It’s the end of September, and you’re finally back into the groove of being back at school. While the first couple weeks of classes may have been a little rough, you finally feel like you have academics under control, and now you’re able to focus on some awesome on-campus activities.

While your main priority at school may be your academics, some of the best parts of college are all of the wonderful extracurriculars you can get involved in! Not only do they give you something else to do besides homework, but on-campus activities can also help you professionally. Whether it’s a couple of academic activities or a service club, being involved on campus gives your resume some personality and substance. Plus, activities can round out your skill set outside the classroom, which is something you always want to highlight. Here are some clubs and groups we suggest you get involved in to boost your resume!

1. Activities related to your major

What better way to complement your academics than with an activity that incorporates your major? There are a lot of clubs on campus that combine what you learn in class with opportunities to explore possible career options.

“A lot of campus clubs are related to career interests; for example, an accounting club,” says Nayelli Perez, career counselor and assistant director of Hofstra University’s career center. “Being a member of [these] campus clubs not only provides … opportunities to meet other students with similar interests, but also provides a chance to meet alumni or employers in the field.”

Future employers will be impressed that you’ve pursued your career interests outside of the classroom as well as the practical skills you’ve gained from them. “Consider what activities will provide you with a chance to expand skills important to the types of jobs you will pursue,” says Tom Dezell, career advisor and author of Networking for the Novice, Nervous, or Naïve Job Seeker. “For example, if you are pursing media work, try to help the university radio station. Should you see yourself working in roles where communication skills are important, join activities that will require you to make speeches or write.”

Additionally, ask your professors if there are any professional associations you can join through your major. Most fields have regional or national associations (like the Public Relations Student Society of America or The American Society of Civil Engineers) that have chapters at many universities.

“[Professional associations] allow students to immediately establish a network of professionals … as well as possibly forming mentorship relationships,” Dezell says.

Most students can join professional organizations at a discounted price and then can attend lectures from prominent speakers in the field or participate in networking events. “It’s a win-win situation,” Dezell says. “Students get to realize the benefits of an association membership early, [which] makes them more likely to remain active as their career progresses.”

No matter what your major is, consider pursing activities related to it outside of the classroom. You can learn more about your potential career field and gain some experience!

2. Clubs you’ve founded

While your school might have a large repertoire of clubs to join, there’s always a chance that it doesn’t offer what you’re truly interested in. Quick fix? Create a new club yourself!

“A unique activity that could help boost your resume could be starting a new campus club that covers a topic of interest to the campus,” Perez says. “Then, on your resume, you could add that you were the founder of the club, which is pretty impressive.”

Inventing a new club shows employers that you can take initiative. “Any activity that reflects growth and accomplishments is impressive,” says Nancy Dudak, the executive director of Villanova University’s Career Center. “The good news is that not all activities need to be career- or professionally related. Growing an organization is impressive.”

Do you and your friends love trying new Pinterest recipes? Start a baking club! Have you read all the Harry Potter books and wish your school was more like Hogwarts? Consider forming a Quidditch team (played on foot, not flying brooms)!

“Students that want to found a new club should to go their campus’s student activities office to ask how they can make that happen,” Perez says. “The important thing to know is that starting a new club on campus is doable, worthwhile, but also a process.”

While every school is different, you’ll most likely have to create a petition of students interested, describe the objectives or goals of the club and possibly outline a budget. Most clubs also require a faculty adviser, so make sure you contact someone early on who’s willing to put in extra time to help your club grow.

The best part is that starting a new club shows off your awesome personality. “It makes you interesting!” Dudak says. “Aligning yourself with an organization that is wrapped around an interest or hobby further develops this interest and fills you with energy.” Your new activity will make you happy and boost your resume in awesome ways!

3. Organizations you lead

One of the main benefits of being involved in on-campus activities is the set of skills you develop from them. “No matter what career path [you] choose, landing a job will require [you] to show skills and abilities beyond academics,” Dezell says. And one of the most common skills employers look for across the board is leadership.

“Leadership positions are very important to highlight on a resume because employers view them as predictors of future behavior,” Dudak says.  “If you are a leader in your current environment, it's likely that you will continue to seek leadership opportunities. The great thing is that these leadership experiences can be found in any number of places—student organizations, class projects, service projects, at jobs and internships.”

Not sure how to gain a leadership position? “Try to join at least one or two campus clubs as early as possibly in your college career,” Perez suggests. “The sooner you start, the more time you have to make an impact … and have a shot of making it to its [executive board.]”

Become an active member of your club by participating in discussions, volunteering to help at events or fundraisers and just putting 100 percent into whatever task you’re given. The executive board will remember your hard work and dedication, which can help you land a leadership position later on. Leadership can help you in any career, so take advantage of leadership opportunities while you’re in college!

4. Service groups

Another way to contribute to a stellar resume is getting involved in service activities. Giving back and getting involved in your community is always a way to impress your future employers.

“Service to your community demonstrates your interest in improving, that your world is bigger than your immediate circle,” Dudak says. “That’s very impressive [to employers].”

Depending on what field you’re considering, service can also potentially seal the deal for a job or internship. Kathleen Welch, a senior at the University of Delaware, landed an internship partly because of her service experience. “I had a phone interview with a nonprofit organization, and they asked me specifically about my involvement with Habitat for Humanity,” Kathleen says. “The employers were impressed by my experiences and said I would fit well with their company’s mission. I got the internship shortly after.”

Besides nonprofit organizations, service can be beneficial for a number of other careers and companies. “There are plenty of opportunities to tie your career interests to specific service projects,” Dudak says. “[For example], an education student could work with children or youth, an accounting student could assist with pro bono tax returns, a political science student could support a city project.”

To make your service activities stand out on your resume, add some extra details about your experience. “Beyond just listing the groups by name, try to include numbers that reflect the size and scope of the activity,” Dezell says. “Some examples [may include] people served, funds raised [and] outreach.”

While community service helps others and makes you feel good, it can also be an asset to your resume!

Whether you’re interested in learning more about your major through an academic club or trying something new in a unique organization, on-campus activities can strengthen your resume and make you stand out to employers. No matter what you like to do with your free time, go out and get involved!  

It’s Homecoming season, which means prime time to show off your school spirit—and you don’t want to be doing it in the same three t-shirts everybody’s been picking up at the campus bookstore. You want to sport your school colors in something that’s cute, fun, and that fits your personality, and we know just where to find what you’re looking for.

From blinged-out jerseys for game days to flattering v-necks for any day, Victoria’s Secret PINK Collegiate Collection is the ultimate destination for college gear that’s stylish, comfortable, and looks good on, too. The best part: We’re giving away a $100 gift card for you to shop the collection! Customized for more than 67 colleges across the nation, these styles are available online and in store—check here to find your school!

Setting you up with the perfect back-to-school wardrobe isn’t the only thing PINK is doing to start off your year right. They’re also hosting a Crazy For Campus tour during September and October, where collegiettes will have access to pop-up shops and tons of fun events. Want to know if PINK is heading to your school? Your Campus Reps will have all the details!

The time to upgrade from campus bookstore couture is now—enter below for a chance to win a $100 Victoria’s Secret PINK gift card!

Want to win $1,000? Tell us what you’re excited about this semester by posting on your favorite social media platform using the hashtag #ZAPtastic and tagging @Tanda and @HerCampus, and you’ll be entered in the drawing for $1,000 to go towards whatever it is you need to have a #ZAPtastic semester. Just saying, that’s a lot of shoes… And you definitely have a lot to get pumped about already (at least 10 things, by our count)! Be sure to enter by Monday, 10/6 at 11:59 p.m. EST to win!!

Complain all you want about your psych. homework and waking up for 9 a.m. lecture, but we all know that this semester is going to be the best one ever. Whether you’re taking the class of your dreams, finally working up the courage to talk to your long-time crush or taking on a new leadership responsibility in your sorority, you know you’re going to rock it. Need some inspiration for your entries? Check out all the things you have to be excited about now that it’s finally fall.

1. You get to live near people with the same goals as you.

2. You get to take the coolest electives. History of the high heel, anyone?

3. Your best friends live super close to you again (thank goodness!). Frozen yogurt and Scandal marathons every night? We think yes.

4. Back-to-school shopping can be a semester-long occurrence. Yeah, we’re pretty sure we need those super cozy oversize boyfriend sweaters.

5. You get to ogle that cutie in your lit class three times a week…and (maybe) you’ll finally find the courage to ask them out.

6. The dining hall is a magical haven of unlimited and delicious food.

7. You’ve picked up some dope dance moves since coming back to school. Seriously. You can break it down.

8. You work out all the time (hello, free gym!)—and love it. Bikini body in October? We could be into that!

9. You get to befriend that random girl who’s in all your classes. What’s her name? Oh, who cares – you love her!

10. You’ll have crystal-clear skin this semester—zap your zits within 24 hours with the dermatologist-loved LED technology of TandaZap($39.99 at Tanda.com)!

With clear skin and confidence, you can rock this semester!

Get ready for an incredible semester, collegiettes—and don’t forget to post your #ZAPtastic moment on social media and tag @Tanda and @HerCampus! You could win $1,000!

If you’re anything like me, your ideal shopping day consists of lounging in sweatpants with your roommates, comparing your newest online finds and trying to convince them to order things with you so you can all score free shipping. The problem, of course, with online shopping, is that every purchase is a risk. You never know for sure whether your new threads will fit when they appear on your doorstep. Thus, many of us end up sticking to brands we already know, or deciding against ordering something out of fear it won’t work out. The struggle, as they say, is real.

This is where Fitbay comes in. Have you ever had a friend with the exact same body type as you? If you have, you’ve undoubtedly exchanged advice about what stores/brands/styles fit you best. Now imagine you have an unlimited number of these friends—yup, an entire Internet’s worth!

Here’s how it works: when you go to Fitbay for the first time, you’ll be prompted to make an account, in which you’ll provide a few details about your body type, including your height, weight, and body type. You'll also have the opportunity to enter information about the clothes and brands that are already a perfect fit—are Madewell's v-necks in size small your go-to tee? Do J Brand's skinny jeans in a certain size fit like a glove? Once that’s done, you’ll be instantly connected with what Fitbay calls your “body doubles”—as in, people who have the same body type. In a Pinterest-style layout, you’ll see nothing but links to clothing items that your body doubles love. Every posts indicates what percent “match” a user’s body is to yours as well as details as to how the piece fits your body double, and provides a link to where you can buy the item online. You can also check out the “discover” tab, which suggests clothes and brands selected based on items you and your body doubles have liked.

Fitbay is still in beta form—join now, and you’ll be way ahead of the curve. The bigger it grows, the better it will get, so be sure to spread the word. But first, sign up and get shopping!

Chances are, you didn’t grow up wearing T-shirts and hats adorned with the mascot or logo of your local community college. Most people don’t grow up daydreaming about one day attending community college, but when the time comes to graduate, tons of collegiettes realize that it’s a better alternative for all kinds of reasons. If you had your heart set on your dream school and ended up in community college—or if you made the choice on your own from the get-go!—then you should read these reasons why community college is actually awesome. 

1) Your wallet will be so much less empty 

Whether they’re public schools or private schools, in-state or out-of-state, colleges carry a seriously scary price tag. But at community colleges, the cost of attendance is much cheaper. Based on a study by The Center for College Affordability & Productivity, an independent nonprofit research center in Washington, D.C.,“tuition levels for [community college] students are seldom much more than one-half of what they are at four-year schools.” Specifically, the CCAP cites that students at community colleges “save, on average, $4,183 in tuition over public four-year institutions, and $22,741 when compared to private four-year schools.” 

For the first two years of college – whether at a liberal arts college, a state school or a community college – most students are fulfilling general education requirements before they start the classes that directly relate to their major. These credits really don’t relate to your degree, they just have to be knocked out of the way before you can graduate! So why wouldn’t you take them somewhere cheaper? You can save tens of thousands of dollars by spending your first two years in a community college, taking courses like English 101 or Basic Math that you’d just be taking in a four-year school anyway. 

Brandon Farestad-Rittel, a financial whiz at the popular discount website Gift Card Granny, says there are definitely monetary benefits to going to a community college. “The primary financial advantage of attending a community college right out of high school is definitely the cost of tuition,” says Farestad-Rittel. “The advantages of paying less in tuition for community colleges also extend to your future plans. When you aren't saddled by massive student loan payments for years after graduation, you get a head start on other important purchases like a car or house.”

Abby Akers, a senior at Harrisburg Area Community College in Pennsylvania, agrees with Farestad-Rittel. “It’s inexpensive and convenient,” she says. “You can pay as you go, you can have a full-time job while you’re taking classes because they offer a lot of night and evening slots, and more often than not you graduate without student loan debt, too, because it’s cheaper and there are payment plans to work with you.” 

“Paying as you go,” as Abby put it, is a great way to avoid hefty interest rates on student loans as you gain your education. At Henry Ford Community College in Michigan, this is referred to as “EZ Pay,” which is a tuition management plan that helps you budget your tuition and other educational expenses. You make monthly payments without interest, and the amount you’re paying each month is flexible. Lots of community colleges offer programs like these to help graduates start off their career without any debt. At both HFCC and San Jacinto College, a community college in Texas, the only extra fee incurred with these installment payment plans are a $25 charge to enroll for the payment plan online. Much better than paying thousands to borrow money for a pricey state school or liberal arts college!

Derrek Thomas, a recent grad of Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, also started his education at HACC before transferring. “I worked a full-time job while taking a full course load and ended up making more than I was spending on the tuition,” Derrek says. 

2) If you’re still living at home, everyone else is jealous

Okay, we’ll admit that living in a dorm for the first time can be pretty cool because you get to make new friends. But whoa, dorm life is expensive! The price you pay for residence hall life—from the dorm itself to a meal plan to the campus activity fees and everything else that’s included—is sky-high. At home, you (generally) don’t have to pay for any of that! You’ve got Mom’s home-cooked meals, free living, and usually free laundry. Maybe your parents make you do chores around the house, but chances are that you aren’t going to have to cover the cable bill or do the household grocery shopping every week.

Not everyone who attends community college lives at home; lots of students have their own apartments. But those who do get to commute to school from their own home every day are getting a pretty sweet deal.

“I had a few friends who had awkward situations with their roommates or with the people living next door to them in the dorms, and I never had to deal with that,” Derrek says. “I got to come home and fall asleep in my own bed, use my own shower, and [I] never really felt like I was missing out on any kind of really necessary college experience.”

Another perk? You certainly don’t have to share a bathroom with a full floor of co-eds like you would in a dorm. No flip-flops in the shower! And you can sit around in your rattiest pajamas without worrying about running into cute guys on the way to the dining hall for breakfast. It’s a win-win!

3) You have time to think about what you want 

At a four-year state school, and even more at a private liberal arts school, there is a lot of pressure for students to figure out what they want to do with their lives right away. They have to choose a major so that they can plan out which gen eds they need to take and how many as well as which courses they should plan to take to work toward their degree. In your first two years of school, you’re only 18 or 19 – you’re supposed to know what kind of job you want when you graduate?

At a community college, you have time to take your courses and think about what you want to do without being pushed to choose a major, a minor and a career plan right away. Even if you’re only in a two-year program, you have the opportunity to explore interests that don’t relate to your major at a much lower cost when you’re attending a community college verses a state school or liberal arts college.

“Lower tuition at a community college allows you to try some different classes and figure out what degree you want to pursue without worrying about expense as much,” says Farestad-Rittel. “Many students at state or liberal arts schools feel locked into a major because it's too expensive to sacrifice credits and make a change.”

So many people switch majors in college. As we mentioned earlier, Derrek started out at a community college, then transferred his credits to Bloomsburg. When he started at HACC, he thought he wanted to major in civil engineering, but by the time he transferred to Bloomsburg, he knew that marketing was right for him. “It took me a few classes to figure out civil engineering wasn’t something I really wanted to be doing,” Derrek says. “Because I wasn’t paying a ton for the classes I was taking like I might be at a bigger school, I was able to switch majors pretty easily to something I like more and I’m a lot better at.” 

If you’re worried about whether or not the credits you’re taking at community college will apply toward the degree you hope to eventually earn at a state school or liberal arts college in the future, don’t fret! “Lots of community colleges work closely with area state colleges or universities to ensure credits transfer directly,” says Farestad-Rittel. “Taking your basic requirements at a community college is a great way to avoid paying a premium for these tedious classes.”

So instead of paying thousands of dollars toward a major you’re not so sure about, community college allows you to pay loads less while you figure out what you’re truly passionate about.

4) Your schedule is much more flexible 

Adult learners typically attend community colleges more often than standard four-year institutions because they’re trying to make a living at the same time. “Community colleges are generally more accommodating of work schedules,” says Farestad-Rittel. “They offer significantly more nighttime classes than universities, allowing you to work full time during the day and rely less on financial aid.”

There are typically more time slots available for classes at community colleges to work around adults’ work schedules. If you’re planning on working a part-time or full-time job while in school (or even if you’re just a really late sleeper), there are usually classes available to fit with your schedule.

5) You could actually out-earn those with four-year degrees!

According to Forbes, the fastest growing jobs in the country, from dental hygienists to veterinary technologists, require only a community college education. Since community college grads also don’t have the burden of paying off an insurmountable number of student loans with the money they make, they’re even better off financially! The federal government has even capitalized on the clearly valuable community college system by investing $2 billion in community college re-training programs for unemployed workers. 

6) You can form relationships with your professors

In big state schools, you could easily end up in a lecture with hundreds of other students and never once have a one-on-one conversation with your professor. Their TAs would grade your papers, and your professor would know you as your student ID number. But that’s not the case at community colleges!

“The classes are smaller and more intimate, which makes it easy to approach the professor after hours with any questions,” Abby says.

Derrek agrees, mentioning that he actually ended up making some pretty good friends in his classes at HACC. “I think if I was in a big lecture hall, it would have been a lot easier to just kind of fade into the crowd and surf Facebook or something while the prof talked,” Derrek says. “Smaller classes forced us to discuss things instead of sitting silently, and once everyone started talking and got comfortable, making friends wasn’t hard at all.”

7) You get a second chance

If you didn’t get into your dream school, community college may feel like a punishment rather than the awesome opportunity it truly is. But the nice thing is that it offers you a second chance at getting into that dream school!

Maybe you’re like loads of other students who simply didn’t put forth their best efforts in high school. Derrek says he sure didn’t. “I would sleep in class, blow off homework for football practice and generally act like my classes didn’t matter,” Derrek says. “My GPA was horrifying. No college would have taken me based on academics.”

He knew he needed to make a change, so when Derrek got into community college despite his poor academic record, he flipped a switch. “I went to my classes and paid attention,” he says. “I studied so that I could join in on the discussions we had in class. I stayed after to talk to my professor if I didn’t get something. I actually tried really hard to be a good student.” 

It paid off. Derrek ended up with a high GPA and when he decided to make the switch to a four-year university, they accepted him without a hitch. “It was really new and kind of refreshing not to worry about whether my grades could get me in somewhere,” Derrek says. “Going to HACC let me press ‘restart’ and show Bloomsburg that I’m actually pretty smart.” 

Even if you’re not planning on transferring to a four-year school, community college still gives you the chance to amp up your study habits and improve yourself from the student you may have been in high school. It allows you the chance to better yourself and graduate with a high GPA that will show employers that you’re a smart, hardworking student.

So don’t get upset as your friends pack up and leave for some far-off university. Take advantage of your situation! With all the perks of community college, it’s hard not to.

Clemson University in South Carolina suspended all fraternity activities this past Tuesday after a Sigma Phi Epsilon pledge died during a fraternity run. The school cited the alarming number of other fraternity offenses in the past month as other reasons for the suspension. 

Sophomore student Tucker Hipps, 19, was found dead in a nearby lake under a bridge just a day before the suspension. His head injuries suggest that he probably fell more than 20 feet from the bridge and hit rocks in the shallow lake, according to police reports. Hipps apparently went for a jog with the fraternity around 5:30 a.m., and frat members said reported Hipps missing around 1:45 p.m. when they realized he didn't return with them. The eerie 911 call can be heard here.

Currently, the police don't believe that Hipps' death was related to hazing and said they would have nothing more to say about the case. However, the school paper The Tiger News said there were allegedly "reports on social media" that hazing played a part in his death. The national office of Sigma Phi Epsilon is investigating Clemson's chapter for these hazing allegations. 

Hipps' death is just one of 15 serious frat-related incidents since the beginning of the school year at Clemson, said Clemson University spokesperson John Gouch. Gail DiSabatino, Clemson's vice president for student affairs, has cited alcohol-related medical emergiences, sexual misconduct and violations of the law and code of conduct as other reasons for the suspension of all 24 fraternities' social and initiation programs.

"These behaviors are unacceptable and mandate swift and effective action to protect students," DiSabatino said. "There is no higher priority than the safety and welfare of our students."

A vigil was held for Hipps on Tuesday. Many students retweeted the picture @ClemsonParties posted with the caption, "Here's to all the lives you impacted. Thank you Tucker Hipps."

Clemson University has been having a shaky year. In April, six Clemson students were arrested on felony drug charges. Only a few weeks ago, Clemson made news for requiring new students to complete a quiz about their sexual history as part of Title IX training for public universities to prevent sexual misconduct. The requirement to take the quiz was then suspended after complaints that the quiz was too intrusive. It has now been altered. And on Monday, a hazing lawsuit filed by a former student against the soccer team went to federal court. 

But Clemson's fraternitites aren't the only ones feeling the heat for issues like hazing, alcohol and drug misuse, sexual misconduct and student death. These problems plague Greek life, especially fraternitites, on campuses nationwide. 

The investigation continues for the death of Rutgers student Caitlyn Kovacs, who apparently died due to alcohol-related reasons at a frat house party, according to police reports. The frat members announced their deepest condolences and said they would be cooperating with ongoing investigation. The university hasn't responded to the incident, however, with any suspensions or policy changes yet.

Just this past Monday, Wesleyan University officials announced that residential fraternities will be required to accept both women and men as full members. The new requirement is part of the university's response to "highly publicized incidents of sexual violence" that Wesleyan's board of trustees asked the school's president to address. This past March, in a lawsuit against Wesleyan's Xi Chapter of Psi Upsilon, a student alleged that she was raped before onlookers at the fraternity's house on campus. A student survey following the publicized lawsuit found that 47 percent of respondents felt less safe in fraternity spaces.

Clemson's suspension of all frat activity actually stands out in a sea of colleges and universities who seem reluctant to deal with frat-related incidents head-on. Issuing statements of apologies and creating vague policy changes seems to be the popular route for most colleges and universities, but it isn't enough for the students whose lives are impacted negatively by the issues themselves.

What do you think of Clemson's fraternity activity suspension and what other colleges are doing to deal with fra-related issues, collegiettes? Comment below! 

As collegiettes, finding new beauty trends is high up on our style to-do list. There’s almost nothing better than finding a hot lipstick shade or an eye shadow trend you love.

If you’re into exciting, new ways to do your eyeliner, you’ve come to the right place. Upping your eyeliner game has never been more fun with these cool new ways to do your makeup! Say bye-bye to boring, black eyeliner and hello to these awesome trends! Take our advice and try one of these for a fresh, bold look.

We spoke to celebrity makeup artist Hasblady Guzman to find out the easiest ways to get these looks and the best products to achieve them.

1. Classic cat eye

This adorable trend never gets old. Cat eyeliner is the perfect way to amp up your makeup without looking too fancy. Simply extend your eyeliner out as far as you desire past your eyelid to create this sexy look.  Flare the wings up to create an even more cat-like effect.

1. Start with clean skin, then apply foundation on your eyelid.
2. Lightly dust on a translucent powder or powder that matches your skin tone.
3. While standing in front of the mirror, take your left hand and pull back your right eyebrow (gently; don't tug too much).
4. Holding the liquid eyeliner pen or an angled brush with eyeliner gel on it, start at the inside corner of your eye. Make small applications, almost like small lines, one at a time, increasing the thickness as you move to the outer corner of your eye. Let it dry.
5. Do it all over again on the same eye by going over the same line.
6. For the bottom of the eye, at the lash line, add a skinny line with a second wing just below the top wing so that the lines do not touch, but run parallel to each other.
7. For the left eye, use your left hand to pull back your brow to apply the eyeliner in the same manner. 

Guzman suggests using Make Up For Ever Aqua Liner ($23) or Trish McEvoy Intense Gel Eye Liner ($28).

2. Bright white

White eyeliner can make you appear more awake than darker eyeliners because it brightens your eyes and isn’t as harsh as black or brown.  If you’re looking for a more relaxed look, try applying white eyeliner on your top lids, on your bottom lids or even on the inside corners of your eyes. You won’t look like you’re wearing as much makeup as you would if you were wearing darker liner. Try Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner ($20), NARS Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner ($24) or Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil ($20).

3. Smudged and sexy

Smudged eye makeup creates a darker and more mysterious look. To get this look, use a dark eye shadow and smudge it along your eyelid using a small eye shadow brush.  By using shadow as a liner, you’ll create a soft and sultry eye.

“Use a bold color, but make sure that it is more matte than cream based, otherwise it will crease,” Guzman says. She suggests using MAC’s Eye Shadow in Woodwinked ($16) and MAC’s 212 Flat Definer Brush ($24).

4. Glitter galore

For a fun, sparkly look, glitter eyeliner is perfect, especially if you’re going to a concert or a party.  Glitter eyeliner can be applied on your top lids, bottom lids or both if you’re feeling daring. You’ll bring the fun with you with this makeup! Try Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Liner ($19) or Stila Sparkle Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner ($22).

To complete the look, Guzman says, “You don't want to glisten. Use a dual powder that is more matte than creamy and a very low-key [lip color in] nude or pinkish/blushy. Don’t use blush on the cheeks.”

5. Double trouble

For a night out, double eyeliner can be a great way to switch up your look. Simply apply an additional line of a bold color on top of plain black liner to create a dramatic look. Try to choose a color that complements your outfit for the best effect.

“I would definitely use a black or a brown on the top lid, paired with a bright [color],” Guzman says. “Using too many different colors is something to stay away from so that the look isn't overboard.”

Great products to try:

• Gold:NARS Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner in Campo De’Fiori ($24)
• Red:Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Cosmetic Colour Pencil in NSFW ($16)
• Blue:Sephora Collection Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner in Blue ($13)

6. Graphic liner

For an extra-bold look, graphic eyeliner is the trend to try. Creating different patterns and looks with your eyeliner is a fun way to change up your makeup. Try this simple triangle pattern, or go for something more dramatic, like feathering or swirl designs.

If you’re doing a bold eye like this, use less makeup on the rest of your face.  For example, a light, shimmery eye shadow and a simple lip gloss should do the trick.

How to do the triangle eye:

1. With black liner, line your upper eyelids as you normally would.
2. Pull back your eyebrow gently. At the corner of your eye, begin to bring the liner up like a cat eye.
3. Extend your line farther than you normally would and create a sharp corner for your design.
4. Bring your liner back in a straight line to the crease of your eye.

Great products to try:

• Make Up For Ever 256 Definer Eyeliner Brush ($24)
• Dior Diorshow Art Pen ($31)

7. Color craze

If you’re looking for an extra pop to your look, colored eyeliner could be for you. Using a color rather than black or brown will make your eyes look bold while spicing up your look.  Bright colors will make your eyes look wider and can complement your eye color.

Guzman’s color suggestions for different eye colors:

• Green eyes: Burgundy, cream and green
• Brown/black eyes: Electric blues, bronze browns, teal and yellow
• Blue eyes: Espresso brown and whites up against charcoal-brown mattes; lining the inside waterline with white makes the color pop dramatically
• Hazel eyes: Caramels, black, whites and pinks

We know that you’ll look awesome in at least one of these seven trends, if not all of them!  Whether you’re into dark and smoky eyeliner or bright and sparkly eyeliner, we’re sure you’ll rock whichever one you choose.

Which eyeliner look is your favorite, collegiettes?  Let us know in the comments below!

Dodging the infamous “freshman 15” was one thing, but avoiding weight gain during a semester abroad is another story. While you may not be given infinite access to dining halls full of burgers and fries, you may be exposed to buttery croissants, endless pizza and tons of foreign foods you’re eager to try before your time’s up.

But don’t worry; you’ll be able to live your study abroad experience to the fullest without making too many sacrifices and without gaining the “foreign 15.” Just follow these seven tips from collegiettes across the country!

1. Maintain your lifestyle from home

Naturally, living in a different country can completely change your lifestyle. While there are definitely some benefits in immersing yourself in your experience abroad, you should be making sure that these changes are beneficial. “It is important to realize that any break in routine, particularly one that suspends all semblance of ‘real life,’ presents a risk for weight gain,” says Mary Hartley, a nutritionist in a private practice.“[So be sure to] have a plan.”

As soon as you start to get into your daily routine in your new home country, think back to what your habits have been like back home. Moving, jet lag and time differences will be enough shock to your system, so try to keep some consistency in your life. Try to eat the same amount of meals every day with similar portions to what you would have at home. Make sure you’re as active as you’ve been, and, perhaps most importantly, try to keep to your regular sleep schedule.

Keeping track of your lifestyle and how it transitions when you go abroad can really be a lifesaver. When you’re in a new situation, it’s easy to develop new habits. This can be a great thing to take advantage of, but it can also be a little dangerous if those new habits include more junk food and less sleep! Always try to keep some sort of consistency in your lifestyle in order to maintain your health.

2. Walk everywhere

Now that you’re in a new place, there’s a lot of exploring to be done. And what better way to get to know a place than to walk everywhere? Setting out on foot not only lets you explore your new home, but it’s also good for burning off those extra calories.

“From going to school to exploring your city, make sure that you walk as much as possible,” suggests Sarah, a graduate of Bucknell University who studied abroad in France. “My nightly cheese plate was negated by daily 20-minute walks to and from class every day.”

Walking isn’t necessarily a high-impact exercise, but it beats taking the bus when it comes to burning off those calories from extra snacks. Try skipping the bus and walking to class next time around!

3. Eat in

Not only does eating out drain your wallet, but it also puts on the pounds. When you’re in control of what’s in your fridge, it’s a lot easier to measure your intake of food.

“I vowed that I would only eat out once a week, tops, before I even got to Scotland,” says Alex, a junior at New York University. “I originally did it to save money, but it ended up keeping my health in check, too.”

Instead of hitting up your favorite restaurants, take a trip to the grocery store and try stocking up on healthier, heartier meals and snacks – and stay away from junk. This will motivate you to ration your food and stick to the healthier choices that you bought yourself.

“I liked buying my own groceries because I was able to control what I ate and how much I ate, and I think it really paid off,” Alex says. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t indulge every once in a while, but try to keep eating out for weekends and special occasions.

4. Join a gym

Even if you don’t consider yourself a gym buff, consider taking the step to join a gym during your study abroad semester. While they can be a bit pricey, having a membership will motivate you to get the most bang for your buck while also shedding those extra pounds. Not to mention, gyms can offer you those extra resources, equipment and classes that wouldn’t be available to you otherwise.

“My study abroad friends and I all joined a gym a few days after we arrived,” Sarah says. “It was a great way to meet new people, stay in shape and experience what a gym was like in a different country.”

If you’re unable to join a gym – whether it’s the cost, the location, etc. – there are still ways to stay active. Try mapping out running routes in your neighborhood, gathering a group to play soccer (or, should we say, football) in a local park or doing some research to see if you can find a yoga class in the area!

5. Have everything in moderation

While being in a certain part of the world that’s famous for their cuisine makes it harder to stick to your healthy habits, keep in mind that you should be eating in moderation. You may be inclined to indulge in pizza every day if you’re in Italy or cheese and baguettes if you’re in France, but reality is that you need to keep a balanced diet to remain at a steady weight.

“Indulging in local specialties is part of the fun, but you need to indulge carefully,” Hartley says. “When it comes to large, rich menu items, have a plan. Eat either a half portion, share with a companion, skip the next meal or eat dessert in lieu of regular meal.”

It’s one thing to take advantage of the setting, but you don’t want to overdo it! Try to limit yourself so you can enjoy the experience without sacrificing your health.

“You have a whole semester to experience the cuisine, and [you] don't need to experience it all in one day or one sitting,” Sarah says. “So make sure you're balancing out the delicious cultural delicacies with some healthy eats, too!”

6. Look into fun activities that sneak in exercise

“Physical activity is the ticket to enjoying extra calories without weight gain,” Hartley says, so you’ll have to make sure to sneak in some exercise here and there. Even if you’re not super into working out, there are still some sneaky ways you can fit exercise into your time abroad. In addition to walking whenever you get the chance, seek out some other opportunities for that extra calorie burn. Depending on where you are and the resources around you, there can be tons of opportunities to get a little bit more exercise in.

Stop by your new school’s student life office or check out their organizations online. Perhaps your university offers intermural sports or outdoor clubs that may include a bit of exercise in what they do. Even if your school doesn’t have a group for something you’re interested in – like, say, soccer/football – you can always take initiative! Get a group together and head to a local park. Working out doesn’t always have to be work, so try to make it fun and tailored to your own interests!

7. Track your eating habits

We know that writing down everything you eat doesn’t sound like much fun, but trust us when we say that it’s effective! Keeping a food journal or even a note on your phone with what you’ve eaten that day can really be a wakeup call.

Writing down what you eat will help you notice what you’re taking in every day – including all those snacks you fit in here and there. If you want to go the extra mile, think about your calorie intake as well. Tracking your food intake and calorie count is a huge help in maintaining your health.

There are lots of different resources that can make food and calorie tracking simple and much less of a headache. Think about investing in a fitness tracker like a Fitbit or downloading an app like MyFitnessPal or MyPlate. These resources are a huge help when it comes to writing down food, counting calorie intake and logging exercise.

The cheesy pasta in Italy, fresh bread in France and fish and chips in England can be tempting! And while you don’t want diet limitations to hinder your study abroad experience, keeping track of your health can be a good idea. It’s easy to focus on other things and lose track of how your eating habits change in a new environment. Follow this advice and you can easily steer clear of the foreign 15!

Want to win $1,000? Tell us what you’re excited about this semester by posting on your favorite social media platform using the hashtag #ZAPtastic and tagging @Tanda and @HerCampus, and you’ll be entered in the drawing for $1,000 to go towards whatever it is you need to have a #ZAPtastic semester. Just saying, that’s a lot of shoes… And you definitely have a lot to get pumped about already! Be sure to enter by Monday, 10/6 at 11:59 p.m. EST to win!!

Now that senior year is underway, only one thing stands between you and your totally awesome collegiette years: college applications. Sure, they may seem scary (Writing about yourself? Easier said than done.), but at the end of the day, the college essay is the best way to show your top schools what you’re all about, so the key is to be unique. Check out the easiest ways to avoid the seven worst college app clichés. With these tips in mind, you’ll be in the clear and decorating your dream dorm in no time!

1. Starting your essay with a famous quote

Let’s pretend for a second that you really do live by one of Shakespeare’s old adages, or that JFK’s patriotic appeals to the people really did inspire you to change your life (color us impressed!). It might seem like a great idea to share their wise words of wisdom—after all, they’re smart people, right?—but college admissions officers want to hear from you, not from famous people.

“Kids are used to trying to doing that [for] a paper for an English class,” says Michelle Podbelsek, co-owner of College Counseling Associates, an independent college counseling service for students and their parents. “In that case, they’re trying to start with something universal and then get into the topic. But for a college essay, it’s sort of the opposite. You want to get really personal at the beginning.” The first voice that the admissions officer reads should be yours!

If you really do feel a strong connection to a quote and want to incorporate it into your essay, Michelle suggests pulling only a single phrase. “Don’t just give us this dead quote and then start talking about it afterwards, though,” she advises. “Try to put in that same sentence with the quote something about why it’s important to you right away.” Link it to a personal experience, like a strong reaction to first hearing the quote or a loved one who used to repeat it to you. Most importantly, choose a decent quote (if you were considering quoting Miley Cyrus, for instance, we really can’t help you.).

2. Writing about volunteer work... and not being the least bit original about it

We get it—your service trip to South America was the best thing that’s ever happened to you. You made the best friends, had the best time, met the most amazing people and learned so, so much (insert more gushing superlatives here). We believe you! And it’s super impressive that you enjoy helping others. The problem is, so do a ton of other awesome applicants, and they’re writing the exact same essay as you are. How the heck is a college admissions officer supposed to tell you all apart? They’re only human, after all!

Even so, Hillary, a sophomore at UC Berkeley, says that, like most rules, college essay rules are made to be bent. “It’s a known concept that you’re ‘not supposed’ to write about trips, or community service projects, etc.,” she says. “I didn't follow this advice, because I knew what I had to write for myself. [I] ended up writing about my journey to [San Francisco] for the first time, and how I spent $10 on a luggage cart to maneuver my way to the community service summer program in which I was partaking. It was theoretically breaking the ‘rule,’ but I knew it’s what I needed to write, and it worked.”

Why did it work? Likely because Hillary chose a unique detail about her experience—the luggage cart—and wrote insightfully about its significance to her. “It’s understanding how to write deeply about something so they can really put us in that moment for them and we can see [the applicant’s] perspective,” says Podbelsek. “For every one kid that’s done it in the most boring way, other kids will take that exact same situation and they’ll find some sort of nuance that truly connects with them more deeply and put it in the essay, and then it works perfectly.”

She says to avoid focusing on ideas like “‘I went to Guatemala and I helped people and I never realized how great my life was until I did that.’” Instead, dive into a particular poignant moment or conversation. When you think about your topic, ask yourself, “Could anyone else but me write this?” If the answer is yes, head back to the drawing board!

3. Over-exaggerating commitments

If you haven’t done a lot of community service, you aren’t the star athlete and your biggest role in the school play was that of the silent elm tree, you shouldn’t try to exaggerate or pretend you’ve played a bigger part than you have. Insincerity will earn you a one-way ticket to the rejection pile! “It’s [the same] for any writer,” says Podbelsek. “Don’t try to write about something that you don’t know intimately, because it’s not going to come off very natural or just really expressive of you.”

Don’t be afraid to talk about something true, even if there wasn’t a trophy involved. “Most people write all about their accomplishments or something great, etc.,” says Shira, a senior at Franklin & Marshall. “Instead, I wrote about coming in last all the time [on] my high school cross country team and the lessons it taught me. It was a cross between being a bit humorous and showing some growth. One college distinctly remembered me based off of my essay about coming in last and said that they loved it because it was so unique.”

Podbelsek suggests reading over your essay and underlining any vague or general phrases like, “It’s so interesting that...” or “I felt so good about myself.” If you find a lot of them, it might be that your topic isn’t allowing you to write in the way that you’re supposed to be writing. Ask yourself: “Do I really have something meaningful to say about this?”

4. Turning in a gimmicky application supplement

We’ve all heard the urban legends. One girl turned in a flip-flop with travel destinations written on the sole! One guy sung his way off the University of Michigan waitlist by posting an ode to the Wolverines on YouTube! There are a million and one crazy ways that high schoolers have worked their way into a college, but in the eternal words of He’s Just Not That Into You, bear in mind: these are the exception, not the rule.

“Anything bizarre like a shoe or a cake or something... that is just highly discouraged,” says Podbelsek. “They’re just not going to take you seriously. They’re going to think you’re some over-the-top person who’s going to start stalking them.” Trust us, the last person a college admissions officer wants to admit to their school is a proven stalker.

Plus, do they really want a bulky flip-flop lying amongst the papers on their desk? Nope, they do not!

5. Writing the “dead dog” essay

Everyone deals with tragedy in his or her own unique way. Whether it was a beloved pet, an old friend or a grandparent who passed away, it’s natural that a death would have a profound impact on you—especially, Podbelsek notes, if it was your first experience with death. Still, that doesn’t necessarily mean it should make up the cornerstone of your essay.

The key, she says, is to make sure you’re not writing about a typical reaction that most other people would have in that same situation. The “dead dog” essay shouldn’t be about learning the truth about life and death, but about learning more from yourself, or how you applied that lesson to your own choices. For instance, “your grandmother died and that’s what motivated you to do such and such, or it made you question deeply something in your life,” Podbelsek suggests. “Something that you can really get meaty with that’s not just what anybody else could write.” After all, as much as we hate to admit it, the truth is that the admissions officer will read hundreds of stories like it.

6. Writing a super general essay

Word to the wise: if you want to apply to a school, you should probably know a little something about it (location is a good place to start). You’d be shocked how many students miss this basic concept when submitting their supplemental essays, and we can only imagine how many admissions officers have been tempted to write “SMH” in bright red pen across their entire applications.

“Some people, when they do their first draft of a supplement that asks, ‘Why Boston University?’ are just like, ‘It’s so pretty,’” Podbelsek says. “That’s just so cheesy. The colleges don’t want to hear something that they already know about themselves. You’re just not going to impress them whatsoever; you’re not going to show them that you’re somebody who took it seriously.”

Before you write your essays—even if they’re for your safety schools—learn as much as you can about the school. How many students go there? What majors or classes do they offer? Are there any awesome clubs that you’d love to join? If you aren’t a fan of anything they have to offer, you shouldn’t be applying there in the first place!

7. Submitting an essay with errors

What’s the easiest way to tick off a college admissions officer? Not proofreading your paper! Consider typos like payment for postage of a rejection letter—you’ll never let one slip by again!

“Even if [you’re] a brilliant writer, you always should have somebody else read it,” advises Podbelsek. “There might just be a typo. You always want to have another pair of eyes read it—also for perspective. When I work on an essay with a student for a while, we sometimes get so immersed in it and we’re so close to it that maybe we can’t see other holes or problems with it.”

Podbelsek suggests reading your essay out loud to yourself and others—even if you aren’t a limelight-loving girl. A phrase may sound perfect on paper, but when you speak the words out loud, you might find that you’re way off base.

Don’t let college applications drag down the mood of your senior year! The essay is easy once you start looking at the big picture—and using your own perspective. By avoiding these app clichés, you’ll get that much closer to earning yourself a “YES” from your favorite school’s admissions office.

In the eyebrow game, bold is best. The full and luscious eyebrow look has been coveted everywhere from Instagram selfies to runway looks.  Easy to maintain, and much more natural-looking, fuller brows are a (literally) no pain way to change up your look. Move aside Cara, these celebs have big, beautiful eyebrows that just won’t quit.

1.     Sarah Hyland

Gently fill in your brows with a pencil can help fill in any gaps. Choose a shade darker than your natural eyebrow color.

2.     Jourdan Dunn

Now you may be thinking it’s unfair of us to include a model in this list. But even off the runway, Jourdan stays true to her natural eyebrow shape. A brow gel will help keep your eyebrows in place.

3.     Keira Knightley

Our favorite thing about this British actress’s brows is the un-groomed, almost masculine shape. Cancel your waxing appointment and leave the tweezers under the sink. Large, blockish-shaped brows are very wearable.

4.     Carey Mulligan

Carey’s light eyebrows could easily be lost on her fair skin. A sweep of brow powder helps bring attention up to her elegantly curved brows.

5.     Allison Williams

The Girls star really owns her fierce brows. No arch, no problem. Using concealer above and below your brows will help clean them up.

6.     Rita Ora

Glamour’s September issue cover girl plays up thick, sculpted brow shape.  Exaggerating your natural brow shape can be glamorous, just be sure not to stray too far from your natural brow line.

7.     Becky G

It’s unsurprising that this young songstress has served as the face of Cover Girl. Her trimmed brows have a soft curve to them. An eyebrow stencil kit will help you decide how you want your arch to look.

8.     Sofia Vergara

The Modern Family bombshell opts for un-groomed brows. Straight eyebrows are low maintenance and super chic. No tweezers required.

Not all brows are created equal.  Choosing a style that works best for you can take practice. Which bold brow style will you take inspiration from?

Being busy doesn’t mean you need to be stressed! With classes, part-time jobs, a social life and only 24 hours in a day, it can be hard to manage your time well. Whether you’re a freshman trying to find all your classes or a senior looking to land that dream job after graduation, it’s important to make sure you’re not waist-deep in anxiety. Here are seven apps to help you stay organized and make the most out your time!

1. Wunderlist

Price: Free for iPhone.

If you’re someone who hates having too many sticky notes getting in the way, Wunderlist is for you. This app will help you keep all your do-to lists in one place. You can share your lists with coworkers, friends and family and assign each person different tasks. You can also start a group chat to follow up with your plans and update everyone on any changes.

“I use it a lot when I go food shopping because I always have my phone on me and I never forget a grocery list,” says Kasia Jaworski, a senior at Villanova University.

No more rifling through your purse for 10 minutes looking for a scrap of paper! This is your homework agenda, grocery list and social calendar all wrapped into one.

2. JotNot

Price: Free for the iPhone with a pro version for $2.99. 

Large, complicated scanners can be frustrating and time-consuming to use. With JotNot, you can take a photo of a document with your phone and get almost the same high quality that you would with a scanner!

The difference between this and a regular photo app is that JotNot has an image processor that detects shadows and edges, making your document as clear as it would be if it had been scanned by a machine. Everything is converted into a PDF document, making it easy to export and send documents to professors and classmates. It’s especially useful for keeping track of receipts, billboards, advertisements and whiteboard notes. You can also sync it with the Google Drive app, which will allow you to access the documents from any computer or device!

3. Google Drive

Price: Free for iPhone.

With Google Drive, you can create a document, presentation or spreadsheet that can be shared with other email accounts so that friends and classmates can view your work and make edits! It also means that you can access your work whenever you have Internet, so you don’t have to stress about emailing an essay to yourself before you work on another computer. The app version is even more convenient since you can work whenever you get a few minutes, giving you more time to relax later.

“I can write while walking to class, eating or training on the elliptical and access my writing on any device afterwards,” says Iris Goldsztajn, a junior at The University of California, Los Angeles. It’s definitely one of the apps that every college student needs!

4. Carrot

Price: $2.99 for iPhone for each version.

“Greetings, lazy human.” Carrot uses this type of tough love to motivate us into getting things done! Called the “to-do list with a personality,” it has six different moods that range from happy to angry, and it gradually becomes more annoyed if you neglect your tasks. You can unlock levels by completing the items on your to-do list, and the app upgrades and reveals more features as you use it.

“Carrot is my task manager and best friend,” says Shannon Delijani, a sophomore at the University of Southern California.

When you level up, Carrot will give you one of over 400 rewards, which come in the form of upgrades or stories. Eventually, at level 18, you can set notifications and decide how often you want to be reminded to complete your list. There are three versions of the app: task list and fitness tracker.

5. Period Tracker

Price: Free for iPhone. Deluxe versions available for $1.99 for iPhone andAndroid.

It might be a little awkward writing your period dates next to your homework schedule, so Period Tracker helps you keep your menstrual information separate from everything else! It’s simple and does all the work for you. You simply select your period start and end dates, and the app gives you a prediction for your next period, your ovulation date and when you’re fertile. You can also get the average length of your cycle and a log of your period history!

Keep in mind that the predictions aren’t perfect, so you should still consult a campus health center for any questions about sexual health or contraception. You can use the app to take notes on your mood and symptoms, which can be helpful whenever you go to the doctor. Since the app icon is called “P Tracker,” you won’t have to feel awkward when friends look over your shoulder!

6. Sunrise Calendar

Price: Free for iPhone and Android.

This calendar app is unique because it can be synced with other popular apps as well as to your computer! Since you can access it at home or on the go, the app is great for both planning an important event and running daily errands. If you’re planning a vacation with an app like TripIt, you can sync the app with Sunrise and have your entire itinerary transported to your calendar! If you’re someone who likes to use a lot of different apps, Sunrise lets you compile everything into one central place. It’s also easy to look back on events if you’re writing a blog or making a vacation scrapbook, because the app lets you search for past plans based on their name, location and which of your friends attended.

7. Spending Tracker

Price: Free for iPhone and Android.

All those morning coffees and sushi trips can really add up! This nifty app lets you set a budget or income for a period of time you choose and shows you in charts how much you have left to spend. You can categorize your purchases with different labels and see a pie chart that shows where you’re spending the most. It’s never too early to start practicing your real-world budgeting skills!

“It's easy to see how much you spent on clothes, food, alcohol, etc. throughout a month,” Kasia says. “It makes me feel super responsible because I’m keeping track of my money!”

With the help of these apps, you can plan ahead and make sure you’re never overwhelmed! Keep in mind that staying organized isn’t just about getting everything done, but also about making every day healthy and well rounded. Remember that no matter how busy you are, it’s always good to sit back and appreciate what you’ve already done, and maybe also treat yourself for working so hard. After all, every career-minded, organized and ambitious collegiette deserves a break now and then!

Right now is the most dangerous time to be a woman in college. [Refinery29]

Crazy, rich, famous pets. [Newser]

Why women aren’t safe on the Internet. [The Verge]

Lena Dunham’s best life advice. [YourTango]

‘Laguna Beach’ turns 10 this week! [SheFinds]

I’m tired of being a woman in tech. [Daily Dot]

25 signs you are Salem the cat from ‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch.’ [BuzzFeed]

Forbes column says drunk women ruin sororities. [The Huffington Post]

Miss America’s mean girl history. [Jezebel]

This woman walked 10,000 miles. [The New York Times]

With dating experts giving us advice for our love lives left and right, it's easy to find ourselves torn between competing dating rules. Should you make the first move or play hard to get? Should you reveal your true self on the first date or hold back the baggage? And are matters of the heart as black and white as some rules make them out to be? We spoke to three different dating experts for the final answers to our most confusing dating rules!

“Never settle” VS. “Don’t be too picky”

We’re always told that we should have high standards and never settle for less. We’re also told that our standards are sky-high and our definition of “the best” doesn’t exist. So which piece of advice do we follow?

“If you don't find anyone attractive, you're being too picky,” says Lisa Shield, a Los Angeles-based relationship coach. “There are tons of great people out there but you have to open up and let people in. One of the biggest mistakes people make is thinking that if they make an elaborate list of what they want in a partner, it will help them will get what they want. Usually, this can weed out too many prospects because no one can fit the entire bill.” Still, it’s important to keep your standards, especially if they concern your core values, which are the defining principles that make you who you are; like religion, politics, marriage, or monogamy. These are what Shield calls “non-negotiables,” although she advises against having more than five.

Christine Hart, a dating coach based in Toronto, suggests making a list of minimum requirements so that you can get rid of excessive, and maybe unnecessary, qualifications on your list. She suggests focusing the minimum requirements on his character traits and how they will affect your life. “You won’t be too picky if you stay [true] to the character of the guy and give way to how he’s going to show up in your life.”

“Play hard to get” VS. “Make the first move”

You don’t want to seem too eager or you’ll scare him off but at the same time, you don’t want to come off as uninterested and lose your chance altogether. These are two fears that have been instilled in us since our middle school days. Girls are told that guys like the chase, but what about the shy guy who prefers a girl who makes things easy for him?

Adrian DeTorres from the University of British Columbia prefers it if a girl plays hard to get—to an extent. “I think it would be interesting to have the girl make the first move. Ultimately, I prefer if they play hard to get, [it's] more exciting.”

Make sure you let the guy know you’re into him. Let the guy pursue you and give you a call—just don’t play mind games. “It’s up to you to let him know if you’re interested and then he can take it from there,” says Hart, who believes in good old-fashioned courtship.

“Don't sleep with a guy until you've been exclusive for three months” VS. “Sleep with your date whenever it feels right”

Love and relationship experts have suggested various waiting times for when it’s appropriate to first sleep with the guy you’ve been dating. We’ve seen it range from three dates to three months to even six months. So is there really a certain amount of time you should wait before hopping in bed with your guy?

The experts say that depends on what you want. If you want a boyfriend, both Shield and Hart agree that you should not have sex for the purpose of getting a meaningful relationship. Although their waiting times vary (four months for Hart, six to eight weeks for Shield), they both agree that it’s important to take it slow. “I don’t think you should sleep with someone until you can honestly say ‘I can be myself around this person and he accepts me for who I am.’ If you can’t say [that], then you shouldn’t be sleeping with him,” says Hart.

“Opposites attract” VS. “Date people with common interests”

So he’s Jewish and you’re Muslim; he’s outgoing and you’re an introvert; he’s a business major and you’re in art school. The attraction is there, but will it work? They say that you should date someone with similar interests and beliefs, because you’ll have more to talk about. But others say that opposites attract for a reason and that dating someone too similar could get annoying.

“If you’re going about trying to get someone attracted by harping on what your common interests are, it’s not [going to] work because that only matters after you’ve created attraction,” says Scot McKay of dating and relationships advice company X & Y Communications.

In other words, it doesn’t matter how similar your lives may seem. If you’re not attracted to a person, you’re not going to date them, no matter how much you both love cooking or The Office. You should not put as much focus on similarities, instead, you should question how the guy makes you feel, says Hart. Ask yourself whether you feel good about yourself around him and focus on his character traits.“Interests, I find, don’t hold a lot of weight because the common interests could easily go by the wayside.”

“Be upfront about who you are” VS. “Hold back your baggage”

When it comes to crazy ex-boyfriends, money troubles or criminal records, many dating rules advise us to keep shut on the first date. But others tell us to be open about our past and present so that we don't waste our time with someone who won't stick around because of things we can't change.

“You might feel like you're making a deep connection with a date when you open up and share the private intimate details of your life, but this can actually turn someone off,” says Shield. “I would be careful about sharing TMI [too much information] right away. Less is more. If you do share something heavy, keep it short and always put a positive spin on it.”

When taking in dating advice, look into the reasons behind the rules and why they were made in the first place. Remember, rules differ because opinions and values differ. If they don’t fit your beliefs, don’t fret. Think of these “dating rules” as simple suggestions, not laws to live by!

“Let me see your eyes right now!” My mom screamed as soon as I walked through the doors. I hid my head as I ran upstairs yelling at her and telling her there was no reason that she needed to look at my eyes. I slammed my door shut, sunk into a corner of my room, lowered my head between my legs and just cried. I was at an all-time low, and coming out of my six-week denial and escape from reality. For the first time in my whole life I felt like there was absolutely nothing I could do to beat this defeat.

College acceptance season (one-year prior)

Growing up, my friends all got straight As. But I was the girl who cared more about extra-curricular activities and doing the things that I wanted to do rather than the things that I had to do. If a class didn’t interest me, then I just didn’t try. But if a class really fascinated me, then I excelled. As motivated as I am, I just didn’t give my high school grades as much attention as they deserved. I may have given my high school resume a run for its money—but my grades, not so much. I am also a very stubborn girl and refused to attend anywhere but my dream school. I thought that since my letter was taking so long to arrive that maybe, just maybe, they were going to let me in. After all, my essay had been pretty convincing, if I did say so myself.

I got home from school one day in late April and checked my mailbox with that feeling we all have when we’re waiting to hear from our top choice college. I reached inside and combed through the mail, coming across two letters to myself. One was a letter that I had written to myself in the third grade as a class assignment. The other a small letter from the school I was hoping so very hard to get into and planning on attending. Tears started forming, and I threw the rest of the mail back into the mailbox, I got in my car, and I just drove. I drove for hours. I don’t really remember where I ended up, but I found a parking lot that I wasn’t familiar with at all and just sat there as I opened up my mail.

And I quote,

Michigan State University: “We’re sorry, we can’t admit you due to your grades. Please attend another school for one year to get your grades up and reapply as a transfer student.” 

For those who know me, I’m going to stop putting on a show: when I received my first rejection letter from Michigan State University, aka my dream school, I wasn’t shocked. Depressed and devastated, yes. However, I knew a rejection was brewing. I simply hadn’t tried hard enough. But my stubborn mind was convinced that I was going to get lucky—I truly thought there was a chance I would get admitted. Today, I laugh at my stubborn self. I know that I hadn’t worked hard enough. Things like that will not just be handed over to anyone at all.

I still cried for hours and later became depressed for the majority of the end of my senior year. No other school appealed to me—Michigan State was all I knew, therefore, it was the only school I wanted to attend. It was my ultimate dream school. In my head I knew that I would have to do the one thing I just didn’t want to do at all: I would have to attend our local community college. The thought of that just nauseated me, including the fact that I would have to start telling people my unattractive plans.

With tears streaming down my face I opened up letter number two. A letter from my third grade self, and the last three sentences are forever ingrained in mind, “U wyll be a grate persyn. U wyll du alll u wnt to du. U wylll go to the coleg u wnt.” Apparently I was a pretty smart cookie as a third grader. I was giving myself life advice that life had planned to give me on the day that I needed it most! If my THIRD GRADE self was telling me to rise above this situation, then I felt pathetic as my eighteen-year-old self sitting in a random parking lot and sulking. I wiped my tears, put my key in my ignition, and drove home with the aid of Telenav (my blackberry GPS, of course—I had no idea where I was).

Coming to terms with this reality

I kept telling my friends at school that I had no idea where I was attending school next year. I told them that I was still waiting on an acceptance from Michigan State. Finally, during my last week of classes as a high school student I figured I had to confirm something for next year. So I printed off our local community college’s application, filled it in by hand (this was the only option), and drove about 15 minutes from my house to turn it in. I remember feeling like this was the absolute worst day of my life. I felt like I was giving up on my dreams, but looking back at this moment, I really wasn’t. I was doing the first step in taking control of my actions and trying to change a situation that I didn’t want to be in. Going to a community college wasn’t my first, second, third or even last choice—but at this point it was my only choice.

When friends asked for my plans, I still kind of beat around the bush. “I’m going to stay home for a year and just figure things out. I don’t know if MSU is for me and I’m not ready to go away.” This was partially true—I had to figure things out, but oh man I was ready to get away. Staying at home for a whole extra year was not the top thing on my mind. But I was doing it so I might as well do it well.

I made an appointment with a counselor to help me pick my classes. “Please give me a schedule with classes that will all transfer to Michigan State next year. I will be there shortly,” I said, maybe a bit too coldly. “Sure thing! You don’t seem like our normal student. Why are you here? You have an ambition that I don’t see around here.” I sat there ready to cry. But I did walk out with the most awesome schedule and the best professors I will have ever had in my life. Thank you, kind counselor. Your efforts are appreciated so much to this day.

The year I didn’t want, but needed to have

I didn’t want to be at community college for this year. I really didn’t want to be there. But I wanted to get out and that was enough to fuel my drive. First semester, I worked the hardest I had ever worked in school. Every single class was attended, most tests were one-hundred-percented (made this word up… no?), and I had such a strong ambition to succeed. My teachers saw such an incredible side to me and quite honestly, I saw myself grow happier. I was getting the best grades I’d ever gotten and my teachers called me their star student—school was becoming something that excited me. Science became my new favorite subject (this was the weirdest), I fought my way through history, and I did every homework assignment I didn’t want to do because I knew it would get me farther. I would get offended when my friends would make comments like, “You’re doing so well because you’re at community college.” GAG ME. I was doing so well because I was working so hard, and most of my professors were once professors at my friends’ universities; they just wanted a change of pace. No one was handing me the 3.91 I received—I had worked so, so hard for that, and it was the first time I wanted to stand by my GPA.

Next semester was very similar. I liked my professors a little less, but still worked just as hard. I was even making friends. However, one of my friends pressured me into trying weed, and I felt so wrong about it the whole time, but I tried it and liked it and really thought nothing more of it. I didn’t want to keep doing that because I didn’t want to be the stereotypical community college pothead—I just wanted to get out. Something happened mid-semester and my math class became too much. I had dropped it without a single worry and happily landed a 3.8 my second semester in school. At some point mid-semester I had reapplied as a transfer to Michigan State and was eagerly waiting on a letter of admission from them. This time I had earned it. I was going to get in.

However, one day in May, a small letter arrived to my mailbox. Another rejection? How could this be? I had worked SO HARD and had done so well. I opened the letter shocked and my jaw dropped as I read the words out loud. The letter was from the Dean of Admissions, so clearly my application was given heaps of thought. He so kindly said in not these exact words, “Hey, your grades are great, but you don’t have our required math class. We want to let you in, but we just aren’t going to. Try again next time.” I was heartbroken. I had addressed my math class in my new personal statement, saying that learning math for 4-hours, once a week, was so difficult, and I could take the class once I got to school where they had it multiple times a week in one-hour blocks. But, nope. I was going to be home for another year. A year that I simply didn’t want.

I had learned so much this first year at home. I became a better student and really needed this year to shape my learning abilities for my future. But the thought of another year tore me to pieces. I called my friend and told him that I needed an escape from reality right now. He met me in the parking lot and eased me into a calmer peace of mind.

The girl I never was or will never be again

Those next six weeks are weeks I’ve blocked off in my memory. You are some of the first people I’m admitting them to, but in some odd, twisted way, they helped shape me into the person that I am. I spent these weeks keeping myself as high as I could. I spent so much money (that I really didn’t even have) on weed, and got high everywhere except work. I was high in my car, high in my room, high with my friends (when I chose to be around others), and even got high in my garage. This wasn’t who I was at all, but it was taking away the pain of having to face reality. But I couldn’t face the reality of being defeated even after I had worked so hard. Life didn’t seem fair, and this was my way of saying “well life, f*ck you too.”

I had hit rock bottom as I sunk into the corner of my room at the end of this six-week strut. WHO WAS I? Why I was I doing this? I was ignoring my issues and just trying to avoid them. Time wasn’t on my side, and I was losing my window of opportunity to try to figure something out. Depressed and wanting to continue in this rut, I stopped myself. Smart me had decided that this wasn’t going to make me happy, but only put my problems on pause. I had to be proactive and figure something out and leave this part of my life in the past. Because I needed something to do for the year, I decided to simply stay home again. I spent my summer depressed, so very depressed, and not wanting to go back to community college for a year. I had to learn to get happy on my own—I couldn’t run away from my emotions anymore.

My turning point

I was at a party at Michigan State one night in August where a friend had drunkenly convinced me it would be the best idea to go to the admissions office the next morning and state why they needed to accept me for fall. She convinced me I could convince them to let me in and that I would be here in a few weeks. I was happy and ready to take on this challenge.

The next morning I walked into the office and surprisingly, they let me meet with the Dean of Admissions. He explained that I missed another window of opportunity to get in for spring, and that I would have to wait another year. I stated my piece, and he told me he agreed with everything I said, but that he just couldn’t let me in. So I asked, why not? “You have great grades, but at this point you just need above a 3.3 to get in. So if I added you in for consideration you would just be number 731 and not the girl I would let in next.” He had called me a number and, in that instant, I knew this wasn’t the school for me. I was not the kind of girl who was going to get lost in a sea of people and I was surely not number 731. So I left with no desire to ever return.

Achieving my real dreams

Going to the Fashion Institute of Technology had been a dream of mine since eighth grade, but it was something I thought I could never do—it was something I didn’t think I’d be able to do. Moving from Michigan to New York is huge and it wasn’t for eighth grade me. But it was for new me. I wrote the best application essay I had ever written in my life—the words literally sparkled and jumped off the paper. And this felt like the perfect FIT.

I spent that year at home not really enjoying community college and sort of just going to class to go. By this point I was ready to get out. I had also stayed away from the friends I hung around with the year prior—I didn’t want to fall back into that trap. The year went by slowly, and it took forever to go by. However, on March 30th a feeling developed in my stomach, and I left school, hopped in my car, and drove quickly to my mailbox. Something was telling me that I had to get to it ASAP. As soon as I parked and opened up the box I saw the best letter that I’ll ever receive in my entire life. FIT wanted me! And to them, I knew I wouldn’t be just a number, but I would be able to be myself.

Being Myself

Attending FIT has been the best thing that has ever happened to me and I am the happiest I’ve ever been. I’m on student government and an R.A.! I was able to land my dream internship three months after moving to New York (AHHH!!!) and literally lived a year of becoming myself. I have the greatest friends and life keeps growing better. I am so thankful that the guy at Michigan State told me that to him I was just a number because now I know that I’m not—here I am, myself and happy, and in the end that’s all I want to be.

For a lot of new collegiettes, freshman year is their first time sharing a room with someone else. While dorm life and roommate bonding are wonderful experiences to have and are trademarks of college life, they can also be the source of some drama.

Roommate trouble isn’t uncommon, and there are plenty of ways to solve any issues that may arise. Lucky for you, we’ve got your go-to guide of some common roommate problems and ways to fix them, complete with advice from collegiettes!

1. She’s messy

Everyone has a different standard of cleanliness, so it’s not unlikely that you and your roommate may disagree when it comes to the state of your room. It’s safe to say that the both of you will have to make compromises and work a little harder to keep your space clean now that you’re sharing it.

Alex*, a junior at New York University, says that she’s dealt with messy roommates for a couple years. “Sloppy roommates can be a problem, but it’s one of the easier roommate problems to fix,” she says. “There are tons of ways to talk to your roommate and let her know that she needs to be a little bit cleaner. Everyone can be messy at times, so it’s an understandable problem that’s generally easy to approach if you do it right.”

If your roommate’s messiness is bothering you, it’s best to step up and talk to her about it instead of letting the issue go on.

How to deal

Make a chore schedule. No one likes forcing themselves to do chores, but trust us, you’ll be thankful you did it. A cleaning schedule is a great way to divide responsibilities and make sure that your room is clean on a regular basis. It’s best to come up with the schedule at the beginning of the year so you can stick to it – no excuses!

If cleanliness problems arise throughout the semester in spite of the chore schedule, take it up casually with your roommate. The conversation doesn’t always have to be awkward – it can be a quick, “Hey, do you mind picking up your side a bit? My parents are visiting!” or even just a short note on your whiteboard while she’s at class.

If the problem gets to be more serious, then consider approaching her about it. Remind her that it’s your space, too, and it’s her responsibility to help keep it looking nice. If the problem gets way out of hand and your roommate gets angry or aggressive about it, consider taking the problem to your resident adviser (RA) or another member of Residence Life – they’re there to help you with housing and roommate issues, so take advantage of their assistance!

2. She’s mean

Even if you and your roommate have the same sleep schedules, are both tidy and respect each other’s belongings, problems can still pop up. Some roommates simply just don’t get along.

Katherine, a senior at the University of Rochester, says that one semester she was randomly assigned a roommate who appeared to hate her for no reason. “Whenever possible, she would get up and leave when I entered a room; if we were hanging out with a group of people, she would make faces anytime I said anything and she only spoke to me if she had something mean or condescending to say,” Katherine says.

Eventually, Katherine took their problems to a mediator and began to get them sorted out.

How to deal

Communicate with your roommate and with others, if necessary. “My advice … would be to communicate about the little things early on, because they can escalate quickly and become unbearable,” Katherine says.

No matter what it is that’s bothering you, it’s best to address it sooner rather than later. If your roommate is making mean comments, ignoring you or just plain being disrespectful, try to nip the problem in the bud and address it as soon as you can. This will save you from months of frustration and an awkward, overdue conversation that would otherwise happen at the end of the year (or never!).

“Even if you're good about communicating, you might end up with a roommate who dislikes you and isn't afraid to show it,” Katherine says. “I coped with this by reaching out to other people. My mentor helped me see that the negativity my roommate had towards me said more about her than it did about me, and my friends helped me put things in perspective by finding the humor in the situation.”

If you’re having issues that even the two of you can’t figure out, consider taking the problem to an RA or counselor. He or she can act as a good mediator and help soothe the tension or even help you relocate if the problem is getting out of hand.

3. She’s absent

When you pictured your dorm, you may have imagined you and your roomie hanging out, eating snacks and watching chick flicks every night. While that’s not a completely impossible scenario, it’s not always the case.

When collegiette Ivy first came to Keene State College, she was assigned two roommates. A few weeks later, though, it seemingly dwindled down to just one. “[One of my roommates ended up] sort of moving into someone else's room and would come back to our room only when she needed clothes or when she was drunk and got in a fight with her new ‘roommates,’” Ivy says.

Absent roommates can be tricky, as they’re usually absent for their own reasons. Some girls get invested in their new significant others, make friends in a different building or are simply too busy to hang around the room. There’s nothing wrong with a busy roommate, but it can be kind of a bummer hanging out by yourself when you come home from class!

How to deal

If your roommate’s absence bothers you, try inviting her to hang out on the off days when she does come back to the room. Ask her what she’s been up to lately. If she’s not giving much of an answer, don’t pry, but do be wary. You want to make sure she’s not getting herself into a bad situation!

If you’re truly worried about your roomie and where she might be, encourage her to talk with your RA. She could be getting into a sticky situation with a controlling boyfriend or girlfriend or staying out too late and crashing at other people’s rooms who aren’t exactly wanting her there. If you have the chance to have a chat with her, make sure she’s not getting into any unwanted situations. If she is, try to help her out or direct her to the RA or another member of Residence Life who can help her out in her situation.

4. She’s always in the room

While having a roommate who’s never there can be a bummer, so can having a roommate who’s constantly in the room. It’s always fun to have some roomie bonding time, but you’ll need a break from each other once in a while. It’s easy to get sick of each other when you’re sharing a small space for at least a whole school year!

How to deal

If your roommate is in your room around the clock (except for class time), you might want to have a chat with her. If it’s the case that she’s simply not involved in anything else or doesn’t have many other friends, encourage her to commit to something on campus. Perhaps even consider taking her to a meeting of a club or organization that you’re a member of. Clubs, organizations, sports or on-campus jobs can be a great way to spend your time, get involved and meet new people. You may be able to get your roommate involved while scoring yourself some alone time!

It could be the case where your roommate is more introverted and less involved on campus, so your room is her natural retreat. If this is the case, steer her toward the library or student lounges on campus, or bring her along to one of your club meetings.

If she’s not responding to your suggestions, remind her that there are plenty of other places on campus to hang out and get work done. If it’s necessary, remind her that your shared room belongs to you as well, and that you’d appreciate having the room to yourself once in a while.

5. She’s nocturnal

In college, it’s likely that your sleeping patterns will be all over the place – until you get into a good routine, at least. There are some classes that start as early as 7 a.m. and others that end as late as 10 p.m., so it’s easy to see that students’ schedules may vary by quite a bit.

This was the case with Kira*, a third-year student at Northeastern University, and her freshman-year roommate. “I went to sleep with the lights on every night and then woke up at 7 a.m. as she was just going to sleep,” Kira says.

How to deal

If you’re not a heavy sleeper, this is something you’ll have to take care of, as you shouldn’t be compromising sleep for your roommate’s convenience. It’s understandable that based off of clubs and class schedules, your sleeping patterns will differ, but you might have to work to find common ground when it comes to bedtime.

If your roommate’s sleeping schedule becomes a problem, first try to communicate with her about it; she may not even know it’s been bothering you. Consider sitting down with her and going over your schedules, trying to figure out the best times you can have some down time – maybe even consider designating specific quiet hours or bed times if it’s necessary. If it’s something she can’t necessarily fix herself, seek out resources like the library or a student lounge during the day to give her some peace and quiet, and ask her to do the same for you at night. If you just want to stay in your room, think about the alternatives, like sleeping masks or earplugs.

6. She borrows your belongings often

For some new college students, having a roommate is like having the sister they never had growing up: double the closet space, sleepovers every night and tons of clothes to share. For others, a roommate is just a roommate, and their belongings are personal, not to be shared or borrowed. No matter how you treat your property and privacy, you should make sure your roommate is on the same page.

How to deal

As soon as you’ve settled in, you should discuss boundaries with your roommate. This could even be done while you’re crafting your roommate contract or cleaning schedule. Make sure you tell her specifically what you’re comfortable sharing and what you’d rather keep to yourself. This can range from sharing clothes to sitting on each other’s beds and chairs. Everyone treats her privacy and property differently, so make sure to remain open-minded and respectful!

If a borrowing issue arises as the semester continues on, you will have to address it. If she happens to borrow a scarf off the back of your chair for a day, simply mention that you’d rather she didn’t do it. If she repeatedly goes through your belongings to pick out her favorite things to borrow, you may want to consider having a more serious conversation about personal belongings. If the issue persists even after the conversation, take it to an RA, who may be able to help you out.

7. She brings in a “third roommate”

“The more the merrier” isn’t always a true phrase, especially when it comes to sharing a relatively small space. Unfortunately, some roommates don’t think about this and bring in friends and significant others to hang out – all the time.

“I live with three other girls, and we were all best friends, but [my other roommates and I] don't talk to one of them now,” says collegiette Joanna*. “She had her boyfriend move in with us for the summer without asking us, so he is at our place 24/7, [eating all our food and leaving dirty dishes].”

While the occasional visitor may be welcome, it’s not cool to let your friends in all the time, especially so often that they essentially become new roommates.

How to deal

Joanna says that communication is key, as it is with so many other roommate problems. “I let her know first semester that this wasn’t okay with me, and things were much better second semester,” she says. So, right off the bat, make sure you address the issue.

While it might feel a little awkward telling your roommate to kick her friends out, she has to realize that your room is a shared space. If you’re having trouble coming to an agreement, look at your schedules and find a way to fit in times or days where it’s acceptable to have guests. For example, let her know that she’ll have the room to herself and she’s free to have friends over if and when you go home for the weekend. The night before a huge exam, on the other hand? Probably not.

While your experience sharing a room may not always go smoothly, it will, all in all, be rewarding. As long as you’re communicating effectively with your roommate and letting her know of any issues that arise, your relationship shouldn’t suffer. Roommate bonds are like no other relationship and can last a lifetime, so don’t let silly little habits get in the way of an awesome friendship!

*Names have been changed.

Whether you’re throwing a party or just feeling festive, making a few delicious recipes is the perfect way to get into the spooky Halloween spirit. Her Campus has compiled some of the best Halloween recipes on the Internet, from appetizer to dessert. Enjoy!

1. Appetizers: Hot Dog Mummies from Spoonful.com

Ingredients:

1 11-ounce can of refrigerator breadsticks
1 12-pack of hot dogs
Yellow mustard

Directions:

1. For each mummy, separate one breadstick from the roll and use kitchen shears or a knife to slice it in half lengthwise to create two thinner strips.
2. Wrap one strip at a time snugly around the hot dog. Depending on the size of the hot dog, you may not need all of both strips. Leave about 1/2 inch of hot dog exposed for the face area and continue wrapping the top of the hot dog.
3. Bake the mummies on a cookie sheet at 350º F for 15 to 18 minutes or until the breadstick wrapping is golden brown.
4. Remove the mummies from the oven and cool them for 5 minutes. Add yellow mustard eyes just before serving. Makes 12 mummies.

2. Salad: Mesclun Meanies from MyRecipes.com

Ingredients:

8 large thick-skinned oranges
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 teaspoons grainy mustard
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Freshly ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ cup of olive oil
5 oz.-bag baby mixed greens
½ cup of toasted pumpkin seeds

Directions:

1. Grate 1/4 tsp. zest from top of an orange. Slice 1/2-inch slice off top of oranges and carve out pulp; slice enough off bottom of oranges so they won't roll.
2. Slice pulp of four oranges into half moons (1 1/2 cups); set aside. Juice rest of pulp (1/4 cup); set aside.
3. Cut a jack-o'-lantern face on each orange.
4. Whisk together reserved orange zest and juice with vinegar, maple syrup, mustard, lemon juice, ginger, pepper and salt. Whisk oil in until combined.
5. Toss greens and reserved orange pieces with 2 to 3 Tbsp. dressing. Stuff orange shells with salad; top with pumpkin seeds.

3. Entrée: Chili-Filled Coffins from TasteOfHome.com

Ingredients:

2 packages (8-1/2 ounces each) corn bread/muffin mix
2/3 cup milk
2 eggs
1/4 teaspoon black paste food coloring
1 medium sweet red pepper, sliced
1 serrano pepper, seeded and finely chopped
1/3 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon canola oil
2 cans (15 ounces each) fat-free vegetarian chili
1 tablespoon process cheese sauce
1 tablespoon ketchup

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the corn bread mix, milk, eggs and food coloring just until moistened. Pour into a greased 9-in. x 5-in. loaf pan. Bake at 400° for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
2. Cut top fourth off loaf of bread; carefully hollow out bottom, leaving a 1-in. shell (discard removed bread or save for another use).
3. In a large skillet, sauté peppers and onion in oil until tender. Set aside 1/4 cup pepper mixture. Stir chili into remaining pepper mixture; heat through. Spoon 2-1/2 to 3 cups chili mixture into bread coffin; arrange reserved pepper mixture over chili. Replace bread top. Transfer remaining chili to a serving bowl.
4. Place cheese sauce in a heavy-duty resealable plastic bag; cut a small hole in a corner of bag. Write "RIP" with cheese sauce, then repeat with ketchup. Serve immediately.

4. Entrée: Ghostly Pizza from MyRecipes.com

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound of frozen pizza dough, thawed
3/4 cup jarred tomato sauce
8 oz. slices low-moisture mozzarella cheese
1 tablespoon capers

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 475º F. Brush bottom of a 16-by-11-inch rimmed baking sheet with olive oil. Press and stretch dough evenly to cover bottom of sheet. (If dough resists at first, let it rest for a minute and then continue.)
2. Spread sauce in an even layer over dough, leaving a 1-inch border around all sides. Bake until underside of dough is golden (lift up pizza with a spatula and take a peek), about 15 minutes.
3. Use a ghost-shaped cookie cutter to cut ghosts from cheese. Place ghosts on top of hot pizza and bake for 5 minutes.
4. Place two capers on each piece of cheese for eyes. Let stand 5 minutes on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

5. Punch: Bloody Vampire Punch from Squidoo.com

Ingredients:

1 quart or liter of cranberry juice
1 liter 7-Up or Sprite
1 package of frozen strawberries in syrup
Thawed grenadine (pomegranate syrup)

Directions:

1. Place strawberries in punch bowl.
2. Add cranberry juice. Stir.
3. Pour in 7-Up or Sprite.
4. Pour in grenadine. Do not stir. The grenadine looks like blood!

6. Punch: Apple Cider Punch from Better Homes and Gardens

Ingredients:

6 cups apple cider
2 cups orange juice, cranberry-raspberry juice, or orange-mango juice
½ cup lemon juice
1 750-milliliter bottle sparkling white grape juice

Directions:

1. In punch bowl, large pitcher, or pitchers, combine apple cider, orange juice, and lemon juice.
2. Slowly add sparkling white grape juice or sparkling wine. Serve immediately.

7. Dessert: Jack Skellington cupcakes from DisneyFamily.com

Ingredients:

Batch of chocolate cupcakes
White buttercream frosting
2 toothpicks
Tube of black decorators icing

Directions:

1. Frost the cupcakes using the white icing.
2. For each cupcake, use the tip of a toothpick to lightly etch the outline of two large Jack Skellington eyes in the frosting.
3. Slowly pipe black decorator's icing onto the etched lines and then fill in the inner circles. Use another toothpick to spread and smooth the icing.
4. Pipe on two short lines for a nose. Next, pipe a long line across the bottom of the cupcake for the mouth. For the finishing spooky touch, randomly top the mouth with a bunch of short icing barbs.

8. Dessert: Halloween Oreo Pops from MomEndeavors.com

Ingredients:

1 package of Oreos
Candy Melts/Bark Coating (dark chocolate, orange, and white with green food coloring
Popsicle sticks
Sprinkles
Grape (or dark fruit) leather
Chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Insert the stick into the cream layer of the Oreos.
2. Melt your chocolate according to the package directions.
3. Coat each “Oreo on a stick” with chocolate (dark for bats and orange for the pumpkins). Let harden.
4. While those are hardening, cut out bat wings. Lay the fruit leather out and cut the shape of bat wings.
5. For the bats, once the chocolate is just about hard, push in sprinkles to the front.
6. Use white sprinkles for the mouth and fangs and some large round sprinkles for the eyes.
7. To affix the wings, just put a dab of melted chocolate on the back and stick it on. Let it harden, face down.
8. For the pumpkins, once the orange coating is hard, put some melted chocolate in a baggie with the tip cut off (or a piping bag) and pipe on jack-‘o-lantern faces.

9. Snack: Pumpkin-Shaped Oranges from TrendHunter.com

Ingredients:

1 bag of oranges
Choice of preferred filling (raspberries, strawberries, etc.)

Directions:

1. Cut off the top of the orange.
2. Scoop out the inside.
3. Carve a face.
4. Put your filling inside. Put the top back on.

10. Snack: Chocolate-dipped strawberry rats from The Hidden List

Ingredients:

20 large strawberries
40 sliced almonds
2 3.5-oz. bittersweet or semisweet chocolate bars, coarsely chopped and melted
40 slivered almonds
20 2-inch pieces of black licorice laces

Directions:

1. Line a baking sheet with wax paper or parchment paper. Trim a small piece from one side of each strawberry so they can rest flat on wax paper.
2. Insert 2 sliced almonds about 1 inch from pointed end of strawberry to make the ears on the rat. Repeat with remaining strawberries.
3. Insert a fork into the wide end of a strawberry. Holding the strawberry on fork, spoon the melted chocolate over the fruit to coat, allowing any excess chocolate to drip off.
4. Place on baking sheet. While chocolate is still wet, arrange 2 slivered almonds to create eyes, then place licorice pieces at the bottom of the wide end of the strawberry to form a tail.
5. Repeat with remaining strawberries, chocolate, almonds, and licorice. Chill until firm.

When it comes to sorority gear, you've got plenty of t-shirts and totes—so we've got a new way to show off your sorority's colors: DIY nail art! In honor of #ManiMonday, we'll be releasing a tutorial for a new sorority at the beginning of each week, so keep your eyes out—and let us know in the comments which sorority you want to see next!

Before you start, remember to always begin by smoothing and shaping your nails with a file; you'll get nails that look more professional and less arts and crafts. This includes applying a clear base coat, because not only will your masterpiece stay longer, the color also won't stain your nails.

Let's get started! Delta Gamma's colors are pink, blue and bronze, so I'm using the colors in the photo below: OPI's Designer...de Better! ($24.99), Ulta's Blue Streak ($6) and China Glaze's Something Sweet ($3.90). 

Begin by painting your nails with the light pink. With a color this light, I had to apply three coats to get a nice opaque color—you want to apply as many layers as it takes as you want a solid base for the rest of the look.

I decided to draw DG's anchor on my thumb, where I have the most space. Using the blue paint, place a dot on your nail at the cuticle and draw a line down from the dot towards the tip of your nail using a toothpick or nail art tools like the Insten Nail Art Drawing/Dotting/Painting Pens ($6.29). Draw a curved line, perpendicular to the first line, following the tip of your nail. 

Finish off the anchor by drawing another line perpendicular to the first line, close to the dot, keeping it a bit shorter than the curved line. Draw a tiny sideways “v” on both ends of the curved line. Lastly, place a smaller, pink dot in the middle of the blue dot to create the ring at the top.

On the ring and middle finger, use the blue paint again to write the Greek symbols for Delta Gamma.

To finish off the manicure, add bronze accents to the pointer and pinky fingers. I chose stripes to keep with the nautical theme, but polka dots, flowers, or even painting the entire nail bronze would work as well. 

Be sure to protect your manicure with a clear topcoat and give it plenty of time to dry fully.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial, and stay tuned next week for our Kappa Alpha Theta nail art! Let us know in the comments what other DG ideas you've got—and if there are any other sororities you'd love to see nail art for!

If you haven’t already realized, the “poor college student” isn’t just a stereotype! After shelling out big bucks on dorm supplies, a fabulous back-to-school wardrobe and the infamous load of college textbooks, chances are you probably won’t have a ton of cash left over for the random incidentals of college life, like late-night pizza delivery and the occasional shopping spree.

To ensure that you can afford that doorstopper of a chemistry book as well as a date night on the town, Her Campus is here to show you how your student ID can get you tons of amazing stuff at absolutely no cost to you! A college budget doesn’t have to mean missing out, and if you take advantage of the freebies available to students, you really can have it all. 

1. Admission to the Houston Zoo

The Houston Zoo offers free admission to students at Rice University, The University of St. Thomas, Texas Southern University and University of Houston—perfect for fall dates with that cutie in your zoology class.

2. The Washington Postonline

The Washington Post offers free digital access with any college email address (ending in .edu), so you can be up to date on all of the latest news the next time your friends are having a political debate in the dining hall.

3. A free drink at Chipotle

The beloved chain offers a free soft drink with the purchase of any meal when you show your student ID, so you can keep your wallet as well as your stomach happy.

4. A free drink at Qdoba

Qdoba offers the same deal as Chipotle, providing customers with a student ID a free soft drink with any meal purchase. So regardless of which Mexican chain you choose, you’ll be getting some sweet rewards!

5. A free drink at Chick-fil-A

If Chick-fil-A is more your style than Mexican cuisine, you’re in luck! The delicious chain also offers a free drink when you order a meal and flash your student ID at checkout. So many choices!

6. Six months of Amazon Prime

Amazon offers a free six-month subscription to Amazon Prime with a valid college student email address (ending in .edu), and then 50 percent off of your Amazon Prime subscription after that initial six months. This means you’ll receive exclusive discounts for students as well as free two-day shipping your orders, meaning the last-minute Halloween costume you picked out will arrive on campus with plenty of time to spare.

7. Free Admission to the Museum of Modern Art

The MoMA in NYC offers students enrolled at certain New York City colleges and universities free admission with a student ID. Some of the participating schools include Columbia, Cooper Union, Parsons, NYU and Juilliard, but a full list of colleges and universities can be found here.

The day-to-day necessities of college can be expensive, but that shouldn’t stop you from making the most of your college experience. With a little help from your handy-dandy student ID (and Her Campus, of course!) you’ll have the best year yet without breaking the bank.  Check out our article on 40 stores with student discounts for even more ways to save!

How often have you pushed snooze one too many times (or just slept through your alarm, period) and had to jump out of bed with only five minutes to get to your early AM class? Yes, we’re talking about the days where you hardly have time to get dressed before running out the door, let alone give yourself an at-home blowout and a perfect cat-eye before class.

Starting your morning off feeling less than great can put a downer on the rest of your day, so that’s why we’ve partnered up with Be There In Five to bring you a daily reminder that you are perfect the way you are—whether you’ve spent thirty minutes primping or you’re still a little groggy from getting up just a few minutes prior.

Painted by hand by a self-proclaimed expert in tardiness, these doormats come with a range of phrases from useful reminders (“Turn off your straightener”) to inspiring messages (“Don’t forget your sparkle!”).

To get your day started off on the right foot, we’re giving away one of our favorites: This adorable mat that tells you every day that “you’re like, really pretty”—so every time you leave your dorm room, you’re ready to take on your day.

Enter below for a chance to win!