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This Product Saved My Curly Hair When Stylists Could Not

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There are few appointments I actually look forward to. The dentist frightens me, and so does the gynecologist. However, the hair salon is a different story. I eagerly await my appointment, hoping to emerge from the salon a new woman — but something always goes wrong. 

I have been to countless salons, from the Supercuts that my dad swears by, to my mom’s expensive salon, to the notorious “Curly Hair Wizard” that my sister trusts with her life. One cuts it dry, one cuts it wet, one cuts it straightened. To say they have all disappointed me is an understatement. I once found myself looking like a cross between Jon Heder in Napoleon Dynamite and Justin Timberlake circa 2000. Each visit ended in tears and a visit to my local Dairy Queen.

The Problem

My hair troubles emerged long before my first visit to the salon. In kindergarten, my classmates and I would draw pictures of one another, and to my disappointment, every single student drew me as a stick figure with onion ring hair. The straight-haired girls got dimples, triangle dresses, and even earrings. I got nothing. This was when I realized that my curly hair is a curse — but also a blessing because you can see my untamed hair from a distance and just know it is me. It’s cool that I’m recognizable with a standout trait, but my hair’s high-maintenance nature is unfathomable.

My feelings stem from the fact that curly hair doesn’t play by the straight hair rule book. I don’t brush my hair for fear it will look frizzy from electrocution. Regular ponytails cause matted clumps and painful bald spots. When I take out my diffuser, my friends have no clue what it even is.

Although my curly hair issues have been ever-present, my problematic frizz, and therefore anxiety, escalated this past year. For as long as I can remember, DevaCurl products were my savior. I basically came out of the womb wearing their “B’Leave-In” Plumper. However, a few months back, curly people everywhere began claiming that DevaCurl products were causing hair damage and hair loss, and the company entered a major lawsuit. The DevaDamage lawsuit proved me right. My curly hair won’t win. I was determined to find a solution. 

After futile attempts to tame and grow my hair, my hair resisted. In fact, it gave the appearance that it was getting shorter and shorter despite not cutting my hair. I returned home at the end of the semester with a different look. My friends stared at me with bewilderment. “You cut your hair.” They smiled awkwardly. “I… um… really like it.” Something was up. Perhaps one of my ex-enemies came into my room while I slept and cut off my curly locks? Or, just like a scene from Monsters, Inc., a monster crept out of my doorway to feast on my delicious smelling curls as they were disappearing without explanation.

Fortunately, I am blessed with two curly sisters (and a curly brother) who provide me with much advice. My sister told me that change was necessary. She introduced me to the YouTube channel that is Manes by Mell. I watched Mell’s video titled “How to Grow Curly Hair That Doesn’t Grow.” The title itself filled me with relief. This was a real problem. 

Mell’s video suggested Olaplex for my hair-growth woes. When I first read of Olaplex’s power to work on a molecular level I was skeptical because companies have exploited my lack of scientific knowledge and desire for luscious locks before. But 12 minutes and $100 dollars later, I bought the Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo, Olaplex No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner, and Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother. 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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The Solution

When my beautiful box finally arrived, I raced to the shower. The conditioner instructions said to leave the product on for three minutes (the length of one shower sing-along).

The results were not instantaneous, but now that a few months have passed, my hair is stronger, healthier, and happier — and I can see the difference. Yes, maybe it doesn’t look like I have natural extensions, but I am on my way there. The secret is the H-word: hydration.

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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The life had been sucked out of my hair after years of bad salon visits and using the wrong product. Olaplex was a gallon of water I so desperately needed after 19 years in the Sahara.

Although Olaplex is expensive when you’re on a budget, it has saved me money in the long run. I have yet to visit the salon for a major split-end hair cut, and I haven’t splurged on countless products that don’t work. A major plus: Olaplex products are vegan, color-safe, cruelty-free, made without sulfates, parabens, and oddly gluten. Most importantly, they are celeb-approved.

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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In time, my goal is for my hair to look like the child of Julia Roberts and Zendaya. (Personally, I don’t think that is too much to ask.) So ditch the constricting gels and the yogurt hair masks, because Olaplex really works. Yes, it’s pricey. But, I am on my way to looking like a trendy Goldilocks.


So You've Got a 5-Star Island in 'Animal Crossing: New Horizons'– What Now?

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One of the biggest milestones to hit in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a 5-star island rating, but for players who think there's no purpose in playing after this coveted achievement, think again! From exciting events like bug-offs, new summer updates – Nintendo has a flurry that will release throughout the year – and milestones yet to be completed, there's a lot more to do after you achieve a 5-star rating. 

 

Blue Bunny is Giving Away Inflatable Pools For One, and I’m Kind of Obsessed

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Your local pool might be closed and your beach may not be open for swimming, but that doesn’t mean you can’t cool down in the water this summer thanks to Blue Bunny. Celebrating National Ice Cream month, they're giving away 100 pools in honor of the 100 days of summer. Can you imagine anything more refreshing? 

At only five feet long, each pool is the perfect personal size for any adult, and should fit on almost any porch or in any backyard space, no matter the size! The pool also comes with a free pump, so your personal pool party can begin as soon as you unbox it! This pool is not only guaranteed to be super euphoric on any hot and sticky day, but it's also super cute! Its bright blue and white pattern scream summer, and it features one of Blue Bunny’s new loaded cones on top, which looks so good you’ll be wanting ice cream all summer long. 

Remember how your parents always said you couldn’t go swimming right after you've eaten? Well, did they ever tell you you can’t swim while you eat? Blue Bunny has added not one, but two cup holders to the pool, so now you can drink your beverage of choice and eat a trusty ice cream while lounging in the water! Catch me out there all summer long.   

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Pool closed? Not this one! Head to Funlightenment.com between now and July 13th for a chance to win your own personal pool to help you find Funlightenment this summer. (No need to wait 2 hrs after eating Load’d Cones to get in this pool) Link in bio for more information on the rules of the sweepstakes! . . . . Blue Bunny Pool Giveaway NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Open to legal residents of fifty (50) U.S./D.C, who are 18+ (19 in AL and NE). Sweepstakes begins at 5:30:00 a.m. CT on June 30, 2020 and ends at 11:59:59 p.m. CT on July 13, 2020. Limit one (1) entry per person/email address. Odds of winning are based upon the number of eligible entries received. One hundred (100) Grand Prizes of a Inflatable personal pool with pump, ARV: $50. For complete Official Rules, visit Funlightenment.com/rules. SPONSOR: Wells Enterprises, Inc., 1 Blue Bunny Dr. SW, Le Mars, IA 51031.

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To enter, all you have to do is go onto https://www.funlightenment.com and enter your name, email address, birth date, and current address. Everyone living in the United States is eligible to enter as long as you’re 18 or older. The sweepstakes ends on July 13, so enter quickly! Your potential summer happiness depends on it.

College Women Hope Elizabeth Warren Is Biden's Vice Presidential Choice

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According to Her Campus’s pre-election survey, Elizabeth Warren is the preferred candidate as Joe Biden narrows down his pick for vice president. The survey, which polled over 500 students, found that 37% of college women consider Warren the top choice.

Kamala Harris and Stacey Abrams were the runners up in the survey, with 22% and 13% of college student support respectively. However, even with their totals combined, Warren outpaced them. The majority write-in responses expressed urgency that Biden choose a Black woman as his running mate.

Many college students are not as enthusiastic about Biden as they have been about past candidates in the race. “Biden offers a slightly better future than Trump,” one student wrote in, while another said, “He is the lesser of two evils.” 

A newly published study from Monmouth University shows that as many as one-third of liberals have a negative view of Biden. Young voters are looking for reassurance that he will make the right decisions, and choosing the right woman as his running mate will bolster his case. 

This Woman-Owned Company Can Help You Celebrate Your Loved Ones, No Matter How Far Apart You Are

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There are many things that will put – and keep – a distance between you and your friends and family throughout your lives, from long-distance moves to busy work schedules to unexpected pandemics bringing global travel to a standstill. When you're used to being moments from your best friends – like right next door in your dorms – this distance can make you feel like you're missing out on the most important moments you should be a part of, be it the more difficult parts of life or a milestone moments, and everything in between, from illnesses and wedding postponements to promotions and proposals.

Whether you have time to plan for the occasion or it sneaks up on you, Small Packages has stepped up to help you be present for the important moments in your loved ones’ lives, even when you can’t be there physically, with beautifully packaged gift boxes that you don't have to fill yourself and handwritten notes! 

A "New Home" Small Package, including a package of coffee and an avocado recipe book 

Offering twelve positive packages, from thank you gifts to housewarming boxes to something that just says, “I miss you,” and four for the not-so-great moments in life, like a breakup, Small Packages curates their themes from small, women-owned brands, and have made the 15% pledge as well, promising to source at least 15% of their products from Black-owned businesses. Small Packages also offers a Give Back box, which shines light on a different community each quarter and shares 10% of this profit with charitable organizations. This quarter, 100% of the items featured are sourced from Black-woman-owned small businesses, and the profit share benefits The National Bail Fund Network, so if you're not sold on a specific theme, you can support a cause that needs your help while sending off your love!

Whether you’re trying to celebrate life’s next big thing, offer your condolences or just send a reminder that your thinking of them, Small Packages will do most of the work for you. Packages are available in a variety of sizes and values at $35, $50 and $100, and every single one comes with a handwritten version of whatever message you wish to include on an original letterpress card, ensuring the recipient gets the full impact. As they say, it's the little things in life, and these Small Packages will shine a bright light in your loved ones' lives!
 

How to Help International Students & Push Back on ICE's New Policy

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On Monday a new order put forward by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) made a requirement that at least some education has to take place in person for visas to be granted to international students. In a statement, ICE said: "Students attending schools operating entirely online may not take a full online course load and remain in the United States." One exception is for schools that are on a hybrid model, with some classes online but others in person — these students will be allowed to stay in the country.

However, to protect the health of students, faculty, and staff, many universities have made the decision to host the majority of their fall 2020 semester online because of the threat of coronavirus. If students want to remain in the country, ICE suggests "transferring to a school with in-person instruction to remain in lawful status"— meaning to avoid legal consequences, including deportation.

Her Campus stands with international students. We know that taking online classes from home countries just isn’t the same with unreliable internet and time differences. We know that you need access to healthcare, libraries, labs and support facilities. We know that you are worried, confused, and frustrated. We know that you have worked extremely hard to get where you are. Below, we’ll be updating a list of ways you can take action and help push back on this federal order. 

Petitions to sign

Petitions have quickly spread online after news of the ICE policy. Consider signing the ones listed below, which are addressed to President Trump and ICE urging them to reconsider and allow international students to stay. 

Call on your university

In 2019 more than 360,000 students were enrolled in universities on visas that will be affected by the change. Harvard and MIT have already filed a lawsuit against the rule, arguing that for international students, "returning to their home countries to participate in online instruction is impossible, impracticable, prohibitively expensive, and/or dangerous." Harvard (which plans to hold its courses entirely online) also said close to 5,000 of its students study on F-1 visas, and MIT said it has nearly 4,000. 

Other schools are thinking creatively to find ways to require international students to be on campus (and be safe during the pandemic). NYU, Brown, and Columbia have announced plans to create hybrid classes with both in-person and online opportunities.

Wondering how to work with your school? Email your university president, deans, and appropriate offices asking them to create special in-person classes with absence excuses. You can also start a petition asking your college to protect international students. 

Call on congress

Call or email your senators/representatives asking them to demand that ICE repeal the policy. @basdonamuca on Twitter has shared an example template of what you can write or say: 

You can also send a letter of your own to your representatives using @resistbot by texting “resist” to 504-09. 

Other resources

@community_equity_ on Instagram is actively posting Google Sheets with lists of available in-person classes that international students can enroll in.

This story will be updated as information develops.

International Students Could Face Removal From the United States If Their Schools Go Full Remote This Fall

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As colleges across the nation continue to announce their reopening plans for the upcoming fall semester, many students have been devastated to find out that online classes will be their only options. For the more than one million foreign students, there is now the added devastation that they will no longer be able to remain in the United States, according to new guidelines released by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Monday, July 6. Students at universities that have implemented hybrid models of both in-person and online instruction must have proof "that the[ir] program is not entirely online, that the student is not taking an entirely online course load this semester, and that the student is taking the minimum number of classes required to make normal progress in their degree program," according to ICE’s new guidebook.  

While only eight percent of universities are planning on doing a completely online semester, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education, which has been tracking the plans of over 1,000 colleges and universities nationwide, 23 percent are operating in a hybrid model, which still leaves international students with the possibility of being deported if their program, year or a selection of their chosen courses are not included in the in-person options.  

This announcement follows Harvard University’s decision to allow all of its first-year students back to campus, though all classes, both graduate and undergraduate, will be conducted online. While Harvard’s President Larry Bascos condemned ICE for its decision, he put out no solution for the fact that every international student attending his University could be deported. 

Federal guidelines stipulate that international students must make the choice between transferring at the last minute, which is not an option for most students, or returning back to their home country. For the international students getting ready to attend the nine percent of universities that have yet to reveal whether their classes will be in-person or online, the State Department has made that decision for them; now they're no longer able to be issued a visa, thus they cannot legally enter the United States. 

Besides the negative impact on the students at risk, universities stand to take quite a hit as well. According to an economic study from NAFSA: Association of International Educators, international students at United States universities contributed $41 billion during the 2018-19 academic year. The vast majority of universities do not offer need-blind financial aid, need-blind admissions, or even financial aid at all to their international students, so their contributions to universities are a necessity to keep schools running. 

"Active students currently in the United States enrolled in such programs must depart the country or take other measures, such as transferring to a school with in-person instruction to remain in lawful status," ICE's Student and Exchange Visitor Program statement said. "If not, they may face immigration consequences including, but not limited to, the initiation of removal proceedings." The statement confirmed that students will not be deported if they take alternative measures, "such as a reduced course load or appropriate medical leave." But for most universities, taking a reduced course load is not an option to remain a registered student and one cannot take medical leave unless one consults with medical professionals. Even then, the road to returning from medical leave is not always easy, with some colleges rejecting students who wish to return to campus. 

How very American of ICE to hide under the cover of Covid-19 to remove international students from the country – international students that followed all of the guidelines required to attend school in this country and have been given no time to find another solution to keep their "legal" status. At least students and intructors alike are rallying behind them; here's how you can help, too

How to Make the Most of a Virtual Job Fair

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Navigating a virtual job fair may be new territory for a lot of students. Although it looks different from a regular job fair, there are just as many opportunities to take hold of. To make the most out of your experience, it’s important to be prepared to speak to employers and show your best self. Additionally, many of these events have video and audio capabilities, and you’ll want to look polished and professional when meeting with employers.

Preparing for the fair

Have your resume and pitch ready

Having your resume and “about you” pitch ready beforehand makes it easy to communicate in the moment. You may want to practice your pitch a few times to make sure it’s professional, and that you remember to hit all your talking points. With an accessible resume, you won’t be scrambling through your laptop and can spend more time focusing on why they should hire you.

Research the employers

Knowing which employers you want to speak to helps maximize your time. Virtual career fairs have less freedom to move from booth to booth easily, and sometimes the fair will even recommend or set you up with employers to speak with beforehand. Other virtual fairs will have chat rooms or video calls available for you to attend, so you can pick and choose which “booth” you want to go to and wait in line.

Test your video and audio capabilities

Making sure your video and audio features work beforehand gives you the advantage of spending more time with employers rather than fussing around with technology. Bonus: familiarize yourself with the website to show off your tech-savvy skills. 

Related: How to Rebrand Your LinkedIn & Make It More Useful

During the fair

Follow online etiquette

Being professional isn’t just about being prepared. During the virtual fair, make sure your environment is free of distractions, so you can focus your attention on making valuable connections. Being attentive is a sign of respect, so situate yourself in a quiet place before logging on, and turn your phone and laptop to do not disturb. Make sure to dress the part, use positive body language, and speak clearly, as it can be more difficult to make a strong impression virtually.

Ask questions

A career fair isn’t just about an employer getting to know you. Make sure you take time to ask questions about the company, the position, and their values. In person, there are usually brochures and signs that state things about the employers, positions they're hiring, etc. These may or may not be available virtually. It’s a good idea to ask the employer about these and take notes or see if they have an email list or online brochure so you can recall this information later on.

Grab contact information

This is vital when attending a virtual career fair. It gives you a chance to stand out even more in an environment that makes it difficult to do so. After getting their contact information, make sure to follow up with a thank-you note, or thank-you email — this is virtual after all. Thank the employer for their attendance and for meeting with you. You can also add in a fun memory or moment during the fair so they can better recall who you are. By thanking the employer you show gratitude and thoughtfulness — good qualities in a potential employee!

Related: What to Do When You're Not Feeling Super Motivated About the Job Hunt

Trying something new can always be intimidating at first, but with these tips, you’ll nail any job fair you attend. With an ever-changing world, virtual opportunities provide a safe, accessible, and tech-friendly way to connect with employers. Good luck!


7 College Students Share Their Honest Opinions About Going Back to Campus in the Fall

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As the fall semester draws closer, colleges and universities in the United States have begun to make plans for the new school year. On Monday, Harvard University announced that up to 40% of undergraduates will be allowed to learn on campus, tuition remaining the same for all students regardless of how they take classes. Princeton University, meanwhile, only plans to allow freshmen and juniors to return to campus for the fall semester, while sophomores and seniors can return for the spring semester. As more and more schools roll out their teaching plans amidst an increasing number of COVID-19 cases, students face a variety of fears.

I spoke to seven college students to gauge how they’re feeling about campus re-opening and their hopes for the fall semester. Here’s what they had to say:

Trying to make the best of it

“I’m not very excited about going back to school because I’ve been home for so long and on my own schedule that I’m going to have to get used to waking up early again, holding myself accountable for deadlines, working in between classes, etc. I’m also not excited because this is my last semester of college and I’m not going to be able to enjoy it in the ways I’ve enjoyed college thus far. I took college for granted not realizing how long COVID-19 would go on. I sound so selfish because as Kourtney Kardashian said to Kim, ‘People are dying!’ But in all seriousness, there’s not going to be the final s’mores and karaoke night on my campus and no events held by clubs. I won’t get to hug so many good people goodbye on my last day. I’ll even miss eating in the dining hall— despite how crappy the food is at my school. I’m going to try to make the best of it, but my heart feels broken to be going back because I’m not really going back. I’m afraid of not getting a job right away and being stuck at home with my family for far longer than I had planned. I’m going to try to see the bright side of everything, like that I even have a home to go back to with food and a family. There are people who have lost far more than I have. But my feelings and fears are still valid.” - Tirzah, Lasell University Class of 2020

bright white bedroom with desk working space

Maintaining social distancing guidelines

“I feel like I’m unaffected by my school’s decisions because all of my classes will be online next semester. But I’m planning on returning to my college town and living off campus anyway. I do think that since so many courses are online, my school could easily have chosen to make all courses online, but instead they’ve put students living on campus at an increased risk. I also think they’re putting low income students in an unfair position, as they are giving them the incentive to take all online courses and live at home to save money, which may limit the courses they are able to take. I do not have faith in the student body to maintain proper social distancing guidelines, so I personally plan on avoiding campus as much as possible and just seeing a close group of my friends. I think I’m fortunate that I am able to do this, but students who live on campus or have to take a certain class in person don’t necessarily get to decide who they come into contact with. Overall, I understand why my school made the decision it did, but I am skeptical of it.” - Katherine, Emory University Class of 2021

“I feel anxious, especially because cases are increasing. Students are expected to self-regulate their social activities, and I have a feeling people will be quick to violate social distancing recommendations, making a lot of people susceptible to infection.” - Shreya, Emory University Class of 2021

“I’m personally very excited to go back to school because the part of [my school] I love the most is all the friends I’ve made and haven’t seen in a long time now. However, I also understand that the problems with testing and social distancing in the country means the pandemic is far from controlled. While I’m lucky to be from a very low-risk age bracket, that’s not true for the older and immunocompromised people at Emory. I realize that my presence, along with hundreds of other students, on campus is possibly endangering others. I hope my school is taking serious consideration regarding the risks of in-person school. As much as I love being at campus, it would be selfish to prioritize my happiness over others’ lives.” - Cameron, Emory University Class of 2021​

Navigating online classes

“I’m excited that we have finally been told we can go back to campus this fall. I know I was worried for a while then there was a chance that things might be entirely online for the semester, because I knew that wouldn’t work well with my learning habits. Additionally, being home and away from friends for so long would be difficult because I enjoy being a part of my school’s community. I am most excited to be back with my soccer team, even though we don’t know that we’re going to have a season yet. Right now, the mindset is to plan for a season and hope it can happen. I am worried that cases will spike when we go back to campus despite all of our safety protocols and precautions. I am also worried that there is a big chance our social environment will be very isolated for most of the year and I don't think it can possibly be a healthy situation for so many college students.” - Emma, Emory University Class of 2022

“I am both excited and nervous to be going back to school in the fall. Most of my classes are happening in person, while a few others are taking place online. In my experience with online classes, it was very easy to fall behind and lose interest in the class. As this will be my senior year, I am hoping that it all runs smoothly, and I’ll still have a good experience even with everything going on. As a performance student, I am most concerned about the performance aspect and the possibility that we won’t be able to perform for an audience or put on the show as scheduled. My major is a collaborative art and needs to happen in a physical space. Just as the theater word has shut down, I fear the same will happen with my department.” - Cathy, Salem State University Class of 2021

The impact on income and international students

“It has been really interesting seeing the different types of plans universities have been implementing — particularly in terms of dorm situations considering it will be the more complicated part of returning to campus. As a senior, I like the plans of schools like Princeton and Yale that are working on a system of allowing freshmen on campus in the fall when they need to start meeting new people and allowing seniors on campus in the spring when they will want to experience their last semester of school. However, I think the universities are forgetting students who rely on the on-campus work options or already confirmed part-time work in their college towns. By banning students from being on campus, many are losing their source of income during the year. Along with this, international students are facing more and more uncertainty when it comes to new regulations and last-minute schedule changes. I am happy I live off-campus, so I did not need to worry about dorm changes and food. But I still worry the anxiety that comes with this changing environment and the impact on campus will be felt by every student no matter their situation.” - Emily, Emory University Class of 2021

You Can Win the Weekend When You Win a Free Case of Ohza Mimosas

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If the stars align right this weekend, you could be upgrading your upcoming virtual brunch plans thanks to Ohza. The ready-to-drink mimosa brand will be giving away two free cases as part of a weekend giveaway. Whether you prefer the Classic Mimosa, Classic Bellini or Mango Mimosa, you can get a free taste of summer. 

Two lucky winners will receive an Ohza prize pack, complete with a free case of canned mimosas and a merch item of their choice. Options include dad hats, totes, T-shirts and, of course, koozies, so you'll be able to rep your favorite brunch essential with whatever your favorite accessory may be. 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Best of all, no purchase is required to enter. All you need to do to enter is follow the brand on Instagram at @ohzamimosas and subscribe to their newsletter on the website’s home page.

Act fast though, because winners will be chosen randomly on Monday, July 13! After all, the weekend can’t last forever. 
 

This Instagram Artist is Putting a Body-Positive Spin on Taking Nudes, But Her Account is at Risk Because of it

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A college graduate from the UK is using her extra time in quarantine to promote body-positivity through art. Her Instagram account, Ru’s Nudes, looks to shed love for womxn’s bodies through nude art, taking customer's nude photography and recreating them in a different medium. 

Ruth Wormington, the artist behind @rus.nudes, is a recent Childhood Studies graduate from the University of Bristol. When Wormington attended a life drawing class at the suggestion of a friend, she found that she really enjoyed the creative process. “It felt really quite empowering to be embracing nudity in that way and presenting it as an art form,” Wormington said. She created pieces to put on her personal Instagram and, with an encouraging response, set up a separate account earlier this summer to exhibit her work. 

Between customer testimonials and her own discoveries, Ru’s Nudes became something deeper. “It went from just doing something artistic and drawing some people to something actually quite special,” Wormington said. “People requesting pieces have never taken nudes before. Some people said, ‘Even if you don't draw this, I'm so glad I've done it because I found it so empowering.’”

While studying at the University of Bristol, Wormington experienced a lot of freedom and encouragement to be very liberal, but at the same time she began to understand how that's not widely accepted. The stigmatization of womxn’s bodies that Wormington witnessed provided a personal motivation for creating Ru’s Nudes. Her dissertation surrounded LGBTQ+ sex education and in her research, she studied the difference between what women and what men are taught in sex ed classes. While boys are taught about “wet dreams,” girls are taught about their periods, and are not taught about embracing their own sexuality. 

“It gives boys the idea that girls shouldn’t be sexual – they should be innocent – therefore stigmatizing female sexuality,” Wormington said. “Then it also has dangerous repercussions for [boys] feeling that sex is their right. So through conversations about female sexuality and female sexual empowerment, I think it can sort of crossover into that right to ownership of your own body.”

One of the most inspiring effects Wormington experienced from her art is its ability to help subjects reclaim their bodies. The art shows their bodies in a different light after difficult and often traumatic experiences, including eating disorders and sexual assault. “The act of taking nudes is amazing, and I feel very empowered doing my own body; that was like, almost a catalyst of loving their body,” Wormington said. “Like people seeing [their] body as a piece of art and being like, ‘Oh, but that's me.’”

One of the next steps for Wormington is to focus on intersectionality. Ru’s Nudes is an organically inclusive account, inviting artwork of all womxn, including non-binary individuals and drag artists; she wants the page to be a “safe space for all aspects of feminine expression.”

“It's just really important to me, because I think if it's around the theme of reclaiming your body after negative impacts the patriarchy caused, then that is covering a whole wider ground,” Wormington said. And while Wormington never planned on the wide reception of Ru’s Nudes, she’s appreciated its power and the ability to facilitate body positivity. By representing body diversity through her art, she takes the trust that people place in her with their nude photos and creates self-reflections they can love and keep. “It's really important to try and create real bodies as well,” Wormington said. “Show them for what they are, which is a work of art without needing to be adapted.”

Commissions for Ru's Nudes are charged based on a sliding scale, including postage, with postcard nudes offered between £4-£5, A4 line drawings are £8-£10, and A4 acrylic paintings are £9-£12. Normally potential customers could DM Wormington with their interest, to which she would respond with instructions for safely submitting nude portraits, but unfortunately, Wormington's art account has been disabled and is under review. Instagram cited a violation of community guidelines, stating that @rus.nudes was publishing "sexually suggestive content" that isn't allowed on Instagram. Wormington is currently going through an appeal process to have the account reinstated. You can provide support during the appeal by navigating to "Settings" in the Instagram app and leaving feedback under "Report a Problem", reminding Instagram that the female-presenting body is not inherently sexual. If you're interested in art from Ru's Nudes, for now you can email Wormington at ruthewormington@gmail.com, where she's accepting commissions and providing updates, such as for the Etsy shop she is setting up under the same name.

If You've Been Looking For a Reason to Celebrate, It's Walmart's Exclusive Packed Party Line

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The more time I’m spending inside these days, the more convinced I am that I should throw myself a party for literally no reason other than the cute decor. If you’re not sold on the idea, you’ll understand as soon as you see Walmart’s exclusive line of Packed Party accessories. If you’ve been looking for a reason to celebrate, it’s totally this. Mostly everything is available for in-store pickup at your local Walmart, and I've rounded up my favorites below. 

Is The Sorority Life Right For Me?

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Whether you’re an incoming freshman or considering recruitment as a sophomore or upperclassman, you may have asked yourself this question. Well, I can tell you first hand that sororities are truly a second family for life. Spending 4 years in my sorority, I met some of my best friends, had the opportunity to participate in meaningful service projects, attend fun events and so much more. Here are some other reasons why sorority life has something for everyone:

It’s a new, welcoming community

Like I mentioned, joining a sorority is being welcomed into a new and diverse community of friends. From getting ready together, sharing meals and making new friends to cram for tests with, there’s always someone to share an experience with and make memories that you’ll never forget. And if you’re wondering how Covid-19 will affect your sorority experience, know that the sorority community is working tirelessly to innovate new ways to safely conduct recruitment and community engagement throughout the semester.

Recruitment isn’t like it is on TV

Myths aside, recruitment focuses on who you are from the inside out. Through this process, the sorority members you meet during recruitment want to get to know who you are as an individual. No matter your race or background, you will find commonality with many members in your morals, values, and aspirations.

Sororities are agents of change

I’ve always been so proud of all of the positive things my chapter has been a part of and that’s one of the major things that drew me into sorority life. From making a small change on campus to making a difference in our community, we worked as a national network of women who genuinely care about the world and want to make a difference. There are always sisters looking to have open conversations with the goal of creating positive changes in LGBTQ+ support, social justice, mental health, sustainability and more.

This network of women can truly change your future

From the connections you make during your time in school to meeting the women who came before you, so many members (like myself!) credit their internships and jobs to connections they made in association with their sorority. This community also opens up a group of supportive women who could be future mentors to continue to support you to grow and reach your full potential.

Learn more about sorority life and the opportunities at your school here.

So Is TikTok Actually Getting Banned? Here's What You Need to Know

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It’s difficult to imagine life without TikTok. The platform embodies pop culture, and in today’s political climate it serves as a hub for activism and discussion. Most importantly, the app soaks up four hours (maybe more) of my screen time every day when I’m struggling and need a distraction.

However, last Monday U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced on Fox News that the government is considering plans to ban TikTok. "We are taking this very seriously and we are certainly looking at it,” Pompeo said, and warned users that they should not want their private information "in the hands of the Chinese Communist Party,” referring to the Chinese company ByteDance.

Panic only worsened this past Thursday when TikTok users noticed a surge of disappearing likes and views on the platform. Although this was later revealed as a glitch, it incited fear after news of the possible ban.

A TikTok spokesperson told ABC News: "TikTok is led by an American CEO, with hundreds of employees and key leaders across safety, security, product, and public policy here in the US." They continued, "We have no higher priority than promoting a safe and secure app experience for our users. We have never provided user data to the Chinese government, nor would we do so if asked."

For me, TikTok serves as a distraction but for others, it is a career. Famed TikTokers are begging their fans for support, urging them to follow them on Instagram or YouTube instead if the ban proves to be true.

Meanwhile, creators are also utilizing this news as a chance for comedic relief.

♬ original sound - sorryidonthaveanychange

Some millennials believe the ban is President Trump’s attempt to silence creators poking fun at him (see above). Others believe that the potential ban is solely political due to increased hostility between China and the U.S. in terms of trade and national security.

TikTok users can laugh all they want, but India recently decided to ban TikTok, among 58 other Chinese apps. Due to India’s actions, some Americans are taking the app’s personal data collection seriously (though most aren’t). Also, with the way 2020 is going so far, never say never. 

As of now, the ban is not official. So keep scrolling and keep dancing, and pushing through claims for a ban, even if they "Say So" (cue Doja Cat).

These Three Students Are Trying to Break a World Record With Their Tribute to Loneliness

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Social distancing during COVID-19, while having positive benefits to stopping viral spread, unfortunately contributes to a greater sense of loneliness. In order to combat this feeling, three students have started a letter-writing project to document loneliness during the pandemic. 

The project, launched on June 22, is called Dear Loneliness. Seeking to break the Guinness World Record for the longest letter with a crowd-sourced art exhibit, it “double(s) as a memorial to 2020, the COVID-19 quarantine, racial injustice” and anything else that may occur during the year.

 

 

The team behind Dear Loneliness – Carissa Chen (Harvard '21) and sisters Jessica (Harvard '23) and Sarah Lao (a high school senior) – are all National Gold Medal winners in critical essay, poetry and visual art categories in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.

Chen first came up with the idea of pen pals in January, inspired by her mother to connect lonely people through a pen pal system and gather statistics on loneliness in the process. “My mom is pretty sick, and she’s an immigrant so she doesn’t get to talk to a lot of people,” Chen said. “I really wanted her to be able to talk to people, so I thought maybe she could write letters.”

In May, the Lao sisters started a literary magazine called EX/POST, hoping to create a kind of camaraderie, but found the exclusive nature of the medium wasn’t working for them. “We wanted to create community out of that, but then we realized we were rejecting people and it (didn't) seem like it was inclusive enough, especially for this time period, so we wanted to do something extra,” Sarah Lao said. 

With Chen’s idea and the support of the EX/POST team, they moved past the limitations of the magazine and created a more “artsy” pursuit in Dear Loneliness. The trio was inspired by similar COVID-related documentation, like the bitter melon Stay Home Diary. The project also received support from various partnerships, ranging from campus Active Minds chapters to the global mental health advocacy group Made of Millions to the Harvard Economics Review. And though Dear Loneliness was built on letter writing, art and music submissions are accepted as well.

Initially, the trio thought the easiest way to express yourself was within a long letter, but they learned that art submissions seem to resonate the most. “Something that’s really fascinating to me is the intersection of art and writing and how words themselves can become art in a sense, especially with something that’s digitally crowd-sourced like this,” Jessica Lao said. “It’s an intersection that could only be possible in today’s world, with the technology we have.”

 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

a reminder that letters can include art, poetry, music, and other non-traditional forms

A post shared by Dear Loneliness (@dearlonelinessproject) on

 

People from ages 14 to 72 have sent submissions to Dear Loneliness so far, with the bulk of them coming from young adults. However, the co-founders want to place emphasis on loneliness as a universal feeling. Despite their presence on Instagram, they’re doing everything they can to fight against the bias of responses focusing overwhelmingly on young people. 

The project has also reached across national borders, with several international submissions from India, Japan, and countries across Europe, sometimes written in different languages. Some of the submissions are centered around COVID, though many of them just deal with themes of general loneliness, particularly from India, where there have been several suicides of high profile figures recently and a heightened mental health conversation.

While she still wants the project to grow, Jessica Lao is motivated by the impact Dear Loneliness has already had on people in just a few months. “I’ve found through running our Instagram account that people are so happy when you just respond to their DMs or repost their story,” Lao said. “They’re so happy just to be acknowledged in that sense.”

While the phenomenon of loneliness has been researched and causes have been pinpointed, the Dear Loneliness team is focused on creating a cultural shift in its acceptance. It's more difficult to think of policy and medical solutions to loneliness, so they try to eliminate the misunderstandings surrounding the feeling. The team wants the project to go viral, and in particular wants to reach the general populace, beyond fellow artists and mental health advocates. 

“I feel like it’s important that the cultural shift reaches people who it otherwise wouldn't,” Chen said. “Everyone has different proximity to how comfortable they feel talking about their loneliness, or how vulnerable they are. The people who need the help the most are those who can't accept or aren't able to vocalize the fact that they're lonely. So I think seeing other people talking about their own loneliness and seeing that this is something that other people feel would be great.”

Chen also brought up how, following this increased awareness, it would be best for some government officials to work on policies regarding loneliness. “The United States doesn't really have anything that is trying to actively address loneliness when it's honestly also like a public health issue,” Chen said. “I think it'd be really important moving forward for someone in the policy world to start thinking about what exactly can be done on a local, state or national level regarding loneliness.”


To submit to the project, you can go to dearloneliness.com and visit the “Submit” tab. You can also email the project at dearlonelinessproject@gmail.com, or reach out to them on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
 


What to Expect the First Time You Have Sex, According to a Sex Therapist

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“You’re going to want to take off your clothes and touch each other. But if you do touch each other, you will get Chlamydia … and die.”

There’s nothing like a little Mean Girls and an overly dramatic sex-ed teacher to scare you away from sex. But while your first time may seem scary, you don’t have to worry — because I'm here to guide you through it! You’ve already learned about the risks (perhaps you’ve seen one too many STI pictures) and benefits associated with sex, but how’s a person to know what to realistically expect? I spoke with several sexperts to help you better prepare — physically and mentally — for when you’re ready to take the next step.

Will it hurt?

When thinking about sex, experiencing pain is a perfectly normal concern to have! Many women assume that losing their virginity will be painful because of what they learn about the hymen, a tissue that lines the opening of the vagina. If it tears, it’s supposed to hurt … right?

Reena Liberman, MS., a private practice sex therapist in Ann Arbor, MI, explains that intercourse may feel uncomfortable at first, but the pain shouldn’t be too overwhelming. “If it’s the first time having intercourse and the hymen is still intact, it might feel like a little pinch, but it shouldn’t be very painful,” she says. Also, before you even have intercourse, you could have broken your hymen when using tampons, during masturbation, or even with strenuous exercise.

Along with tearing the hymen, it’s normal to experience bleeding during and after your first time. Liberman says that light spotting is typical, but anything more than that may signal that something is wrong (or maybe it’s that time of the month!). “It’s normal to bleed … and it depends on the kind of hymen that the [person] has,” she says. “There shouldn’t be too much blood. If it’s flowing, then there is something else going on.” According to Liberman, the hymen varies in size and thickness from person to person, and this can dictate how much bleeding, if any, you will experience.

Coping with any pain

Yes, sex might feel uncomfortable at first, but the idea that penetration is supposed to hurt is a myth! Much of the pain that we associate with intercourse happens if the person's body is overly tense from nerves.

“Often, because it is a nervous or anxious moment, it can [be] hard for the [person] to self-lubricate and that’s what can make intercourse more uncomfortable or even painful,” Liberman says. “Along with this, the muscles can tense up and add to the discomfort.” 

To help ease the pain, Susan Ernst, a physician at the University Health Service Women's Health Clinic at the University of Michigan, says that young people should look into using water-based lubricants. Be sure to stay away from oil-based lubricants because these degrade latex condoms faster, making it easier for them to break during intercourse. Astroglide X Premium Personal Lubricant ($14 at CVS) and K-Y Jelly Personal Water Based Lubricant ($5 at CVS) are great options to try.

If intercourse is painful or uncomfortable, Taylor, a senior at the University of Michigan, says that you should speak up. “My first time, I did not feel comfortable telling the person that I was with how it was feeling,” she says. “My best advice is to try out different positions, do whatever feels comfortable; if it hurts, switch it up and communicate [with your partner].”

couple

Should I tell them that I’m a virgin?

If you’re not sure if you should tell your partner that you’re a virgin, guess what? Many college students go through the same thing! If you’re worried about disclosing your virginity, you can always make it clear to your partner that you’re inexperienced instead.

“Instead of saying I was a virgin, I told my first partner that I was inexperienced and was feeling nervous,” Kayla, a senior at Michigan State University, says. “I wasn’t lying; I really was inexperienced! But this way, your partner knows how you’re feeling and you don’t have to explain your virginity if you don’t want to.”

If you want to tell your partner you’re a virgin, it’s best to clear the air in the beginning. Who knows, maybe they're a virgin as well! And if a person has a problem with you being a virgin, then they're not worth sharing this experience with.

Should there be foreplay?

Foreplay is anything that leads up to intercourse. I've come to think of foreplay as an opening act before the main event — the appetizer before the entrée. However, Liberman says that thinking about the experience of foreplay as inferior to the act of intercourse is misleading. “Foreplay suggests that it’s not as important as intercourse, whereas most women can orgasm during this time,” Liberman says.

For the first time having sex, Liberman explains that it’s important to take things slow in order to make sure each partner is ready. You can use this intimate time as you please; there are no set rules to follow!

Foreplay is extremely important for women because that’s when women are most aroused,” she says. “If you jump into intercourse, the woman might not be lubricated enough to enjoy it and may not experience the full pleasure of sex.”

Sarah, a junior at the University of Michigan, also says that foreplay is important. “What is considered foreplay by many straight couples — oral, fingering, manual stimulation, kissing, and touching—is considered sex by many queer couples,” she says. “It can be just as fun and important as vaginal sex, so don't just write it off as something that you do on the way to the main event.”

Will I have an orgasm?

After living vicariously through The Notebook and just about every other Nicholas Sparks inspired-film, you can only dream that your first time will be as romantic and satisfying as the passionate love scenes those couples had. But when it comes to pleasure, it’s important to have realistic expectations.

Dr. Ernst says that it’s uncommon for women to experience an orgasm during sex for the first time because they aren’t familiar with interacting with a partner. “It’s more common that women don’t [orgasm] just because they are not as aware of their own bodies and what it might take to reach that stage of excitement,” she says. “As they get more comfortable with their partner and their partner knows them and they know themselves, that becomes more common.”

Contrary to popular belief, it’s rare that you’ll reach the grand finale solely from intercourse, even with experience. “It’s generally not common for women to have orgasms with intercourse, and most don’t,” Liberman says. “Even after the 10th, 20th, or 100th time, it’s uncommon.”

According to Liberman, the reasoning behind this is that the vaginal canal isn’t the most sensitive area, and so it’s more common for women to orgasm when other areas, such as the clitoris, are stimulated. This is why foreplay is important!

Amy, a recent graduate of the University of Michigan, says that over time you will learn what feels good for your body. “I did not experience an orgasm when having sex until I had practiced at it for about three years,” she says. “While my hope for all people is that they experience great orgasms, having an orgasm is not the end-all-be-all. Feel comfortable enough to do whatever feels good.”

What should I do about contraception?

If you’re thinking about having sex, it’s important to consider the different contraception options beforehand. “I think it’s a great idea for young [people] to think about contraception before they become sexually active and even come in and have a consultation with a health care provider who can talk about all of the options,” Ernst says. “There are a million options, and there’s one that’s right for everyone.”

Whether you decide to use female or male condoms, they are a must-have for your first time (and any time after that). Even if you’re on birth control, there's no love without the glove — it is the only way to protect your body against sexually transmitted diseases and infections. You can find inexpensive female condoms such as VCF Vaginal Contraceptive Films ($16 at CVS) or male condoms at any local drugstore. It’s always smart to have a backup in case things get heated and your partner doesn’t have protection on them!

And what if your worst nightmare comes true? The condom broke. You forgot to take your birth control pill that day. Plan B (emergency contraception) is now offered over-the-counter and is a viable option for college women. 

What if I’m feeling anxious?

You’re used to pre-test jitters and the anxiousness associated with going on a first date, but this is a whole new playing field. First things first: it’s okay to be nervous! “It’s normal to feel anxious because [having intercourse] is probably unlike anything you’ve done before, and so like anything new, it can be scary,” Liberman says.

To make the experience less intimidating, Liberman says that people should become comfortable with their own bodies before having sex. “It’s important to educate yourself about your body,” she says. “To go into sex for the first time without knowing anything about your body is doing [yourself] a disservice because you don’t know what [it] looks like and you don’t know what to expect from yourself. If you’re more familiar with yourself, including masturbation, you’re probably going to feel less anxious [and know what feels good].”

Liberman recommends that women take the time to read about the female body; there are an infinite number of online resources to look at if you have any sex-related questions, including Scarleteen. Along with reading, she says that it’s helpful to get to know your body more personally (when you have some alone time, if you know what I mean). Once you begin to explore your own body, you will know what to expect from yourself with a partner when that time comes. If you’re self-conscious about trying masturbation, the shower is a natural, easy place to start. 

You may have certain expectations for your first time, but keep in mind that having sex for the first time is different for every person! Just remember that it should be your decision and no one else’s. When you’re ready, these tips will be here to guide you through your first time!

*Names have been changed.

Meet the $10 Target Candle That Smells Just Like This $30 Cult-Favorite

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I have Voluspa taste with a Target budget, and although I’d love to spend all of my money on fancy candles, I, like most of us, cannot. Luckily I have a little secret I’m going to let you in on: Target’s incredible dupes for my favorite luxury scents, so I can still live my best life. Let's get to it, shall we? 

If you’re a Capri Blue Volcano lover, allow me to introduce you to Island Moonlight, Target’s Opalhouse scent that is identical to the cult-favorite candle. With the same delicious citrus smell and affordable price tag — $10, not $30, TYVM — your room will have the incredible aroma of Volcano all day long. Not to mention, the jar has some very cute boho branding. 

Island Moonlight, Target, $10; Shop now

Another obsession of mine is Bourbon Vanille from Voluspa, which usually costs around $32. While it makes for an amazing gift or treat yourself item, it’s not something I can keep up with continuously, and when I light it I feel like I am truly burning through my money. Enter Vanilla Birch by Chesapeake Bay, a $12 candle that smells almost identical to the Voluspa scent. The minimalist jar works no matter what your decor is and its vanilla scent is just perfect. 

Vanilla Birch, Target, $10; Shop now

While we’re on the topic of amazing Target candles, I should note that there’s allegedly one that smells just like Harry Styles. Yes, you read that right. Don’t just take my word for it though, take it from the Harry Style stans on TikTok. According to them, Target’s Cashmere Vanilla is a dupe for Tom Ford’s Tobacco Vanille, which is rumored to be Harry’s favorite cologne. Unsurprisingly it’s out of stock, but can you imagine spending $10 and having your home smell like Harry Styles was there? 

Here’s to good, affordable candles. And Harry Styles.

5 Black-Owned Shops Where You Can Get the Most Stylish Face Masks

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While protesting, donating, sharing resources, and educating yourself are all great ways to continue supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, another great step towards long-term support is to slowly replace your everyday purchases with products from Black-owned businesses.

Whether we like it or not, face-masks are becoming a necessary part of outfits when leaving the house, so we might as well stock up. What better way to show monetary support than to ditch the disposable masks and purchase from some Black-owned shops? Keep scrolling to find great cloth face masks that add extra color and life to your usual mask rotation.

Swapping Classes Could Help International Students Stay in the United States, But it's a Short Term Solution

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As college students prepare to return back to campus or begin a semester of online learning, many international students are preparing for the possibility that they'll be forced out of the United States. Last week, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement released new guidelines that mandated that international students on F-1 or M-1 visas must vacate the United States if they don't meet the minimum requirement for in-person credits for their classes in the fall. 

For students at universities that are going completely online in the fall, they have no option but to transfer or take a medical leave, which cannot be done without the clearance of a doctor, in order to keep their non-immigrant status. The terms for international students at hybrid institutions specify that there is a minimum credit limit that students must take in-person to remain in the United States. 

Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology quickly responded to ICE’s guidelines by suing the government of the United States. At least 58 colleges and universities have joined them in that fight. 

Many students have begun advocating for their classmates, and urging their universities to follow suit. Some students have worked with their professors to create in-person classes so students can remain in the United States, while others have worked with their international friends to switch courses in their schedules. 

However, at large universities, it may be hard for international students to connect with those who are willing to swap classes with them. Sumana Kaluvai, a recent graduate of the University of California Los Angeles and an admin of an international student Facebook group, decided to make the process easier for foreign students to find those willing to give up their in-person classes. 

Kaluvai created a Google Doc for international students to connect with American students at their respective universities who were willing to swap classes. Within 24 hours, the document had over one million views. To further spread the word, Kaluvai teamed up with organizations like Community Equity and San Jose Strong, who used their networks to inform students about their options. 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Website is well underway and we will have a link/post up ASAP. Excited to share the amazing work inspired by @oksumana (H4 Hope) and her spreadsheet platform. Our team at Community Equity (@yuliyules @noah_kealii) has partnered with her, @SanJose_strong founder @mary_celestin and their amazing team of artists, researchers, and writers (to be credited on the website), and two rockstar developers (@mcclain.thiel and @rsacripanti )! We would also like to thank the countless of students who have taken it upon themselves to create spreadsheets of the in person classes for fall offered at their universities and colleges. Also thank you to those of you who have taken Initiative to start petitions. We will be sharing all these resources on our coming website. ‼️ Stay tuned ‼️ Please hang tight and keep pushing your schools to announce a plan to protect students!

A post shared by Community Equity (@community_equity_) on

According to Kaluvai, the doc is “just a temporary fix. This is not the end solution.” This proved true, as the page became overrun by harassment and xenophobic comments by internet trolls, leading Kaluvai to lock the document. 

In its place, she and the groups she is working with created the Save Our International Students website, where international students can connect with American students while leaders moderate the responses. Hundreds of students have registered to give up their courses, but hundreds have also registered because they are still in need of more in-person credits to reach the minimum. 

In the short term, the goal of the website is to provide international students with the ability to stay in the United States. Moving forward, however, the website plans on expanding from just connecting students to classes to combating the larger issue. In the future, it will also publicize petitions, resources, and email templates for students to reach out to their local representatives. 

Class swaps are a short term solution for a much larger problem that can extend far beyond just the fall semester. Many universities that are completely online or hybrid for the fall semester will most likely not return to fully in-person classes in the spring. If the second wave of COVID-19 hits, the toll could last even longer. Students can work with one another to help their international peers, but until this pandemic is truly over, international students must live in a constant state of limbo, never knowing whether or not they can remain in the United States for the next semester. 

5 Concerns Every Student Has About Returning to Campus

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All anyone wants right now is for life to go back to normal, and all any college student wants right now is to go back to a normal college routine. Sadly, that won’t be the reality on campuses this fall due to COVID-19 and a socially-distanced semester. For those students who are planning on going back to campus, there are tons of questions that need answering. Here are just a few of the many concerns that are top of mind for freshmen to seniors alike.  

1. I want to have a social life, but I also want to abide by social distancing guidelines. What will social life be like on campus?

Even though we all know that classes and academics are the most important aspect of college, social life is arguably just as big a factor for many students. College is where you meet new people, make new friends, try new things, and explore new places. Also, many students get valuable experience in their chosen field through extracurriculars and networking. It’s hard to imagine a campus without these new experiences, and students are worried that it will be difficult to maintain relationships while also following appropriate safety precautions.

Campus events and student groups are also a concern. Many people are involved in groups and clubs that require in-person meetings and interactive activities — but how will they meet if social gatherings are limited? Emma Neary (Boston University ‘23) says, “I think my biggest concern is with events and student groups. My biggest involvement on campus is with theater, so I’m really worried about what that will look like or if it will happen.”

Another major question is how Greek life will operate on campus this fall. Riya Moorthy (University of Delaware ‘23) expressed her doubts about controlling the virus within fraternities and sororities: “If students refuse to wear masks, off-campus gatherings may become a cause of outbreaks, as we have already seen with the University of Washington 'Greek Row' outbreak. All in all, I hope all my fellow students are willing to follow all precautions so we can have a safe and healthy fall semester.”

2. I am worried that not all students will wear masks on campus. How do I know if my campus is safe to return to?

face mask preventionNot every school is requiring their students to wear masks, and as such, many are worried that their peers will not cover their faces on campus and in classrooms. It's a legitimate fear! How can we feel safe returning to campus if we can’t trust our peers to protect themselves and others?

Additionally, schools have not detailed what will happen if someone on campus becomes sick with the virus. Marina Barros (Boston University ‘23) says that her school has not explained where students will be quarantined if they do show symptoms or test positive for COVID-19. "Knowing that a good amount of students are choosing to stay home for the fall semester gives me hope that BU will be able to keep campus a safe place for us,” she notes. 

3. I want to continue my education in-person, but a lot of my classes are online. Is it worth going back to campus if I can’t even go to class?

Even though a lot of schools have promised a hybrid type of learning with half online classes and half in-person classes, students are still worried about getting a quality education. Hannah Wichard (Ithaca College ‘23) feels that the hybrid type of learning has the potential to be overwhelming since it is very new and unknown, and it doesn’t give students the ability to connect with professors thoroughly.

Some students are also questioning if it’s even worth going back to campus, considering that many universities are not lowering the cost of tuition for this fall. If you are weighing out your options financially, know that taking a semester off from school is an available option as well. 

4. I want to live in on-campus housing, but I’m nervous. What will it be like to live with other students?

Some students, like me, are planning to live in on-campus housing this fall, which means being surrounded by hundreds of other people. “I'm curious to know how everything is going to function,” says Gabriella Vicidomini (University of South Carolina ‘23).

Freshmen dorms are usually a hot spot for disease, especially during flu seasons, because students share bathrooms, showers, rooms, food, and more. Almost every person I know in college has gotten sick at least once during their first semester of college. Still, few schools have fully outlined plans that will prevent the spread of the virus in this kind of living environment.

5. I want to have a normal college experience, but I’m worried that things are going to get worse regarding COVID-19. What kind of experience can I expect going back to campus?

Storefront Coronavirus noteSome students who have the option to return to campus are taking it. However, a “normal college experience” won’t be the case. This new way of life means that everyone will have to be extremely careful and follow any standards their school has set in place — even if it comes at the expense of some of the most exciting college traditions like sporting events and large celebrations.

“Honestly, it’s such a tug of war with how I feel," says Christina Altomara (Stevens Institute of Technology ‘23). "I really want the semester to be completely back to normal with all in-person classes and events because we obviously all want the experience that we signed up for.” But the virus poses a threat to normal college life. She continues, “While I’m concerned about my social life and how everything with extracurriculars is going to play out this semester, I’m more concerned with how long this is going to last.”

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