Ahh, roommates. Whether you went through a super elaborate roommate-matching process, are rooming with your BFF from high school or got matched up with someone totally random, it’s always nerve-wracking to think about living with someone for nine whole months. Luckily, there are solutions out there to make the nerves associated with living with a roommate a bit easier, such as a roommate contract. Never heard of it? No problem. HC has you covered with a complete guide to all things contractual, from the pros and cons to making a roommate contract, when a roommate agreement can be useful and hints to help you go about making one. 

What’s a roommate contract?

A roommate contract is an agreement (usually a written one) that helps you and your roommate settle on different rules you’ll both follow throughout the year. Most contracts dictate things such as whether or not you can have the lights on super late or super early, pet peeves you both might have and different decisions you and your roommate will have to make regarding your shared space.

Pretty straightforward, right? Roommate contracts can take on numerous forms and are sometimes required for all students living in a dorm. It’s totally up to you (and sometimes your school, dorm and/or RA if an agreement is required) to decide how you want your contract to look, what should be included, whether you want a physical copy or not and who needs to know about it. Even if you don’t plan to write down every single detail of how sharing your tiny space is going to work, contracts can still be helpful. Just looking at sample contracts or different kinds of questions that would appear on such a contract can be a great place to start to discuss how the two of you will handle any issues or situations that could arise throughout the year. Click here to download Her Campus's Sample Roommate Contract.

What should be included?

A good roommate contract should address both of the roommates’ preferences on how the space will be used and general rules for the room. Things to think about including in your roommate contract are:

• Distractions that could interfere with studying (music, TV, friends, etc.)
• “Quiet hours” when you want to catch some zzz’s or study
• How clean the room should be, and regular cleaning times
• When is it okay to have friends over? How many people can be over?
• Rules for anything you two will share in the room (TV, fridge, microwave, etc.)
• When do you need to lock the door? How long can the room be left unlocked?
• Will the door remain open or shut when one or both of you is in the room?
• What happens when a guy comes back to the room? Can you kick one another out?
• Temperature – how cold/hot should the room be? When will windows be open?
• Steps for resolving fights or arguments
• What can you borrow or take from each other’s sides of the room? Food? Clothes?

Need some inspiration? Check out sample contracts students at universities like Case Western Reserve University or Casper College are expected to fill out, or look at our sample one below. Keep in mind that you and your roommate can make changes throughout the year as well if unexpected conflicts arise. Be sure to discuss them with one another, notify your RA if necessary and make sure each of you gets an updated version of the contract.

Why should I bother writing a roommate contract?

Maybe you’ve started talking to your roommate and you’ve realized you love to stay up late, while she goes to bed so she can get up for a run at 6 a.m. every day. Or maybe you have lots of early classes, while she lucked out and doesn’t get up until at least 11 each day. Whether it’s contrasting schedules, different social lives, unique study habits or just uncertainty about sharing a room, a contract might be a good idea in all these scenarios.

As Shaye Winer, a RA at the Fashion Institute of Technology, points out, roommate contracts, whether they’re loose or structured, can be a great starting place to get to know the person you’re living with a tad better right off the bat. “Roommate contracts start a very in-depth conversation about who the two (or more) of you are and help start a foundation that the roomies can grow from,” says Shaye. “By doing this right away it is easy to avoid aggravating each other’s pet peeves. For example, I hate rap music blasting when I'm studying, and by saying this on the first night, I don't have to awkwardly ask my roomie to turn down her rap music when I'm studying the first week of school because she already knows not to.”

If nothing else, a roommate contract is also a good fallback when a conflict arises and you and your roommate can’t seem to agree on a solution. The solution to what can seem like a challenging dilemma will be all laid out for you, making roomie peace easier to achieve!

Are there downsides to a contract?

A contract can’t serve as a catch-all for any and all problems that could occur throughout the year. Keep in mind that there’s usually nothing in the agreement that “punishes” a roommate that defaults from the agreement, making it easy to break the contract. Bringing up the initial discussion about a contract could also make things awkward straight off the bat if contracts aren’t required in your dorm. Finally, keep in mind that a contract won’t guarantee you’ll get your way. Creating a contract will require compromises from both you and your roommate, so be sure you’re ready to make some sacrifices — both of you deserve to have a comfortable living situation.

I want to make one! How do I explain it to my roommate?

Many schools actually require incoming students living in the dorms to write out an agreement like the ones described above. If you’re not living somewhere that requires roommate agreements but are still interested in writing out one, think about trying one of the following strategies to make bringing up the idea of a contract to your new roomie a little less awkward:

• Send her this article! Use Facebook, Twitter or email to send a link to this HC article with a quick note like, “Saw this the other day and thought it was a good idea. Want to give it a try?”
• Explain what a roommate contract is and why you’re interested in making one by using other schools to provide context. Bring up the idea of a contract and focus on how other schools require it. It must be a necessity at institutions like Case Western Reserve and FIT for a reason, right? By providing examples of where it’s worked, the idea will be easier to sell.
• Wait to bring a contract up until you’ve actually met. Sit down over one of your first lunches or dinners back on campus to see how different the two of you actually are. Both of you have 8 a.m. classes? Maybe a contract won’t be necessary. See what the first few days are like so you have specific examples of things you feel a contract would be helpful towards before suggesting one.
• Emphasize the fact that the contract will benefit both o

   

  f you. Make sure she knows that you don’t just want to make a roommate agreement to avoid her annoying you, but you also want to make sure you don’t do anything that bugs her.

Do contracts like these actually work?

There’s a reason so many schools require agreements like the ones described above – they’re successful! Says Nicole Gartside from NYU, “Though my roommate and I had no major issues (in fact, we were best friends!), it was always reassuring to know that in case there was ever a conflict, we had a written contract that we could refer back to to clarify what we agreed on in the first place.”

The key, though, is being honest and upfront during the contract creation process. Shaye shares her story:
“As a transfer living in the dorms my first year, I had to make a contract with my roommate. We talked and I told her all of my thoughts, but in turn she wasn't too honest with me,” Shaye says. “She really hated boys in the room and always felt uncomfortable when I brought friends back. She also loved going to bed early, but told me when we were making the contract that she liked to leave the lights on late. This in turn left us hating each other. It's really important to be honest that way you can make sure you are keeping each other happy.”

What happens when my roommate or I break the contract?

Consequences can vary based on whether or not a roommate contract was required, and who oversaw the process. If your RA is aware that you and your roommate have an agreement or if they helped you set it up, let them know and get their help resolving any issues that pop up. Be sure to let them know if you need to make any changes throughout the year as well.

When a roommate contract violation occurs, be honest and upfront about it. If you’re the one that violated it, ask your roommate to sit down and discuss the violation if necessary. If something was damaged or broken, offer to pay some portion of the cost to fix or replace it. If your roommate was the one who violated the agreement, follow the same procedure. Find a time when the two of you can sit down privately and calmly discuss what happened. You can decide if you want to edit or change the contract to prevent a similar problem from occurring again, or if there’s some way to enforce things a bit better.

If a problem or roommate contract violation is super serious, your RA is always a good person to go to, even if they didn’t help you create the agreement. They can help you reach a fair solution and find ways to keep the problem from happening again as well. Enlisting the help of an RA is also a good idea if the same contract violation keeps occurring.

Your dorm should be a place for you to go whenever you need to get away from everything and just relax, roommate contract or no roommate contract. Don’t forget those manners that have been drilled into your head since the days of Barney & Friends, but be sure to speak your mind and share what you’d be okay with and what makes you uncomfortable to make sure your space really is a place you’re proud and happy to call home. After all, they don’t call it dorm sweet dorm for nothing! 
 

The Her Campus Roommate Contract

Roommate One: ____________________________________
Roommate Two: ____________________________________

Smoking will be allowed in the room: __Yes __No
Drinking will be allowed in the room: __Yes __No __During these specific times:_____________

These hours will be reserved for sleeping: ______________________
When one roommate is sleeping, the other roommate may:
__Play music
__Listen to music with headphones
__Watch TV
__Have guests over
__Use a hairdryer
__Have the lights on
__Have a desk lamp on
__Other: ____________________________________

These hours will be reserved for study time: ______________________
When one roommate is studying, these background activities may take place:
__ Music
__TV
__Friends over
__Other: ________

We will keep our room __Messy __In between __Neat
We will clean the room __Daily __Weekly __Monthly __Other: __________

Our cleaning will include:
__Doing laundry before the basket overflows
__Washing dishes after using them
__Taking out the trash and recycling once a week
__Vacuuming once a week
__Making our beds daily
__Other: _________________________________________________

During these hours a roommate may have friends over: _________________
A roommate may have _____ friends over at once

Overnight guests are allowed: __Yes __No __Only if they are female

Before a roommate has an overnight guest, they will warn the other roommate __days in advance.

How often may a roommate have an overnight guest? ________________________________

Roommate policy on overnight guests (i.e. if it is okay to request that the other roommate leave): ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

List of items that may be shared:
 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

List of items that may NOT be shared:
 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

List of items that may be shared as long as the roommate asks beforehand:
 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

List of items that may be shared as long as the roommate replaces them/returns them as they were found:
 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The door will be locked:
__When neither roommate is there
__When one roommate is there
__When both roommates are there ?
__At these specific times: ______________________________

We will leave the door open:
__When one person is in the room
__When both of us are in the room
__The door will always be shut
__Other: ______________________________

The windows may be open during these times: _______________________

An acceptable temperature range for the room during the day is: ______
An acceptable temperature range for the room during the night is: _______

In the case of an argument, we will: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

In the case of a violation of this contract, we will: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Additional items to consider: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signed,
X____[Roommate One]__________________________

X____[Roommate Two]__________________________

X____[Resident Adviser]_________________________

It’s time to go back to school, collegiettes! Time for a fresh start, new friends, fall outfit trends to try and a brand-new beauty look. But how do you afford all that fall makeup you’ve been drooling over? Don’t sweat it; HC is here to help you stretch your summer makeup into the fall. We’ve found tons of ways to make all of your bright summer hues work for autumn styles, too. Don’t put yourself into too much debt at Sephora yet, collegiettes—there’s hope for your wallets!

1. Don’t throw away your bronzer

Everyone’s skin gets lighter in the winter; instead of spending all day at the beach, you’re now cooped up in the library studying. While some girls throw away bronzer that’s too dark for them once their tan fades, you can use it for a different reason.

Sophie Dodd, a senior at Middlebury College, says, “In the winter, I love to use bronzers that are too dark … to warm up my pale skin as a contour color under my cheekbone or as a crease-defining color on my eyes.”

You can also pair a bronzed look with fall colors. “If your face is naturally bronzed by the sun, enhance that with a lightweight or liquid bronzer, but deepen the color palette on your eyes,” says style and beauty expert Elizabeth Kamm. “Soft browns, grays and purples or aubergine eye shadow give a perfect hint of fall, but you can still have a bronzed look.” Contouring with bronzer like this NARS bronzing powder ($38) will help to balance out the darker shades of fall.

Bronzer can be a great tool to give yourself a little bit more of a glow in the summer, but it also can be useful as a darker contour shade for the winter. Don’t let it go unused until next summer!

2. Keep your floral perfume and add muskier notes

You didn’t splurge on that great Marc Jacobs summer perfume for nothing! “I love smelling like candy at summertime and anytime,” says celebrity makeup artist Hasblady Guzman. “Go to Sephora and grab yourself Pink Sugar Roll-On Shimmering Perfume ($18).” Don’t feel like you need to limit your summery smells just to July and August—smelling sweet can be great all year long.

In addition, Sophie recommends layering a floral summer scent with a woody or musky fall scent to create a more complex fragrance. While everyone else is wearing deeper fall scents, you’ll have a hint of something lighter and more floral to stand out in the crowd!

3. Rock coral lips with muted makeup

Coral lipstick is a makeup staple that doesn’t have to disappear in the fall. While this color looks summery with pastels, your awesome beach tan and sandals, you can definitely dare to wear this lipstick with some of your fall wardrobe for an edgier vibe, too.

Guzman recommends wearing bright coral lip color and bronzer into the fall. Kamm agrees. “Oranges work so well with the browns, tans, chocolates and even aubergine and burgundy colors that we will start to wear come fall,” Kamm says.

Coral is a versatile shade that will look light and airy with summer colors and will be a bright splash of color with autumnal outfits. If you’ve never tried a coral shade before, check out Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick ($21) from Sephora in matte neon orange.

If you still don’t feel like a pro at applying lipstick, coral or otherwise, try these tips from HC for rocking your lipstick like a pro!

4. Make colored eyeliner work with monochromatic or muted eye shadow

While colored eyeliner has been a pretty hot trend this summer, you can make it work for fall, too. Sophie suggests using your colored eyeliner with a dark gray or black eye shadow to make the look more autumnal. Try a light blue for an “ice-queen” look; it may not be winter yet, but you’ll definitely be the coolest collegiette on campus (pun intended)!

For a pretty eye-makeup look you can wear all year, Kamm says, “Lilac and light purple are very prevalent colors for fall, so a good makeup trend to complement [one of these colors] is to use a silver metallic shadow on the inner corner of the eye.” Transition your summery bright purple eyeliners into fall with Kamm’s awesome combination!

A neon eyeliner could work as a pop of color with a darker outfit and eye shadow, too. Don’t worry about colored eyeliner going out of style, collegiettes—it looks like these great colors are here to stay. Try the 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil from Urban Decay ($20) in Abyss or Freak.

5. Pink lip gloss never goes out of style

Don’t make the mistake of swapping out of all your pink lip colors and glosses for the deep burgundy reds and purples of autumn and winter. With icy lilacs and metallic eye shadow shades, Kamm suggests pink lip gloss: “Wear a shimmery, nude lip or just barely there tawny pink … to slightly warm the look.”

Guzman says, “I also love a gloss like Stila lip glaze in Guava ($22).” Don’t ditch your pink lip gloss because pink isn’t traditionally a fall color. You can make it work with the rest of your awesome autumn wardrobe!

Just because summer is ending doesn’t mean you have to abandon your gorgeous summer corals or floral perfumes; you just have to switch up how you wear them! Try to incorporate your summer beauty staples into your fall looks instead of leaving them to gather dust at the bottom of your makeup bag. Every collegiette could use a splash of summer in her life when the weather starts to cool down; why not have yours be your makeup?

Let’s face it: when it comes to visibility, queer femme women have been riding the struggle bus since the beginning of time. Here’s a play-by-play of how our lives work.

So, you’re a femme. A girl’s girl who also happens to like girly things.

But supposedly, according to the unwritten book of queer-isms, that’s not the way to get girls.

Apparently you need to dress like Tegan and Sara.

And have hair like J Biebs circa 2010.

Then, of course, you feel ridiculous dressing up as something you’re not, so you continue to dress as you please.

But when you go to the gay club to meet girls and expect the night to go like this:

It actually ends up like this:

Because, have we mentioned how difficult it is to get girls as a femme?

Everyone just assumes you like guys…

…and the guys automatically assume they’ll be able to “set you straight.”

You’ll hear offensive comments like, “But you’re too pretty to be queer!”

Or, “You act so straight!”

…to the point where you’re convinced you’re going to be forever alone.

And you get the people trying to convince you you’re “just going through a phase.”

But does it really matter if you’re attracted to guys, too?

Then you FINALLY score a girlfriend…

…and it’s a HUGE surprise to everyone else if she’s not butch.

I mean, how can you tell who the dominant person is in the relationship?

So eventually you just learn to ignore all of the ridiculous nonsense that people spew.

You learn that you shouldn’t change at all, no matter what.

Because as long as you’re comfortable with who you are and how you present yourself, that’s what’s most important.

And let’s be honest… why wouldn’t you want to be anything but your flawless self?

boohoo.com has been on our style radar for a while now—where else do you think we’ve been getting our Euro-inspired summer looks this season? Once the U.K.’s best-kept secret (and now one of the fastest-growing international e-tailers), boohoo has quickly evolved into a global fashion leader for collegiettes on both sides of the pond. We’re obsessed with its simple and fun philosophy: don’t take fashion or life too seriously! Plus, the brand has been pushing boundaries to bring us all the latest looks for less since 2006, and we never say no to fashion on a collegiette-friendly budget!

From hosting star-studded celebrity events to producing their own StyleFix magazine, boohoo always has something wild and amazing going on (kind of like we collegiettes do). Every day the trendsetting geniuses at boohoo add almost 100 new pieces to their site! Want in on the action (and maybe even the fashion industry itself)?

We’re going to let you in on a secret: You’ve got a chance to become just as on-trend as boohoo is without breaking the bank. This fall, boohoo is breaking out from across the pond more than ever before to take the U.S. by storm and is launching a brand ambassador program at 15 campuses located all over the country! They’re looking for style influencers to join the boohoo STYLE SQUAD and represent boohoo on campus. Think you have what it takes to be a trendsetter?

So what’s in it for you? You know, besides the opportunity to be a fashion authority (for real), plus a ton of free clothes… (and that’s only the beginning).

Check out the perks of the social media/marketing manager and PR/event manager positions:

Perks:

• Monthly shopping credit to buy the latest trends from boohoo.com
• Free boohoo branded swag
• Exclusive seasonal discounts to shop the newest looks and latest trends
• Chances to win a summer 2015 internship at boohoo’s US office, an all-expenses paid trip to help shoot boohoo.com’s new TV fashion segment in Miami and a dedicated feature in StyleFix Magazine issue
• Incredible experience to add to your resumé
• Working directly with one of the U.K.'s leading fashion brands
• Being a campus style influencer by bringing the hottest looks/styles/fashion to YOUR campus

Each school that hosts the program will have two brand ambassadors: a social media/marketing manager and a PR/event manager. The team members will each spend five to 10 hours a week generating awareness of boohoo and driving sales of the boohoo product. Collegiette to collegiette, there’s no better way to get that marketing and PR experience while you’re on campus (especially not while having fun and scoring free clothes in the process)!

Social media/marketing manager responsibilities:

• Manage and promote campus-specific social media accounts and post a minimum of three posts/channel/week
• Work with PR/event manager to identify and execute celebrity/influencer placements on social media channels
• Host a total of (2) giveaways per semester across social media channels
• Implement strategic marketing initiatives on campus
• Partner with Her Campus chapter to be featured on chapter’s Style Blog or as an HC Campus Celebrity
• In partnership with PR/event manager, submit weekly status reports to boohoo team
• Participate in monthly extra credit challenges for a chance to win additional prizing

PR/event manager responsibilities:

• Coordinate and execute (1) required event per semester
• Work with social media/marketing manager to identify and execute celebrity/influencer placements on social media channels
• Partner with Her Campus chapter to plan, organize and execute on-campus events and develop innovative promotional tactics to drive event attendance
• Build and maintain relationships with campus media outlets and local organizations
• Receive and distribute promotional materials and products
• Partner with Her Campus chapter to be featured on chapter’s Style Blog or as an HC Campus Celebrity
• In partnership with social media/marketing manager, submit weekly status reports
• Participate in monthly extra credit challenges for a chance to win additional prizing           

So, are you ready to rock your campus? The lucky schools that will host brand ambassador programs are San Francisco State, NYU, University of Maryland, Tulane, University of Pennsylvania, Boston College, Emory, University of Illinois - Chicago, UNC - Chapel Hill, American University, University of Pittsburgh, University of Central Florida, Loyola Marymount, Southern Methodist University and William Paterson University of New Jersey!

Apply for the boohoo STYLE SQUAD now!

Are you excited? We are (and to be honest, totally jealous you get this opportunity)! Here’s to a new year... and a new role as your school’s style leader.

It’s a new school year, which means, in all its cheesy glory, a brand spanking new you! You may not realize it yet, but those summer months of internships, relaxation and sun have matured us all — it’s better to blame it on the tan than the actual fact that we’re growing up, we’re big girls now. That being said, we’re saying goodbye to the days of promising ourselves we’ll find a boyfriend or girlfriend while stuffing our faces with Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Fudge Brownie ice cream on the couch. This year, collegiettes’ love resolutions will be about confidence, self-respect and everything else that will rock everyone’s world… starting with our own. We’ve complied a list of four love resolutions (and tips for putting them into action) that will make this school year the best one yet.

Love Resolution #1: I Will Confront My Crush

“I think my new semester's love resolution is to finally have a conversation with this guy I've been crushing on. We met at a party, he seemed super into me and even asked for my number, but I get very nervous whenever I see him!” – Kelsey, Boston University 

So you’ve been crushing on this guy or girl for, we don’t know, ever. Well, this year, it’s time to take some action. If he or she hasn’t made a move yet, then it’s your time to step up to the plate — the ball’s in your court.

We know, easier said than done. However, in the grand scheme of life, what do you have to lose? You’re not dating, so you can’t break up. If you’re friends, confronting him or her won’t completely and totally ruin your friendship, assuming you let yourself move on. If you’re acquaintances, then you could end up as friends — and almost every great relationship starts off with that as a solid foundation.

Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a Professor of Psychology at California State University and a relationship expert who’s been featured as one of Dr. Drew’s Lifechangers, adds that pining after someone for so long can get pretty tiring — this year, it’s time to rip the Band-aid off with one quick pull. “As I see it, you may as well get in there, be yourself and see what happens,” Durvasula says. “Waiting is not likely to create change, and in the interim, someone else may snatch him or her up.”

The absolute worst thing that can happen is he or she says no. But if that’s the case, then he or she clearly wasn’t good enough for you. After a well-deserved trip to your fave froyo joint and a Sex and the City marathon, you’ll be as good as new — and you’ll eventually have a story to laugh about with your girlfriends (not to mention a completely valid reason to seek revenge… totally kidding. Maybe.).

“But keep in mind, even if he or she says no — you are still you. It isn’t an indictment of you. Think of the guys or girls you have said no to — it wasn’t personal, it just wasn’t a fit,” Durvasula says.

How To Do It?
Like we said before, it’s a whole lot easier to imagine a perfect situation where you approach that Campus Cutie in your chemistry lab, ask him or her out and then ride off into the sunset together living happily ever after. But let’s get real — college isn’t exactly the set of a Disney movie (although I’m sure more than a few of us have lost a shoe after a night out… or before the clock struck midnight).

So just how exactly do you go about creating your 21st century, fairytale-esque, I-just-hope-I-don’t-have-anything-in-my-teeth dreams a reality? While there are no foolproof scenarios you can concoct, there are ways to talk to that special guy or girl without desperately wanting to crawl under your bed and hide forever.

Durvasula recommends approaching him or her wherever and whenever you feel most comfortable.

“If you are at the same party, wonderful, a perfect place to approach. Time it right, catch his or her smile across the room or comment on something he or she is looking at or wearing. At the end of the day, the more times you take the initiative, the bolder you will get, and the boldness will ultimately get you to the right match for you.”

Scenario:
If you see him out, go up and talk to him! Parties are all about mixing and mingling, so it’s nothing out of the ordinary to start chatting him or her up. With a little liquid courage if you’re of age (and we mean a little — we’re not trying to channel Cady Heron by throwing up on Aaron Samuels), be that confident collegiette that you know you are deep down inside. If you’re nervous at first, ask your friends to come with you, letting them know that once conversation is flowing, they can subtly and slyly walk away. So, what are good conversation starters? Class, summer, Greek life, even the breed of his or her dog — anything you’re interested in! A pretty good go-to is, "Hey, how are you? I haven’t seen you around in a while, what’s new?" But what if you guys haven’t really formally met? Well, if you have mutual friends, ask them to casually introduce you two. We're also a supporter of not-so-accidentally bumping into him or her. From there, you can apologize for your clumsy (but not alcohol-induced) trip and strike up a conversation. But just remember, this is the 21st century; there’s no need to wait for him or her to ask you for your number. Be confident and cute, and ask him or for his or her digits! You’d be surprised how sexy confidence can be.

Just remember collegiettes, however you decide to approach him or her (a.k.a lure him or her in), be direct! Psychotherapist Mary Waldon, LCSW says, “Ask for a date. Call it a date. No need to go on and on about your feelings and the history. Just say you like him or her and ask for a date.” Let’s be honest, you have about five minutes (read: seconds) before his or her mind wanders off. Catch his or her attention while you can!

Love Resolution #2: I Will Say Goodbye to Hopeless Hook-Ups

“I won't go into random hook-ups with the hope that they will turn into relationships. Instead, I'll indulge in a few spontaneous hook-ups, but the rest of the time take things slowly and give guys a chance to get to know me before I let them get to know me in an intimate way.”- Anonymous, University of Michigan 

Random hook-ups and DFMOs — dance floor make-outs — have seemingly become staples of the college experience. But why? Does anything beneficial really come out of shoving your tongue down a stranger’s throat? While we can all agree that random hook-ups are basically pointless, a lot of collegiettes still take part in those awkwardly public, very drunk make-out sessions… usually in hopes that it will turn into something more. Although we're taking a wild guess here, we're going to assume that about 99.99 percent of these one-time hook-ups stay as just that: one-time hook-ups. However, there’s no real mystery to this one.

“There is nothing wrong with a bit of rolling around together, unless there is a part of you in the back of your mind that hopes it will become something more,” Jeffrey Sumber, psychotherapist and adjunct professor at National-Louis University, says. “Let's be honest with ourselves first. People get turned off when they find someone who says he or she just wants to hook up but then [wants] more afterwards. Many people want the truth and get frustrated when the ‘truth’ isn't the message at the outset.”

When it comes down to it, a fun little romp between the sheets just doesn’t establish anything but a physical connection.

“Both sex and relationships thrive with honesty. Be honest about whichever it is you are after, relationship or sex. If it is both, then I'd recommend beginning with connection and taking it a few notches slower on the physical plane. If a guy or girl is too impatient after a few dates, then he or she is probably not the right guy or girl for you,” Sumber says.

So come fall semester, we’re making a change. Say goodbye to constant, hopeless and empty hook-ups, and say hello to finally making a legitimate connection with that hottie at the bar.

How To Do It?
Fight the urge! Instead of going straight to the hook-up, try making out what he or she’s all about and getting to know him or her — show off your self-respect and confidence. By the end of the night, after an awesome conversation, you decide if it’s the right time for that special first kiss. Keeping him or her guessing all night long will definitely hold his or her attention, and who doesn’t like a little chase?

Scenario:
You met a fratstar last week and totally fell for him. But he only texts you when he’s drunk late at night. He’s only interested in hooking up, but you want more — you really like him. There are different ways to handle this: you can wait it out for a little and see where it goes, or play hard-to-get and say no when he calls you at 2 a.m. to come over and “hang.” In a situation like this, he’s usually only using you for a little you-know-what. If you’re looking for something more, you have to express that, otherwise things will stay just as they are, as pointless hook-ups. You don’t have to (and shouldn’t) outright say, “I want a relationship. Right now. Or else,” but you can suggest going to dinner one night or seeing a movie (outside of his Netflix account and his bedroom).

Love Resolution #3: I Won’t Jump Into A Relationship Too Quickly

"I'll take my relationships day by day.”- Alexa, JMU 

This one goes hand-in-hand with #2. We all love meeting new guys or girls with the hopes of something bigger and better coming along with him or her. But at the same time, sometimes we tend to jump too soon. Here’s how it goes: you meet a nice guy or girl, you hit it off, and you start picking out country clubs for the wedding reception. That is how it works, right? Surprisingly enough, not exactly (don’t worry, our minds were blown too). As it turns out, too much too soon can, and most likely will, scare any guy or girl off in a heartbeat.

“While I’m a fan of being honest about one’s excitement and interest, [you] need to remember that [your] enthusiasm might be a bit much for someone [you] are just getting to know,” Sumber says. While Sumber doesn’t believe in following a specific set of rules when it comes to the dating scene (waiting to for him or her to call you, no double-texting, etc.), he does add that it’s best to “give yourself some space to marinate in the experience! Allow yourself to truly feel the feelings without rushing to the next interaction.”

If you think about it from his or her perspective, wouldn’t an obsessive, stage-five clinger turn you off, especially after only meeting him or her a week ago? While this is obviously a more extreme case, it does get the point across: slow it down, and get to know him or her before you start picking out baby names.

But while you’re off trying to play it cool, even though you’re completely and utterly gushing on the inside, don’t forget to show some interest. “People like that you are interested. In fact, most people will not pursue you unless they know in no uncertain terms that you are interested,” Sumber says. So while you’re desperately attempting to ignore him or her at a party, just give up the act and shoot him or her a smile from across the room.

How To Do It?
While all the voices in your head are screaming, shouting, chanting, “Text him or her! Text him or her! Text him or her!” hold yourself back. Although it’s perfectly normal (and sane) to shoot him or her a text here and there when something reminds you of him or her (‘I saw the soccer team practicing today, you guys looked great out there’ or ‘I literally waited in line at Dunkin’ Donuts for two hours today, you’re right, I definitely should invest in my own Keurig’), don’t abuse the fact that you have his or her number, sending him or her text after text after text with no reply from his or her end. If you’re looking for something more, play it cool in the beginning to see just where this thing goes.

Waldon agrees, noting that collegiettes shouldn’t over-text or be too available. “If you have a tendency towards this type of behavior, enlist the help of a friend to help you rein it in,” she recommends. “A few basic rules of thumb: don’t text again until you receive a text back. If you tend to be an over-texter, make a pact with a friend. Either check in with the friend before you text or text your friend instead!”

Scenario:
You met a girl at a party and completely and utterly fell head-over-heels — she’s literally your dream come true. Problem is, she’s still suffering (seriously, suffering) over her recent break-up with her ex-girlfriend. You figure it’s fine;s he has to get over it eventually. So you text her saying you had fun hanging out and all that jazz. She responds, but nothing much comes from the conversation. What do you do next? While you can always go for the classic ‘I will stalk you until you decide to marry me’ move, you’re probably better off letting her come to you. She’s still heartbroken, so by throwing yourself at her, you’re only bound to become her rebound. She has to make the decision to move on on her own terms. Pushing or persuading will do nothing but hurt the situation. It’s a slow process, but if you suggest grabbing coffee together when she’s ready (something light and easy), something positive can surely arise.

Love Resolution #4: I Will Make My Relationships Work

“I'm going to be a freshman and I'm going to school [five] hours away from home where my boyfriend of two years is staying! So my love resolution is to keep my relationship as strong as possible without being able to see him often.”- Laura, University of Wisconsin 

Every year, collegiettes across the country vow to keep their boyfriend or girlfriend and to stay in a relationship during the school year. Whether you’re at the same school or 500+ miles apart, every relationship takes work. While it may seem easier just to call it quits, having a long-distance relationship in college is doable, especially with all the technology that surrounds us (shout-out to Facebook, Skype, texting and all that’s in between). But before deciding on anything this groundbreaking (I mean, choosing a new nail polish color takes tons of deliberation for us), make sure that this is not only something you want to do, but something that you should be doing.

“College is an extraordinary time — time for self-discovery and the discovery of others, and a long distance relationship can often distance a person from staying in the moment at her own college and in her own college experience,” Durvasula says. However, if you’re ready and willing to make the commitment, then you can make it work.

How To Do It?
Communication is key. You can’t be with someone if you never speak — that’s what marriage is for (totally kidding). We all have our ridiculously busy schedules (who knew college would be more taxing than anything else we’ve done thus far?), but we do have down time. While there’s the obvious phone call, Facebook message, Tweet and e-mail, Durvasula also recommends adding something a little more romantic (and foreign to our generation) to your relationship: snail mail. Just picture it: how absolutely melt-worthy adorable would it be if your boyfriend or girlfriend wrote you a handwritten letter? Yeah, we thought you’d agree.

But don’t forget to make time for your college friends — they are the people you’ll be spending the next four years making fabulous mistakes with. So how do you go about this extreme balancing act (we'd like to see Gabby Douglas try this one out) and still come out with gold? It’s all about the scheduling.

“Schedule limited Skype, FaceTime or phone time, a beginning and an end time, so you know when you will connect with your boyfriend or girlfirend, and still be able to live your life at school,” Waldon says. “Schedule time to get together, plan trips to each other’s campus and incorporate friends into at least some of that time.”

Scenario:
Since he asked you to the prom your junior year, you’ve been basically glued to your boyfriend’s hip. You’ve stuck by each other through thick and thin, but now it’s time to go your separate ways — how heart-wrenching is that? But you’ve both thought long and hard, and decided that you can defy the statistics, you can overcome the stigma and you can have a long distance relationship. So you set off to your different schools to live different lives, while still holding on to what you have as a couple. You both want to have the full college experience (whatever that is) that everyone keeps talking about. So while you Skype every Monday, Facebook chat every Wednesday in class and text almost all day long, you also make sure you’re spending time with your new college friends. One weekend, you focus on your college world, only talking to your boyfriend here and there — you update him about everything on Monday. Another weekend, one of you visits the other at his or her school, absorbing each other’s own college life. You’ve figured out your own schedule and way to have a lasting relationship, and only you two can make it work after putting in what you think is the perfect amount of effort.

So collegiettes, did we miss your love resolution for the new school year? Let us know what you’re pledging to when it comes to love this year in the comment box below!

Rushing a sorority can be more nerve-wracking and confusing than taking a calculus test. Instead of dealing with derivatives, you’ve got to put yourself out there and impress girls who you just met 30 seconds ago. You have a million questions and don’t know whom to ask about them: Do I eat the snack they give me? Do I tell them I don’t like my roommate, or should I pretend that I do?  How do I sit on the ground in this dress without flashing someone?

Luckily, there’s no need to have a panic attack and give up on rush altogether — we may not be able to help you with calculus, but we’ve got you covered when it comes to sorority rush. We talked to collegiettes who are in sororities, so you can be assured that you’re getting the best advice out there. With these insider tips from girls who have gone through the process and came out alive, you’ll get a behind the scenes look at rush and know what to do (and what not to!) to get the bid you want.

1. DON’T talk about how blackout you got during Welcome Week.

“I would say girls should definitely avoid talking about drinking, drugs, and partying,” says Rachel, a recent grad of the University of Michigan and the former Social Chair of Chi Omega. “We are all in college, we've all seen the same type of parties and it makes you look like you are trying to bond for the wrong reasons.”

Allie, a recent grad of the University of Michigan and the former Vice President of Recruitment of Alpha Chi Omega, agrees. “While you may talk about partying with a best girl friend, recruitment is not the place for it,” she says.  “When a first impression is all you have to offer, you want to put your best foot forward. It is fine to talk about how much fun you had with your friends at a party, just be discreet about it.”

In other words, you don’t have to hide the fact that you go out — it’s good to know that you are a fun-loving person who knows how to enjoy herself! For example, if you went to one of the big welcome parties and you’re asked about it, by all means say you went and had a great time. But avoid the details, such as how much or what you drank, how drunk you were, and what ridiculous intoxicated shenanigans you got yourself into. A fun girl is a plus, but “THAT sloppy, hammered chick” won’t be first on anyone’s bid list. The same goes for drugs — just don’t talk about them.

2. DO say something unique or memorable about yourself.

Be aware that the girls rushing you are also rushing tons of other people, and it can be hard to keep track of them all. The conversations are short and all start to blend together, so your best bet at standing out in their minds is to say something unique about yourself. Then, when they’re telling their sorority sisters about you, they can say “she was the one who went scuba diving in the Galapagos this summer!” or “she’s the marathon runner!”

Dropping a quirky, noteworthy fact about yourself also shows that you are an interesting person, which is obviously a plus. Whereas talking about partying is best to be avoided, your interests and passions are at the top of the list of good conversation topics because they give others a sense of who you really are and what you can contribute to the sorority.

“This may sound cheesy, but we want girls who want to make our chapter better and are determined, hardworking, motivated and smart girls,” says Becca, the Rush Chair of Tri Delta at Union College. “We want to know if they volunteer, play sports or do other extracurriculars, because we want them to get involved and show the administration at our school all of the positive things we do for the community."

So, without bragging, make a point to reveal some of your hobbies, passions and memorable experiences. Added bonus: when you’re talking about stuff you love to do, you will naturally sound enthusiastic and engaged!  

3. DON’T mention the guy you went home with last night.

Like partying, sexual escapades can be added to the list of Things You Should Avoid Talking About With Strangers. Yes, the girls you are talking to may be your future sorority sisters who you will tell everything to, but dishing about your sex life right off the bat can give the wrong impression.

It can also get a bit awkward. Katie*, a collegiette in a sorority at a Midwestern school, says that when a girl she rushed brought up the size of her boyfriend’s package, things got weird fast. “I was just really taken aback and uncomfortable… I had just met her three minutes ago!” Katie says. “It was definitely TMI and it sort of made me question her judgment.”

Allie adds that name-dropping a specific guy could be trouble because there’s always a chance that the girl you are talking to knows him (or is related to him, or dated him, or hates him for something he did to her friend — you get the picture).

So, bottom line: save your boy woes and hookup stories for post-rush dinner with your friends. “In the end, it’s about sisterhood, not catty boy drama,” says Becca. 

Need a reminder of the “don'ts” so far? Allie boils them down to three “B’s” to avoid: booze, blunts and boys.

4. DO look presentable.

Choosing what to wear to rush can cause a bigger headache than choosing your first-day-of-school outfit, but we have some guidelines to ease the pain. Every school’s recruitment is different and you may be told specific things to wear on each day of rush. Regardless, you want to look clean and put together. We know you might still be getting used to doing your own laundry, but a coffee-stained shirt is probably not your best look. 

“Present yourself like you are going to meet your friend’s parents for brunch,” Allie says. That means avoid excessive cleavage, barely-there shorts and skirts and flashy (distractingly so) jewelry. “Your appearance should show that you care about being at the house you are in, but that you are comfortable in what you are wearing. Put time in and make sure you feel confident,” Allie says.

Be conscious of your makeup, too — lipstick-stained teeth are pretty hard to ignore when you’re talking to someone who is two feet away from you.

5. DON’T gossip or talk smack about others.

Gossiping can be dangerous for several reasons. First, as Allie pointed out, the girl rushing you could very well know who you are talking about, so you risk getting yourself into an awkward situation or even offending someone. And the girl may tell someone else in her house or another house, making matters worse.

Additionally, gossiping can make you seem catty, superficial and two-faced — not the qualities of an ideal sorority sister. You want the sisters to realize you would make an amazing friend, so be the amazing friend that you are! Instead of launching into a conversation about how annoying this girl in your class is, talk about how you and your friend signed up for a Zumba class together or how going to camp for six years has prepared you for living with 50 other girls. Leave the gossip for Serena and Blair.

6. DO act like you want to be there.

When you’re going through rush, it can be easy to forget that you’re not the only one being assessed. The girls rushing you are being evaluated too — by you! They want you to like them as much as you want them to like you, and they’re looking out for girls who are clearly excited to be there.

Rachel explains that when a girl seems to lack interest, rushers may not be able to get a good sense of her and will write her off. “When a girl acts uninterested or seems like she thinks she is above the process, it’s going to be a lot harder to get to know her in the five minutes that we have,” she says.

So be engaged in conversation. Ask questions, make eye contact, nod, laugh and sound enthusiastic — basically, everything you were told to do doing a college interview. Compliment the house and any decorations they have up, and respond to the information given during presentations to show that you were listening. For example, if a presentation is given on the chapter’s philanthropy, ask the girl rushing you what kind of involvement she had in their annual fundraiser last year.

There’s no need to go over the top and gush about every little thing (“OMG the embroidery on those pillowcases is really amazing, please tell me everything you know about it!”), but showing genuine interest in what you are being told about the sorority is super important. 

7. DON’T say something negative about another house.

You may think that bashing another house could help prove your loyalty to the house you are being rushed at, but this is definitely something you should never do. Once again, you have no idea what connections the girl you’re talking to may have to that house (for example, her biological sister or freshman year roommate may be in it).

Not only that, but talking about another house takes time away from learning about the house you’re actually at and showing your interest in it. Your attention should be solely focused on that one house for the time that you’re there, so you may as well pretend that no other sorority exists until you walk out the door and move on to the next one.  

8. DO be yourself.

This one may seem trite, but it’s the most fundamental advice of all. “Being genuine is the most important thing you can do during rush,” Rachel says. “You want to end up in a house that is the right fit for you, and you and the rusher can only know this if you are being yourself.”

Allie echoes this advice: “Find a place where you can be yourself and where you feel at home!”

If you’re pretending to be someone you’re not (and don’t want to be) just to get into a particular sorority, you’re only disserving yourself because you’ll probably end up being surrounded by girls who don’t mesh best with the real you.

While many aspects of rush do resemble a college interview, keep in mind that you’re talking to girls your age, not a middle-aged woman in a pantsuit who wants to hear you spin your weaknesses into strengths. So feel free to loosen up and joke around. It’ll showcase your sense of humor and establish a connection between you and your rusher. The livelier the conversation, the more likely it is to be remembered positively.

“The best conversations will be the ones you remember laughing in, and enjoying that girl’s company. They will be natural and relaxed,” Allie says.

All of the do’s and don'ts aside, don't sweat rush too much — take a deep breath before you enter every house and present your best, true self. More often than not, the process has a way of working out well for you in the end. We promise you’ll live to tell the tale!

*Name has been changed.

A fresh class schedule and endless nights out with your best girls aren’t the only perks of being back on campus; you’ll also be part of the campus dating scene again!

This could be the semester when the cutie you had chemistry with in the spring finally makes a move. It could also be the time when you and your boyfriend go on the best date you’ve ever had. Whatever your romantic situation might be, going on dates is a relationship necessity. They allow you to spend time with the one you love while having a ton of fun.

To make sure you stay on your collegiette budget, here are a few wallet-friendly date ideas to keep the sparks flying.

1. Eat a picnic on the quad

An outdoor picnic is an inexpensive way to bond with your partner over some delicious food. Since everyone needs to eat and sharing a meal provides plenty of time to talk and catch up, a picnic is a smart idea. Just grab a cozy blanket, a decent-sized basket full of food and your sweetie for a fun afternoon.

Depending on what you decide to eat, the price of this date is up to you. It probably won’t cost you more than $10, unless you decide to add a bottle of wine to the mix.

To bond even more, team up to make the meal you’ll be eating at your picnic so you can spend extra time together. You might just learn something new about your partner’s eating habits or preferences while you’re getting everything prepared.

Try this date idea in September or October before it gets too chilly to enjoy a nice meal outside.

2.Host a movie night in your dorm or apartment

Watching a movie together is a classic date, but since movie nights at the theater usually cost a small fortune when combined with snacks and drinks, you can have your own movie night right on campus instead. Since you might have been used to having movie nights with your parents or sibs during the summer, it’ll be nice to curl up with your sweetie instead.

Not only is watching a movie at your own place more affordable, it’s also more comfortable and convenient. Plus, you can pause the movie if you need to for an impromptu makeout session! You can also make your own popcorn and drinks, which will definitely be much cheaper than the concession-stand prices.

As if you need any more reasons to have your own movie night, remember that you’ll be in a more intimate setting compared to being in a full theater with a bunch of other couples and families. This means that you can laugh as loud as you want or cry without being embarrassed, and if you want to lock lips, you can do so without guilt!

When deciding on a movie to watch, go for a comedy if it’s a new date to keep the mood lighthearted. For couples in long-term relationships, try a dramatic or romantic movie to amplify the atmosphere.

3.Take a stroll around campus or downtown

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of taking a nice walk outside in the crisp, cool fall air. This free, feel-good activity is an awesome way to have some small talk with your sweetie while enjoying your surroundings and some beautiful foliage. Even though being back to school may be a bittersweet reality, odds are you probably missed parts of the scenery around your campus.

Some college campuses have fitness trails with paved walkways so you can enjoy a leisurely stroll without having to navigate your own way. If you go to school in the city or at a school without walking trails, try taking a walk downtown and window-shop, or look up a state park that will have lots of nature to check out while you chat.

4. Indulge in froyo (with all the fixings!)

Satisfy your sweet tooth while spending time with your love over a cool, frozen treat. Froyo usually costs around $5, so you can treat yourself without much guilt.

You probably enjoyed froyo in the summer because of the hot weather, but now you can make going on a froyo run a study incentive when it comes to being back to school. When you’ve exhausted your flashcards and textbooks, text your crush and ask to take a froyo break together.

After you’ve swirled your favorite flavor and added only the best toppings, make sure you sit down together to enjoy some good conversation. Especially with a new partner, being able to talk together is essential so that you can get to know each other better and share what’s happening in your lives.

For dairy-free gals, look for dairy-free options at your local shop. Many froyo places offer sorbet options in addition to frozen yogurt so that everyone can enjoy something yummy!

5. Be bookworms together at a bookstore

For the bookworm couple, head over to your local bookstore for a satisfying night out. It’s nice when you and your partner connect physically and emotionally, but it’s a whole new feeling when you two can connect intellectually! Your fall semester schedule might not allow much free time for leisure reading, but purchasing a book or two isn’t a bad investment, and pleasure reading could prove to be the perfect fall break activity.

Find out if a nearby bookstore is having a book reading or an author meet and greet, which will be free and exciting. Otherwise, go on a book hunt together by exploring the shelves until you find something you both enjoy reading.

Take the romance up a notch by purchasing a book to share, and get excited to exchange thoughts and opinions about it once you’re both done reading it. This shouldn’t cost you more than $20, and the benefits of sharing a good book together will be long-lasting!

6.Get your mind working with a study date

Back to campus means back to studying (sigh), but hitting the books doesn’t have to be a punishment. Even non-exciting activities can be a little better when your sweetie is by your side. This also is a good date idea when you’re both swamped with work and can’t go on an off-campus date, yet you still want to be near each other.

It might be hard to focus on your notes when your crush is right in front of you, so don’t try this date right before finals! Instead, plan your study date on a day when you have a decent amount of work to do, but not so much that your stress will affect your attitude.

To help make studying more thrilling, make up little incentives for making progress. If you’re both reading textbooks, make a plan to have a mini makeout sesh after a certain number of pages (no, not after only two pages!) to keep yourself motivated. Do something similar if you’re reviewing notes or flashcards, except plan to have your sesh after a certain amount of time spent studying.

Another perk of having a study date is having someone to assist you when you’re studying for an exam. Flipping through flash cards on your own isn’t as exciting, so have your crush quiz you on the material. For every correct answer, reward yourself with a quick peck, and once you’ve answered all of the questions correctly, take a 15-minute break to get a coffee together. These flirty ideas will help you look forward to your studying sessions instead of dreading them!

7.Explore local museums

Looking for another educational yet inexpensive date option? Head to a local museum to learn something new and soak up some knowledge. Summertime meant taking a break from academics, but the start of fall semester means it’s time to get back into learning again. Going to museum can be a fun way to get back into the swing of things, and it’s even better with your love by your side.

A few options to explore include museums that display art, local history or world history. If you and your sweetie have something in common that you like to bond over, you can also look for a museum with exhibits and resources related to that topic.

Museums contain conversation starters everywhere you turn, so you won’t need to worry about not having anything to talk about.

The best part of this date idea is that many museums are either free or reasonably priced. You can also get a student discount at many museums, so make sure that you find out if you’re able to save by showing your student ID. Use a museum finder to explore potential options in your area.

Going on a date is a timeless and simple pleasure that’s worth the time. You don’t need to break your budget to have an awesome date night, so the next time your sweetie mentions it, go for it and test out one of these fun ideas!

With an outrageously extensive menu and cheesecake so delicious you salivate just thinking about it, The Cheesecake Factory is a wonderful place. And while it may serve fare you could find at other restaurants, its decor is second to none. Here's our list of nine things The Cheesecake Factory looks like.

1. The Eye of Sauron

We walked all the way here from The Shire just for some of their delicious bread. 

2.  St. Peter’s Basilica

Why spend thousands of dollars traveling to Rome when you could just spend $10.99 to look at art just as beautiful?

3. A Chinese bar

This is getting a little bit ridiculous.

4.  Every establishment in Las Vegas

Eating at The Cheesecake Factory is a lot like "waking up in Vegas"... but with fewer strippers and more indigestion. 

5. A gay club

They better have appletinis or else we're writing this place a very bad Yelp review!

6.  Madonna's cone bra

So 1991.

7.  A pagoda

Hey, we bet you can't get this good of cheesecake in Asia.

8. Heaven

Eating cheesecake will never not be a heavenly experience.

9. A food coma

Excuse me as I go sleep for three days.

Remember when you were little, and back-to-school shopping was the absolute best thing about a new school year? Well now the promise of getting out of your parents’ house and seeing your college friends is the best part, but back to school shopping is still one of the hallmarks of heading back to college. And it’s even more fun now that we get to pick out bedding and decorations in addition to pencils and notebooks!

Last week, we took a little shopping trip to stock up on some of the must-have items for heading to college that are available at Target. Take a look at our shopping experience!

Our School Supplies

We had such a blast running around Target and scored some amazing deals on our favorite back-to-school supplies. The Back to School section of the store had some seriously adorable school supplies, like the Two-Pocket Folder with Pink Bicycles (similar here $1.49 at Target) and Greenroom Metallic Pattern Notebook ($3.99 at Target in-store only) that we picked up.

We also grabbed some PaperMate InkJoy Ballpoint Retractable Pens ($3.79 at Target, in-store only) in an array of bright colors for spicing up the monotonous task of note taking! These pens would also pair beautifully with the adorable and chic CARLTON Thank You Cards ($4.99 for a pack of 10 at Target, in-store only) we picked up. From intramural coaches to chemistry tutors to your career adviser, you never know when you’ll need a thank you card, and these were just too cute to pass up.

Our Dorm Décor

For our dorm room, we fell in love with this super pretty Room Essentials Botanical Toss Pillow in Purple ($16.99 at Target) because it perfectly matches our bedding and is super comfy for lounging or watching movies.

Since mom and dad won’t be around to nag you about cleaning your room, it’s important to have cleaning supplies on hand to make sure you’re not living (and eating!) in a dirty space. We grabbed these Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, 35ct in Fresh Scent ($2.36 at Target) because they’re super easy to use and they clean up everything from makeup to coffee to the Easy Mac that exploded in your microwave.

Another dorm essential is a lip balm to keep by your bed to swipe on every morning and night. Burt’s Bees was the obvious choice, and we thought the Burt’s Bees Hydrating Lip Balm with Coconut and Pear (similar here$2.99 at Target) sounded amazing.

Our Holy Grail

Speaking of things to have by your bed, is there anything worse than waking up in the middle of the night, being super thirsty and having to drag yourself out of bed, put on your robe and slippers and head down the hall for a glass of water? No, no there is not. Which is why we made a beeline for the Brita Space Saver System ($19.99 at Target) in this chic turquoise color.

If you’re not familiar with the feat of engineering that is the Brita filtration pitcher, it’s basically a compact pitcher that can hold up to six cups of water and can fit right into your mini dorm fridge with plenty of room to spare for your Red Bull and dining hall leftovers. The Brita Space Saver has a lifetime of up to 40 gallons, but if you’re worried that the filter needs to be changed, all you have to do is look at the pitcher, because it has an electronic filter-change indicator that will tell you when it’s time to get a new one. Genius, right?

The main attraction of the Brita Space Saver is that it filters your water, meaning that you can fill up your pitcher right from your bathroom sink and not have to worry about any chemicals or weird tastes. The Brita reduces impurities as well as the taste and odor of chlorine in your tap water, making your water taste better and be better for you. Plus, having a pitcher of filtered water in your room means you can easily make tea or coffee in your Keurig without having to worry about bacteria or the hassle of bringing your Keurig over to the sink to fill it.

You all know how important it is to drink enough water, but the truth is that we’re often just too lazy about it. But having a pitcher full of cold, clean water right in your dorm room is about as easy as it gets, so no more excuses, right collegietes?  

If you’re serious about drinking more water, cutting down on waste (and costs!) from plastic bottles and generally living a healthier life, then we definitely recommend picking up a Brita Hard-Sided 23.7 Oz. Bottle ($13.99 at Target). We got ours in this very Her Campus-appropriate pink color, and we’re in love. These bottles have a built-in filter so you can have fresh, clean water no matter where you are, whether you’re running to class, headed to practice or just hanging with friends.

Shopping for college can be overwhelming, but if you know what you can spare and what you can’t live without, the process can be tons of fun and score you some amazing school supplies to make you the most prepared collegiette on campus. And to help you with your BTS shopping, we're giving away a $25 gift card to Target, so enter below! Happy shopping!

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You are, of course, a highly intelligent and unique human being whom any of your fellow incoming freshmen would be lucky to know. And yet, as you meet them for the first time during freshman orientation, you find yourself unable to say anything other than, “So, um, where are you from? That’s cool. What’s your major? That’s cool.”

Many of the people you talk to will be eager to chat about hometowns and classes. There’s something about the novelty of your first few days on a college campus and the desire to make a good first impression that tends to homogenize conversation. Despite the repetitious introductions, however, a few distinct personalities will emerge from the crowd. Her Campus has compiled a list of seven of these archetypes that you’re sure to meet during freshman orientation.

1. The Guy Who Wants to Get Laid

You’ll probably meet many guys with this narrow aspiration at college, not only during freshman orientation, but also throughout your four years. During the first few days of school, the guys on your hall will get together and talk about who’s going to get laid first. Maybe they’ll have some sort of prize picked out for the “winner.” Yeah, we know. It’s sexist and gross. But unless you go to an all-girls school, you’re going to have to deal with it at some point.

In order to entice you, he’ll try to get you alone in his room. Here are some ways he might lure you there:

• Saying he has a fun game. It’s in his room, wanna play?
• Saying he bought cookies and he wants to share them with you. They’re in his room, wanna get some?
• Saying he has a Tempur-Pedic bed. It’s in his room, wanna check it out?

Don’t take these at face value. He’s not talking about Monopoly, it’s your cookies that he wants and who even brings a Tempur-Pedic bed to college?

If you’re into him, feel free to own your sexuality; just make sure to use protection as always! But be aware that he probably won’t fully appreciate your uniquely amazing body and feminine charms. He’s merely looking for something with a pulse to walk out of his room the next morning so he can fist bump the guys and maybe win a few bets about who can hook up with the most girls before classes even start.

2. The Free Stuff Addict

You’ll first see this guy waiting in the free T-shirt line. You’ll then see him at the student activity fair, feigning interest in clubs long enough to grab a handful of free candy from each table.

Hey look, there he is at the academic advising fair, pilfering pens! He’s even at the ice cream sundae social, dumping toppings (chocolate chips and marshmallows and peanuts) into a little bag to bring back to his dorm and snack on later.

You might call him a cheapskate, but this guy is so smart he’s already ready to graduate summa cum laude in our books. Considering the cost of college tuition these days, we don’t blame him at all for trying to get his money’s worth. Colleges like to use orientation to dole out free merchandise that will give students a chance to show their school spirit. Follow his cue and snag that complimentary bumper sticker!

3. The “Class of” Facebook Group Celebrity

You’ll meet many people in the prefrosh Facebook group, but there’ll be one or two people who stick out. These Facebook users post regularly, comment on other people’s posts and friend all the people who “like” something they write, plus all those people’s friends for good measure.

You’re sure to run into these Facebook elite, and it’ll be a bit weird at first. After all, you know their favorite singers, their class schedules and which clubs they’re interested in, but you’ve never even heard their voices. You’ll see one while waiting in line at an orientation event and will think of something friendly to say, like, “Hey, I think we’re friends on Facebook.” Before you can go up to him or her, though, a mob of your peers will cross in front of you shouting, “Hey, you’re (insert first and last name)! We’re friends on Facebook!”

Sometimes Facebook celebrities are loud and attention-seeking, but sometimes they’re the quiet, shy kids who hide behind their profile pictures and online anonymity. If the latter seems to be the case, wait until after freshman orientation to strike up a conversation, and make sure it’s about something you have in common other than just being friends online—maybe mention that you saw she likes Woody Allen and see if she wants to see Magic in the Moonlight with you. You two might become friends IRL!

4. Everyone’s Instant BFF

This effervescent and extroverted girl has befriended the entire freshman class by 10 a.m. She loves to chat with people about anything and everything, and she somehow knows how to keep a conversation going after you’ve told her your major, hometown and class schedule for the fall. She’s also been live-tweeting and Instagramming every orientation welcome speech, safety presentation and meet and greet, so she’s also been accumulating friends through social media.

This girl is great for networking—tell her you’re taking Calc 110 this semester or are looking at joining the Irish dance team, and she can immediately tell you three people she’s met with the same interests.

After orientation, she’ll probably start hanging out with one group of friends, but will still give you (and everyone around) a big smile and wave when she passes you on campus. Shortly after orientation, you’ll probably start seeing her name written on campaign posters and chalked on sidewalks all over campus. Don’t be surprised if she’s elected your class president!

5. The Party Queen

There are several ways to identify The Party Queen. You could look in her dorm closet, where she has more club dresses than actual shirts and pants suitable for wearing to class. You could look at the orientation leaders eating lunch and pick out the one freshman who’s already friends with them. Or, you could start asking people if they’re doing anything fun after the day’s orientation events and wait for The Party Queen to rush to your side and inform you of the locations of all the best upcoming parties.

Many Party Queens don’t like to relinquish their crowns and will continue to be the sources of information on nighttime soirees even after orientation. Then again, there’s always the chance that she’s using freshman orientation to get the raging out of her system, and once classes start, she’ll be spending all her nights at the library. The next time you see her could be when she gives the valedictorian speech at graduation. You never know!

6. The Guy Whose Parents Never Leave

As you look out at the people in the dining hall, you see many nervous but smiling faces. Except for one. The kid at the table next to you looks slightly dismayed. You only wonder why for a few seconds before you see a middle-aged couple set their trays next to him. You had heard about this kid—he’s the one whose parents just won’t leave.

Parents are encouraged to attend some of the orientation events, and indeed, your own parents took the campus tour with you and sat through the info session on financial aid. But this guy’s parents also went to his one-on-one session with his academic adviser and joined in on his residence hall’s game of Apples to Apples. Now they’re at the assembly on safe sex, nodding with approval whenever abstinence is mentioned.

The plus side to this guy’s situation is that as long as his parents are here, so are their wallets. “Hey, Dad, why don’t we go off campus for dinner tonight? Your treat?” And once classes start and they’re forced to leave, this guy will finally learn what it’s like to live away from his family—that is, until Parents Weekend.

7. The Cute Guy You Keep Bumping Into

You noticed him while wandering around the student activity fair. And look, there he is enjoying the impromptu a cappella concert. When you go up to him and start chatting about how Pitch Perfect this campus is, he looks at your face, not your chest, and laughs along agreeably. Yep, he’s the antidote to The Guy Who Wants to Get Laid. Total boyfriend potential.

But wait! Even though the Lily-and-Marshall-meeting-right-as-college-starts scenario as seen on How I Met Your Mother is highly appealing, it’s also quite unrealistic. Focus on yourself, settling in, making good friends and getting a strong start on your classes. Maybe the guy will use the number you wrote on his hand to call you for a date. Or maybe you’ll stop seeing him around and completely forget about it a few months later. Either way, freshman orientation becomes counterproductive when you let some campus cutie disorient your heart.

Are you feeling apprehensive about orientation? Check out these tips on making the most of orientation!

Summer vacation is the envy of all adults. We get to kick back, relax and basically live in a world where responsibilities are small and the margaritas are large for a solid three months. Between killer tans, awesome internships and phenom BBQs, it’s no surprise that we want our break to last forever. But, eventually, it comes time to pack our bags, soak up those final rays of sun and say goodbye to paradise. Yet the end of the summer is just the beginning of something even better: fall semester. This year, back to school definitely doesn’t have to be a drag. We’ve complied a list of 22 reasons why going back to campus will be just as epic (if not more!) as your summer vacay.

1. You get to use your brain again: It sounds totally lame, but we’re serious! After watching 12 straight hours of The Mindy Project on Hulu (or was that just us?), your mind could use a little responsibility. As much as we L-O-V-E laying out by the pool, playing endless rounds of Candy Crush and munching on whatever snack is within arm’s reach, being that lazy can only keep you sane for so long. Our brains need a little more action!

2. College sports: Who’s got spirit? We sure do! There’s nothing like cheering on your team from the stands with a million (ok, give or take a few) other fans decked out in your school’s colors. Even if your university doesn’t have a truly spectacular sports team, college sports are not only fun to watch on TV, but they’re also a great talking point with guys. And with every game comes…

3. Tailgates: A chance to bro out, day drink and dress in your school’s colors? Sign us up!

4. A break from your parents: Repeat after me: no curfew. Isn’t that just a pretty, pretty thing? Obviously we love our creators (sorry to gross you out there) and caretakers, but sometimes, a little break could do us all some good. Once we’re back at school, there’s no asking for permission to do anything, and tons of this funny little thing called independence. You’ll appreciate it.

5. Meaningful conversations: For some of us, home is a bubble. It’s your stereotypical suburb or melting pot of a city — but you tend to keep to yourself. But at school, you’re handed the opportunity to interact and learn from people from different backgrounds, countries, cultures and religions. College is the perfect time to pick at someone else’s brain, consider their ideas and discover what their completely different world has to offer.

6. Welcome Week: No homework. No due dates. Parties all around. It’s the perfect chance to show off your epic tan and truly let loose before the school year really starts to get serious.

7. New classes: For upperclassmen, this semester’s schedule means you finally get to stray away from intro lectures and dive into those incredibly interesting classes you’ve been eyeing since freshmen year. For underclassmen, these classes are a chance to take a bite out of everything until you find out what truly tastes the best on your palate. Not to mention, new classes generally means…

8. New professors: It’s out with the old and in with the new. This semester you won’t be dealing with that impossible intro to biology professor who made your life a living nightmare last year (fingers crossed, that is). Instead, you’ll be soaking up valuable lessons from new instructors, who have so much to offer that you better start taking notes now. And, speaking of which…

9. New school supplies: There’s nothing like back-to-school shopping. Fresh pens, unused notebooks, working highlighters — it’s the best way to start the school year.

10. Gym access: Buh-bye, summer gym fees. Hello, free membership. That’s right; your school won’t charge you to pretend to use the elliptical while you’re actually checking out that hot crew team member. And an added bonus (sometimes there is something better than shirtless rowers): discounted classes to try out. Universities don’t charge steep rates like some more posh gyms, so you’ll be able to test out Zumba, yoga, Pilates and cycling at a pretty solid rate, if not for free.

11. You’re basically walking distance from everything: At school, there’s no need to hop in your car, sit in never-ending traffic, and finally arrive at your favorite fro-yo place just before close… 20 minutes after leaving your house. On campus, you’re pretty much in la-la land where everything is reasonably close. If you can’t walk there, there’s always a shuttle to hop on that’ll get you there as quickly as possible.

12. No more long-distance relationships with your BFFs: Just like being within walking distance of all the best dessert shops, you’re also close to your college friends. You don’t have to call them to catch up, but instead, you can literally roll over on the couch and have them right there — or down the hall. Talk about convenience.

13. Dorm decorating: Who doesn’t love digging up their inner interior decorator? Whatever your style, you can decorate your room any way you want. Pick out a fun, daring comforter. Hang pictures of your funniest, craziest memories on the wall. Color-coordinate your closet. Organize your bookshelf by subject and importance. It’s all up to you.

14. Late night snacks: Eating alone in your room at 1 a.m. while your parents snore down the hall? Not exactly the most fun activity in the world. Stuffing your face with your friends and laughing in your dorm room after a night out? Well, that’s definitely something we can work with. At school, time doesn’t determine when we eat, and those ridiculous midnight pizza cravings are something to look back on in 20 years and laugh at: “Did we really eat three Dominos pizzas and cheesy bread?” Yes, and they were ah-mazing.

15. There’s always something going on: Home can be pretty monotonous. Wake up, work, come home, eat, sleep, and do it all again. But at school, no matter the time or place, there’s definitely something happening. Two o’clock on the quad? Free cupcakes. Ten a.m. guest lecture? It’s a world-renowned speaker. Four o’clock and running late to class? It’s because the streets are blocked for a parade. There’s always an event happening, a day to celebrate and a party to attend.

16. Joining new extracurriculars: Didn’t have time last year for the newspaper? Been practicing all summer to try out for the squash team? Think you’re finally ready to test out your skills in the student government? Whatever the case, a new school year is a new start. Get involved — there’s nothing to lose, and hey, maybe you’ll discover a new interest (plus, it totally boosts your resume!).

17. Catch up with your friends’ summer adventures: In middle school, the “How I Spent My Summer Vacation” essays weren’t exactly very thrilling. Some kids went to camp, some learned to swim, others watched TV — we’re bored just thinking about teachers having to read through them. Fast-forward to where we are now, and we’re having some kicka** summers. You’ve got friends interning at the UN, others taking pre-med courses in India and you’re interning at your dream magazine. There’s a lot to talk about — and flaunt — come fall semester.

18. Frat parties: College is the only time in life that it’s socially acceptable to go to frat parties, get wasted and reminisce about it the next day. Live it up and cherish those sticky floors and bottomless Solo cups of jungle juice.

19. New social scene: You know the (corny) song, “Make New Friends (But Keep the Old)”? It could have definitely been written about college. You’ve got a ton of kids on campus to become friends with, and there’s always an opportunity to expand your social scene and group of friends. With new classes, routines, schedules and activities, you’re bound to make a new bud to pass the time away with.

20. Fall rush: Fall rush is the perfect time to get out there, mingle with people (girl flirt) and find your new family. Greek life is always a great go-to when you’re looking to get involved in an activity on campus.

21. Up your competitive edge: Sitting around all summer and twiddling your thumbs won’t motivate to you push yourself very far. But plunk you down in a classroom where everyone wants the same thing and has the same dream, and you’ll be busting your butt to be the best, get better grades and score that internship you’re desperately reaching for. Nothing like feeling accomplished!

22. It could be your last: For seniors, this is you final hoorah. Embrace it, cherish it and definitely, definitely don’t take it for granted. College is seriously the best bubble world you’ll ever experience.

Cooking for yourself for the first time is a big task that not everyone is prepared for. Yes, this does mean ditching your microwaveable meals for the stove. Stocking your kitchen not only with food, but also with things to cook the food with, is a class they should have taught in high school, but didn’t. Having essential healthy foods you can incorporate into different dishes is important and necessary for a functional kitchen. So put on your apron and get out your grocery list—it’s time to stock your kitchen!

Foods

Olive oil

A great substitute for butter that tastes amazing on just about anything, olive oil is a fantastic, healthy staple to keep in your kitchen. “I always use olive oil to cook,” says Kasia Jaworski, a senior at Villanova University.

Taking Kasia’s example, olive oil can be used to fry vegetables, drizzle on pasta with a little garlic and pepper or use in countless recipes. It’s definitely a good option to keep stocked in your cupboards!

Grains

Grains are a staple for your diet. They can be incorporated into most of your dishes and are just as good on their own. Stock your cabinets with your favorite grain. Some options include whole-wheat or whole-grain bread, brown rice, oats, cereal (try to avoid Cocoa Puffs!), whole-wheat pasta and quinoa.

Zoë Renauer, a senior at the University of California, Berkeley, says, “I always have quinoa on hand. It never goes bad, not to mention you can mix it with any veggies or meat you have in the fridge, and it will almost always come out well.” Grains can be incorporated in numerous dishes and will last a while in your kitchen!

Seasonal fruits and veggies

As the year goes on, new fruits and veggies come into season and are perfect for your kitchen. Stock your kitchen with whatever is in season for a healthy addition.

You can also buy frozen fruit and vegetables, which will last longer. “I buy fruits and veggies all year long, but I make sure I always [have] broccoli in my freezer,” says Krista Emerson, a sophomore at Fort Lewis College. “Steaming it with some olive oil is the best [snack] and something everyone should have.”

Protein

We’re always told to have protein with each of our meals, but the same thing over and over isn’t very appetizing. Fill your kitchen with multiple proteins that you can add to different meals. Meats and eggs are great sources of protein that you can make many dishes with.

“Living on my own, I find I eat a lot more eggs,” says Carson Elsen, a junior at The Ohio State University. “They aren’t too high in calories and I can make them in everything and put them in lots of recipes.”

If you are vegan or want an alternative, beans, nuts and tofu are also fantastic ways to get your protein that are easy to work into meals. “I try to stay away from red meat, and I’ve found that it’s easy … with tofu and nuts,” says Katherine Hood, a senior at Seattle Pacific University. “I always keep them in my kitchen.”

Peanut butter

Whether it’s in a sandwich, on celery or from a spoon, peanut butter is always satisfying and super delicious. “Always have peanut butter in your kitchen,” says Sarah Scott, a culinary arts major at Newbury College. “You never know when you’ll crave a PB&J, plus it tastes really good with veggies. It’s essential to my diet.”

The creamy goodness of peanuts in a jar is going to be a staple for your kitchen and a great source of protein, so you don’t want to be without it!

Other essentials

Basic items to stock in your cupboards with are:

• Milk (almond milk or soy milk are great alternatives for those who can’t have dairy)
• Flour
• Sugar
• Butter or margarine
• Salt and pepper
• Spices

Cookware

Bottle opener

At some time or another, you’re going to need to pop the lid off of something. A bottle opener is helpful for these instances, especially if you’re over the age of 21. Having one in your kitchen drawer means you’ll always be prepared!

Strainer

You don’t realize how much you strain foods until you don’t have a strainer in your apartment. Whether you’re making pasta or veggies, having a strainer in your kitchen means you can avoid having soggy, wet broccoli.

“I use my strainer also for sifting out lumps in my sugar and for various recipes,” says Tiffany MacAtee, a senior at Boston University. “It can be used for a lot more than just my pasta.”

Big pot

Whether you’re cooking for a bunch of friends or you just want to have leftovers for the next few days, a big pot to cook a large meal in is a must. “Once a week I’ll make a big pot of pasta, and as the week progresses, I will eat pasta with different things,” says Tasha Davern, a junior at Columbia University. “It’s like 10 meals without having to cook 10 times.”

Having a big pot available to you will make cooking those big meals less of a hassle. All you need now is the storage space for it!

Casserole dish

Casserole dishes, which sound like something only your mother would own, can be used for more than just casseroles. Bake your brownies, cook your veggies or roast your potatoes in a casserole dish!

“My mom bought me a casserole dish for my birthday and I thought it was lame until I started it using it whenever I use the oven,” says Caroline Hampton, a sophomore at the University of California, Davis. “You really can cook anything in it.”

Tupperware

With all of this food in your kitchen, you’re going to need somewhere to store it. Tupperware is the answer to this problem. “At the beginning of the school year, I bought several Tupperware containers, and I keep all my leftovers in them,” says Kelly Bostwick, a sophomore at the University of Oregon. “They keep my food fresh for days.”

Store your leftovers in Tupperware so you can have them the whole week!

Cookie sheet

Cookie sheets can be used to make more than just delicious chocolate-chip cookies! Lots of dishes need to go in the oven, and they need a nice flat surface to be cooked on.

“I use my cookie sheets weekly,” says Sharon Cook, a junior at the University of Portland. “I bought it just for when I bake, but they work great for personal pizzas.”

Cooking utensils

Don’t forget your spatula and slotted spoon when shopping for kitchen essentials!  Fork and knives will only get you so far when you attempt a Rachael-Ray-worthy pasta dish.

Having your first kitchen is exciting, and filling it with these delicious foods and handy cookware will make it all the better! These items make for a healthy lifestyle (unless you eat a jar of peanut butter a day), and they’ll also start you on your way to having a fully stocked, totally functional kitchen by the time you’re out of college. Stock up on all of your essentials and remember to keep buying them (yes, this means using a grocery list weekly), and your stomach will thank you!

Love tea? Want some more? The answer is yes, always yes! Don’t wear out your favorite flavors this semester; switch things up with some seriously delicious new blends.

Her Campus has teamed up with My Beauty Tea to give one lucky tea lover five free samples of tea! Check out the flavors we’re giving away:

• Mermaid Blend – fruit tea
• Pink Iced Tea – green tea
• Creamy Lemon – yerba mate
• Pink Blosson – green tea
• Nuts for Coco – black tea

Plus, the winner of the ultimate tea prize is also going to score a cute Manatea infuser (because you know your morning mug will be that much more exciting with one of these inside)!

My Beauty Tea is based in Canada, and all of the tea that they make is hand-packed in small batches for maximum freshness. Their teas are sugar-free, calorie-free and carbohydrate-free; they’re also are 100 percent natural! My Beauty Tea uses flowers, fruits and natural flavors to create a divine taste for every cup of tea.

What are you waiting for? Your yummy tea awaits! Enter below to score the samples and infuser before some other tea lover snatches them up!

In the meantime, you can follow My Beauty Tea on Instagram (@mybeautytea) or Facebook for daily updates!

With everyone constantly asking you what you want to do with your life (your family, your friends, your professors and maybe even your school’s career counselor), it can be beyond stressful to figure out which career path will make you happy. What is it that you really want, collegiettes? And what’s the best path for you? Every collegiette’s path to success is unique. When you’re determining your own roadmap to the future, knowing which career fits your personality type can be crucial. Check out HC’s tips for figuring out what you want to do and how to make it happen!

For the best listener: Counseling

Are you the friend with whom everyone wants to talk when they’ve had a bad day at the office or a messy break-up? Do you offer the most levelheaded, clear advice to the people you love? You’re the best listener that everyone leans on when they need a strong shoulder. If this sounds like you, consider a career in counseling!

According to Adrienne Wells, former assistant director for experiential education at the University of Florida and current Tribridge Academy Coordinator in Tampa, individuals who are “calm, cool and good listener[s]” are exactly the kind of people who would make amazing counselors. With an associate degree, a fast-track diploma and a certificate, all available from ICDC College^®, you’ll satisfy your need to help other people lead healthier, happier, more productive lives. You’ll learn about the basics of substance abuse addiction counseling and ways to help patients recover. ICDC can help you turn your penchant for advice into a career where you can make a permanent impact in others’ lives—plus, getting paid to put those listening skills to good use is a pretty good deal!

For the wellness guru: Healthcare

Are you always researching the best healthy recipes or the newest fitness craze? Do you love to get active with your family and encourage healthy eating habits with your friends at dinner (in a non-annoying way, of course)? If so, you would love a career in healthcare, and ICDC can help you get there. Whether you want to work in the dental field, physical therapy or healthcare management, ICDC has the certificate, fast-track diploma, or associate degree for you.

If you’re looking to explore something less traditional, Wells recommends researching Doula, “individuals who work alongside an expecting mother.” Whether you’re interested in something atypical or more mainstream, the healthcare industry is growing fast, and you’ll want to get all of the tools you need to succeed!

For the political junkie: Homeland Security

Do you listen to the news during your morning commute? Are you always eager to read the latest editorials and opinion pieces on the world political sphere? If so, you’ll probably be the perfect fit for a career in homeland security! Wells points out that this industry is a great fit for collegiettes who are seeking a “fast-paced and interesting” career involving ever-changing politics.

If you’re looking for this type of work environment in which you can learn about important real-world problems involving the protection of the U.S., its people, and its information (cue Homeland montage and marathon), these courses will be interesting and useful for you. Whether you want to work in private security or government services, you can learn all you need to know about the field before entering the workforce!

For the public speaker: Legal

Have you always been the star of the school play? Do you love to take the stage in debates and arguments, determined to prove your point with flare and conviction? If you’re a collegiette who’s confident in her abilities in public speaking and critical thinking, you will love a career in the legal sphere!

“In law, there’s a lot of background work, but there’s also a lot of working in front of others,” says Wells. ICDC College^®, which offers accredited online programs and live classes, could be the best place to build up those legal skills while you show off your public speaking chops. ICDC offers a Paralegal Certificate where you’ll get to study case law, business law, family law and legal office procedures. Apply to get on track for your dream career in the legal sphere, from résumé to interview. You’re so ready to have all eyes on you as you make waves in the courtroom!

For the artistic one: Graphics and Web Design

Do you love to visit museums and analyze the design of billboards? Are you always doodling in your notepad or finding the websites with the coolest layouts? If so, you may be the perfect candidate for a certificate or fast-track diploma in graphics and web design! In which case, no matter what you’re studying now, you shouldn’t be afraid to make your doodling a day job and look into training opportunities with ICDC, wherever you are!

“With graphic design, web design and advertising,” Wells says, “a lot of that is about visuals and less about words. So that would be a very good fit for the artistic type.” While web design may seem like a niche field, Wells points out that graphic and web design skills are valuable in a variety of careers, including “graphic advertising, interior design, or even real estate!” Expect to learn Microsoft Office^® and Adobe^® suites, plus professional applications of design. You’ll learn how to make the most amazing websites and use your creative talents in your profession, whatever that may be!

Choose the career that you really want, no matter where you’re at today! ICDC College^® can put you on the fast track to a diploma or associate degree, whether you dream of a career in graphic design, homeland security, business management or more. ICDC can help you achieve your career goals either online or at one of two campuses in Southern California, and online students might even be supplied with books and a laptop! Visit ICDC College^® online for more information, and start planning the career that actually fits with your personality before time runs out!

For more information about ICDC College^®’s graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the programs and other important information, please visit icdccollege.edu/programs. ICDC College^® is not sponsored by, affiliated with or endorsed by the companies mentioned herein. ICDC College^® reserves the right to end the laptop offer at any time, and additional restrictions may apply.

Whether it’s the cute baseball player down the hall, the arty English major one floor up or the lacrosse-penney-sporting-Natty-drinking bro just two doors down, let’s face it: your college dorm is teeming with hotties of every race, creed and fraternity.  Incoming freshmen get ready: living with guys is unlike anything you’ve experienced before.  But is it wise to tap into this veritable meat market knowing there’s a risk of bumping into a foiled hook-up every time you want to walk down the hall to take a shower?  Have no fear, darling co-eds.  Use these fixes for common dormcest “pitfalls” and you’ll be plunging headfirst into intra-dorm relationships before you can say, “Hey, I live on North Campus too!”

The Pitfall: Mismatched Expectations

It’s going to be tempting to jump into romance as soon as you get on campus and realize you have hot guys living next door.  Even the girl with the most self-control can have trouble resisting such romantic convenience.  But take it from Kelsey*, a collegiette who got involved with a guy in her dorm right off the bat, it’s better to wait.

“Right away I thought Tyler* was cute. After our first meeting, I started to see him all the time around the dorm. We ‘hung out’ quite a few times in the next couple of weeks, but it was nothing more than friends with benefits. One time, we were messing around and he wanted to have sex but I said no.  He understood, but after that incident we were completely awkward around each other.”

When a gal gets involved with a guy quickly, it can be difficult for both parties involved to know what the expectations for the hook-up are.  It’s especially important to get these straight with a guy in your dorm — the possibilities of after-hookup awkwardness are that much greater (think a 24/7 Walk of Shame). 

The fix?  Spend a couple weeks just getting to know the guys in your dorm before you take it to a physical level — you’ll have a better sense of what they’re looking for (and what you’re looking for too).  And hey, there is no crime in looking!

The Pitfall: He Sees You at Your Best . . . and Your Not-So-Best

You know the feeling you get when you decide you’re interested in a guy: you’re consumed by the constant compulsion to touch-up your lip gloss, you put your girlfriends on a 24 hour “crushwatch” (so you can look like you are NOT trying at all times) and you actually start waking up to shower before class.  While we’ve all succumbed to this Secret Girl Behavior (which we guess is no longer secret), living with the guy you’re interested in poses a whole new set of challenges.  Your same-dorm stud will without a doubt see you at least once in each of the following situations:

1. walking to the shower in your towel, acne medication (or worse) in hand,
2. coming upstairs to your room at 3 am with a huge pepperoni pizza and no visible friends to share it with, and
3. having a loud and embarrassing phone conversation with your mother in the stairwell (“MOM, I told you I do NOT EAT TUNA FISH!  STOP SENDING IT TO ME!”)

The fix?  Well, there really isn’t one.  Living in close proximity to the boy of your dreams means that he’ll get pretty comfortable with your less-than-perfect habits pretty quickly.  Learn to crack a joke when he catches you, and at least this way there are no surprises about you in store for him down the road.

The Pitfall: Non-Exclusivity and Shared Living Space

So you’ve started getting busy on a semi-regular basis with a hottie on your hall.  Congrats!  While a late-night rendezvous is much more convenient when only a few yards separate you from your boy-du-jour, there comes a time when you (or he) may long for a romance outside the dormitory walls.  So what do you do when your dormcestual dude catches you coming back with another guy?  Or you see him coming back with another girl?  Without the promise of exclusivity, these can be quite the sticky situations.

The fix?  If you see your guy bringing back another girl, you’ll want to quietly and calmly go back to your room, or better yet, a girlfriend’s room.  This is not the time for loud, confrontational displays a la The Bad Girls’ Club or one of the many iterations of Flavor of Love.  If in the morning you find that you are still disturbed by the thought of your non-exclusive guy with another girl, it may be time to grit your teeth and have the “talk."

Now if your guy sees you coming back with, well, another guy, be prepared for him to be upset.  Again, try to avoid any scenes.  You’re not technically in the wrong, so leave it up to him to say something later — but know that he may not have anything to say to you at all.  Remember that the proximity inherent in dormcest can be a cost as well as a benefit, since there’s really no avoiding each other.

The Pitfall: Keeping Dormcest Relationships Fresh

Real, exclusive, dormcest relationships can and do work.  But they require a bit of an extra effort to reach normalcy.  For example, it’s not normal to move in with a guy after dating for two weeks, but when you already essentially live together, it can be hard to find that separation you need in the early stages of the relationship.  Ava* reveals that her biggest problem with her boyfriend who lived in her dorm was that “we went from zero to living together in the span of about a week.”  Charlotte* echoes her sentiment: “Being in the same dorm meant the only time my boyfriend and I had to spend apart was when we had class.” 

It’s easy to get caught up in such a convenient romance, spending Friday nights cuddled up with your guy watching Friends reruns while your actual friends are out wondering if you’ve chosen to study abroad this semester without telling them. 

The fix? Make an effort to develop friends and interests that take you out of the dorm — that way if your romance ends, your life won’t!  Relationship expert Dr. Shoshanna advises against falling into “dead routines” in a relationship.  If every Saturday you and your guy spend the afternoon playing video games with his friends on his hall, eat dinner in your dorm’s attached dining hall and watch movies in your room at night, break out!  Take a walk around campus in the afternoon, try a new restaurant, go to a party you normally wouldn’t attend.  It will keep you and your romance fresh!

The Pitfall: Dormcest Doesn’t Last Forever

If your dormcestual relationship has an unhappy end, it can be tricky to navigate the post-breakup waters.  If you’re close to the end of the year, congrats!  You won’t have to awkwardly co-habitate much longer.  But if you’re not so lucky, seeing your ex-flame at (literally) every turn can really take a toll on your psyche.

The fix?  Throw yourself into activities outside the dorm.  Do the same things you would do at the end of any relationship, but especially try to put yourself into situations where you won’t be spending excessive amounts of time wallowing in your room, only to bump into your ex walking to the vending machines to get a soda when you venture out of your room sporting your rattiest sweatpants and mascara tears, natch.  If you’ve really got to do the full-on waterworks, watch-The-Notebook-and-eat-a-pint-of-Ben-and-Jerry’s routine, consider moving the party to a girlfriend’s room in another dorm. Speaking with a friend earning their counseling degree might also be helpful. Above all, keep your head up, and know that there are infinitely more eligible bachelors outside your dorm than in it.

Now, perhaps you’re thinking, with all these pitfalls, why would I ever want to brave dormcest territory?  Girls, it really can be sweet, all risks aside.  Here are the top five perks of dormcest:

1. Your fingers will never freeze in sub-zero January temperatures on your way to see your boy-toy.
2. You probably have a lot of the same friends that live in your dorm, thus, making social plans together is easy.
3. Good day, bad day: He’s always going to be down the hall (or up the stairs).
4. If your man is of the Spencer Pratt variety, it’ll be much easier to keep tabs on him.  (But please don’t put up with these shenanigans in the first place.)
5. You’ll never have to do the Walk of Shame across campus.

*Names have been changed.

I have a super power. It is not the ability to fly or run really fast. My super power is that I can talk myself into and out of just about anything. A job, a nightclub, a discount, it doesn’t really matter, because I have a silver tongue. 

And what do I have to thank (or blame) for this skill? Sorority recruitment, of course.

Your sorority recruitment, no matter what time of year, over what period of time, or in what dress code, is in one way just like the sorority recruitment on every college campus: it is mainly based off of the conversations between active chapter members and Potential New Members (PNMs). 

Girls spend the weeks preceding recruitment practicing their conversation skills and whether it is having imaginary dialogue with inanimate objects (a wall, a plant, a paper plate) or brainstorming good stories to tell, collegiettes know the importance their conversation plays in the impressions made during sorority recruitment.

While everyone focuses on what to say, sometimes knowing what not to say is just as important. During recruitment, word vomit could be a deciding factor as to whether or not a bid is earned or accepted.

So to make your sorority recruitment preparation simpler (and to help perfect your conversation with the wall), Her Campus lists the top 10 things NOT to say during sorority recruitment for both PNM (potential new members, or rush-ees) and active chapter members to follow.

What NOT to say as a PNM

1. My mom is making me go through recruitment

There are two big warning flags that fly when a PNM says this to an active member. An active member will wonder why you are even there. You are in college and that means you get to make your own decisions. If you want to leave, show some independence and do so. Second, an active member will wonder if you will even take that bid she may offer you and question if spending recruitment getting to know you will be a complete waste of her chapter’s time. Your participation in recruitment should be your decision.

“Choosing a chapter is a personal decision that will influence your college career.  During the recruitment week you should focus on yourself and make a decision based on what fits you best,” University of Missouri's former Pan-Hellenic President Michelle Parsons says.

2. Sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll

Okay, depending on the situation talking about rock-n-roll may be appropriate, but talking about sex and drugs definitely is not. Add booze to the no-no list as well. The moment a PNM asks the simple question, “do you like to party?” she automatically becomes “that girl” (even if the title is undeserved). You’re starting college: partying may or may not become a part of your life, and it may or may not be a part of the life of the active member talking with you, but as part of a get-to-know-you conversation, it is really not appropriate. Greek Life has a social function, but it is so much more than that. The girls already in chapters want you to respect that and prove to them you have more to offer to their chapter than just being the life of the party.

“A PNM asked me what fraternities me and the other girls in my chapter hang out with and what formal date parties we usually get invited to.  She was more interested in these parties and the boys than she was in my sisterhood or experience with the sorority,” Courtney, a collegiette who has been through recruitment for four years, said. “It was definitely one of those conversations that stands out for a bad reason. I don’t mind talking about it a little bit, but I think there are bigger topics to address first.

3. Name-dropping

If you are attending a school not too far from your hometown or going through recruitment second semester, you may already know several active members in the chapters you rush. Recruitment is not the time to list off these members. Making a list won’t impress the girl you are talking to, it will simply annoy her. Yes, you can casually drop a few names, but giving a detailed account of whom you know and exactly how you know them is a bit repetitive. Focus on getting to know the other members of the chapter and creating a good impression on them; that way you can rely on old friends and new friends to fight for you to get a bid.

4. I don’t plan to stay in this chapter through graduation

A sorority is a lifetime commitment, if you think otherwise then you may not be what that chapter is looking for. Active members want to bring in PNMs who have the potential to be positive members for their chapter. If you admittedly only plan on being in a chapter for only a year or two, then you are not offering everything you can. Talking about how you just want to join a sorority just to make friends freshman year or how your older sister was in Alpha Alpha Alpha chapter for only two years before quitting are red flags to active members. Active members are looking for girls who will keep chapter retention numbers up and not the girl who will be too busy or too uncommitted to the sorority to stay in it for her entire college career. 

5. I already know which chapter I belong in

“If I had any advice about going through recruitment it would be to keep an open mind.  This year we really challenged the PNM's and asked them to simply focus on ‘going Greek’,” Michelle said.

You might falsely believe you know which chapter you belong in, but recruitment will show you there are a lot of things you didn’t know about your campus’s Greek community before recruitment began. It could show you that you are wrong. Just as you need to keep an open mind, you need to help the active members you meet to keep an open mind about you as well. By telling an active member you know where you belong, she will instantly lose this openness, and your chances to be invited back to that chapter may disappear as well. 

6. Money, money, money

Believe it or not no one really cares. Just because your dad has a private jet does not mean you get a free pass into the chapter of your choosing, and just because you go to school on financial aid does not mean certain chapters will cut you. If an active member brings up finances with you, it is probably to explain that there are financial obligations to fulfill as a member of a sorority. Certain schools even require in their recruitment rules for this to be a topic of conversation. Don’t feel you have to work your financial situation into a conversation.

“When we are looking for a sister in our sorority we are not looking at what amount of money she will be able to bring in, but instead what personality she will bring in,” says Jen, a recruitment leader for her chapter.

7. She has a mouth like a sailor

While a lot of sorority symbols are things like sailboats (Sigma Sigma Sigma) and anchors (Delta Gamma) that is where their sailing themes end. No chapter wants a member who goes through recruitment with a mouth like a sailor. Dropping the f-bomb or other bad language into conversations is inappropriate. Both active members and PNMs alike should act professionally and formally during recruitment conversations. Wait until you get to know active members better before you start to talk like Cee Lo in his song “F#@k You.”

8. Personal Problems

Do you think you sweat an abnormal amount? Did your dress from the day before give you a weird rash? Have your boobs grown since you started college? These are all personal problems you might discuss with your best friend, but not something you want to discuss with a new friend. Don’t take the “getting to know you” conversations of recruitment down to the micro-level. Save your personal problems for discussion with your roommate and not for the active member you just met.

“This girl kept talking about her sweaty hands, and it was right after I shook her hand while meeting her. It was all I could think of the rest of our conversation, and it ruined it for me and I guess for her chances of making a good first impression on me. You don’t have much time with every PNM who comes through so every second is pretty important,” Katie, a collegiette who has been through recruitment for four years, said.

9. Debbie Downer

No one likes a complainer and, unfortunately, during recruitment there is often a lot to complain about. Weather can be bad, the days are long, and running around in high heels is never good on your feet. But if you let this all come through in your recruitment conversations, active members will think of you as a Debbie Downer. Everyone is going through the same thing, so try to keep your spirits up and look for all of the positives about the experience.

“A recruitment goal for our chapter was to find new members who would be positive people. There is a lot of work involved with sorority activities, and we wanted to find members who would make this work fun and not look at everything as a burden. If PNMs were already complaining during recruitment, then they already didn’t meet this membership goal,” Courtney said.

10. Liar, liar pants on fire

Just because you are at a new school with new people does not mean you can create a completely new identity for yourself. Active members have spent weeks, if not months, preparing for recruitment. They have your transcripts and often your resumes as well. Don’t say you have a 4.0 GPA when you really struggled to get by with a 2.5. If you get caught in a lie you are a lot worse off than if you just told the truth.

What NOT to say as an active chapter member

11. The golden rule

Treat others the way you want to be treated. It is the most basic rule to follow and one you should keep in mind while talking to PNMs during recruitment. Do not talk trash about other chapters in your Greek Life community. You may not be the biggest fan of Alpha Alpha Alpha chapter, but those are thoughts you should keep to yourself. When you talk trash about other sororities, you just look trashy yourself.

“Recruitment is an important time for the entire Greek community as a whole.  Talking trash on the other chapters does not promote the Greek Life system or, for that matter, make your chapter look good if you have to resort to talking about other chapters when the PNMs are trying to learn about yours,” Elise, a recruitment leader for her chapter, says.

12. My boyfriend is perfect

If you have found your dream man, congratulations, but it may be a good idea to leave him out of your conversations with PNMs. Girls go through recruitment in order to find a sisterhood to join. If you have a thirty-minute conversation with one of those PNMs all about the ski trip you just took with your boyfriend, then she isn’t learning anything about your chapter’s sisterhood. Talk about how you met your boyfriend participating in Homecoming with your chapter or how he loves your date party at the bowling alley each spring, but leave it at that. Chicks before dicks, remember? 

13. One nation under God

Although most sororities have a cross-section of members both politically and religiously, it is difficult to have a positive and meaningful discussion about these subjects during recruitment. You are too short on time, and these issues are too touchy. Getting beyond surface conversations is important, but make sure to stay on fairly neutral topics of interest. Talking about your volunteer work for Obama’s campaign is one thing, but arguing about the nitty-gritty details of the healthcare bill is another.

14. Sorry for partying

Just like PNMs shouldn’t talk about partying, active members shouldn’t either. You never know what type of PNM you may be talking to. One girl could have been voted “Most Likely to Host a Killer Party” in high school, while the next was Miss. Square. There is so much more to your chapter than your social aspects, so make sure every PNM coming through recruitment knows that.

15. I’ve stalked you on Facebook

As an active chapter member you have spent weeks, if not months, preparing for recruitment. This means you probably already know some details about certain PNMs going through the process (maybe girls from your high school or certain chapter legacies). The PNMs should expect this, but that does not mean you should pull back the curtain like Todo in The Wizard of Oz and show them the inside process. First off, it is kind of freaky to do this. Hearing their list of high school activities and senior awards will out you as a true Facebook creeper. Second, letting them tell you about themselves will show you what is most important to them. Maybe a PNM’s involvement with the American Cancer Society is listed last on her recruitment resume, but it is actually the most important activity she thinks she does.

“I still see certain girls even after recruitment is over, and I remember where they are from or what their hobbies are, but I never let them know because it would just be too weird for me and them. My mom was in a sorority in college, and she says she can do the same thing for random people she runs into even though she did rush over 25 years ago,” Katie said.

16. Drama, drama, drama

“It’s awkward when someone brings up girl drama. Everyone has at least a little bit of it in her life, but I think most girls want to join a sorority that is pretty drama-free. You want to join a sorority where girls get along and work through disagreements,” Ellie, a collegiette who has been through recruitment three times, said.

If you and your sister are in the middle of an unresolved disagreement, it is not the best idea to bring it up with a PNM. A lot of girls go through recruitment nervous about what joining a sorority entails. A lot believe it will involve a lot of girl freak-outs. As an active member you know this isn’t the case, but make sure to prove it by leaving the drama out of it.

17. Money, money, money

As an active member you know picking sorority sisters is not about finding the ones who have private jets and vacation houses in Cabo, but a lot of girls going through recruitment still think it is. Do whatever you can to avoid making them think money matters in the impression you are making about them. Don’t ask what a PNM’s father does for a living or where they “summer.” The questions may, at times, be situationally appropriate, but can also be interpreted wrong.

“I had a friend who would always somehow talk about her designer sunglasses or fancy clothes in conversations. It was annoying and made you think she felt she was better than you because she had those brands. I did, too, I just didn’t feel the need to obnoxiously show them off,” Jen said.

18. My chapter is the best at everything

You may really believe this, after all isn’t that why you joined it to begin with? You have the best sisterhood, the best intramural teams, you win every Greek competition and obviously host the greatest date parties, but if you aren’t careful you won’t sound like the best chapter to PNMs, you will just sound like the biggest braggers. Make sure to tread the line carefully between talking your chapter up and bragging. Hit the key pride points of your chapter but don’t sit with a PNM and list your chapter’s resume. 

Subtle signals

Sometimes it is not always about what you say, but how you say it: 

“When I visited a chapter the active member wasn’t looking me in the eyes, and it made me feel like she was looking at me for flaws and not actually giving me her full attention. I swear she was staring at my legs the whole time, and I just wanted to tell her I had big muscular legs because I play soccer, and I wanted to tell her to stop judging me,” Jen said.

Simple things like eye contact and body language are important. Make sure to be professional. Make eye and hold eye contact. Sit up straight. Actively listen. When a PNM comes through your chapter that may be her one-and-only experience with your sorority. You want to make sure every girl leaves loving your chapter and feeling like she had your full attention.

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

I recently met a guy at a friend's house. We talked for a while, and the next day he started a conversation with me on Facebook. After talking for a few days, he disappeared. Last week, I saw him again and he seemed like he was trying to get my attention. The day after, he asked me to hang out at his place, so I did. We drank a little bit of wine and watched a few movies. After a few hours, he asked me if it would be a problem if I stayed the night because it was getting late, and I agreed. 

He hugged me all night long and only kissed me on the head. He didn't try anything else. The next day, he agreed to come to a friend's house, but there he was quite distanced. The next morning (today), he sent me a message as soon as he got up. I don't know what to think or do. Is he interested or not? What do you think? I really like this guy, but I don't know how to approach him and I don't want to get hurt again. – Not Sure at Northwestern

Northwestern,

I think it’s definitely safe to say that he’s interested, and, in all honesty, I think he was just trying to respect your boundaries and not pressure you into anything. And given the current climate of rape culture in college communities — issues of consent and the like — I think the fact that he’s not pushing you into having sex right off the bat is an admirable thing. When you’re interested in someone, it isn’t always the easiest thing to back off.

As for why he disappeared for a few days, it’s reasonable to imagine that he might have been busy. Just because I like a girl doesn’t mean I need to talk to her every single day to prove so. You two talked for a few days and then took a few days off — that’s normal. Even better, he made the effort to get your attention and asked you to hang out! That’s practically proof that he’s interested.

All that said, I’m not sure what you mean by “quite distanced.” He may have had other things on his mind, or he may have even regretted not making more of a move with you that night, perhaps for the sole reason of wondering if you wanted him to do more. It’s a tricky mindset, but there have been plenty of occasions when I’ve talked to a girl and left before things fully … developed … and the next morning, I kicked myself for not doing anything.

On the upside, he’s still talking to you. I’m sure he’s interested in you, and if you’re interested in him, maybe you need to consider making a few steps yourself. He asked you to stay over, and now I think the ball is in your court. Shoot him a text to see if he wants to grab lunch or hang out again, and if you feel like things are progressing — or if you want them to progress — go for it.

If you really want him to make all the moves (and he’s just not doing so), start dropping hints. Tell him when you’re available or ask him what he’s doing today without actually asking him out. That can snowball into him seeing if your schedule is clear enough for a get-together.

Wayne Gretzky once said, “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.” Approach him. Take your shot, or you may end up missing out on a great thing entirely.

Ah, move-in day: A college student's first taste of the real world. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll never feel so free. Enjoy this emotional roller-coaster ride while it lasts, because it'll be over faster than your RA can say, "No alcohol in the dorm rooms!"

It’s move-in day, which means you’re about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime!

You couldn’t sleep last night, so you're just like, 

It's a mixture of completely exhausted but also so excited that you just need a minute. 

You parents are staring at your stuff like, 

No one said fitting this into the car was going to be easy. 

In fact, your car looks like this: 

You pull up to your new dorm, excited to get your stuff moved in.

There are people all over the place. You try to play it cool and make your way through the crowd like,

But on the inside you're like, 

You wonder how much the inventor of the futon makes. Probably like a million bucks per second judging by how many of those suckers you’ve seen in the past five minutes.

Oh, there’s no elevator in this dorm? Cool. 

You never realize how hard moving is until you have to do it without an elevator. 

And no air conditioning. Alright. 

You finally meet your roommate in person.

And your RA, who will probably tell you to leave your door open so you can meet new people.

This will sound crazy, but really, leave the door open. 

You inevitably realize you forgot something.

That something was your comforter.

Not to worry - nothing a trip to Target won’t fix!

You get to Target and it looks like every single freshman also forgot everything they own.

BUY ALL THE DORM ACCESSORIES! 

"But Mom, I need this beanbag chair for when all of my cool new friends come to sit in my cool new dorm room!"

You’re about to squeeze every last cent out of your emotional parents.

Protip: This is the best time to get things because your parents probably feel a little guilty about leaving you. 

Inevitably, you have a minor breakdown.

But it will pass. 

Then, suddenly, everything is unpacked.

Your mom is like...

And you try to keep your cool as your parents drive away, 

But you're really thinking, "Did I just make a huge mistake?"

But then you remember that you can do whatever you want now. You're an independent lady! 

So, while moving is never really fun, it will only get easier. Enjoy it! 

Happy moving! 

Starting college is a daunting experience, and your first day can often be the most daunting. But it doesn’t need to be! While many people think that the first day is the most stressful, we’ve come up with some tips to make sure that your first day is as fun and as easy a transition into college life as possible.

1. Leave your dorm room door open.

An open door policy is the quickest way to get people to introduce themselves. Open door = friendly resident who wants to chat. If you’re looking to make friends quickly, then be sure you pack a door stop to wedge your door open! People will drop in and say “hi” as they move in, and this also lets you know when your dormmates have moved in.

And if you need help with your unpacking, you’re likely to get helpful dormmates asking if they can help with anything!

2. Unpack your things as soon as you can.

There’s one sure way to make yourself feel homesick, and that’s to not move into your dorm room properly. If you've ever tried living out of a suitcase for a few weeks, then you know that it can be a complete nightmare. The best thing that you can do is to get rid of all your boxes and give the empty suitcases back to your parents. Set your room up the way that you want it, and make sure you have all your homely touches displayed where you can see them; this way, your dorm room feels like a little piece of home and not the empty shell that it was!

3. Explore your campus!

Once you’ve unpacked and made yourself feel a little more at home, go and explore your new surroundings! Whether you head straight to figure out where your classes will be or you’re more interested in seeing the recreational facilities, try to orient yourself and see a bit more of the campus. You’ll be feeling at home in no time!

4. Don’t spend your first night alone.

And no, before you get the wrong idea, we are definitely not suggesting that you hook up with someone on your first day! Whether people on your halls are going to a party or they’re all staying in with a chick flick and some popcorn, be sure that you’re not in your room alone the first night. Even if you’re really tired, go and meet some new people before saying you’re super tired and need some sleep.

5. Meet as many people as possible…

Be prepared to meet as many people as you can in your first day. Everyone is going to be smiling and keen to make new friends, so be sure to take advantage of this! Don’t judge anyone yet, and don’t automatically decide who your friends are going to be – just take it easy and play it by ear.

Just be sure that you introduce yourself to as many people as you can! Whether you go around your hall knocking on doors, or are just hanging out with people who knocked on your door, be sure that you spend time with other people who have just moved in.

6. …but if you don’t make any friends, know that it’s okay!

So you don’t think you’ve met anyone who is going to be your new BFF? Don’t panic! It’s just the first day. Honestly, most college students change friendship groups a few times before they settle into one that suits them. The people you meet on your first day don’t have to be your new friends; in fact, it’s highly possible that they won’t be.

You have four years to make new friends, so don’t be disheartened that you’ve not settled in on your first day. Many collegiettes continue making friends until the end of their senior year. Just keep reminding yourself: it’s only day one!

7. Let your mom fuss over you.

Your mom is going to want to fuss over you. A lot. When she asks to help you unpack, or to vacuum your room, just let her. Remember that this is stressful for her as well – she’s just packed you up to live on your own for the first time! Your parents might even want to take you out for lunch or dinner. While we just said that you should meet as many new people as possible on your first day, you might also want to make the most of your family time. You can spare an hour or so for a meal with your family – and just think how happy it will make your parents feel!

8. Know that everyone is as nervous as you are.

 

The other college students you meet might be beaming, but that doesn't mean they're not panicking on the inside. This is an entirely new experience for everyone, so don’t think that you’re the only one who is either homesick or worried about not making friends. It would take a very strong person to move into a new setting and have no worries at all.

The other thing is, everyone is just as eager to make new friends – so don’t worry about knocking on someone’s door and saying hi. They’re likely to appreciate that you made the effort.

9.  Pack snacks – everyone loves cookies!

It’s great to have a box of cookies or chocolates in your dorm to offer to your dormmates when you first move in. If you do go round your halls knocking on doors, it’s nice to have something to offer people. Your food of choice doesn’t have to be anything fancy; even just M&Ms or a box of cookies will be very well received, especially after lifting all those heavy boxes!

10. Make sure you have a noise-canceling device.

It’s possible that your halls will be noisy and that you're not used to this, so it might be a bit more difficult to get to sleep. The worst thing to be during Welcome Week is exhausted: it’s a long week, so don’t make it harder by not sleeping properly.

Earplugs might be enough for you, but if they aren’t, there are a few things you can try. If you like listening to music at night, invest in some noise-canceling headphones. If you don’t want to sleep with headphones on or earbuds in, then you might want to pack a white noise machine. Clara Beyer from Brown University says that “it’s like having a little fan next to your ears. At first you notice the noise, but then you’re quickly able to tune this out. It made it so much easier for me to sleep in my first week at university!”

11. Wear something you’re comfortable in!

So you’re freaking out about what to wear? Wear something that you’re comfortable in, but also something you feel you look good in. If you feel confident, it's likely to come across in your body language and your gestures. Remember when you’re choosing your outfit that you’re going to be moving boxes for most of the day and unpacking, so make sure you’re wearing something practical. We would recommend putting the high heels away for now, collegiettes!

12. If it isn’t the best day – don’t worry; you have four more years!

If you haven’t had the best first day, don’t worry about it! There are many people who don’t love their first day of college but still go on to have a great four years at college, so don’t put too much pressure on these 24 hours. Just think, you’ll meet even more people tomorrow, and one of those people could be your new best friend! Tomorrow is another day, collegiettes, and it could be a much better day!

Your first day, and in fact the entire Welcome Week, is a very stressful experience – and many people don’t have the best time. But it's okay! You’ll settle in soon, especially once you’re in the routine of classes and have met people with similar interests in your classes and through the extracurriculars that you choose to join. Try and make the most of your first day with these tips, but don’t panic if it isn’t perfect!

So your summer internship just wrapped up, and you’re getting ready to head back to school. But if you want to be the best intern ever (and increase your chances of a job after graduation), your involvement with the company shouldn’t end on your last day as an intern! Staying up-to-date with your former colleagues and developing those personal relationships is a crucial part of demonstrating your dedication to the company, and, therefore, how valuable you would be as a future employee. Check out HC’s tips for staying active at the company you interned for, even if your internship took place across the country.

1. Stay up-to-date with the company’s happenings

One simple way to stay involved with an organization that you interned for in the past (and may want to work for in the future) is to stay informed about the company’s noteworthy achievements and awards.

Tamara Peters, a career development specialist at Rutgers University Career Services, suggests using online resources to keep up-to-date with the organization’s happenings.

“An easy way to do this is to set up a Google Alert to keep you updated on news that is published about the organization,” Peters says. “Also, follow the organization through LinkedIn and other social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, if they have accounts.”

To set up a Google Alert, go to Google Alerts and enter the topic you want to create an alert for—say, the name of the organization you worked for. This way, Google will send you an email when there are new results for your search, which makes it easy to stay informed about what the company is doing!

2. Share your professional achievements

You may have gone above and beyond during your internship to impress your supervisor, but even post-internship, you should continue to show him or her how awesome you really are!

“Get in the habit of updating your former bosses/colleagues of your professional milestones,” says Ashley Stone*, a career development counselor in New York City. “Managers and colleagues are always happy to be remembered not only when you need help, but also to share in your joy when your career is in the rising.”

Whether it’s a job promotion, a new assignment or an award, keep your former boss and colleagues in the loop about what’s going on in your life by sending them a quick email or message on LinkedIn. To keep your message from sounding too braggy, focus on the accomplishment in terms of the skills you gained through your former internship. For example, you could say something like, “I just wanted to thank you again for the invaluable skills I acquired from my internship at X company. Thanks to my experience with your company, I was recently promoted to Y position.”

Vicki Salemi, career coach and author of Big Career in the Big City, also suggests sending relevant articles with projects that you worked on as a way to stay top of mind throughout the year. It may seem like a small step, but staying involved in a company (and increasing your chances of getting a full-time position) is all about keeping your name at the forefront of your former supervisors’ minds.

3. Ask for extra tasks that you can do remotely

Although your summer internship may be ending, there are still ways that you can help out at the company remotely (and demonstrate your passion and initiative while you’re at it!).

“For starters, you need to make it known to your supervisor that you want to stay involved,” Salemi says. “Ask to help out remotely; ask to be included in conference calls. Figure out how many hours you can contribute on a weekly basis, and, again, communicate with your supervisor that you'd like to stay involved, even at a minimal basis.”

One of the keys to landing a full-time position with a company that you previously interned for is to make yourself essential to the running of the organization. If you can show your supervisor how valuable you are as an intern now, they will be more likely to consider you for a full-time position later.

“Even if your supervisor has made it clear that there are no full-time positions available after your internship ends, you can still offer to volunteer your services after your assignment ends as a way to keep connected to the company,” Stone says. “This means going above and beyond what is asked of you, asking for additional projects, offering your help with important tasks and having constant meetings with your supervisor about how you can contribute to the company past your internship’s end date.”

Before leaving your internship, let your supervisor know that you’d love to continue working with the company through tasks that you can do remotely, such as managing the company’s social media accounts, writing their newsletter or acting as a student ambassador for the company or internship program.

4. Continue to develop relationships with your former colleagues

Your former supervisor, interns and colleagues can be valuable connections when it comes to finding future jobs and internships. However, these relationships should be both genuine and beneficial for all parties involved.

“You don’t want to have no contact with these people for a year and then return and ask if they can help you find a job,” Peters says. “Continue to develop the relationships from a distance, having periodic contact, and when the time comes that you are looking for a job, let them know and see what happens.”

There are several ways to stay in touch with your past colleagues, such as congratulating them on a promotion, sending them a link to an article that they might find interesting or inviting them to coffee or lunch.

“If you have a more personal relationship with your past employer or colleagues, remembering birthdays, holidays or personal milestones (like getting married or buying a new house) is a great way to stay connected,” Stone says. “You can send a handwritten note of congratulations or call them on the special day. A personal touch in your communication with old colleagues always goes a long way!”

If you were close with your fellow interns or other colleagues, you can add them on Facebook to make sure that you know when these big events occur. Peters also suggests using LinkedIn as a way to stay up-to-date with your professional network.

“LinkedIn gives you an easy and simple way to access your professional network and keeps you current on events that are happening in their lives,” Peters says. “You can then nurture the relationships by congratulating them if they get a promotion, have a work anniversary, or move on to a different organization.”

If you see that a former colleague was promoted, send her a quick message to let her know that you’re thinking about her. For example, you could say something like, “Hi so-and-so,

I just wanted to personally congratulate you on the promotion! I know you’ll do a fantastic job as the new (X job title).”

Peters says there are more ways to let your old colleagues know they’re still important to you.

“Also, keep an eye out for articles that might be interesting to individuals in your network and send the article to the specific individual telling them that you thought of them when you read it and why,” Peters adds. “For example, if you read an article about the best locations to participate in a marathon and Fargo, North Dakota, is on the list, and you then remember that one of your former colleagues, an avid runner, had mentioned his interest in running the Fargo … marathon, you can then send him the article. Highlight in the note you send that the article reminded you of him and [you] thought he might be interested, and that you hope he is doing well.”

By nurturing these colleague relationships, you’ll keep your name fresh in their minds so that when a job opens up, you’ll be the first person they think of!

Regardless of whether your summer internship took place in your hometown or on the other side of the country, staying involved with the company and your former colleagues is absolutely crucial when it comes to being remembered for a full-time job later on. By keeping up-to-date with your colleagues’ personal and professional lives, sharing your own career-related achievements and demonstrating your continued dedication to the company, you’re more likely to make the big leap from former intern to future full-time employee!

*Name has been changed.