By now you’re probably overwhelmed by all the advice from people who know you’re headed off to your first year of college: Make lots of friends, study hard, don’t party every weekend…

Lucky for you, we’ve got it all written down with some personal input from real collegiettes to help guide you through your first week of college! The first week is a tough transitional period that can be endlessly fun but also overwhelming, so this is the time to put all that advice into practice.

DO keep your door open

This is an oldie but goodie when it comes to making friends during the first week or two at a new school: Now that you’re living dorm-style, it’s up to you who comes in and out of your room. An open door or a welcoming sign is a friendly invitation for your neighbors (and possible future friends) to step inside.

“I met one of my best friends during the first few days of college because she had a sign on her door saying they had cookies to share,” says Alex Watson, a junior at New York University. “My roommates and I lived on the same floor and decided to indulge in cookies one day and ended up gaining a few friends, too!”

Whenever you and your roomie are having some downtime and are hanging around the room, open the door and see if any future friends wander in!

DON’T buy your textbooks early

No, this doesn’t mean you won’t be doing any studying. Buying school supplies for college is a bit different than it was in high school. Unfortunately, one big difference is the cost. Textbooks can cost up to hundreds of dollars each semester, depending on your school and courses.

However, there are ways to avoid the worst of the bills! Some professors don’t even use the textbooks that are on the bookstore’s list, so we recommend waiting until the first day of class before making any purchases. That way you won’t shell out your savings on anything you don’t truly need.

Ivy Stafford, a junior at Keene State College, says, “I originally bought my textbooks too soon and almost always ended up not needing them, which could get pretty annoying.”  If you’re too nervous about showing up empty-handed, shoot the professor an email beforehand asking for his or her suggestions.

Once you have a final list of books, see if you can rent them, buy them used or even find them at a cheaper bookstore in the area. There are tons of deals online for students, so check out the six best sites for cheap textbooks.

DO try new things

It’s important to head into this new chapter of your life with an open mind. If you want to get involved and meet new people, you’ll have to try your hand at a few new things! Don’t hesitate to join extracurricular groups you may not have considered, try out for a team sport or approach a group of students at the dining hall. Check out your school’s a cappella groups, look into an art class or try your hand at a group fitness class. Many schools offer job fairs and/or club fairs that allow you to see all your options at once, gather some info and sign up on the spot. Now’s the time to try new things, so take advantage of it!

Kendall Donohoe, a third-year student at Northeastern University, says that the first week of school is a great time to branch out and meet new people. “During the first week of school, everyone is trying to make new friends and will be especially friendly, so try hanging out with different groups of people, not just your roommate or someone you knew before coming to campus,” she says.

DON’T overschedule yourself

That being said, you should limit yourself to some extent. We do encourage you to try new things, but there’s a line that can easily be crossed when you’re given more freedom than you’ve normally had. New students can often get overwhelmed by the array of options they receive when they come to campus, what with all the events, fairs, info sessions and new people. While it is important to go into the first week with an open mind and an eagerness to get involved, make sure you don’t get carried away with your obligations. Make sure you’re not messing up your regular sleeping or eating patterns, or you may be stuck in an unhealthy lifestyle for the rest of the semester.

DO make a roommate contract

If you want to avoid any potential conflict with your roomies, we recommend the classic roommate contract. It may feel a little awkward to sit down and have a serious conversation about living standards with someone you’ve never talked to in person before, but trust us: It’ll be worth it! This way you’ll know what to expect from your roommate and what she will be expecting from you.

Ivy says she’s definitely benefitted from roommate contracts she’s made in the past couple of years. “It’s a good way to at least figure out what your roommate's schedule will be and how you can handle chores or whatever and just get to know each other's quirks a little better,” she says. “It doesn't need to be formal, but just set some boundaries (like the classic sock on the door), and it will make everything about your first year so much easier.”

Have a chat with your new roomie about cleaning, visitors and what’s generally allowed in your room so you can start the year off on the right note.

DON’T get a boyfriend or girlfriend right away

While it may be hard to resist the new dating pool that college will present you with, we recommend holding back in the boyfriend/girlfriend department. While it’s always fun to flirt around and test the waters with new crushes, you want to be careful about making a big commitment in your first week at school. Nothing’s wrong with spending time with someone you’re interested in, but you’ll want to commit your time to other things, like class, friends and studying! If you’re devoting most of your time to your SO, you’ll risk falling behind in class and missing out on building lasting friendships, and you’ll perhaps end up having had a not-so-fulfilling first semester at college.

Alex says she regrets throwing herself into a relationship during her first semester at school. “My freshman-year boyfriend was a great guy, but I wish I had waited another semester or two before I committed to [a] relationship with him,” she says. “In retrospect, it definitely held me back from other freshman-year activities, because I was more focused on spending time with him.”

While campus cuties can be a definite step up from those high-school sweethearts, it’s not always the best decision to commit yourself to one person while you’re still in a transitional period of your life. Hold off on starting up that first-semester romance until you’re fully settled in to school!

DO go to class

This might seem like a no-brainer, but you’ll be surprised at how many no-shows there are on your first day of class! With the first few overwhelming days of moving in and meeting friends behind you, you might feel tired and less motivated to attend your classes. Once you get used to having more freedom, it can be tough to resist sleeping in and easy to forget to set an alarm or to get lost on the way to your lecture. We’re telling you to push past your unmotivated thoughts, plan ahead and get to class!

While all of your class periods are important to attend, the ones that fall during those first few days might just be the most important. During the first few class periods, your professors are likely to go over the syllabus, assign textbooks and get a feel for the class roster. And if you’re not marked as present on the roster, he or she might just consider cutting you from the class! Those first few days are your best chance to make a good impression, and you certainly don’t want to start off on the wrong foot.

College will be a fulfilling time in your life, so you should start on a strong note. Follow these dos and don’ts for a smooth first week of school!

For many colleges, the beginning of fall semester means the start of football season! With tailgates, the game itself and the celebratory parties afterward, college football season is not only one of the most exciting times of the year, but also a prime time for collegiettes to bring their fashion A game and show off their killer style. Whether your style is sporty, flirty or classic, or you’re dealing with hot or cold weather, with these outfit ideas, you can root for your team and look amazing doing it.

1. If you want to show your school colors 

While the weather is still warm at the beginning of the semester, you can still get a few more uses out of your favorite summer staples. A neutral-colored crop top, denim shorts and sneakers mean you can rock your school spirit with a cardigan or accessories. Wearing a cardigan in one of your school colors is an easy way to show which team you’re rooting for while also staying warm on those cool fall nights.

2. If you want to show your girly side

There’s no better way to pair sporty and chic than by wearing your team’s jersey with a cute, flouncy skirt in one of your school colors. A skater skirt creates a fun and flirty contrast with the athletic jersey, and after you add some heeled booties, you’ll be the most fashionable one in the stands. On chillier nights, wear some knit tights to stay warm!

3. If you want to show your sporty side

This look is for that sporty girl who is all about cheering for her team. Pick up a tee or tank from your school store and a wear it with a baseball cap in a corresponding color, black leggings and some killer combat boots. Heeled combat boots make this look a little more flirty and feminine and will do wonders for your legs. This is a great go-to look for the no-fuss collegiette who wants her style to be simple and easy but still look good. So go throw on your favorite sports team apparel and cheer on your team to victory!

4. If you’re dealing with cold weather

For those collegiettes at northern schools where football season means full-on cold weather, this outfit is for you. You’re fully bundled up in a gorgeous quilted vest, comfy jeans and worn-in riding boots. Show your spirit in a cozy knit hat or infinity scarf in your school colors so there’s no mistake which team you’re cheering for!

5. If you’re dealing with the heat

For those southern collegiettes who get to enjoy the warm weather longer than most, throw on a cute sundress in your school’s colors and your go-to cowboy boots. Keep your hair out of your face on hot days with a crocheted headband. This look is fun for the tailgates before the game, rooting for your team during the game and celebrating their win after because it’s an easy way to look chic while beating the heat!

These outfit ideas will guarantee a major style touchdown this football season, so get geared up and support your team! What are some of your favorite looks to wear during football season? Tell us in the comments!

Now that we’re rocking our fab back-to-school wardrobes, we’re all about accessorizing for the perfect looks. Our fave new accessory: super cute headphones (the kind that make a style-savvy statement)!

Her Campus has teamed up with Skullcandy to give four lucky winners each a pair of ‘Dime’ Women’s Headphones! The ‘Dime’ is specially designed for women, so it’s the perfect pick for collegiettes. Skullcandy’s custom tuning delivers an extremely smooth frequency response with minimal distortion; in other words, it’s the best way to listen to your favorite beats, loud and clear.

If you’re plagued with odd-shaped ear canals that aren’t perfectly round (don’t worry, it turns out we all are), using standard earbuds can be like shoving a circular peg into a square hole. Skullcandy has the solution with oval-shaped buds, which optimize comfort, stability, acoustic performance and more. Plus, Skullcandy headphones have pureclean ear gels, so you won’t get any grime up in there while you’re rocking out to your workout playlist.

You run the show. Manage your calls, playlists and your bestie Siri remotely using a single button on your ‘Dime’ headphones: Mic+Remote. Answer the calls you want, end the ones you don’t. Play your favorite song, pause it, or skip right through and be onto the next one. Voice commands welcome, too. Basically, it’s the best for any on-the-go and style-savvy collegiette!

What are you waiting for? You could be one of our four winners! Enter below for the chance to score the prize!

No matter how excited you may be about college life, even the most independent freshmen can find themselves struck with homesickness. Moving away from home for the first time, adjusting to a college workload and setting up a brand new daily routine all take their toll, and sometimes, all you want to do is crawl into your (non-twin XL) bed with a tub of ice cream at home. A lot of collegiettes don’t have the luxury of just heading home whenever they feel like it, so when you’re missing home, how do you deal?

We talked to Dr. Josh Klapow, a clinical psychologist and an associate professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and collegiettes for tips on how to cope.

What is homesickness?

Although there isn’t a clinical definition of homesickness, the American Academy of Pediatrics has a description of the condition that’s well recognized. “Homesickness in its most basic form is thoughts and feeling about home, but it exists on a continuum—it isn’t a matter of being of homesick or not; it’s matter of degree,” says Dr. Klapow. This means that however mild or infrequent your thoughts about home are, you can still be considered “homesick.” At its most severe, homesickness can manifest itself as obsessive thoughts about home, crying at what seem like random times and an inability to do what Klapow says “you came to college to do”—go to classes, make new friends, learn about yourself and, ultimately, earn a degree.

Dr. Klapow stresses that it’s important to recognize that homesickness is a very normal reaction to periods of rapid change and adjustment—like starting your freshman year of college. More often than not, “people misinterpret what exactly it means to be homesick. It’s not about missing home—[your] house, [your] bed. Very often it’s about missing what’s normal and comfortable, what we’re used to, and not quite being comfortable with your new way of life.”  At its core, homesickness is a longing for the familiar.

How to get over homesickness

Now that you know what homesickness is, it’s important to know how to deal when you get those homesick pangs. Read on for tips from Dr. Klapow and some tried-and-true methods from collegiettes!

1. Understand that what you’re going through is normal

The most important step in overcoming homesickness is realizing that there isn’t anything wrong with you. According to Dr. Klapow, “even if no one’s saying anything, chances are most people are feeling [varying degrees] of homesickness at one point or another. Feeling homesick is part of learning to live a new life—you can’t do it without going through some sort of adjustment period.”

Acknowledging and accepting your homesickness is a way of learning how to live a new life, from starting college all the way to moving to a new city for a job. Once you know you’re homesick, you can start working towards getting over it.

2. Get used to your new surroundings

According to Dr. Klapow, a big part of feeling homesick is feeling uncomfortable with the unfamiliar. Get more familiar with your college’s campus and the surrounding area by walking around and exploring, either alone or with friends. Scope out secret study spots for when you get tired of the library, cool little cafes to grab lunch in when you’re running late and quiet spots to clear your head. The more you feel like your campus “belongs” to you, the more comfortable you’ll feel at college.

3.  Make a space for yourself at school

Homesickness often occurs during freshman year because you feel uncomfortable and out of place in your new surroundings. You long for home because at home, you’re sure of yourself and how you fit into the world around you. The discomfort of not knowing everything and everyone around you can catch you off guard at college, but actively working at getting comfortable and developing a routine for yourself can curb your homesick feelings.

Erin Smith of HC Towson had this experience. “I was so used to being someone that everyone knew in high school that I didn't realize I actually had to reach out and make friends,” she says. “Once I came out of my shell and got involved with some organizations, it was so much more relaxing and I started to feel at home in school,” she says.

There are a number of different ways you can occupy your time to build a routine and stop feeling lonely. Look into volunteering opportunities on campus, campus politics, intramural sports and Greek life (some schools have two rushing seasons or continuous open bid, so you can join a sorority at multiple points in the year). Filling up your social calendar and hanging out with people who have similar interests as you will help you feel less lonely and help you make new friends!

4.  Stay connected with home—but not too connected

Maintaining your relationships with your family and friends from back home is important in helping you miss them less, but according to Dr. Klapow, part of getting over homesickness is severing emotional ties from home. “[This separation] is part of learning to live differently, not just be[ing] away of home,” he says.

But Klapow also insists that making time to talk your friends and family “a few times a week” or “even once a day, while you’re still settling in” is worth it. Touching base with your friends and family back home will help you feel connected and not like everyone from back home has forgotten about you. Shira Kipnees of Franklin & Marshall College says that “call[ing]…[her] mom once a day to catch up and hear her voice… helps a lot,” and that regularly Skyping and texting her boyfriend, who was a senior in high school during her freshman year, helped curb the loneliness of being apart. Although Dr. Klapow suggest weaning yourself off of contacting your family daily, it is a good place to start.

5.  Talk to other students (or professionals) on campus

It’s easy to feel alone when you’re homesick, but other freshmen are probably feeling the same way you are. Try talking to your friends or new people you’ve met about it. Opening up to your new friends about homesickness can be awkward, so if you’re uncomfortable, try approaching them from a different angle. Mentioning that you’re looking for ways to keep yourself occupied or asking for suggestions for cool clubs and on-campus opportunities can help you get over your homesickness by focusing on ways to stop yourself from dwelling on it. Reaching out to your friends can help you form a new camaraderie and fight your bouts of homesickness together.

Some campuses also have support groups for freshmen or freshman transitioning programs, so be sure to look into opportunities like that at your college. Talking to other people who are going through the same things as you can help, and you may even strike up a friendship with some people you meet.

If you’re uncomfortable talking to other students about your homesickness, reach out to professionals on campus. For some, talking to mental health professionals like on-campus psychologists can hold a stigma, but Dr. Klapow insists that “seeking out a professional to talk to doesn’t mean you have a psychiatric problem. Homesickness is such a common issue… you won’t be the first person that [on-campus psychologists] have spoken to or helped.” That human connection with someone who understands what you’re going through can help move you out of a homesick rut.

6. Stay positive. It will get better!

“Many college students don’t give [themselves] time [to deal with homesickness],” says Dr. Klapow. “[Homesickness] is uncomfortable, but for the most part, you’re fine.” Don’t let your homesickness consume you. Moving away from home, starting a new life and adjusting to college classes isn’t easy, but it gets easier! You’ve overcome difficult times before and starting college is no different.

 “You just have to realize that you are at school for a purpose,” says Ashley Young, a recent graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College. “As collegiettes, you're doing great things, too! Push the negative thoughts aside and keep going.”

How to tell if it’s more than homesickness

Although most students will experience some form of homesickness, it’s important to be aware that homesickness can develop into something more extreme. In students, homesickness can trigger anxiety and depression disorders if not dealt with. Klapow suggests keeping a mental record of how you feel if you’re having a particularly bad homesick rut and asking yourself questions to gauge your mental health, such as, “Have I been homesick more days than not over the last six-week period?” and “Am I able to do what I need to do (attending classes, club meetings, etc.)?” For most people, Klapow says, “there is an intuitive sense of what’s normal [for them] and what’s abnormal. It’s rare for homesickness develop into something more serious, but if you need to be helped, don’t keep it to yourself.” 

Seek guidance from a professional on campus who can help you assess your situation and help you develop a plan to move forward.

It’s important to keep in mind that homesickness is normal. We all have out bouts of loneliness at school, especially freshman year. Be sure to look forward at all the positive things your college career holds for you. You’ve only just begun! 

It’s 2 a.m., you’ve just left a bar, you’re by yourself and need to get back to your apartment. Your first instinct is to hail a taxi, but you’re a slightly uncomfortable about being driven by a man you don’t know. So what can you do? 

Well, if you live in New York City, neighboring Westchester County or on Long Island, you will soon be able to request a female driver using the app SheTaxis—SheRides, which is set to launch on Sept. 16.

App users will be asked if a woman is in their party. If there isn’t, they will be redirected to other taxi services, since SheTaxis aimes to serve only women. Not sure if your cab has arrived? Be sure to look for the service's signature icon: the hot pink pashmina. As Lyft has its signature pink mustache adorned on drivers’ vehicles, SheTaxis will have its dispatch drivers flaunting this vibrant accessory —how cute!

According to the New York Times, Stella Mateo, the company’s founder, said her service is a way for women to join the taxi industry, which is composed mostly of men. Mateo herself is the wife of the founder of the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers, which represents 30,000 taxi and livery drivers.

SheTaxis has already recruited 50 female drivers whose ages range from 21-70. Mateo told the New York Times she hopes to expand the service to Washington D.C, Chicago, Miami and other cities in the next year. 

Though the service has received praise and caused delight and excitement in some, it has also received criticism that suggest the company is opening a can of worms, at least in terms of discrimination of the sexes. But regardless of the response, this innovative idea seems to be a good option to have out there for those who want to use it and hopefully it will be active in cities across the country in no time.

We've seen some stunning looks come down the Spring/Summer 2015 runways at New York Fashion Week and are already adding on to our wish lists (still dreaming of Lela Rose's gowns)—but the trends don't stop at the clothing. Fashion Week is also about the upcoming season's beauty trends, so as NYFW starts coming to a close, we're bringing you our favorite hairstyles—including step-by-step instructions, so you can test them out, now.

1. The Classic Ponytail - Alexander Wang

Just as classic as the treasured LBD or the everlasting white shirt, the ponytail will come back every season—but always with a new twist.  This time around, models sported a low ponytail with slicked-back, wet roots, and and a dry tail.

To get the look, massage a mousse, such as TRESemmé's 24 Hour Body Amplifying Mousse ($4.99), throughout your hair for subtle volume in the ponytail. Then, use your fingers to push your hair back into a low ponytail. For the wet look, finish with Redken's Hardwear 16 Super Strong Sculpting Gel ($12.96) from your roots to the beginning of your tail to rock the look.

2. Glossy and Wet - Thakoon

"I got out of the shower like this" is the new "I woke up like this"—just us? Either way, the reality is, once most of us step out of the shower...our hair dries frizzy. So here's how to get the look:

You'll want to start off with dry hair (I know, this seems to defeat the point of a simple wet hair-do). Part your hair down the middle and apply an ample amount of a high-gloss top coat, such as Kerastase's K Gloss Appeal Instant Shine Top Coat ($34.00) before twisting the sides of your hair back to tie them into a knot. For the last step, apply a strong hairspray, like Kerastase's Laque Noire ($23.74), to set and keep your hair in place for the whole day, even against humidity. 

3. Double Trouble French Braids - Isabella Rose Taylor

Seeing two? You are not the only one! SS15 debuts a twist on the singular full-head French braid. This hair look is easy to do, and is so fresh and feminine. Paired with smokey eyes and rose lip, this hair look becomes very flirty. Plus, the next day waves are sure to be perfect.

To recreate this look, use an anti-frizz serum, like Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine ($5.99) on towel dried hair. Part your hair down the center. Start from the innermost side of the part and French braid all the way down! Voila!

4. Revival of the '60s - Lisa Perry

A blast from the past with a modern edge! This hair style pretty much has the best of both worlds: Slick and straight in the front with a some volume in the back. That combined with super straight and glossy hair creates a wonderful runway to real way hairstyle. 

To get this look, start with dry hair and create a deep, short side part. To make everything stay and create texture, use René Furterer Volumea Volumizing Conditioning Spray ($24.49) from roots to end until damp. Next, blowdry your hair with a round brush to create a sleek finish. Use a flatiron as necessary. Part your hair at the crown and start teasing each the base, using René Furterer Naturia Dry Shampoo ($24.60) for increased body. To finish, mist your hait with a finishing spray, like Paul Mitchell's Extra-Body Finishing Spray ($23), which will also add a little extra boost.

5. Spring Into Pastels - Badgley Mischka 

If you are not wearing pastels, is it really spring? The peek-a-boo pastel color is super adorable, and the effortless waves are just as cute! 

To get this look start off by sectioning off hair in the back, underside part of your head. Choose 2 to 4 pieces to color with a temporary dye, such as Beyond The Zone Color Bombz Temporary Hair Color ($6.29) or UO Hair Chalk Rainbow Set ($14.00.) You can also use clip on extensions like Hairuwear Human Hair Color Strips Extensions ($10.00). Use AG Hair Cosmetics Curl Spray Gel Thermal Setting Spray ($18.00) on your hair before loosely wrapping your hair around a large curling wand to get the relaxed waves. Finish off the style with a finishing spray to keep the look together and to prevent the color from bleeding onto your clothes. 

Which trends are your favorites—and which ones would you rock on campus?

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

So, there's this guy whom I was really good friends with first semester last year. However, I also had a crazy-big crush on him, and he always knew. He never really pursued it, though. I mean, we flirted all the time, but nothing ever happened. So after my friend told him I liked him and he said he didn't feel the same, I moved on. We stayed good friends, and that's it.

I recently announced that I am transferring schools next year, and all of a sudden he has been acting weird. Then, the other night, he was drunk and texted me, "I wish I f***ed you." I replied that he had no right to say that, of course, and he said it was his biggest regret that he didn't. Can you please explain to me what is going on with him? Like, what does this sudden interest in me mean? – Baffled at BU

Well, Baffled, someone’s obviously got a way with words.

You were absolutely right to tell him that he had no right to say what he said, regardless of his level of coherence. Whether he was drunk or not, there are boundaries, and those limits deserve to be respected.

Regardless, you’re looking for the “why,” and I think I can help. It’s simple enough: He’s trying to play you. Even if nothing actually happened between the two of you, he knew you were interested. To be fair, that happens sometimes. Someone likes another person, the other person finds out and does nothing because he or she doesn’t really want to be with that other person, but just knowing that someone’s interested in you is a good feeling. So since he knows of your previous interest, I’m pretty sure he was just trying to cash in on your emotions so he could “get some” before you moved. More or less — and I hate to sum it up like this — he probably thought you were an easy target. He may have assumed you were desperate, even though it’s him who looks like the desperate one now.

I seriously doubt he just realized that he’s had feelings for you all along. Life isn’t a romantic comedy, and the best friends with misplaced feelings don’t always end up together. He saw the situation and was trying to take advantage of it… after all, what’s the harm? You’re moving, so it isn’t like there would be any real repercussions, right?

Even if he did have real feelings for you, he wouldn’t have phrased it in such a brash way. “I wish I f***ed you”? Really? That’s his line? Eesh, talk about creepy.

You can do better, and when you do eventually transfer, I for one hope you find a guy who treats you with more respect than this particular “friend.”

From running into an old hook-up on campus to falling and making a fool of yourself in front of your peers, college is full of awkward moments. Here’s our list of 15 really specific awkward moments we've all encountered.

1. That awkward moment when you say goodbye to someone you know and then start walking in the same direction as him or her.

Well, hello again!

2. That awkward moment when you look up and realize that your friend is WAY ahead of you and you’ve been talking to some random person for the last two minutes.

Great talk, stranger.

3. That awkward moment when a distant relative calls you by the wrong name and you don’t correct him or her.

Thanks, Auntie; Love you, too!

4. That awkward moment when the guy you’re crushing on says he hates Beyoncé.

How dare you insult Beysus! This conversation is OVER.

5. That awkward moment when you get to the front of the line and then completely forget what you were going to order.

Um... uh... bye?

6. That awkward moment when answer a question in class for the first time and you’re completely wrong.

Well, so much for trying, right?

7. That awkward moment when your friend runs into someone he or she knows and you just kind of stand to the side.

Isn't this fun?

8. That awkward moment when you trip walking up the stairs and everyone sees.

AVERT YOUR EYES!

9. That awkward moment when you go to a concert and everyone is singing along to the artist but you can’t because you don’t really know any of the words.

“I’m so fancy, you already know. Something, something, fast lane… Tokyo?”

10. That awkward moment when you run into someone you were friends with for the first week of college but never saw again.

#orientationweekfriends

11. That awkward moment when you start using a machine at the gym and realize you actually have no idea how to use it.

But like, who actually knows how to use these machines?

12. That awkward moment when you wave to someone and then realize that he or she isn't your friend.

So many awkward moments.

13. That awkward moment when you run into someone whose party you once attended… and vomited at.

SORRY ABOUT YOUR CARPET!

14. That awkward moment when you sub-tweet about a person and he or she calls you out on it.

Let’s just forget this whole thing ever happened!

15. That awkward moment when you open your computer up in class and your iTunes begins blaring music.

At least it's a good song that's playing.

If you've never run into any of these awkward situations, consider yourself lucky! However, chances are that you will, and when that fateful day comes, just embrace the awkwardness. Or curl up into a ball and cry - the decision is up to you!

Cover a friend's shift at work? Single-handedly organize a last-minute fundraiser? Babysit your cousin's three kids on the night before a major exam? Yes, why not? We've all been there. Request after request comes flying in from all areas of our lives and before we know it, we've said yes to them all. One look at our planners will tell us that we've overbooked ourselves because we just can't say "no". Whether we think it'll make us seem rude or we've convinced ourselves that we can handle it, too many of us are filling our plates with way too many obligations. Here’s the deal on how to deal.

1. Simplify

First off, decide what really matters in your life. That sounds complicated, but it isn't if you just take a closer look at everything on your to-do list. Are you involved in four different clubs at once? Which of those have something directly to do with your major or something you're passionate about? If you find yourself in horseback riding club, scuba club, poetry club and student government but you're on track to become your state's next senator, consider weeding out a few of your less necessary commitments.

"I was the captain of my Division 1 varsity golf team, wrote a weekly column for my student newspaper, took 18 credit hours, and I managed the Her Campus chapter at my school," said Jaime Ritter of University of Alabama at Birmingham. "I balanced things by DVRing my favorite shows as a treat when I got done with my homework, blogs, and practice."

Kylie Cole, Prevention and Education Coordinator & Staff Psychologist at the University of Maine, has a few tips for those who have trouble saying “no”.

"Saying ‘no’ is really difficult in the moment, so it is great to make a plan about how much you are willing to take on in a given semester (or week) and try to stick to that," she says.

2. Be Truthful

Here is a secret most collegiettes don't know: you do not have to please everyone. In fact, it's impossible! Your job is to do your best in school, enjoy your short time as a college student and follow your dreams. The rest are just details. If you are overwhelmed, be honest! One week you could have a midterm exam, two papers to write and two shifts at work, not to mention an argument with a friend or roommate that's weighing heavy on your heart. This would not be a swell time to add something else to your schedule.

One collegiette explains, "I've come to terms with the fact that I can't please everyone, and that has lifted a lot of weight off my shoulders."

People reach out to you for favors most often because they know you are responsible and can juggle several commitments at once. However, you're not doing yourself or anyone else a favor by stretching your time so thin that you end up feeling miserable and overworked. You will put less energy into everything you do, and you can bet that person won't want to rely on you again.

"People often expect more of themselves than they do of others, so learning to cut ourselves a break and allow ourselves to take time to take care of ourselves is important," says Cole.

Say your schedule is cramped as is and a member of your debate club asks for last minute help with her speech. Think twice before agreeing. Sure, you want to help him out and be a friend, but you have to be realistic about how many commitments and tasks you can handle at one time.

So if your schedule really has you feeling swamped, tell the person or organization who's asking, politely, "no, thank you. I'm sorry I can't help you out right now but I'm just too busy. Please ask me again at another time." That way you aren't burning bridges but at the same time you aren't adding another impossible to-do to your already never-ending checklist.

3. Organize

Sure, extracurriculars and added events can be fun, but when you're already working a part-time job and being a full-time student, even an hour or two a week of free time can be more precious than gold. Try making a list of all your time commitments, including work, studying, recreational or social time and any extracurriculars.

Next, make a schedule for everything on your to-do list. Sort them into the above categories and once you see it all on paper, you might realize you have more time than you thought! If the opposite is true, take a look at what can be shifted in your schedule and what could possibly be removed.

Nicole of George Washington University recently got so overwhelmed by her crazy schedule that she forced herself to sit down and look at everything that was taking up her time.

"I just bought a planner, and I took the syllabus from every class I am taking and wrote [down] all of the assignments from now until the end of the semester," Nicole said. "I feel better. If someone asks me to do something for them, I can check how much time I have every day to do it."

4. Practice!

You know what they say about practice — it makes perfect. So if you are the female Jim Carrey in Yes Man, start saying "no" to small demands in limited areas of your life. For example, if a coworker asks if you can take a four-hour shift for them a week in advance, try saying "no." It's only a few hours, and that far ahead of time your coworker can surely find someone else to cover her shift. Soon you'll see how painless saying "no" can be.

"I have a tendency to say ‘yes’ all the time, but then I end up getting overwhelmed as my responsibilities pile up," Erica says.

Saying "no" can be surprisingly freeing. If you start small, you'll eventually have the strength to say "no" to bigger questions, such as, "can you do the rest of the work for this group project on your own?"  I think you already know the answer.

5. Be cautious

Of course, there are some areas of our busy lives where it's a better idea to just say yes. For example, at your internship, it's usually best to say "yes" more often than "no".

When your boss asks you to run around the corner for three extra-hot soy lattes and you'd really rather sit behind your tiny desk and check Facebook again, say "yes". It may be annoying, but you never know how far a little determination and positivity will take you in the workplace.

"I often ask students who come to see me at the Counseling Center if they are doing something because they want to do it or because they feel obligated or pressured to do it," Cole says. "Knowing the difference, even if you still decide to do the activity, can help you understand your feelings about it."

Think before you say "no", but mean it with all your might when you do. There's a fine line between being strong and letting someone walk all over you, and collegiettes™, we never want you to cross it.

With any luck, you've had enough time in your packed schedule to finish this article, and you can walk out the door a new woman — one who says "no" when she needs to and “yes” when she wants to.

Do you have any other ideas we left out? Let us know below!

You made your Target runs, put the finishing touches on your DIY picture collages and made it through the first days of classes ­– in other words, your semester is off and running (fast!). The school year is in full swing, and this year you’re determined to have an even better time than last year. It’s not that last year wasn’t totally awesome (because it was), but this year? This is your year.

To make the fall semester more incredible than you ever even thought possible, you don’t have to rent expensive party buses to get to frat formals or bust your butt at the library every single night to score that much-deserved A. Sure, a few of those things here and there are swell, but having an amazing time this fall can be the result of much simpler decisions. Wondering what we mean? Here’s your answer: the best tips for making this semester fantastic (without having to go overboard). We’re talking making the most of every moment, killin’ your classes and making more friends along the way!

1. Decide what really matters

One of the best ways to de-stress your life is to edit your closet. This means keeping the items that you really love and donating the items that are, well, just taking up space on your hangers. This mentality doesn’t only apply to your inherited cashmere sweaters or your favorite riding boots; Committing only to activities, classes and friends you seriously can’t live without will de-stress your life, too.

Did you take a leadership position last semester more out of obligation than a true passion for the role? Then let it go! Wandering through a minor that you’re realizing you don’t have much time for or interest in? Then why are you still doing it? College is one of the few times in your life where you get to focus (mostly) on the things that you want to do. Edit your school life like you’d edit a closet: If you aren’t obsessed with your major or extracurricular activities, then let ‘em go. You’ll give yourself extra time to pursue what’s really important to you, which will, in turn, make you a happier camper. Or poli sci major. Or drum captain. 

2. Chill, dude

We get it; you’ve got a lot going on. Running from classes to club meetings to study sessions is just a day in the life for a college gal, but don’t forget that at some point you’re going to have to let off some steam! Scheduling time for constructive relaxation during your week is the key to staying sane when all you can think about is when the heck you’re going to finish that lab write-up.

What exactly do we suggest? Try scraping together an hour for a daily workout (one of the best stress busters out there – and as a bonus, your six pack will start showing!). If breaking a sweat doesn’t suit your fancy, put together an awesome, calming playlist and listen to it while you take a long shower or when you walk to class. It’ll put you in a good state of mind for taking on your classes and other activities! 

3. Channel your inner Jim Carrey

We’re talking about Jim Carrey in the admittedly mediocre 2008 movie Yes Man. Though the film itself wasn’t exactly an Oscar-worthy smash, the plot made a point that we’d like to reiterate: Say “yes” to something new! Whether it’s joining a new club, hanging out with a cutie from American lit whom you’re 50/50 on or taking a spontaneous weekend trip, saying “yes” to something you’re not totally sold on can end up being one of your favorite experiences of the year!

Making the most of opportunities you’re given can totally change your college experience. So, the next time your roomies suggest a trip to the beach or the quiet cutie from chem strikes up the courage to ask you out for coffee, say, “Why not?” and get ready for some unexpected fun!

4. Get outta here

As much fun as it is to hang out on campus, sometimes you’ve gotta get out of the university bubble to experience the real world. If your college town has lots to do off campus, take advantage of the awesome shopping, restaurants or museums at your fingertips.

For collegiettes whose schools are a far cry from “urban,” take a Saturday to go hiking, camping or apple picking this fall! Simply getting out of your routine can do wonders for a tired student. Sometimes all you need is a breath of fresh air (literally!).

If you’re super ambitious, you could even consider taking an off-campus internship! Visit your school’s career center and ask which companies in the area are hiring – bonus points if you find a gig that’s paid. Interacting with adults in the workforce will not only help you prepare for post-collegiette life (gasp!), but also give you the chance to collaborate with people who aren’t in your comparative politics course.

“I took a part-time internship near campus during the spring of my junior year,” says Sarah, a senior at the University of Minnesota. “I loved it because it gave me a chance to get off campus and spend some time in downtown Minneapolis during the week. It was only about 10 hours a week, but was just enough to give me a change of scenery and some work experience.”

5. Take astrophysics...

…If you’re a music major. If you’re usually slaving away in chem lab, pick up a theater course. Use the extra slots in your schedule to take a class in a subject you know literally nothing about. Religion, philosophy, sports management… the possibilities are endless.

Sure, college is a time to figure out what you want to pursue as a career, but it’s also a time to experience new things! When’s the next time you’ll have a chance to take music theory from a world-class musician or biology from a highly regarded scientist? That’s right – probably never. Maybe you’ll realize that you’ve fallen absolutely in love with a subject you’d never even considered.

6. Make an older friend (like, wayyy older)

After you’ve established a solid friend group consisting of roommates, classmates and intramural teammates, there’s one last group to conquer: your professors. College professors are a school’s greatest assets, and they’re there to teach and mentor Y-O-U! Teachers are vaults of knowledge. They’re experts in their respective fields, they have years of experience to draw from and they’re, like, networking gold! Not only do they know tons of people in the career field you want to end up in, but they’ll likely be more than happy to connect you with friends or former colleagues who can help you get a job after graduation.

Making connections with your professors will only make your college experience easier and more enjoyable. They are the ones putting your grades in the books, after all! By making sure your Psych 101 lecturer knows your name, the chances it’ll have an “A” next to it by the time finals come around will increase.

7. Learn your school’s fight song 

You know those kids in the front row of football games who paint their chests and make it on ESPN? We’re willing to bet that those mega-fans know every bleeping word to their school’s fight song. We’re also willing to bet (some of us from experience) that they’re having a blast! Having school spirit is an awesome way to get involved on campus, make friends and enjoy your college days.

Does that mean you need to strip down to your skivvies in 20-degree weather and paint up to cheer on your football team? Well, if you want to, we won’t hold you back! For you gals who don’t have an undying love of the cold, there are plenty of other ways to show your love for your school. Attending a music or theatrical performance or a debate match to support your fellow classmates are all totally legit ways to show your school spirit. Just don’t start the wave in the middle of Hamlet.

You’re on your way to having the best semester of your life, girl! Just remember to follow your heart and do what feels right for you. After all, who knows you better than yourself?

While in the U.S. Nigerian-born Deola Sagoe might not be as well known as some other designers, she has been recognized internationally for her work since she began her design career in 1989. This season, she presented a collection that drew inspiration from insects—many of the garments had "wings" of one kind or another, be they imprinted with actual creatures or a floating swath of fabric behind them.

At first, I didn't know what to think of the garments when I saw them backstage—there was just a lot of silk to look at, and I hoped it would be pressed properly before it came down the runway (full disclosure: I went to a show the day before that was a disaster of unpressed garments and now I find it's one of my greatest fears; the mark of amateurs who are sort of...playing dress up? Surely. But Sagoe in her years of design work knows much better, thankfully). While the literal insect imprints on some of the pieces was a little too much for me—it felt like this was the time in the show where Tim Gunn would say, "Edit!"—I liked blends of patterns and the unique shapes of many of the pieces. Caftans weren't just for grandma anymore; they were smooth and sexy, and hung away from the body in a way that mysteriously left something to the imagination. A champagne tube dress had a hem that stiffly but stylishly hung away from the body; navy and patterned palazzo pants reigned supreme, and a batik print wove its way in and out of the collection. Overall, it was a charming introduction to a designer with whom I had not yet previously been acquainted.

Makeup featured winged eyeliner and a deep maroon lip, while hair, by Nate Rosenkranz for Alterna Haircare, was inspired by 1940s glamour; swirling curls calmed and collected around the nape of the neck.

For some of my favorite pieces in the collection, see here or check out some images below, all by moi.

In a world of perfectly proportioned, perfectly airbrushed images of perfectly gorgeous women, it’s easy to look in the mirror and get discouraged. This can be exaggerated if you’re struggling with your gender identity and aren’t comfortable in your body to begin with. Because trans* people have so little representation in the media, it can be hard to love yourself when you can’t see yourself anywhere else. While it’s natural to want to better yourself, it’s important to remember that even though you may not look like Beyoncé, you’re flawless all the same. Here’s your guide to learning to love your body—stretch marks, dimples, bushy eyebrows and all.

Fake it

Kanye West may be controversial, but he gets at least one thing right: Acting like you’re the best is the easiest way to make you feel like you’re the best. When you’re feeling bad about yourself, just tell yourself how great you are. Sooner or later you’ll start to believe it! Post that selfie, compliment your own outfit and walk down the sidewalk like you own it.

Be positive

It’s easy to pull a Mean Girls and stand in front of the mirror bemoaning your man shoulders and weird hairline, but obsessing over your perceived flaws is no way to better your self-esteem. Instead, find three great things about yourself every day—you made someone laugh, you aced your chem test, your eyeliner wings are perfectly even. Before long, you’ll start noticing the good before you even think about obsessing over the bad!

Find people like you in the media

When you turn on the TV or flip through Vogue, it can be hard to find someone who looks like you, and that can be really isolating. While we still have a long ways to go in terms of representation, shows like Orange Is the New Black and other queer-friendly TV shows are setting a good example by showing developed characters who share your skin color, body type, sexuality or gender identity. Your school might even haveLGBTQ+-focused classes where you can learn more about gender and sexuality and start to realize how totally normal it is to not be cisgender or straight.

Don’t overthink it

Feeling like your identity doesn’t match your body or thinking you need to conform to a specific way of expressing yourself can be suffocating, and dealing with those feelings can take a very long time.

“I think it's mostly due to a very strict gender binary with strict rules of gender expression,” says Sarah, a non-binary college student.

Whether you’re transitioning or not, it’s important to remember that it’s your body and no one else’s; It doesn’t matter what other people think about your appearance.

“Gender and bodies and expression are all such different things, and even though it's hard to accept certain things about your body sometimes, ultimately, you have to remember that as long as you feel okay in your body, it doesn't matter what others think,” Sarah says.

Compliment others

You may be skeptical of this one, but trust us! Every time you go out, notice something nice about everyone you see or talk to, and don’t be afraid to share it with them. Once you notice how gorgeous or stylish or smart everyone around you is, you’ll realize that you’re someone else’s everyone. Someone else walking around campus is going to notice something awesome about you, even if you aren’t feeling it.

Surround yourself with positive people

This might just be the most important piece of advice you’re ever going to get. Friends are supposed to support one another, so if you feel like you’re being attacked or brought down every time you hang out with your bestie, find people who are going to lift you up and encourage you to be your best version of yourself. If your friends don’t support your sexuality or gender identity, it’s definitely time to get out of those friendships; Their toxicity is just going to lead to self-hatred unless you realize that they’re the ones who need to change, not you.

Reward yourself

Treat yourself like a friend. When you’re down, comfort yourself, and when you’re up, applaud yourself. Part of this is, in the wise words of Donna Meagle, treating yo self. Buy the dress that makes you feel sexy and confident, or let yourself have a cupcake after a hard day. You have to be your own best friend sometimes, and letting yourself have some quality self-care time is a great way to start to feel better about yourself.

Loving yourself might just be the hardest thing you ever do. When you’re repeatedly told that your body is wrong or that your gender is unnatural, it can be a constant battle just to remember that your life really is worth something. Your relationship with yourself is the longest one you’re ever going to be in, so you have to make it the best one you’re ever going to be in. You’ll thank yourself later!

With all of the excitement surrounding the return to campus after a long summer away, it can be hard to take a step back and really appreciate what a privilege is to be able to go to college, and how many people have made sacrifices to get us here. The best way to repay them? By paying it forward and giving back to others! College is full of opportunities to volunteer your time and energy for a good cause, and there is bound to be a perfect fit for every collegiette! Check out five of the easiest ways to give back on your campus this fall, then get started!

1. Volunteer in the garden or greenhouse

If you have a green thumb or just love being outside, volunteering in your school’s garden or greenhouse could be the perfect way to give back. Most colleges have a garden club for students to beautify campus by planting flowers and tending to flower or herb gardens. Some college dining halls will even incorporate some of the fresh veggies or herbs into their menus, so you can feed your campus! Not only will you be able to take a break from studying and get some fresh air, but you’ll be making your campus more beautiful (read: Insta-worthy), too.

2. Bike to class

If you go to a smaller school, chances are you probably walk from place to place on campus, but at bigger schools (or for collegiettes who commute from off-campus), walking isn’t always the most appealing option. Rather than wasting money on gas, why not help out the environment (and get a workout in the process!) by riding your bike to class? Urban Outfitters has a great website feature that allows you to build your own bike, so you can look cute while doing good for the Earth!

3. Tutor peers

If you’re looking for a volunteer opportunity that will allow you to interact with your peers, then definitely give tutoring a try! Whether you’re a whiz with words or have an eye for algorithms, there’s someone on campus who could really use your expertise. Most schools have volunteer tutoring programs in which you can enroll, and you can also check out your school’s Writing Center or chat with your favorite professor about any tutoring opportunities he or she may be able to set up for you with younger students. These programs are great for lending your classmates a helping hand while brushing up on your favorite subjects!

4. Use eco-friendly notebooks

One of the easiest ways to give back at college is to make sure that your school supplies are eco-friendly; that way, you’ll make sure that you’re not wasting materials, and whatever you no longer need after finals week can be recycled and used by another collegiette. You may not see the effects of your good deed right off the bat, but you can rest assured you saved some trees when you chose your lit. class notebook. Tons of brands make folders, notebooks and planners out of recycled paper, and they come in so many adorable colors and prints, like these Greenroom Metallic Pattern Notebooks ($3.99 each at Target, in-store). If you prefer taking notes by hand, then these are definitely a must.

5. Get involved in the Read It Forward program

Though we’d like to pretend otherwise, studying is a huge part of the college experience. Between nightly readings, highlighting textbooks and studying for exams, collegiettes spend their fair share of time surrounded by books. So how can this occasionally unexciting but obviously essential part of the college experience help others? It’s simple! Through the Read It Forward program, for every SmartBook purchased by December 31, 2014, McGraw-Hill Education will donate a print textbook to a child in need across the globe.

So what exactly is a SmartBook? It’s the first and only adaptive reading and learning experience designed to change how students read and learn. As you engage with SmartBook, the reading experience continuously adapts by highlighting content based on what you know and don’t know. That means you can focus on what you actually need to learn rather than what’s already in your head. Plus, not only does the SmartBook ensure that you’re staying on track, but it also saves you the trouble of having to lug your ridiculously heavy textbooks around!

Studies have proven that SmartBook use improves student performance by at least one letter grade, and with over 350 SmartBooks currently available in practically every subject, you’re bound to find the textbook you need to ace any class. Since we always want to see our collegiettes do well, we’re happy to share that McGraw-Hill is making a killer GPA affordable on a collegiette-friendly budget by offering 15 percent off all SmartBooks with the promo code FORWARD14 through October 31. Be sure to purchase one (or several!) SmartBooks, and McGraw-Hill will donate one print textbook per SmartBook to a child in need. It’s one of the best ways to give back – improve your grades and provide a better learning experience for someone else in the process!

While you’re wrapped up in your awesome college experience – cool classes, clubs, friends and the occasional Netflix binge-watching session with your girlfriends – don’t miss out on the chance to pay it forward and give back a little. At the very least, you’ll feel that much better about your late-night cram seshes and long afternoons in the library when they roll around this semester! 

Birth control is so commonplace for some collegiettes that we often joke about it, poking fun at TV characters like Mindy from The MindyProject, who forgets to take her pills until her assistant sneaks them into her coffee. Not so for men, whose birth control options are generally limited to condoms and vasectomies - one of which isn't entirely effective, and the other of which is irreversible. Now, it looks like the tides may be turning.

If Vasalgel, created by The Parsemus Foundation, successfully passes its trials, it will be released in 2017 as the first male contraceptive that doesn't involve condoms or vasectomies. The age of women being the only ones to worry about taking their birth control may be coming to an end.

Vasalgel is a reversible, one-time procedure that involves injecting a polymer into the vans deferens, which will block the flow of sperm, according to The Daily Beast. The polymer acts as a plug and physical barrier just as a condom would, but it’s a lot more convenient! It can be flushed out later on with a second injection, making the process simple and effective. Plus, it's non-hormonal, meaning it won't give guys any "time of the month"-type mood swings.

Although researchers are not yet 100 percent certain about its effectiveness, since they’ve only tested on baboons so far (successfully!), they plan to run human trials starting next year. According to Bustle, the process will cost less than $800, and since it’s so effective, many people spectulate that it will significantly disrupt the currently booming market for female contraception. One thing is certain: if Vasalgel is ultimately successful, it will completely transform the way we think and talk about contraception and gender issues. What will the world be like when both men and women can control their own fertility?

What do you think of this male birth control, collegiettes? Share your thoughts in the comments!

It’s late on a Saturday night and you just hit the winning shot of your final game of beer pong. You look up and, as Andy Samberg so aptly put it, “lock eyes from across the room” with none other than your latest crush. You two chat for a while, he ends up walking you home, and you thank your lucky stars that the room is empty when you get there. You pull him inside, and only come back out to stick a scrunchie on the doorknob, officially sexiling your roomie for the night.

Whether you’re the perpetrator or the victim of sexiling, it’s an aspect of many collegiettes’ lives. But that doesn’t mean that there isn’t proper etiquette that goes along with it. Check out these rules and expectations of being both the sexiler and the sexilee to avoid any unnecessary tension between you and your roommate this year.

The etiquette of sexiling

Discuss it

The most important part of having the freedom to sexile your roommate is discussing it with her beforehand. Whether you have a boyfriend and know that it will be a somewhat frequent occurrence or you’re expecting to have a few one-night stands or a semi-frequent hook-up buddy, it’s necessary to talk about what both of your expectations are.

Make sure to discuss how often your roommate will allow this, how you’ll communicate to her that it’s happening (it can be a text, the classic aforementioned scrunchie, a winky face drawn on your white board, etc.), how late your guest can stay in the morning if it’s a sleepover, what happens if you both want the room and whatever else you two think is essential to know.

“You and your roommate should set limits,” says Sara, a collegiette at Kenyon College. “As in, like you absolutely don't want to be sexiled two nights out of one weekend.”

It may seem awkward to start this conversation, but your roommate probably wants to know your opinions on the topic as much as you want to know hers. Make sure you get it out of the way at the beginning of the year so that nothing happens that one of you really isn’t okay with before you get a chance to have the discussion.

Give notice (when possible)

Clearly this isn’t always possible, but whenever you know for sure that you’re going to be having someone over for a hook-up sesh, give your roommate some time to plan ahead. It will be much easier for her to find someplace else to hang out if she knows you want the room for a few hours before your desired alone time.

This is definitely necessary if you have a long-distance boyfriend who is going to visit you for entire weekends. Make sure your roommate knows about these visits as soon as you do so that she can find someplace to sleep. It’s unfair to expect her to not be in the room for three days with just a few hours notice.

Even if you’re hooking up with someone at a party and decide spur of the moment to bring him back to your room, text your roomie to give her a heads up.

Coordinate

Figure out what each other’s daily schedules are and if possible, plan accordingly. Have your boy over when you know your roommate is going to be at class or home for the weekend. Again, this will only work if you have a pre-planned guest, but it will make it so your roommate isn’t awkwardly waiting somewhere for you to be done.

Also, if you have a dorm that is more than one room, use it to your advantage.

“If you are worried about it, get the apartment-style dorm with locks on the bedrooms and the sexiled roommate can chill in the main room. That's what was nice about my freshman dorm,” says Andy Bensch from San Francisco State University.

That way, your roommate at least has someplace of her own she can hang out while she waits to get back into the bedroom.

Reciprocate

If you’re prepared to sexile your roommate, then you definitely also have to gracefully accept being sexiled in return. This means that if you’ve ousted your roommate from the room the past two weekends and she brings home a guy, you better be ready to get out of there.

“In my case I've had the same boyfriend freshman to senior year and luckily my friends liked him and didn't mind if he was around a lot,” says Sarah. “So when they had someone they wanted privacy with, I was more than happy to return the favor.”

Being roommates means making these types of compromises to ensure that everyone stays happy and tense situations are avoided.

Be respectful

Last, but certainly not least, demonstrating basic human courtesy is always important. When you have someone over, keep your activities to your side of the room. Don’t go anywhere near her bed. In fact, you should probably steer clear of all of her stuff. Finally, before she comes back, clean up all the evidence. No one wants to deal with the remnants of someone else’s sexcapades, no matter how close you two are as roomies.

The etiquette of being sexiled

Have a plan

If your roommate is someone who either has a boyfriend or frequently enjoys bringing home her flings, it’s essential that you establish a reliable place that you can crash for the night. Whether it’s with one of your friends or your own boy-toy, having a back-up place to sleep is necessary in college.

There’s nothing more uncomfortable than having to sleep someplace like the study lounge. Or even worse, insisting on staying in your room and trying to fall asleep to the hook-up noises emanating from a bed that is literally only five feet away from you.

“It’s always the most awkward if you haven’t been sufficiently warned,” says Dawn from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “I’d always prefer being told rather than laying in my bed while my roommate pretends to just be sleeping, restlessly.”

So make sure to find that extra bed, futon or at least floor space you can spend the night when your roommate is busy getting busy. If all else fails, get creative!

“Improvise,” says Nicole from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “My roommate once moved her mattress out to the living room of our dorm when my boyfriend was in town.”

If this won’t work with the way your dorm is set up, try making a deal with a friend who is not your roomie to always let each other crash in the other’s room if one of you is sexiled.

Check in the next morning

You wake up the morning after being sexiled and want go back to your room. But wait! First, you’re going to want to check in with your roommate to make sure her guest is gone. Shoot her a text or give her a call before heading back because you accidentally walking in on some morning-after fun will be unpleasant for everyone involved.

If you text and she doesn’t reply, try giving her a little more time if you’re in no rush. But if you really have to get back into your room, feel free to go knock on the door.

Don’t be selfish

Being a good roommate means being cooperative. If your roommate is sexiling you night after night, you have a legitimate reason to be upset and you should talk to her about it. But if it’s only every once in a while, you should be reasonable. Sexiling is a typical aspect of dorm life and as long she’s not abusing her privileges, try to be easygoing about it. And of course, you’ll want her to return the favor.

However, if it ends up being a repetitive issue, try talking to your RA about it.

“My freshman year roommate sexiled me several times,” says Alexa from James Madison University. “Her boyfriend from back home decided to surprise her at school for what originally was a weekend but ended up being the entire week. At the end of the seventh day I confronted her and said he had to go or I was going to get the RA involved.”

There you have it! By following these etiquette rules for sexiling and being sexiled, you’ll be able to have a good time without starting World War III with your roomie. Get out there, have fun and be safe, collegiettes!

Before yesterday, I had only heard and seen second-hand the wonders of a Betsey Johnson show, but now I can say with sublime happiness that I have seen it for myself. Courtesy of HC's associate editor Alice Chen, I wound up at Betsey's Spring/Summer 2015 collection, comically entitled, "Prenup." The entire show was themed like a wedding, opening with a happy (gorgeous) male couple in black pants white tuxedo jackets that read "Pre" on one jacket and "Nup" on the other in shimmering silver sparkles. In accordance with the theme, much of the show featured bridal-inspired lingerie—some really fantastical constructions, really, like a clear plastic dress outlined at the seams in white, and a sheer white gown edged in a pattern of white boxes. There were also some amazing dresses, like a metallic silver foil ballgown covered in pleats, a skin-toned bodycon gown covered in white flowers, and a dusty rose lace gown that the model twirled down the runway.

Among the models there was many a Real Housewife (Camille Grammer, Cynthia Bailey, Kristen Taekman), America's Next Top Model contestant Isis King, and from RuPaul's Drag Race Willam Belli and Sharon Needles (season 4 winner of the show and one of my favorite drag queens ever—seriously, when she came out as the bride my jaw fell to the floor and I shouted "OH MY GOD SHARON NEEDLES" and clapped my hands together in pure glee). At the end, all the models came out in white tanks and tank dresses reading "I Will" or "I Won't" or "Mr." or "Mrs." with silver pom-poms that they threw in the air (I caught one!). Betsey came out with her Dancing with the Starts partner Tony Dovolani and did her signature cartwheels with her granddaughters, to thunderous cheers and applause. She was then carried off the runway in an embrace by Sharon Needles.

With her oh-so-delicious flair for the dramatic, most of the female models were outfitted with messy, teased Marilyn Monroe-meets-Anna-Nicole hair, with thick black eyelashes resembling Tammy Faye Bakker. They dripped in faux diamonds and silver and walked down the runway to classics like "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend," and "Going to the Chapel," many of which sent the audience clapping and dancing in their seats. Honestly, it was like a rock concert of a fashion show, and easily the best one (of each??) that I have ever been to. Models smiled and laughed and twirled their dresses and had fun. I wish all fashion shows were like this all the time.

See here and below for some more snaps I took at the show, and here on Style.com for the entire collection.

Grab your suitcase, sunglasses and cameras, collegiettes! Whether you’re embarking on a spontaneous weekend road-trip with your best friends to the city next door or a once-in-a-lifetime semester abroad, we have the five strategies you need to upgrade your travel experience from “economy” to “first class.” The train to Amazing Vacation Station is now boarding…

1. Do some social media research

Unlike our assignments for class, this is one time where using Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to do research is totally encouraged (and an awesome idea). Welcome to the wonderful world of hashtag recon!

It’s super easy to discover the hottest spots or little-known local secrets of wherever you’re going; just search #(insert destination here). For example, if you’re going to Malibu, search #Malibu on Twitter or Instagram to see what people are doing and where they’re going! If you want to see results from all the platforms at once, use Tagboard, a site that will display every social media post with the common hashtag of your choice.

If you have friends or acquaintances that have visited your destination in the past, you should definitely check out their old posts (it’s not stalking if it’s educational!). Ingrid Marquardt, a junior at Boston College, did exactly that. “I did social media research on Orléans and Île de Ré in France before I went!” she says. “We did a kid-swap with a family friend, so I went and stalked Florentine (my French twin for the summer) on Facebook to get a feel of where I'd be staying. I also paid attention to what she was wearing in the different albums. My picture scrolling not only made me more excited about the trip, [but] it [also] informed my packing and helped me create a list of things to expect while there!”

Bonus: if your friend has geotagged a post, you can click on the location and see everyone’s pictures from that spot. That means you can get an inside look at a popular café or nighttime hotspot, tourist destination or famous beach!

2. Create a (loose) plan

Don’t get us wrong: we’re all about impromptu adventures. How else would we stumble upon hidden gems and have crazy stories to share once we’re back with our besties? That said, having an approximate idea of each day’s activities is super helpful and will keep you from wasting time figuring out what to do once you’re actually in Vaca Land.

“Even if you're not a planner,” says Sophie Dodd, a senior at Middlebury College, “I definitely recommend creating some sort of outline of what you want to do while you're traveling. When I studied abroad in Edinburgh, I knew I wanted to hike up Arthur's Seat, tour Edinburgh Castle and visit the Highlands. Having a list of things I wanted to do and places I wanted to go helped me to get the most out of my trip!”

With a list like this in hand (and any reservations you need for activities made in advance), you’ll leave your vacation knowing you did almost everything you truly wanted to do. Plus, the last thing you want to do is have to make big decisions while you’re trying to relax, so make those in advance! Who needs stress?

3. Scout out the location with Skout Travel

One of the best parts about travel is the people you meet—and now, thanks to the app Skout and its popular Skout Travel feature, meeting people is much, much easier. Skout is the world’s largest network for connecting with new people (nearby or around the globe)! You can use it for all kinds of things like finding friends in your college town or getting to know potential dates, but if you’ve got a city in mind you’d like to visit, Skout’s Travel feature is the first of many in this cool app that you’ll want to try.

Here’s how it works: Once you’re signed into the app, you can use the Skout Travel feature to travel anywhere virtually for 24 hours by searching for a location or picking one of the “go-to” destinations like Chicago, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seoul, Shanghai, Sydney or Tokyo. No need to buy a ticket or hop on a plane! Once you “arrive” on your phone, the app shows you people either close by or with similar interests, along with location-relevant news. In the past eight months alone, Skouters have taken more than 3.4 million “trips” using the Skout Travel feature. Why? Essentially, using Skout allows you to scout out (pun intended) the place that you’re going so you can get the inside scoop from locals and prospective travelers alike about the best spots to visit (and maybe even make plans to meet up)! Sounds like the best vaca ever to us!

If you’re looking for the most amazing vacation ever (and a social one at that), this app is the key to having your best trip yet. Plus, the basic version of the app is free! Whether your trip is right around the corner or only in your daydreams (at least for now), you can make friends and scout locations starting today!

4. Make a realistic budget

Something about being on unfamiliar terrain can make even the most practical collegiette lose control of her wallet. The combination of fun souvenirs, new-to-you stores, amazing (and expensive!) opportunities and tons of restaurants (plus the adrenaline rush of being somewhere different) makes it beyond easy to spend more than you’d like. Way, way more than you’d like.

We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but better us than your credit card bill, right?

Keep your expenses in line by creating—and sticking to—a travel budget. Decide in advance how much you’re willing to spend on the trip, then give yourself a realistic amount for each day, taking into account food, shopping, gas or transport expenses, travel knick-knacks and activity costs. This will help you make good decisions on the go: if you’re eating somewhere with $25 entrees, you’ll probably have to skip the parasailing the next day to stay on budget.

5. Don’t wait ‘til the last minute to pack (and pack the essentials)

Let’s admit it: We’ve all done it. Even though we were beyond excited for our trip, we thought we could get away (literally) with procrastinating on our luggage duties. Next thing we know, we’re on vacation with nine pairs of socks and no underwear. Convenient!

In order to avoid this debacle, pack early and wisely. Gabriella Diniz, a senior at Bridgewater State University, recounts that one of the students on her study abroad tour didn't plan ahead and almost missed their flight out because she left her passport at home! Her whole group, in turn, felt her stress as they waited until the very last minute for her mom to come drop it off. Don’t let this happen to you!

When you do pack, don’t forget to bring along all the documents you need along with your other vaca essentials, like your driver’s license, passport, flight confirmations, insurance papers, hotel bookings, etc. We’d recommend making copies of all of these and storing in a separate compartment (not the same one where you’re keeping the actual documents themselves), so if something happens to your first copies, you won’t have an utter disaster on your hands.

Aoi Asano, a junior at Syracuse University, says that she always abides by this tip. “When I travel, especially [to] foreign countries, I usually bring a copy of my passport with me and put the actual passport in the safe at the hotel where I’m staying,” she explains. “Carrying my passport all the time is very stressful and makes me worry [about pickpocketing].” Having everything you need (and keeping it all in a safe place) will make your trip so much less stressful!

We’ve given you all the tools you need to have a fabulous vacation—now go jet set your little heart out! 

Studying abroad is a great way to meet new people, but that doesn’t keep you from missing your SO any less. It may be a challenge to maintain normal contact every day from across the globe, but studying abroad doesn’t have to take a toll on your relationship. You don’t have to spend your trip feeling bummed out that your significant other isn’t with you; There are a ton of fun, free apps that can help you stay connected! Download these apps to stay in touch while traveling abroad.

1. Whatt

Available for: Apple devices

How it works:

This app offers a new way to update the people in your life on your daily adventures abroad. Whatt is specifically designed for creating status updates to let others know where you are and what you’re up to. This way, you can leave an update so people can see what you’re doing and whether or not you’re available to talk.

If you’re headed out to a no-Wi-Fi zone, you can update your status so that your boyfriend or girlfriend will know whether or not he or she can reach you. There’s nothing worse than getting annoyed waiting for a response and then finding out there wasn’t any service or Wi-Fi for your SO reply! All you have to do is update your Whatt status, and you won’t have to worry about your partner trying to message you when you can’t connect.

2. Viber

Available for: Apple and Android devices, Windows Phone, Blackberry, Nokia phones

How it works:

Texting may be one of the easiest ways to chat, but you’ll still miss out on talking to your loved one on the phone. Viber is a great way to keep your relationship intact without the hassle of adding international minutes to your phone. With Viber, you can make unlimited calls to anyone with a Viber ID free of charge.

“It’s awesome because we could make calls to one another over Wi-Fi for free,” says Maddie Schmitz, a senior at Boston College who used Viber to talk to her boyfriend while studying abroad. “Texting is nice, but hearing his voice made me feel much closer to him.”

3. Tango

Available for: Apple and Android devices, Blackberry, PCs

How it works:

Tango is a great app to download for video chatting using your smartphone or PC. All you have to do is connect to Wi-Fi or cellular data, and you can catch up with your partner face to face (or screen to screen). You can even use the app to play games and share songs via Spotify. Instead of getting charged internationally for using FaceTime, you can use this app to video chat for free!

It can be difficult to keep up with your relationship while traveling abroad, but any of these smartphone apps will improve your communication. Download any of these apps for free, and you won’t feel so far away after all. Safe travels!

You’re finally back at school and all you can think about is the upcoming weekend so you can go out with your friends. It’s been four months since you’ve all gone out together, and you almost forgot what it was like. Every night it’s the same: You guys think you’re going to have an unreal night that you'll never forget—and sometimes you do—but normally it’s a completely unglamorous version of what you were expecting. Keep reading to see the differences between what we think will happen when we go out and what actually happens.

Expectation: Things are going to get crrraaazzyy:

Reality:

Expectation: Your outfit is going to be on point.

Reality:

Expectation: You're going to strut into the bar like:

Reality:

Expectation: Your winged liner will be absolute perfection.

Reality: 

Expectation: Once you walk in, you'll notice the club is filled with hot guys.

Reality: 

Expectation: You just know you're going to remember this night for the rest of your life.

Reality: 

Expectation: You'll start to do your sexy dance/mating call:

Reality:

Expectation: A cute guy will start flirting with you.

Reality: 

Expectation: He'll buy you and your friends rounds and rounds of shots:

Reality: 

Expectation: This will be the best night of your life, and you'll hope it'll never end.

Reality: 

Or at 1 a.m. you'll realize you're over it, leave the bar and order a pizza on your way home. That's fun, too.

You still have that sun-kissed glow from summer and you’re wearing that super fabulous new dress you just bought… but did anyone else notice? Trying to catch the attention of a cute guy as the fall semester starts up can be hard—there are so many men on campus and so many places to find them! How do you find a setting that’s more intimate than a loud frat house on a crazy Friday night? Luckily, there are a ton of unconventional places to meet guys as you get into the swing of things this autumn!

Instead of: Your Dorm Hall Common Room
Try: Your Dorm Kitchen

There’s a reason why the old saying “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” has survived! Guys (especially college guys) gravitate towards any plate of food, so why not make sure you’re the one holding it? Not only can the dorm kitchen help you avoid only meeting people (ahem, hot guys) from your hall, but it’ll also help you sharpen your cooking skills!

Tasha Wang, a junior at Wesleyan University, used the dorm kitchen to her advantage last year. A first she was only using her cooking as a way to eat better food, but she soon found that many of the people coming around the kitchen were guys—very cute guys at that! “One night, I made super delicious sugar cookies with homemade frosting,” she says. “The next thing I know, I’m surrounded by about 15 guys, all asking if they can grab a cookie or two!”

Using food as a segue, Tasha was able to strike up more genuine conversations with some of the guys in her dorm over the course of several weeks and months. “At first they asked about my cooking, if I could cook and bake more often, stuff like that,” she says. “But eventually those conversations led to more intense discussions about other stuff, like classes and friends and feelings about being in college.”

Tasha’s tip for collegiettes trying to use food to get to a man’s heart? “Try baking first!” Tasha says. “Though guys will eat anything from steak to salad to spoiled milk, making cookies or cupcakes is an easy way for guys to take notice. And who doesn’t have a sweet tooth of sorts?”

Once you get a guy who loves food interested, try getting his number so you can text him the next time you cook (or when the food’s ready!). Talking about food is also a great way to keep any conversation going: what’s this guy’s favorite meal? Favorite dessert? Favorite food of all time? He shouldn’t be surprised if the next time he stops by, you’re cooking something he suggested!

Instead of: On-Campus Events
Try: Off-Campus Events

Many college clubs have retreats, away games or field trips, so there’s no better place to meet a guy than when exploring a brand new place together in a smaller, more intimate group!

Laura*, a sophomore at the Wesleyan University, met her boyfriend during a freshmen pre-orientation trip. They went kayaking with a small group of students, and she was able to get to know him better.

“We started out as friends, but getting to know him a setting different from a college campus was a great experience,” she says. “It was fun racing him in our kayaks, walking around and talking in the wilderness and just sort of being away from the fast pace of normal life, especially since I knew starting college was going to be nuts.”

Laura feels like she got to know him better than she would at school. “Freshman year can be especially overwhelming,” she says. “Everyone’s running around all the time, not knowing where to go, and it’s easy to completely forget who everyone is. By taking time to know John on that personal level before getting to school, we were able to grow even more once we were there.”

Off-campus events are relatively easy to sign up for; many groups on campus have something going on, so keep your eyes peeled and ask around! If not, create an off-campus event yourself. Talk with administrators, professors and other students about your college’s regulations for putting on an off-campus event. Even if you don’t connect with a potential partner, it’ll still be a great way to bond with other students!

Instead of: Tailgates
Try: Conferences or Panels

Many schools host a variety of conferences or panels for students about everything from social justice to academic rights to vegan food on college campuses. The nice thing about these events is that the people who care about the issues the most attend them, and this includes extremely passionate guys!

Marley*, a junior at the University of Texas, was sick of trying to meet guys at random pregames and tailgates. “I’m not a huge fan of the drunken party scene, especially the one that surrounds sports school culture,” she says. “It is so hard to really talk to anyone at those things. Everyone is wasted, guys are belligerent and you really can’t have any sort of conversation with anyone after the alcohol starts flowing.”

A couple months into her sophomore year, Marley attended a conference about women’s rights and ended up sitting next to a gorgeous blonde boy. “We listened to a speaker discuss sexual assault on college campuses,” she says. “But during a break right after the session, this guy and I started having a pretty awesome discussion about what we could do help women feel more secure in how universities handle sexual assaults.”

Overall, she felt it was a great conversation to have. “I got to meet someone whom I could talk to—sober, no less—about things I really cared about,” she says. “It was a small, relaxed setting (only about 20 people were in our session), so I was able to get to know him better than I would have during more traditional college events.”

The nice thing about smaller conferences and panels is that it’s easy to find conversation starters. Is there a cutie catching your eye? Casually ask him what he thought of the speaker(s). If he really liked the presentation, ask him if he’s involved with that particular cause on campus or if he knows any other events like this one that you could attend (who knows? Maybe you two could go together!). If he didn’t like it, there’s still room for discussion. Why didn’t he like it? If this particular panel wasn’t his style, what kind of activities is he into? There’s a way to make the most out of any situation!

Instead of: The Library
Try: The Campus Bookstore

Campus bookstores don’t typically seem like the most romantic places to meet someone (unless you’re an English major), but they can work, especially at the beginning of the semester!

First, there are the actual books. See a cutie getting the same psychology textbook as you? Ask if he’s in your class and what he’s heard about the professor. Is he a psych major, or he just taking this class for fun? If it ends up that you are in fact taking the same course, you now have a super attractive buddy to sit next to during the upcoming lecture (always a plus!).

Long lines in the bookstore are also a huge part of the beginning of fall semester. Hundreds of students are trying to get those last minute textbooks (and random college T-shirts) to start off the school year right. This interminable line can definitely include some nice guys. Strike up a conversation with the people standing in front of you and behind you. You’re all going to be waiting a long time for the cash register, so you might as well have some fun and meet some new people (including that adorable dude carrying a book by your favorite author!).

Instead of: Interest Clubs
Try: Volunteer or Community Service Organizations

Although interest clubs are great, it’s always good to expand your horizons and flex your Good Samaritan muscle by joining a volunteer or community service organization. Not only do you get to do good for your community, but you also get to meet some great guys who are doing the same thing!

Tasha also met several guys while volunteering with an organization that tutors elementary school kids close to Wesleyan’s campus. “It was so great seeing these guys interact with these kids,” she says. “You get to see them in a different light. And what’s cuter than a guy who’s genuine and wants to make the world a better place?”

As with her experiences cooking in her dorm kitchen, Tasha found that the volunteer organization was a great conversation starter with all the guys she worked with. “It was a lot less intimidating than trying to talk to them at a party,” she says. “I didn’t have to yell to be heard, and I didn’t have to dress up and look pretty for them to notice me. Instead, I got to know these guys as people who care about the world around them, and that was so cool to me!”

Though Tasha is part of several interest clubs on campus, she says that her work with the tutoring program helped her forge much stronger connections with her fellow volunteers. “I’ve actually got my eye on a boy that I met while tutoring,” she says. “I think what sealed the deal for me was watching him interact with this third grader who couldn’t understand decimals—it was great seeing him be so caring!”

Overall, you can find college guys anywhere; it’s all about seizing the right opportunity and striking up a conversation. The smaller and more intimate the space, the easier meeting a guy will be. Branch out of your usual spots this fall—you never know what you’ll find!

*Names have been changed.