You might not want to believe it, but senior year is quietly sneaking up around the corner. It all feels a little surreal right now, but once senior year does hit, things get all too real—everyone will be scrambling to find a job, juggling schoolwork and trying to squeeze in every last possible bit of fun before entering the daunting adult world all at the same time. Talk about a full plate!

Instead of frantically scrambling to put together a resume during job-hunting season, you can get a head start now before entering the chaos that is senior year. Check out these five things to have on your resume by your final year of college so you'll be all set to impress those employers by the time recruiting season starts!

1. Internships

As college students, we just can't seem to escape all the buzz about internships, and rightly so. In today's competitive job market, internship experience is a must-have, and employers will have their eyes peeled for the word "intern" when they scan your resume. Ideally, work to score an internship the summer following your junior year. And if you've had additional internship experience from the previous summer or during the academic year, all the better.

"Employers expect to see internships on a resume because this says you have some experience in the professional world," says Martin Yate, author of Knock ‘em Dead – Secrets & Strategies for First-Time Job Seekers. "Internships give you experience, credentials, connections, a stronger resume and references. This is why nine out of 10 entry-level jobs go to candidates with internship history. [Internships are] the ticket to a good entry-level job out of college and a fast career start.”

And remember, the internships don't actually have to be paid to make a difference on your resume, because it's the experience that counts! What's valuable about an internship isn't so much how lucrative or competitive it is rather than the experiences and learning you take away from it.

Tina Sims, who runs a resume-writing service for military members, spouses and federal employees, agrees that internship experience will give resumes an extra boost. "Many employers use a scanning technology to weed out applicants," Sims says. "This scanning technology is looking for keywords relevant to the position, and while a college student may not have the paid experience, the scanner is only looking for the vocabulary, not whether the experience was gained while employed."

Internships seem to have become the new entry-level jobs, so if you haven't already, it's high time to go out there and get some real-world experience! There are plenty of resources just a mouse click away, like InternMatch and Lauren Berger's InternQueen.com, so what are you waiting for?

2. Other work experience

Internships aren't the only way to spruce up your resume before senior year comes around; other work experience, like part-time jobs and seasonal jobs, can also be valuable! From being a TA during the semester to working part-time at the coffeehouse down the street, work experience is work experience no matter what form it comes in, even if it isn't exactly related to your future career plans. And you can start building it up now!  

"Work experience, even unrelated to the field of study or future pursuits, should be noted on the resume," says Jan Melnik, resume writer and career coach. "For internships and work experiences, key contributions/areas of responsibility/accomplishments should be noted, leading off with verbs."

So whether you're working away in a tall office building somewhere or working in retail at a local boutique, any job that you have now will not only help you prepare for the real world, but will also be one more thing you can add to your resume. 

3. Extracurricular activities

Is there a cause that you're super passionate about? Maybe an organization you’ve been helping out or a club you like dedicating your time to? You can make a difference, have fun and improve your resume all at the same time by pursuing extracurricular activities like volunteering.

Volunteer positions and side gigs are all fair game and will help paint a clearer picture of your abilities, character and potential for the employers. By senior year, it's good to have a number of activities besides internships in order to demonstrate how responsible and capable you are. Definitely work with what you've got!

If your extracurricular work doesn't seem to relate to your field, pick and choose the ones that are the most relevant to the position you're applying to, whether it's because of the skills you've learned, because it demonstrates qualities such as teamwork or because it shows familiarity with certain aspects of the job. These entries can be included in the Community/Volunteerism/Extracurricular section of your resume, which usually comes after your Education and Professional Experience sections.

4. Work accomplishments

With your newfound job or internship also comes an opportunity that you didn't have before—the chance to make some work accomplishments! You've got your awards, academic honors and leadership roles, but including work accomplishments on your resume will make you especially stand out to potential employers. While anyone can list off tasks and duties that she's completed, not everyone can say that she went above and beyond the call of duty.

 "While the tasks and duties that you have completed are important to show your experience, the accomplishments you have achieved are much more telling of the kind of employee you will be," Sims says. "An employer may be considering two candidates who have the same experience, but the one who will stand out is the one who went beyond that experience and earned recognition for their willingness to take on additional duties or complicated projects."

Of course, accomplishments don't have to have been officially recognized. According to Sims, they could be as simple as solving a problem, streamlining processes, saving money or saving time. If you feel like you took the extra step and made a difference for your employers, consider including that with the rest of the job description for a certain work experience entry on your resume.

"It's no longer enough to simply do the work you are assigned; You always want to be thinking about how you can do more," Sims says. "The job market is very competitive now and requires one to always be striving to make a difference, to stand out above the competition. If your resume is one in a stack of 500, you will want to be sure you have really articulated your skills, abilities, accomplishments and experiences as professionally and concisely as possible."

So take pride in your work, don't be afraid to go the extra mile and show those potential employers that you've got that extra little something!

5. A professional online presence

With the undeniable presence of the Internet and social media in basically everything we do, it should come as no surprise that employers are now more inclined to check out your online presence when hiring. For you, that means establishing an online presence in the first place. From the professional networking site LinkedIn to potentially more creative sites like WordPress, having a strong profile online that showcases your work and skills is a fantastic way to stand out.

"Each student should have created a full LinkedIn profile—free account is fine!—and customize their URL that is also included in resume header," Melnik says.

According to Melnik, your LinkedIn URL can go right along with your contact information at the very top of your resume. In addition, make sure to include one good phone number with a professional voicemail that provides your full name for callers, as well as a professional-looking email address. Not only will this make you seem serious about the job, it will also make it easier for the resume reader to get a sense of who you are with one quick glance, which is always good considering how many resumes he or she has to go through!

Basically, it all boils down to showing the employers that you have a strong track record. You need to convince the hiring managers that you're trustworthy and totally worth it. Luckily, you can start building a good reputation for yourself now, so that once job-hunting season comes around senior year, you'll be ready to sweep everyone off their feet!

Floor plans of your favorite TV character’s homes. [ArchDaily]

Get ice cream that tastes like your favorite childhood cereals.[TheDishh]

 The origin of the Freshman 15 myth. [The Atlantic]

Romance books for people who hate love stories. [PopSugar]

12 signs that your phone is your boyfriend. [YourTango]

If everyone was honest at job interviews. [BuzzFeed]

An ‘obetchuary’ for Joan Rivers. [Betches Love This]

How did eating burritos help fight cancer? [The Huffington Post]

3 Netflix secrets you need to know. [USA Today College]

Jennifer Lawrence thinks she sucks at everything—except acting. [Jezebel]

Ah, a new semester: a clean slate with new classes, new digs and a chance to make this your best semester yet. Starting fresh each semester isn’t exactly a bed of roses, however. Here are some of the worst things about embarking on another semester of school.

1. First of all, there’s the daunting process of moving all your worldly belongings into your dorm room…

…which happens to be the same day everyone else is moving in.

Why, oh, why did you insist on bringing so much stuff?

2. Then begins the process of buying all your new textbooks…

…which cost enough money to make you audibly gasp at the register.

3. On the first day, you have to contend with finding all your new classes…

4. …and probably wandering into a wrong classroom or two.

5. After months of idleness, you’ll suddenly be forced to listen to lectures and take notes again,

6. and all those syllabuses you’ll receive will make you feel like you're already completely in over your head.

7. You’ll also probably realize a few of your classes just aren’t going to work out.

8. You’ll run into people you haven’t seen in months and be forced into having uncomfortable small talk with them.  

9. The dining halls will feel extra crowded…

10. …and the gym will be swarming with students not yet loaded down with assignments.

11. You’ll try and get a head start on your schoolwork…

…only to end up getting distracted by your excitement of being back at school.

12. Though you’ll probably settle into a routine within a couple of weeks,

facing a little beginning-of-the-semester craziness is almost inevitable.

There’s been a lot of hype over higher education pretty much since you started high school, but now it’s finally here: your first day of college. You’ve gone through orientation, your room is set up and you’re ready to go. But, of course, it’s normal to get nervous about how the day will play out; After all, you don’t really know what to expect.

But no need to hit the panic button quite yet, because Her Campus is here to get you through a timeline of your entire first day, from the moment you wake up to the moment you hit your pillow at night! We’ll be breaking down some of the biggest snags you could potentially hit (Alarm didn’t go off? No one to sit with at lunch?) as well as how to deal with them should they arise.

7:31 a.m.: Waking up late

You set eight different alarms to make sure you’d get up on time for your 8:00 a.m. class, and to no avail: You still woke up late!

How to deal

First of all, waking up late is not the end of the world. “Everybody almost expects freshmen to be all over the place the first day of college, so take a deep breath and relax,” says Megan Showers, a junior at the University of Florida.

And Megan knows what she’s talking about; She woke up late on her first day of college! “I had a 9 a.m. class and woke up to my alarm clock reading 8:48 a.m.,” she says. “So obviously, I was freaked. It was at least a 15-minute walk to class plus the time it’d take to get ready, so I was pretty much on the verge of hyperventilating.”

Luckily, Megan had taken some proactive steps the night before to shorten her morning routine. “I’d been so neurotic about starting college that I’d actually laid out my clothes the night before and packed up my schoolbag like I was starting kindergarten,” she says. “At the time I felt paranoid, but as I was running around trying to get ready, it was a godsend.”

Megan highly recommends that other first-day collegiettes do the same thing to avoid any surprises in case they pop up a little later than expected on day one. The night before your first day of classes, take 10 or 15 minutes to pick out your outfit and pack your school bag (notebook, pens, folders, your keys, student ID, the works!). Also, make sure you set out toiletries or know where they are the next morning so that you’re not searching for a toothbrush when you’re running around. If you want to earn extra preparedness points, set out a granola bar or some cereal in case you need to eat on the run!

7:47 a.m.: Getting lost on the way to class

You rush out of your dorm, and you’re so excited, nervous and scared that you get extremely lost trying to find the academic building you’re supposed to be in. What’s a newly minted collegiette to do?

How to deal

Kate Masters, a junior at Wesleyan University, reminds collegiettes lost on campus not to panic. “Go up to someone who looks a little older (and friendly) and ask him or her for directions,” she says. Everybody’s been there before!

If possible, though, Kate recommends visiting your classes (or at least the buildings) before your first day. “The night before my first day of college, I actually spent 45 minutes walking around campus to all of my classes just to make sure I knew where the buildings were,” she says. “Some of my new college friends came with me, and it was really fun!”

Like planning your clothes the night before, checking out the campus ahead of time may seem like a little too much preparation for some collegiettes, so don’t be afraid to smile and ask someone for directions! Additionally, you could print a campus map and bring it with you for day one.

8:07 a.m.: You didn’t bring the right supplies to class

You sit down in class and pull out your laptop, only to have your professor announce that he has a no-laptops policy. The problem? You didn’t bring a notebook and pen.

How to deal

Kate faced this same issue during her first college class. “I felt so dumb for not bringing pens and paper to write on,” she says. “So, obviously, my tip is to bring a couple of different note-taking supplies.”

Rachel Nelson, a sophomore at the University of Southern California, says it’s not the end of the world if you don’t have everything on your first day. “Usually the first day of classes is just the professor handing out the syllabus, asking questions and maybe giving a mini lesson, so you really won’t be missing much,” she says. “Just make sure you go buy your supplies directly after class!”

Still freaked out about forgetting stuff? Feel free to ask the person next to you if he or she has an extra pen. Hey, you might make a new friend!

11:17 a.m.: You don’t know whom to sit with at lunch

Thought you were over the days of scanning the cafeteria looking for a seat? Think again. What happens if your orientations friends or hallmates haven’t gotten to the dining hall yet? Should you sit alone or awkwardly stand there waiting?

How to deal

Megan had this situation come up during her first day of college. “A bunch of the girls I had agreed to get lunch with were running late from class, so I got to the dining hall first and found myself having to wait 15 minutes,” she says.

So what did Megan do? She got her food, found a seat and stared at her phone the entire time. “I was so embarrassed to be sitting alone, but looking back now, two years later, I see how stupid all of my worrying was,” she says. “People don’t really care if you’re sitting alone, and no one will think you’re friendless or something just because people aren’t with you. It’s fine! I eat alone all the time now because I like to.”

If sitting alone is a little bold for you, remember that it’s college, so feel free to just wait for your lunch crew or meet some new people and sit with them (people are super friendly on the first day!). The important takeaway: No one is going to judge you, no matter what you choose.

1:42 p.m.: You don’t know what to do with all of your free time

Your classes have wrapped up way earlier than they ever did in high school (ah, the beauty of the college schedule!), so what are you supposed to do with all of this extra free time?

How to deal

There are definitely a lot of options out there if you have a little time on your hands on the first day, from running errands to checking out your class syllabi. First, you can go to the campus bookstore and buy whatever school supplies and reading materials you’re missing for your classes. It’s always good to be prepared!

Second, there’s always the option of getting a head start on academics. Kate recommends combining schoolwork with social time. “I was actually assigned a ton of work in my first college class, so I went to the library with some friends so we could all work on stuff,” she says. “As someone who procrastinated all the time in high school, I thought it was awesome to begin college on a good note by getting an early start on assignments.”

Kate also encourages collegiettes to really try to be social during the first couple of days and weeks of college. “It’s easy to feel tired and want to sit in bed watching Netflix all day, but this a crucial time in your college career!” she says. “Make friends, hang out with people and get involved. It’s an awesome time.”

Free time is a great thing, but definitely make sure you still have a game plan so you don’t spend the first couple of days just sitting on the Internet. Make a list of what you hope to accomplish on campus during the beginning of the semester and go for it!

9:34 p.m.: Your friends want to party but you’re not sure if you want to

It’s your first night of school and you’re beyond exhausted, but a bunch of your friends want to go out to a party. You want nothing more than to crawl into bed and pass out, but you also don’t want to miss out on a social opportunity.

How to deal

First off, don’t feel like you have to go out to have a great freshman year! Rachel found herself in this situation during her first couple of days of college. “On the one hand, I didn’t want to seem like a party pooper, but I was also bogged down in homework on my first day,” she says.

So, how did she deal? Rachel met her friends in the middle. “My friends were actually pregaming for a couple of hours before they headed to this frat party, so I joined them for that and then left them when they went to the party,” she says.

It turns out Rachel made the right choice, too. “My friends only ended up staying at the party for an hour tops, so I didn’t miss much!” she says.

Another huge perk of having so much to do on a college campus is that you can pick and choose what you want to do with your time, so if partying one night isn’t your thing, no one will fault you for wanting to stay in and study or check out extracurriculars!

Overall, your first day of freshman year will definitely be filled with ups and downs, but just remember that everyone experiences them! Problems will pop up, so as long as you go in with a game plan and take a couple of minutes to prepare ahead of time, you’re going to do great. All of your classmates are as excited and anxious as you are to see how the first day goes, so relax and enjoy it!

After a long, tiring day of class and homework, we bet the last thing on your mind is exercise, and the last place on Earth you want to be at is your college’s gym. It may seem like more of a hassle than a reward to get yourself there, but trust us: it will pay off in the long run. Even if you think you’d rather exercise in the comfort of your own home, there are definitely perks to hitting up the school’s facilities. Can’t make yourself go? Check out these strategies to get yourself to the gym today!

1. Upgrade your workout gear

Your old, beat-up Nikes are collecting dust, along with the two-sizes-too-small sports bra that you wore in high school. Just like buying new clothes makes you excited to dress up for class, revamping your workout style works the same way! Once you find exercise clothes that are comfortable and cute for you, there’s no better time to wear them than during your next gym session—it’s okay to show off a little. Amidst a sea of baggy sweatpants and old tees, your new outfit will be sure to stand out. Target is a great place to start for stylish yet affordable workout gear. If you’re looking to spoil yourself, lululemon is another popular choice.

2. Make the perfect playlist

When you’re tired of running and just about ready to call it quits, that surprisingly catchy Iggy Azalea jam comes on. After two or three songs, you barely notice your aching knees or the sweat dripping in your eyes.

Ask any avid fitness buff, and they’ll attest—music is a must-have when going to the gym! We recommend creating a workout playlist to keep yourself entertained and focused on your workout. You’ll have the chance to listen to your favorite tracks while also getting great exercise. Create your playlist beforehand so that you can exercise without the annoyance of having to switch songs. It can be filled with whatever you’d like (yes, even One Direction), as long as the songs are motivating!

In her HC vlog Connie Chan, a recent graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, recommends creating a playlist for the entire length of your workout. “Create a playlist, and don’t stop working out until that playlist is over,” she says. This will help prevent you from throwing in the towel too soon!

3. Bring a friend

As the semester picks up, it becomes that much harder to meet with friends between classes, extracurriculars, part-time jobs and homework. If you know you’ll want to start exercising this semester but are too anxious to hit the gym alone, why not bring a friend (or two) along? Instead of a quick coffee date with the girls, heading to the gym together is an easy way to stay healthy and catch up at the same time. This is also perfect for collegiettes who are worried about slipping up on their routines and who want someone to hold them accountable, or those collegiettes who are just too nervous to enter the weight room alone (do you even lift, bro?).

Madeline Lacey, a senior at the University of Michigan, says she feels more comfortable with friends at the gym. “Having a friend there helps you ease into the (sometimes) intense gym atmosphere, especially the weight room with all the macho boys,” she says. “It’s definitely more fun!” Your friends are there to make sure you stick with the workout until finished, and you will be there to motivate them, too!

4. Sign up for a fitness class

It can be hard (really hard) to plan and finish a workout on your own, so that’s what group fitness classes are for! With other girls and an enthusiastic teacher by your side, you’ll become more motivated to complete each exercise and keep up with the rest of the class. Most college gyms will offer a variety of options, ranging from karate and kickboxing to yoga and barre classes, so there is something for everyone. Instead of exercising on a whim, having a fitness class in your schedule will encourage you to visit the gym more regularly. You can always invite a friend and turn it into weekly bonding activity!

5. Think of the cuties

The gym weight room is like something out of a fairy tale: all of campus’s cutest athletes gathered in one place (did you see that guy with Ryan Gosling’s face and Taylor Lautner’s abs?!). At first, it can be intimidating to work out with the boys, but what better motivation to hit the college gym than seeing those hot bods with chiseled arms every day?

And you can even get to know them (wink, wink) by going to the gym! We don’t recommend striking up a conversation while he’s mid-lift or mid-squat, but if he’s taking a break, there’s nothing wrong with getting your flirt on (can I have yo numba?). Raquel Sulaiman, a senior at the University of Michigan, says she loves getting attention from guys at UMich’s gym. “My favorite pick up line was, ‘Excuse me, I have a question. How do you get so cute?’ It just threw me completely off guard!”

The gym is the perfect place to meet some of campus’s finest, but beware of Mr. I Think I’m All That And A Bag Of Chips (you can find him flexing and grinning in front of a mirror).

6. Create a schedule

Gina Patrico, a senior at Oakland University, says that creating a workout schedule is an easy way to stay motivated to exercise even when things get hectic with classes and extracurriculars. “I have set days for certain muscle groups, so I can stay organized and fit in workouts around both school and work,” she says.

Try creating your own schedule and sticking to it. It’s as easy as picking two or three days out of the week and dedicating up to an hour of free time to get to the gym. Once you have the time allocated, you can plan ahead for homework, meals and other commitments. It’s super helpful to hang your exercise calendar in your room in order to keep track of progress and future workouts.

7. Reward yourself

If you’re the type of person that’s motivated by rewards (aren’t we all?), there’s nothing wrong with treating yourself after successful visits to the gym. Although a great workout is a reward in and of itself, you should decide what’s extra motivating for you and set a goal before you reward yourself with it. For example: if you work out at the gym 10 times this month, you could reward yourself with a mani/pedi. This is a great way to celebrate your hard work and pamper yourself at the same time! It’s important to make the reward something special so you’ll be that much more excited to hit the gym—and ultimately reach your fitness goal.

Whether its lifting weights, running on the treadmill or hitting up a punching bag, there is something for every type of workout at the college gym. If you’re looking to get your bod back into shape, there’s no better time than now! By taking the effort to get to the gym, you’ll be that much more likely to finish your workout, which is the first step in making progress. With these tips, we hope you’ll feel more motivated to visit the gym.

Have your own suggestions about how to get yourself to the gym? Leave a comment below.

At one point or another, you’ve probably been offered a drink at a party. If you’re not really into drinking, this has the potential to be a bit of an awkward situation. While you can always just accept the offer and do nothing but hold the drink in your hand all night, pretending to go along with the whole drinking thing can get annoying after a while.

Even though it might seem like “everyone is doing it,” trust us: Not every single person in college drinks alcohol! You’re not alone in your refusal to drink. It’s totally normal, and there’s no reason you should feel weird about explaining to people that it’s just not your thing.

However, if you’re still unsure about how to answer to the age-old question “do you want a drink?” or if your peers are convinced they can change your habits, here are some serious and sarcastic ways to respond to that question like the clever girl we know you are.

1. “I can’t tonight; I have to be up early tomorrow for work/something else important.”

Probably one of the most common excuses used at parties today, saying that you have an early start the next day is a great way to refuse a drink. Whether you really do have to get up early the next morning or if you’re telling a little white lie, everyone can relate to the dread of having to be up and alert at a time when he or she would rather be sleeping.

2. (When offered a beer) “No, thanks; I’m more of a whiskey drinker.”

Like all Parks and Recreation fans, we love a good Ron Swanson reference. Establish your classiness by making it clear that you have very high standards in terms of the alcohol that you choose to consume. People will be impressed by your level of elegance, and, from that point on, associate you with Ron Swanson. It’s a win-win.

3. “I already have one, thanks” (and point to your cup that’s secretly filled with Diet Coke)

The decoy cup is a classic move to avoid drinking at a party. If someone sees that you already have a drink, the chances of you being offered another is very unlikely. The best part is that you can drink whatever you feel like! If you’re feeling chocolate milk one night or Mountain Dew the next, no one can stop you. It’s your cup, and you can fill it with whatever you want.

4. “I really wanna lose three pounds.”

Channel your inner Regina George and simply explain your goal to lose three pounds. It’s not a secret that drinking does not help at all in the way of losing weight, so this’ll seem like a pretty legit excuse. Also, everyone loves a good Mean Girls reference. Hopefully this will lead the conversation to the topic of the movie and off the topic of alcohol. You go, Glen Coco!

5. “I’m the designated driver; I have to be Sober Sally tonight.”

People always respect the designated driver (DD) excuse. Who in his or her right mind is going to try to get the DD to drink? That would involve consciously putting your peers in serious danger and putting random people on the roads’ lives at risk as well. Pulling the DD card is always a safe bet when you want people to lay off about trying to get you to drink, no questions asked.

6. “I’m on a cleanse right now. If it’s not hot water with maple syrup, lemon and cayenne pepper in it, I can’t drink it.”

If you’ve always wanted to be that really cool, hippie-dippie girl in your friend group, now’s your chance! You might get some weird looks from those people who think pizza is its own food group, but most people should understand how a cleanse works and that one slipup can ruin the entire thing. If you really want to sell your new “lifestyle” to people, mention the delicious kale salad you had for lunch or the amazing new yoga place you went to downtown.

7. “I’m on some serious antibiotics right now, so my doc said I’m not allowed to drink.”

Of course, there are only a certain number of times you can use this excuse before people start to think that you have some crazy illness, but for the short-term, this excuse is bulletproof. Much like the DD excuse, mentioning a doctor or medication of any kind is usually a red flag in people’s minds to not push you any further. If you really want to keep up the charade, carry around some tissues and sanitize your hands every 10 minutes.

8. “I went too hard last night; I think I should lay low tonight.”

Most college students who drink have experienced a hangover at one point or another. Those who fall under this category know how unpleasant a hangover can be and will have sympathy for your not feeling up to drinking again. Some might say that the best cure for a hangover is more alcohol, but we can promise you that is not the answer, no matter how many times someone tries to pull that one on you. So lay low tonight!

9. “I’m playing babysitter for the night and have to make sure all of my friends get home safe.”

Although this is a solid excuse, you should actually do this! If you’re not drinking and all of your friends are, you can be their go-to girl for the night if they need some water, if they need to be walked home or when they inevitably lose their keys at some point over the course of the night. Playing sober sitter doesn’t mean you can’t party with your friends; You’ll just act as your friends’ rock and a non-judgmental helper for the night.

Believe it or not, people don’t really care that much if you don’t drink. The movies make it seem as though college kids’ number one priority when going out is drinking and that if you don’t drink, you aren’t cool. However, from a lot of collegiettes’ experiences, people are pretty understanding when they say they don’t drink.

Sara Heath, a senior at Assumption College, recommends acting relaxed about the whole situation. “If you’re just relaxed about it, you’ll be fine—there were some people who never even knew I didn’t drink because I was so nonchalant,” she says.                                                                                

Everyone knows at least one person who doesn’t drink, so they’ll know where you’re coming from and that you can still have a good time without drinking alcohol!

Now that you’re back on campus, you’re ready to rock your best looks yet (and obvi have to document the occasions with some amazing selfies... ahem, we mean candid shots?). We’ve got everything you need to start the semester right!

We’re giving away back-to-school beauty, style and selfie essentials to one lucky collegiette! Check out the awesome prizes on the line:

FabFitFun VIP half-yearly subscription (2 boxes)

Get the must-have products to prepare you for each season with the FabFitFun VIP subscription box, released seasonally! At $49.99 for each box (and free for our winner!), each box contains over $100 worth of full-size beauty, fashion and fitness finds. Curated by the FabFitFun experts, each FabFitFun VIP Box contains a surprise set of goodies from your favorite classic brands, cult celebrity favorites and must-try new finds to keep you looking and feeling your best.

HISY gift pack (4)

The hottest new camera gadget is here! On a mission to help you capture all that fall semester fun, the folks at HISY are giving our lucky winner a gift pack of four HISYs valued at $100. Capture the perfect moment with friends and get everyone in the group shot with HISY. The tiny shutter remote allows you to set your phone down, pose and snap away! The gadget even takes photos from up to 90 feet away, so you can capture a flawless selfie (highlighting your fab new beauty and style looks) without holding your iPhone. With HISY you can wave goodbye to awkward arms, mirror glare and unflattering angles! You can even record action videos from your iPhone with HISY; simply set your phone down and start filming using the tiny, cordless gadget!

Gina Made It hair accessories

Pretty and practical Gina Made It offers beautiful, handmade hair accessories for all occasions, and we’re giving our lucky winner a selection of the brand’s bestsellers, including an urban turban, golden glam headband and hot pink bun bow. Add the perfect polish to your outfit with these to-die-for accessories! Designed and made in the U.S.A. by Regina von Schack, a Parsons graduate, the accessories are the ultimate answer to a bad hair day! Throw unruly hair up into a chic topknot before a big date or hold hair securely in place as you run between classes with a classic headband.

What are you waiting for, collegiettes! Don’t miss out on these fab back-to-school essentials; snatch them up before someone else does! Enter below to win all the goodies: 

Are you a high schooler who LOVES magazines, digital media, journalism, writing, publicity or marketing? How about a budding journalist who dreams of writing for a big-name magazine or newspaper one day? Are you the first to tell your friends about hot new trends? Do you love thinking creatively as part of a team? Her Campus is looking for the top high schoolers from across the country to join the Her Campus Team as High School Ambassadors, and we want YOU to apply!

The Her Campus High School Ambassador program runs every school year from September to May. Each week, you'll learn a new skill that's crucial to making it in the communications industry – then you'll put it into practice! During any given week, you may be writing articles and blog posts; spreading the word about Her Campus via creative projects, contests, and campaigns; and serving as a consultant to the Her Campus Team on high school trends and hot topics.

If you're passionate about a career in media, Her Campus will give you the skills and experience you need to get there. Since joining the Her Campus team, team members have been offered jobs and internships at Seventeen, Glamour, Teen Vogue, Vanity Fair, Marie Claire, Vogue, The Washington Post, MTV, Ogilvy, Digitas, and many more. 

The application for the 2014-2015 High School Ambassador Program is now OPEN, so apply now! Applications are due by Sunday, September 14 at 11:59pm PST. Those accepted will be notified via email by the end of September.

Name: Laura Zax
Age: 26
Job Title and Description: Social Impact Manager at Harry’s
College/Major: Yale/English
Website: thenighttimeadventuresociety.tumblr.com
Twitter Handle: @laurazax

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

Laura Zax: My role is to help optimize the positive impact Harry’s has on the world, representing and advocating for our mission, values and potential for positive impact across the business. 

In terms of our mission, we’re committed to helping people get ready, whether through our product – which helps our customers get ready every day – or through our community engagement program, Harry’s 1+1, and our college program, H’university.

Harry’s 1+1 is our pledge to give one percent of our sales and one percent of our time in skills-based volunteering to organizations that help people from all walks of life get ready for the next step—whether that be college, a first job, or a new career. While giving one percent of our sales is a pretty straightforward process, giving one percent of our time requires quite a lot of coordination and project management. I spend much of my time coordinating our 1% Time program, through which we’ve built pitch decks, dashboards, marketing strategies and more with our nonprofit partners, leveraging our team’s skills to accelerate our partners’ important work.  

I also help run H’university, a program we created to help college students get ready for the real world by teaching them valuable skills they can’t learn in class while connecting them to interviews at like-minded companies that value those skills.

What is the best part of your job?

LZ: The best part of the job is that moment during a 1% Time engagement when we realize, “Wow, we can actually build something incredibly valuable for this organization that it wouldn’t have had the resources to build otherwise. And we can do it in the span of a few hours.” It’s so fulfilling to be able to accelerate the work of awesome nonprofit partners while also creating the opportunity for Harry’s employees to use their skills in a totally different context. I’m excited to tell the story and encourage other businesses to adopt a similar model.

What was your first entry-level job in your field and how did you get it?

LZ: My first job out of college was in my hometown, Washington, D.C. at the international organization Ashoka, which has been identifying and investing in the world’s best social entrepreneurs for over thirty years. I started at Ashoka as an intern right after college.

I never intended for the internship to become a job, let alone a career. I had already signed a lease in Los Angeles, where I planned to move after my internship to focus on music. One thing led to another, and I got the best of both worlds: a part-time role at Ashoka that I could do remotely from L.A. while I worked on my first album. Over the course of the next couple of years, I realized I found social entrepreneurship more challenging, exciting, interesting and fulfilling than making music professionally, and now here I am.

What is one thing you wish you knew about your industry when you first started out that you know now?

LZ: In my role, I straddle a number of different industries –entrepreneurship, corporate philanthropy, consumer products/e-commerce and sustainability. I knew practically nothing about any of them when I graduated from college. After all, I thought I was going to be a musician.

More broadly, what I wish I’d known about the working world is that just because I wasn’t always the most experienced person at the table didn’t mean my voice, opinions and ideas weren’t valuable. I wish I had been more confident to be an active contributor – and even, at times, a dissenting contributor – despite my age and relative (in)experience.

Harry’s launched something really cool called H’university for college students last year! Can you talk more about it?

LZ: H’university is a natural extension of our mission I mentioned earlier – Harry’s commitment to helping people get ready. The program is designed to teach college-aged students things they won’t learn in class, inspiring them to define their own paths and connecting them to job opportunities at our hiring partner companies like Gin Lane, Four Square and Pencils of Promise.

The five-week curriculum consists of skills-focused webinars taught by dynamic and unconventional professionals (like Neil Blumenthal from Warby Parker, David Chang of Momofuku and Eva Chen, the editor-in-chief of Lucky magazine) as well as an optional challenge designed to allow students to demonstrate the skills they’re learning.

The application is currently open, so if it sounds up your alley, apply online!

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

LZ: My unofficial mentor Katie, who manages Values and Impact at Etsy, has been such a great person to have in my professional life. Since our role isn’t as well defined as more traditional roles (like digital marketer or UX designer), it has been so important to have someone with whom to compare notes, share resources, bemoan frustrations and celebrate successes.

It’s also nice to step outside of the world of Harry’s and learn about how other businesses are thinking about leveraging their unique strengths for maximum impact. She’s an inspiration and above all a friend, and I’m lucky to know her.

What words of wisdom do you find most valuable?

LZ: I’m not getting the quote exactly right, but it’s something along the lines of, “Don’t worry about getting ahead or falling behind—neither matters if you’re not even on the right track.” It’s a warning against achieving for achievement’s sake and a call to really figure out who you are before questing after success. It comes from the book Excellent Sheep, which was written by my favorite professor from college and compiles ideas he’s been thinking, writing and speaking about since we first met.

What is one mistake you made along the way and what did you learn from it?

LZ: I get excited by ideas and have been known from time to time to hit the ground running on things without consulting with my broader team. I’m learning to loop others into my ideas sooner rather than later. The earlier others get in on your ideas and plans, the more ownership they’ll feel, and the more support you’ll have to push those ideas forward.

What has been the most surreal moment of your career thus far?
LZ: I spoke on a panel at a conference where two of the keynote speakers were Jessica Alba and Jared Leto. On the conference’s website, my headshot was just below Jessica Alba’s. That was certainly not something I ever expected to happen in my career.

What do you look for when considering hiring someone?

LZ: Intuition – a sense of what needs to be done (and how to do it) without needing to be given step-by-step instructions. It’s tough to interview for (I’m still figuring that one out) but perhaps the most important quality, especially in a startup environment. 

What advice would you give to a 20-something with similar aspirations?

LZ: Because this role – championing impact within a for-profit company – is a pretty new and evolving one, the best bet is to get into a socially-minded company early enough that you can really craft your own role, but make sure that you and leadership see eye to eye about what that role could be.

You already know the importance of creating a roommate contract (and you’ve already printed out a copy of the Her Campus Sample Roommate Contract), but there’s more you need to establish with your new roomie than just when to shut off the lights at night and when the TV is allowed to be on. To help you make your relationship with your roommate as smooth and tension-free as possible this year, we present to you a few additions to your roommate contract to cover all those gray areas that your other roomie agreement may have neglected.

1. I, [your name], vow to never invite that cute guy or girl down the hall over for some late-night action without asking you first—and if you aren't okay with it, I promise not to pout too much about it the next day.

2. If you want to have a party in the room, I’m fine with it on two conditions: one, that I am invited, and two, if the RA comes knocking, I expect you to take most of the blame for the noise.

3. I will never eat your snacks without your permission (except maybe for a handful of Goldfish crackers now and then because they’re going to constantly taunt me sitting on your desk like that and I don’t think I’ll be able to resist).

4. I promise not to steal your new Cosmopolitan magazines until after you read them (except for maybe a peek or two).

5. If you’re watching one of your favorite TV shows, I vow not to talk too much during it—unless it’s Pretty Little Liars, because I always get so confused during it and have to ask a lot of questions.

6. When you get a care package from your mom, I solemnly swear to not eat any of the homemade snickerdoodles she sent until after you get sick of them and offer me some.

7. I will know that anything in your closet that still has a tag on it is always off-limits, and I’ll always ask permission to borrow anything else (even that mint green cardigan that I’ve had my eye on since day one that would look so good with my new white jeans).

8. If you decide to go to sunrise yoga at 7 a.m. one day, I promise not to groan too loudly if your alarm wakes me up.

9. I vow to never snoop through the stuff you leave on your desk (even if it looks really interesting, like a letter from your ex-boyfriend or an exam that you did poorly on).

10. When I’m having a heated conversation with my dad on the phone about why my liberal arts major isn’t impractical, I’ll be sure to take the call into the hallway so you won’t have to awkwardly listen to it.

11. I will do my best to limit the number of times I accidentally lock myself out of our room (and have to call you to let me in) to three times a semester.

12. I promise to always go to bed at a reasonable hour—except for on the weekends. Or during exam week. Or any night before I have a big paper due. On second thought, let me just promise instead that I’ll be quiet when I do eventually go to bed.

13. Feel free to have your friends over whenever you’d like—except for that one friend of yours who I think gossips too much. You’re better off inviting her over when I’m not around.

14. If you come back to the room at night having had a few too many, I promise to hold back your hair if you need to get sick (as long as you promise to do the same for me!).

15. In the morning, I promise never to hit the snooze button more than twice—unless it’s a Monday, in which case I think I deserve at least three times. 

16. I’ll try to keep my singing in the shower to an agreeable volume (except for when I sing Adele. When it comes to Adele, belting is a necessity).

17. When you have someone over to spend the night, I will willingly sleep on the common room couch or in a friend’s room as long as you do the same for me (and buy me coffee the next day).

18. When you ask me for my opinion on an outfit or hairstyle, I vow to always give you an honest answer (as long as you promise not to get mad if it’s not the answer you wanted to hear).

19. If you’re in the room watching a TV show or YouTube video on your laptop without your headphones while I’m trying to work, I promise to discreetly clear my throat to express my disapproval rather than shoot you a nasty death glare.

20. I will try my best to keep my side of the room as tidy as possible — but a few shirts lying here and there won’t hurt anyone, right?

21. I promise not to act too grossed out when you get sick, as long as you try not to touch my stuff and avoid having one of those phlegmy coughing fits in the middle of the night.

22. If you decide to stay in on a Friday night with a pint of Ben & Jerry’s and a Lifetime Original Movie marathon instead of going out with me, I swear I won’t tell you you’re lame—unless this becomes a weekly thing, in which case I will feel obligated to rag on you a little bit.

23. If I start snoring one night, I give you full permission to throw a pillow at me, but I do not grant you permission to then tell all our friends that I’m a snorer.

24. When an RA unexpectedly shows up for a room inspection, I promise to share the blame for any empty beer cans she might find in our trashcan.

25. I promise to clean out the inside of the microwave after I attempt a microwave recipe (and probably fail).

26. I’ll do my best to keep my shower time to less than 15 minutes (but when I’m shaving my legs, I’ll probably need more like 20).

27. But, most of all, I promise to be as considerate, respectful and good-natured a roommate as I can be—except for when I’m on my period. During those days, I simply can’t be held accountable for my behavior.

Signed,

[your name]

What else would you and your roomies add to this list, collegiettes? Share your own roommate agreement additions in the comments below! 

So you met a total babe at a party. He’s got a cheeky grin, killer abs and the type of charm Chris Pratt possesses. Best of all? He’s been totally into you ever since you met at a recent frat party: You’ve gotten a fabulous “good morning” text, a bunch of adorable compliments and a few inquiries about the next hangout (makeout?) sesh. But did he just like your kissing skills, or does he want something more? Here’s how to tell he’s a keeper during the party and afterward.

At the party

He wants to know more about you

If he’s totally into himself (i.e., he’s playing beer pong with his frat bros and ignoring you), this dude may not be Mr. Right.

On the other hand, if he does display a real interest in hearing what you’re about, such as asking about your major, extracurriculars and other interests, this guy may be into you. After all, don’t you want to know all about a potential love interest?

He understands if you don’t want to sleep with him

Jerk alert: He pressures you to have sex with him. If you’re not ready, say “no” and hightail it out of there.

“I think the difference between a nice guy and a one-night stand is the nice guy will understand when you don't want to spend the night with him,” says Rachel*, a student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. “The one-night stand will say something like, ‘Aw c'mon, you know you wanna...’”

But if he’s completely understanding of your hesitation (and there’s absolutely no shame there, collegiettes), congrats! You’ve met someone with the type of qualities every guy should possess.

He makes sure you get home okay

The festivities died down, his frat bros are already sleeping on the living room floor with permanent marker drawn all over their faces and the place reeks of vodka and sweat. This is the moment that can clue you in that he’s a keeper: He offers to walk you home or ensures that you get home okay.

According to Jen*, a junior at the University of California, Los Angeles, this means he’s a nice guy. She met one of her boyfriends at a party and she knew he wasn’t looking for a one-night stand when he made sure she got home okay. It’s a strong indicator of a good guy who cares — especially because it’s never safe for a woman to walk home alone in the middle of the night!

Immediately after the party

He’s interested in going on a real date

If he’s not all, “Come back over to my house, baby [winky-face],” you may be on to something.

“[He may be nice if] he actually calls you the next day or shortly thereafter and invites you to go out on something that resembles a real date, like a movie,” says dating coach and speaker Sandra Fidelis.

He wants to take you out for brunch at your town diner. He asks you to see that latest rom-com with Daniel Radcliffe being all adorable (we’re already swooning). He wants to go for a walk around campus together. While he may just be trying to charm your pants off, he could actually be in it for the long haul.

Definitely give the date a go and try to catch his vibe. Is he laying on the charm so thick you know it’s fake? You can tell he’s a phony if he laughs way too loud, touches you a little too often and compliments you excessively. Or does he come off as genuine? He’s probably sincere if he listens to what you’re saying, asks follow-up questions and isn’t afraid to be a gentleman. If the latter is the case, he’s worth a second date.

He wants to meet your friends (and he wants you to meet his, too)

You’ve gone on that first date and he seemed like a good guy (so far). Now, he says he wants to meet the people you’re close with, and he wants to introduce you to his posse as well.

“[He may be nice if] he’s interested in meeting and hanging out with you and your friends and invites you to hang out with his as well,” Fidelis says.

It’s totally worth bringing your girls to meet him because they can give you their insights on this dude, too. Your friends have a way of knowing whether the guy you’re into is a bad egg or a catch.

And don’t be afraid to meet his friends, too! If he hangs around guys who seem kind of tool-ish, you’ve got reason to question him. But if he’s got some cool bros, then hey, things are looking up!

He offers to help you out when you need it

The dates have been stellar, your girl friends think he’s fantastic, his friends were nice and now you’re really falling for this frat boy. Bonus if he offers to help you in a time of need.

“[He may be nice if] he offers to help you with something, [like] getting your oil changed or helping you study for a subject he really likes,” Fidelis says. “If he’s really interested, he’ll want to show you that your connection goes beyond the frat house.”

Your car broke down a couple miles off of campus and you feel pretty screwed — until he offers to come rescue you (aww). You’re seriously struggling with your environmental science homework, so he suggests a study sesh in the library because he passed the class last semester. You need help carrying something heavy up to your dorm room, and he’s there waiting with strong arms. Another thumbs up — looks like this guy is doing everything to prove to you that you’re worth it to him.

It’s never easy to find a great guy in a world full of college boys who are just looking to get laid. As difficult as they are to find, though, good college guys do exist — and if you’ve experienced these things with your latest cutie, chances are you’ve got a real keeper on your hands.

*Names have been changed.

Sure, we may say that we have a bunch of best friends, but really, we all have that one friend who has been there for it all. At this point, getting rid of her would be a scary thought. Not just because you love her, but because she's seen you go through your awkward stage, which, let's face it, is enough to keep you friends forever. 

1. She laughs at all of your jokes.

You can always count on her to make you look like the comedic genius you know you are. 

2. Her parents treat you like a dysfunctional adopted child whom they aren't afraid to set straight.

Your best friend gets in trouble and you get in trouble for letting her get into trouble. 

3. Your arguments never last long, because neither of you can go very long without talking to the other. 

"Wait, what were we even fighting about?"

4. You've compared yourselves to famous BFFs, and you know exactly who is who.

Bonus points if you know which one of you is Cory and which is Shawn. 

5. You have a language of your own.

One side-eye is all it takes with you two. 

6. You know that those ugly Snapchats are a sign of affection. 

And you trust her to screenshot only the really funny ones. 

7. You're not afraid to steal food off of her plate.

Just make sure you leave a little bit for her. 

8. You've shared a bed more times than you can count. 

There is nothing like a good, old-fashioned sleepover. 

9. You Facebook stalk every person she talks about.

And you take each other's opinions very seriously. 

10. She tells you how it is.

You aren't afraid of talking about the things that bother you, because you both know that it will only make you closer. 

11. She hates the people you hate.

And even if she doesn't have any real reason to, she'll hate them on principle. 

12. She isn't afraid to poke fun at you, especially about that ninth-grade boyfriend who ended up a convicted felon... but you know that she does it because she loves you.

But if anyone else makes fun of you, it's on. Because...

13. She always has your back. 

Even when she knows you're wrong or overreacting. 

14. You might end up at different schools in different states with different people, but you know that the second you reunite, you'll fall right back into your routine of Nutella and Netflix. 

You both know your friendship is one that will stand the test of time. 

Here's to many more years of doing stupid things together and laughing about it as hard as you can!

You’ve researched countless destinations and programs, discussed the pros and cons, gotten parental and adviser approval and are finally all set to study abroad––woo-hoo! The only question left now is what you’ll do about that boyfriend who won’t exactly fit in your suitcase. We’ve got you covered with tips on how to decide whether or not you want to keep things going with your guy, as well as advice on how to make it work when you spend time abroad if you do decide to stay together.

Before You Go

Have the DTR talk early

Once you have your study abroad plans set, settle on a time to sit down with your boyfriend and talk about whether or not the two of you want to make a long distance-relationship work. Megan*, a senior from the College of William & Mary, recently spent a semester in Paris away from her boyfriend. “With the date of my study abroad departure looming, [my boyfriend and I] were both a little afraid to bring up the conversation of the future,” she says.

Fear aside, waiting until your last night together to figure out what the two of you will do when you’re abroad? Probably not the smartest move.

“We started talking about it as soon as we both realized we were both going to go abroad to different places,” says Brooke, a rising senior from Northeastern University who is getting ready to study abroad in Spain. “This was maybe five to six months before going abroad. It's important not to wait too long because it will just make things more difficult.”

Cover all the bases

Not sure what to talk about? Dr. D Ivan Young, a relationship coach, provides several suggestions for collegiettes getting ready to leave their boyfriends and study abroad. “You definitely need to have a discussion about ground rules,” he says. “Otherwise, don’t be surprised when someone does something that surprises you.” Bring up various changes and expectations you have concerning study abroad, and how you feel those will affect your relationship.

Discuss what’s going well that would make maintaining a relationship abroad worth the extra effort, as well as what could be challenging or worrisome during your time away from campus. If you’re already on solid ground, this may be an easy conversation.

“We both pretty much assumed we would be staying together and then we briefly talked about it to make sure we were on the same page,” Brooke explains. “The only factor we really weighed was whether or not we saw ourselves together after we went abroad. The answer for both of us was yes.”

How much or how little you’re willing to keep in touch with each other could make the decision on whether or not you want to stay together (or stay exclusive) easier as well. “You also have to be thinking about what you want from your trip, regardless of what you want from your relationship,” says Elizabeth, a recent graduate of the College of William & Mary who has left boyfriends back home during several trips abroad. “If you plan to immerse yourself in this new place and be constantly on the move, it might not be fair to ask someone to stay in a relationship with you, unless you really are going to commit to writing/emailing/texting/Skyping on a regular basis.”

Regardless of how easy or difficult the conversation will be, it’s an important one to have. Be open and honest to make sure the final decision you and your boyfriend reach is one that’s truly right for you and your relationship. Be sure the decision reflects what’s realistic for the both of you; being honest from the start could pay off majorly in the end.

“Of all my friends or the couples I know who went through a semester abroad this past spring, we were the only ones that made it to the end, and I think it had a lot to do with that understanding from the beginning,” Megan says.

Be clear: are you broken up, on a break or in a committed relationship?

As dedicated as you are to your boyfriend, a semester or year abroad is a long time (and let’s face it––those foreign guys and their accents are just so adorable). Circumstances change, making a break from the relationship appealing for some couples. “I was going away for a year, and we didn't want to hold each other back from experiencing anything––myself in Europe, him in college,” says Jill*, a junior at Skidmore College who recently studied abroad in Paris and decided to take the time away from her boyfriend to reassess their relationship.

If cracks are starting to show when discussing your expectations or you’re having a hard time agreeing on relationship terms, a break might be best. It's not wise to commit to a full-blown long-distance relationship unless you feel you're already a strong couple and you're willing to devote considerable time and attention to keeping up that communication.

“I broke up with someone before spending an entire semester abroad because I wasn't willing to do the work to maintain that relationship for such an extended period of time,” Elizabeth says. “Interestingly, that moment before I left ended up being the perfect time to really do an evaluation of the relationship–I realized I wasn't getting what I wanted anyway, and it became an opportunity to make a clean break.”

That being said, a relationship abroad can definitely work out for the better as well despite the distance. “After a few weeks, it was clear to both of us that we didn't want to be with other people, but giving ourselves space to figure that out was probably why it worked,” Jill says. Be sure to discuss your expectations for your relationship – whether you can see other people or not, the reasons for making whatever decision you come to, how open you’ll be with one another while abroad, how often you’ll communicate and with what means – and make sure you come to an agreement to make the most of your long-distance time together.

While You’re Abroad

Stay accountable to the ground rules you decide on

Be sure both of you know why you’re together and what the expectations associated with staying together are. The two of you should be committed to staying together for similar reasons, and should both be comfortable with the justifications for your decision. If one of you really wants to try and make it work while the other one isn’t too into it, problems might not be too far down the road.

“We're willing to go through a period of separation in the interest of our ‘end goal,’” says Alicia, a senior at Penn State who’s studying abroad in Spain. “We're willing to be apart for a while so we can be together in the long run… We trust each other, are honest and are willing to deal with a little distance so that eventually we can be together again afterwards.”

Trust is key in making a long-distance overseas relationship work. Dr. Young says that with young adults in particular, it’s hard to go for more than six weeks without being tempted to cheat. To avoid tears and heartbreak down the road, be absolutely 100 percent sure the both of you fully trust one another to ensure your relationship remains strong.

“Naturally there's a part of me that's scared he's going to find a tall, blonde beer wench with pigtail braids, but that's the part of me I work hard to ignore because I know I can trust him,” says Alicia. “If I didn't trust him so much, there's no way I'd be comfortable being abroad in separate places.”

Strike a balance between exploring and keeping in touch

As important as trust is when it comes to making a relationship work despite distance, it’s also important that both of you allow time to explore your new home away from home and experience new things.

“Since we'll both be abroad in different places, we realize the importance of making new friends for each of us,” says Brooke. “Additionally, we realize going abroad is pretty much a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and we both want to enjoy it to the fullest extent.”

Regardless of your relationship status, don’t spend all your time keeping in contact with your BF. “The number one thing to avoid: Skyping him 24/7!” says Jill. “One girl on my program barely left her homestay because she would Skype her boyfriend every night, and when they broke up near the end of the semester, she was really upset that she hadn't spent more time experiencing the city and getting to know people.”

Deciding how much you’ll communicate with one another (whether it’s Skype, email, or whatever else you can think of using!) will have to be a decision the two of you make based on how much you’re used to talking and how much time both of your schedules will allow. This is especially true if you have to factor in a significant time difference. Moral of the story? If you’ve decided to make a relationship work in some shape or form, agree on a couple shared goals for how much the two of you stay in touch with each other. However, “be sure to send little reminders you exist so it won’t be out of sight, out of mind,” says Dr. Young.

Consider visiting each other

For collegiettes absolutely determined to make a relationship work, Dr. Young encourages couples to do everything possible to make at least one in-person visit while abroad. He describes the experience of sharing your time abroad with a BF as a “very romantic adventure” that can help develop a “sense of excitement” in the relationship through experiencing new sights, sounds and activities together as a couple.

When You Come Back Home

Recognize that studying abroad changes you

Studying abroad is a life-changing experience that will no doubt affect you and your relationship in ways you won’t be able to predict before you depart. “Don’t expect [the person abroad] to come back the same, because they won’t be,” Dr. Young says. “For most people, enlightenment as a result of studying abroad changes them. You’re coming back with new appreciations in play.”

Jill suggests reuniting with your boyfriend (or ex, depending on what happened during time abroad) regardless of where your relationship stands. “It might be good to decide that you'll meet up once you're home again no matter what--whether you've stayed close or drifted apart,” she says. “That way, even if it seems like things are headed south, you have a chance to remind yourselves what was so worth waiting for in the first place and then decide if you still want to work at it.”

Once you touch down back home, have another honest conversation with your partner and reassess where your relationship stands and what you mean to one another. Be open to the fact that both of you may have changed after being abroad.

Obviously there’s no easy answer on how to navigate relationships when you are abroad. Be genuine, sincere and caring, and you’ll no doubt reach a smart, (hopefully) satisfactory decision about what to do about your relationship that will allow for an amazing adventure abroad, regardless of what you and your boyfriend decide!

*Names have been changed.

Oh, the havoc I would wreak on the world if I one day had the opportunity to grace a room wearing a Lela Rose gown. I imagine a ballroom filled with tuxedoed gentlemen turning their heads and gaping at me in wonderment, asking themselves, have we really just been blessed by the presence of such an elegantly adorned creature? I would turn toward them and smile serenely, as if to say, "Why yes, gentlemen. Indeed you have."

I have this feeling every time I see a Lela Rose show, and somehow the ensembles get better and better each time. For the Spring/Summer 2015 season, Rose was inspired by traditional Japanese kimonos, seeking to modernize and rethink the garment through geometric prints, cut-outs, and bright colors. Rose also used whites and beiges throughout the collection, and a silken ivory ball-length shirtdress was one piece in particular that had me drooling. I also thought I was going to lose my brain when a geometric beaded gown wound its way down the runway, its dark beads laid on top of a shimmering light nude tone. I think I openly gaped at its beauty. As I've likely written before about Rose, not only is her taste level impeccable and remarkably high, but she is so thoughtful in her details. For example, one white cocktail dress was printed with neon yellow flowers, only to have the lining of the dress printed in that same neon yellow, visible only when the model swished past during the show. Details like these, to me, are little gifts Rose gives us, further bursts of fabulous dotting an already outstanding collection.

Complimenting the ensembles in Rose's collection were makeup by Tina Turnbow for Beauty.com using Kevyn Aucoin cosmetics, hair by Esther Langham for Beauty.com using Alterna Haircare and T3 Tools, and nails by Butter London for Beauty.com. Turnbow used a navy winged eyeliner complemented by a soft peach lip, while Langham turned to a blown-out ponytail with hair drawn across the forehead in an artful swoop and tied at the nape of the neck.

Take a look at some of my favorite pieces in the collection here and see some pictures below, all by moi, or view the collection in full here at New York magazine's The Cut.

Prince George of Cambridge is a lot of things. He’s a jet-setting toddler, a trendsetter (he made striped overalls fashionable), a beacon of sassiness and don’t forget, an animal lover. But one thing he isn’t is a big brother…at least, not yet! YES, you heard right: William and Kate are expecting a second child, according to the official Twitter of the British Monarchy.

Congratulations, Prince George – you're going to be a big brother! http://t.co/luRvw0GXjgpic.twitter.com/6OQUEsFRz9

— People magazine (@peoplemag) September 8, 2014

The baby, who still won’t be born for a number of months, has already become more famous than your average collegiette will ever be. The Associated Press reports that he or she will become fourth in line to the throne, thereby eclipsing Prince Harry!

As the world erupts in excitement on social media over the good news, I have only one thing on my mind: what amazing clothing will the Duchess wear over the next few months?! To get a sense of how stylish her maternity wear will be, take a look back at her outfits from her pregnancy with George. From the Cinderella-esque dress she wore to a charity event, to this amazing mint Mulberry coat she wore to a parade, Kate completely killed it, and we're sure she will again this time around (Seriously though, she makes being pregnant look like a cake walk…).

RT @allthingsregal: It's a pale blue Emilia Wickstead dress for the Duchess of Cambridge tonight RT @RE_DailyMailpic.twitter.com/X2hG3SjhdL

— Kate Middleton Style (@KateMiddStyle) April 24, 2013

Another question on all of our minds: will baby George be getting a brother or a sister? Of course, it’s too soon to tell, but our fingers are crossed for a girl this time! Who wouldn’t want to see a Kate Middleton mini-me? One thing is for sure: little George will definitely have some competition, in terms of cuteness! 

Big congrats, William and Kate! Now here’s to the long and anticipation-filled wait we commoners have to endure before the Lion King-like baby reveal.

In a world with a drastic shortage of queer female characters on TV, we viewers are left to fantasize about all of the couples that should but never will be. From Quinn and Rachel to Rizzoli and Isles, some of the best couples are the ones that never actually happened—which is a shame considering they often have more sexual chemistry than most straight couples on TV! Here’s our list of our favorite female “couples” with great unresolved sexual tension who would have the best relationships if given the chance.

1.  Quinn and Rachel (Glee)

Bitter rivals almost always make the best of couples. Quinn was the mean-spirited head cheerleader, and Rachel was the melodramatic diva-in-training. But behind the catfighting and name-calling, there was some serious sexual tension. Quinn’s feelings for Rachel seemed to extend beyond just simple jealousy, such as when she drew a mean picture of Rachel that for some reason had hearts all over it. Eventually their animosity grew into friendship, with Rachel saying at prom that her greatest high school accomplishment was becoming close with Quinn. It’s just a shame that we’ll never get to see this fabulously fierce and talented duo become a couple. Faberry forever!

2. Princess Bubblegum and Marceline (Adventure Time)

In early August, Adventure Time viewers rejoiced when Olivia Olson, the voice of Marceline, announced that Princess Bubblegum and Marceline were at one point a couple. While this has yet to be officially confirmed, there is no denying the chemistry between the two. What makes them so great? Princess Bubblegum is the cheery ruler of the Candy Kingdom, and Marceline is the Vampire Queen with no moral code. Despite their differences, Marceline and Princess Bubblegum make the greatest of friends—and alleged exes. And let’s not forget the time Marceline gave Princess Bubblegum a shirt as a gift, which Princess Bubblegum wore to bed and later SNIFFED! If that’s not true love, then we’re not sure what is.

3. Buffy and Faith (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

Buffy and Faith are yin and yang, two girls with incredible gifts who complete each other in ways that no man could ever think of doing. You may have guessed that this whole “opposites attract” thing is at the center of all our shipping fantasies… but we can’t help that it gives us so much shipping fodder! Buffy is a wisecracking blonde beauty who believes in kicking butt and doing what’s right. Faith, the other slayer, is a sexually charged, emotionally damaged fighter who does what’s in her own best interest.

Together, these two make an unbeatable team—that is, if they can put aside their personal differences and stop trying to kill each other for a second. Buffy and Faith also have undeniable sexual chemistry, as evident from the time the two switched bodies and had a field day exploring their swapped bodies. The two may act like they hate each other, but it’s clear that they envy each other in ways that go beyond just their demon-fighting abilities.

4. Max and Caroline (2 Broke Girls)

Max is a working-class girl with a less-than-ideal home life, and Caroline is a former rich girl struggling to acclimate to the 99-percent lifestyle. They shouldn’t be best friends, but they totally are! And let’s not forget the subtle sexual tension between the two. From sleeping in bed together to making sex jokes that would make even Hugh Hefner blush, these two are the couple that never were but totally should be!

5. Karma and Amy (Faking It)

At Karma and Amy’s high school, being different makes you popular. So these girls do what anyone desperate to be popular would do: “fake” being lesbians. However, their relationship is so much more than their fake coupling; these two care about each other immensely and are always there for each other. In fact, Amy even develops feelings for Karma as their charade progresses, which goes to show that maybe the two could be more than platonic soul mates. With season two set to premiere September 23, we’ll just have to wait and see whether or not these two explore their feelings and consider a relationship that goes beyond their publicity stunt.

6. Cristina and Meredith (Grey’s Anatomy)

If you’ve ever watched Grey’s Anatomy, you know that Cristina and Meredith have a relationship that extends far beyond a standard friendship. They’re basically soul mates—in fact, they refer to each other as “my person,” a title that usually goes to romantic partners. They understand each other when no one else can, sleep in the same bed and know how to comfort each other in ways no man ever could. They’re well-rounded women who fully accept each other, and we’ll miss Cristina tremendously!

7. Rizzoli and Isles (Rizzoli & Isles)

Jane Rizzoli is a homicide detective. Maura Isles is a chief medical examiner. Together, they make a great team and one hot couple with incredible chemistry. In fact, Rizzoli and Isles may be the gayest non-gay couple out there! From spending all of their free time “just talking” in bed to the longing stares and nonstop flirting, Rizzoli and Isles are clearly hot for each other. All hail Rizzles!

With great lesbian relationships on TV, like Paige and Emily on Pretty Little Liars, we’re hopeful that television shows will continue to make LGBTQ+ inclusion a priority. But as much as we may want to see true LGBTQ+ relationships represented on TV, we’ll always have a special place in our hearts for these fantastic women with terrific chemistry who may never get together.

Say what you will, but getting a new roommate is always nerve-wracking. As your move-in date gets closer and closer (and arrives), you start asking yourself a million questions: Will your roomie’s mess penetrate your personal space bubble? Are you going to be sexiled every weekend? Will your roommate be able to tolerate your less-than-normal sleeping habits? Most importantly, will the two of you become friends, or will the room be plagued with a perpetual awkward silence? Unless you’re a lone wolf, you’ll definitely prefer the former. Easier said than done, right? Not necessarily. With our fun ways to bond with your new roomie, the two of you may become as close as Monica and Rachel.

1. Volunteer together

After years of volunteering to beef up your college application, you made a riveting discovery: community service is fun. Honestly, is there anything better than helping out others? Not only will you get to bond with your roommate, but the two of you will also be giving back to your college community. Most universities have loads of community service opportunities, so check out your school’s calendar online! If your school doesn’t have a lot of options, be sure to look for activities in your college town. From cleaning up parks to helping at local homeless shelters, you and your roomie will have a slew of community service projects to choose from!

2. Start watching a new TV show together

As you probably know by now, college girls take their television shows very seriously. That hour (or 30 minutes) of lust, scandal, drama, and laughs is the perfect way to unwind after a rough day. With an array of new shows to choose from—not to mention the great gift of Netflix—starting a new TV show-watching tradition is a fun way to get to know your roommate. Between Modern Family’s hysterical one-liners and the gorgeous guys on Pretty Little Liars, the two of you will have plenty to talk about! Even if you don’t have a television in your room, the two of you can watch the drama of Revenge play out on your computer. If you and your roomie have a few shows in common, have a viewing party each week—just don’t forget to get popcorn!

3. Create a bucket list for the year

Maybe you haven’t written an actual bucket list, but we both know that you have a plethora of things you want to accomplish this year. Sharing your mental bucket list with your roomie is a great way to break the ice. The two of you can write down your top 10 goals for the school year and post them on your fridge or door. For optimal bonding, make sure to support each other! If she wants to get with that lax bro from your floor, it’s time to become the best wing-woman ever. Don’t worry; she’ll accompany you on your quest to find the best frozen yogurt in your college’s town!

4. Decorate your dorm room together

It’s time to get creative! Catherine Sourbis from Tufts University made sure that she and her roommate added some necessary eye candy to their room. “We made a little project out of cutting out our favorite boys from a spare Brooks Brothers magazine,” says Catherine. “Two years later, those guys still hang on the wall in the apartment we share.” In the event hot male models aren’t your thing, adorn your room with fun decorations for each holiday. Paper ships for Columbus Day, anyone?

5. Acknowledge your mutual love for food

Deny it all you want, but you love talking about food. Breakfast, brunch, lunch, midday snacks, dinner, dessert, midnight snacks – you love it all! So why not break the ice with food? Sure, randomly talking about your favorite dishes may be a little awkward, so suggest that the two of you go grocery shopping. “If you’re in a dorm, shop at the student market,” says Jessica Salerno from Ohio University. You’ll stock up your fridge and learn whether your roomie likes red pepper hummus or not. Sounds like a win-win situation to us! Bonding over food doesn’t stop there, collegiettes – you can always keep it simple and have an epic meal at your dining hall. “Some of my favorite memories of my roommate last year were when we went to our school’s midnight breakfast together before finals in the winter and in the spring,” says Sydney Nolan from Macalester College. “We had a great time talking and recharging for finals over huge plates of hash browns.” If your school doesn’t have midnight breakfasts, head to the dining hall and dare each other to try those sketchy corndogs. Let’s be honest; you’ve always wanted to eat a corndog.

6. Take an exercise class together

Okay, all this talk about food is making you want to work out. Crazy, huh? Instead of hitting the gym alone, ask your roommate if she wants to sign up for an exercise class with you. Some colleges even offer gym classes for credit and, since you won’t have to worry about a water aerobics midterm, you’ll be killing two birds with one athletic stone. Having a mandatory class each week will allow you and your roomie to hang outside of your dorm every week. After hours of modern dance class, how could you not connect over that challenging combination or how the only boy in your class is actually an amazing dancer? From yoga to self-defense, check out your gym’s schedule to pick out the class that’s best for the two of you!

7. Explore!

You can ask as many icebreaker questions as you want; however, you won’t truly bond with your roommate until you leave the dorm and share a new experience. Whether you go to your school’s homecoming game together or voyage out to the nearest mall, the two of you will bond over the ah-dorable linebacker or that questionable lingerie store. Or embrace your college town’s history and take a trip to local landmarks! Unfortunately, one awesome expedition won’t make you best friends, so make sure you keep thinking of fun activities for the two of you to do together.

8. Pamper yourselves

Between the endless term papers and maintaining your rocking social life (woe is you), college can be very stressful. Sometimes, after a long day of classes, you just want someone to paint your nails and give you a nice back massage at the drying station – we don’t blame you! Going by yourself may give you that healthy dose of “me time,” but why not bring your roomie along? After all, most girls love talking about beauty products. If your first mani-pedi excursion is a success, make it a monthly tradition!

9. Burn CDs with your favorite songs

Unless you’re a music major or in a band, you may not sit around with your friends and talk about music that often—I just realized one of my closest friends and I love the same bands! It’s a shame because music is such an awesome way to bond. Instead of making awkward small talk about what musical genres you listen to, make each other playlists with your favorite songs. Whether you make a Spotify playlist or kick it old school and burn a CD, it’s always cool to hear new tunes. If the two of you love the same bands, make sure to take a road trip the next time one of your favorites is playing near your school. But what if you and your roomie don’t like the same music? Is it the end of the world? Absolutely not! The next time you hear a song that fits your roomie’s taste, send it her way. Trust us; she’ll love how considerate you are!

10. Play The Newlywed Game (roommate edition)

Remember when Monica and Rachel competed against Joey and Chandler in a not-so-friendly game of friendship trivia (don’t lie; you know you adore all these Friends references)? Give this idea a collegiette twist by going head-to-head with your neighbors to see who knows their roommate better. Not only will you receive a crash course in your roomie’s life, you can’t resist some healthy competition. To make this game interesting, set a wager! Free coffee for a week? You and your roommate can continue to bond over lattes once you win!

Though we can’t guarantee that you and your roomie will be a modern-day version of L.C. and Lo—because that was so long ago—we will tell you one thing: chances are your roommate wants to get to know you just as much as you want to get to know her. Even if the two of you don’t reach BFF status, you’ll feel a million times better once you’ve established a healthy roomie relationship.

It’s the weekend, you’re at a party, the cute guy from across the room catches your eye and before you know it, you two are engrossed in a flirtatious conversation full of eyelash-batting and hair-twirling. At this point in our college careers, flirting should almost be second nature to us, yet we STILL get totally nervous whenever the cute guy invites us out onto the dance floor.

Chances are if you’ve ever flirted with a cutie from a party (which you totally have, don’t lie) you’ve probably had at least one of these embarrassing thoughts!

1. Wow, that guy’s really cute. Is he looking at me? I can’t tell if he’s looking at me. Oh no, he caught me staring. How long was I staring at him? Act casual. ACT. CASUAL.

2. Oh my God, he’s coming this way. Is he coming towards me? What am I going to say? I DON’T EVEN REMEMBER MY OWN NAME RIGHT NOW!

3. Oh, he said something kind of funny. I should laugh. Am I laughing too much? Does my laugh sound cute, or do I sound like a dying hyena?

4. He asked if he could buy me a drink. Do I stick with my signature vodka-cran, or do I ask for a beer to look tough?

5. Why does he keep staring at my mouth? Is he going to kiss me, or do I just have something stuck in my teeth?

6. Wait… am I wearing cute underwear right now? Yes, I definitely am. Good. WAIT, did I shave my legs last night?! No, I definitely did not. Not good.

7. Did I really just say that? Why am I acting like this is the first time I’ve ever interacted with a member of the opposite sex?

8. Maybe I should throw in a sexy wink or something… nope. That was terrible. That was a terrible idea. He probably just thinks I have some sort of weird twitch now. Great.

9. I literally can’t stop playing with my hair. What is wrong with me?

10. Oh no… awkward silence. Say something to keep the conversation going. Anything. Don’t just stand there! SAY. SOMETHING.

11. He just touched my arm. He totally wants me.

12. Can we just make out already?!

13. Ahh, all of my friends are leaving! Do I leave with them or keep talking to this cute guy? Who am I kidding – I’m definitely staying.

14.  He wants to dance? How’s he going to feel when he realizes that my dance moves are less “Beyoncé at the VMAs” and more “Taylor Swift dancing in the audience at the VMAs”?

15. YES, he asked for my number! Success!

So maybe we have no idea what we’re doing, but that won’t stop us from flirting with every hottie who comes our way! For now we’ll just pray that we can Taylor-Swift-dance our way through any flirtatious situation – vodka-cran in hand, of course. 

As college students, we're asked the same questions so often that the answers become almost routine. Whether we're visiting relatives, starting a new job or getting readjusted to campus life when fall semester starts, we're bound to be asked these same annoying questions. Every time college students are asked any of these seemingly basic questions, it causes us to reevaluate our life decisions and probably have a small breakdown as we're reminded that we have absolutely no idea what we're doing. Although we college students don’t have it all figured out yet, we're pretty certain about one thing: These questions must be stopped.

1. "What’s your major?"

We were asked this question before starting college, we're asked it a million times during college and we will be asked it after we leave college. We are tired of answering it. And we might not even know the answer, reminding us that we’re spending lots of money to learn about subjects that might not even matter to us in the future. Asking about our majors is like asking, “What career field have you chosen to fund the next 50 years of your life and your children’s lives?” Save us the stress.

2. "What are you planning to do with that degree?"

Most of us chose our majors because we're passionate about that subject and we're hoping to get a job within that field. Self-explanatory. You can skip this question. 

3. "What are your plans for after graduation?"

Before asking a college student this question, think: What are the likely answers? A) Get a job or B) go back to school. There are of course many other answers, such C) travel or D) move to a new city or E) move back in with your parents. But no one wants to talk about the price of travel or the embarrassment of living with your parents because you couldn’t get a job in the field you paid thousands of dollars to study. Let’s just assume the answer is A or B and forget this question.

4. "Aren’t you worried about finding a job?"

Yes. Yes, we are. Next.

5. "How are you planning to pay for school?"

Talking about money is always an awkward topic, and it’s even worse for college students beginning their independent lives with debt reaching five or six figures. This horrible question either reminds college students that they'll be broke for a long time or creates an status of superiority for whomever is better off financially.

6. "How was your break?"

Returning from a holiday break and running into old friends on campus can be really fun, but does anyone really care about the hours we spent binge watching Netflix and eating pasta? No! My break was probably fine; Your break was probably fine. But they’re both over. Skip this question.

7. "Where are you living?"

Like the boroughs of New York City, there is a reputation that comes with each territory of college campuses. Whether you're in the dorms or in an apartment, telling someone where you live gives him or her more information than just an address—it allows people to assume your budget, your lifestyle and your aesthetic. By simply telling someone the name of a building, he or she has probably crafted an idea of you in his or her mind, when in reality, you just picked your apartment building because it was close enough to campus for you to take naps in between classes.

8. "Do you like living in the dorms?"

Dorm life is pretty similar for most people, so this question doesn’t really need to be asked. The food isn’t amazing, random roommates are hit or miss and communal bathrooms are never fun. The answer will just be along the lines of, “I had a fun time, but I’m glad it’s over (or soon to be over).”

9. "Do you get along with your roommate?"

If the answer to this question is yes, it’s probably fine. But most roommates don't have flawless relationships, and it becomes awkward to answer this question because you have to explain why you don't get along. This just turns into bashing on every thing your roommate has ever done wrong, getting on a personal level really fast. No one wants to get into that. Just don’t ask this question.

10. "How often do you study?"

No matter how often we study, having to answer this question only makes college students think of all the studying we should be doing at that moment but aren’t. Don't remind us!

11. "Do you go out a lot?"

We don't like to answer this question because we'll either be seen as a Goody Two-shoes or a party animal. Once we answer this question, a reputation begins to form. We all like to have fun. Some people do this in different ways than others. We only get a few years to live the college lifestyle, and we don't want to be judged for it. Next question!

12. "So, what do you do in your free time?"

This question is the worst. If you choose to be honest, people will know you spend your free time watching Gossip Girl reruns, eating too much dining-hall ice cream and trying to find cute Tinder matches. For most of us, there’s simply no way to make our lives sound exciting when any free time we have is spent scrolling for hours on Tumblr.

You're probably wondering what questions are even left to ask college students now that the basic ones are off-limits. Well, here’s one to start you off: “Wanna go to Chipotle?” Works every time.

You’re a few weeks into your freshman year of college and a certain campus cutie has caught your eye in class. But you’ve never had a college relationship, and you know it’s so different than high school. There isn’t a Sadie Hawkins dance for you to make your move, and you don’t spend a full school day in the same building with him five days a week. So, how do you start a relationship in college? How do couples make it work? What should you expect? Read on to learn how college relationships are different than high school ones.

You’ll have more to learn about each other

College is different than high school in that the people you meet won’t know a lot about your past. You probably haven’t met your new boyfriend’s parents yet and you have no idea who his friends are from home. “It was really hard for me to accept that my boyfriend had ‘another life’ at home,” says Emily from Indiana University. “I wanted to be a part of it, and eventually I was, but it was a struggle at first to hear about all these people and things I had no idea about.”

You can have sleepovers together

For most girls in high school, it probably would have been impossible to have a sleepover with her boyfriend. Now that you’re in college, you can have a sleepover with your guy as many nights as you want! There aren’t any parents around to say no and no one is checking in on you at night. “My boyfriend and I have sleepovers a few times a week,” says Jill from University of Denver. “It’s not a big deal in college, and I love being able to see him at the end of my day.”

You might have roommate tension

No matter how much your roommate likes your boyfriend, she probably doesn’t like him as much as you do (let’s hope!). The fact is, she might get annoyed if he’s over every day and night, and that’s something you have to consider. In high school, there was no one else around when your boyfriend came over. Now, remember to check with your roommate before you have your boyfriend over for an extended period of time.

You’ll have to prioritize

Like in high school, you’ll have to find a balance of spending time with your boyfriend, your friends, in outside activities, and on your schoolwork. Your friends will want to spend time with you just as much as your boyfriend does so you’ll have to find the time. School will be a demand, too – college is all about balance.

You’ll have more freedom

You make your own schedule in college, and choosing how to spend your time is completely up to you. If you want to ditch a class to spend time with your boyfriend, you probably won’t have to answer to anyone about it. If you decide to stay in one night and cuddle with your guy, that’s okay. College is all about freedom – you can spend as little or as much time with your man. “My mom used to nag me whenever I would spend a few consecutive days in a row with my high school boyfriend,” says Katrina from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. “It was so annoying. Now I can do whatever I want – no one is monitoring my time!”

You might have to do your relationship long-distance

Most likely, your new boyfriend isn’t from your hometown so during school breaks and summers you’ll have to be long-distance. The two most challenging periods will be winter and summer breaks since they’re the longest. “I hate the time apart from my boyfriend during breaks,” says Rachel from the University of Missouri. “We always plan trips to see each other at least once to make the time apart more manageable.”

You’ll have to compromise

In high school, you probably had to take turns paying for dates or switch off visiting each other’s houses. And it’s the same in college – all relationships take compromise. “Me and my boyfriend try to take turns hanging out with each other’s friends since we don’t have the same friend group at school,” says Liz from the University of Missouri. “It takes some getting used to but it’s good to be there for each other.”

In order to maximize your college relationship experience, here are a few tips and tricks:

• Be open to new experiences: there are plenty of chances to try new things and put yourself out there in college. It’ll be a great way to meet guys or bond with your new boyfriend.
• Keep reminders of the past: have photos handy and memories to share with your new boyfriend so he can feel connected to who you were before college
• Stay grounded: don’t let your new relationship rule your college experience. Try to make new friends and get your GPA up as high as possible.
• Keep separate identities: There are plenty of chances in college for the two of you to spend time alone, but don’t always take them. Hang out with friends and do things separately – you’ll be closer for it in the end!
• Make your own memories together: Do fun things that you can only do in college like tailgate all day before a huge home football game, spend an entire night together studying in the library, or play hooky from class (as long as they don’t take attendance and you can get the notes from someone later!) so that you can sleep in.

Every relationship you’ll ever have will be different than the one you had before it, regardless of whether it was in high school or in college. What you have to remember is that despite the differences, there are a few things that are important in every relationship, like trust, commitment, honesty, and compatibility. Find someone in college who shares your same values, and you won’t ever have to make a big change from high school to college. Grow and learn together – but most of all, remember to have fun, collegiettes!

*Some names have been changed.