Keep your apartment or dorm stocked with essentials like chicken, bread, pasta, pasta sauce and rice, and add a few fruits and veggies to the mix. A lot of great dinners only require a few ingredients. Spices, for example, add a lot of flavor to meals but don’t cost very much (and don’t add unnecessary calories!). Need inspiration? Check out seven ideas for quick, easy recipes you can make at home!

Living without a meal plan will offer you a ton of flexibility in what you eat and how much you pay for it. Because you probably won’t have tons of expensive cooking equipment at your disposal, your recipes will likely be more healthy and simple. “I found that eating off the meal plan almost immediately improved my eating habits,” Kaitlin says. “When I ate at the caf, I would really stuff myself for one or two meals a day to ensure I got my value's worth and also because I only had a certain number of swipes.

“Now that I eat off-campus, I can eat a lot more, and much smaller, meals throughout the day, which has been better for my energy levels and body in general,” she says.

While cooking for yourself for the first time can seem a bit daunting, there are actually a ton of options, and you will likely be healthier and might even pick up some culinary skills along the way!

You’re sitting on the beach, the ocean breeze is flowing through your hair and you have your favorite fashion mag. There’s no stress about deadlines or textbooks or midterms—life is blissful. It’s pretty hard to think about going back to school at a time like this, huh? In fact, it might be near impossible. But alas, we collegiettes need to face the music that we’ll be moving back to school pretty soon. Even though we wish we could spend a few extra weeks sleeping in, Her Campus has the best back-to-college prep guide to ease you into the transition!                                                          

1. Contact your roomies

If you’re living with roommates next year, this one’s kind of a necessity. Start a roommate group text or Facebook message to figure out who’s bringing a microwave, who’s got the cleaning supplies and who’s bringing the room décor!

You want to make sure you and your roommates are all contributing equally to the room—one person should not be bringing all of the room necessities. Check in with your roommates to see who already has what, and then divide the rest of the needed supplies among everyone.

That’s what Nicole, a senior at Assumption College, is doing with her roommates. “I'm having roommates for the first time since freshman year because of being an RA, so I need to know what everyone already has and what I should contribute to the room,” she says. Seeing your dorm room come together is a great way to get excited for your new home!

Besides discussing room necessities, it’s important to catch up with your roomies after a whole summer away from each other. Talk about jobs, summer flings and everyone’s craziest nights with their pals from home! Getting up-to-date on your roommates’ lives will get you even more excited to move in with them and ready to start the year off right.

If this is your first time meeting your roommate, try getting to know her! Talking to your new roomie a little bit during the summer is a great way to have something to chat about on move-in day and definitely makes things a little bit less awkward.

2. Buy your books

Buying your books can be depressing for two reasons:

1. We’re super poor, and textbooks are super expensive.
2. It means goodbye beach days, hello library days.

Here at HC, we put a positive spin on those two bummers. First, we buy our books discounted. Try getting your books from places like Amazon, Half.com or even the rental/used section of your school’s bookstore.

“I take a lot of literature classes, so I can find my books for super cheap on Amazon,” says Kelsey, a senior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. “I’ve gotten a class’s worth of books for less than $10 before, and it’s made me so excited to get back to school because I’ve felt like such a baller for managing to do that.”

After you buy your discounted textbooks, get pumped to read them by remembering that these aren’t just some boring high school classes you’re being forced to take—these are mostly courses in your majors! Get excited to delve deeper into a subject that you’re passionate about.

“I actually love ordering my books,” says Chelsea, a sophomore at Salem State University. “If they’re in my major, I know I’ll think they’re interesting, and even if they’re part of the college’s core curriculum, I always try to give reading the books a chance because I know there’s a reason that the school is making every student take this course.”

And if you’re still bummed about the arrival of your newly purchased schoolbooks, just remember: When you’re actually reading them, it’ll probably be too cold to go to the beach anyway.

3. Check out class syllabi

So maybe checking out your professor’s syllabus isn’t the most exciting part of getting ready to go back to school. That’s what syllabus week is for, right? Wrong.

“I will always check for syllabi… before school starts,” says Emily, a junior at the University of New Hampshire. “I’m a fall athlete, so I like to see what are going to be heavy weeks for me and what will be light weeks. That way, I can start planning when I’ll get ahead on assignments and things like that.”

Checking out syllabi is also a great way to see if a course is a good fit for you. Maybe you were looking for a professor who weighed participation more or a class that had more exams than papers. Knowing these things in advance will help you figure out if you should drop a course and add a different one.

Accessing syllabi can be tricky if you’re a first-year student. Find out if your school uses course websites (consulting a school’s website or an academic adviser is a great way to find this out); if they do, look for your courses to be posted to the website, and then start hunting for your syllabi!

If your school doesn’t use course websites (or your courses aren’t posted yet), you can email your professors directly and ask them if they have completed their syllabi yet. Don’t be nervous to do this! Professors tend to like proactive students.

4. Go back-to-school clothes shopping

And now for the fun part! Any excuse is a good excuse to go shopping, and getting clothes to bring the runway to your campus is the best excuse of them all. New clothes = new woman.

“I may not always be the biggest fan of shopping, but I love updating my outfits and my accessories,” says Shira, a senior at Franklin & Marshall College. Even for collegiettes who hate shopping, there’s something refreshing about getting some new clothes, a new look and a new you!

Whether it’s a once-in-a-while perk or feeding an addiction, going shopping is certainly a great way to get on board with the whole back-to-school thing.

5. Get organized

What good is everything you pack if you have nowhere to put it when you move in?

That’s what Iris, a junior at the University of California, Los Angeles, thinks when she gets organized for back to school!

“I live in France, so I have to make sure I'm well organized before I go back to school,” she says.  “I have to make sure I have all the storage I need—shoe storage, under-bed boxes, hangers, stationery dividers, magazine racks, etc. It's kind of stressful, but much less so than getting back to school and having nowhere to put things away!”

Think about all of the things you’ll be moving into your new dorm and the best ways for you to store them. In most cases, this means bins to go under your bed, plenty of hangers and a place to hang things like towels and keys on your wall.

Finding a place for everything in your room not only kick-starts your semester the right way, but gets you excited for how your room will look! You can buy containers in every color of the rainbow and desk supplies in cute patterns. Staples is always a great place for fun and creative desk supplies, and The Container Store has awesome storage bins of every size and in every color. Getting pretty organization tools is the perfect way to get excited about moving your stuff from your house to your dorm.

6. Mark your calendar

With football games, your club meetings and getting to classes, it’s going to be hard to keep all of your commitments straight. Kick the semester off right by filling out your calendar with all of your most important things to do!

Nothing gets us more excited than seeing everything that we’re going to accomplish this year and what we have to look forward to—everything from homecoming to sorority rush —on paper. Filling out your calendar will get you so amped for the year ahead.

Shira also loves planning nights on the town with her friends. “I start checking out events that are happening and start planning things with my friends that we want to go to or do together,” she says. “We definitely feel ready to get back to school and see each other.”

While we love living in the moment, sometimes having something to look forward to is the best way to get excited to head back to a classes-every-day lifestyle.

7. DIY room décor

Who doesn’t love a good craft? It was our favorite part of kindergarten and is also an important part of moving back into our dorms. Whether we’re designing a wall monogram to go above our beds or some rad picture frames, channeling our inner Martha Stewarts is always a safe bet to pump us up for back to school.

Jenny, a senior at Assumption College, is a master of arts and crafts. “Crafting and Pinterest-ing helps make [moving in] real,” she says. “Planning out my apartment that I’ll be spending the next year in is really exciting and definitely gets me pumped for a year with my best friends.”

We suggest deciding on a room color scheme with your roommates and then letting the crafts flow from there. Try one of these DIY dorm decorations  to get started! Whatever it is you decide to craft, you’ll get excited to hang it up in your new dorm or apartment to give it a warm, homey feel.

8. Get back on a schedule

Summer is the ultimate time for relaxation and sleeping in—ah, the joys of having no set schedule. To ease your way back into school, though, you’ll need to nix that lifestyle.

“I usually start setting my alarm for the time of my earliest class about a week or two before move-in,” says Rachel, a junior at the University of Connecticut. “I need to take a little bit to make my body go back from being pretty much nocturnal during the summer to functional during the day.”

Although the lure of the snooze button will be all too enticing, try to start getting up earlier during the week. You’ll thank yourself when you’re able to be up and ready for your 8 a.m. biology class this semester.

9. Pamper yourself

Who doesn’t love getting her hair and nails done? We sure do, which is why we always pamper ourselves before heading back to school.

“I almost always get a haircut before moving back to school each semester, even if it's just a trim,” Nicole says. “There's something about a new look that helps with a fresh start of a semester.”

Just like your new back-to-school clothes, a new ‘do will help you feel like a new woman who can accomplish anything this semester.

“I always try to get everything done—hair, nails, brows—before going back to school,” Rachel says. “But if I can only do one, my eyebrows are absolute priority. I refuse to see anyone other than the girl who does mine at home, so I need to make sure it’s all fresh and good to go before heading back to school.”

Whether you’re fulfilling a new-year-new-woman mentality or simply making sure you’re groomed by the right person, pampering yourself before a new school year is a great way to make yourself feel beautiful and ready to go.

10. Prepare a budget

For us poor college students, back to school is the perfect time to take a look at our money and figure out how it’s going to last.

“I usually look at things that I have to pay for, like club dues or a parking permit—things that I already know the amount for—and subtract them from my bank account,” Rachel says. “Then I think about how much money I need to have saved at all times and subtract that. That way I can see how much money I’m working with for groceries or other fun things.”

Budgeting can be as simple as being aware of how much money you have to spend on fun things like Rachel does or as detailed as coming up with an exact plan for where and when you’ll spend your money (like only letting yourself spend $15 on coffee a month).

Building a budget is the perfect way to get ready to head back to school because it alleviates all kinds of stress. With a well-balanced budget, you will have monetary security and the satisfaction that you’re saving money like a true adult. Late credit-card payments? Forget about those.

11. Set some goals

Going along with the new-woman-new-semester theme (see numbers four and nine on this list), heading back to school is a great time to set some goals and to really reflect on the new woman that your new wardrobe and your new haircut make.

Follow the SMART goal format— make your goals specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound. For specificity, for example, you need to make sure your goal isn’t something vague, like, “do better in school”; instead, pick the grades that you want to receive in your classes. Be realistic about this so it’s still attainable (if you aren’t a math whiz and you’re taking the hardest math class available, maybe expecting straight As isn’t the best idea). Grades are also, of course, relevant to going back to school, and are something you need to accomplish in a certain amount of time (i.e., one semester).

Grades aren’t the only thing you can make goals about, though. Do you want to get in better shape? Make a plan to go to the gym a certain amount of times a week. Do you want to land an awesome internship for the next semester? Create some steps to make your resume perfect, to craft an awesome cover letter and to polish your interview skills. At the start of a new semester, anything is possible.

So, collegiettes, here’s to a great back-to-school season and an even better school year! Have a favorite back-to-school ritual? Let us know in the comments below!

Want to revamp your wardrobe and dorm décor this fall semester? Now that back-to-school season is finally here, it’s time to stand out from the crowd with super-cute fashions and one-of-a-kind design!

So that your back-to-school shopping doesn’t break the bank, Her Campus has teamed up with ModCloth to offer one lucky winner a $250 gift card to ModCloth.com!

ModCloth provides remarkable fashion and décor, inspired by its community and delivered with uncommon care. They’re committed to inspiring personal style and helping us feel like the best version of ourselves. They’ve got you covered with back-to-school basics from cute clothes and accessories to unique dorm décor. With hundreds of dollars’ worth of ModCloth merch, you’ll be sure to make a splash this semester!

Enter below to score the gift card of your shopping dreams!

Name: Susan Kaufman
Job Title and Description: Editor, People StyleWatch
College/Major: Washington University/Art History
Twitter Handle: @SusanStyleWatch 
Instagram Handle: @skaufman4050

What does your current job entail? Is there such a thing as a typical day?

Susan Kaufman: As the editor of the magazine, there is really no such thing as a typical day, but every week includes many things: meetings with the senior staff over story ideas and line-ups, meetings with the business side over strategy, market appointments with fashion designers and publicists, approving layouts, copy and photos and reviewing all of the fashion and beauty merch that appear on our pages, working with our digital team and going out to events and dinners in the evening. (And answering a million emails!)

What is the best part of your job?

SK: There are so many great parts of my job that I don’t even know where to begin! One of the things I love most is working with my team and seeing our ideas come to life on the pages of the magazine every month. When the final product appears on my desk, I still get a major thrill.
 
What was your first entry-level job in your field and how did you get it?

SK: My first job in this business was as a fashion assistant to three associate editors at Mademoiselle magazine. It was a magazine I grew up reading and loving, and it was like a dream come true for me that I actually got a job there! I heard about the opening through a friend of a friend and went on about five interviews over the course of two months. Waiting to hear if I got the job was one the most stressful experiences of my life!

The job itself was like a total immersion into the crazy world of fashion magazines. I didn’t know what hit me. It was very much like a version of Devil Wears Prada, but I learned so much. I assisted the model booker and two accessories editors. They were also responsible for styling many of the fashion stories. As a result, I did everything: photo shoot production, model booking, assisting on shoots and calling in and returning accessories.

Who is one person who changed your professional life for the better?

SK: I’ve been fortunate to work with many amazing, smart and talented people in this industry who’ve all impacted me in many different ways. I worked for many years under the legendary Glamour Editor-in-Chief Ruth Whitney, who was laser-focused on the reader.
 
What advice would you give to a 20-something with similar aspirations?

SK: Work hard. Do your best no matter how menial the task and have a positive attitude while doing it. Ask to take on more responsibility; you don’t automatically get promoted just for showing up and doing the job you were hired to do. Believe me—a great work ethic and attitude will always get noticed! Be humble and embrace change.  Be curious and never stop learning.  Find a mentor who can help you navigate your career.

Our industry is constantly evolving and you have to be able to roll with the punches and get on board with new ideas, new management or new technology. As the saying goes, “Change is the only constant in life.” Be passionate and engaged, and most of all, have fun!

Fill out my online form.

When finals were killing you last spring, you couldn’t wait for summer break.

You were so pumped to spend three whole months doing this:

But after a few weeks, being at home or interning starts to get a little

You almost forget what it was like to be at college.

But then it’s August, and you get to move back in soon!

You get psyched about hanging out with your college friends again...

...and eating at your fave restaurants near campus.

You get all excited to buy new back-to-school clothes (in case anyone forgot how fabulous you were over summer break)…

…and you also can’t wait to show off how you FINALLY lost the freshman 15 (and got a tan!) this summer.

But then you realize exactly how much money you have to spend on textbooks…

…which you may or may not actually end up using this semester.

And then you realize how much money you have to spend on school supplies and stuff for your dorm…

And you’re just like:

You tell yourself you’re going to start packing early… right?

But then all of a sudden it’s the night before move-in day, and you realize how much stuff you have to pack…

And you’re just like:

On move-in day, finding a parking spot is like:

On the bright side, according to the pictures on the housing website, you scored a seriously awesome dorm room this year.

But when you walk in for the first time, you realize it’s a little smaller than you anticipated…

…and you’re more than a little worried about fitting all your stuff (and your roommate’s) in there.

You get ready to do some heavy lifting, like,

But after carrying a few boxes, you just feel like,

Finally, you finish moving in!

Your parents get all sad to leave you, like,

But you’re just like,

After your parents leave, you finally get to reunite with your friends!

…and last semester’s hook-up.

And that girl who drove you nuts last year…

It’s Welcome Week – time to party!

Then classes start, but trying to get back into learning again is just like:

But then you remember you’re just reading the syllabus in each class all week, so it’s still chill.

…until you get your first round of papers, projects, and exams.

Oh yeah, we have to do work here…

But hey, being back at college still pretty much rocks.

So, the time has finally come. After months of waiting, worrying and Facebook-stalking sorority girls (it’s okay, we all do it), you’re finally ready for sorority recruitment. But as much as you may have dreamed (and/or freaked out) about this week, you still have no idea what to expect. But this week, you’ll finally get to figure out which house will eventually become your home, and which group of girls will become your sisters. You only get one chance at rush, so it helps to know exactly what you’re getting yourself into before you start, so you can focus on putting your best face forward! To help you rise above all the other rushees, a day-by-day guide to this crazy, crazy week:

What you do

ROUND 1: OPEN HOUSE

A Rho Gamma, or older sorority girl who has temporarily disaffiliated from her chapter to be your guide, will lead you and a bunch of other PNM’s — potential new members — from house to house. When the clock strikes the hour, the door will fly open and you’ll see dozens of sorority girls screaming and dancing. A sorority girl will grab your arm and lead you to a chair. You’ll talk for about five minutes, and then another girl will come over, so you can talk to her instead. This will happen until you have talked to about four girls. After about 20 minutes, the rush chair will make a speech, and you might hear a funny story or do a short activity before you’re ushered out. At the end of the day, you’ll write down which chapters you liked the best and cut a few houses.

ROUND 2: HOUSE TOURS

Round 2 activities vary by school—sometimes it will include a craft, a philanthropy presentation or a skit — but typically it will involve a tour of each house. By this round you have cut some houses, and some houses have cut you, so you go to fewer houses throughout the day and each round is longer, about 40 minutes. You will still talk to more than one girl — usually about three — before taking a tour of the house and learning more about the chapter’s activities and structure. For example, you may hear a presentation on the chapter’s national and local philanthropies, or learn about how much it would cost to live there. Again, you rank the sororities you saw at the end of the day and cut a few more houses.

ROUND 3: SKIT

Again, Round 3 activities vary, and many schools do not do a skit. If your school doesn’t do one, this could be called the “Philanthropy Round," and in some cases house tours are during Round 3. If there is a skit, you will talk to two or three girls before watching the most recent pledge class of each chapter put on a hilarious performance, often involving pop culture references and songs. This is a great chance to get to know the personality of each house, so you can gauge better where you’ll feel most comfortable. You’ll rank the sororities again at the end of the day, leaving you with only three houses.

ROUND 4: PREFERENCE

This round is the most serious, and you only talk to one girl for the entire time — a full hour at most schools. While during every other round the girls dance, cheer and generally try to emphasize the fun aspects of their sororities, in pref round it’s all about the traditions, principles and values of each chapter. You’ll hear from the girls about what their sorority means to them, and see a ceremony that emphasizes the essence of each house. Often there is a presentation involving the seniors, and you learn a lot about the traditions of each chapter. At the end of the day you “pref” three sororities in order of where you’d most like to pledge, and you are matched up through a computer system to a house.

What you wear

ROUND 1

For Round One, you should dress like you’re going out to dinner with your friends: dark jeans or nice leggings, cute flats or boots, and a nice top or sweater. Don’t wear too much jewelry, and avoid low-cut or too-tight tops; you don’t want to look like you’re going clubbing. And take off your watch — nothing says you’re not interested in a conversation like checking the time, and it’s a good idea to just avoid any temptation altogether.

ROUND 2

Round 2 is described as “business casual," but it’s really not a good idea to look too stuffy. A better rule for this round is “family holiday gathering” — conservative, nice but not too fancy. A nice dress with tights, or a skirt with a tucked-in blouse, is perfect for this round. If you wear pants, pair them with a pretty lace or silk top. Also, many girls wear heels this round — you don’t have to, but don’t wear flat or slouchy boots; either go for heels, heeled boots or flats.

ROUND 3

It was suggested that we dress in “business attire” for Round 3, but again, this isn’t really what most girls wear. Don’t think business dinner; think eating at a fancy restaurant with a date. Most girls wear a fancy skirt with a blouse or a silk top, or a dress, and heels. But not too fancy, and certainly not too glitzy or tight — don’t look like you’re going to a party, just look polished and classy.

ROUND 4

The dress code for this round is semiformal, but again, most girls dress a little nicer. Think a bar mitzvah, or a wedding rehearsal dinner. You can’t go wrong with a classy dress! Wear your nicest heels, and, a nice necklace — if you have them, a strand of pearls adds a polished touch.

What you talk about

FIRST TWO ROUNDS

Keep it light. You’ll only be able to talk to each girl for a few minutes, and at first you’ll hear yourself talking about your hometown and your major so much you’ll think you’re going insane. If you can manage it, try to have a more interesting conversation — the girls will remember you and keep you around if your conversation was more interesting than everyone else’s. Bring up something interesting you did over the summer, or a club you’re involved in on campus; it’s an easy way to distinguish yourself and get noticed.

THIRD ROUND

By now, you’ve learned a little about the chapter’s activities, philanthropy and structure, and you may have some questions. Feel free to ask them this round, and also make sure you get more into who you are and what makes you tick, including your activities and goals. Express your feelings about rush and ask questions about sororities in general, but don’t make any overt references to how badly you want to be in a particular chapter or talk about other houses. Through your conversations, you can convince girls that you would fit in at their house.

PREF ROUND

In the last round, the conversation should get a lot heavier. You should talk about what drew you to each chapter, why you think you would fit in there and how you feel about rush in general. Also, show the girls why you’d be an asset to their house by speaking intelligently and displaying your depth — they won’t want to give a bid to anyone who doesn’t seem like they would add a lot to the chapter. This round is to seal the deal — you have one hour to show the girls who you really are and why you should spend the rest of your college experience with them.

WHAT NOT TO SAY

There are three topics that are absolutely off-limits for rush: Boys, Booze and Bids. Gushing about a frat guy that you’re seeing when it turns out the girl who is rushing you used to date him will certainly hurt your chances at being invited back to her house, and bragging about all the shots you downed the night before doesn’t exactly showcase your poise and class to a group of women. But the number one fatal flaw of rush is to talk about other houses, or ask outright if you can get a bid at a particular house. It makes you look desperate, catty and underhanded, and it completely goes against the rules of the Panhellenic Council. Resist temptation — you’ll find out where you belong eventually. Avoid these lethal topics, be prepared and, most importantly, be yourself, and you will end up in a sorority that’s perfect for you!

Talk about a mash-up for the ages: Two of our favorite guilty pleasures, Frozen and Fifty Shades of Grey, have combined forces. No, this is not a drill! Some genius on the Internet (known as Traceart Violeta on YouTube) was way ahead of us and our fangirling – and made a trailer that combined the two.

The video, which already has over 2.6 million views, dubs Frozen lines with those from the Fifty Shades trailer. It may feel a little weird to watch Princess Anna and Prince Hans talk about Hans’s, um, sensual desires, but it’s also strangely perfect. Seriously, how did those lines fit so well?

Don’t believe us? Watch the faux trailer below!

Thoughts? Comments? Opinions? Is it too weird? Or, is it too good? 

Love may lift you higher, but it was making the Parisian bridges collapse closer and closer to the River Seine. In a sweet and classic tradition, couples in Paris would secure a padlock signifying their love onto Paris's Pont des Arts bridge, among others. However, the weight of all that affection turned out to be too much for the bridge, part of which collapsed this summer. The tradition of the locks began just a decade ago, but the burden of love is physically too much for the bridges already, according to Perez Hilton.

Paris's solution? First--let us take a selfie. No, seriously. The city of Paris is trying to convince tourists to take selfies instead of putting padlocks on bridges, each tagged with #lovewithoutlocks, according to the Associated Press. A new website, which begs travelers to "Free Your Love. Save Our Bridges," will feature the selfies.

While selfies certainly don't have the same metaphorical value as a physical padlock, let's take a moment to appreciate the selfie love from one of Europe's classiest cities. Who would have thought that selfies would be a good way to save a bridge (and a Parisian tradition)?

What do you think, collegiettes? Are the sweetheart selfies a good idea, or should Paris find another way to make their lovers happy?

Christian Louboutin is known in the fashion world for his high-end shoes and signature red soles; however, he's now taking that red to a whole different level.  Originally, Louboutin’s red soles were born when he felt as though one of his early shoe designs needed a pop, so he painted the sole with red nail polish. Now, that affinity for polish has led to the birth of a brand-new Louboutin nail polish line.

Louboutin told Allure that he “knows about toes,” which is part of the reason why he has chosen to start a nail polish line in addition to shoes, handbags and wallets.  The “Rouge Louboutin” is a bottle of red nail polish meant to mimic the bright sole color of Louboutin heels. The polish comes in a sleek bottle with a cap meant to resemble the astronomical heel of the Ballerina Ultima, Louboutin’s tallest heels to date.

“Each piece can take up to 22 weeks to make and is packaged in a handmade patent-leather container," according to Forbes. The polish is supposed to be high-end, as Louboutin claims just two coats will be equivalent to 20 coats of normal polish.  For $50 a bottle, you can choose from 30 different shades organized into three categories: Pop, Nude, and Noir!

Rouge Louboutin was released on August 6th in various stores including Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Bergdorf Goodman and some Sephora locations.  The rest of the colors will be available beginning August 31.  Louboutin’s nail polish is his first foray into the beauty world, where he's joining other luxury designers like Chanel, Christian Dior and Gucci this fall.

Would you buy a bottle of Louboutin nail polish for $50 a pop, collegiettes?  Let us know in the comments below!

You and your boyfriend are arguing one night about your relationship when suddenly he throws out that one phrase that makes you feel like you’re the crazy one: emotional baggage.

It’s one of those terms we hear all the time from friends, family and the media, but no one seems to actually be able to pinpoint what it is and what to do about it. So, what is emotional baggage really, how can you stop it from hurting your future relationships and how can you pack your baggage up for good?

Luckily, HC talked to collegiettes and experts to find out more about the phenomenon!

What is emotional baggage?

At its simplest, emotional baggage is the sum of all the negative experiences you’ve had in relationships (both romantic and otherwise) that you bring with you throughout life.

“The idea is that you’re forever carrying around this metaphorical weight on your shoulders of issues from the past,” says Jasmine Ryan, a healthy relationships and dating counselor at the University of Florida. “This baggage therefore affects your worldview and how you interact with people. It can have extremely negative consequences on your ability to connect with people.”

Ryan also points out that emotional baggage doesn’t just come from your romantic relationships. “Basically every relationship you’ve had comes with some form of emotional baggage,” she says. “But the most common problems that people mention are those associated with former significant others as well as parents and family members.”

What type of emotional baggage are you carrying around?

Ryan explains that “types” of emotional baggage are extremely vague and vary in severity from person to person. “An easy way to break down your emotional baggage is the baggage related to your romantic relationships (like a significant other or even just a fling) and your non-romantic relationships (like with family or friends). Both types of baggage do have an impact on one another, so issues you have with your parents play out in interactions with your boyfriend and vice versa.”

Within these two larger categories, emotional baggage can be broken down into subcategories. “For example, you could’ve been in an abusive relationship and now carry traumatic experiences from that time,” Ryan says.

Interested in figuring out what particular baggage you carry around? Ryan recommends looking back at your previous relationships and seeing what went wrong. “Large problems in relationships, like infidelity or even just constant bickering, can leave you feeling vulnerable in future relationships,” she says. “So if you had a boyfriend who cheated on you, it will probably affect how you interact with your next significant other. You’ll carry the weight of being afraid he’ll cheat on you, too.”

Ryan also explains that these experiences multiply the older you get. “People don’t just carry around one negative experience; we collect thousands of tiny little moments and micro-aggressions throughout our lives, all with different people,” she says. “In other words, emotional baggage creates more emotional baggage. Even more importantly, emotional baggage of any kind can affect all of your relationships.”

What kinds of emotional baggage have some collegiettes dealt with in the past? We talked to some brave college women to find out!

Emotional baggage from romantic relationships

A significant other can definitely leave you with a great deal of emotional baggage no matter how long or intense your relationship was, and these experiences could make things a lot worse for your future relationships.

Lauren*, a senior at the University of Florida, found herself dealing with emotional baggage from six years prior when she began dating her boyfriend, John*. “I was in an emotionally and sometimes physically abusive relationship when I was a freshman and sophomore in high school and thought I’d finally moved past it when I got to college,” she says.

However, when Lauren started dating John during her junior year of college, her first real relationship since her abusive one, she found that she couldn’t shake the problems that had haunted her for years. “Any time he got remotely annoyed, I’d start apologizing profusely, just like I had with my ex-boyfriend when I was trying to stop the abuse,” she says. “I’d start feeling really anxious, like I did when the abuse was happening. The problem was, John wasn’t doing anything wrong. Eventually he started asking me what was happening, and I was so scared to tell him the truth.”

Allison*, a senior at Wesleyan University, had an extremely controlling boyfriend during her first two years of college who left her feeling vulnerable and scared. “To this day, I still struggle with trying to find guys who don’t remind me of my ex-boyfriend,” she says. “I went through a lot during those two years we were together, and I guess a lot of my emotional baggage has to do with that relationship. It’s definitely affected how I treat my friends and family, and I’m still trying to find a way to cope.”

Emotional baggage from non-romantic relationships

While romantic relationships do make up a large portion of the issues relating to emotional baggage, problems with family, friends and strangers can still leave a mark. Even more importantly, these difficulties also make your romantic relationships way tougher.

Jade*, a senior at Wesleyan University, found that her own emotional baggage compounded over time. “I had a difficult relationship with my father growing up,” she says. “I hate to use the term ‘daddy issues,’ but that’s pretty much what I had by the time I went to college. As soon as I entered my first real relationship during freshman year, I was floored by how much my past problems with my dad played into my interactions with my boyfriend, and when we broke up, I carried around all of the issues from that relationship, too, in addition to the stuff I’d already had with my dad.”

The bottom line is to remember that almost all collegiettes deal with emotional baggage in some form or another, so you’re definitely not alone!

How can you get rid of emotional baggage?

While you can’t really stomp out your emotional baggage for good (memories and experiences are forever, after all), there are ways to cope with how you’re feeling and techniques for how to successfully keep emotional baggage from controlling your life and ruining your relationships.

Accept it

The first step to dealing with your emotional baggage is to admit that it does exist.

Until Lauren opened up to John about the abuse she suffered from her ex-boyfriend in high school, she hadn’t told anyone since she’d started college. “I felt like UF was a fresh start where people didn’t know what had happened to me when I was 15, so at first it was really hard letting that go,” she says. “But when I finally told John, I really felt the whole ‘weight lifted off my shoulders’ thing. It was this huge piece of emotional baggage I’d been carrying around, keeping me from being close to other people, and it was finally out in the open with someone I trusted.”

Lauren says that putting her emotional baggage out there made it easier for John to put his own baggage out there, too. “Eventually John told me about how an ex-girlfriend he’d dated for several years had been cheating on him for the majority of their time together, so he had his own emotional baggage as well,” she says. “It made me feel much more comfortable knowing that I wasn’t alone, and while our baggage is different, we both have it.”

Acceptance may take some people longer than others. However, remember that just because you accept that you have emotional baggage doesn’t mean you have to tell everyone right away!

Try therapy

Whenever Ryan talks to UF students who are struggling with their relationships as well as the emotional baggage behind them, she suggests they go see an on-campus therapist. “Many colleges give students free or discounted therapy sessions, so I highly recommend taking your school up on the offer,” she says. “Even if the therapist his or herself isn’t necessarily trained to help you through your particular pieces of emotional baggage, they can point you in the right direction towards great resources.”

Jade started attending therapy sessions on campus during her junior year of college and felt that it helped her come to terms with a lot of her experiences. “I would also recommend that you really take some time to find the right therapist if you want to see results,” she says. “I didn’t really mesh with the first person I saw about my problems, so I’m glad I asked our health services for a switch and got an amazing therapist who knows how to listen to my problems while also offering great advice.”

Find a support group

After Lauren told John about her past relationship, they started talking about what they could both do to cope with their own emotional baggage. “John actually helped me find a support group of college women who were survivors of abusive relationships, and that’s been one of the best resources for me,” she says. “Though being in the group brings up a lot of difficult memories for me, it’s been so inspiring and empowering to know that I’m not alone. I’ve found resources that I can use should I ever find myself in a similar situation again as well as tools to help me get better. I also love the other women in my support group.”

Like therapy, Lauren cautions collegiettes to take the time to find the support group that’s right for them. “If your support group isn’t a good fit (you don’t really like the other people in it, the facilitator isn’t that great), you shouldn’t feel bad about leaving,” she says. “Just make sure you keep looking!”

Overall, emotional baggage doesn’t need to stop you from living a full and happy life. Understand that every person carries around some baggage, seek help if you need it and don’t be afraid of what lies ahead!

*Names have been changed.

As any seasoned collegiette knows, move-in day never turns out quite the way you imagine it will, whether you're stepping on campus for the first time or strutting your stuff as a senior. Check out some of the things that you can actually expect to experience on move-in day, and you'll be totally prepared for whatever comes your way!

Expectation: You'll be so excited to be on campus surrounded by so many intellectuals and old books!

Reality: 

Expectation: You'll be rocking the cutest outfit and your hair and makeup will be flawless, just in case a hottie stops to help you with your boxes.

Reality:

Expectation: But let's be honest: heavy boxes? Not for this chick; you'll be moving boxes all day with ease and grace. 

Reality:

Expectation: Your new home away from home will be spacious and charming with plenty of room for all of your worldly possessions.

Reality: 

Expectation: The guys on your hall will all look like Ryan Gosling and be so much mature and sophisticated than last year.

Reality: 

Expectation: You and your roommate will have everything in common and instantly become BFFs.

Reality: 

Expectation: The upperclassmen girls who are helping you move in will totally take you under their wings and show you the ropes.

Reality:

Expectation: Your closet will have enough space for all of your clothes, which will be perfectly organized and color-coordinated.

Reality: 

Expectation: Saying goodbye to your parents will be easy; after all, you're a well-adjusted college student now.

Reality:

Expectation: Now that your parents are gone you can get into the "significant other talk" with your roomie and tell her all about your ah-mazing SO!

Reality: 

Expectation: Your roommate will drag you to meet the people in the suite at the end of the hall, and you can actually feel a friend group forming.

Reality: 

Expectation: Your super-cool RA will pop in to introduce him or herself, and you'll just know the two of you are going to have a younger/older sibling relationship.

Reality: 

Expectation: Your first night will be spent making new friends and memories and partying into the wee hours of the morning.

Reality:

In conclusion: