How can you, a collegiette with packed class and extracurricular schedules and a love for the newest and best beauty products, stay informed on all the latest trends and brands? The answer is easy: beauty boxes! Pay a small fee every month, and a box of goodies will appear at your doorstep 12 wonderful times a year.

Every beauty box service is different, and HC wants to make sure you choose the right box for your beauty needs and your budget. Check out our picks for the best beauty boxes and what collegiettes like you have to say about them!

1. Birchbox

Price: $10 monthly or $110 yearly

Why Birchbox?: Rewards program and customer service

Collegiettes loveBirchbox—for just $10 per month, you can get four to five personalized high-quality beauty products delivered to your door. That’s right, Birchbox knows you!

“I have thick hair with heavy waves, so when they send me hair products, they are designed specifically for MY hair,” says Jen Morgan, a junior at Messiah College. “This is something that Birchbox does so well in comparison to other beauty boxes that send the same products to everyone.”

Birchbox has great brands, like Benefit, Cynthia Rowley, Deborah Lippmann and Smashbox. You can also buy products from their online store—usually, they ship free!

“As an aesthetician, I would prefer Birchbox over ipsy,” says Lisa Flanagan, a makeup artist. Flanagan loved Birchbox’s skin care products and found it had more skin care items than its competitor, ipsy. However, Flanagan says her collegiette-aged daughter was sometimes frustrated the samples of hair products from Birchbox were too small to use on long hair.

Birchbox will sometimes also send “lifestyle” extras, like a discount or a granola bar. “I enjoy the ‘lifestyle’ extras, such as Kate Spade Saturday discounts and the occasional chocolates,” says Julia Serafin, a sophomore at Connecticut College. Who doesn’t love a little something extra with their beauty products? Discounts + lipstick + chocolate = love.

The Birchbox rewards system is also great—for every product you review, you earn 10 points. For every 100 points, you can get $10 of credit on Birchbox.com. Getting a discount just for sharing your opinion? Yes, that sounds like something we would love.

What don’t collegiettes love about Birchbox? “They sometimes send a lot of skin care, and since I already know and love certain skin care products that I use, I'd rather have new makeup samples instead,” Jen says. “And, on occasion, the sample sizes are way too small to get an accurate idea of how well the product works.”

Beware that half of the collegiettes interviewed here had some kind of mix-up or trouble with their boxes, such as the box never arriving, but at least they said Birchbox’s customer service representatives were nice and sent a new box right away.

2. Julep

Price: $24.99 per month or $19.99 per month with three-month subscription

Why Julep?: Nail polish and customization

While this box is more expensive than Birchbox, the splurge could be well worth it for the collegiette who’s obsessed with nail polish! Julep boasts its own brand of nail polish in bold and seasonal styles. Go to Julep’s website to get your first box free (this author is eagerly awaiting hers).

Every month, Julep will send you one of five possible boxes based on your style profile. With over $40 of beauty products (and over $60 if you upgrade to a Maven Luxe box) in every box, you’ll fall in love with their nail care and other beauty products!

Collegiettes also love the flexibility of Julep. With your subscription, you can change, customize, upgrade or cancel your box. You can even add on additional items. But if you don’t feel the need to personalize, a great box will still come to your door.

“The thing I love most about Julep is that you have a lot of freedom when picking your box,” says Susannah Alfred, a sophomore at Connecticut College. “While you have a set profile (given based on a profile survey) that is the monthly default, you have the option to change to any other standard profile box, get add-on items at a discount, or even skip your monthly box if you're not interested in any of the options.”

Collegiettes rave about Julep’s products. “Let me tell you, their products are fantastic—their nail polish is wonderful (particularly the satin finish), and the quick-dry drops [which make freshly painted nails dry more quickly] actually work,” says Claudia Dimuro, a senior at New York University. “However, sometimes they give you repeated products labeled under different names, such as their gold nail polish.”

Julep’s products meet collegiettes’ needs. “I have nothing negative to say about Julep—great price, quality products,” Susannah says. “The nail polish colors are on point given the current season, and its trends and its nail care and makeup extras are perfect staples for any girl's makeup bag.”

Julep is also one of the only beauty boxes that sells its own brand of products. For the collegiette who doesn’t mind a little extra splurge for a little more freedom in the construction of your box, Julep may be the perfect choice!

3. ipsy

Price: $10 monthly or $110 yearly

Why ipsy?: Hot brands and reusable glam bag

With the same low price as Birchbox and products from hot brands like NYX, Urban Decay and Benefit, collegiettes everywhere are dying for ipsy’s Glam Bags! When you first sign up for ipsy, you’ll take a personalized quiz so the company can suit your beauty needs flawlessly. They’ll ask you everything from your eye color to your hair troubles to where you love to shop! ipsy also gives you a free reusable makeup bag every month—nothing is wasted here!

Flanagan’s college-aged daughters preferred ipsy to Birchbox because their ipsy glam bags seemed to have more cosmetics than their Birchboxes—perfect for the collegiette who wants to learn to rock lipstick or try a new liner. “ipsy is better for people that are in college; the bags are cute, and the items are trendy,” Flanagan says. “Birchbox has more skin care and some classic items that people may not have tried.”

ipsy also has a rewards system called ipsyPoints where you can earn points through social media posts, referring friends and reviewing the items in your glam bags. With one of the most competitive prices on the market and a great amount of personalization, ipsy is perfect for the price-conscious collegiette who loves makeup for all occasions. Plus, can you say free shipping?

4. GLOSSYBOX

Price: $21 monthly or $220 yearly

Why GLOSSYBOX?: Luxury products

GLOSSYBOX appeals to a different kind of collegiette than Birchbox or ipsy. With GLOSSYBOX, you don’t get to choose any of the items in your box—but when it arrives wrapped in an adorable box with luxurious samples, you’ll be glad that you splurged.

GLOSSYBOX collaborates with some posh brands—among the ranks are Burberry, Lancôme Paris, Fresh, OPI and Tom Ford. Who wouldn’t want in on that?

“I absolutely loved this box! The nail polish was a dream to apply, both [drying] opaque in one coat,” says Emily, one reviewer of the June box. “The hand lotion was great and smelled really good. The eye pencil was also nice and easy to work with, super easy to blend.” Almost all of the reviews for July’s box were either four or five stars on a five-star scale.

For the collegiette who wants extremely high-quality products, completely trusts the taste of her beauty box service and doesn’t mind a little extra splurge, GLOSSYBOX is the package she will wait for all month!

5. Allure Sample Society

Price: $15 monthly

Why Sample Society?: Because you trust Allure (and big samples!)

If you’re a little skeptical of the quality of the products in certain beauty boxes—or you just love Allure magazine—you’ll feel great about spending $15 a month on the Allure Sample Society from BeautyBar.com. This service offers five “deluxe-size beauty samples,” a $10 monthly gift to spend on a $50+ Beauty Bar purchase and an Allure mini-magazine with extensive product reviews.

“They recently had a bit of a revamp – they now have new packaging, and so far it seems like they are more makeup-oriented now,” writes Liz Cadman, the founder of My Subscription Addiction in a review of August’s box. “Even though nothing was full sized, I think the sample sizes were generous, and I really like all the new products I’ve tried so far.”

If you’re the kind of girl who loves to watch beauty tutorials and read about beauty products in magazines, this service may be for you. Not only can you actually try the things you read about in the magazine, but you can also learn how to use products just like the professionals!

So, collegiettes—which one of these is the best choice for you? Overall, these services are amazing for getting the hottest beauty products delivered hassle-free—which box do you want sitting on your doorstep every month?

Back at school? Your year will be so much more fun if you get involved in clubs or events happening around your campus! Nearly every university has an LGBTQ+ club or committee, sometimes known as a GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) or QSA (Queer-Straight Alliance). These clubs work hard to put on informative and entertaining events for their members as well as the rest of the school to raise awareness and show school spirit and LGBTQ+ pride. Here are five great events your campus pride group can do to raise awareness about LGBTQ+ issues—and have fun while doing it!

1.  Your Own Pride Week

Perhaps it isn’t original, but that doesn’t mean it’s not fun! Many schools set up their own small Pride Week to get people excited for the larger one coming up each year in cities around them. Pride weeks can include guest speakers, panels, dances, talent shows and, of course, a pride march around campus or your college’s town. They’re a great way to involve the whole school, who will see the different events going on around campus and will more than likely want to join in on the fun!

2. Coming-Out Day

To show solidarity, empathy and support, Sacramento City College’s QSA held a Coming Out Day. A microphone was set up in the quad and some of the members went up and shared their experiences with coming out.

“We wore black clothes so that after the stories and speeches were done, we took off the black clothes and revealed bright or rainbow clothes underneath, and then had a sort of mini-parade around campus with a bright rainbow flag,” says Malissa Luna, a former student and member of Sacramento City College’s QSA.

Coming out is highly personal and no one should be pressured to do it or talk about their experiences. However, when it’s done in a group, it can be a powerful movement and show of support that extends to many people, including those who aren’t in the GSA.  

3. Day of Silence

National Day of Silence is a day where students across the country take a vow of silence in order to raise awareness for LGBTQ+ students who are silenced by bullying and harassment. By giving up your voice, you’re calling attention to the many who feel they don’t often have one, especially when they need it most. Advertise the event within your school and rally people over to participate. A vow of silence can be a powerful and effective way to get a message across. At the end of the day, your GSA can host a “breaking the silence” party to celebrate!

4. Movie Night

Hosting a monthly or bi-monthly movie night can be a fun way for your GSA to get the rest of campus more involved with your group. A night or two can be set aside each month to invite students to spend an evening in and watch an interesting movie about LGBTQ+ characters or issues. Anything from dramas and comedies to documentaries and thrillers can be included in the movie nights! Movie nights are a good way to show non-LGBTQ+ students how important media representation is to those who belong to the community, and that movies that involve queer characters are funny, interesting and worth seeing.

5. Drag Show

Many universities host annual drag shows each year to promote diversity and get students to enjoy a fun night out. Some drag shows, such as the one at Northwestern University, include a night of performances, contests and prizes. The show incorporates performances by both students and professional drag queens and kings. Funds from shows can go towards the campus pride group or a charity of the group’s choice. A drag show can be a fun and fantastic night to help you give back!

It’s important for campus pride groups to be there for those who need it, and the best way to reach out is through fun events such as these. These events are great ways to meet new people, make friends and try something new at your school, all while supporting the LGBTQ+ community!

Now that we’re back on campus, we can’t help but look forward to the fall: apple picking, pumpkin spice lattés, cozy sweaters and of course, fabulous fall boots. After our bank accounts took a hit while dorm décor shopping (oops), we’re all about shopping on a budget.

But what’s even better than scoring cute boots on a budget? Scoring cute boots for free, of course! We’ve teamed up with FRYE to bring you the best giveaway for boot lovers everywhere: Win a brand-new pair of FRYE Harness 6 boots in Gaucho just by entering below!

For 150 years, The FRYE Company has been crafting boots and shoes that are as utilitarian as they are stylish. Uncompromising quality and luxurious materials make FRYE a fashion must-have. With boots, shoes, sneakers and more, FRYE has something for every personality.

You know these Harness 6 boots will look a-maze with your awesome fall wardrobe, so why not enter to win? Score the prize now before someone else does!

He jetted off to travel abroad and you were consumed by your dream internship in a big city. Or, you both bummed it on the couch at home and you just happen to live eight hours apart. Whatever the reason, you and the person you were seeing at school decided to take a break over the summer. But now that summer’s over, you’ll be back in the classroom before you can even say “Welcome Week.” And, of course, that means he or she will be there too. So what do you do now? If you’re nervous about where your relationship stands, check out these tips from dating coach Jasbina Ahluwalia for bouncing back from a relationship break.

Step 1: Get Ready to See Him or Her Again

Seeing him or her for the first time in the fall after a break can be either a really happy, exciting moment, or a really awkward one. Luckily, you do have some control over which way the situation sways. An easy way to initiate the “reunion” is to text him or her a few days before you return with something simple, like: “Can’t wait to be back at school! When do you move in?” It eases him or her into thinking about seeing you again, and it’s also a great way to get back in touch if you haven’t talked in a while. Set up a time to grab coffee or plan to sit together at a class meeting. That way, you won’t be flustered when you accidentally bump into him or her in the mailroom after not seeing him or her for three months. 

Step 2: Feel it Out

Sometimes, it’s easy to tell how your old flame is feeling once you see him again—he or she will either run up to you to scoop you into his arms for a kiss, or he or she will go for the awkward friend hug (the worst!). And while a lot of what he or she does will probably seem hard to read, it’s important to tune into how he acts towards you, because it could be a major indicator of how things will play out now that you two are back at school. Three months is a long time to be apart, and jumping right back into a relationship at the drop of a hat can be difficult. Be attentive to how flirty, awkward, or distant your guy or girl might seem. Likewise, be aware of the vibes you could be giving him or her.

3. Don’t Set the Bar too High

As we said before, summer is a long three months to be apart, and even if you two decide to kick things back into gear with your relationship, it still might take you a while to get back into the groove that you had last year… and that’s okay! A lot of things can change in three months, especially if either of you was traveling or working over the summer, so the dynamic of your relationship might be different this time around. And a new school year also means changes in classes and schedules, which might eliminate the Wednesday lunch dates you guys used to have last semester.

Don’t get discouraged if things don’t fall into place perfectly right away—few things do in the first few weeks of school! The easiest way to deal with any changes is to embrace them, and try not to put a lot of pressure on a relationship that’s just as rusty as you are in class after a three-month vacation.

4. Have “The Talk"

If your relationship seems different or awkward once you return to school and you’re not really sure what’s going on, sit down with your guy or girl and talk about your current (and future) relationship status. It doesn’t have to be a super serious, intense session. Just tell your guy you want to catch up and see where things are with the two of you now that you’re back at school. It can be frustrating and nerve-wracking if the responsibility falls on you to initiate the conversation, but you’ll be happy you did once you know exactly where the two of you stand and where to take things from there—especially since you’re most likely going to be seeing your guy around campus pretty consistently.

“Be honest and upfront with him about your feelings,” advises Ahluwalia. “Express yourself using a confident and positive emotional tone. Do not expect him to read your mind, and do not attempt to read his.”

Whether you want to completely pick up where you left off last year or if summer made you realize you’d rather be single, you need to tell him or her what you’re thinking. Leaving any confusion or ambiguity in your relationship is only going to cause trouble and hurt feelings. Tell each other what you each want out of the relationship and what summer did or didn’t change for you. And if you decide not to get back together, talk about things like hooking up with other people, seeing each other out at parties, etc. Even if you don’t end up getting back together, having complete transparency in regards to what you want and expect out of each other will eliminate a lot of problems later down the road.

5. Don’t Stress!

Not all relationships survive the summer, and if yours didn’t, that might just be an indicator that it wasn’t a very strong one to begin with—or, more likely, that he or she isn’t worth it!

Ahluwalia says it’s important to be open to the possibility that your guy or girl might not be on the same page as you are. “It is about respecting yourself as well as him enough to truly listen to each other’s feelings and expectations, and thereby determining whether expectations are sufficiently aligned to continue investing in the relationship,” she says.

Stress is one of the worst things to start a new year off with, so if you and your guy or girl didn’t get back together after summer, try not to let it ruin the excitement of being back at school. No matter your situation, the start of a new school year means 10,000 other new and exciting things happening and appearing for you to focus on, so embrace them!

Speaking of starting new—a fresh school year also means new guys! So if your summer break turned out to be more permanent than you thought, that just means it’s time to get started on scoping out (and making the first move with) all of the new guys on campus!

After weeks of preparation, strutting around campus in your favorite dresses and meeting with girl after girl, it’s finally the end of sorority rush. Throughout the process, you had your eye set on one house, and you hoped that the odds were in your favor. But what happens when your top pick passes you by, or you’re left bid-less altogether? Although it may be difficult to deal with at first, you will get through it (we promise)! Stay positive, and follow our dos and don’ts for how to deal if you didn’t get into a sorority.

1. DON’T let it ruin your year 

It’s normal to feel disappointed and upset, but letting not getting into a sorority define the rest of your year is a different story. There’s nothing that a little Ben & Jerry’s and a Sex and the City marathon can’t fix. After getting the much deserved post-rush R&R, you need to get back into the world! Wallowing (aka watching every Ryan Gosling movie ever created) will only help you so much.  

Marie*, a senior at Michigan State University, rushed her freshman year and didn’t receive a bid. From her experience, she learned that having an open mind is important for coping with the outcome. “You are going to have sororities that do not want you, and that can be hard for anybody to deal with,” she says. “I think it’s best to keep things in perspective and keep in mind that you are talking to a couple of the girls for a short amount of time, and so you can't really let their opinions affect or define you.”

2. DO join other clubs 

There are plenty of opportunities to meet friends on campus; Greek life is just one of the many outlets to consider. To find the perfect club for you, start by attending organization fairs or looking online to see which clubs are offered at your school. When people say there’s something for everyone, they really mean it (The University of Michigan even has a squirrel-feeding club!). Interested in philanthropy? Join Relay for Life. Looking to meet journalism lovers? Check out your school’s chapter of Her Campus. Extracurricular activities are the perfect outlet for making friends and doing something that you truly enjoy. In no time, you’ll forget that you even participated in rush!

3. DON’T let the jealousy get to you

You and your BFF decided to rush together, and now you’re left without a sorority while she received a bid from your top pick (yikes). When it comes to rushing, it’s easy to take things personally (why’d they choose her and not me?), but for the sake of your sanity and happiness, you can’t let jealousy get the best of you.

To keep the jealousy at bay, it’s best to stay busy and keep your mind off of it. At first, we recommend avoiding any and all social media accounts during the post-rush frenzy (cue the annual newsfeed flood of sorority-squat photos). As much as you want to live vicariously through the posts, it will only make things worse. Instead, spend time with your roommates, meet new people down the hall and do whatever you can to avoid turning green with envy. Before you know it, classes will pick up the pace and your free time will be sacrificed for late-night library dates. Focus on school and joining a club or two, and there will be no time to dwell on your rush experience.

4. DO rush a professional fraternity 

You don’t have to join a Panhellenic sorority in order to get involved with Greek life. Have you ever considered rushing a professional fraternity? Similar to social sororities and fraternities, professional fraternities provide collegiettes with social events and philanthropy opportunities. They differentiate themselves by bringing students together with similar academic interests to serve as an outlet for professional and career-related growth, so you get the best of both worlds! 

Elyse, a junior at the University of Michigan, says she tried rushing social sororities at first, but found a better fit in the professional Greek system. “[Panhellenic] wasn't the right fit for me at the time, and I found my niche in professional Greek life,” she says. “There are a lot of benefits associated with rushing a professional fraternity: professional development, a co-ed social group, networking opportunities in your field, personal growth and, of course, the skills necessary for success after undergrad.”

There are professional fraternities for just about every interest out there from music to chemical engineering, so it’s a great idea to look into the groups established at your school!

5. DO consider rushing again (but be cautious) 

After an unfortunate first experience, throwing yourself back into the rush process can be intimidating. But if you’re dying to try again, it’s worth a shot! Just keep in mind that rush could be more difficult the second time around. 

If you’re looking to bring more to the table for rush, keep in mind that philanthropy is a crucial aspect of Greek life. You can become involved in volunteer work as a way to help the local community and to boost your credentials. Also, by involving yourself on campus, you might meet a few sorority sisters along the way. Networking is a great way to get your name out there and become a more desirable candidate.

Krista, a junior at the University of Michigan and sister of Sigma Kappa, says if girls decide to re-rush, they shouldn’t put all of their effort into joining a specific sorority. “Give every single house an opportunity,” she says. “Some people go into (rush) and they think they know what house they want. You have to give every single house a chance.” Don’t cut houses from your list unless you really don’t want to be a part of it. Ruling out houses too soon can backfire in the end.

Although re-rushing can be intimidating, it’s important to put your true self out there. Krista says that bids are given to girls who are excited about their sorority and who can bring their genuine personality to the table. “You need to show us that you are enthusiastic about our house and that you want to be committed,” she says. “The whole rush process seems very superficial and fake, so being yourself helps you stand out from the other girls.” 

You didn’t get into a sorority, but don’t let it bring you down! Follow our dos and don’ts for how to deal, and you’ll be back on your feet in no time. 

*Name has been changed.

Joan Rivers, beloved comedienne, red carpet commentator and sharp-tongued Fashion Police host passed away today, her daughter Melissa said in a statement. She was 81.

"It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my mother, Joan Rivers," read the statement. "She passed peacefully at 1:17pm surrounded by family and close friends. My son and I would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of Mount Sinai Hospital for the amazing care they provided for my mother. Cooper and I have found ourselves humbled by the outpouring of love, support and prayers we have received from around the world. They have been heard and appreciated. My mother’s greatest joy in life was to make people laugh. Although that is difficult to do right now, I know her final wish would be that we return to laughing soon.”

In honor of Joan, HC wants to celebrate by laughing and taking a look at Joan’s best zingers from her lengthy career.

1. On Shapewear: “My grandson is mad at me. He’s mad at me because I squandered his college fund on Spanx. It’s a lot, but there’s a lot going on here.”

2. On Exercise: “I don't exercise. If God had wanted me to bend over, he would have put diamonds on the floor.”

3. On Not Apologizing: “We don’t apologize for a joke. We are comics. We are here to make you laugh. If you don’t get it, then don’t watch us.”

4. On Money: "People say money is not the key to happiness, but I always figured if you had enough money, you can have a key made."

5. On Chores: “I hate housework. You make the beds, you do the dishes and six months later, you have to start all over again.”

6. On Her Love Life: "My love life is like a piece of Swiss cheese; most of it's missing, and what's there stinks."

7. On Skinny People: "I hate thin people; 'Oh, does the tampon make me look fat?'"

8. On Justin Bieber: “I said Justin Bieber looked like a little lesbian -- and I stand by it: He's the daughter Cher wishes she'd had.”

9. On Engagement Rings: “Learn what not to expect. Irish Catholic they get sh**** little rings. Irish women get crappy rings. Baptist get the worst because they get the rings under water. When it comes up, it’s garbage. Jewish, big rings. Episcopalian big rings. Italians—the best, because they get them off of dead people, and second wives get the biggest rings of all.”

10. On Education: “Women should look good. Work on yourselves. Education? I spit on education. No man is ever going to put his hand up your dress looking for a library card.”

Thanks for the laughs, Joan -- you always had a knack for #realtalk!

Getting your dorm organized is a crucial part of staying sane for the upcoming year, but it can be such a drag when you think you’ve tried everything but parts of your room are still hot messes. For the things that just don’t seem to stay orderly, we have a list of the most clever dorm hacks to keep your head screwed on straight this year.

1. Silverware organizer for desk supplies

Ever find yourself scrambling around your desk for a rogue pen or a paper clip that found its way into a back corner? This first hack will keep you from ever having a disorganized desk drawer again. Put a flatware tray (like this one for $11.19 from Walmart) in your desk drawer and organize your pens, pencils, highlighters and other desk supplies to your heart’s content.

2. Corkboard to display necklaces

Necklaces aren’t only pretty when hanging around your neck—they’re pretty as decorations on your wall, too! After sticking some thumbtacks into a corkboard, hang your necklaces off of the thumbtacks for easy storage and décor.

Don’t have a corkboard in your room? No problem. Buy some hooks for your wall (we like these pink Command hooks you can get at Bed Bath & Beyond for $4.99) and hang your necklaces off of them instead.

3. Ice cube trays for smaller jewelry                                          

Rings and earrings can be tough to store because they’re so small and easily lost, but we have a solution. Buy an inexpensive ice cube tray to keep in your desk drawer and put your beautiful rings and earrings in each little ice cube nook!

4. Soda-can tabs to extend your hangers

It’s a total buzzkill when you go back to school with a fashion-forward fall wardrobe and you can barely fit it in your teeny-tiny dorm closet. Try making space for more hangers by saving all of those little pull-off tabs from cans—yes, the ones you used to flick when drinking a soda as a teen—and sliding them onto the hook of your hanger. This allows you to hang another hanger from that first tab and expand your closet in all of its fashionable glory.

5. Binder clips for cord organization

If the jungle of charging cords found on your desk is the bane of your existence, you’ll be so psyched about this hack. Attach binder clips ($6.99 at The Container Store) to the edge of your desk as in the picture above and slide your phone, laptop and tablet chargers through the metal loops for tangle-free access.

6. Shower-curtain hooks to store your scarves

We love scarves, especially in the fall, but there’s one problem: Where the heck do we keep all of them? A great way to keep your scarves organized in your cramped dorm room is to clip some shower-curtain hooks ($7.79 at Target) to your clothes hangers. Clip the hooks on the horizontal part of the hanger like in the picture above, and then loop your scarves through.                                                                                     

7. Shower caddy to organize school supplies

When you’re the proud owner of the cutest school supplies around, it’s important to find a way to keep them all organized while simultaneously displaying them for the whole world to see. Try hanging a shower caddy ($19.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond) on your wall to keep all of your supplies ready to go. Use the shelf sections for folders, notebooks and planners, and hang keys or jars of pencils from the hooks as pictured above.

8. Picture frame desk organizer

This picture frame idea is perfect for things you need to grab quickly, like your favorite pencil or a paper clip. To make it even easier, there’s no sewing involved! Cut a piece of cardboard to the appropriate size for your picture frame. Create pockets by wrapping fabric around the piece of cardboard and hot-gluing it in place. It doesn’t matter how many pieces of fabric you wrap around the cardboard, but remember: the more pieces you wrap, the more pockets you have to store things in, so we suggest making two or three pockets. Put the fabric-covered cardboard in your frame, and voila, you’re done!

9. Magnet makeup board

Have your makeup right on hand by hanging it on your wall. Use a sheet of metal (like this cookie sheet, $9.89 at Walmart), cover it with fabric, glue the fabric in place and glue magnets to the back of your makeup products to make them stay on the metal. Not only will your eye shadows be easily accessible on your wall, but they’ll make the cutest dorm décor, too.

10. Dish rack folder holder

How flippin’ clever is this? Keep different folders in order by sticking them in the slots of a dish rack ($8.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond)—bonus points for extra pen/pencil storage in the small basket attached! We suggest using file folders or folders that are clearly labeled so you can easily grab what you’re looking for.

11. Altoids tins for the little things

Use these handy candy containers to organize the little things—paper clips, safety pins, you name it. Don’t forget to label what item belongs in which tin!

Go the extra mile and try decorating your tins! Add some adhesive cork to your tins. Using alphabet letter stamps, label the cork with what’s in the tin. You can also try hot-gluing some pretty scrap fabric or simple labels to your tins.

From giving you more closet space to helping create a desk that’s neat as a pin, these dorm room hacks are sure to make your life easier this year. Do you have a clever way that you keep your dorm room organized? Let us know in the comments below! 

Summer unfortunately has come to an end, but that means one thing: time for school! College is a dream world of fun, friends, boys... oh, and class, of course. It's an exciting time: It's a new year, we're reunited with our friends, we have new classes and everyone knows no actual work gets done during syllabus week aside from reading the syllabus. That's why they call it syllabus week, duh! A quick trip to class to hear your professor read over the rules, and then you're off the enjoy the beautiful weather and goof off with friends. Here are the thoughts we all have during the excitement of syllabus week.

1. "It feels so good to be back!"

You and your besties are back and better than ever. These are your stomping grounds, and this is your year. Let's get this party started!

2. "I'm going to be SO organized this year."

You stocked up on school supplies, color-coordinated your closet and printed out the syllabi for your classes already. You're so prepared to absolutely kill it this year in every aspect of life!

3. "Did the kid next to me bathe in beer last night?"

Sure, it's syllabus week, but it's extremely questionable whether some of your classmates are hungover or still drunk. Pull it together, kid.

4. "The guy in the second row is kinda cute... actually, really cute."

Obviously you're not actually listening to your professor reading off the syllabus. Instead, you're scoping out your classes for the hotties, just in case you ever need a partner for a project. And if the prof is hot, too? Score!

5. "Wait, why is the professor actually teaching?"

There is no learning on syllabus week! What is this? Make it stop. You didn't even bring a notebook with you to class. This stinks.

6. "This class may or may not be some form of hell."

You probably figured this class would be hard, but this is just terrifying. Everything your professor says is making this worse and worse. You may need counseling if you even survive this semester.

7. "I think I was over-ambitious in being super organized and productive."

It all sounded like a good idea at the time, but now that you're halfway through the week, you have a feeling this year is gonna be just like last year. Your middle name is offcially procrastination; always has been, always will be.

8. "Why did I go out last night? And why is this class so early?"

You kinda feel bad for judging that guy in class the other day. Sure, last night was AMAZING, but you now realize why you don't go out every night during the school year. Everything hurts and you want nothing more than to lie in bed in your own pain and regret. But you can't use up those precious free skip days yet. The struggle is real.

9. This week was rough, but this year is gonna rock!

You finally survived syllabus week, and while you may have battle wounds and reservations about some classes, you're still that much more excited for what's to come! Time for another great year. Whether it's your first syllabus week, your last or something in between, enjoy every second of this week, because this is seriously the time of our lives! Live it up, collegiettes. #YOLO

So, you’re single. Maybe you’ve just broken up with your high school boyfriend or you’ve been unattached for a while now. Either way, there’s nothing wrong with riding solo. On the contrary, being single your freshman year is the best thing that’s ever happened to you. Don’t believe us? Here are some reasons that will change your mind:

1. You’re in good company.

Despite what you may think, “single” is not synonymous with “lonely.” Tons of young women enter college single, and what better way to bond with these lovely ladies (and make new friends) than by telling funny stories about your respective exes? You can even make a game of it!

2. You can lust after your hot RA/Orientation Leader/upperclassman guy crush, guilt-free.

Connie Chan, a senior at Carnegie Mellon, entered college single after breaking up with her high school sweetheart. “Even though I missed my ex at times, it was refreshing to meet so many new guys and flirt without feeling guilty,” she says. “Looking back, I'm glad I was able to fully experience my first weeks of college without anything holding me back.”

Although you may not want to jump into dating a senior immediately when you start your freshman year, there’s nothing wrong with a little harmless flirtation with one of the older guys helping out at orientation activities. Checking out cute freshmen was probably the main reason he volunteered for the job in the first place...

3. You can bond with your floormates during marathons of Girl Code, interruption-free.

The worst part about watching a bunch of female comedians discuss their various boy struggles is having to take the time to answer every interrupting text from the very cause of your own boy problems. When you’re with your girl friends, you should be with them—not concentrating on some boy miles away who can’t relate to the delicate art of eyebrow waxing. That’s girl code.

4. You can throw yourself into clubs, intramural sports and Greek life.

Without a guy to take up all your time and distract you, you can really concentrate on the most fun aspects of college life. Adam LoDolce, a dating coach who offers free video dating advice at SexyConfidence.com, advocates for this, saying, “Freshman year is the time to be insanely social and meet as many new people as possible. If you have a boyfriend/girlfriend then he/she will likely hold you back.” Besides exploring your personal interests, getting involved on campus is one of the quickest ways to make new friends... and meet new guys.  

5. The guys in college are way hotter (and less awkward) than they were in high school.

Chances are that you were there to witness your high school boyfriend’s awkward stage, but college is a blank slate. You may think your last boyfriend was the cream of the crop, but that’s only because you’ve been living on a small farm. (That’s just a metaphor, gals.)

6. You can actually focus on your studies.

As much as we love partying, higher education is what you enrolled in college for. When you’re not interrupting studying with constant texts and not blowing off reading for hour-long Skype sessions, you will have a much easier time getting your work done. As lame as it sounds, a big part of college is the actual learning part. You can get work done a lot faster and better when you’re not constantly distracted by a blinking phone screen.  

7. You can party, guilt-free!

Seriously, if you’re not going to flirt with one of the cute brothers at a frat party, there’s no point risking your precious outfit and shoes to possible beer spills. Nicole Echeverria, a junior at the University of Michigan, says that one of the biggest perks of being single your freshman year is that “you can meet, hang out with and flirt with any guy and not feel the least bit guilty.” Not only that, but it’s much easier to get into a frat party with a group of single girls instead of your boyfriend hanging on your arm.

8. Your guy pool is the largest it will be for the next four years.

When you’re a freshman, every guy is fair game. Since you probably don’t know many people yet, any guy could be the one, or, at least, the one right now. Freshman year is really the only time you get a free pass to ride the hot mess express, so you might as well make the most of it. LoDolce adds, “Although you may not want to ‘sleep around,’ a few hook-ups may let you have a little fun while you focus on your school work.” You’ll be a disillusioned SWUG before you know it, so why not play the field when the field is at its largest?  

9. You can take over your common room to learn the “Single Ladies” dance.

Move the chairs, hook up your computer to the giant TV screen and press play. There’s no doubt this classic Beyonce tune will become the personal anthem that powers you through freshman year—especially after you and two of your friends learn the dance. Who cares if he didn’t put a ring on it? Sasha Fierce doesn’t.

10. You get to avoid the cliche that is “The Turkey Dump” and the resulting fallout.

You’ve probably heard of “The Turkey Dump,” aka when high school couples break up during Thanksgiving break. If you start out college single, you get to avoid that whole awkward and emotional experience. “It is very likely your high school relationship will end anyway, so break it off before you miss your entire freshman year experience,” says LoDolce.

11. You’ll have better stories.

When you’re 85 years old and telling stories about your good ole college days to your grandkids, they probably won’t want to hear about your hour-long Skype sessions with what’s-his-name. Avalon Jones, a recent graduate of George Mason University, says, “My only regret in life is starting my freshman year in a relationship with my now ex-boyfriend still back at home. I completely missed out on my entire fall semester. I didn't go to parties or meet very many friends. Finally, during winter break, I chose to end the relationship and had an amazing spring semester in return.” Without a boyfriend holding you back, you’re free to have lots of wild fun in college!

12. You can learn more about yourself.

College is all about discovering who you are, and sometimes the only way you can do that is through being alone. “I met my boyfriend at the beginning of freshman year, but we didn't get together until the end of sophomore year,” says Katherine Mirani, a senior at Northwestern University. “It took so long because we both had a lot of growing and changing to do before we were ready to be in a relationship.”

For most young women, college is the first time you get to be fully independent, but you can’t really do that if your high school self still lives in a relationship. While being somebody’s girlfriend is great, being yourself is better.

Clearly, your single status isn’t a death sentence—it’s a new lease on life! When it comes to making new friends, embracing new opportunities and meeting new guys, you’ll be ready to do it all with your single girl swagger.

If you’re stuck in the suburbs, it’s hard to get an internship with a major company that’s located in a far-away city — and that’s where interning remotely comes into play! Not every company is (at first) completely on board with hiring a remote intern, so we’re giving you the tools to convince those higher-ups that you’d be the perfect intern, even from hundreds of miles away. Never fear, collegiettes! You’re bound to snag a remote position once you use these killer tips.

Before you ask

Before you ask to be a remote intern, it is important to see if being remote is even a slight possibility. Some companies will flat-out refuse to use remote interns, so check to see if they have done so before.

“In my experience, employers will specifically mention if being remote is an option,” says Anna Borges, a Northwestern University grad who interned remotely for an author. Contacting the company and asking if they accept remote interns is the best way to go about this, but if you are applying online, the website most likely will have information on whether interning remotely is an option.

How to ask

Send the intern coordinator an email and explain your situation. If you have worked at the company previously, include that information, and attach your resume to the email. In the body of the email, include a few key facts about your experience that will show you’re the perfect candidate for that position.

“I receive lots of emails from potential interns who just unload their entire resume into the email,” says Diane Carter, a leader of the intern team at Sony. “If someone does that, I won’t read it. I need something I can skim over in less than 30 seconds, and it should be the stuff that makes us want you.”

The email you send is your first impression, so it needs to stand out from others and show how impressive you are.

In your email, you should include:

• Your contact information
• Where you go to school and what year you are
• Some relevant highlights from your work experience
• Your interest in the position
• Your resume (as an attachment)

This email is your selling point, so if you bring along a strong passion for the position and good reasons for working remotely, the company will be more likely to hire you.

“When hiring remotely, we want people who will go above and beyond what in-office interns will do,” says Suzanne Barnes, a hiring manager at Morgan Stanley. “So we want people who will show us how working at home will benefit us, while showing how good of a worker they are. That’s what we hire.”

When asking if you can intern remotely, it’s all about selling yourself as not only being a good worker, but how you, as a remote intern, can benefit the company.

If you have established a relationship with the company already, such as if you’ve interned for them in their office before, you can use your work with them to convince the intern coordinator.

Brittany Potter, a University of Oregon grad who is currently working remotely, says, “I had worked with Microsoft for a year before I asked to be remote. The fact that I had done so much with them already convinced my boss that I could do the same thing at home, too.”

The biggest benefit that a remote worker can bring to a company is that they can work odd hours. While most interns are in the office during working hours, you will be able to work before and after working hours, too, so emphasize that when you ask.

As a remote intern, you have many more possibilities when it comes to deadlines. “As a remote editorial intern, I've been able to help my employers upload pieces and proof copy at odd hours—like seven in the morning or eight at night—and those are things in-office interns can't always do,” says Lily Herman, a junior at Wesleyan University who has interned remotely.

Interning remotely is a great option for people who live in smaller areas but want to work for companies in big cities. With a smart plan of action, you can convince your employer to let you work from home. And if you do get to intern remotely, hello, pajamas at work!

School is back in session! If you’re entering the fall semester sans internship, don’t fret. While you may feel like your career skills are getting rusty, there are plenty of other activities that you can do during the semester to keep your resume up-to-date, interesting and competitive. Here are five tips to boost your resume during the semester that will keep you ahead of the curve!

1. Take a leadership role in a student club or organization

Participation in a club, society or sorority is a wonderful opportunity to grow outside of your academic major, but taking a leadership role in one of these organizations will help you stand out professionally.

Rachel Walden, Career Development Specialist at Belmont University, says that companies are definitely looking for strong, involved leaders. “Employers seek job candidates who have student leadership experience because it shows that you can balance multiple priorities at once – schoolwork, student leadership and oftentimes an internship or part-time job,” she says.

As you get more involved in your organizations, you’ll also gain new skills. “Leadership roles can demonstrate many transferrable skills: teamwork, initiative, people skills, mediation, project management, etc.,” says Marianne Brigola, Assistant Director of Career Services for the School of Communications at Elon University

If there are leadership roles available that don’t speak to you as much as others, you can still make them work for you. For example, being your club’s secretary may sound dull, but it’s a role that’s visible and requires accountability and organization, which are great skills to have on a resume. Even if you were only selected because you type the fastest, you’ll be a point of contact for all of your club members, other officers will come to depend on you and you’ll be taking an active role in a group that’s important to you.

You can also gain leadership experience in a student organization even if there aren’t any actual leadership positions available. If you think that the only way to be a leader is by being the president of a club, you’re missing out on valuable chances to show what you have to offer to your peers and potential employers! “Leadership doesn't have to mean leadership of the organization as a whole--it can also be demonstrated by your willingness to lead a committee, to organize an event, to manage publicity efforts for your organization. Leadership can take on many different forms,” Brigola says.

And if you think hiring managers will gloss right over your involvement in clubs or organizations, think again. “I have been asked several times during interviews about my involvement in the clubs and activities on my resume,” says Meghan Gibbons, a recent graduate of Boston College. “To be a leader and to tell the person interviewing you the different roles you took shows organization, time management, dedication and commitment.”

2. Volunteer

Volunteering is awesome--our career experts agree!

“I highly recommend that students volunteer during their time in college,” Walden says. “Not only is it a great way to gain relevant skills and experience, but it is a great way to give back to the community!”

Brigola agrees. “It's something that employers like to see on resumes, as it not only demonstrates civic engagement and social responsibility, but it also tells employers what you're passionate about,” she says. “Sometimes students come in with the misconception that it's not as valuable as an internship or other type of professional experience. Volunteering can be just as valuable as an internship in developing transferable skills and exploring potential career options.”

Walden says students should find volunteering opportunities that align with their career goals. This is one way that volunteering can do double duty: you’ll give back while gaining the transferable skills that Brigola mentioned. “Selecting volunteer opportunities or projects that will allow you to gain a new skill is a great idea and can add to your resume,” Walden says. “For example, if you are interested in pursuing a career in marketing, volunteer to create a nonprofit’s monthly online newsletter using Emma or Constant Contact. Interested in graphic design? Volunteer to create flyers for a nonprofit’s upcoming fundraising event using InDesign or Illustrator.”

When deciding how you’ll allocate your time to volunteer projects, think critically about how much time you’ll commit to an organization. “I recommend volunteering with the same organization over a period of time as it shows employers that you can commit to an organization or cause and see events or initiatives through to completion,” says Walden.

In addition to a steady time commitment, be sure to pick volunteering options that you’ll actually enjoy. “Students [should] choose volunteer opportunities that they are interested in--whether it relates to your major or not,” Brigola says. “You will have a more meaningful experience if you are interested in what you are doing or the cause, rather than simply volunteering to check it off a list.”

3. Take an industry-specific class

These days, “Experience with Microsoft Word” doesn’t exactly count as a resume skill. However, “experience using Photoshop” or “working knowledge of HTML” will certainly be worth a second look. If your academic schedule is light this semester, consider adding a skills-based course to your schedule that will benefit you in your career, or taking a course online.

“I recommend doing research into the industries or professions [students] are interested in exploring and choosing classes that will help them build skills specific to their chosen interest area,” says Brigola. “For example, if you are interested in exploring marketing or public relations, you might look into courses that could help you gain a better understanding of media analytics. If you are interested in careers in cinema or entertainment industries, you might consider taking a specific editing course that will give you some familiarity with editing equipment and software.”

If you’re not sure where to start, tech skills are always good to have. “Lynda.com is a great resource for students who want to learn new computer programs or software, or brush up on existing skills,” Walden says. “Being proficient in Microsoft Office, Mac programs, graphic design programs such as InDesign or Illustrator, Photoshop, HTML, CSS, e-mail marketing software such as Emma or Constant Contact, WordPress or Blogger are all great skills to have.”

4. Continue working for a previous employer in a smaller capacity

If you just finished an internship, it may seem counterintuitive to keep putting in work for them. But there are a lot of benefits to doing small projects for a previous employer without being an intern. Not only will your schedule be more in your control, you’ll gain resume longevity by having an employer on your resume for an extended period of time. You’ll also stay in the front of the employer’s mind should any openings become available.

To ask a previous employer if you could contribute to a project they’re working on, call or send a quick email to your supervisor. For example:

“Hello ___________,

How are things going at the museum? I hope the exhibition planning is going well for the traveling show in November. School is starting up again here so things are all over the place, but it’s nice to be back!

I’m writing today because I have a little free time in my schedule this semester and I wondered if you might need help with any small projects in the department. My Monday afternoons are free after 2 p.m., so I could come in for some envelope stuffing, filing, or event set-up for the evening lectures if you like. I’m also happy to do some small research projects remotely and brainstorm ideas for any new programs coming up, if you’d find that helpful.

These are just some ideas, but I’d love to talk about it some more if you think we could work this out. I hope to speak with you soon!

Best,

Rachel”

When asking about potential projects, make your availability clear so that you don’t overcommit yourself. Give suggestions about the work you’d like to do as is appropriate for your industry. If those turn out to be areas where your previous employer needs help, perfect. If not, be open to some other options that he or she may have in mind for you to contribute in a different way.

5. Link Up!

Use this time to strengthen your professional connections. Regular contact with these individuals while you're not working will demonstrate your interest and help them remember you for the future. “LinkedIn is the best website for professional networking, and it’s a great way [for students] to showcase their skills and experience, research career paths, connect with individuals working in their industry and stay on top of industry and hiring trends,” Walden says. If you keep in touch with your former internship supervisors, you can use them as references for your resume. If you don’t keep in touch with them, it will be hard for them to remember how awesome of an intern you were when a potential employer asks them about you!

Take your connections to the next stage by setting up informational interviews.  “One of the best things students can do to prepare for their future career is to set up informational interviews or even shadow individuals working in their field of interest to learn about career progression in their chosen occupation,” Walden says. “It’s also helpful if they are not sure where they want to end up after graduation.”

Being a diligent networker even when you’re not working ensures that you don’t miss any upcoming opportunities, that you continue to learn about your industry and that you build relationships little by little with influential people in your field. This will certainly help when it comes time to find your next internship!

Do you have any tricks for boosting your resume during the semester? Let us know in the comments! 

You’re a talented, driven, fabulous collegiette – it’s about time you earned some recognition for it! If you’re a junior this fall (2014), enter Glamour’s 2015 Top 10 College Women Competition!

Glamour is looking for the best and brightest college juniors – dynamic young women with leadership experience, excellent grades and inspiring goals. The magazine will award one grand prize of a $20,000 scholarship and nine $3,000 prizes to collegiettes like you who have proven themselves to be one in a million! All winners will receive a celebratory trip to New York City and a profile in the May 2015 issue of Glamour (you know you’ve been imagining yourself rocking those glossy pages for years, anyway!).

Each year for the last 58 years, Glamour has been recognizing 10 outstanding college women: scientists, athletes, activists, businesswomen and more. The one thing they have in common, aside from being juniors, is that they’re incredible at what they do. Read more about the 2014 winners online here and get inspired to put your name into the running for 2014!

So if you’re in the class of 2016, have leadership experience, excellent grades and inspiring goals, Glamour wants to hear from you. Apply here before September 15, 2014 to score a spot amongst the top 10 college women! You deserve the recognition!

I had the pleasure of kicking off my New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2015 season with Creatures of Comfort, designed by Jade Lai (that's her on the left, in the second picture at the bottom). Lai began Creatures of Comfort in 2005 as a Los Angeles boutique, which quickly became well known for its bright yet minimalist pieces. In 2010, Lai opened another branch in New York, and with it came an original clothing line designed by Lai herself.

Lai's collection this season, entitled "A Wild Way Awhile," is an ode to the intrepid female traveler: on Lai's mood board backstage, she featured images of Meryl Streep as Karen Blixen in 1985's Out of Africa (the film takes place in 20th century colonial Kenya, and is based on the 1937 book by Isak Dinesen, aka Karen Blixen), as well as a variety of fashionable women lounging luxuriously in summer attire in warm, earthy locales. The collection featured smooth silk linen, knits, twills and more in deconstructed, utilitarian shapes. I was especially fond of Lai's jumpsuits, in slub cotton (especially in the powder blue) and silk linen (stunning in black). She also designed a sandal named after Blixen for the collection. The band IO Echo performed their calming electro-pop during the show.

Makeup, by Maki Ryoke with Too Faced Cosmetics and Arcona skincare for Beauty.com, was a soft-yet-sexy-yet-clean look, with a natural lip, warm pink rouged cheeks and darkened brows. Hair, by Esther Langham with Alterna Haircare and T3 Tools also for Beauty.com, looked fresh from an afternoon swim--a wet look with textured ends that is often a sign of a woman in summertime. Nails, by Alicia Torello for Zoya, featured innovative striping in beige and orange tones.

To view the collection in full, visit Style.com. For more images from backstage, all by moi, click here and see some below!

Stay tuned for more Her Campus coverage of New York Fashion Week!

What better way to show clothing that's supposed to move than... well, in motion?

For her Spring/Summer 2015 collection, "Fundipendulous," VPL designer Victoria Bartlett displayed her clothing on aerialists who performed on a scaffolding in the back of the VPL space in Manhattan's Soho neighborhood. Victoria Bartlett began the line VPL (of course slang for "visible panty line") because she was fascinated with the concept of "bringing the inside out." Bartlett wanted to fill what she felt was a gap between sportswear and lingerie, and in 2006, her collection was born.

Her pieces are versatile and can be worn as, her site states, "underwear, outerwear, anywhere." Each piece in this collection had the bold straps and swatches of color that have become a VPL signature. We were treated this time to bright tomato reds, lavenders, charcoal greys and turquoise details, among others. The performers glided and bent their lithe bodies in the air and around the scaffolding held up by harnesses, and it was easy to see how the clothing was a great choice not only for exercise, but also for outerwear. It's easily one of the most innovative presentations I've been to since I've been going to Fashion Week, a visual treat not only for the performance, but also for the clothing itself. Alongside the performance, there was a screening of a film made especially for the presentation, featuring more aerialists performing in the clothing on bridges, in a quarry and in a barn, among other locations. Beautifully shot, it was a strong expression of how Bartlett wanted her collection to be viewed: the VPL woman is strong, stylish and fearless.

Makeup was minimal, just a swath of creamy gray/green eyeshadow in a cat-eye shape over the lid, designed by Dick Page for Shiseido. Hair was in a spiky updo courtesy of Hirofumi Kera, also for Shiseido.

Take a look at some snaps I took from the presentation here and below!

Stay tuned for more Her Campus coverage of New York Fashion Week, collegiettes!

Your SO just finished up with his teaching degree; You’ve got another year left at your university. Or maybe it’s the other way around. Either way, one of you is gone while the other is still going for that higher education.

So what should you do? Break up? Try for an LDR? Simply ride out the tide and see what happens? There are lots of things to consider. Our experts weigh in on how to handle this tricky sitch.

Break up or stay together? Here’s how to decide

Consider the challenge

If you do decide that, hey, your SO is worth it, don’t go in with a completely happy-go-lucky attitude. Optimism is recommended, but keep in mind that it’s going to take some serious work to make this last.

“Continuing a relationship when one person is still in school and the other has graduated can be a tremendous challenge,” says Abiola Abrams, author and publisher of the women’s empowerment blog Sacred Bombshell. “Although you are not separated that much by age, you are really living in two worlds. When your issues include whether the caf serves enough gluten-free offerings and your partner is concerned with real-world survival issues like paying bills, there can be a chasm in your relationship.”

Suzanne Oshima, dating coach at Single in Stilettos, echoes these sentiments. Priorities will differ, and this could create a gap, however big or small.

“When one person has graduated from college and the other is still in school, it may be difficult to maintain the relationship, as they are going to be at different stages in their lives and their priorities will be completely different,” she says. “The person who graduated from college is going to be taking a big step in his or her life.  This is the time where he or she is going to be making some very adult decisions on his or her own. The person who is still in college will have completely different priorities, depending on what year she or he is in school.”

You’re off in New York trying to make it in the magazine biz and he’s just trying to pass his chem final. That can create a bit of an awkward gap in the relationship, and it’s important to recognize this upfront. You’re at different points in your life, and therefore, different maturity levels. This is something that needs to be understood and taken into consideration. If you think your connection with your SO is tough enough to survive this, great! It’s worth a shot. If you’re looking for an easy-peasy love affair, it’s probably best to let this dude go.

Be honest with each other

Again, continue to reflect on this. Does your SO want to continue what you have going? Do you? Keep thinking before you decide to have a serious talk with him or her, and be sure to write down your thoughts and feelings! It’s important to sort out all of your reflections beforehand. And then, be honest — with yourself first, and then with your SO.

“First, you should both be honest with each other about who you are and where you are in life,” Abrams says. “Don’t just cling to the relationship because it’s the safe choice. Open and honest communication is key to helping the relationship survive.”

Dating coach and speaker Sandra Fidelis agrees that having a free-flowing conversation is essential.

“It’s important to have an open and honest discussion regarding the direction in which the relationship is headed and about what each partner expects going forward,” she says.

Before the big change happens, meet with your SO face-to-face in a quiet environment. As Abrams suggests, don’t hang on just because you feel like you need someone; If you know you’re only hanging on because of this, voice it. And if you really and truly do want to keep your SO? Tell him or her and encourage total communication on his or her end: “Hey, Trevor, I love you and I want this to last. What are your thoughts on this relationship? Are you at all concerned about the distance? Please be entirely open with me.”

Staying together? Here’s what to do

Cut out relationship time                                     

Hooray, you decided to go for it! Next step: cutting out specific time for this guy (and he for you).

“Be sure to create dedicated ‘together time,’” Abrams says. “Learning something new together will help keep you bonded. If you are separated by distance, schedule your phone calls so that you’re not intruding on each other.”

Try a phone call a day, or (of course) Skyping every other day. Work out times that are good for the both of you—a time when he’s not stressed by his new big-boy job and you’re not frantically studying for that Spanish vocab quiz. Whenever the both of you have some downtime, communicate! Technology is totally awesome and key for LDRs.

Find a shared interest

As stated by our experts, your priorities will begin to differ from his, or vice versa. This is why it’s so important to find something in common.

“Since the school experience will no longer be shared, it’s a good idea to find a common interest, a hobby or an activity that both partners enjoy,” Fidelis says. “This new activity can serve as common ground just as the shared school experience had done before.”

If neither of you know how to play chess, make a pact to learn and play over Skype. If you’re not much into throwing tiny knights off platforms, read books, flip through magazines and skim articles and YouTube vids together — Skype allows for those type of things! You could also start a blog together. It could document both of your diverse lives and the challenges (plus rewards) of staying together while apart. So aww-worthy.

Have actual dates

Who says date nights are dead once the change strikes?

“Date nights are a great way for the couple to regularly connect and maintain the bond as strong as it was when they shared their school experience,” Fidelis says.

Whether you’re across the country or a couple of cities away, make clear-cut visit time. You or your SO could be traveling a half hour by car or three hours by plane, but if this relationship is important to you and your SO, both of you will (literally) go the distance for the other.

And for those nights when you simply can’t be together? Skype, Skype, Skype—we can’t reiterate it enough. Watch a movie together. You can start a Netflix film at the same time, or you can try using Rabbit, a great site for watching videos with someone who’s not in the same room. Eat dinner together! Wear something sexy (your favorite little black dress?), set up candles and cook something awesome. Have him do the same (sans the little black dress—a nice shirt will do). It may not feel exactly the same as being together in person, but hey—LDRs are about a thousand times easier than they were 20 years ago. Keep that in mind. You can do it!

LDRs are never easy, especially when the both of you are at completely different stages of life. But if you both see a light at the end of the tunnel, it’s worth sticking it out. After all, college is only temporary!

Your SO just finished up with his teaching degree; You’ve got another year left at your university. Or maybe it’s the other way around. Either way, one of you is gone while the other is still going for that higher education.

So what should you do? Break up? Try for an LDR? Simply ride out the tide and see what happens? There are lots of things to consider. Our experts weigh in on how to handle this tricky sitch.

Break up or stay together? Here’s how to decide

Consider the challenge

If you do decide that, hey, your SO is worth it, don’t go in with a completely happy-go-lucky attitude. Optimism is recommended, but keep in mind that it’s going to take some serious work to make this last.

“Continuing a relationship when one person is still in school and the other has graduated can be a tremendous challenge,” says Abiola Abrams, author and publisher of the women’s empowerment blog Sacred Bombshell. “Although you are not separated that much by age, you are really living in two worlds. When your issues include whether the caf serves enough gluten-free offerings and your partner is concerned with real-world survival issues like paying bills, there can be a chasm in your relationship.”

Suzanne Oshima, dating coach at Single in Stilettos, echoes these sentiments. Priorities will differ, and this could create a gap, however big or small.

“When one person has graduated from college and the other is still in school, it may be difficult to maintain the relationship, as they are going to be at different stages in their lives and their priorities will be completely different,” she says. “The person who graduated from college is going to be taking a big step in his or her life.  This is the time where he or she is going to be making some very adult decisions on his or her own. The person who is still in college will have completely different priorities, depending on what year she or he is in school.”

You’re off in New York trying to make it in the magazine biz and he’s just trying to pass his chem final. That can create a bit of an awkward gap in the relationship, and it’s important to recognize this upfront. You’re at different points in your life, and therefore, different maturity levels. This is something that needs to be understood and taken into consideration. If you think your connection with your SO is tough enough to survive this, great! It’s worth a shot. If you’re looking for an easy-peasy love affair, it’s probably best to let this dude go.

Be honest with each other

Again, continue to reflect on this. Does your SO want to continue what you have going? Do you? Keep thinking before you decide to have a serious talk with him or her, and be sure to write down your thoughts and feelings! It’s important to sort out all of your reflections beforehand. And then, be honest — with yourself first, and then with your SO.

“First, you should both be honest with each other about who you are and where you are in life,” Abrams says. “Don’t just cling to the relationship because it’s the safe choice. Open and honest communication is key to helping the relationship survive.”

Dating coach and speaker Sandra Fidelis agrees that having a free-flowing conversation is essential.

“It’s important to have an open and honest discussion regarding the direction in which the relationship is headed and about what each partner expects going forward,” she says.

Before the big change happens, meet with your SO face-to-face in a quiet environment. As Abrams suggests, don’t hang on just because you feel like you need someone; If you know you’re only hanging on because of this, voice it. And if you really and truly do want to keep your SO? Tell him or her and encourage total communication on his or her end: “Hey, Trevor, I love you and I want this to last. What are your thoughts on this relationship? Are you at all concerned about the distance? Please be entirely open with me.”

Staying together? Here’s what to do

Cut out relationship time                                     

Hooray, you decided to go for it! Next step: cutting out specific time for this guy (and he for you).

“Be sure to create dedicated ‘together time,’” Abrams says. “Learning something new together will help keep you bonded. If you are separated by distance, schedule your phone calls so that you’re not intruding on each other.”

Try a phone call a day, or (of course) Skyping every other day. Work out times that are good for the both of you—a time when he’s not stressed by his new big-boy job and you’re not frantically studying for that Spanish vocab quiz. Whenever the both of you have some downtime, communicate! Technology is totally awesome and key for LDRs.

Find a shared interest

As stated by our experts, your priorities will begin to differ from his, or vice versa. This is why it’s so important to find something in common.

“Since the school experience will no longer be shared, it’s a good idea to find a common interest, a hobby or an activity that both partners enjoy,” Fidelis says. “This new activity can serve as common ground just as the shared school experience had done before.”

If neither of you know how to play chess, make a pact to learn and play over Skype. If you’re not much into throwing tiny knights off platforms, read books, flip through magazines and skim articles and YouTube vids together — Skype allows for those type of things! You could also start a blog together. It could document both of your diverse lives and the challenges (plus rewards) of staying together while apart. So aww-worthy.

Have actual dates

Who says date nights are dead once the change strikes?

“Date nights are a great way for the couple to regularly connect and maintain the bond as strong as it was when they shared their school experience,” Fidelis says.

Whether you’re across the country or a couple of cities away, make clear-cut visit time. You or your SO could be traveling a half hour by car or three hours by plane, but if this relationship is important to you and your SO, both of you will (literally) go the distance for the other.

And for those nights when you simply can’t be together? Skype, Skype, Skype—we can’t reiterate it enough. Watch a movie together. You can start a Netflix film at the same time, or you can try using Rabbit, a great site for watching videos with someone who’s not in the same room. Eat dinner together! Wear something sexy (your favorite little black dress?), set up candles and cook something awesome. Have him do the same (sans the little black dress—a nice shirt will do). It may not feel exactly the same as being together in person, but hey—LDRs are about a thousand times easier than they were 20 years ago. Keep that in mind. You can do it!

LDRs are never easy, especially when the both of you are at completely different stages of life. But if you both see a light at the end of the tunnel, it’s worth sticking it out. After all, college is only temporary!

Full disclosure: I'm a big Tess Giberson fan. After seeing a show of hers live for the first time last season, I was hooked. I love the way she blends fine fabrics and clean designs. I was, however, a little startled when I saw pleats on the clothing racks backstage while I was taking pictures. Pleats? On maxi skirts and dresses? From my minimalist maven Tess?

But then I saw them come down the runway and I understood. Giberson was inspired by 1970s Palm Springs: those gorgeous, super-modern houses in the middle of the palm-treed desert in California. Man-made and nature-made right next to each other in visual harmony.

Giberson brought this into her collection, entitled "Simulate," by using both natural materials and synthetic materials simultaneously on garments, like with a cellophane knit skirt or a crocheted metallic dress. White was featured prominently, with occasional bursts of silver (a foil pleated skirt!), bright blue (a silk dress with a wave collage!), beige, black and denim. I especially loved her white shiny glass silk dress cut into a shape of clean lines and a white wrap bikini (it had little boyshorts and its strings crossed multiple times over the torso. I died). And the pleats? They floated on the models and made them look goddess-like, the long, clean lines staying true to her aesthetic.

Makeup, again by Dick Page for Shiseido, was an indigo shimmer on the eyes and a slight brush of color on the cheeks. Hair, by Ward Stegerhoek, co-owner of Living Proof, was a tousled, teased, voluminous side ponytail.

Take a look at the entire collection here on Style.com, and check out some more photos from backstage below and here, all by moi!

Whether you’re ready to support your team alongside thousands of drunk college football fans or just create a few more Snapchat stories to share with your friends, game-day tailgates are perfect for socializing, having fun and, most importantly, eating food. But just because it’s game day doesn’t mean that your waistline has to suffer from eating greasy, fried tailgate snacks! Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered with a few healthy tailgate foods that will have you and your body feeling like champs.

1. Buffalo Hummus

You can never go wrong with hummus. This is a great alternative for fatty cheese dips, especially if you eat the hummus with celery or carrots. The recipe livens up the dip and gives it a little spicy kick.

Recipe from Eclectic Recipes

Ingredients:

• 2 cans garbanzo beans, 1 can drained
• ¼ cup buffalo wing sauce
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 3-4 tablespoons tahini
• The juice of one lemon
• Olive oil

Directions:

1. Combine one can drained garbanzo beans and one can un-drained (with liquid) in a food processor. Add wing sauce, smoked paprika, tahini and lemon juice.
2. Turn on processor and stream in olive oil until hummus is smooth and creamy.
3. Eat with celery, carrots or pita bread.

2. Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

So it’s not buffalo chicken, but nobody said it didn’t taste just as good! On top of all of the fiber that these cauliflower bites are loaded with, they carry just as much flavor as regular buffalo wings.  

Recipe from Nutrition Stripped

Ingredients:

• 1 large head of cauliflower (about 5-6 cups raw)
• ½ cup almond milk (or of choice)
• ½ to 1 cup water (more to create a thinner coating)
• ¾ to 1 cup red hot sauce
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• Dash of cayenne pepper
• Ground black pepper and sea salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper and grease well with coconut oil or other. Cut cauliflower head into bite-sized pieces.
3. To make the cauliflower coating, mix flour, milk, water and spices into a small bowl.
4. Dip each cauliflower floret into this flour mixture.
5. Lay on baking sheet in an even layer.
6. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
7. For the buffalo sauce, melt the butter and hot sauce in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer and remove from heat.
8. After the cauliflower bites have baked, pour the buffalo sauce mixture onto the bites.
9. Stir until each cauliflower bite has been coated in the sauce.
10. Bake for another 10 to 15 minutes.

3. Pulled Turkey Chili

Using turkey instead of ground beef will give you just as much flavor in this chili but not nearly as much fat.

Recipe from POPSUGAR Fitness

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons virgin coconut oil or palm oil (or extra-virgin olive oil if you have neither)
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 ½ teaspoon Celtic sea salt
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 chipotle chile in adobo, coarsely chopped, with 1 teaspoon sauce
• 2 cups leftover turkey, pulled apart and cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 12-ounce bottle dark beer
• 4 cups crushed or coarsely chopped tomatoes, with their juice
• 2 cups kidney beans
• 2 cups black beans
• 2 cups frozen corn kernels
• ¼ cup flaxseed meal

Directions:

1. Heat the oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic, salt, chili powder and oregano and cook, stirring until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and the chipotle chile and sauce; cook about 1 minute more.
2. Add the turkey and beer and simmer until reduced by about half, about 8 minutes. Add the tomatoes and the beans and corn; bring to a boil. Add flax.
3. Let simmer, stirring occasionally, until thick, 30 minutes.

4. Vegan Brownies

At only 158 calories, the secret ingredient to this treat is zucchini. (Yes, you read that right!) These brownies are just as tasty but are healthier than regular chocolate brownies.

Recipe from POPSUGAR Fitness

Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole-wheat flour
• 1 cup raw sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 small zucchini
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup vegan dark chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray 9-inch-by-13-inch pan with cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, stir the dry ingredients together (flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt).
3. Place the zucchini in a food processor and puree it as much as you can. Add in the oil and vanilla extract and puree until smooth.
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients and mix until a thick batter forms.
5. Stir in the chocolate chips.
6. Bake for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
7. Cool for at least 15 minutes before cutting.

Consider these recipes the next time you head to a tailgate, and your body will thank you later. Happy game day, collegiettes!

Oh, freshman year. It's the most exciting time of your life! You can wipe away your high school past with a new group of friends and completely recreate yourself. You can stay out as late as you want and eat as many desserts as you want without parents nagging. And no one is around to tell you not to leave that 10-page paper to the last possible minute, so you can procrastinate as much as you want. The world is your oyster, and every decision is exclusively yours to make!

But beware, collegiettes – this newfound freedom can lead to some mistakes. With so much independence, you’re bound to make a misstep somewhere along the line. But Her Campus has your back! We asked collegiettes to share their freshman year regrets to help you learn from their mistakes.

1. Losing the balance between your college life and your home life.

One of the most common problems collegiettes have during their freshman year is trying to balance all the new relationships in their life. With new friends at college, old friends back home, families trying to check in and an overload of schoolwork piling up on your desk, it’s hard to give everything and everyone the attention they need. Remember that even with all the excitement on campus, Mom and Dad need some time with you, too.

“I think my biggest mistake… was not keeping in contact with my parents and home friends as much,” says Anna, a senior at Marist College. “It's so easy to get carried away at school, especially with your new friends, difficult classes and weekend activities. Mom and Dad need a little reassurance that you're alive [and] well and still love them.”

Luckily, there’s an easy fix here. Set aside time once a week to give the parental units a quick phone call. There’s no need for a lengthy Skype chat; just give them the chance to hear about what's going on at school. Your going away to college is an adjustment for them too, and they’ll be excited to share in your new accomplishments at school. Collegiette or not, you’ll always be their little girl.

2. Prioritizing your social life over your schoolwork.

In college, the pressure to do well in class and make friends outside the classroom can lead to time management mistakes. Do you stay home and study, or do you head out to the frat party with the girls down the hall from you?

“When you first get to school and you want to make friends and you want to go out, you have to keep in mind that you do have schoolwork,” says Meghan, a senior at Iona College. “I wanted to go out and not miss anything. But your friends will always be there, and you need to learn to balance school and your social life.”

You can avoid feeling panicked during a test that you didn’t study for because you were too busy having fun by allotting yourself certain nights to go out a week. Plan out what nights you can hit the town and which you need to stay in to study by checking your syllabus ahead of time for assignments and tests. Tell your friends you would love to spend time with them, but you really need to write a paper that night. And you can always grab a couple of people from your classes and head over to the library for a study session – coffee and gossip breaks are bound to lead to friendship!

3. Studying the same way you did in high school.

In high school, you may have found that the slightest bit of effort was enough to keep your GPA sky-high. But college is an entirely different animal. Simply skimming through your notes won’t be enough to get you a passing grade on a college test. Participation is often a part of your grade in a college course, so daydreaming won’t fly as well as it did when you struggled through high school senioritis.

It’s inevitable that you’ll have one class that you’ll struggle with. But know that in college, it’s up to you to push through it and do well. You have the ability to make elaborate outlines for tests and papers, set aside specific library study times for yourself and reach out to classmates for help and group study sessions – so do it! Don’t sit around gloomily and dwell on bad grades when you could be working to fix them.

4. Attempting to do it all.

Wake up. Go to the gym. Shower. Run to class. Library time. Group project meeting. Class. Quick snack. Dance rehearsal. Test cramming session. Go out? One of the great struggles of freshman year is dealing with managing a schedule that used to be monitored by your parents. No one is around to tell you if you might have put too much on your plate, and this can lead to taking on way more than you can handle.

“I think my biggest regret was not knowing my limits,” says Nicole, a senior at Marist College. “Everyone says college is the perfect time to try new things, which I would not argue with; however, you can't burn the candle at both ends. I tried too hard to be an amazing student who was super involved while going out every weekend or more. My advice would be to take freshman year with an open mind, but remember to take care of yourself first.”

There’s no rush to join every single club and go to every single event on campus. Slowly see what you’re interested in and see if you can handle the demands of what you want to do. Eventually, you’ll learn what you can and can’t handle and how much you can take on.

5. Partying too hard.

A huge part of freshman year is attending the many parties that college life has to offer. They’re bigger, better and filled with way more cute guys than your average high school party. But many freshman collegiettes struggle with knowing their own limits and partaking in dangerous binge drinking. College women are 50 percent more likely than men to exceed both the daily and weekly drink limits recommended by the National Institutes of Alcoholic Abuse and Alcoholism (scary!). This can lead to embarrassing nights that you can’t remember, regrettable hook-ups and even more dangerous situations, like alcohol poisoning.

“One of my hardest adjustments as a college student was learning limits and boundaries when it came to partying and drinking,” says Melissa, a senior at the University of Delaware. “My first night at the University of Delaware was definitely a ‘learning experience.’ It was my first time to a frat party with tons of new people and free alcohol everywhere I turned. As the night went on, I found myself throwing common sense out the window and doing some things I definitely regretted the next morning.”

As scary as some mistakes can be, they can always be learned from. “I realized it is so dangerous to get out of control and unaware of my surroundings, especially because it was my first night as a freshman and I didn’t know who my true friends were yet,” Melissa says. “I learned from my drunken antics to become more responsible and not depend on anyone to be there for you if you need help in a dangerous situation. It is so important to have responsible fun while still focusing on what you are [at college] for – a degree.”

Know that it’s always okay to have a girls’ night in with some pizza, nail polish and movies if going out isn’t your thing. But if you’re heading out on the weekends, always bring a friend and stick together throughout the night. Going out should be about meeting new people and creating amazing memories, not risking your health or your life by not knowing your limits. Take it slow and set boundaries for yourself before the night even begins. If you tell yourself in advance, “I’ll only have two drinks,” or “I won’t hook up with anyone,” you’re more likely to keep your own promise to yourself than throwing caution to the wind and having an “anything goes” attitude. Always eat a full dinner if you know you’ll be consuming alcohol (skip the salad in favor of carb-heavy pasta), and alternate alcoholic drinks with water throughout the night. You’ll thank yourself when you wake up in the morning hangover- and regret-free.

Take the advice of these collegiettes with you during your freshman year of college. Life is about making mistakes and learning from them, but you’ll be ahead of the game by heeding the wisdom of collegiettes who’ve been through it before. Have fun, good luck and be smart!

Walking past Trina Turk's Spring/Summer 2015 collection was like hopping into a time machine and heading into early 1960s Las Vegas. Everything the models were wearing I could easily see worn by Frank Sinatra, the Rat Pack and their gal pals like Shirley MacLaine, but in brighter, bolder colors than maybe they ever thought possible.

Turk was inspired by a trip to the downtown Los Angeles Flower Mart, and the entire collection bursts with her take on what she saw. A 1960s Pop Art geometry and color scheme (tomato reds, hot pinks, oranges, yellows...the whole rainbow, really, but in a more candy-colored spectrum) influences jacquard dresses and jackets, bathing suits, caftans, and much more. I loved how each model was wearing a different print, but I was never overwhelmed--I just wanted to keep looking.

Favorite pieces included a hot red crepe and chiffon hostess one-piece--it had a halter top and a sheer skirt that I could easily see myself wearing to host my next soiree--as well as a sunset maxi sweater dress moving from white to black with a big bright yellow sun in the center, and a hot pink palazzo jumpsuit. Looking at all of the pieces, though, made me wish we could rewind back to June again...

What was fun about this presentation is that the models were given Trina Turk-designed iPhone covers to put on their phones so they could Instagram throughout the hour-long show. So, while you were walking around looking at the outfits Instagramming them, they were also Instagramming you!

Makeup, by Sarah Lucero for Stila Cosmetics, was just as bold as the colors and patterns in the collection, too: ladies' eyes were topped with a bright sea foam green liner, with that same tomato red on the lips. Hair, by Esther Langham for Beauty.com using PHYTO products and T3 tools, was sleek and long, tucked under a patterned headscarf. As Langham said, "The look is California..."

Take a look at the collection in its entirety here and below, all photos by moi!