With the 57^th annual Grammys taking place tonight, we are taking a look back at the 10 most iconic performances in Grammys history. We've seen everything from marching bands, to laser shows, to acrobatics in mid-air—and can't wait to see what tonight's event will show us.

1. Eminem and Elton John – 2001

Who saw this one coming? The two performers joined forces for a powerful rendition of the rapper’s hit song “Stan” at the 2001 Grammys. At the time, Eminem was under fire for his album “The Marshall Mathers LP,” which featured homophobic language. Elton John agreed to perform with him in hopes of changing society’s idea that Eminem’s music represented his true beliefs.

2. Mary J. Blige – 2002

Mary J. Blige gave a moving performance of her song “No More Drama,” a hit that vows to end the drama and pain in her life. The song was written while Blige was recovering from additions and abusive relationships.

3. Christina Aguilera, Pink, Lil’ Kim, and Mya – 2002

These ladies stole the show with their racy rendition of “Lady Marmalade” in 2002. With elaborate costumes and a decked-out stage, the ladies nailed the “Moulin Rouge” classic. Not to mention, Missy Elliot and Patti LaBelle joined the ladies on stage, making the moment even more unforgettable.

4. Gorillaz, Madonna, and De La Soul – 2006

The start of the 48^th Grammys was different and completely strange—but in a good way. Animated act Gorillaz performed the Record of the Year-nominated “Feel Good Inc.” with the help of the real De La Soul and a hologram of Madonna.

5. Chris Brown – 2007

This was the Chris Brown everyone fell in love with; the young boy with killer moves. His 2007 performance of chart-topper hit “Run It” included charming vocals and acrobatic dancing. His career took off in a whole new way after the performance.

6. Kanye West and Daft Punk – 2008

With the 2007 release of “Stronger” by Kanye West, it was only a matter of time before the performers came together for a knock-out show. Daft Punk joined Kanye for a special light show performance of “Stronger” at the 50^th Grammys in 2008.

7. Radiohead and the USC Marching Band – 2009

Radiohead pulled through their first-ever Grammy performance with the help of the University of Southern California’s marching band. Radiohead’s “15 Step” was a magical combination of percussion, melody and heavy lyrics.

8. Pink – 2010

Talk about a balancing act! Pink stepped out at the 52^nd Grammys in a skin-tight bodysuit and gave a perfect live vocal performance of her hit “Glitter in the Air”—all while spinning gracefully through the air in a sheet hanging above the stage.

9. Adele – 2012

The 2009 Grammy Award-winner for Best New Artist gave an unforgettable comeback performance of “Rolling in the Deep” at the 2012 show after suffering a vocal-cord hemorrhage. She also won all six Grammy Awards she was nominated for.

10. Jennifer Hudson – 2012

When Whitney Houston pasted away the day before the 2012 Grammys, Jennifer Hudson was called upon for a tribute at the award show. Never mind the short notice—Hudson, preforming Houston’s hit song “I Will Always Love You,” delivered a moving performance that brought the audience to their feet. 

Who are you most excited to watch tonight, collegiettes?

Whether you’re in a relationship with a new guy or have been together for months, Valentine’s Day can be a fun way to show your love and appreciation for your significant other. But before you plan the elaborate V-Day gift and dinner, check out what these guys had to say about Valentine’s Day! Here’s a hint: they’re (almost) as sappy as we are!

On Valentine’s Day as a legitimate holiday

Valentine’s Day is a commercial holiday—no doubt about it. But turns out guys aren’t as cynical as you’d expect. Some actually sort of like it!

“I think that it’s just another way for greeting card companies to benefit from couples spending money on gifts on each other. However, it’s kind of cool to have a special day for couples to celebrate (as long as they don’t overdo it with all the manufactured Valentine’s Day stuff.) – Ryan, a sophomore at University of Washington

“Why not have a day to celebrate love? I think the people who decry the commercial overtones are just miserable, even if they make good points. Let someone have a day to be extra happy.” – Luca, a sophomore at SUNY Geneseo

But then there are the cynics… So, collegiettes, when it comes to V-Day, guys are as across the board as we are.

“I’ve never really celebrated it so when that day comes, I don’t really care. So I guess to me, it’s not a holiday. Just like any other day.” – Morris, a sophomore at Johns Hopkins University

“No, I think Valentine’s Day is a made-up holiday by the chocolate/flower industries and restaurant owners to sell their products.” – Daniel, a senior at Columbia University

On giving and receiving gifts

Gift-giving for guys is rarely easy, especially on Valentine’s Day, since the typical fare (flower, chocolates, teddy bears) often seems cheesy and overly-sappy. The takeaway? Boys don’t necessarily expect gifts on this holiday, though most do plan on giving their significant others gifts. So don’t stress too much if you’re debating whether or not a gift is appropriate. Guys like effort (think homemade) and know money is often tight in college.

“I’d probably give her a gift. I don’t care that much. I’d prefer her gift to me to be not something tangible. I’d want my gift to be her to do something special. Something new in the sexual realm, for example.” – Morris

“No I really don't need a gift, I feel like this day is more about spending time with someone you love rather than gifts.” – Ryan

“Some couples like corny gifts. If that’s you, then sure, get a stuffed animal or some kind of trinket. Flowers are great, too. But, come on, expensive jewelry? I don’t know. Just because it’s Valentine’s Day? It seems more romantic to give a gift on a day that you find to be important as a couple.” – Andrew, a sophomore at Boston University

“I think it's best for you and him to set a monetary limit if you plan on exchanging V-Day gifts. This lessens the pressure on the guy especially, who is already probably dropping fat stacks on a fancy dinner. The gift should be tailored to what a guy is interested in or what his hobbies are. If he likes movies, buy him some DVDs or a subscription to Netflix. If he likes to party, pick out a nice bottle of liquor. If he follows sports, get him a jersey for his favorite team or tickets to a game. Try to pick out something that you can both enjoy and use to create a shared experience. Concert tickets for a musical artist you both enjoy, for example.” – Mike, a senior at Kent State University

On romantic dates

Most guys agree: going on a date seems to be the gold standard for Valentine’s Day. Whether it’s an intimate dinner, a classic dinner-and-a-movie or something a bit more unusual, guys typically like going on V-Day dates and will take the reins in planning them.

“If I went on a Valentine's date I would probably do something small, like go see a movie and probably have dinner afterwards. Also probably like a walk afterwards too.” – Ryan

“Despite knowing that Valentine's Day is a big scam, I still enjoy using it as an opportunity to show my significant other that I love her and bring some excitement into our love life. A romantic dinner is a must. However, if we were to watch a movie it would probably be at home rather than a theater. Would want to spend as much ‘alone time’ with my significant other as possible.” – Daniel

“I’d want something very causal for Valentine’s Day. We’d spend the afternoon taking a walk somewhere if the weather’s not too bad, maybe catch a movie, and then grab dinner at a place that both of us would be excited to eat at before we spend the night at whichever dorm/apartment/house is more comfortable.” – Andrew

“If you're in a relationship with someone you should want to go on a romantic date on Valentine's Day and treat your woman right. While plans should be more aimed toward what the female would want to do, there should be some compromise. Dinner and a movie seems like a win-win for all involved.” – Mike

“Last year I made dinner and we danced to a mix CD. In general, I’d probably want to do something weird, something different, not usually considered a date. Or, I’d be more than happy holing ourselves up and watching movies while cuddling the entire day.” - Luca

On spending V-Day single

Like us, single guys also tend to get a little envious on Valentine’s Day. But most don’t care. So if you’re single, take a cue from these guys and ignore the handholding on the quad! Check out these tips for having a great V-Day regardless of your relationship status!

“It doesn't really sadden me too much because I am not actively looking for a girlfriend but it kind of makes me jealous seeing all the couples out and about.” – Ryan

“I’ve done it, and it’s fine. It doesn’t suck. Yes, I’d rather be with someone, but if you remember that it’s just February 14, it helps to go through the day like any other one. Maybe I’d watch a romantic comedy on TV if I were really bummed out. But hopefully I’ll have something more to do this year than that. “ – Andrew

“When you're single on Valentine's Day, you often feel like you're the only one without a date. That's so far from the truth! In college, there's definitely more people single than in a relationship. This fact should give you comfort. It's not a big deal if you don't have an official girlfriend or boyfriend. If you're afraid of being lonely, you can go out with a group of single friends... or even just talk to your mom or dad on the phone. Single or not, there's still plenty of ways to feel the love on Valentine's Day. Couples aren't the only ones who get to have fun.” – Mike

On their ideal Valentine’s Day

Now here’s the fun stuff: we asked guys across the country to describe their ideal V-Day—the who, what, where and when. Here’s what they had to say.

“Probably with somebody I love dearly and we would go away from all the other Valentine’s Day stuff and spend time just together. But in a very romantic setting. Like a waterfall or something exotic.” – Morris

“I would like to do a morning hike here in Washington. Maybe go to Gasworks Park afterwards and have a little picnic. After that we go see a movie afterwards and it wouldn't be like a rom-com. Maybe a dinner somewhere and then we go walk around, enjoying the night and looking at stars. With who? No one in particular, but Anne Hathaway would be nice!” – Ryan

“Take a day off from work, perfect weather, tropical island, beach, beach view suite with Jacuzzi, meal from Michelin-starred restaurant (as well as being lactose free), with the love of my life. Hey, it never hurts to think big right?” – Daniel

“Somewhere offbeat: we visit every coffee shop within an X mile radius and try their espresso shots. Then we get lost in the woods somewhere. Perhaps go shopping with the express goal of buying one thing for the other that they wouldn't wear otherwise. Then make dinner together, something big and involved. Finish with a movie, or maybe instead finish with learning a song together.” – Luca

“Flirtatious texts throughout the day. Dinner at an upscale restaurant in the evening. Next, a movie (either at the theaters or at home). Perhaps some drinks. And then after that, hopefully we just get it on.” – Mike

So there you have it, collegiettes! Don’t stress on this romantic holiday. Ask your guy about date ideas, plan something fun together and just enjoy the day!

In a world where airbrushing, Photoshop and crazy juice cleanses are the norm, we have the tiny, sculpted and beautiful Hannah Davis on the 2015 cover of the Sports Illustrated issue men wait all year for. Just last week, Sports Illustrated made waves when it was revealed the magazine's annual swimsuit issue—hitting newsstands February 9—was running an ad that, for the first time, would feature a plus-size model.

The magazine was celebrated for including Ashley Graham, a plus-size model, within its pages—but was also criticized for showcasing models of different sizes not within its editorial pages, but in an ad that the publication is being paid to run.

But days after, we learned that Ashley Graham won't be the only curvy lady in this issue—plus-size model Robyn Lawley will be featured in the issue's pages (and not in an ad!), modeling her own swimwear line. At a size 12, she's the curviest model to be included in this highly-anticipated issue.

Of course, while a size 12 is labeled as plus-size in the modeling industry, the average size of the American woman is a 14. The fashion world is already in the midst of a definitive, albeit slow, transition to be more inclusive, as evidenced by Tess Munster, the first model above a size 20 to be signed to a major modeling agency. Regardless, Lawley has a positive outlook on her position in the industry.

“I don’t know if I consider myself as a plus-size model or not,” she said to Time. “I just consider myself a model because I’m trying to help women in general accept their bodies.”

Whatever "plus-size" means, we're glad to see inclusion of more than just the impossibly chic, perfectly chiseled models we've become accustomed to expected in these publications. These models demonstrate the power of loving the body you’ve been given. Not everyone has time to spend hours in a gym, actually LIKES kale, or has been gifted with a hyper-active metabolism. Hey, if you do, that’s okay! But if not, that’s okay, too.

Where do we want to go from here? We would love for SI—and other publications!—to feature women of all shapes and sizes, not just plus-size and skinny, but women who are average, too. Having the confidence to wear a two-piece in public takes a lot of courage to begin with. The last thing women need is for men to compare us to the models they see in the magazine.

In the meantime, enjoy Graham’s ad and Lawley's historic feature as you page through this year’s swimsuit edition. I surely will be, preferably while enjoying a pizza and celebrating my own real body.

It wasn’t anything unusual. I was filling up my car at a gas station in the middle of the day. It was warm outside, and I had big plans that evening with friends. Everything was moving just as it should have, and I didn’t have a care in the world.

Until someone pushed me from behind and I fell to the ground.

***

It’s hard being different. When you figure out at an early age that you’re not like other people, it becomes difficult. For me, being bisexual is rooted in fear, and it hurts, and you just want more than anything to be "normal.” It hurts when you can't be what people expect or who they want you to be. How I think about my sexuality has become an ebb and flow kind of thing; sometimes it takes over my entire brain and I can't hear or see anything other than what's wrong and that I’m wrong, and I can’t do anything but shake and cry. But sometimes I think that I’m going to be okay.

Sometimes I get an overwhelming feeling: that terrible feeling that no one knows but you because you keep it hidden inside. It keeps you awake at night, rearing its ugly, rainbow head at you, and you just can't do anything but sit there and take it. Because you can't tell anyone.

I grew up in a household without any LGBTQ+ members on either side. I went to Catholic school until the end of high school, where I learned from a very early age that people like me were wrong and sick. So I hid. It was so much easier to hide my sexual orientation behind a straight face. I tried to come out to my dad at the age of 13, and he told me quite harshly that I was too young to know what I was.  Suddenly it just became so much easier to hide my bisexuality, because my dad didn’t believe me anyway. My mom always asked me about dating, and I could never bring myself to tell her the truth of why I didn’t want to text so-and-so. So I slipped into my role and performed throughout high school as best I could, resigning myself to a fate of hiding behind a mask.

Fast-forward four years. In college, everything changed. I had moved from the Midwest to a school in upstate New York. I made new friends and fell into a routine of classes, socializing, parties, and just generally enjoying my existence and freedom as a college student. I joined a sorority in January and became involved in a lot of activities on campus.  I even had my own radio show. I was too busy to worry about the rainbow demon in my closet.

But as time went on, I became less happy with hiding. I felt like in this new environment, I could come out and not be judged; everyone at school seemed cool with me without knowing my sexuality. They knew about my love of watching Toddlers & Tiaras! Surely my sexuality wouldn’t change that much about our friendships. After all, we had other gay friends in our circle. So around the end of my second semester I made the decision to begin my coming-out process.

The first person I told was my friend Chris*, a traditional “frat boy,” since it seemed easier to come out to someone of the opposite sex. I expected Chris to react negatively. I was ashamed to think so little of him originally, because once the words left my mouth, he stopped me in the cold and hugged me hard, telling me that this didn’t change a thing about our friendship. My heart soared; I no longer felt like Atlas from Greek mythology, holding the world on my shoulders. I didn’t have to hold the weight of this problem alone anymore.

Over the course of the semester, I came out to a group of my best friends and everyone responded with love and support (and lots of hugs), which only served to help me become more comfortable with myself. They even asked me questions about “my type.” It felt good. We were all settling back into a routine where I was still me, but just… more me. More me than anyone had known before. They were beginning to see the real me. And it felt great.

Emboldened by this streak of good luck, I started coming out to my other friends. Most of them reacted similarly, including my good friend Emily*. Emily and I had been friends for a number of years, and I thought I could trust her with my secret. After all, she deserved to know the real me, right? So I came out to her late one night, and she hugged me like everyone else and said that she was proud of me for sharing this with her. We parted ways that night and I felt great, like I could conquer the world!

Little did I know that Emily was telling her boyfriend of a few months, Rick*, that I was gay. This didn’t sit well with him. Rick saw my coming out as a way of hitting on his girlfriend, and he hatched a plan to make sure I didn’t go near his girl ever again.

To this day, I doubt that Emily knows that what I’m about to describe happened to me. I haven’t had the heart to tell her.

A few days later, I was at a gas station, filling up my car before going out with friends that night. It was the middle of the day, and the station, which was at a busy intersection, was crowded. I was cleaning off my windows when Rick must have seen me from a corner of the intersection. I had a pretty unique car, so he must have spotted that.

While I was busy cleaning bugs off my window, he pulled into the parking lot and parked, turning off his car. He walked towards me, but my back was to him. I couldn’t see or hear anything out of the ordinary.

All of a sudden, I was struck to the ground.

I dropped the wiper as my head smacked the car, hitting the ground when he shoved me off balance. I hit the gravel and my head spun. I had no idea what was going on. Was I being robbed? Then a foot appeared in my face and someone began kicking me. I was too shocked to do anything; my limbs felt frozen and time seemed to stop.

The person kept assaulting me, hitting and kicking me while I was on the ground. It wasn’t until the person started talking that I knew who it was.

Rick was shouting “queer” and “faggot” and other horrible things at me while beating on me in the crowded gas station. I couldn’t fight back; I had been caught so off guard, and everything froze. When he felt I’d had enough, he kicked gravel into my face and walked away. The whole ordeal lasted less than five minutes. My head was bruised and I have scars on my arms from gravel getting stuck in my skin.

I lay on the ground for a few minutes, trying to get myself under control. I didn’t realize I was crying until I touched my face and found tears on my cheeks. I could hear my heart pounding in my ears and my skin burned with shame. I had been queer bashed. People like me get beat up. If I weren’t different, this wouldn’t have happened to me. I have never wished harder to not be queer.

Eventually, I dragged myself up by my door handle, replaced the gas nozzle, and got into my car, sitting in it for a few minutes to calm myself down. No one in the gas station helped me or even seemed to notice that my entire world had come crashing down.

I managed to make it home without crying, and I rushed inside my room before anyone could ask questions or notice that I had been assaulted. Once I was safely tucked into my room, I texted my friends to tell them that I wasn’t feeling well and wouldn’t be going out that night. They all replied with promises to check on me the next day. And that’s when I finally allowed myself to break down.

The worst part wasn’t the beating or the fact that no one in the gas station came to my rescue, but the words Rick had yelled during the attack. His words were on constant repeat in my head, and nothing could shut them off. My rainbow-colored demon ripped through me, destroying any progress I had made the past year. The whole point of my coming out wasn’t to feel hopeless like this again.

I was so ashamed—ashamed that I had put myself in a position to be attacked, ashamed of my sexuality, and just ashamed of myself.  If I weren’t queer, I would not have been attacked. Because I had feelings for girls as well as boys, I was setting myself up for this. I was ashamed because I thought I deserved it.

I chose not to tell anyone about my attack or report it to the police, because I was afraid of backlash. My entire disposition changed seemingly overnight. Suddenly I was angrier and more prone to outbursts. My temper was shorter and my filter became almost nonexistent. Not only did the world return to my shoulders, but somehow it had become heavier, and I was collapsing under it.

After six months of suffering silently, I couldn’t take it anymore. I had to tell someone. So I went to the group of friends I had first come out to—because I could trust them—and told them what happened. If it wasn’t for them, I don’t know how I would have gotten through those months of pure torture. They were there to listen, to reassure me time and time again that being queer wasn’t something to be ashamed of. They tried to help me rekindle the confidence I once had, and for that I will always be grateful for these friends. I wish I could say their names in print, because I think they deserve so much more recognition than I could ever give.

With their help, I’ve started to move past the attack. Rick and Emily broke up shortly after the attack, but to my knowledge Emily knows nothing about it, so I haven’t told her. My coming-out process came to a complete halt after the assault, but I recently came out to my little in my sorority and to a bunch of my sorority sisters and some of that sunshine is starting to come back. I have yet to come out to my family, but I am working towards it every day.

I’m now a senior in college and life has finally become good again. I’m coming to grips what it means to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community and how it affects my life, as well as how the attack affected my life. Like Winston Churchill once said, “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” Everything will turn out all right again; you just need to have the courage to keep going.

*Names have been changed.

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With all of the snow and cold weather, now is the time to stay in with your friends, snuggle up with an entertaining show and, perhaps most importantly, get drunk. If you’re craving a show with drama, attractive people and ridiculous arguments, Vanderpump Rules is the show for you. And if you’re in the mood to drink, well, the Vanderpump Rules drinking game is definitely for you. Check out the rules below - if you follow them, you’ll probably be wasted halfway through an episode.

Take a sip every time…

1. Jax lies.

2. Katie gets walked all over by her friends/boyfriend.

3. One of the guys does his hair/makeup/eyebrows.

4. Stassi gets into a fight with someone.

5. And then the next day explains in gruesome detail what violent act she wants to do to said person.

6. And her friends look uncomfortable while she's telling them this.

7. And then she tells the camera how much better she is than everyone and does that shrug/smile like she can't help her superiority.

8. Kristen discusses her master plan of trying to break up Tom and Ariana. Take an extra sip if she's telling this to her boyfriend, James.

9. One of the characters is drinking on-screen.

10. Lisa has to console an employee and offers pretty legit advice for a woman who can't seem to move her face.

11. Someone warns Vail to stay away from Jax.

12. Vail flirts with Jax anyways.

13. Peter’s on screen with his creepy 'stache and ponytail.

14. Tom Schwartz acts like a wimp.

Take a shot whenever…

15. James talks one-on-one to the camera (you’ll need it).

16. A fight breaks out at Sur.

17. Jax cheats on a girlfriend... or whenever anyone cheats on his or her SO. Pace yourself, 'cause it happens more than you'd think.

18. Scheana brings up her singing "career." 

19. Scheana starts singing and shows us all why she hasn't reached stardom yet.

20. Someone starts crying.

Good luck!

When it comes to celebrities in daring outfit choices, the Grammys red carpet never disappoints. Proof: It's not a meat dress, but Joy Villa's orange snow fence dress just may be one of the craziest Grammys looks of all time. The recording artist slash model appeared nude underneath the orange plastic, and the look was accented with what seems to be leftover material fashioned into a hair accessory. 

Villa, looking happy and confident in the basically see-through ensemble, tweeted that her dress was designed by Nichole Ray Artistry. We're guessing the inspiration was a construction site.

This year's runners-up are not to be missed, either:

Rihanna in a tent of tulle

Sia and Maddie Ziegler in the biggest wigs of all time

Bill Kelliher's balloon tuxedo... complete with green snakeskin shoes

What look had you doing a double take, collegiettes?

We've all heard our fair share of college clichés and daydreamed about weekly restaurant hangouts, Facebook-worthy photos of exotic college trips and unforgettable late night adventures with friends.

Unfortunately, college really isn’t as glamorous and carefree as the movies make the experience out to be. In reality, for most of us, college requires quite a bit of number crunching, working long hours and resisting the urge to splurge. Let's be real, college isn't cheap! There's tuition, room and board, living expenses… you get the idea.

Luckily, you can already start to lessen the financial burden now while you're still in high school. Check out these six ways for pre-collegiettes to save up money before going to school!

1. Get a job, any job

Talk about a tough job market! Adults are definitely not the only ones struggling to find jobs these days. What can a pre-collegiette possibly do in a situation like this? Not be picky, for one. So you're probably not going to get a paid job at your dream company, but that doesn't mean you can't get a job, period. It might mean wearing a ridiculous hat and handing out hot dogs while the sun is out and the palm trees are swaying, but by giving up a little fun now, you'll be getting a big payoff in the near future once you start college.

"I would definitely advise girls to take advantage of the summer as a time to make and save up money," says Sarah Desiderio, a senior at Penn State. "Get a job, pick up extra hours, babysit every chance you get. You may feel like you're missing out on fun, but trust us, college is so much fun that it'll be worth it."

Check supermarkets and retail stores to see if they're hiring students. Keep your eyes and ears open for anyone looking for a babysitter, a coach, a tutor, a dog-walker, someone to weed the yard or a person to clean out garages in the neighborhood. While certainly not glamorous, odd jobs will, well, get the job done.

"Sometimes you look and you look and you can't find a job, so that's when you resort to plan B, which is doing manual labor. For most girls, babysitting and being mother's helper, playing with the kids while the mom's at work, could be an easy way to make some money," says Paula Bishop, a college financial aid advisor. "And usually it's only during the summer anyway because kids have to go back to school in September, so it's kind of a natural ending for a high school student."

Not really into odd jobs? Well, luckily for you, summertime can also be a great time to look for a short-term job. "Normal jobs are actually more limiting because no one wants to hire you for three months, in general, unless it's a seasonal job, and they know you're going away so they don't look at you as a long-term employee, so they're more hesitant," Bishop says.

Once you have a regular paycheck, learning how to spend your earnings wisely is another important life-long skill to have. According to Bishop, the percentage of a paycheck that pre-collegiettes should save for the future really depends on how much you earn and how much your parents expect you to pay for personal expenses. "If [high school students] earn $50 per week and need to pay for clothes, shoes, gas and entertainment (and heaven forbid, their own cell phone), they have to watch every penny... so perhaps saving 25 percent 'for the future' would be a wonderful goal," Bishop says. "If the parents pay for everything, they should save all of it."

Working part time during the school year, plus full time during the summer, will not only make a financial difference, but will also give you the chance to grow and become more responsible. What future collegiette wouldn't want that? And who knows, maybe you'll even have enough to go on that spring break trip with your new college friends next year. Yup, totally worth it.

2. Cut back on expenses

It's fine to be a little impulsive sometimes, but impulse purchases are a whole other matter. Do you know how much junk food, magazines, make-up and clothes you buy that you don't actually need? All these extra items can quickly put a dent in your wallet. To save up the money that you already have in your bank account, cut back on things that you don't need. Watch your expenditures for one week, then assess your spending habits and see if there are any purchases you can cut out. You can even use your handy dandy smart phone to help you out—there are lots of apps to track your expenses like the free personal finance tool Mint, which lets you set a budget, track your goals and much more.

"It's so tempting to buy every cute summer outfit you see at the mall, but this is the time for self-control and thinking about the long run," Sarah says.

So if you find yourself bringing yet another tub of lip gloss or pack of candy to the check-out lane, give it a second thought and ask yourself if you would rather make your college fund a little bigger instead. Every dollar counts!

3. Use cash

There's really nothing like the feel of crisp dollar bills in your hands and the smell of money under your nose. In fact, you'll probably even feel a little bit richer just by having some cash in your pockets. Plus, you’ll be less tempted to spend all that hard-earned money when you’re actually watching it disappear!

Credit cards seem to swipe themselves; because they're just so easy to use, many people find themselves overspending. Making yourself pay in cash allows you to physically see how much you're spending, which can help you get a better sense of your spending habits and budgeting. "What I do is have a set amount of cash in my wallet that I've allotted myself to spend as opposed to using my debit card all the time," Sarah says. "That way I feel the pain of handing over the physical money and am more aware of my purchases!" Next time you're tempted to buy some extra nail polish or clothes, think of how you and your wallet will have to part ways with your newly acquired dollar bills. Remember, no one's making you say good-bye.

Irene Berman-Vaporis, a recent Boston University grad, also found it easier to save up money in a similar fashion when she worked at an ice cream shop the summer before college. "I limited my spending money to only the tips that I made while working, and I saved every penny I made from my paycheck," Irene says. "It helped that my paycheck was direct-deposited into my debit account each week, because I paid for everything using the cash I had earned from tips. That way, I could physically see when I was out of spending money." Having a wallet-full of cash might just be incentive enough to think twice about spending it all.

4. Open a savings account

Getting your own bank account feels so official and grown-up! Plus, it'll help you solve real-world problems like how to pay for college fees. Generally, there are two types of bank accounts you can get—checking and savings. A checking account is for your daily transactional needs like paying for a trip to the grocery store. A savings account, on the other hand, lets you accumulate interest on funds you're saving for future needs like your college tuition.

"[Students can] just go to a bank and say ‘I want to open an account,’" Bishop says. "If they are under 18, someone over 18 must be on the account as a joint owner (as a custodian, to make sure the kid doesn’t spend the money for something foolish)."

Swing by your local bank and see if there are any deals for students like you who are saving up for school. Once you make the initial deposit, all you have to do is keeping adding more money.

"Even though I was only working at a minimum wage job all summer, because I was able to save the entirety of my paycheck each week, I had enough savings for my textbooks and spending money for my entire first year," Irene says. A savings account can help you save up because once you deposit that paycheck in the bank for good, you'll probably be less likely to touch it.

Plus, you earn interest on the money that you save! While the interest rate may seem like a very, very small number, it definitely adds up over time. The sooner you open up a savings account, the more money you'll have by the time you enter college.

5. Sell stuff on the Internet

Do you have piles of stuff tucked away in your closet and under the bed somewhere that you just never use? Well, this is the time to put it all to use! Earn some money by selling your junk. After all, people could be looking for anything on Craigslist, and you might just happen to have what they need. Bishop said one of her sons sold furniture on Craigslist that other people were too lazy to sell themselves, and he made a couple thousand dollars that summer without finding a normal job. One girl's trash could be another girl's treasure!

Other websites that can come in handy include ExchangeMyPhone, where you can sell your old phones, and eBay, which is great for niche selling. While each website has its own rules, most are super easy to sign up for. A lot of the time all you need to get started is a PayPal account, which allows you to pay, send money and receive payments without revealing your financial information. Pretty cool, right? All you need to do is register a credit or debit card with your PayPal account. Then, PayPal handles your transactions for you without sharing financial details with other sellers.

And while we're on the subject of the Internet, don't be afraid to get creative with ways to earn money. For the artists out there, use that talent to sell your own products online on sites like Etsy.com. For writers, you can make money blogging. There are money-making opportunities online for everyone, so there’s no harm in having fun and earning some extra cash along the way.

6. Get good grades

When your parents told you that getting good grades is important, they weren't kidding! Although having a high GPA is not a direct way to save or earn money, it can cut college costs and make it easier to pay off your tuition fees. Getting good grades will help you become eligible for more scholarships and grants and can make it easier to win money that doesn't require repayment.

According to Bishop, while some colleges are primarily 'need-based' and don't give out merit scholarship for good grades because students need extraordinary grades and test scores just to get in, many others do offer awards for strong academics.

"An outside scholarship (not connected to the college) is a place where grades count and the student could hunt for scholarships that way, or go to a college that can give out merit awards (such as the University of New Haven)," Bishop says. "There are lots of websites a student can go to looking for scholarships." 

Seriously, who doesn't want free money? It's ambitious to work part-time during the school year, so make sure that you can also keep your grades up at the same time. After all, it's no good to have a large college fund if your grades are plummeting!

Real talk: those big dollar signs that go hand-in-hand with a college education are intimidating, but if you start saving up money now, you'll make it a lot easier for yourself to pay off the costs of higher education. With lots of planning, saving up and probably a few less trips to the mall, you can conquer those college costs!

It’s so hard to come up with a plan for Valentine’s Day that doesn’t lean too far on the side of “we’re just friends hanging out” but doesn’t overstep the “we’re remaking a scene from a Hallmark movie” line. Here are a few V-Day ideas that are just the right amount of romantic.

Go ice-skating

Get all bundled up and bring along thermoses of hot chocolate to enjoy after hanging onto each other for dear life for a few laps around the rink.

Go on a picnic

But instead of braving the frigid February weather, lay down a blanket in your living room. Light some candles, cook a great meal and enjoy your indoor adventure!  

Create a playlist

Since no one actually makes mixtapes anymore, create a playlist of songs that remind you of your sweetheart and put it on a flash drive. Bonus points if it’s a cute flash drive like this heart-shaped one!

Write out your feelings

Instead of texting him your deepest sentiments, write them out in a poem or a love letter. He’ll love knowing that you care about him enough to actually sit down and pen your feelings for him, and it’s something he can keep for a long time.

Pamper each other

Pick up some oil and candles, put on that Valentine’s Day playlist you made, then have a romantic night in giving each other sensual massages. It will make for a night he’ll never forget!

Have a movie night

Pick out a cute romantic comedy, make some popcorn and cuddle up on the couch together for amovie night!Low-key nights like this are low-pressure, and the casually romantic atmosphere will remind him why he’s so comfortable with you. Besides, if the movie’s bad, you can always just make out instead!

Surprise him with something special

Since you probably won't spring for a dozen red roses, buya dozen red balloons instead! Leave a tiny note to the bottom of each string with a romantic verse or a reason why you love him.

If none of these ideas seem like the “right move” for you and your guy, check out more creativeV-Day date ideas and romantic gifts to find one that works for you!

We’ve all sat through Psych 101 or surfed the web during a dull lecture and wished for more exciting coursework, especially when you’re getting what feels like the same reading responses and multiple choice exams for every course. Ever wanted to watch Mean Girls in place of lecture? Or do arts and crafts in class? Check out these inventive courses and start daydreaming about filling your spring semester schedule with them!

1. Wasting Time on the Internet

This University of Pennsylvania class was made for us! Wasting Time on the Internet, taught by Professor Kenneth Goldsmith, has basically one assignment each class: stare at your computer screen for three hours.  

The logic behind letting students surf the Web is that looking at videos of puppies or reading Reddit forums about spring break destinations could open up your unconscious and allow for a better flow of ideas.

At the end of the class, students have to write a large creative work based on all of their thoughts and musings from their time in the course.

2. Queen Bees, Wannabees, and Mean Girls

Colorado College’s course on Mean Girls, arguably every collegiette’s favorite movie, teaches about women and power dynamics. Students will also watch Bridesmaids and Queen Bee in class.

During the course of this two-week mini-class, students will watch films and have discussions based around topics like the Greek influences on Tina Fey’s masterpiece. They’ll also compare and contrast all the films and voice their own ideas about what makes a ‘mean girl.’

3. Psychology of Consciousness

In this Point Park University course, students learn to get in touch with their consciousness through a variety of mediation exercises.

Haleigh Kopinski, a senior who is currently taking this class, says, “We are supposed to meditate on a stone given to us and by the end of the year be able to do the meditations without the stone.” This type of meditation, called shamatha meditation, is extremely relaxing.

“Shamatha meditations are a type of mindfulness meditations,” Haleigh explains. “They deal with focus on posture and breathing. In our class however, we are focusing on a stone. The first day of class every person chose a random stone on a desk. For the rest of the semester, they are to focus and concentrate on that stone during their meditations. For instance, the outline, color or markings on the stone as a focus point in your mind.”

By the end of the semester students should be able to picture every detail about the stone perfectly. “In achieving mindfulness, you will achieve wisdom and insight” she says.

With hectic schedules and the stress of college, this class is an inventive way to take a load off.

4. Springsteen’s American Vision

The only thing better about New Jersey than the shore is Bruce Springsteen, and while you can’t go to the shore for school credit, you can jam with the E Street Band!

This Rutgers University class explores how both rock and roll and Springsteen’s songs defined parts of America. Rutgers has taught other classes on The Boss before, such as one centered around the theology in his lyrics, but this semester’s class looks at how his rock influences culture.

Students are required to listen to several Bruce Springsteen albums like Born to Run, Darkness on the Edge of Town and High Hopes, among others. Although students do have to write traditional response papers, this course is mostly listening-based.

5. #Selfie

About more than just how to find the perfect Instagram filter and look stylish in photos, the Duke University #Selfie class is all about how the history of portraiture has evolved and what people choose to document from their everyday lives. Students read Freud and watch current TV shows to see how other people think of mundane life and the habit of snapping a pic at every event.

“We’ve discussed the selfie throughout history, what the selfie says about modern culture and our dependency on technology and why selfies taken in serious places such as the 9/11 Memorial or Auschwitz offend people,” says Duke University junior Tessa Deardorff.

6. Feminist Perspectives: Politizing Beyoncé 

Rutgers University sure loves their music icons! This course is centered around Queen Bey’s music and her take on feminism.

Nicola Keegan, a senior, says the class “takes a song a week and analyzes it with whatever paired reading we have…usually the reading is that of a famous black feminist or womanist.”

The class has watched Life is But a Dream, the Beyoncé documentary, and read excerpts from Caribbean-American feminist writer Audre Lorde’s essays. This class is one of Rutgers’ most famous courses.

7. The Anthropology of Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion

You may not have gotten your letter to Hogwarts, but at least you can take this Moorpark College course. The Anthropology of Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion looks at how different groups of people use different religious ideas to explain the world, and how people become religious. It also looks at ideas such as magic, and what people think is magic versus religion.

The course has several interactive classes; there’s one where you’re assigned to bring a blindfold to class, and another for which you’ll be asked to come up with your own religion.

=Whether you’re dying to learn the art of the perfect selfie or want to delve deep into Beyoncé’s lyrics, these classes will guarantee that you’re actually excited to go to class—and maybe even wanting to stay. After all, you only wanted a few more selfies in better lighting, right?

We all love a good statement piece, but sometimes, it’s the simple pieces that are the most stunning. They’re the ones that we wear every day, and which often means the most to us. That’s the idea behind accessories brand Sailormade, a line founded on the belief that somehow, we’re all connected to the water.

We’re giving away this luxe, preppy-chic bracelet (worth $75)! Made with a brightly-colored twisted rope and a clasp with a sleek, polished silver finish, this bracelet is simplicity at its best—stack it with other bangles, wear it with your favorite watch, or let it become your signature piece as the only bracelet on your wrist. Plus, the beachy vibe will bring a bit of summer into your life, no matter what the season—so if you’re yearning for warm weather, you’ll want to enter below for your chance to win—now!

This year's Grammy Awards consisted of artists speaking out on social issues, Sam Smith winning almost everything, and Taylor Swift dancing (which is something we would pay money to watch all night). Though the night was packed with a good 23 performers, some performances managed to stand out to us a little more than others. 

1. Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande performed "Just a Little Bit of Your Heart" and we have to say that we were happy to not only finally hear her perform a ballad at an awards show, but also to see her performing in a gown as opposed to the metallic leotards she usually wears.

2. Madonna

We don't think there will ever be a time when Madonna doesn't slay a performance. We'll take tonight's performance as a lesson: we all need to get on Madonna's level. At the age of 56, she still not only looks great but sounds amazing. 

3. Ed Sheeran

We found love when Ed Sheeran performed a duet with John Mayer. The combination of the two of them just made our hearts melt. 

4. Gwen Stefani and Adam Levine

It's a little hard to pay attention to anything that's happening on stage when Adam Levine is involved, so we'll just go ahead and admit that we don't remember too much from this performance except for the fact that Adam Levine really wanted us to say yes to something. And who in their right mind would say no to Adam Levine? Adam Levine and Gwen Stefani are pretty much a match made in heaven. 

5. Hozier and Annie Lennox

Hozier performed his hit song "Take Me to Church" but we'll just say that, as much as we love Hozier right now, the main person taking us to church during this performance was Annie Lennox, who stole the performance and put a spell on us during a little ode to Hocus Pocus.

6. Pharrell

Accompanied by Hans Zimmer, Pharrell and his new hat performed a slightly different version of "Happy" tonight. Our favorite part of the performance was his tribute to Mike Brown and the "Hands Up, Don't Shoot" movement. 

7. Katy Perry

After President Obama's public service announcement concerning domestic violence and sexual abuse, an angelic looking Katy Perry put the left shark to rest and took the stage and performed a ballad in a beautiful white gown. As much as we enjoyed the left shark, we have to say that we definitely enjoyed seeing a more mature side of Katy during this performance. 

8. Rihanna, Paul McCartney and Kanye West

After Rihanna took off that pink dress, she blew us away with her vocals when she teamed up with Paul McCartney and Yeezus to perform their newest single, "Four Five Seconds." Here's to hoping that this performance will help Paul McCartney win the Best New Artist award at next year's Grammys. 

9. Sia

In what seemed to be the ultimate plot twist of the night, Sia performed "Chandelier" with the incredibly talented Maddie Ziegler and, to everyone's surprise, Kristen Wiig. We'll admit that we thought it was a joke at first but Kristen actually seemed to take her performance pretty seriously and, for that, she earns a ton of our respect. 

10. Sam Smith and Mary J. Blige

The Grammy awards probably concluded with Sam Smith's ex throwing his TV out of his apartment window seeing as how Sam Smith swept the night with four wins and an awesome performance of "Stay With Me" alongside Mary J. Blige. We were overwhelmed with emotion and Sam and Mary J. pretty much proved that they're all we need. 

11. Beyoncé

Queen Bey was the last performer of the night but the wait was definitely worth it. We were expecting to see the Queen smack in the air and perform "7/11," but instead, she performed a gospel song with an all-male choir and was then followed by Common and John Legend who gave a powerful performance of "Glory," featured on the official soundtack of Selma. 

So tell us, collegiettes. Who were your favorite performers this year?

Your best friend is getting married and you’ve been asked to be in her wedding. First you’re met with excitement, but then feelings of nervousness come into play. Whether you have been a bridesmaid before or this is your first time, there are small things you can do that show the bride you’re up to the job and that, most importantly, you’re there to help whenever she may need you.

Follow these eight tips and you’ll stand out as bridesmaid of the year at your friend’s upcoming nuptials!

1. Don’t make bridesmaid dress shopping a nightmare

Tagging along when the bride is dress shopping? You might have opinions on what’ll look best on everyone, but remember, this isn’t your wedding. You might absolutely hate the bridesmaid dresses that the bride chooses in the end, but she has the ultimate say on how she wants her bridal party to look, and you can help by being open-minded and down to wear whatever she has lined up.

Danielle Gorman, the owner of Magnolia West—an event concierge offering consulting and design services to brides—believes you should stay neutral while trying on bridesmaid dresses. “If asked your thoughts on the dress, refrain from nasty comments like ‘it’s ugly’ or ‘I’m not wearing it,’” Gorman says. “Instead, offer your opinion in a nicer way. You never want to upset the bride!”

If there’s a style you already know you won’t be comfortable wearing (for example, if a certain cut is too revealing), try to talk to the bride earlier on in the dress search. Ask her if she would be opposed to having the girls in different styles, but keeping with the overall color theme and material of the dress. The bride will appreciate you letting her know ahead of time instead of trying to switch things around when she’s already made a decision.

2. When asked to help out, pitch in wherever you can

There is a ton of work that goes into planning a wedding. Between looking for a reception venue to deciding on a wedding dress, there is a lot of pressure on the bride to make sure everything is perfect. Your friend may call on you to help put together wedding favors or stuff invitations into envelopes, but whatever it is, show her that you’re there to help when she needs extra hands.

“Prepare to be called on to solve anything (quickly!) that may lead to a meltdown,” says Krystle Park, a Rutgers University graduate who served as maid of honor in her best friend’s wedding a few months ago. “Minor mishaps are bound to happen as the bride will be understandably stressed on the days, hours and minutes leading up to the most important day of her life.”

Let the bride know you’re up for anything, in case she may need you to pick up the bouquets while she runs out to grab the marriage license or do anything else she asks—no matter how random the task!

“I was the same shoe size as my friend who got married in the Fall, so I broke in her heels for her,” says Meghan Miller, a 2010 graduate of The College of New Jersey who was a bridesmaid in her friend’s wedding last year. “I scuffed up the bottom of her heels so that she wouldn’t slip down the aisle as she made her way towards her groom!”

As for the bridal shower, leave the planning to the maid of honor and the mother of the bride—but do let them know you’re available if they need anything. You don’t want to step on any toes by joining the planning process uninvited, but if you’re called on for some help, don’t hesitate to step up.

“Make yourself available to do projects beforehand and assist in the set up and clean up the day of the event,” Gorman says. “Being prepared is super important and you don't want the bride to feel at all like she has to do anything at her shower.”

3. Lend a listening ear to the bride

She may have pre-wedding jitters or she may just need some advice on seating arrangements because her Aunt Judy doesn’t get along with Uncle Louis. Whatever it is, make sure you sit down and listen to her vent. Offer advice as best you can and try to help her solve the problem at hand—or, don’t talk about it at all! Sometimes a fun, girly chat is all she needs to be able to clear her head and move on.

“Make sure the bride stays happy,” Krystle says. “Remind her and her groom that this is their day. The two of them will appreciate and remember your support in the years to come following the wedding.”

4. Send her fun pins for her wedding board on Pinterest

Every bride-to-be has a wedding board on Pinterest. It’s a fun way to gather ideas that will fit with the wedding theme and the boards allow you to visualize what the finished product will actually look like.

Create a secret board and invite the bride, along with the rest of the bridesmaids, to pin creative ideas like fun wedding day hairstyles, bridal shower ideas and even cute bridesmaid poses you can hand off to the photographer.

The bride will appreciate an extra set of eyes and bursts of creativity during a time when her mind might be bogged down with other wedding-planning tasks.

5. Make sure you have health and beauty essentials on hand during the wedding

On the day of the wedding, equip yourself with an emergency bridesmaid kit full of health and beauty essentials you’ll need access to during the day.

Jen Glantz, who is a professional bridesmaid (yes, there is such a thing) in her business Bridesmaid for Hire, says that if you come prepared, you won’t have to worry about stopping by the store to pick up something you might really need last minute, like headache medicine!

“All the things you think you won't need—or think someone else will bring, will probably be absent on the morning of the wedding,” says Glantz. “So when you, the bride, and the other bridesmaids are getting ready, be sure to have a kit of essentials with you so that no one has to take a last minute emergency trip to CVS. Some of those essentials include: phone chargers, bobby pins, and Advil!”

Don’t forget fashion must-haves like a travel sewing kit, fashion tape, a stain pen and static spray so that you avoid any fashion faux pas that might come up.

In addition to having all the essentials on hand, the morning of the wedding is a crucial time to be helpful to the bride.

“Keep her refreshed with drinks and make sure she eats throughout the day,” Gorman says. “Assist with a gift exchange if the couple will be doing one, run any last minute errands that might pop up and keep everything light and upbeat. The less she has to think about or do the better. Be a support system and stay positive!”

6. Follow the two-drink rule

You don’t want to be remembered as the drunken bridesmaid, so adhere to the two-drink rule and make sure you pace yourself when it’s time to party at the reception. Even though the bride and groom have said their vows and sealed it with a kiss, your bridesmaid duties aren’t quite over yet. Your newly-married friend may need you to help her bustle her dress so that she can walk around comfortably while greeting guests or help take care of last-minute guests who showed up without RSVP-ing.

“As a bridesmaid, you'll start getting ready early in the morning and if you pair that time frame with glass after glass of champagne, you won't make it to the part where you need to walk down the aisle!” Glantz says. “So limit yourself and pace yourself throughout the evening. Make sure to stay hydrated as well!”

Not to mention—following the two-drink rule will also keep you in good shape for brunch the next morning.

7. Carry along an extra pair of comfortable shoes

You want to make sure everyone at the wedding is having a good time, so be the first one out on the dance floor, and don’t let your heels and sore feet stop you.

“When the heels start to give you blisters and you want to kick them off and get low on the dance floor, having a pair of flats by your side will make you feel comfortable and relaxed and kick start you into party mode,” Glantz says.

Your feet will thank you for the much-needed break and your bride will be happy to see that everyone is having fun.

8. Become friends with the other bridesmaids

There is strength in numbers, so become friends with the other bridesmaids! Even if you don’t know who the other maids are, you all at least have one thing in common: the bride. Whether you’ve been friends with her for years or you’re her sister-in-law, make it a point to befriend the other ladies in the bridal party so that your personalities meld together when it’s time for the big day.

“You don't have to be friends with them for the rest of your life, but for the few hours you need to combine forces and make a shower happen, or during the morning of the wedding, [it will] make everything more fun,” Gorman says. “Be polite and friendly and bond with them when you can even if it is just over wedding stuff.”

Start a group chat with the ladies and plan a wedding-free night with the bride so you can all get to know each other. When the time comes to pose closely for photos, it won’t be super awkward. Plus, you can work together to make sure the bride has the wedding of her dreams.

Weddings are meant to be fun, so try your best not to get stressed out by everything that goes into planning the perfect day. Being a part of someone’s wedding day is an honor felt by both a bridesmaid and a bride, which you shouldn’t lose in the months, weeks and days leading up to the wedding. Let your inner event planner shine through and get ready to be world’s best bridesmaid!

Name: Meredith Conte
Age: 37
Job Title and Description: Vice President, Marketing at Gannett Broadcasting
College Name/Major: Duke University/Public Policy
Twitter Handle: @meredithconte

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

Meredith Conte: My current job really revolves around people. As the head of marketing for Gannett Broadcasting, it’s my job to help local news stations attract consumers and advertisers to their brand. It means encouraging audiences to watch their local news, to engage with a local station on social media, to help local businesses understand why a partnership with our stations makes sense and so forth.

There really is no typical day, which is a positive. I like a lot of variety in my work, so the fact that I travel to our 46 TV stations around the country, meet with a lot of different people and work on a variety of projects is all good.

What is the best part of your job?

MC: The best part of my job is coming up with ideas. I love to brainstorm, problem-solve and participate in the creative process. 

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

MC: My first entry-level job was working as an aide on a political campaign. I got the job by networking with anyone and everyone, starting on the campaign as a volunteer, working hard and then asking for the role when the previous employee moved on.

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

MC: This really applies to all industries but I wish I knew that “how” you do things really trumps “what” you do. When you are in an industry that’s as relationship-oriented as the media business, interpersonal skills, working comfortably through ambiguity and having a high level of resilience are all critical. Those are things they don’t teach in college, so you have to work hard, gain experience and seek feedback to help create a successful professional style.

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

MC: This will sound corny, but I’d have to say my dad. He was my first professional mentor, always encouraging, sharing wisdom and helping me strategize about various career moves. He was a successful businessman in his own right, and I always found his stories incredibly inspiring and motivating. He and my mom really gave me the confidence to believe in myself and pursue my career. 

What words of wisdom do you find most valuable?

MC: I have a friend who always signs her emails “Keep on keepin’ on,” and that has stuck with me throughout my career. Every professional has their ups and their downs at every level of their career. The trick is to just keep going. Don’t let yourself get bogged down by any particular issue or circumstance. Just keep plugging away and eventually you’ll find a way out, a new door or an unexpected outcome. Just keep on keepin’ on. 

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

MC: I think the biggest mistake I made was taking one position for the wrong reasons. Earlier in my career, I accepted an offer based on tangible merits without doing enough homework on the company’s culture, and it turned out to be an awkward fit.

The lesson there was really make sure you do your homework about the company and its culture before you jump in. You need to feel confident it’s the right fit all the way around. Gut instincts are really powerful. If you feel something’s off, it probably is.

What has been the most surreal moment of your career thus far?

MC: The whole journey has been surreal, to be honest.  My career has taken unexpected twists and turns, which have led me down different paths at different times, and I’m really grateful for the entire ride.

What do you look for when considering hiring someone?

MC: Of course I look for the basics: hard worker, self-starter, smart and fit within the organization. But beyond that, I look for spark. Does a candidate have the creativity and curiosity to bring new ideas to the table, to inspire others and to help create a culture of innovation? If so, then that’s a person I’d like to have on our team. 

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

MC: The media business is changing so fast. What it looks like today will no doubt look completely different a year from now. So my first piece of advice would be to keep up with all the disruption and changes in the industry in order to be prepared for interviews, to develop a personal point-of-view about the industry and to be in a position to contribute.

And if this is an industry you really want to pursue, go for it. It is a real thrill to be in the media business and in journalism specifically. To know that your passion for multimedia storytelling can ultimately create change in communities is an exciting prospect. So if you have any interest at all, I say go all in. Don’t worry if you don’t have a journalism degree—the beauty of the business is that degrees are only one part of the mix. Creativity and curiosity get you pretty darn far.

Have you ever gone to a dermatologist?

You’ve probably, like me, heard mixed reviews about dermatologists either being your skin’s fairy godmother or just being a money wasting gimmick. My past experience has fallen with the latter. 

As I babbled about my acne problems, my new dermatologist turned my face this way and that, and after a short couple of minutes, prescribed a weird oxygen treatment and a retinoid cream that her assistant would walk me through. When her assistant came in, I realized they wanted me to buy $400 worth of products and sign up for $300 worth of oxygen treatments. Uh, bye.

After that experience, I was convinced I was fighting this acne battle on my own, until YoDerm came calling. It’s basically a board-certified dermatologist tucked away on your phone, laptop, and/or tablet. The most work I had to do was fill out a form about my medical history and list my skin issues. Then, I grabbed my phone and took uncomfortably close but clear pictures of my face (sans makeup of course). Two minutes later, I had my photos uploaded and my consultation submitted. My favorite part? I was curled up on my couch watching Netflix instead of a stiff waiting room chair. The whole process took me about 10 minutes.

The real results came the next day when my inbox buzzed with a message from Dr. Paik and a notification that my prescriptions were ready at my chosen pharmacy. My favorite part in her message? She said, “It takes 2 to 3 months to see the full benefit from topical creams, so stick with it and don’t give up too quickly.” That’s a hard lesson I’ve learned while navigating the world of skincare because you want to see results within days (not weeks!), and I’ve heard the same thing from my friends. Having your dermatologist reassure and motivate you to keep trying makes all the difference!

Each consultation is only $59, which is what I paid as a co-pay with my insurance at my last in-person dermatologist visit. This time, I didn’t have someone pressuring me to buy expensive products. I got prescription-strength topical medicine, advice on how to better use my own Clarisonic and cleansers, and I did not even have to work it around my schedule. 

Putting on my retinoid cream!

While YoDerm does not accept insurance, definitely bring it with you to the pharmacy for your prescriptions. I saved over $250 on my creams with my insurance! 

Now, is Dr. Paik is going to abandon me after our initial consultation? Nope. I can easily message her from my patient dashboard with any questions or concerns, and if her prescription isn’t working for me, whether from adverse side effects or irritation, she’ll write a new prescription free of charge.

YoDerm has launched in New York, California, Texas and Pennsylvania, with more locations coming soon. If you’re under 18, you just need your parent’s e-signature to join.

YoDerm can make great dermatologists accessible to collegiettes everywhere! Between running to lectures, yoga classes, brunch dates and more, I just don’t have time to trek uptown for an appointment. My dermatologist goes with me wherever I am.

Hey collegiettes!

We know you love reading HC on your laptops, your smartphones, and your tablets... but now you can truly curl up with HC because our first-ever book hits stores this April, and it's available for pre-order on Amazon NOW!

The Her Campus Guide to College Life: How to Manage Relationships, Stay Safe and Healthy, Handle Stress, and Have the Best Years of Your Life covers everything you need to know to rock college, from how to get along with your roommates to how to avoid the 'freshman 15', deal with tough professors, snag internships, decide whether to study abroad, and much, much more.

Whether you're already an upperclassman or are just getting ready to go off to college next fall, this book has everything you need to survive and thrive on campus when it comes to all aspects of your life. Our book also includes handy resources like a template roommate contract, dorm room grocery list, and more.

The book officially hits stores in April, but you can pre-order your copy NOW on Amazon so that you'll be one of the first to receive it once it comes out!

I can't wait to hear what you think!

HC Love,
Stephanie Kaplan Lewis, Co-founder, CEO & Editor-in-Chief of Her Campus

So there’s this guy friend that you sorta kinda maybe have a crush on.

You feel like you couldn’t make your feelings any more obvious to him…

…but he is still totally clueless.

So you're super surprised when he asks you to come over on Valentine’s Day...

...but then it all makes sense when you go over to his place and he greets you like one of his buddies.

You're bummed out that he apparently still thinks of you as a friend, because it feels like you've been waiting a century for him to make a move.

He invites you in for a beer and turns on the game (it's almost frustrating how comfortable you two are around each other!)...

…and the two of you hang out like you have a million times before, because you're "like brother and sister," as he so devastatingly put it.

In an attempt to escape the friend zone, you scoot closer to him on the couch and try to be sexy.

But you end up looking more like this:

You haven’t quite nailed the flirting thing yet, so you settle with high-fiving him every time your team scores.

As he continues watching the game, you reminisce on any memory with him that could have been mistaken as the beginning of a relationship (like two minutes ago, when you guys shared a high five).

And whenever he gives you a genuine compliment, you overanalyze it and think there may be a spark.

But then you compare it with how he actually flirts with other girls...

...and you realize you're holding on to a hopeless dream.

And the most annoying thing is that you know how good of a couple you two would be!

He asks you if you want another beer, but you decline and instead say:

To which he responds with the worst reply ever:

Second attempt to escape from the friend zone: FAILED.

He tells you that you're the funniest friend he has, and you sit in his living room like:

You decide that this Valentine's Day is not a lucky one for you. But it's whatever, because you really value his friendship and will deal with being just friends...

...but it doesn't hurt to keep trying. Third time's the charm?

Your favorite celebs brought their A game last night at the 57th annual Grammy Awards. From oversized wigs to construction orange fencing, the eclectic getups were a sight to behold. But we definitely have our favorites. Here, our lineup of the real showstoppers:

1. Ariana Grande in Atelier Versace

Ari's one-shoulder gown is sophisticated with a shot of sparkle.

2. Chrissy Teigen in Emilio Pucci

The cutouts on Chrissy's white column dress show off her hourglass curves.

3. Kat Graham in Yanina Couture

Lavendar floral outlines over black mesh make for an ideal mix of girly and edgy.

4. Haim in Chloé and Stella McCartney

The ultra-cool trio rocked three different monochromatic styles that worked in perfect harmony. Oh, and that power suit front and center? So on point.

5. Jessie J in Ralph & Russo

Jessie J went for all-out drama in shimmering beading and a sleek hairdo.

6. Gwen Stefani in Atelier Versace

Gwen dared to be different in this black spidery jumpsuit.

7. Katy Perry in Zuhair Murad

Glittering like a firework, Katy Perry was dripping in jewels and sporting lilac locks that make us want to dye our hair that way.

8. Anna Kendrick in Band of Outsiders

Anna Kendrick worked the menswear trend, adding a bit of femininity with a deep neckline.

9. Meghan Trainor in Galia Lahav

Elegant lace detailing makes Trainor's gown a standout.

10. Iggy Azalea in Armani Prive

Iggy stunned in this electric blue number, but it was her braided updo that stole the show.

11. Taylor Swift in Elie Saab

Looking like a mermaid (in a good way!), Swift works the high-low and colorblocking trends in metallic turquoise and bright purple sandals.

12. Beyoncé in Proenza Schouler

As always, Beyoncé sashayed down the carpet looking fierce and flawless in black Proenza Schouler.

13. Rihanna in Giambattista Valli Haute Couture

Rihanna was reminiscent of a cupcake as she twirled in endless amounts of pink tulle.

What was your favorite look of the night, collegiettes?

It's the most wonderful day of the year: National Pizza Day! Today's the day to proclaim your love for pizza without even an ounce of shame. You can celebrate by eating it, tweeting about it, or wearing it... just like these famous pizza lovers. If the holiday snuck up on you, don't panic—enjoy a Hot-N-Ready along with these pizza-crazy celebs!

1. Jennifer Lawrence

We all know J-Law loves to talk about her favorite foods on the red carpet, but pizza holds a special place in her heart. During a Moviefone Unscripted interview with the Hunger Games cast, Jen shared a hilarious story about Josh Hutcherson's mom forgetting to order the pizza. We understand, Jen.

2. Niall Horan

Niall can't be bothered while he enjoys a slice of pizza after playing a show with One Direction.

3. Katy Perry

Caught in the act: Katy Perry steps out in a pizza onesie and takes selfies with her fans. Eating pizza is one thing, but wearing it takes the love to a whole new level of devotion. 

4. Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran uses Twitter to express his love for pizza. Indeed, it is the circle of life. 

5. Ryan Gosling

Ryan Gosling chows down on a slice of pizza in the movie Crazy, Stupid, Love and he looks pretty darn good doing it.

6. Beyoncé

Queen Bey just become the queen of this beloved dish. Beyonce ventures out to grab some pizza, while wearing pizza. All hail the Queen.

7. Tina Fey

The only person who loves pizza more than Liz Lemon is Tina Fey. In fact, Jimmy Fallon even surprised her on The Tonight Show with her favorite pizza from her hometown of Upper Darby, PA.

8. Victoria Justice

Looks like Victoria Justice shops at the same place as Katy Perry and Beyoncé do, but honestly who wouldn't?

9. Chris Evans

Chris Evans got a pizza surprise while promoting his film on Good Morning America. Pizza for breakfast is always a good life decision.

10. Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep gracefully grabs a quick slice during Ellen's pizza party at last year's Oscars and gets a nomation for best performance. Best night ever?

Who cares about Valentine's Day? It's all about celebrating real love: pizza. Happy National Pizza Day!!!

Were you as excited as we were when the Grammys decided to make such a powerful statement against domestic violence? Beginning with a pre-taped message from President Obama, the segment became especially stirring as domestic violence survivor Brooke Axtell gave a resounding speech recounting her experiences and subsequent clarity. Katy Perry closed out this serious turn in the evening with a performance of her ballad “By the Grace of God.” And while many reacted positively to the message itself, there was also a considerable amount of blowback.

After all, this is the same award show that nominated two artists associated with acts of domestic violence. R. Kelly, nominated for Best R&B Performance, did not attend the telecast but the simple fact that a man accused of numerous counts of sexual misconduct in the early 2000s was recognized outraged many viewers. Not to mention that Chris Brown, who was up for three awards and is perhaps best known for his pre-Grammys altercation with ex-girlfriend Rihanna, was in attendance.

Domestic violence is a topic that has dominated the news recently, with more celebrities and public figures being caught in scuffles or accused of inappropriate behavior. So it’s not incredibly surprising that a major award show took the opportunity to speak out against the ever-growing issue. If you’ve been following along this award season, every ceremony from the Golden Globes to the SAG Awards has been filled with statement-making moments. Racial injustice, freedom of speech, and other hot-button issues have flooded the chatter. While we’re glad that these troubling problems are being addressed on a larger scale with formidable platforms, we can’t help but side with those who find it hypocritical to honor those very artists who perpetrate the acts they’re denouncing.

Or maybe you’re in the camp that says we should separate celebs’ personal lives from their craft. Is it really up to the Grammys to deny nominations to stars who often find themselves in trouble even if their work is worthy of recognition? We’re split on this side of the issue, but we do find it outlandish for an award show to blatantly condemn a subject as troubling and in need of awareness as domestic violence while nominating artists who have been caught in its midst in the past.

Do you think the Grammys were sending mixed messages by nominating these artists while supposedly speaking out against domestic violence?

Calling all tequila lovers: a study conducted at the American Chemical Society has found that the hard liquor can aid in weight loss. 

Agavins, a type of natural sugar that comes from the agave plant (not to be confused with the more commonly used agave syrup), can be found in tequila, Time reported. These particular sugars are don't raise blood sugar the way normal sugars may, and are not digestible, according to Mexican researchers.

To reach this conclusion, a team of scientists added agavins to the water given to test mice. They discovered that mice who consumed agavins compared to those that did not ingest it ate less overall and had lower blood glucose levels.

How does this help with weight loss and management? Agavins produces a hormone called GLP-1 that produces insulin and keeps you full for longer. The Daily Mail puts the matter simply, saying that the sugars “raise levels of a gut hormone that tells the brain it is time to stop eating.” The hormone enhances the feeling of fullness, preventing us from eating unnecessarily.

Agavins also do not produce the many negative side effects that result from the overconsumption of artificial sugars, such as headaches.

Elite Daily reported that the scientists who conducted this study believe that agavins are a viable light sweetener substitute since “they are sugars, highly soluble, have a low glycemic index, and a neutral taste, but most important, they are not metabolized by humans.”

These findings could help the approximately 26 million Americans suffering from diabetes, as the study supports that the sugars found in the plant that makes tequila could lower blood glucose levels for people with type 2 diabetes.

While you should not consider taking a shots of tequila throughout the day to help aid your weight loss efforts, the fact scientists might be able to develop a sweetener that lowers sugar levels instead of raising them is revolutionary.

That being said, you can feel less guilty about ordering that second margarita!